Independent Musicians Release Album on USB

While the major music labels have cowered in fear since the widespread adoption of MP3s, more than a few independent acts and labels have embraced the format -- not least because they've long relied on word of mouth to gain new fans.

With this in mind, the French pop group Bubblies are releasing Bubblegum Explosion, their fifth album, on a USB flash drive [site in French], along with physical liner notes and an attractive case. The tracks are unprotected MP3s, which means they're free to copy -- which is kind of the point. Their website, which includes freely downloadable versions of two of their previous albums, makes it clear that they want as many people to hear their music as possible, although they also ask that if you like their music and want to support them, it would be a good idea to actually buy something.