Archive for the 'SHAWN FANNING' Category
iTUNES RELEASES MUSIC “PASS”
Digital media Juggernaut Apple has just released the latest in the progression of digital content: an iTunes pass for select music content in their online store. Similar to the season pass you can purchase for television shows where each show is downloaded to your computer as it’s released, the music pass allows artists to bundle products (songs, videos, etc.) at one flat price and deliver content to your computer over a given amount of time.
This feature has already been implemented with British electronic group Depeche Mode’s latest album, Sounds of the Universe. I decided to take a look at what exactly they are offering through the season pass, and here are the details:
Upon purchase of the Sounds of the Universe pass for $18.99, you receive an advance download of two songs from the album set to release on April 21, 2009. During that time period, you receive exclusive singles, videos, remixes, and “more”.
iTunes uses this line to bait you into purchase: “Buy the pass now, and you’ll get the blazing new single “Wrong” as well as the Black Light Odyssey club remix of the new track “Oh Well” before the rest of the album becomes available.” But, you can already buy “Wrong” without buying the pass … so in layman’s terms, you’re paying $19 for one song and unknown content to be released over the next few months.
But here’s the kicker – in the fine print lies these two sentences:
Pass contents are subject to change without notice.
The final pass contents are subject to change, and purchase of the Pass does not guarantee deliver of any specific content.
This is the music business’s way of telling us that they’re pissed off that no one is walking into CD retail stores anymore and paying $16 for a 12-song album. Fifteen years ago, you heard a song on the radio and you purchased the CD. Ten years ago, you heard a song on the radio and you went home, turned on your computer, and downloaded the song for free on Napster. In 2009, you hear a song on the radio and you open iTunes and purchase it for $1 or you go to YouTube or other sites and listen to it for free.
Napster creator Shawn Fanning is responsible for setting into motion the last ten years of perpetual decline in album sales revenue. The iTunes “pass” is the first attempt to instill the ideal into the mind of the average music listener that an album should be sold around the $15 price point. The thought that people will pay more for “exclusive” content such as music videos and remixes is ludicrous. Go back to the drawing board and give me discounts on concert tickets, access to B-sides, a GUARANTEE of the content, and then we’ll talk about $19 music passes.
What do you guys think? Does this interest you at all if they offer it for a band you actually like? ‘Cause let’s be honest, Depeche Mode isn’t exactly the best choice to launch this feature.
