Sound off

When the forthcoming Wilco album - excellently titled "Wilco (the Album)" - recently leaked online, far in advance of its June 30 release date, the band began streaming it for free on its website (www.wilcoworld.net). Although conventional wisdom argues that this would damage release-day buzz, according to Billboard.com the opposite is happening: Leak-related Web traffic is raising awareness of the record.

But the benefits aren't just for the Chicago alt-rockers and their new album. (Incidentally, it's a fine collection that runs the gamut from the tender to the frenzied, sometimes in the space of one song.) Following the leak, the group issued a statement soliciting "guilt abatement" donations to one of its favorite charities from anyone who downloaded the album for free.

One such organization, Inspiration Corporation, reported a spike in donations last week. While buzz may build, it's inevitable that the leak and stream will put a dent in actual sales of "Wilco (the Album)," so the group's altruistic plan seems particularly generous and inspired. And in our "how do I capture the glaring spotlight?" culture it also feels refreshingly low-profile. The band isn't sending out press releases or debating paradigms; it's just using old-fashioned mother guilt to help out some friends.

While Jeff Tweedy and company - who play LeLacheur Park in Lowell on July 11 - are likely accustomed to being slavered over musically, it's nice to give them kudos for this and hope that other bands, and fans, follow suit.