any of these songs stolen ;)

Either that or it's Coldplay's vindictive way of making me feel bad about myself for wasting a dollar downloading Viva La Vida a year ago.

That is exactly the first thought I had when I saw Viva La Vida on the track list.

Also, your link to the 2006 article about X&Y Album makes me think...

Was it Coldplay's fault that Capitol Records put ridiculous amount of DRM on those things? Whats the procedure generally? Does the record label decide all that or does band have an input too?

Is it that:
a) The label goes to the band, says we are going to put all these protection measures. Cool?

or

b) The band tells the label that we want all this crap on here. Do it.

or

c) Can and does happen both ways...

@MostlyHarmless: It's a live album.

@larrymac: Ugh... I hate live albums. The stupid crowd gets in the way of music. Well I dont actually _hate_ them, I just dislike them a lot.

But then, its free.

@MostlyHarmless: like live albums when they'[re recorded well. And when they don't cost the same as a regular one. Pearl Jam used to release what they called "official bootlegs" of their shows that were well-recorded and cost half of what a regular CD costs - often for huge, four CD sets. They released the entire show when they did this, not just a sampling like most bands.

@MostlyHarmless: While I don't really like Coldplay, I don't think they have anything to do with the DRM

it's the damn record companies that are to blame

@MostlyHarmless: It probably depends on the band and how shitty their contract is. Newer band will have less control over these things, a more established one might have more of a say, I'd think.

For reference: Files are 192K MP3 (marginal quality), plus a JPG of the album cover.

The album is free to download and it's still not worth it to me.

Also it's a live album, not the studio recordings of these songs.

@Nicole: A certain live version of Hotel California comes to mind. My most fave version of the song ever.

Are there really this many people complaining about something that's free? If you don't want it, don't download it. If you don't like it, delete it.

@Smashville: the saying beggars can't be choosers comes to mind...

@Scatter: Exactly. Why download Coldplay when you can buy the original Joe Satriani song with more talent and better production?

ah coldplay - following in radiohead's footsteps since 1998. now if only they could manage not to be horrible, they might be on to something...

Can't give it away....

@MostlyHarmless: If you are referring to the version that was on "Hell freezes over" I completely agree with you.

@dragonfire81: That is exactly what I am talking about :D

@andyross: Unless you have four legs, wouldn't be able to drink water without your tongue, and think that unless you've treed a cat, your weekend was a wasted one, 192K VBR is fine.
Agree that 128K comes out a bit tinny (only if your unit is plugged into either extra-nice pods or speakers). And probably dependent on what sort of music (love my Ramones but hi-fi they're not).
320K VBR is a waste, except for the fact that you'll earn mega-smug points as you extoll the virtues of your library to someone else's.
Then again, the cool kids, who compare based on how good their library is, not how high its sample rate is, still won't let you share their hookah.

Whoa, Mr Villarreal must have stepped on his kitten this morning.
There's much worse Pop out there than Coldplay. If your hips haven't swayed sympathetically while listening to Deep Dish's Clocks while coming down at 5am with a gaggle of happily fatigued, irrationally grinning friends then you have no business calling yourself a New Yorker.
*harumph*

(Although I'm sure we can link arms, agreeing that the Bros Jonahs are a scourge upon the Earth, so, Cookies For All!)

Ugh, I got excited until I found out it was a Live. Freaking HATE Live albums.

Oh, and people ranting about Viva la Vida can blow it out their you-know-what. The songs barely sound similar at all past the initial sample notes.

People just want to sound like elitist douchebags by standing up for Satriani over Coldplay.

Did Satriani approve of this?

@Kia: I know it's a matter of personal preference, but I prefer live recordings over studio recordings. It does take some adjusting to (if you're used to hearing the studio recordings) but in the end, I think they are way better.

@P_Smith: Funny thing is that two other artists have ALSO sued Coldplay over claims that Viva La Vida is theirs. Which means either that Chris Martin displayed ninja-like skills in stealing the song from the three "real" originators simultaneously (who uhh, rightfully share the rights to the same song in some sort of backroom, super-secret deal?), that Satriani stole from the other two first, or that, y'know, Pop songs relying on the a three-chord structure inevitably result in unintended similarities.
Wanna bet after all the lawyering is done, only the lawyers will benefit and the case is dismissed?
Creation is a tricky thing sometimes, huh?

Does anyone think that it's pretty swell that a decent band is giving away a free album, only asking for an email addy in exchange? I just tried it and three clicks and submitting Phil's email* later, its downloading quietly as I type this.
Have many other bands done this (live or studio)? If so, please share them below.
I think it's pretty peachy, myself. It should be commended. Included in the Deals section, even. Awesome. And, thanks for the snarky-infested yet welcome story, Phil!
* Joke!

@Trai_Dep: *cough* "it's" *cough*

There is no reason this shouldn't be the norm these days.

You know how I know you are gay? You listen to Coldplay.

@MostlyHarmless:

OR its Coldplay trying to imitate Radiohead for the umpteenth time.

To be fair, it's a live album, so it's not entirely a waste for anybody who bought the tracks previously. A bit of an arrgh moment, but a short one.

As a musician, I just have to say, Coldplay, UR DOIN IT WRONG.

"We're gonna jack your cash, be jerks, rip off other musicians, and screw everyone to the top, then when we're there, we'll release an album that won't take us 45 minutes (literally) to make, as a 'thank you' to all of our fans"

I'm not trying to bite any attention here, but our band's first album is planning on a 100% free release. As well as our second album. And our third. And the rest of them.

And you know how we plan to make money and "thank our fans"? By not treating them or other musicians like crap!

Whatever happened with Coldplay vs. Satriani...?

Anyways, I just hate whenever bands who clearly are jerks "thank their fans" by giving them something that took zero time or effort from them.

You wanna thank your fans, Coldplay? Publicly apologize for the trouble you may have caused (even if unintentionally), thank everyone who's been involved in making your band where it is, and actually release something of EFFORT to the people who've paid your million-whatever dollar salaries.

I think I'm just vengeful at the record industry by this point...

Oh, and, anyone who wants to flame me and tell me how wrong I am, and how I'm an idiot, and all that other good stuff? Don't waste your time. I'm not coming back to this article. It made me angry. It spit in my coffee this morning.

@11hawkinst: Some bands (Rush, in particular) do fantastic live albums and deserve as much love as humanly possible when it comes to their live work.

Ya know, its funny. So many bands cite Rush as an inspiration to them yet almost all of them suck like. Why couldn't they have been inspired enough to put on a good live show?

I'm looking at you, Dream Theater.

@Smashville: That's our society in a nutshell. I would bet that the complainers are all under 25 and closer to 18.

@ElizabethD: Yes, they are god awful, aren't they?