Billboard.biz
Billboard just released a fascinating feature on changes in album sales due to digital distribution and their conclusions aren’t as dire as you might imagine. Digital sales have increased the sales of ‘niche’ albums by giving them access to a wider market and have hurt the sales of major artist albums by allowing consumers to just buy the hit instead of an entire album. However, digital distribution has increased the sales and importance of hit tracks for major artists. Essentially, for major label artists hit songs are becoming more important while hit albums are becoming less so and for small indies, digital distribution has made albums increasingly viable. To read to full feature, follow the above link.