U2's Surprise iTunes Strategy: the Industry Reacts (Rolling Stone)

U2's deal to release its new album Songs of Innocence for free via iTunes is not without precedent, but in combining Beyoncé's surprise-album strategy with Jay Z's corporate partnership with Samsung for 2013's Magna Carta... Holy Grail, is this the future of big-event releases? 

Read more @ Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/u2s-surprise-itunes-strategy-the-industry-

U2 Releases New Album 'Songs of Innocence' for Free via iTunes (UCR)

U2 has released ‘Songs of Innocence,’ its first album in five years, for free via iTunes. Everyone with an account in 119 countries — something like half a billion people — will have exclusive access to the album through October 13. Physical copies arrive via Interscope Records the next day. 

Read More @ Ultimate Classic Rock: U2 Releases New Album 'Songs of Innocence' for Free via iTunes