As soon as I got on social media this morning, I saw that Duran Duran had announced that the release date in the U.S. for Paper Gods, Duran’s 14th studio album, has been moved up to September 11th, matching the release date for the rest of the world.  As always, I spent some time reading the discussions and reactions that followed.

Why Was It Different to Begin With?

I think this is the question that we all had when the album release dates were announced to begin with.  While, yes, in the past albums have been released on different dates for different places, this seemed different.  Before, it seemed like it was one day earlier for one place and a day later for another.  Now, though, the date difference was a week, not just a day.  Then, of course, everywhere in the world had one date and the U.S. had another.  Weird.  I don’t have an answer about why the release dates were different.  The only thing I could figure out is that September 11th is a significant date for the United States as that was the date the country was attacked by terrorists.   Therefore, maybe, some thought releasing an album on that date would be disrespectful?  Just a guess.

Positive Thoughts

A number of people this morning in response to the change in the release date mentioned about how now that date of September 11th will be a positive date for them.  The date will no longer be just about some horrific event but would also be about something positive, something to look forward to!

Good Decision?

Obviously, for those of us in the U.S., this was welcome news!  We can have our copy(s) in our hands a week earlier than we were supposed to!  Before this news, I wasn’t terribly worried about the fact that the U.S. wouldn’t get the album until a week later as I figured that I would still be able to listen the new music through YouTube or something of that nature.  Yet, I’m now thrilled that I don’t have to get to hear the new music that way!  I would MUCH prefer to hear it through a good stereo system with CD or, better yet, vinyl.  Now, I have that option.

Of course, in reaction to today’s news, some pointed out that it wouldn’t matter as people would get the new music anyway.  I’m assuming here that those people are referring to downloading the new album illegally.  I realize that people do that but I can’t tell you how much that bothers me.  It is one thing to share bootlegs of things that aren’t available for purchase and another thing to download something that is available to purchase.  Artists work hard on their art and deserve to be paid!  I would assume that those same people who do download illegally wouldn’t choose to work for free, right?  I feel that way even with this blog.  Yes, obviously, I work on it for free.  I feel like I get the “pay” and respect deserved, though, when people take the time to actually read it rather than just responding to a headline or a picture.  Work should be valued.  Thus, I appeal to people to BUY the new Duran Duran album–not because they need the money or because Warner Bros needs the money but because it is the RIGHT thing to do.  Do I think that illegal downloading will be minimized with this new release date?  I think it will help, which makes the second good reason to do it.

Not All Positive

Of course, not all comments were positive about today’s news.  Some fans were not impressed by this line in the press release:  By Popular Demand, Band Will Now Release Album One Week Earlier in the U.S. For a Global Street Date of September 11th.

For some fans, the term “popular demand” means that the U.S. fans whined and complained a lot about the different release date so the date was changed.  Now, I have no idea how many U.S. fans were complaining about the release date.  I know that we didn’t on this blog.  We accepted that the dates were different and no matter how much we wished it was sooner, there was nothing we could do.  That said, even if it was to minimize complaints, it was a good decision for the reasons I mentioned above.  Personally, to me, releasing the album on the same date for the entire world seems FAIR and why shouldn’t that be championed?

I applaud the decision to move up the release date.  Of course, I admit that I’m benefitting from the decision.  Yet, it makes sense for multiple reasons and doesn’t put one area of the world in front of or behind other parts of the world.  In my opinion, it is a win-win.

-A