After a “legal dispute” derailed EMI’s plans to release his new LP, Dark Night of the Soul, Danger Mouse found his own way to fight back.
He was the producing-half of Gnarls Barkley and the genius behind the (in)famous Grey Album. Now his next release will be a collectors boxed-set with detailed liner notes, album art and … a blank CD.
Danger Mouse (a.k.a. Brian Joseph Burton) intends for fans to download/record their own copy of the album (now streaming online through NPR), and burn it to the packaged CD-R.
Just because a label says no why should Burton’s work be confined to torrents and bootleg MP3s? And if my dollar has to go somewhere, I’d be glad to send it the way of a great musician who thinks so far outside the box, the law has yet to catch up.
Also, by putting out a blank CD-R with trimmings, he takes a shot at the business models labels are pursuing online — all born out of a paranoia that if the track goes free, they’re doomed.
Here’s a producer who has a label standing in his way and he manages to figure out how to work the situation to his advantage. Give the music away for free and have ‘em pay for the liner notes.
I hope he tops Billboard with a blank CD. Even if he doesn’t, I adore the guy for trying.
When it has gotten to this point though, you have to ask yourself who exactly are standing in the way of the artist.
Dark Night of the Soul can currently be streamed on NPR Music for free (here).