Heather, The Totality - Review

Heather, The Totality

This short Novella centers around three characters with a fourth lurking around. None of the characters have any appeal, not even Heather.

It's just a short weird little story of parental obsession over their daughter and each pathetically vying for the little Princess' attention.

I would never have reviewed the book if it were not for so many bad reviews. This Novella has certainly touched a nerve with many, so I had to see for myself if it was really that awful. In short, it's not. It's simply a little story of 134 pages clocking in at just over 22,000 words, and nothing more.

1. My criticisms of this little story would be that the author fails to develop any character in Heather...she's a mystery.
2. The story skips years of time in a blink of an eye.
3. There's really no dialog with the characters.
4. Reminiscent of old B/W movies where the story goes along and tension builds, then suddenly in the last three minutes, everything comes to an abrupt conclusion.
5. For a Novella, the book is overpriced.

If this Novella were written by an unknown author, I don't believe it would ever have been published. So, some of the negativity surrounding Max Weiner's first book is probably due to fans of Mad Max expecting more and feeling cheated in story length and price, seeing this effort as what some might call an outline or fleshed out storyboard of what might become a made for TV movie...yawn!

I would not say it's bad, and I differ in opinion with all of the harsh criticisms, but I would not recommend gifting it for someone, it's simply too short and not really all that memorable.

Instead, you might want to reserve yourself a copy through Overdrive or your local library.

Cheers

Top Albums of 2017

Looking back over this past year of 2017 there have been many new albums released that were over hyped and when we got them we were disappointed.

Then, there were many others that never got the hype, and some of these were actually better than anyone might have expected.

While there's still some time left before we ring in 2018 you may want to check out some of the best albums from this past year that maybe you were unaware of.

• Blondie – Pollinator featuring the #1single “Fun”
• Michelle Branch – Hopeless Romantic
• Lindsey Buckingham – Christine McVie
• Alice Cooper – Paranormal
• Tori Amos – Native Invader
• Chuck Berry – Chuck
• Beth Ditto – Fake Sugar
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Lay It On Down
• Mike Oldfield – Return to Ommadawn
• Zola Jesus – Okovi

Adding any of these to either your own collection or giving them as gifts you will surely NAIL IT as some would like to say.

Of course there were many more great albums released, but the above mentioned are the ones that flew under the radar, didn't chart well, and yet are among the best that have been released this year.

See for yourself, check 'em out and...

Rock On!

Stream The Crater Lake Monster Online or Download for FREE

The storyline revolves around a giant plesiosaur that emerges from Crater Lake. As people are attacked by the monster, the Sheriff investigates along with a group of scientists in order to stop the creature.

The story really begins when a meteor crashes into Northern California's Crater Lake, and unearths a dinosaur egg. The heat from the meteor causes the egg to hatch, and the Crater Lake Monster starts terrorizing everyone around the Lake.

With that said, let's just get real here. This movie is bad in every sense. It may well be one of the worst movies ever made. Everything about this is bad and yet I still recommend this as a good movie to watch.

It's not too realistic as it uses stop motion effects to show the monster and the characters are witless, dumb and silly. In other words this is a great flick for young kids to watch. It lacks the realistic gore of what is produced today.

The score is canned, and is often just ridiculously placed, the acting is bad, and this is what makes this Monster flick funny. It has an assortment of characters that are funny in what is supposed to be a scary flick.

The main character and co-writer Richard Cardella recounts: Crown International was part of the financing and they just screwed up everything. They pulled their support for some key scenes (that would have explained a lot and plugged some of the obvious holes), added a canned score that really sucked, and turned it over to some hack to edit. The asshole didn't even use a fade or dissolve in the whole freakin' picture!

No matter what anyone says this is a good movie to let your kids complain about...so, get your popcorn and hot chocolate and feast on this turkey. If you don't fall asleep during this film, maybe you'll be laughing and critiquing it along with your kids. They'll probably laugh at you and say where did you find this horrible movie? If you're laughing and having a fun evening, regardless of the movies quality then it's well worth the time.

* Side note - We also like to watch old Godzilla movies where the words spoken don't match the lip movements, we just laugh and think it's funny.

Don't get wrapped up in things that seem too real, you'll find yourself more engrossed and having less fun.

If you want to stream it, check the link below

http://m4ufree.info/the-crater-lake-monster-1977-full-movie-f6cdw.html

If you want to download it, get the web browser extension below.

