eMusic 1

I have taken the plunge into the world of online music purchasing. I didn't go to iTunes because their files have digital rights management (DRM) associated with them, meaning that they are crippled so you can't copy them anywhere you want (admittedly, Apple lets you copy the songs a bunch of times before they quite working but when a computer only lasts ~4 years, I will run out of copies in my lifetime and I don't want to buy the same songs over and over and over).

Anyway, I decided to go with eMusic (www.emusic.com). They have non-DRM'd mp3s that I can keep forever. They also have an interesting business model. You buy a subscription and each month you get a certain number of songs. For $10 I am getting 40 songs a month. Of course if I forget to use my downloads, I lose them but that is how they make money. (BTW, if anyone is interested in eMusic (and you know me), let me know and I can "refer" you meaning that not only do you get a free trial, but I get some free music too. Be aware that the 4 major label's don't like eMusic, so it only has indie records.)

So, I've decided that each month I would write about what I downloaded and why (and maybe a quick review if I've listened to it enough). They have a bunch of free tracks that I might occasionally download but I'm not going to write about them because generally they aren't that interesting.

I know that reading about music is pretty lame but I'll stick in links to eMusic where you can sample the songs at least.

50 Foot Wave - Golden Ocean

The first time I heard 50 Foot Wave (fronted by Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses) I was a little bit skeptical. Ms Hersh's voice has grown pretty rough but soon I discovered the music was really good. 50 Foot Wave is like Throwing Muses turned into a punk band. Now I kinda like her gravely voice, it seems like it fits the music. Golden Ocean is darn good.

Kristin Hersh - The Grotto

Kristin Hersh is a musical genius. She is a the female Bob Mould (but without the embarrassing electronica mid-life crisis). Between her work with Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave, she has put together some really pretty, solo, acoustic albums. This is the third that I've heard ("Hips and Makers" and "Strange Angels" are the other two) and all three are beautiful. She has such an interesting sense for music.

Tanya Donelly - Whiskey Tango Ghosts

Every band that Tanya Donelly has been in has had at least one great album. Throwing Muses' (Real Ramona), the Breeders' Pod and Safari and Belly's Star are all incredible. I also quite liked her first solo album "Love Songs for Underdogs". I've listened through this album a couple times and nothing has really grabbed me yet. It seems very... adult, like maybe I'll like it when I'm older. I'm sure that in three years, I will re-discover it and absolutely love it. But for now, it is pretty but just kinda blah.

Juliana Hatfield - Made in China

Juliana Hatfield is very prolific and yet all of her albums are solid. She is a pretty safe bet for an album full of songs that I'll like and that is pretty much what I got with Made in China. If you are interested in her, check out her album, Beautiful Creatures, it's my favorite of her solo albums.

Dr. Frank - Eight Little Songs

Dr. Frank is from the punk band Mr. T Experience. I really like their later stuff as well as the other solo album of his that I have. His lyrics are usually pretty clever and the music is usually fun. This album is no exception. It is pretty much eight interesting and catchy little songs.

Well, that's all I got for my trial period. I'll do more when I get them.

mwz