This is too exciting. Corporate executives are starting to learn that the only way to sell things online is not to treat your customers like thieves. Hopefully this new store will convince other vendors to push into the DRM-free download business. As to Microsoft, Walmart I’m not holding my breath, but Yahoo! has already tried.

I can only hope that NBC is next.

Defined, the new album by the group is one of “those CDs” created with rootkit-planting, disingenuous software for which their label was caught and sued. I don’t want to buy the badware, but I love the music. What is a guy to do?

I shopped around for alternatives. Here’s what I found:

What’s the big deal?

Digital Restriction Mechanisms (DRM, and yes I know that’s not what Wikipedia calls it) are built-in encryption that prevents users from copying media distributed electronically. They’re usually owned by a single company and work only in a single context. A laissez-faire capitalist might think this well within the sellers’ rights, but it presents a number of problems most consumers don’t realize. Some of the bigger ones:

No secondary market

Realized the that Justin lied and Sexy never left? There’s no such thing as digital garage sales. DRM music cannot be transferred to another owner.

No fair use

Almost all of contemporary culture was built by derivative works. DRM music does not let you remix it, sample it, or use it in ways protected by fair use provisions of copyright law.

Product lock-in

Imagine having to re-buy your entire CD collection just because you upgraded your player. Or bought a new car. Microsoft’s new Zune does not even play their own DRM. iTunes music is trash if you switch away from an iPod, and Amazon, Napter, et al. won’t work if you use a Mac.

I chose to pay $21 more for my CD. DRM is a social evil, and the extra price is worth the message to Sony/BMG: I vote for freedom.

If you own any CD on this list, have Sony replace it for free, and check your computer if you ever have put the CD into it.

In case you haven’t been following, here’s a rundown of what happened.

• Sony used a new type of DRM scheme that surreptitiously installs software onto your computer.
• Sony’s software installs without permission after inserting the music CD into your drive.
• The software worked so closely to your operating system that it opened up serious security holes and would ruin your drive if removed.
• The world found out.
• The EFF, and others, stood up for the consumers rights, suing Sony.
• The good guys one.

I, luckily, don’t have anything on the list, having bought only three CDs in the past 2 years. I was frightened to notice that some of the artists I own do have CDs on the list, just not mine: Amici Forever, Britney Spears (I know, I know—but I was sixteen and she was prettier before her “knee” surgery), Foo Fighters and Our Lady Peace.

Feeling kind of crazy, I recorded this post as a blogcast. Check it out if wish.

Rob Thomas is an excellent songwriter, but his solo album demonstrates what the musicians behind Matchbox 20 add to their sound. The album is overall, decent. There is however, more problems than the music:

I own an iPod and I used to download all of my music, but have been making a push to remove all of it in favor of legitimate, purchased music. CDs do not work for me: from the office to the car to the home and while working out, the only thing I like to have with me is the size of a deck of cards.

The intelligent people at MELISMA/Atlantic seem to have decided that’s not good enough. Their DualDisc works fine in my car stereo but as soon as I plop it into my PowerBook, it coughs the CD back out. It then sticks in my CD drive and will not eject without forcefully pulling it out. The DVD plays, but once again, it will not eject, sticks in the drive and had to be ejected ten times before I could grab it and pull it out; who knows what kind of damage that is doing.

This CD is going back to Borders/Amazon, and I’ll take my money elsewhere. Perhaps the iTunes Music Store will want it, or perhaps I’ll give up supporting the artist.

And if MELISMA/Atlantic is listening: Get a clue. Stop treating your customers like criminals. I’m not a pirate, I’m a legitimate user, and you’ve lost my $15. I hope you lose more, enough to change your business practices.

This is an example of why Digital Rights Management (DRM) is so terrible. It treats legitimate customers like criminals and encourages piracy. It’s a shame the average customer isn’t aware of this. Please comment with clues as to how that can change.

Compared to Pslaters, the headliners, Madison Greene was more lively, more spiritual and more friendly. Their set consists of an acoustic guitar, electric base, tin whistle and a set of tribal drums of every shape and size. Their lyrics combine West African tunes with American spirituality, political disaproval and questioning of the church.

MG makes the type of music that makes you lose yourself and dance. Not some perverted grinding, but free, unencumbered joy—the way dancing was meant to be.