News
EMI offers first ‘premium’ DRM-free album in MP3
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Thursday, April 5, 2007
News Category: Digital Media
EMI has announced that its first “premium” DRM-free album, the self-titled The Good, The Bad, and the Queen, is now available in 320 kbps MP3 format from the band’s store, which is powered by UK-based digital media delivery company 7digital. The Good, The Bad, and the Queen is headed by Damon Albarn, who is also frontman of Blur, and Gorillaz, and was present at the EMI/Apple announcement on Monday. EMI has offered DRM-free tracks in the past, but not at the higher bitrate used for this release. EMI’s DRM-free offerings won’t be available on the iTunes Store until May, where they will be offered in 256 kbps AAC format, offering roughly the same quality as this 320 kbps MP3 format release.
Shop in the loungeStore for iPod + iPhone Accessories.
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Design the Next iPhone contest ends soon, enter today
- ezGear rolls out Video Cable for new iPods
- Sign up for iPodweek newsletter, arriving shortly
- Ecamm releases PhoneView 2.0 for iPhone
- Best Buy offers Lucky-branded iPod speakers
- Apple sues Atico International over iPod accessories
- Orange to offer iPhone across Europe, Middle East, and Africa
- Singapore Airlines offers in-flight iPod/iPhone connectivity
- Apple patent explores wireless media device applications
- 100,000 iPhones sold in Germany
Recent Reviews
- JBL On Stage 200ID
- Griffin ClearBoost for iPhone
- Sleek Audio SA6 In-Ear Earphones with Tunable VQ Technology
- Vestalife Ladybug & Element Skateboards Limited Edition Ladybug
- XtremeMac Tango X2 2.1 Speaker System + AM/FM Radio
- Apple Inc. Apple TV Take 2 (40GB/160GB)
- Altec Lansing T612 Digital Speaker System for iPhone and iPod
- Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 iM207 Portable Audio System
- Bluetrek/Contour Design SurfaceSound Compact
- Nike Amp+ iPod nano Remote for Nike + iPod Sport Kit
1
Shoot. I *just* bought this album on iTunes. I hope I can upgrade it when iTunes starts offering the DRM free version.
Posted by Phil on April 5, 2007 at 3:17 PM (PDT)
2
That’s $15.77 USD for MP3s. Too expensive by far.
Posted by malren on April 5, 2007 at 3:52 PM (PDT)
3
And so the fall of DRM begins?…
Posted by Bob Levens in UK on April 5, 2007 at 7:55 PM (PDT)
4
$15.77?! Why not just buy the actual CD for the same price and get more priveleges? That would be a better choice no doubt. The only good thing is that DRM is finally leaving part of our music.
Posted by Tsubasa on April 5, 2007 at 9:47 PM (PDT)
5
totally agree with tsubasa - until internet retailers start shipping lossless flacs with album art I’ll be sticking with CDs.
Posted by kefa on April 6, 2007 at 6:26 AM (PDT)