After the success of ‘Ghosts’ being released for free on Nine Inch Nails website in March, lead man Trent Reznor thanks his fans for their support by offering ‘The Slip’ free of charge, 2 months later. I have yet to listen to the record, but the reviews are sensational. Now if we can just get him to release Axl Roses ‘Chinese Democracy’ for nothing, the world might make complete sense again.

As an added bonus, a band you may not have heard of, The Rosebuds, have done almost the same thing. While the album content isn’t original, they’re definitely taking notes from Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails. Their 2007 release ‘Night of the Furies’ has been remixed, and their label, Merge Records is offering it on their website for nothing as well.

Now, I’m not one to complain, but what will this lead to? How many bands are going to start releasing albums for free before the music industry gets their head out of their rectum? While I am happy to download free music legally and share the love, I also know how difficult it can be as an artist to make ends meet. I wasn’t surprised at Nine Inch Nails giving their hard work away, but The Rosebuds album comes as a complete shock. If you enjoy ‘Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep’ make sure you check out ‘Night of the Furies.’ I do own that album, and love it.

When you click on the album covers, you’ll be redirected to the respectable websites to download away. Let me know what you think about the albums, as I won’t get a chance to listen to these for a few days. I’m anxious to see which gem I should try first.

Lollapalooza, the festival I remember as a child as the “Red Hot Chilli Peppers play with their willies out” is trying its damndest to make me forget all about that. On April 7th, in the wee hours of the morning, the most fantastic lineup has come about, one to make Coachella would be attendees rethink Indio, and possibly move along the greater Chicago Area for a few days. The festival takes place August 1st - 3rd at Grant Park in Chicago, and though the early bird tickets are sold out, the $190 advanced passes are making this seem like the best deal since Radiohead released In Rainbows for ‘whatever the heck you want to pay.‘

Headling, as you may know, will be the noted Radiohead, last years Coachella closer Rage Against the Machine, Trent Reznors Nine Inch Nails and ‘‘George Bush still doesn’t care about black peoples,’ Kanye West. Other extreme notables are Gnarls Barkley (The Odd Couple released on March 18th), Brand New, The Gutter Twins, Grizzly Bear, personal favorite Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s, as well as The Ting Tings (KEXP song of the day April 3rd). If you’re still up in the air about what festival to attend this year, time to make up your mind. I figure with 115 bands, you’re roughly paying $1.75 per act. That’s fantastic.

Download your copy of the festival line up here.