Apple Music's arrogance might cost them more than it cost music lovers for new book

Apple Music clearly thinks it's special. The truth is, though, that the music streaming service is just one of many and listeners could tune into Spotify or Amazon Music just as easily. Sure, Apple can force a U2 album on us if they want, but that doesn't mean we will make the choice to listen.

In 2024, Apple Music put out a list of the 100 best albums ever, and the list was far from perfect. To be fair, any list of best albums is not going to be spot on. There is a large matter of opinion and choice that weighs in, even with reputable music critics. We all know what we like or sounds comfortable, and we are challenged by those sounds that do not make sense.

Another thing that does not make sense, however, is Apple Music charging so much for the book of their best albums list. The asking price is $450. Yes, four hundred and fifty dollars. And why? Is there some special music included, possibly from the bands included in the best albums list that has yet to be released? No.

Apple Music's asking price for a book of their choices for the 100 best albums is ridiculous

The asking price simply seems to be an arrogance on the part of Apple Music and Assouline, the luxury printing company that helped create the book. Apple seems to be paying Assouline for a great production of the book and then passing that cost onto us.

$100? Maybe, but even that is too much. $450 is Apple Music requesting we pay for a limited-printing of a book we don't want. There is nothing special about it other than Apple's people came up with a list and then paid another company to make a book out of their thoughts. We can assume that the selling price will probably come down once people aren't scooping up the 1,500 printing run of the book.

Apple Music is basically saying they are more special than the musical artists involved in their list of best albums. Music lovers will pay for the records and can find a lot of information about them online. We do not really need to pay Apple Music $450 for things we already know.

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