Our lonely days are over, and life is like a song...

Is it the extra swig of `tussin we just gulped down with our espresso shot that has us feeling so floaty and hopeful?  Possibly.  We're also slightly encouraged by the finally announced developments in the percolating CBS/last.fm team up.

We feel compelled to point out though, that the labels still don't get it.  They're being led by the nose at this point and just trying to hold on to some shred of their former glory by insisting on silly limitations that make no sense in the context of the deals they are entering into.  At least, not for anyone who doesn't work inside the belly of the beastie.

Here's the OK news.  You will soon be able to listen to each FULL track at last.fm instead of the useless 30 second clips that everybody loves to hate.  You'll be exposed to an ad for this privilege... hey, no problem.  We've gotten to be experts at blocking out ad placements like everyone else.

Here's the stupid news.  The labels are demanding that you only get three plays of the full track.  OK.  Like we said, this must sound really great when you weasels are yammering on and enjoying the sound of your own voices in conference rooms.  We know your bosses sit there and nod their heads approvingly as if you've somehow staked a claim for your industry, protecting your ass(ets) and really played hardball with those content plunderers that keep you up at night.  Bullshite.  That limitation will be removed shortly because it's arbitrary and makes no sense.  Either you give music fans the chance to experience your content so they can decide if they want to buy it or you don't.  It's the legacy you created for yourself by litigating against your own consumer base and keeping your heads stuck in the sand for so long.

BUT, here's the really good news... and why we're listening to Etta James while we eat lunch.

Last.fm is launching an unprecedented "Artist Royalty" arrangement, whereby those artists not signed with a label who choose to upload their music to Last.fm will receive payment, directly from Last.fm, every time one of their tracks is played. This means artists without traditional recording or publishing deals will be able to reach millions of music fans, offer their music for free, while generating revenue.

Leaving aside that's it's not 'unprecedented', it's still cool enough to almost offset the three song limitation.   How will this affect some of the other ad supported models that are sputtering along, like imeem?   We're anxious to find out.

Even though ZOMGPWN! hasn't been the biggest supporter of last.fm, we've always quietly rooted for it even after it got subsumed by CBS.  It just gives off that punk rock ethos that makes us dare to dream that there's a better future out there for music fans.  Probably not, but hey... don't harsh our `tussin buzz, man.