This is now the third major artist to withhold a release from Spotify while giving preferential access to iTunes.  And, the third major artist in a row to score a number one album release.

See the pattern here?

According to details tipped to Digital Music News by a major label executive, Queens of the Stone Age have now scored a number one album release with US-based sales of roughly 91,000 units.   The album, titled …Like Clockwork, was technically released in the US on Tuesday, June 4th, though the iTunes Store featured a prominent streaming exclusive one full week prior.

And of course, an equally prominent pre-order button.  Spotify told Digital Music News that this was just a ‘promotion’ before the ‘official release date,’ though another, equally valid description of reality might be an ‘iTunes streaming exclusive’.  Here’s what the iTunes page for Queens of the Stone Age looked like prior to Spotify getting any access.

Which reaffirms the presence of a new release strategy, based on its recent practice by both Daft Punk and Vampire Weekend.  Compared to these artists, the QOTSA approach is essentially cookie-cutter.  Here are the approximate dates of arrival for all three artists on both iTunes and Spotify. [DigitalMusicNews]