They got a Mac client to download their stuff which I’m happy about. I bought a couple of albums on it to check it out - good and cheap (around $8), and the download was very fast. They seem to have quite a selection. Oh, the best part: DRM free and 256 Kbps. DRM Free - don’t know how they got the labels to agree.
I’m pushing Barker to release his stuff on this service as well as iTunes, so hopefully we’ll see. I think we’ll be doing it manually too. He will be selling the song we have a snippet of in 2 formats: one as a whole 12+ minute song and then split up into 3 different songs. I think this would be awesome to sell and to help fund him. Also pushing him to release old Lead Into Gold stuff which he doesn’t seem hesitant to do.
I highly encourage anyone and everyone to buy through Amazon, strictly for those reasons but also they have a lot more selection – like stuff from labels like Tzadik, J-pop (if you like that stuff) and others…
Something that iTunes has a major issue with, especially if you are more “underground” than the majors…
Amazon’s set up is nice and the mp3 are VBR. I overdosed getting the Motorhead boxset for 15 dollars. I use Amazon and eMusic for most everything. iTunes on exclusives songs only.
I’m not really in the market for lossy purchases except where that’s the only format/option. I still to this day don’t own a portable other than my ancient (pre skip protection) discman that’s falling apart. When I’m out and about and I have a minute I prefer to just close my eyes and try to relax no matter the obnoxious ambiance around me. I expose myself to enough noise pollution at home and in the car as it is without cranking up my headphones to drown out ___. Now if I could ever afford a good pair of noise cancellation headphones I could see the merit in buying mp3s…