Bendable Media

Gorillaz' new album, Plastic Beach, is worth listening to the full recording

Universal Music Group said Thursday that it will start pricing new CD releases at $10 or less, a price point that should spur physical product sales over digital downloads. Hopefully, other labels will soon follow suit.

Many people, including yours truly, prefer to own a physical CD than buying a digital version from Apple’s iTunes or Amazon.com’s MP3 store. I buy downloads for two reasons: convenience and price, with price being the critical factor.

But I think Universal’s move has more to do with spurring album sales over the 99-cent price point for digital singles.

Digital singles, thanks to iTunes, have become a huge part of the music business and have been credited with harming overall album sales. Why spend $14 for a new CD when all you want is the single?

Of course, true music fans want the full CD, or album if you prefer, to experience the tracks that do not get radio airplay. Indeed, there is even a renewed movement to craft an album of connected music again, as so many musicians did in the ’70s.

Today, bands like the Decemberists and the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, are good examples. (Neither artist is on Universal.)

For $10, more music fans are likely to give full albums like these a listen, a fine trend for the fans and the artists.

The National Association of Recording Merchandisers applauded Universal’s decision, saying in a press release that “Universal’s bold move will draw positive reaction from both stores and fans.”

At NARM’s May convention in Chicago, the association is hosting a special program on boosting physical product sales. Go to NARM’s website for information on the show and program to increase physical sales.

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