Why CDs cost so much
The RIAA explains why CDs cost so much. For a more realistic explenation, read Courtney Love’s speech to the Digital Hollywood Online Entertainment Conference from 2000. Downhill Battle is a non-profit organization “working to support participatory culture and build a fairer music industry”. Steve Albini has an article “The Problem Music” showing the breakdown of all the fees associated with creating a record through a typical RIAA label. Let’s not forget how Vivendi Universal, Sony, Bertelsmann, Time Warner and EMI conspired with Musicland, Transworld, and Tower Records to inflate CD prices. The RIAA would have us believe that $12 - $20 for 1/2 - 1 hour of music (which usually consists of 1 or 2 good songs — the rest, filler) is a good value. Ha! You wont find me buying music CDs. There are plenty of free (and legal) ways of getting music. I personally like Pandora.
Here’s some more reading: