The iTunes music store is chock full of music to download. They even managed to land the Beatles’ coveted album collection to offer for sale, a real coup in the digital music business. Want the new Lady Gaga album, or a hard to find copy of the first release from the Sisters of Mercy? Just log into your account, and you can either buy the entire album, or select a few favored songs for purchase.
The simplicity and ease of downloadable music explains why it is a format that has taken off at an explosive pace. Not simply relegated to one provider, Apple nonetheless seems to offer the largest selection of tunes. However, their model has displayed the basic fact – cd sales in traditional brick and mortar stores are likely to continue their decline. With fuel costs rising, consumers are only too happy to stay at home and download music rather than foot the additional fuel costs to drive over to the local mall to purchase music. Not only are downloads more earth friendly – no plastic cd’s and their jewel cases to throw away – but they offer another perk as well.
Downloading offers instant gratification. It’s not only possible, but it’s easy to get songs at your whim. Buy them one at a time, figure out if the songs knock your socks off, and buy the rest of the album if it does. The new format in music is more consumer friendly than ever before. It’s also artist friendly, as the exposure to a broader audience is a built-in aspect of the latest format!
