1. The Beatles’ Remastered Albums. Auderamos usually rallies against the dying 20th Century Recording Industry, but it’s largely a non-issue when it comes to The Beatles (and possibly other long-gone acts from that soon-to-be bygone era). Yes, the large EMI music corporation makes lots of money from The Beatles’ recordings.  Yes, Sony/ATV makes lots of money whenever a Lennon/McCartney composition – regardless of artist – gets played over the airwaves, and some of that trickles to the late Michael Jackson’s estate.  But it’s The Beatles!  To hear their music with modern mastering (but not loudness war) techniques is awesome!

2. Formerly “signed” bands execute independent business plans. Pearl Jam’s Backspacer campaign, complete with Major League Baseball TV placement and the semi-exclusive distribution deal with Target retailers, led to a great autumn tour!  Earlier this month, the Smashing Pumpkins started rolling the ball on its 44-song free download album.  In 2010, we can look forward to cool post-record-industry things from these bands, as well as Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, etc.  Lesser-known bands with some business savvy (or at least savvy management), good product (good songs), and decent marketing can also forge their path without the dying 20th Century Recording Industry.

3. UK Music Fans Rage Against the (pop) Machine for Christmas. It’s good to see that people don’t have to be commodified sheeple, if they choose not to be.  The 17-year old “Killing in the Name” beat the latest pop offering from one of Simon Cowell’s reality stars in digital sales last week.  While both opponents are part of the 20th Century Recording Industry (both belong to one Sony-BMG subsidiary or another), this goes to show that the fans can have power over big-business A&R/marketing/hype/media, if they want it.  The power of choice obviously extends beyond music fans and recording industries.

As John Lennon once sang, “Power to the people, right on.”