[LS]

Ok, well, I got an Ipod for Christmas, and I'm pretty much maxed out in terms of the songs I want to have on it, at about 1,000. Sure, I could load whole albums: what's the point? 10 of the 12 songs per album weren't any good to begin with.

The great thing about the download revolution is that is has forced the music industry, and especially the artists, to try to stop making so much crap (whether they succeed is up to the market). No longer can you say, "well, we need 12 songs, and I have this junk that no one would buy, but we can put it on the . . . ALBUM." Not any more. So the truly great music (in the eyes of the consumers) is instantly identifiable on itunes when you look at "popularity." Those little bars aren't always right---everyone has his own tastes---but they are usually right. Usually, a song with no bars means a sucky song.

[Thrownatbirth]

Usually, a song with no bars means a sucky song.

I find some B-side classics in the "no bars". I'm astounded by what most people miss, but they're not old as dirt either.

[Aquinasfan]

The great thing about the download revolution is that is has forced the music industry, and especially the artists, to try to stop making so much crap (whether they succeed is up to the market). No longer can you say, "well, we need 12 songs, and I have this junk that no one would buy, but we can put it on the . . . ALBUM." Not any more. So the truly great music (in the eyes of the consumers) is instantly identifiable on itunes when you look at "popularity." Those little bars aren't always right---everyone has his own tastes---but they are usually right. Usually, a song with no bars means a sucky song.

Correctamundo. I hope this brings back singles.