Back in the dark ages of Internet piracy, a Rhode Islander by the name of Joel Tenenbaum made the choice of illegally downloading/sharing music online and the mistake of getting caught. The record companies wanted to make an example out of him and nine years later, it looks like they're getting what they want.
According to the courts he owes the labels $675,000, which shakes out to $22,500 for each of the 30 songs he downloaded/shared on Kazaa.
I tried to imagine what I would do if I was in Joel's shoes. What do you do after you pass through the whole denial-anger-bargaining-depression cycle?
You accept what happened. And then you make the world's most expensive mix CD.
Although Joel downloaded 30 songs, he only stole from 19 artists. With only 80 minutes on your average CD-R, some songs were going to have to be cut, but it seemed important to have each of those artists represented.
Other than that there were no rules. I've included the songs I didn't use as bonus tracks at the bottom of the list for those who want to make their own version of the mix.
The Joel Tenebaum Tribute CD (Worth Approximately $427,500)
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "By The Way" 2. Rage Against The Machine, "Guerilla Radio" 3. Beastie Boys, "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party!)" 4. OutKast, "Rosa Parks"
Unless you're doing a downtempo/gloomy/chill type of mix it's always good to start off with a few high energy tracks. "Guerilla Radio" seems like a natural first track, but it's not even the opener on the album it's from, so it seemed strange to make it the first one here.
Keeping all the vintage rap-rock groups together seemed like a pretty natural choice. OutKast was going to end up on the CD somewhere, and "Rosa Parks" pairs well with the Beasties' party anthem for this opening block of music.