How can I fill the void in my musical life, post-Emusic, post-AmieStreet?
November 1, 2010 6:58 AM Subscribe
Is there a replacement for the even-worse-than-in-2009 Emusic?
This 2009 thread asked the question, What's a good alternative to Emusic, and the hive answered: there isn't one. Now Emusic is about to got even worse, switching this month from a credit system to $-based pricing, with newer tracks costing more than older ones.
Two of the recommended alternatives from 2009 -- AmieStreet and Lala -- are gone. I used them both as backups to Emusic, and miss them both. :sniff:
So, what's a downloader who loves independent music to do in 2010?
This 2009 thread asked the question, What's a good alternative to Emusic, and the hive answered: there isn't one. Now Emusic is about to got even worse, switching this month from a credit system to $-based pricing, with newer tracks costing more than older ones.
Two of the recommended alternatives from 2009 -- AmieStreet and Lala -- are gone. I used them both as backups to Emusic, and miss them both. :sniff:
So, what's a downloader who loves independent music to do in 2010?
I too canceled my emusic account this morning. I plan to buy directly from artist and if that isn't an option, torrent with impunity. I plan to support artists by attending shows or/and purchasing merchandise.
posted by special-k at 7:21 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by special-k at 7:21 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Magnatune is still there. They have changed to a pure all-you-can-eat model in the meantime.
posted by Triton at 7:28 AM on November 1, 2010
posted by Triton at 7:28 AM on November 1, 2010
I too have been wondering about this.
To add some data points to neustile's request for clarification, I use eMusic almost exclusively for their astonishing selection of hyper-obscure international music. They license tiny, tiny labels whose titles either don't get carried by the major stores at all or sell for ridiculous import prices.
Some of my all-time favorite eMusic series to plunder regularly:
Abdelbasset Mohamed Abedessamad's legendary Qu'ran recitations
The Iranian Golhaye ("Flowers of Persian Song and Poetry") radio broadcast reissues
The Radio France ethnographic reissues by Ocora
The Topic reissue series of classic musicological recordings
The Musique du Monde series of traditional music
The Smithsonian Folkways catalogue
The Yazoo Records catalogue
The History of Arabic Song series
Almost everything available by Umm Kulthum
Almost everything available by M.S. Subbulakshmi
A ton of super-obscure tiny world labels seemingly only known to me and eMusic's licensing department
And of course the catalogues of indispensable labels like Crammed Discs, Syllart, Lovely Music, monika enterprise, New Albion, The Leaf Label, Tzadik, 4AD, Les Disques du Crepuscule, Cherry Red, Touch, Kompakt, Morr Music, BPitch Control, LTM Recordings, kranky, Bar/None, Caspian, Huume, and Häpna.
A lot of this stuff is technically available elsewhere, but damn if it wasn't nice not paying full retail price for every last thing I wanted to check out on a whim. (And in the case of the ethnographic stuff, usually a lot more than $10. If I could even find it.)
.
posted by mykescipark at 8:23 AM on November 1, 2010
To add some data points to neustile's request for clarification, I use eMusic almost exclusively for their astonishing selection of hyper-obscure international music. They license tiny, tiny labels whose titles either don't get carried by the major stores at all or sell for ridiculous import prices.
Some of my all-time favorite eMusic series to plunder regularly:
Abdelbasset Mohamed Abedessamad's legendary Qu'ran recitations
The Iranian Golhaye ("Flowers of Persian Song and Poetry") radio broadcast reissues
The Radio France ethnographic reissues by Ocora
The Topic reissue series of classic musicological recordings
The Musique du Monde series of traditional music
The Smithsonian Folkways catalogue
The Yazoo Records catalogue
The History of Arabic Song series
Almost everything available by Umm Kulthum
Almost everything available by M.S. Subbulakshmi
A ton of super-obscure tiny world labels seemingly only known to me and eMusic's licensing department
And of course the catalogues of indispensable labels like Crammed Discs, Syllart, Lovely Music, monika enterprise, New Albion, The Leaf Label, Tzadik, 4AD, Les Disques du Crepuscule, Cherry Red, Touch, Kompakt, Morr Music, BPitch Control, LTM Recordings, kranky, Bar/None, Caspian, Huume, and Häpna.
