Calling All CD Hoarders!

In the age of digital music, what should people do with all of their old or outdated compact discs (CDs)? Sell them to Amazon, of course!

Amazon has recently announced a new buy-back/trade-in program in which Amazon clients can sell their CDs to Amazon in return for a credit on their Amazon accounts. Clients simply choose which CDs they would like to sell, print shipping labels from Amazon, and then mail them off to the company. Employees at Amazon then review the CDs and categorize them as either 1.) "Like New" or 2.) "Good."

Like New: Perfect condition, no scratches or marks, original cover and artwork

Good: May have a few light scratches, but still plays fine

The credit that Amazon gives does not strictly apply to music; customers are welcome to purchase anything that the online giant offers with their credits.

But don't start eyeing that new Macbook or widescreen HD television just yet!

The credit amounts are relatively low (much lower than the cost of a new CD or digital album) and depend upon the popularily of the artist, the release date, the condition of the CD, and the number of inventory already in stock. Individuals can expect to receive approximately two to three dollars for newer popular artists such as Adele (retailed at $9.99), and approximately eleven dollars for harder to find box sets such as the Beatles (retailed at $179).

Review: Hunger Games Soundtrack

Soundtrack from The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games has become a phenomenon during the past three years, prompting a cult-like following similar to the Twilight series. This past weekend, the long-awaited film hit theaters, spurring the release of the film's soundtrack: The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond.

The books, themselves, are packed full of energy, excitement, and suspense, but the overall mood of the novels is one of despair, hopelessness, longing, and melancholy. So how does the soundtrack compare?

It captures the mood and atmosphere of the novels brilliantly, seamlessly weaving somber music with soulful and somewhat folksy vocals.

With a host of award-winning artists including Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, and the Civil Wars, the soundtrack effortlessly blends story with music. 

This reviewer's favorite picks? Safe and Sound and Eyes Open - both by the country artist Taylor Swift (of whom I am not usually a fan). Swift's soulful and vulnerable rendering of the songs captures the spirit, strength and tireless resolve of Katniss Everdeen (the main character in the series). 

Check out Swift's Safe and Sound below, and tell me what you think.

Overplayed Artists

I think everyone would agree that there are certain artists (no matter how talented) who are constantly overplayed on the radio. Every time I turn on a certain radio station, I hear the same songs over and over again. Certainly we have enough new music coming out of the industry to generate a bit more variety, do we not? And what happens to songs that were popular just a few months ago? Are they relegated to a dark abyss of "outdated" music, never to be seen (or heard in this case) again? Just who is demanding the constant replay of these songs? Record executives? Radio deejays? Radio listeners?

Let me know what you think and be sure to vote in the poll below!

Which singer or group is the most overplayed on radio?
Adele Kelly Clarkson Lady Gaga Katy Perry Rihanna Nikki Minaj LMFAO Other
	Results

A Healthier Music Industry?

Does an increase in music sales the past two years indicate a comeback for the music industry? Market analysts think so! According to the Wallstreet Journal's Market Watch, a report by the NDP group has shown that the total number of CD buyers has increased for the second consecutive year, growing 2% to 78 million in 2011.

Analysts have a number of theories for the increase. The first theory is that the increased and enhanced availability of music (via mobile devices, ITunes, YouTube, Pandora, general radio streaming, etc.) has given listeners more "ear-candy," allowing them to preview songs and encouraging them to shell out money in order to purchase their favorites.

The second theory is that the quality of pop music is getting better. Manufactured boybands and groups are pretty much history, replaced by a much more divergent and talented pool of vocalists such as Adele and Katy Perry, who have broadened the audience for popular music and given people something to talk about.

Perhaps the most interesting theory used to explain the phenomenon is the decrease in digital piracy. Public and private crackdowns on the illegal copying and distribution of music has definitely played a major role in bolstering the economic growth of the music industry during the past two years. With file-sharing sites such as Mega Upload closing, music lovers are now being "forced" to purchase their favorite songs legally through ITunes, Amazon, and traditional, physical stores.

Check out this article for more information regarding the upward trend and be sure to let me know what you think about the growth in the market. Do you have your own theory?