Full Length Albums for Free?

This past Valentine's Day, Angels and Airwaves released their third full length album, LOVE. On Monday after Valentine's day, I went searching for the album at various music stores. After getting nothing but puzzled looks from sales associates, I jumped online to their modlife page to find that it was available for free. I couldn't believe it.

While I had heard of bands doing this, most notably, Radiohead, I haven't heard of one recently. AVA were asking instead for donations to their charity. For a minimal donation, you can also get another version of their song "Hallucination" that was remixed by Mark Hoppus (Blink-182).

I think that this is an amazing move. This is going to give anyone who can get to a computer access to download their music. People are going to tell other people about how you can download their album for free and they will earn new fans. According to a recent interview with MTV.com, Tom DeLonge said that "We were really interested in the one thing that ties everybody together in a very scientific way but a spiritual way." He was referring to the theme of the album, love.

But what about itunes charts and album sales charts? The success of this album depends on the level of promotion that is done. Currently, the album and its supporting tour are advertised on altpress.com.

Do you think that releasing free albums is a good idea for bands? Will it enable them to make more money on the supporting tour and merchandise?

What happens when musicians fall in love? A Valentine's Day themed blog

Josh Farro, the guitarist of Paramore recently got engaged. According to the band’s website, he will be taking some time off Paramore’s tour to plan a wedding and spend time with his fiancé. But, where does this leave the fans? Farro’s brother, Justin, will reportedly replace Josh for the tour performances that he will be missing.

Musicians, just like us mortals, fall in love. And us mortals fall in love with musicians. So, I want to take a look at some of history’s most notable modern “musicians who fell in love.” What effect did their romance take on their band and their own careers?

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

While the age-old story is that Yoko “broke up the Beatles,” The Beatles may have actually been falling apart despite the relationship between John and Yoko. John and Yoko were inseparable, even during recording session. To longtime fans, Yoko seemed to be getting between John and Paul, not allowing them the room they needed to work together creatively. John and Yoko used their relationship for philanthropic causes, holding a “bed-in” for world peace. John even wrote “The Ballad of John and Yoko” outlining the milestones of their relationship. They would remain deeply in love until John’s untimely death.

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love

They seemed to be grunge-punk rock royalty, Courtney first saw Kurt perform at a show in 1989 and developed a crush on him. They were later formally introduced and Courtney pursued Kurt. In an interview Kurt even said; "I can't believe how much happier I am. At times I even forget that I'm in a band, I'm so blinded by love. I know that sounds embarrassing, but it's true. I could give up the band right now. It doesn't matter, but I'm under contract." While their relationship was dramatic and largely based on illegal drug use, they remained together. Nirvana continued to produce material, such as modern radio classics such as “Heart Shaped Box.” However, Kurt overdosed several times foreshadowing the tragic turn that would include the demise of Nirvana and the death of Kurt.

Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd

Eric tried for several years to win over Pattie’s heart, but Pattie was torn between repairing her marriage to George and giving in to her passion to be with Eric. Eric was so brokenhearted about not being with Pattie that he fell into severe alcoholism and a dependency on heroin. Eric basically wooed Pattie from her troubled marriage to George Harrison. Their relationship was both passionate and tumultuous, creating fuel for a musical fire. Boyd felt an intense connection to Eric, especially because George was becoming more deeply devoted to meditation and not her. Pattie inspired the song “Wonderful Tonight,” which Eric penned one evening while waiting for Pattie to get ready to go to a party. What could be more romantic and musically inspiring than that?

Although Pattie inspired Eric to write what some consider his best work, their love did not last. They later divorced, but remain close friends.

Love is a powerful creative force and it remains the most popular subject matter of song writing. Love is the human element, love makes us feel connected to music and it is what makes a song timeless.

Is this the end of Fall Out Boy?

Pete Wentz has set off a firestorm of speculation about the future of the beloved and loathed band, Fall Out Boy. On his blog, Wentz posted a message basically stating that the band has grown apart and he seems to be saying he is not sure where they currently stand as a group.

Judging from the miles of comments after the posting, fans are not taking Wentz's paragraph statement lightly.

Other band members have begun solo/side projects, so where does this leave the paparazzi favorite Wentz? What about the legions of longtime Fall Out Boy fans?

photo credit:Forrest/WireImage