Nine Inch Nails are perhaps an unlikely champion of the cause for free music downloads; but they are champions nonetheless. The Nails’ latest album ‘The Slip’ is being released for free download on the band’s website. The CD and vinyl versions are unlikely to see the light of day before June of this year.

UK outfit Radiohead set the precedent of sorts for this foray of commercial bands into provision of free music downloads for fans when, last year, it released its “In Rainbows” for download, with fans paying as much – or as little – as they wanted. Whilst this move, by lead singer Thom Yorke’s own admission, was a one off, it was a big move and a positive one for all free music downloads fans out there.

Another British rock act, Coldplay, recently offered the first single from their upcoming album for free download. “Violet Hill” has been received well by the radio stations and this may be another example of a free music downloads working to the advantage of those releasing it.