Flash Video Downloader

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/flash-video-downloader/aiimdkdngfcipjohbjenkahhlhccpdbc

Initial release: 1977

Director: William R. Stromberg

Box office: 3 million USD

Budget: 100,000 USD

Written by: William R. Stromberg and Richard Cardella

Cast:

• Sheriff Steve Hanson - Richard Cardella
• Arnie Chabot - Glenn Roberts
• Mitch Kowalski - Mark Siegel
• Richard Calkins - Bob Hyman
• Dan Turner - Richard Garrison
• Susan Patterson - Kacey Cobb
• Ross Conway - Michael Hoover
• Paula Conway - Suzanne Lewis
• Senator Jack Fuller - Marv Eliot
• Blackmailer - Garry Johnston
• Waitress - Susy Claycomb
• Villager - Jim Goeppinger

Despite being a critical flop, the film was a commercial success having made $3 million with a $100,000 budget. Since its release, the film, has been re-released on VHS, and then later again on DVD. More recently, it has also been released on Blu-ray disc. You'll likely find it in bargain bins or maybe a resell shop.

The Hot Rock 1972 - Reviewed

The Hot Rock of this 1972 comedy-caper is a priceless diamond that is known as the Sahara Stone and is  temporarily on display in a Brooklyn Museum. It is owned by one African Nation while the Representative Dr. Amusa of another African Nation believes it belongs to his Nation and sets about to recruit master thieves to steal it back and return it to its original home, apparently the jewel has been stolen back and forth for generations.

The heist goes off, and then it becomes a matter of stealing this diamond again and again, in a comedy of errors the crime becomes a perpetual crime until Dortmunder conceives his most daring scheme to either get that damn diamond or as he says, it gets me!

The story takes place in New York City and the most interesting aspect of this film that never gets talked about is the fact that the Twin Towers, the original World Trade Center is seen in this film while still under construction, just before its completion and from a helicopter view you get to see ground level from the top of those towers. That alone makes this movie one worth watching.

The film is not without errors, in a few scenes there may be issues with authenticity, and continuity, if you really want to nit pick, but this is light hearted comedy, fluff 'n stuff. Not to be taken too seriously, and with that said, this film is an excellent feature film for family entertainment. Don't fret the small stuff, go with the flow Joe...ya know what I mean.

Cast

• Robert Redford - Dortmunder
• George Segal - Kelp
• Topo Swope - Sis
• Ron Leibman - Murch
• Paul Sand - Greenberg
• Moses Gunn - Dr. Amusa
• Zero Mostel - Abe Greenberg
• Christopher Guest - Policeman
• Graham Jarvis - Warden
• Lynne Gordon - Miasmo
• Charlotte Rae - Ma Murch
• Harry Bellaver - Rollo the Bartender
• Seth Allen – Stoner thief
• Graham Jarvis - Warden

Release Date: January 26, 1972

Running Time: 105 min.

You'll find it on Netflix and Amazon, so check it out.

Tori Amos - Native Invader Review

Tori Amos' Native Invader is a lyrically relevant magical experience, so...
Here we go again, another Tori Amos record. Well, maybe there isn't much fanfare for new Tori Amos records these days, but after listening to her latest effort Native Invader I have to say that this one is different.

Native Invader has what her previous efforts lacked, and that is clear conceptual inspired direction. These songs are great, they shine with brilliant arrangements and production that fits the material. The songs on this new album are better and seem more inspired than those from her previous 3 or 4 albums. This is an album worth playing over and again. 

Fans of Tori Amos will love this new album, it's her best in many years! For the younger generations that may not be on the Tori bandwagon this new album is a great place to start.

The following quote comes from her official website...

“The songs on Native Invader are being pushed by the Muses to find different ways of facing unforeseen challenges and in some cases dangerous conflicts. The record looks to Nature and how, through resilience, she heals herself. The songs also wrestle with the question: what is our part in the destruction of our land, as well as ourselves, and in our relationships with each other?

In life there can be the shock of unexpected fires, floods, earthquakes, or any cataclysmic ravager -- both on the inside and outside of our minds. Sonically and visually, I wanted to look at how Nature creates with her opposing forces, becoming the ultimate regenerator through her cycles of death and re-birth. Time and time again she is able to renew, can we find this renewal for ourselves?”

Best songs are... Reindeer King - Broken Arrow – Cloud Riders – Up The Creek – Wildwood.

It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since her debut masterpiece Little Earthquakes album came out, and even more impressive is how after all these years her voice is still so Tori and doesn't seem to have aged a bit.

