Hi-
Big Head Todd and the Monsters, one of my all-time favorite bands, is giving away their new album as a free download. You've only got to sign up for their newsletter to gain access.
The album can be downloaded as a 41MB zip or individual tracks. All mp3s.
http://www.bigheadtodd.com/

Not sure if I can make the April 9 show at the Fillmore in SF, though.

Thanks! I'm not that crazy about them but the wife is!

41MB zip? Can't be very high bitrate or its a very short album...

According to the lyrics sheet, it's 11 tracks, and the length of the lyrics would imply normal-length pop/rock songs. So call it a standard about 50 minute album.

Assuming there's virtually no ZIP compression, that makes it come out to about 112kbps. I bet it's 128kbps CBR.

Indeed it is.

What did you bet? LOL

I am not such an audiophile that I turn up my nose at 128 rip rate.
I think most of my stuff is about that. I sure can't tell the difference on my equipment, anyway... poor equipment* and bad ears, I guess.

*the empeg is the best part of the setup, BTW.

Yeah, it's far from awful. I don't happen to be interested in BHTM, tho.

I think its great that they're offering it for free. Just eww that its 128Kbps CBR The CD is only $5 or free if you buy a bunch of other stuff so still a good deal.

I believe I can hear the difference with 128Kbps and above...

I believe with the right equipment, recording, and attention that I could also hear the difference.
Doubt that it would cause any change in the way I live, though.

It *is* pretty cool that they're putting the files up for free. They have a history of allowing fans to record concerts, too.
(I think it was Bitt that turned me on to archive.org)