Rough Trade record shop.
Photograph: David SillitoeUs collectors are used to the many methods employed by record companies of extracting our hard-earned: the limited-edition releases, the multi-formats, the "director's cuts", the "anniversary", "remastered", "special" or "deluxe" edititons ... and don't get me started on the remixes.
And now there's the limited edition download. Many bands have allowed tracks to be available for a short time on their website, and MP3 blogs usually make sound files available for a set period. Record companies are wise to this: according to NME.com, Montreal's excellent Arcade Fire are releasing a version of their new single, Wake Up, for seven days only on iTunes. It's a live recording of a duet with David Bowie, with proceeds going to Hurricane Katrina relief.
There is, of course, a limited edition Bowie-less one-sided etched 7" version also available. Etched!
