This is the coolest revolt against a label that I've heard of in a long time. Here's the deal:

Danger Mouse was slated to release an album called "Dark Night of the Soul" along with visual provided by David Lynch (strange combo, but hey, that's Danger Mouse for you) in the late Summer. There was a 100-page photo book to be shipped with the 13-track album on which Danger Mouse collaborates with an entire host of awesome artists from James Mercer to Iggy Pop.

Unfortunately there is an ongoing dispute between Danger Mouse and his label (EMI) , and there's a chance it will never get officially released (although in true-to-form Danger Mouse style, it has already been leaked). So what's an artist to do?

The answer—rely on the savvy of your adoring fans. He and Lynch are still releasing the book in limited quantities, packaged with a custom blank CD to "do with as you see fit." NPR already has the album for your streaming pleasure if you want to check out what you'll be burning on to your blank CD after you download the torrent.

In my opinion, this is pure genius. Danger Mouse (and others) made the music, and there's no reason his label should be able to limit his distribution of it. And even though he won't be able to make anything off the sale of the songs, the idea of adding value with the visual accoutrements and even giving the customer the option of creating their material copy of the music (if they see fit) is brilliant.