The problem is that the smaller labels are the ones going out of business first (as well as stores, music press, scenes are being negatively affected, etc). The major labels- the ones that people seem to think they have the problem with, remain because they have the funds and network to be able to manufacture garbage and make fast money off it, year after year, which lessens the effect of fewer people buying CDs. They just sell enough to get by with the new garbage they bring out or from the old classic bands (who are really the only ones selling CDs now because older people don't fileshare).

The fact is, as I've said before, most people don't even have a clue what their issue actually is with the music industry or labels. It's a myth perpetuated by these kids. They think they are rebelling when in fact they are just harming the independent artist while making it so that the majors are all that remain and the only places to buy music will be WalMart, who only take certain types of music. They are assuring corporate control in the end, and undermining the indie artist. They claim I hear most is "they treat bands like shit and don't pay them enough". So their solution is to steal from the bands? Umm... yeah, that's logical.

In reality the kids simply don't like paying for music when they can get it for free. So they complain that CDs cost too much, or pretend to be rebelling against a system which they can't even begin to understand and, in fact, empower the negative effects of, through their actions. As has been said, even when I was a kid, which wasn't ages ago, I saved up to buy music (and still do). But now people have been conditioned to consume to the point of gluttony. I always hear "I could never afford the 5,000 songs I own if I had to pay for them". Pure selfishness, ignorance and arrogance.

I mean $9-$19 for a CD is not much to pay for something so valuable. A movie costs that much to see in the cinema and it's not something you get to keep and replay or that gives the joy on repeated uses that music does (as can be said for a number o other things people pay money for willingly).

I recently bought a few CDs (film scores) and that music means so much to me, it's certainly worth the price I paid, more in fact (like one John Williams score I just bought was only $9 new, for a CD full of amazing music).

Sean