I agree to somewhat of a degree. Although I don't think it's right for fans to rip off music for free, I think it is essential for free downloads to be allowed to promote bands. In earlier decades, bands became popular because of some freak phenomena: they were recognized for their talent, an album was spread by word of mouth, or they toured until their ass was sore and developed a fan base from there. Nowadays, a band can have fans at the click of a button from all over the globe. I'm not saying it's right. But it's certainly much faster this way.
Now, if you so despise iTunes, PLEASE consider the alternative: people purchasing NO music. And I hate to say it, but that's the way the cookie crumbles nowadays. Bands release good songs now instead of good albums. The era of album-oriented rock has long since passed in favor of a generation that buys what they hear on the radio. And the only way that bands can make money off this is to sell singles...or use iTunes. Would you rather us pay twice as much in the store for the album?
I know, there are people that never pay a cent for music. There are others who snatch up everything on a whim and therefore buy some of the worst albums ever produced. There are still others, like myself, who support the music industry by buying the music that they enjoy, but not shelling out their paychecks to discover crap. And if you are so offended by this manifesto, then please, do not expect me to listen to music anymore.
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