If you haven't already read all about it, you've probably seen the banner ads on your favorite IndieClick-ing blog. But here at TMT -- the most trusted name in news -- we're here to assure you that Paste Magazine's "pay what you want" experiment is indeed legit. Paste is joining the likes of Jane Siberry, Saul Williams, and most notably, Radiohead, all of whom have offered their fans a chance to decide just how much their product/service/format is worth. Regrettably, according to a recent report, the tribe has spoken with regards to Radiohead's In Rainbows (TMT Review), with 62% of downloaders paying a grand total of $0.00. Ouch.
But Paste, the Miss Cleos that they are, could foresee this problem and instead are offering an 11-issue, one-year subscription for a minimum of $1, with the option of going up to the original $19.95 price and beyond (if you've got a fat wad burning a hole in your pocket). And not only do you get the rag, but each issue comes complete with a promotional sampler CD featuring handfuls of artists guaranteed to make you look fly when you unleash a little bit of name-dropping. But with only days remaining on this not-so-groundbreaking, still kind of sweet deal, I'm here to play consumer advocate, walking you through the October issue of Paste and offering some estimates of its worth. As I flip the pages, I'll note the highlights and the lowlights, assigning a value to each:
-- $1.00 - Iron & Wine cover; just the sight of Sam Beam makes me sleepy.
+ $0.25 - Neko Case ad; she's looking foxy by the pool.
--$0.50 - Photo of Beirut's Zach Condon; too pale - a zombie Elijah Wood, even.
-- $0.50 - Lyle Lovett article; seriously.
+ $1.00 - The Paste Sampler 36; features Beirut, Nellie McKay, and Marissa Nadler!
+ $0.15 - Arrested Development sidebar; that Michael Cera's so hot right now.
-- $0.75 - Blurb on former President Jimmy Carter's book tour; Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
+ $2.00 - A tribute to Antonioni & Bergman; R.I.P.
You get the idea. Ignoring a four-star review of the new Foo Fighters album, that brings the issue's worth to around $0.65. But I know what you're thinking. Who am I to decide how much anything is worth? And that, my friends, is the beauty of these promotions: If it sounds like a steal to you, pick up your subscription here. Power to the people.
