Music Labels Working On Digital Album Format

Nerdfest writes to mention that just weeks after Apple announced their new "Cocktail" digital album project, the four big record companies are moving forward with their own project dubbed "CMX." The new digital album will feature songs, lyrics, videos, liner notes, and artwork. "However, this may be of little interest if CMX isn't compatible with iTunes, the default music software for iPods, iPhones and Apple computers. Whereas labels are eager to resuscitate the album format in an age of singles, Apple is concerned with selling hardware, including a tablet computer rumored to be launching this fall. The major labels plan to launch CMX, which is just a working title for the format, in November. It will reportedly be 'soft-launched' with a few select releases."

It's delicious DRM

[Alex Belits]

You must eat it.

(If, by any chance, this format is not DRM'ed and patented to Hell and back, count me impressed).

mp3 does this already

[Threni]

I spend some time removing art and crap like that from mp3s so they don't waste space on my iPod - why re-invent the wheel?

More for your money.

[tacarat]

While doubtful, I want to know if the people in charge of this product are going to give us the "what the consumer wants" that WE want, what they THINK we want or SOS with a higher price tag. At some point these executives need to catch on that they're middle men and have a shrinking role in the game unless they work on increasing their assets rather than controls.

Re:Still failing to grasp their audience

[AndrewNeo]

My (favorite band) has always managed to make their best songs not-singles. Usually the singles are the ones I -don't- like off their albums. I'd rather they keep making full albums, especially so when I go to see them live it's not like I paid $60 to listen to the radio.

Re:Still failing to grasp their audience

[fluffernutter]

I think a more accurate term for what BS is would be 'performer'.

It's about the entire show, not just the singing. No one cares that she didn't create anything.

No I do not like her.

Re:And another failure...

[BrokenHalo]

Well, there is always the option of buying CDs that don't have crap tracks on them. After all, if you can't get a preview before you buy, then don't.

I'm going to keep buying CDs for as long as I can for two reasons: (1) because my stereo makes the deficiencies in compression of tracks stand out like dogs' nuts, and (2) because I don't want to buy something that Apple/Sony/Whoever can revoke my "licence" to use whenever it suits them.