Acid House Kings Playlist Screen

Padgaget (2011) 5 out of 5 star review;

This app is the first I have seen that promises to offer fans a window into the band when it reaches the listener. The all but extinct art of creating liner notes could even return if more artists choose to adopt the app as a mode of album distribution.

This app is exciting not only because of the quality of its design and included music, but because albums as apps promise to give fans back the additional heft that the listening to music lots as vinyl ceded to cassettes and CDs, and ultimately to digital files. While digital music files offer tremendous convenience for the listener, they rob fans of easy access to lyrics, large scale artwork, and the sense that the band has created a tangible work.

Album apps also have potential to reinvigorate the music business, as another method for bands to reach fans. Rarities or live concert clips could be added to entice buyers, much in the way limited release 7″s are used to encourage fans to purchase a record in advance from an independent label rather than downloading it illegally.

Cheers to developer Lackner.Buckingham for bringing back the album as a discrete listening experience. The app takes a wonderful idea and executes it seamlessly.