I’ve never been a big fan of live albums. That’s not to say I haven’t purchased several over the years, but I rarely put ’em on for a second or third spin. Often the song arrangements are carbon-copies of the original studio versions, so unless there’s something different (covers, guest artists), there’s really no reason to listen again. So live albums haven’t proven to be a very smart allocation of my music dollars.

Now Coldplay throws its hat into the crowded concert-album arena, releasing LeftRightLeftRightLeft yesterday to coincide with the kick-off of its North American tour. The set isn’t sold in stores, though. Fans attending any of its upcoming shows get the disc for free (not a shabby souvenir), but the band isn’t leaving out folks who aren’t carrying tickets. LeftRightLeftRightLeft is now available as a free download from Coldplay.com until the band plays its last date in 2009.

That refreshing arrangement means I don’t have to risk forking over dough for something I may only listen to once. Sounds like a mighty kind gesture, don’t you think? Something tells me these Coldplay gents are gonna go far.