You’ve got your Ipod. You’ve ripped all your CDs to it. Now you use ITunes to download anything else you’d like to hear. So, what’s the problem?

Well, as good a service ITunes is, there are a few big problems.

Often times, there is a distinct lack of independant music - you know, the good stuff. Not that cheap radio crap. That stuff rots your brain boys and girls. It’s lowest common denominator stuff. Any style of music on the radio you like, there is someone doing it much better - without the radio play. And that’s why we have these players anyway. To listen to what we want to listen to, not what some corporate lackey wants (or gets paid) to play. On top of that, the corporate type of music is dominated by the RIAA. You know, the ones that are suing 9 year olds and 89 year olds. The ones that are ferociously fighting any innovation when it comes to the music world. Independant music naturally resists that kind of crap. eMusic is the largest independant music retailer. It’s also the second largest music retailer. Far more independant music than ITunes.

The second big problem is the price. $.99 a song is way too expensive. You might as well go out and buy the CD at that price. At least then you’ll have an actual CD, artwork, and the ability to play it on multiple devices. Who wants to go broke buying music? eMusic is a month to month subscription model that ranges from $.27 to $.33 a song, depending on which subscription you choose. You are not locked into a contract at all. You get about 3x the music for the same price. Plus, there is a free trial that allows you to download 25 songs, that’s almost 1 free month of the basic subscription. Compare 30 songs at $29.70 from Itunes to $9.99 at eMusic (no comparison).

The last, and biggest problem with ITunes, is that they lock down your music. WTF? You paid for it, why shouldn’t you be able to use it like you want to use it? DRM (Digital Rights Management) effectively says you can’t do with your own property what you choose, therefore making it more of a rental then a purchase. It comes down to the RIAA ruining the music industry. eMusic is DRM FREE. You can put it on your Ipod, your computer, any other mp3 player you might own, or burn it to CD. AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE. The music is yours after you buy it, not so with ITunes.

I’ve been very impressed with the eMusic library, subscription rates, DRM free policy, and customer service. If you are spending way too much money on locked down music, I suggest you give the eMusic Free Trial a try. I don’t think you’ll be dissapointed.