The majors have obviously woken up to free music.

This track was ‘released’ by the Offspring a few days ago. Now, I kinda preferred them in about 1995 (circa Smash) to what they went on to do, though it was great to see them break the Top 10 in the UK. This track is from their forthcoming album entitled Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace.

The Offspring -‘Hammerhead.’ mp3

Meanwhile, free music has seen an interesting development here in the UK. I don’t know how it’s working out in the rest of the world, but 7″ vinyl singles have become progressively more popular once again over the last four years (the NME voiced the theory that it was to do with the ‘impersonal’ nature of mp3s). Whatever the reason, it’s great. Even more impressive is the fact that the NME have over the last year or so started giving away free 7″s. Last year there was The White Stripes and Babyshambles; this very day it’s Coldplay. The ‘A-side’ is the ‘Violet Hill’ track I posted a couple of days ago, and the b-side ‘unavailable elsewhere’ is this:

Coldplay -‘A Spell A Rebel Yell.’ mp3

More vinyl goodness to follow…