music subscription: why eMusic is awesome!

Ok, let me come right out and admit it: I used to hear the terms “music subscription” and immediately find myself preoccupied with fighting back the vomit that was starting to claw its way up towards my mouth. Fellow sinners, I have been reborn and have shed my unenlightened ways.

In short, music subscription is the answer to many issues I have with finding and purchasing music. For example, I hate having to spend hours cramming through record shops which never have anything I want. It’s impossible to find older releases from lesser known bands, and ordering is a poor solution for record shoppers, like myself, who are driven to make impulse and mood purchases. I’m feeling sad and need some new music to cheer me up - now, please! and not next month at a hefty import markup.

So why eMusic? Because eMusic let’s me own my music. No DRM, no nonsense. The price is fair. 75 tracks per month for $19.99. That tends to average about 7 albums, or 12-13 EPs, etc. The MP3s are decent quality with VBR encoding at 192 average. This could be better, no doubt, but its still better than most of the lousy encodings one pulls off the net illegally.

Most importantly, the selection is a dream come true. I feel in many ways that eMusic was made especially for me! In addition to having heaps of classical 20th century music, it has all my favorite bands and labels like Kranky, Touch & Go, Temporary Residence, Constellation, 4AD, etc., and well as offering great tools to help me discover new music. In short, it’s like joining indie Mecca!

But the best thing about this is that I actually have to buy new music each month. Sounds odd right? But the fact is that I am often too lazy to discover new music, and a subscription package is like a welcomed kick in the ass for someone like myself, a music lover who honestly can’t be bothered listening to new music half the time.

I’m so into this website I feel like a kid again! I found all sorts of albums and bands that I have wanted to own for ages.

So far I’ve downloaded the following:

• Haywood - We Are Amateurs, You And I
• Windsor for the Derby - Difference And Repetition
• Lali Puna - I Thought I Was Over That
• Lumen - The Man Felt An Iron Hand
• Midwest Product - Swamp EP
• Samuel Barber - Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Opus 24
• Philip Glass - Music in Fifths

Not bad for a first day’s work.

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