Do you think that the quality of music has detiorated ?

[Jerome]

Modern technology makes it much easier for an artist to get heard, one way or another, which makes record companies (read as greedy, blood-sucking vampires) less valid. That in and of itself is great for music! Less non-artist intervention if you will.

I agree - far better without the bloody accountants trying to determine the artistic direction of an album. Most of them couldn't stay in the lines in a colouring-in book yet feel they are the best ones to determine what tracks go where. Just watched a documentary about Sheryl Crow. Every single major label said she did not have what it takes. Well she had one thing none of them had - determination - and it paid off. They say accountants rule the world - well look at the mess they've got us into with their potfolio of fabricated 'products'. Derivatives and all that made-up non-existent money market crap has really worked out well don't you think? By the way the cost of living is set to soar in the next decade - why? - hell someone has to pay for all the mistakes the money-men made. i.e. YOU!