The Price Is Variable

But whether or not Marchant deserves the cash, somebody does. Today's music industry has room for gigantic artists and tiny ones, for small bands with hand-labeled cassette tapes and Dixie rock dinosaurs that can move millions of downloads. Some people tape a concert on a four-track and sell it; others, like Kanye West, need months in the studio to make a single record. Some people really are geniuses, and others just rant on message boards. We understand these factors, yet we don't let them nudge the price tag. If we really loved and respected our music, we would cough up the dough to prove it.