Tori's music is more of an intimate experience, so to really get it, you need to listen to this without distraction and if you don't connect with it right away, just play it again. I heard it differently on the third time around...it's just one of those things.

Do yourself a favor and get this new album, you'll love it!

Native Invader is Tori Amos' 15^th album and was released on September 8^th and a new tour will follow. A 27 date US Native Invader Tour will begin on October 24th in St. Paul, Minnesota and will conclude with a 3 night gig in LA December 1-3.

Tori Amos Tour Dates

October 24 - Saint Paul, MN @ O'Shaughnessy Auditorium
October 26 - Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
October 27 - Chicago, IL @ The Chicago Theater
October 29 - Cleveland, OH @ State Theater at Playhouse Square
October 30 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
October 31 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Theater
November 2 - Boston, MA @ The Orpheum Theater
November 3 - Washington, DC @ MGM National Harbor
November 4 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Tower Theater
November 7 & 8 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
November 10 - Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
November 11 - Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
November 12 - Nashville, TN @ The Ryman Auditorium
November 14 - New Orleans, LA @ Mahalia Jackson Theater
November 16 - Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Irving Music Factory
November 17 - Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
November 19 - Denver, CO @ The Paramount Theater
November 22 - Portland, OR @ Schnitzer Hall
November 24 - Seattle, WA @ The Paramount Theater
November 25 - Eugene, OR @ The Hult Center for Performing Arts
November 26 - Oakland, CA @ The Paramount Theater
November 28 - San Diego, CA @ The Balboa Theater
November 29 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Mesa Arts Center (MAC)
December 1-3 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Theater at Ace Hotel

What is BookBub - is there an App?

What is BookBub - is there an App?

What is BookBub? I keep hearing about it, but I can't find the app on my phone. What is it all about? These are a few things I keep hearing from others as of late, and so I am going to answer this with just the basic straightforward bare-knuckle facts!

BookBub is not an app, it's just a mailing list, pure, plain, and simple. That's it. No more information is necessary!

Not enough, can't seem to quench that curiosity? Read onward for more, if you must. BookBub is a FREE daily email that gives you basic notifications of discounted ebooks. These can be new or old titles. They only give you a notification of an ebook bargain, a promotion or a title marked down where they think it may be of interest to you for you to buy.

BookBub does not sell ebooks. They do provide links for you to make ebook purchases from the major outlets that do. All you do is sign up for their newsletter and select genre's that you're interested in or follow some authors. The staff at BookBub are very picky about what they list. It's for that reason they have come to be well regarded as a site that can alert you to some fantastic deals, ones that are usually limited-time offers, for promotional purposes.

Their listings range from top-tier publishers to independent authors. You choose the types of ebooks that you're interested in, and they'll send you great deals to choose from, straight to your inbox.

The low-down for authors who want to get featured on their mailing list, is you'll have to have a great book, a very well established social media presence and some cash!!! Yep, you'll have to pony-up a good chunk of change for them to even consider listing your work. The good thing about getting listed with them even on a 3 day promotional run is that if your book is priced low enough, you'll probably make your money back twice over. At least that's what I've heard from a few author friends I know who have been listed.

If you really want to add the BookBub to your screen like an app, just load the site's web page, and from the options in the upper right corner (three dots) select add to homescreen. You can actually do this with many other sites and publications. Your essentially creating a shortcut to something you choose. Try it with some blogs and free newspapers, you may like it better than adding the BookBub shortcut.

BookBub

Searches related to is there a bookbub app

bookbub free audio books

bookbub for nook

bookbub for authors

bookbub for kindle

bookbub advertising

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bookbub glassdoor

Chipotle Now Has Queso

Chipotle Now Has Queso

The Chipotle restaurant chain, will be adding Queso to their menus, rolling out at every location nationwide beginning on Sept. 12^th.

For years, Queso has been the No. 1 requested item everyone wanted added to their menu.

Chipotle has until now always resisted having Queso on their menus, because of the additives used in most Quesos.

Steve Ells who is Chipotle's founder and CEO has said that the Queso's may taste different from day to day based on the aged cheddar cheese that gets used at establishments, and the taste may also vary from one restaurant to another.

I'm sure none of that will really matter, it's a long overdue addition to their menu, that I for one will be sampling tomorrow.

Prices may vary from city to city, but all will range from $1.25 to $5.25 for a large side order.

Alice Cooper - Paranormal Album Review

Alice Cooper is back! The Master of Shock Rock...the villain, the victim, the everything macabre that has thrilled, and revolted us for years delivers his best new album in years!

