Sounds like Apple's Next Big Thing isn't too big at all: lower prices for full albums on
iTunes. Introduced with a minor manifesto discussing the powerful influence of indie music on the mainstream, it's pretty clear that Cupertino's finally ready to lower the barrier of entry not only for consumers, but musicians and indie labels looking to sell music on the iTMS. $5.99 and $6.99 will now get you some tasty tracks by the likes of Peter, Bjorn, & John and LCD Soundsystem -- some are even
iTunes Plus (read: DRM-free). Take note: want a great way to keep your music business popular and relevant? Offer more music for less money. Hat tip, Apple.
[Via William]
Read - iTunes store link to "Next Big Thing" reduced-price albums
posted July 6th 2007 12:13AM
The cow saying is in reference to marriage. It means "Why marry a girl if you can sleep with her with no commitments." The other poster is trying to apply it to music.
The labels must love selling downloads because it takes all the work out of distribution. No more CD factories, shipping, none of that. They also don't have to worry about a sale coming back to cannibalize their business because, hey, when was the last time you bought a used mp3?
why are things like this never released anywhere outside the US?
Yea, not that big at all.
DOWN WITH APPLE!
http://fun.drno.de/pics/Stolen_Music.jpg
OH YAY, CHEAPER SHITTY MUSIC QUALITY!
Sorry, I'm still sticking to CD's and EAC Secure ripping to FLAC. I actually care about music quality.
my only problem with this is the quality of an itunes rip, it just doesnt sound as good...maybe if they gave the FLAC or VO for download, then yea.... Not to mention i like the llil book and case that comes with the cd...so i guess thats 2 problems.
A lower price isn't going to do anything..
Those that don't buy music online now, most likely won't even if it's a few bucks cheaper. Cheap ain't free, and a lot of people want it free even if it's a little illegal. And the vocal ones will STILL claim that they're 'helping' the musicians by pirating their songs.
The argument that this hurts artists is a lame one. Looking over the artists listed, you can buy a lot of these on CD new for $9.99 or a cutout from a used CD place for even cheaper. So the price makes perfect sense. These also appear to be artists that are not available on eMusic, so this pricing drops them into a nice spot where a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't have downloaded the music are now willing to give it a shot.
Which I'm all for, because a lot of them are REALLY great albums.
Of course, the next step for Apple would be getting the prices of the artists also featured on eMusic (DRM free, no less) more in line with eMusic's pricing.
well, to the actual music itself...
the Sara Bareilles disc is fantastic. Easily worth $6.99 IMHO even though I got mine as a copy from a friend.
maybe i'll just mail her a $10 spot to make it right.
i've got no qualms supporting those who make quality music and don't think that the average consumer does either. i don't want to pay for marketing hype and b.s. but i'm more than happy to keep artists fed, clothed and able to keep on keeping on.
LCD Soundsystem plus amphetamine of your choice equals awesome trips.
Plp still buy music? lol
The avg. musician gets 3 cents a track on a 10 disc CD if it's through a major label. If the produced it they get another couple of pennies per track and so on. Like Sting does everything and makes about 9 cents a track. 2 or 3 dollars for packing and materials, shipping, and funding art a buy back penalty if your album doesnt sell and your managers cut of the funds. If you sell online you get 40 cents a track you cell because you eliminate the shipping packaging and all that. thanks have a good day
at those prices I'll buy two; one for the car and one for the house. and run back and buy another if my friend wants one as well.
Given that bands like Hot Bitch Arsenal are found on iTunes, producing iTunes Plus level content, giving it away for free, AND still making money on iTunes as well as Amie Street... that speaks a lot for this model of a lower dollar amount for great music. Considering they manage and produce themselves and get to keep the majority of the money they've earned, they're not hurting for the attention. Google em', you'll see what I mean.
...but really, this should be a wag of the finger.
how is emusic so consistently ranked behind iTunes? both are equally lacking in terms of gaps between particular albums or artists based on label issues. on the whole, however, both sets of gaps are not that bad. however, i stuck with my emusic subscription contract terms for 90 tracks for 19.99. currently if you sign up, its 75 tracks for 19.99. Either way its 22 cents or 27 cents per download. who in their right mind would consider $5.99 a good price to pay for an album at emusic prices? you would need to download a 22 track album from emusic to reach the same price.