Given the choice of how much they wanted to pay for Radiohead’s new album, about a third of fans decided to keep a hold of their money.

In Rainbows, which became available to download yesterday, is the first album to be sold on an “honesty box” principle. An internet survey of 3,000 people who downloaded the album found that most paid an average of £4, although there was a hardcore of 67 fans who thought that the record was worth more than £10 and a further 12 who claimed to have paid more than £40.

“I’m paying about $80 Canadian (£40) for the set, and another $20 on the download,” said one of the buyers surveyed. “Hey, I get to tip my favourite band! Money well spent.”

Paul Scaife, publisher of music industry newsletter Record of the Day, which conducted the poll, said: “Many were paying what they thought the artist got out of a CD sale, and some would have used a facility to pay more after they had heard the MP3s.”

He thought that many fans would buy a hard copy of the album when it came out on CD. “Once they’ve downloaded it and heard it, fans will probably want to upgrade to the CD or boxed set, then make their own MP3 at higher quality.”

Of those polled 351 also bought the £40 discbox, which includes the download, the album on vinyl, a CD with additional tracks, and original art-work. They are being made to order.

“I paid £2.50, but I’m still undecided about getting the discbox”, said one of the buyers surveyed. “If I don’t, I’ll pay them more. If the album’s especially awesome, I'll pay them even more.”

The tactic provoked a mixed response from the band’s peers.

James Blunt, the three million-selling singer songwriter told The Times that Radiohead’s approach could undermine the principle that artists should be rewarded for their work.

“I definitely think there is value in music,” he said. “I don’t think they should devalue it. I’ve got to pay a band and a producer and a mixer. I don’t know how I’d necessarily pay them if I sold my albums for 1p. I’d have to work it out, but maybe they know how this works in practice.”

Johnny Marr, the former Smiths guitarist, now a member of US band Modest Mouse, is an enthusiastic supporter. “I think it’s a really fantastic idea because it puts the responsibility back on people’s own consciences and deals with people as grown-ups,” he said.

Bands will have to up their game, predicted Marr. “Everyone knows you can get your music for free, so let’s see if you really want to show the band your appreciation.”

Alex Turner, the singer with Arctic Monkeys, said that he had been “reading up” about Radiohead’s exercise. He said it was “very interesting”, but would not commit his band, voted Best Act in the World Today by Q magazine readers this week, to following suit.

Artists such as David Bowie, a web pioneer who has one further album to deliver on his current record deal, are said to be taking a close interest in the Radiohead project.

Oasis are releasing their new single, Lord Don’t Slow Me Down, as a 99p download only. But the band are currently without a record deal and are discussing a new contract with corporate giants, including Universal Music.

Sources say that Oasis want the international marketing power a large record company can offer, and the one-off advance payment would be an incentive for some band members.

But Jamiroquai, another former Sony artist with a live following, is said to be interested in pursuing the web-only route because the band makes a large amount of its earnings from live performances.

Record companies are expected to fight back by cutting the advance payments they offer stars. Robbie Williams negotiated a record £80 million deal with EMI but the company, under new management, is likely to be less generous when negotiations begin shortly.

Manchester veterans The Charlatans announced that they are giving their new album away as a free download through the XFM website. The band argued that signing to a record company was similar to “joining the army” with a similar lack of financial reward. But the group, who sold out their latest tour within an hour, have probably passed their recorded sales peak.

What they said

“Paid £3.50 for it, as I hope one day to be able to afford the box set just for the second CD (have no record player). The £3.50 is about £3 more than Parlophone would have paid the band for my purchase. Good on them, it’s a cracking album”
Richard John, London

“I paid £5.00. 1 for loyalty to my favourite band, 1 for taking a shot at record companies, 1 for respecting the consumer, 1 for resisting the status quo, 1 for splendid music”
United States

“I've bought many albums this year which I regret, paying about a tenner for three good singles and umpteen shoddy/rushed/lazy 'filler' tracks is a joke.”
United Kingdom

“£0. I'm not even sure I like Radiohead, I found OK Computer really hard going. So I'm taking a (free) punt. Either I'll become a new fan or continue on my way.”
United Kingdom

“I chose zero, but maybe if I had a chance to chip in 10 bucks, after I hear it if it’s great, then I would.”
Australia

“I think it is a good album, I paid 30p for it.
James Fisher, Surrey

“Beautiful, dense and – for me – their strongest album since OK Computer. I paid £8.”
Nick Craske, London

Source:Whatpricedidyouchose.com, Timesonline.co.uk

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