"We embark on this experiment with both enthusiasm and curiosity-and, ok, maybe a twinge of anxiety. Why are we doing this? The short answer is simply that we want a lot of people to hear the record.

"However, it's important that people understand the free download concept isn't a frivolous act. It's a key part of our promotional campaign, along with radio and press promotion, live shows, and videos. It's a bet that the resources of the Internet can make possible a new way for musicians to find their audience - and forge a meaningful artistic career built on support from cooperative, not adversarial, relationships.

"We realize that digital files are the primary means by which a huge segment of the population is exposed to new music; we also believe that plenty of music lovers in the world will buy a record once they've heard it - whether via radio or computer.

"We also believe there's an inherent qualitative difference at work-not only between MP3s and CDs, but between clicking a mouse and finding a record on the shelves of a good record store. These experiences are not mutually exclusive - they're interdependent facets of music fandom, and equally important considerations for a band in our position. "