There's just no substitute for quality production. Bob Ezrin has always been among the best in the business and his work on these new tracks are evident. They come alive under his vision and Alice flourishes.

The album is Paranormal and as Cooper explains, “I love that title, 'Paranormal', but it's not really a scary record. There's a couple of scary songs on it, but it's 'paranormal,' in the sense that it is other than normal.”

He and Ezrin set out to do an album without a theme in mind, just for the fun of it, and the theme emerged on its own. The songs do reflect those things that make Alice Cooper music what it is. You only need to listen once to bear witness to the twisted mental states delightfully being sung about here.

For a change Bob Ezrin brought in Larry Mullen Jr. on drums and from there added some guest work from Roger Glover and Billy Gibbons.

There's ten songs, and all are lyrically fantastic. One of the best things about this album is how deliciously interesting the songs are, and how relevant they are even now.

Most veteran rockers usually fade, they lose their way, and become nostalgia acts that still rock out live, but no longer make new music. That's never been the case with Alice Cooper. He gives us a well crafted album that can be played over and over.

His secret to ongoing success is that he does not try to be popular by today's standards, he stays true to himself, because that has always been more than enough!

"I have a world of fans out there, all over the world, and it took forty-five years to build that fan-base. So when I make records now, I make 'em for those people. I'm not trying to break a new audience. I am playing an album for an audience that's already there." - Alice Cooper

That's how ya do it!

The best new songs are Paranormal - Paranoiac Personality – Fireball - Private Public Breakdown

Paranormal Track Listing:

 1. Paranormal
 2. Dead Flies
 3. Fireball
 4. Paranoiac Personality
 5. Fallen In Love
 6. Dynamite Road
 7. Private Public Breakdown
 8. Holy Water
 9. Rats
10. The Sound of A

Bonus Disc Track Listing:

New studio recordings with the original Alice Cooper band Neal Smith (drums), Michael Bruce (guitar) and Dennis Dunaway (bass):

11. Genuine American Girl
12. You And All Of Your Friends

Live in Columbus, Ohio, May 6th, 2016 with the current Alice Cooper band:

13. No More Mr. Nice Guy
14. Under My Wheels
15. Billion Dollar Babies
16. Feed My Frankenstein
17. Only Women Bleed
18. School's Out

Alice Cooper is currently on tour in the US and here are some of his upcoming shows.

Sep 01 KeyBank Pavilion Pittsburgh, PA

Sep 02 Budweiser Stage Toronto, Canada

Sep 03 DTE Energy Music Theater Clarkston, MI

Sep 06 Tinley Park Chicago, IL

Sep 08 Hollywood Casino Amphitheater Saint Louis, MO

Sep 09 Blossom Music Center Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Sep 10 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati, OH

For a complete list of all tour dates refer to his site for more information.

Alice Cooper Official Website

Top 5 Best Free Movie &TV Sites in 2017 Streaming Without Sign-Up

Top 5 Best Free Movie &TV Sites in 2017 Streaming Without Sign-Up

The Best Free Movie Sites To Bookmark

In this new and updated post you'll find the best new completely Free movie streaming sites on-line in 2017 to date! Sorting through the lists of sites that all claim everything is beyond daunting. It's enough to make you wanna give up and just sign with Netflix anyway.

Not to worry...I've got your back! Read on...

Internet censors and certain providers are always attempting to shut down these sorts of web-sites and as soon as they do another one appears. It's an endless game of whack a mole... if you can.

In evaluating whether a site is worthy of being bookmarked I strictly stick with those sites that do not prompt me to sign-up, or ask for any information of any kind. Sites with too many ads also get ignored here.

The average person can spend all the time in the world searching for FREE streaming web-sites that offer everything they want, but as you've probably already realized by now, there isn't just one. To enjoy a wider variety of shows, it's necessary to use multiple web-sites. With that in mind, you don't need to bookmark a long list of sites, instead I am recommending that you make a shorter list and stick with the best.

Since there are far too many sites that offer similar or the same content, I've compiled a shorter list of what is also tried and tested to be safe and quick to use without having to sign-up or register to use.

These are the Top 5 Websites to Stream New and Old Movies

http://gomovies.ac/

https://fmovies.is/

https://www.watchfree.to/

https://ffilms.org/

https://www.primewire.ag/

Now you may be wondering, what ever happened to 123movies?

I've wondered this myself for a long time. It was the best site out there. I do not know what really happened to that domain or why. Not to worry though, the site is still live and current, it's just been re-branded and has a new name GoMovies. It's the same site with a new name and link.

