Trent Reznor, Free At Last

I just got to admire you, Mr. Trent Reznor. You got the long view. You're a music biz pioneer. You are giving away your new recording for free to your fans on the WWW. I listened to your new music, and I know you're going to make a lot of your fans very happy. Now what would old Doug Morris think? Or that broke Steve Gottlieb? Mr. Trent Reznor, you're the one who's laughing now.

I've Got To Talk To Steve Jobs

Hey Mr. Jobs... those shiny music boxes your company created are driving recorded music into the hands of the people faster than the established music business can even imagine. I never benefitted from this "jukebox/radio" mindset of the last 60 years, so watching the "biz" unravel don't bother me much.

But Mr. Jobs... you're rich and powerful enough, so don't let your ego get the best of you. You and Mr. Woz have finally gotten even with those music guys for the debacle at the US Festival. You've kicked Doug Morris and Clive Davis's asses solidly.

But now let's think about the music. Is music one of those open source languages or not? Why does it seem like the French get this? And if you really believe music should be DRM-FREE, why don't you just do it?

Steve Jobs, you're the man who could FREE MUSIC NOW. Please don't disappoint history and culture just for a few more iPod sales. Or maybe you ain't much different than the carpetbaggers you've displaced.

Doug Morris At The Crossroads

Old Doug Morris, they sure are picking on you.


And you got such a fine singing voice, too! Doug Morris, you're a rare occurrence these days. You're a music man running a major label. That's why your company is doing so good.

I like when you stand up for us musicians, but I'm concerned you're using your business powers too harshly. From what that fellow from Nine Inch Nails says, it seems you like his website, but ya don't like letting Mr. Nails' fans mash up his music. So you put the kabosh on it.

Trent Reznor claims you put the hurt on his project because of some guy in your legal department. I know the history of the music business is fraught with lawsuits, but let's look at your pretzel logic, Mr. Morris. 'Cause you're suing MySpace, NIN music fans can't have fun foolin with NIN music. These fans have the blessings from the writer and the artist, it's your lawyers who are stopping this site from happening.

Shame on you, Mr. Morris! You're letting your legal department stop the growth of musical creativity in the name of legal confusion.