Text of My Conversation with Merge Records Concerning Giving Away a Free Album Download on this Blog

Background facts: I bought the new Arcade Fire LP, Neon Bible (pictured above), by mail order off Merge Records. The LP came with a code for 3 free mp3 album downloads. Since I am not 3 persons, I used the code once, gave one use to a friend, and put one up on the blog on first come first get basis.

Stacy "Spott" Philpott, I just found out, happens to be the Label Manager. Not a busy job I suppose.

5 messages

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Stacy Philpott	Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:53 AM
To: knkisser@gmail.com
i’m amazed that someone would take advantage of something like this but i guess i shouldn’t be. /06/arcade-fire-neon-bible.html>

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Pierre Trudeau	Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 1:14 PM
To: Stacy Philpott
Your point? [Quoted text hidden]

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spott | merge	Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 2:08 PM
To: Pierre Trudeau
my point is you’re in effect stealing a record (given to merge records’ vinyl customers in good faith) and then giving it to some random person. [Quoted text hidden] [Quoted text hidden]

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Pierre Trudeau	Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 3:23 PM
To: spott | merge
Wtf? Let me get this straight. So I bought vinyl from you guys, you gave me the mp3 album, three downloads free. I give one to a random person if you will, and that offends you? Fuck that. I BOUGHT THE VINYL, I DID NOT STEAL IT, and I am offended you will suggest so. If you did not want me to give the download to someone, why give me 3 free downloads? Please explain because you just put me off ever buying records off your site - which I happen to do regularly. This is why folks think record companies are evil. [Quoted text hidden]

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Pierre Trudeau	Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 3:26 PM
To: spott | merge
Oh maybe it's not your record company and you're just some overzealous internet browsing at work freak who works there. I am really offended you will suggest I stole an album that I bought. I am sending your email along with a photo of the album seating in my vinyl collection to your bosses. Just cos I run a music blog don't mean I don't buy records ok?

Speaking of Ryan Adams...

Easily my most eagerly anticipated album of the year, the release of RA's fantastic new album is almost here. Fantastic because I already heard the full thing (don't ask, I won't tell) and this is easily his best since Heartbreaker. Some might even say it gives Heartbreaker a run for the money, but I won't get into that debate. As things go, I am celebrating this release in a big way by ebaying the scarce but not rare UK Cooking Vinyl pressing of Heartbreaker, and the 2000-only limited orange pressing of Easy Tiger.

To keep us all riled up for this, here's a repost of the Destroyer Sessions.

Born Yesterday
Dreaming's Free
The Poison And The Pain
No Disguise
Rainy Days
Statuettes With Wounds
String And The Wire
Hey There, Mrs. Lovely
Nighttime Gals
In My Time Of Need
Bartering Lines
Memories Of You (False Start)
Memories Of You
Revelator

Pre-order Easy Tiger.