Martian

That's just it. The Big Four and the RIAA are making a stink about how album sales are down, which is true from the perpective of physical copies. But if we look at the music industry as a whole, including things like licensing, live performances and online distribution the music industry has never been doing better. Some people (myself included) are inclined to attribute this to filesharing, since it generates more interest in bands. iTunes isn't even the best possible market for this sort of thing but it's making money hand over fist right now, because Steve Jobs is one of the few people who have been able to get the Big Four to play ball. This whole head-in-the-sand approach they're taking isn't going to work and is ultimately more harmful to themselves than anyone else; if they were willing to roll with the punches so to speak and adapt to the new way of doing things they'd be fine. Whether or not they'll do this in the end remains to be see, but I certainly wouldn't be upset to see a larger number of independent labels taking their place.

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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame