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

As a lifelong music enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over album liner notes, attending live concerts, and debating with friends about the greatest albums of all time, I must say that Apple Music’s latest venture is nothing short of baffling.


Apple Music seems to believe it stands out. However, in reality, it’s merely one of several music streaming platforms available; listeners could switch to Spotify or Amazon Music with equal ease. Yes, Apple may impose a U2 album on us if they wish, but this doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll choose to listen to it.

In 2024, Apple Music released their list of the top 100 albums of all time, but it’s important to note that this list was far from infallible. After all, any compilation of the greatest albums is bound to have its flaws. The tastes and preferences of listeners, even those who are highly respected in the music industry, can greatly influence such a list. We each have our own musical comfort zones, and we may find it difficult to appreciate sounds that don’t align with our personal tastes.

It’s puzzling, indeed, that Apple Music charges such a high price – $450, to be exact – for their list of top albums. One might wonder if this premium cost is due to exclusive, unreleased music from the featured bands, but that’s not the case.

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

It appears that the proposed price by both Apple Music and Assouline, the high-end publishing firm, comes across as an expression of pride in their work’s quality. Essentially, it seems that Apple is compensating Assouline for producing a top-tier book and subsequently transferring that expense to us, the consumers.

100 dollars? Perhaps, but it seems excessive. A whopping $450 for Apple Music feels like demanding payment for a limited edition book we have no interest in. The uniqueness of this book lies solely in the fact that Apple employees compiled a list and hired another company to convert their ideas into a physical book. It’s reasonable to assume that the price will decrease as the initial 1,500 print run sells out.

As a gamer, I’d say it feels like Apple Music is boasting about their own taste in music, implying they’re superior to the artists on their ‘Best Albums’ list. Truth be told, music enthusiasts can easily discover and purchase these records online without shelling out $450 to Apple Music for information we can already access elsewhere.

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2024-11-15 14:00