When Free Radicals Become Free Agents

[Dave Monroe]

... Sonic Youth scored a major-label deal before the '90s alt-rock fad
imploded, and they're getting out at a time when business-savvy
artists stand to make money without the help of a label. Enter the
band's much-ballyhooed deal with Starbucks. In the early months of
next year, they'll release a compilation of songs selected by fans,
including everyone from John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, and Mick Jagger to
LL Cool J, Posh Spice, and Thomas Pynchon....

http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0738,odonnell,77824,22.html