A lot of this stuff is technically available elsewhere, but damn if it wasn't nice not paying full retail price for every last thing I wanted to check out on a whim. (And in the case of the ethnographic stuff, usually a lot more than $10. If I could even find it.)
.
posted by mykescipark at 8:23 AM on November 1, 2010
Are you sure you can't give the new Emusic system a try? I'm cautiously optimistic.
Lots of music labels have direct downloads these days. In fact I'd say all of the larger indie labels have sections on their website where you can buy digitally. Smaller acts often have Bandcamp sites.
Just going to shows & torrenting doesn't support artists who still want/need record labels to help them get their music out (e.g. fronting recording $$, tour support, promotional expenses, etc). If albums don't sell, labels aren't putting up the money.
posted by statolith at 8:24 AM on November 1, 2010
Lots of music labels have direct downloads these days. In fact I'd say all of the larger indie labels have sections on their website where you can buy digitally. Smaller acts often have Bandcamp sites.
Just going to shows & torrenting doesn't support artists who still want/need record labels to help them get their music out (e.g. fronting recording $$, tour support, promotional expenses, etc). If albums don't sell, labels aren't putting up the money.
posted by statolith at 8:24 AM on November 1, 2010
What do you normall download? I'm holding out and waiting to see what songs are priced like what because I tend to download older more obscure songs and if they remain at 49 cents, based on my previous subscription level and the bonus they're giving me every month i won't even see a change.
I don't know what yiour current sub or bonus look like though, I've been on eMusic since just after they started so I have a lot of grandfathering going on.
posted by WeekendJen at 8:29 AM on November 1, 2010
I don't know what yiour current sub or bonus look like though, I've been on eMusic since just after they started so I have a lot of grandfathering going on.
posted by WeekendJen at 8:29 AM on November 1, 2010
Oh also my priority list for downloading music goes something like this:
Popular drivel - wait till it goes on sale for 5$ at Amazon.com (they have 5$ album sales every month for digital downloads
Less popular / older - Emusic
stuff I can't find anywhere else or stuff thats really really popular that I don't want to pay 13$ at amazon for (like say... Katy Perry) - Torrent
posted by WeekendJen at 8:32 AM on November 1, 2010
Popular drivel - wait till it goes on sale for 5$ at Amazon.com (they have 5$ album sales every month for digital downloads
Less popular / older - Emusic
stuff I can't find anywhere else or stuff thats really really popular that I don't want to pay 13$ at amazon for (like say... Katy Perry) - Torrent
posted by WeekendJen at 8:32 AM on November 1, 2010
I've wondered the same. Emusic hurt really bad from the Sony deal, and it looks to get worse after their new deal goes through.
I'm somewhat interested in trying Zune Pass, but I've heard that the Indie selection can be hit and miss, which is exactly what I went to Emusic for in the first place.
posted by Vhanudux at 8:33 AM on November 1, 2010
I'm somewhat interested in trying Zune Pass, but I've heard that the Indie selection can be hit and miss, which is exactly what I went to Emusic for in the first place.
posted by Vhanudux at 8:33 AM on November 1, 2010
Are you sure you can't give the new Emusic system a try? I'm cautiously optimistic.
That's my plan, but I have no choice. I've purchased an annual subscription so I have a couple-few months to see how this all shakes out.
Lots of grandfathering going on here too, so I've still got some patience and goodwill stored (but it's depleting!).
Frankly I cringe and prepare for the worst whenever I see eMusic has added a major label, but if access to mainstream-popular/pricer tunes helps them survive while keeping my obscure/indie prices low -- great.
Fingers crossed.
posted by mazola at 8:46 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
That's my plan, but I have no choice. I've purchased an annual subscription so I have a couple-few months to see how this all shakes out.
Lots of grandfathering going on here too, so I've still got some patience and goodwill stored (but it's depleting!).
Frankly I cringe and prepare for the worst whenever I see eMusic has added a major label, but if access to mainstream-popular/pricer tunes helps them survive while keeping my obscure/indie prices low -- great.
