Music sales in the US continue to decline, according to a May 8 report from the <A HREF="http://www.narm.com">National Association of Recording Merchandisers</A> (NARM). Retails sales totaled $8.93 billion in 2002, down from the $10.46 billion reported for 2000. Most (87%) of the organization's members reported a drop in music sales last year&mdash;only 13% posted higher totals.

Apple's unexpected initial success with its iTunes subscription music service shocked and pleased many in the music industry&mdash;and appears likely to prompt a rash of imitators.

For <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//artdudleylistening/834/">Listening #5</A>, Art Dudley tackles audio moderation, Lowther Land, and the audio puritans spying on the nudists next door. AD also explains the statement, "Just because I have a job in the lunch line doesn't mean I have to keep serving the kid who shows off for his friends by spitting out his food."

Moderation, like a natural death, is what most thinking people roll toward, if only because extremism requires too much energy: Extreme points of view are hard to hold without a certain amount of self-delusion, and the brighter you are, the harder your self-deluder has to work.

Moderation, like a natural death, is what most thinking people roll toward, if only because extremism requires too much energy: Extreme points of view are hard to hold without a certain amount of self-delusion, and the brighter you are, the harder your self-deluder has to work.

Moderation, like a natural death, is what most thinking people roll toward, if only because extremism requires too much energy: Extreme points of view are hard to hold without a certain amount of self-delusion, and the brighter you are, the harder your self-deluder has to work.

<B>THE POLICE: <I>Every Breath You Take: The Classics</I></B><BR> A&M Chronicles 069 493 607-2 (hybrid SACD/CD). 2003. The Police, Hugh Padgham, Laurie Latham, orig. prods.; Nigel Gray, Chris Gray, Hugh Padgham, Phil Nicolo, orig. engs.; David Tickle, Martin Pradler, 5.1 remixes (tracks 1-12); Bob Ludwig, 5.1 remixes (tracks 13-14) and SACD mastering; Bill Levenson, reissue supervision. A?D. TT: 59:43<BR> Performance <B>*****</B><BR> Sonics <B>**</B> to <B>*****</B>

"There's a flat screen in your future."

For the third year in a row, <I>Quebec Audio-Video Magazine</I> has offered its readers a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the Home Entertainment Show&mdash;or a trip to the beautiful Charlevoix region of the province of Quebec, Canada, for a musical experience at Le Domaine Forget concert hall.