Do I have to sign up or pay to watch on-line?

NO, the sites I have offered you do not require your personal information.

Should you stumble upon a site that does want you to sign up, immediately click that tab off. If you want to subscribe to something, that is entirely your prerogative, if you do, at least stick with the big name providers like Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon( hulu is a joke). If you are going to pay premium rates, it's better to stick with the premium providers.

Please keep in mind, there are numerous alternatives which do not require any personal details, but some are very dangerous they can infect your system with malware and while others have too many ads and some even lock up your whole computer. In other words, it's a jungle out there...viewer beware!

Lastly, for anyone looking to stream video content you can not ignore the fact that YouTube has the most to offer free and paid. There are a few others worth checking out, because they are quick, safe and reliable. These sites are listed below.

https://www.youtube.com/

http://www.dailymotion.com/

https://archive.org/

*The information provided here is for using websites to stream video on a computer. I would not recommend watching video on a phone.

Katy Perry - Witness - Review

Prior to the release of Katy Perry's fifth album Witness, she teased us with promo art and Titles enough to excite even the casual fan. When I first saw the intended cover art, I was just shocked. I knew then that the album that art would contain would probably also disappoint. Still, I remained curious, and wondered if her new music would be as good as her last. As the singles rolled out, I realized that the songs were good, but nothing great, just a batch of good songs getting the treatment, and folks that's the whole album in a nutshell. Good songs, but nothing great.

In several of her promo interviews Katy stated that she was not going to rush the new album, but was going to just have fun, and experiment, try new collaborators, different styles while working with different producers. Clearly intent on being different.

When Katy declared back in February that her new album was going to be a new era for her and era of purposeful pop, everyone took note. Katy further added that the album was her mental liberation, sexual liberation, negative liberation, and spiritual liberation.

Then came June 9^th the day the album dropped, and it quickly became the #1 on US Billboard Album Charts. In the short time since it has fallen quickly, as many negative reviews have ripped this album for it's too much sampling, borrowing, copying, and unnecessary vocal effects. Too much everyone seems to think. All the copying and appropriation on Witness seemingly has no end, that in and of itself is the boldest thing one could attest to.

The production from super-producer pop mastermind Max Martin, is erratic and just too much, when less would have sufficed.

The album cover art tells it all...Katy Perry does not even look recognizable. All you see is a woman with short cropped blonde hair, holding her hands over her eyes and the creepy eyeball in the mouth does not make the album appealing in any way at all.

It looks as though this pop-star diva doesn’t have a good grasp on her own identity, and it seems like with all of the experimenting she is trying to find herself...it's a sad affair.

All Witness does is reveal a young woman who has lost herself and is emotionally running on empty. As it stands, it's a fairly good album, but it's not as good as her previous efforts.

*Miss You More is a slow ballad, but definitely one of the best tracks on the album.

*Despite strength of song quality, the album suffers from there just being too many collaborators, and possibly a few too many songs.

Lorde - Melodrama Reviewed - Thumbs Down

Melodrama is the wrong title for this album. The word implies something sensational, dramatic and exciting. The album we get is nothing like that at all. Instead, we only get two songs that are even worth listening to. The first cut, Green Light, is good, but by now you've heard too many critics, so-called fans, and trolls complain that it sounds like Taylor Swift. Then we get besieged with rubbish material that should never have seen the light of day...any day...ever! Finally, we get to the last track, Perfect Places, and this is also good. Melodrama is Lorde's Mega Disaster and this album is among the worst to come out this year.

Lorde's first album had youthful hip teen talk language and mass appeal. This new album has no appeal. It's a self-indulgent, all me trip that is all boring. There's nothing here but the two songs I've already mentioned that might get any radio play.

This artist already seems to have the laissez-faire I don't care attitude and approach to things. Fans have waited four years for this album. She had nothing for an album a little more than a year ago, and she and her team were pressed for delivering an album. She had no songs of her own and had to rely on others to get anything done. The whole Melodrama came together in short time, with a batch of miserable songs that are not entertaining. It seems like the whole project was forced, and rushed to completion.

These songs give an indication that she doesn't really have any sense of direction. The worst thing to be at this stage of her promising career is aimless and uninspired.

Simply put, this album is awful. It is not worth the price. Buyer beware, you'll be disappointed.

Lorde's Melodrama debuted at #1 three weeks ago and has been falling fast since. Her first album Pure Heroine never hit #1, so chart performance is not always a good indicator of what you might be getting.

