[MTK]

Digital music has presented a number of new challenges to the recording industry which I believe they have been slow to react to and haven't gone about it in the best ways (remember all the lawsuits thrown at people downloading music?).

Along with the easy access to free and or cheap music, I think we have to consider part of it was a backlash against CD prices that were getting a little out of control before Napster came along. I know I'm guilty of downloading free stuff, but I've since changed my ways. I think $9.99 is a pretty reasonable and fair price to pay for albums. But I recall a few years ago seeing CDs going for $19.99 and above in some of the big music chains and just being totally disgusted by those prices. I feel bad for the artists who have been caught in the middle of the battle between the industry and consumers. But I place most of the blame on the industry.