Music

I'm really digging eMusic. Now, I know many of you are going “Jason, you are paying for music? I'm shocked!” but it's true. Why do I like eMusic so much, even though it costs?

• It gives me recommendations based on the music I've downloaded already (similar to last.fm).
• The music is of uniform quality, and uniform volume, something you don't get with the rips rampant on the Internet
• The music is DRM-free, so I can listen on my desktop, my MP3 player, over WombatShare, whatever. All those are legimate uses, but the Digital Restrictions Management of the music companies would have me buy the music multiple times to do this, and I still wouldn't be able to stream via Shoutcast or Wombat.

There are a few things I don't like. The music is ripped a fairly high quality, but it's average bitrate MP3 set to 192Kbps or 224Kbps. This is actually pretty decent, but it isn't LAME --apx (Warning: Popups!). Or better yet, FLAC or SHN would be better, though less convienent for my MP3 player, so I can see it either way.

On eMusic so far, I've downloaded (all flashy band sites):

• The new Barenaked Ladies album -- Barenaked Ladies are Me (27 tracks). Some highlights are Bank Job and Fun & Games. BNL has really grown musically while retaining their fun and hilarious lyrics.
• Alkaline Trio: Great stuff that I'm sad I haven't heard yet. Emoish
• Rufio: Some good scream-oish stuff
• The new Gin Blossoms album, which is pretty decent as well
• An old Fall Out Boy album
• Knockout, a forgettable but fun rip-off of Jimmy Eat World
• Plain White Ts, another JEW knockoff that is less forgettable

That's just a few of the things I've been downloading. 40 tracks is definitely worth $10 per month. There is even a free trial. Everyone should check it out.

Recommended.