Fingers crossed.
posted by mazola at 8:46 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: @neustile, I liked emusic because of (1) the wide selection of music I wanted to download, (2) price (which started at $0.24 per track years ago and has gradually gone up to the still very cheap $0.35 per track), and (3) recommendations of good music, new and old. Bands I've discovered mostly or entirely because of Emusic recommendations include Nada Surf, The Go-Betweens, Broken Social Scene, Frightened Rabbit, Grizzly Bear, Jets to Brazil.
I loved being able to try a track or two of a new record, then get the whole thing if I liked it, or filling in gaps in my knowledge instantly and cheaply. (E.g., how did I never listen to the Damned or the Gun Club until this decade?) The option of downloading the same album or track at three different computers (laptop 1, laptop 2, work) was a great convenience, as I've still not figured out the best way to sync music across multiple collections.
For those who've mentioned grandfathering, how did you manage that? Emusic forced me out of my old plan, so now I am on the "eMusic Basic Annual" plan (24 downloads per month for $100/year).
Not interested in torrenting. I agree with statolith that it is important to support bands by paying for independent music.
posted by schweik at 9:58 AM on November 1, 2010
I loved being able to try a track or two of a new record, then get the whole thing if I liked it, or filling in gaps in my knowledge instantly and cheaply. (E.g., how did I never listen to the Damned or the Gun Club until this decade?) The option of downloading the same album or track at three different computers (laptop 1, laptop 2, work) was a great convenience, as I've still not figured out the best way to sync music across multiple collections.
For those who've mentioned grandfathering, how did you manage that? Emusic forced me out of my old plan, so now I am on the "eMusic Basic Annual" plan (24 downloads per month for $100/year).
Not interested in torrenting. I agree with statolith that it is important to support bands by paying for independent music.
posted by schweik at 9:58 AM on November 1, 2010
Response by poster: @mykescipark, those are interesting suggestions. The records in the Buda - Ethiopiques series are among the most amazing things I've ever downloaded from Emusic (or anywhere).
@WeekendJen, I am not going to cancel until they roll out the new prices, but I am highly pessimistic, given that the letter from the CEO gushes that "Some popular tracks and new additions will be priced higher, but we will continue to offer you savings on even these of 20%-50% compared to iTunes a la carte prices."
posted by schweik at 10:03 AM on November 1, 2010
@WeekendJen, I am not going to cancel until they roll out the new prices, but I am highly pessimistic, given that the letter from the CEO gushes that "Some popular tracks and new additions will be priced higher, but we will continue to offer you savings on even these of 20%-50% compared to iTunes a la carte prices."
posted by schweik at 10:03 AM on November 1, 2010
Best answer: The short answer is there is no real drop-in alternative, and I believe the reason is pretty simple: eMusic has been inking deals with indies for a long, long time. History shows that setting those sorts of deals up is no minor feat. Nobody has the depth on the indie side of the equation and nobody is likely to anytime soon. So that convenience of one-stop shopping in a really deep catalog of independent music, at the value eMusic used to represent, is gone. I'm paid up through March so I'm going to see how it goes. I wasn't thrilled about the last transition but I have still been getting more music for my dollar month after month than I can anywhere else legitimate. As long as I aim to spend a few hundred bucks on music every year I suspect some kind of eMusic subscription will stay in the mix for a while at least.
It is worth looking around at Rhapsody and Napster if you haven't. They both offer a la carte components that sometimes have good deals.
There are a bunch of oddball download services - this Wikipedia category is not necessarily up to the minute and it is not complete, and it includes legally disputed sites like AllOfMP3, but you could spend many hours browsing those catalogs. Boomkat, Smithsonian Folkways, Deutsche Grammaphon, Hommega, ThinkIndie are a few from my bookmark folder that didn't make that wiki page for whatever reason (note, I haven't bought from all those links so just throwing it out there) and who knows how many other scrappy startups not to mention individual artists and labels who set up their own digital sales solutions. What somebody really needs to do now is get the website going that tracks them all and consolidates search results and price comparisons for you...
posted by nanojath at 10:04 AM on November 1, 2010
It is worth looking around at Rhapsody and Napster if you haven't. They both offer a la carte components that sometimes have good deals.
