A number of people have pointed out to me that Sony wins either way – is that right?
Yes.
Remember, kids, that the self titled music "industry" is just that – it's a means of making money and that's it.
Buying Killing in the Name because you were a sulky teemnager in '92, and you don't "get" the fact that pop music hasn't actually changed, even with X-Factor, doesn't mean you're standing against The Man.
It just means you should actually go and listen to some new music. So, here are my instructions:
1. Go to your nearest independent record shop (no, Fopp doesn't count)
2. Ask them what's new and good at the moment
3. Say "no, it's OK, I don't need to listen to that
4. Go home and enjoy the excitement of having no idea whether meoldic acid folk is actually going to be your thing
5. Be pleased you had a mini adventure, suppoirted someone you've never heard of, and haven't got all hot and bothered about making major labels money