While 'May you live in interesting times' was originally intended as a curse, It's feeling like more of a blessing these days. In the bad old days, bands and artists would often contort themselves completely out of shape in an effort to please the wishes of major record labels, who themselves didn't always have such an accurate idea as to how their stable of artists might succeed (at least commercially). The situation grew even worse more recently as labels merged, consolidated, took fewer chances and sought nothing but soundalikes to give their stockholders a quick, reliable return on their investment. The result was completely forgetable music. I have my hopes that music lovers will now have an easier time finding music that appeals to them online, and genuine musical artists can reach their listeners and avoid starvation. True, there might not be as many superstars - but I can't say I'll miss them.