There are a bunch of oddball download services - this Wikipedia category is not necessarily up to the minute and it is not complete, and it includes legally disputed sites like AllOfMP3, but you could spend many hours browsing those catalogs. Boomkat, Smithsonian Folkways, Deutsche Grammaphon, Hommega, ThinkIndie are a few from my bookmark folder that didn't make that wiki page for whatever reason (note, I haven't bought from all those links so just throwing it out there) and who knows how many other scrappy startups not to mention individual artists and labels who set up their own digital sales solutions. What somebody really needs to do now is get the website going that tracks them all and consolidates search results and price comparisons for you...
posted by nanojath at 10:04 AM on November 1, 2010
(Sorry I forgot how much of that I already said in the 2009 thread, though now with more links!... the more that things change, I guess).
posted by nanojath at 10:13 AM on November 1, 2010
posted by nanojath at 10:13 AM on November 1, 2010
Would streaming work? I guess you can't use Spotify (yet) in the US, but maybe Rdio? (I haven't used it, but someone I trust recommended it).
posted by Infinite Jest at 10:34 AM on November 1, 2010
posted by Infinite Jest at 10:34 AM on November 1, 2010
Best answer: For those who've mentioned grandfathering, how did you manage that? Emusic forced me out of my old plan, so now I am on the "eMusic Basic Annual" plan (24 downloads per month for $100/year).
I have a monthly plan and always have. My memory is hazy on the exact numbers, but in the Sony deal they gave me options before hand where I could upgrade my plan or stay the same. If I stayed the same (which at the time I did) my plan cost would be the same, but I would have fewer downloads. To sweeten the deal however they gave me more downloads than new people signing up for the same plan. So lets say it was a 25$ plan and I had been getting 50 downloads. Under the new 25$ plan, new signups would get 40 downloads, but I got 45. Plus I got a steep discount on booster packs a month before that change (i think everyone did).
For this change, they are giving me an $8.00 credit for each month. I do not know how they determine who gets what, but that's what I'm getting now based on my current plan.
One way to get a lot of free downloads which hopefully will continue is to get emails from Emusic. they do things often such as "rate ten albums by this date and get 5 free downloads". Also like them on Facebook because sometimes they promote things like that there. You also get some rif raff you don't care about (like artists Q&As and such) but its easy to delete them. I have not had an increase in spam after subscribing to Emusic email newsletters of any sort.
Log in to emusic now and check out the banner at teh top of the page. It'll have a link tha twill show you how your account is changing. click that link and you should have a box on the right that says "your plan now / your plan in November" the bottom portion is where it would show any bonus you're getting.
Right now you're paying about .35 per track. Check out if you get a bonus and then do the math and figure out how many tracks youll be getting assuming all of your tracks are the .49 cent variety. It sounds like you might be getting slightly fewer tracks per month, even with a bonus. I broke even assuming .49 for most tracks I would download when my bonus is considered (which is why I am eager to see what exactly is .49 and what is higher). I think (though am definitely not certain) that I likely get a higher bonus than you because I'm currently on a 100 credits per month plan (and pay per month, adding up to much more than you do annually).
For me, I'm just pretty much going to accept what they throw at me because I appreciate that they don't use DRM or sync shit to ITunes, have a great great catalog of rare stuff, and I don't read or go to the movies, or really have any other sort of entertainment media that I spend money on.
posted by WeekendJen at 10:37 AM on November 1, 2010
I have a monthly plan and always have. My memory is hazy on the exact numbers, but in the Sony deal they gave me options before hand where I could upgrade my plan or stay the same. If I stayed the same (which at the time I did) my plan cost would be the same, but I would have fewer downloads. To sweeten the deal however they gave me more downloads than new people signing up for the same plan. So lets say it was a 25$ plan and I had been getting 50 downloads. Under the new 25$ plan, new signups would get 40 downloads, but I got 45. Plus I got a steep discount on booster packs a month before that change (i think everyone did).
