eMusic isn't "only" getting 3.5 stars because they're just ok. If you can get your music on this site, grab it and go. They're an online indie music powerhouse and can be a great choice. They lose points, however, for the same thing that makes them so good - this isn't a place for unsigned bands, and labels still have to either come to eMusic through another distributor or pass the eMusic A&R muster. The quality control draws users tired of digging through mountains of mediocre to get to the good stuff, but some great music inevitably falls through the cracks. The bottom line is - nice distribution, if you can get it.
- Cheap, tiered subscription plan makes it customer friendly
- All Music Guide info about bands give fans some more insight into the music
- They work with indie music exclusively, so small labels have a better shot at getting heard
- Users can search by band, album, label, song title
- Users can create their own lists of download tips and share mini reviews of albums
- They don't work with unsigned bands
- The selection process means not every label can get their music on the site
- There's a lot of music here - getting noticed is tough
- The front page of the site advertises selected new releases and playlists created around a theme.
- Users pay a monthly subscrption fee for a set number of downloads.
- Users can recommend the site to a friend and get 25 free downloads.
Online music distributors come in two varieties: those that will put any old music on their site - a kind of "throw it all the wall and see what sticks" mentality - and those who operate a bit more like traditional distributors in that they're selective about the labels with which they want to work. eMusic falls firmly in that second category. It's not a fault, really. In fact, there's a lot to be said for the way eMusic operates. There are some downsides, however.
First, the good stuff. eMusic is the top website for independent music, and they didn't build that reputation by having a shoddy product. By keeping the quality control high as they built their catalogue, they were able to build a name for themselves among music fans as the go-to site for their indie music favorites. Because eMusic has kept that quality level high, users are willing to take a chance on some new music because they can rest assured that someone at eMusic has verified it's worth a shot. Every label that gets their music on eMusic can benefit from this reputation the site has built.
The flipside of that, of course, is that not every label can find a home here. It that a bad thing? It depends on your perspective. The great internet democratization of music is a cool thing, yes, but at some point, creative industries do require some sort of plucking out of the most talented to be pushed to the forefront. Sure, some of the most talented go undiscovered and really questionable ones make it through, but the quality control eMusic exercises is really part of the game.
The end of the story? If you can get eMusic, go for it. If not, keep working and shoot for it. They're not perfect - despite their quality control, the promotion is still firmly in your court - but they're pretty darned good.
