Pono Music is up and running

Neil Young's Pono Music website is now up and running.
They only sell flac. I've downloaded several things from
them. (Some download-exclusive Annette Funicello albums,
for example.)

Pono works like iTunes, where you have to download their
software. But there's a bug where I can't finish
checkout through the software, I have to checkout and
purchase on the website, then it will open the software
and download it when you press "download my music." The
files will download to your computer in the "My Music" or
"Music" folder in a "Pono" file that is created there.
Song downloads are $1.99.

I still prefer Qobuz, actually, because you can download
as many times as you want -- Pono, you only get the one
download. In fact, I had a song download not complete --
I only got the first 14 seconds -- and I have a customer
service ticket in process where they told me they had to
get a new file from the record company. It's been almost
a week and I haven't heard anything back. Also, one
older digital single from about 2005 that they had
available, I downloaded it and it was not lossless, so I
complained and asked for a credit, and they said they'd
"ask" about it. That was about two weeks ago, and
haven't heard anything back. But... it's all English and
no dealing with proxy servers.

Go to PonoMusic.com if you want to register.

Bwci Bo wrote: I went to download the mono version of Tommy James & The Shondells' Crimson And Clover but alas, the store is only open to U.S. residents. Bah!

That was one of the first things I downloaded, and I
meant to bring it up on the board... it runs a little
longer than the US 45, and the version on the 40th
Anniversary CD that is mono sounds like it could be a
different mix, so I actually do wonder which is correct.
It sounds to me like the B-side is a disc dub.

Actually, Pono has been open to the general public for a
couple of weeks, and I am impressed by what is there, so
far. I'll be glad when they get all the independant
labels ingested, like Unidisc. I also wish the labels
would get off their booties and start mastering and
issuing more of their vaults.

The minute I download something from Pono, I immediately
back it up to a second hard drive for safe keeping.

Edited by The Hits Man

Brian W. wrote: Pono works like iTunes, where you have to download their software.

Well that's a deal killer for me. I refuse to install
special (potentially buggy or ad/spyware-laden) software just
so I can download a song.
Dumb name too.

What is "HD Tracks"? Is that a site like Pono that offers lossless tracks? Up until recently, I thought the only lossless site available was Qobuz, and that only works if you have a French proxy.