There are many positive reviews circulating that pour on the praise. I can't help but wonder how many of them are paid sponsored reviews.

Please feel free to leave a comment below and offer your opinion of Melodrama.

The President's Plane Is Missing Made for TV Movie

The President's Plane Is Missing

This is a made for TV movie that aired back in October of 1973. It is one of the rare made for TV films that are made so well and have everything it takes to make it worth watching again after so many years.

The movie is based on the novel by Robert J. Serling. The basic plotline as described on IMDB states … “While on the brink of a military confrontation with China, Air Force One crashes in the desert, killing the President. This brings Vice-President Kermit Madigan to power who, having been left in the dark by the president, must now rely on his predecessor's aides to guide him. But they have markedly different viewpoints and hidden agendas. Will he blunder his way into a nuclear exchange with the Chinese?”

That description fails to mention that the body of the President was NOT found in the wreckage of the aircraft when it was finally found, and this error of omission is really the main point of intrigue explored in the film. There is panic, confusion and those only interested in making war, not peace. Not to worry, there's a clever little angle and twist that resolves this well crafted story.

Check it out, I think you'll like it.

Cast

• Buddy Ebsen as Vice President Kermit Madigan
• Peter Graves as Mark Jones
• Arthur Kennedy as Gunther Damon
• Raymond Massey as Secretary of State Freeman Sharkey
• Mercedes McCambridge as Hester Madigan
• Rip Torn as National Security Advisor George Oldenburg
• Louise Sorel as Joanna Spencer
• Dabney Coleman as Senator Bert Haines
• Joseph Campanella as Colonel Doug Henderson
• Richard Eastham as General Colton
• Byron Morrow as Admiral Phillips
• Bill Walker as Thomas
• Richard Bull as First Controller
• Richard Stahl as Dentist
• Gil Peterson as Tower Controller
• Barry Cahill as Ground Crew Chief
• Lillian Lehman as Genesse
• James Sikking as Aide to Dunbar
• Barbara Leigh as WAF
• George Barrows as Mr. Meyers
• John Amos as Marine Corporal
• John Ward as Major D'Andrea
• Tod Andrews as President Jeremy Haines
• James Wainwright as General Ben Dunbar
• James B. Smith as Major Earl Foster

Interesting fact:

This movie was filmed in 1971 but delayed for airing by ABC because that was the year of President Richard Nixon's trip to China and they didn't want to show the Chinese in a negative way. Instead, it aired on October 23^rd 1973.

Latest Trend Stream-Ripping for Music Offline

Every year there is growth in music streaming and digital sales, never a decline. There are only changes in ways music is acquired. The music industry claims that stream-ripping is the latest, biggest trend ongoing that threatens the livelihood and motivating factors all recording artists need in order to create and survive. Ick...that was hard to write!

The big surprise to be learned is that customers are shying away from buying digital mp3 albums and are preferring to live stream whatever they desire from streaming services such as Spotify.

Hard to believe, but it's true. It seems people are willing to pay subscription fees to access music instead of buying it outright. Why? Many will contend that it's cheaper that way, and who wants their system bogged down with mp3's.

The main argument for judging prices of music mp3's to actual physical CD's and or DVD's is that they are often priced similar to the same, when in fact they are not the same.

I will agree with anyone who contends that digital media is over priced and should be re-evaluated. If consumers believed digital files were worth the price they'd buy it. The point being made, is that digital albums are priced too high, and that is a major reason for looking for alternatives.

Most everyone already knows about the many streaming services available, that said, there's still the growing trend of what is called stream-ripping where you can stream and download music files in mp3 format to your system for offline use.

It has been reported that there is a rise in this activity, and music labels are of course crying foul...claiming theft and piracy and suing websites that allow you to download and convert streaming content to files.

I definitely do not advocate piracy, but I think that the music industry claims are over exaggerated. Many of the people downloading files have already bought the same content in another format.

Unless you have bad, slow and unreliable internet I still don't see the need to actually download anything...there's so much free stuff on YouTube, all you need to do is create play-lists and Rock Out to your heart's content!

Record companies could do better by their customers. They could bundle digital versions on the actual physical copies, then you'd see a real drop in downloading activity. Expecting customers to pay for the same content, multiple times does nothing in the way of discouraging illegal per se downloading of media.

The main culprit being targeted by record labels today is

http://www.youtube-mp3.org/

Suing and shutting down websites does not fix the problem. When one goes down another goes up.

The best solution is to try and do right by the customer.