For this change, they are giving me an $8.00 credit for each month. I do not know how they determine who gets what, but that's what I'm getting now based on my current plan.
One way to get a lot of free downloads which hopefully will continue is to get emails from Emusic. they do things often such as "rate ten albums by this date and get 5 free downloads". Also like them on Facebook because sometimes they promote things like that there. You also get some rif raff you don't care about (like artists Q&As and such) but its easy to delete them. I have not had an increase in spam after subscribing to Emusic email newsletters of any sort.
Log in to emusic now and check out the banner at teh top of the page. It'll have a link tha twill show you how your account is changing. click that link and you should have a box on the right that says "your plan now / your plan in November" the bottom portion is where it would show any bonus you're getting.
Right now you're paying about .35 per track. Check out if you get a bonus and then do the math and figure out how many tracks youll be getting assuming all of your tracks are the .49 cent variety. It sounds like you might be getting slightly fewer tracks per month, even with a bonus. I broke even assuming .49 for most tracks I would download when my bonus is considered (which is why I am eager to see what exactly is .49 and what is higher). I think (though am definitely not certain) that I likely get a higher bonus than you because I'm currently on a 100 credits per month plan (and pay per month, adding up to much more than you do annually).
For me, I'm just pretty much going to accept what they throw at me because I appreciate that they don't use DRM or sync shit to ITunes, have a great great catalog of rare stuff, and I don't read or go to the movies, or really have any other sort of entertainment media that I spend money on.
posted by WeekendJen at 10:37 AM on November 1, 2010
For indie music, RCRD LBL is a favorite of mine.
posted by Telpethoron at 11:48 AM on November 1, 2010
posted by Telpethoron at 11:48 AM on November 1, 2010
Best answer: Hey, I wrote that question! It was my first question, sad times.
The update is I still haven't found a replacement in lieu of emusic.
The good news, however, is that the internet in general is getting better and better. I still use emusic to find good albums in conjunction with BBC music reviews and a few other sites like last.fm, but now, where I used to just download the album from emusic, I google the band/label.
If - when I go to their websites - I can download the album,without itunes or amazon or any of that rubbish, as mp3s or oggs, no copyright protection, for somewhere between $5-$15, I buy it. Most albums work out between $8-$12.
Doing this, I'm nowadays successful probably 40% of the time. For the remainder, that are too expensive, only sell cds, only do itunes or copy protection, I either don't buy it and find something else, or I download it illegally with few tears shed for the label that doesn't want my money.
This works out to be more expensive than emusic ever was, but I console myself by knowing that the label/band are getting all my money, not a small chunk, and that I'm hoepfully encouraging other bands/labels to get with the bloody times. Some labels (like ghostly international) are particularly progressive.
posted by smoke at 4:14 PM on November 1, 2010
The update is I still haven't found a replacement in lieu of emusic.
The good news, however, is that the internet in general is getting better and better. I still use emusic to find good albums in conjunction with BBC music reviews and a few other sites like last.fm, but now, where I used to just download the album from emusic, I google the band/label.
If - when I go to their websites - I can download the album,without itunes or amazon or any of that rubbish, as mp3s or oggs, no copyright protection, for somewhere between $5-$15, I buy it. Most albums work out between $8-$12.
Doing this, I'm nowadays successful probably 40% of the time. For the remainder, that are too expensive, only sell cds, only do itunes or copy protection, I either don't buy it and find something else, or I download it illegally with few tears shed for the label that doesn't want my money.
This works out to be more expensive than emusic ever was, but I console myself by knowing that the label/band are getting all my money, not a small chunk, and that I'm hoepfully encouraging other bands/labels to get with the bloody times. Some labels (like ghostly international) are particularly progressive.
posted by smoke at 4:14 PM on November 1, 2010
So it looks like the money-based pricing is now in effect now. I just checked the last few albums I bought (all non-major-label), and it looks like they would have been cheaper under the new scheme.
posted by zsazsa at 6:26 PM on November 18, 2010
posted by zsazsa at 6:26 PM on November 18, 2010
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posted by jellywerker at 7:04 AM on November 1, 2010 [2 favorites]