MP3 download sites

January 8, 2007 9:43 AM

Can you recommend an itunes type site that lets me download DRM-free mp3s? Must be either UK based or (preferably) US based allowing downloads from the UK.

Preferably US based because of the exchange rate... $0.99 sounds much nicer than £0.99 when the rate is nearly 2:1.

posted by twine42 to Computers & Internet (15 answers total)

eMusic.
posted by veedubya at 9:44 AM on January 8, 2007

Bleep.com.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:53 AM on January 8, 2007

I'm a big fan of eMusic, as well.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 10:00 AM on January 8, 2007

Third vote for eMusic. They recently launched a UK version of the site - if you're UK based, it costs more than the US one as a result of the exchange rate, but the UK rights/catalogue seem better to me than the US one (my brother has a US account and there's some stuff he can't get). It's worth a try, anyhow. Downloads are VBR MP3s.
posted by Sifter at 10:10 AM on January 8, 2007

emusic.
posted by dobbs at 10:16 AM on January 8, 2007

I also recommend emusic, but it does depend on your musical tastes. emusic carries a load of independent music but no major label releases (at least in the US).
posted by puritycontrol at 10:35 AM on January 8, 2007

allofmp3, which is Russian and doesn't really pay the artists... It's cheap though.
posted by delmoi at 10:43 AM on January 8, 2007

Boomkat (UK) just opened an unrestricted download store.
posted by lovejones at 10:45 AM on January 8, 2007

Try beatport.com also.
posted by Joh at 11:14 AM on January 8, 2007

Yet another vote for eMusic.
posted by rikhei at 11:52 AM on January 8, 2007

Another vote for eMusic here, too.
posted by Davis McBain at 4:07 PM on January 8, 2007

Yet another emusic fan
posted by twistedonion at 4:49 PM on January 8, 2007

Amie Street allows you to download DRM free music and it is cheaper the earlier you discover a song. when a song is most popular it is still under a buck. I am trying it out right now. It lets you choose a country outside the US and is free to sign up for.
posted by imjosh at 7:46 PM on January 8, 2007

emusic is fucking ace as long as you like niche music. Semi-alternative tastes aren't really catered for as you often won't find much by the more mainstream "alternative" bands (Sonic Youth, Autechre, Mars Volta etc.)
posted by pollystark at 7:07 AM on January 9, 2007

Jamendo is a Creative Commons website with music you can choose to pay for. I like it very much.
posted by KimG at 6:05 PM on January 10, 2007