Unfortunately nearly every album leaks prior to its release date, I really don't think there's much any of us or the record label can do in preventing a leak. Let's just hope that the album is good enough so that it'll warrant a purchase from those who will download it. And if it's given enough promotion I'm sure people who don't know how to use file sharing programs such as bittorrent will go to stores to purchase it.
I remember when Harmonium leaked I was all very annoyed with you guys from attempting to keep the files to yourselves in an effort to prevent it from leaking further. lol So I found a bittorrent of the album and downloaded it that way. Haha. I still purchased the album though, naturally. Actually I pre-ordered it at the Vanessa show I went to and she signed the little album cover slip that you recieved with the pre-order.
ANYWAYS, my point is, if people really want to download Heroes and Thieves, they'll find a way to download it. We can only hope that they'll purchase the album as well.
Why do albums keep leaking?
It basically boils down to an issue of money, much like everything else in the world. People don't want to pay the inflated prices for CDs, so they find other means aquiring them. When a CD leaks it's usually an advance copy of the album sent out to radio stations and such, and someone will get ahold of it and distribute it online. *Shrugs* Such is the way of the failing music industry.
I mean, years and years ago when an album reached number 1, the numbers needed to achieve that were quite the feat. Now albums that reach number 1 can barely maintain that position because number 1 albums are lucky to even sell 50,000-100,000 copies on their debut week. The Internet has changed things enormously. iTunes has also impacted the music industry in a negative way. Now instead of purchasing an album, you can pick and choose the songs you like from an album. And these sales aren't figured into sales charts either.
iTunes is an interesting thing, it's great and convieniant sure, but it's forced the music industry to morph and change in ways to suit Apple and iTunes, not artists. I'm ranting again, I'll shut up. lol