Are Leaks the New Pre-Release Promo?

LEAKING PARK: According to observers, Warner Bros.’ new Linkin Park album, Living Things, which comes out on June 26, has already leaked on the Internet, followed closely behind by Maroon 5’s A&M/Octone album, Overexposed, scheduled for release the same day. Many industry observers believe that some labels purposely place albums on illicit file-sharing services prior to release as a way of promoting them, and indeed good advance word-of-mouth has helped boost sales of early leaked albums by Eminem and Lil Wayne, with the Cash Money label, in particular, said to take advantage of this practice. Of course, the reverse is true, too. If the album isn’t any good, those early listens can result in even lower sales totals. (6/18p)