So some relief is greeting Apple's introduction of the new iTunes Pass model with veteran band Depeche Mode, which records on the EMI label. Similar to the Season Pass model iTunes implemented in March 2006 for TV show downloads, the iTunes Pass lets artists sell a range of products for one flat price and deliver them throughout a given period of time.

As the first act to take advantage of the program, Depeche Mode is offering two exclusive singles to fans who sign up for the $19 bundle, which includes a pre-order for the album. The new album, "Sounds of the Universe," will automatically appear in fans' iTunes library when it comes out April 21, as will a number of other new music and video titles between now and then, with additional content coming afterward.

It's a version of the album subscription model, which several artists have offered on their own for the past year. Rather than simply releasing a single album, artists are experimenting with upselling higher-priced bundles to loyal fans that they can pay for at the outset, and subsequently letting content trickle out for weeks, months or even a year. Those offering subscriptions include Metallica, the Dandy Warhols, Kristin Hersh and Josh Rouse.