AMAZON GETS SMALL

In a move akin to Goliath befriending David, Amazon.com is embracing music's little guys. The gigantic e-tailer just opened its Indie Music Store (www.amazon.com/indie), a sort of virtual Aron's where connoisseurs of the obscure can browse and buy—and drop a little something in the tip jar if they're feeling altruistic.

Along with thousands of releases from indie labels and self-released acts, the Indie Store features an Editor's Choice (currently Tortoise) highlighted rap, folk, dance and metal releases, and a section called "Listmania," which this week focuses on the storied '80s indie label SST and its key acts. So if you have a yen to replace your worn vinyl of Husker Du's "Zen Arcade" or the Minutemen's "Double Nickels On The Dime" with the shiny little versions, they're right here.

A look at the Indie Store's top sellers—DJ John Digweed's "Los Angeles" is #1—reveals some curiosities. F'rinstance, both recent bluegrass LPs from Dolly Parton are in the top 10, while there are three Eva Cassidy (who?) releases in the top 12. And on what other current chart would you conceivably find the 1973 classic "Pink Moon" by cult hero (and posthumous VW pitchman) Nick Drake? Cool.

Amazon has timed the Indie Store launch to coincide with South by Southwest, itself once the bastion of indie music of all stripes…but that was before it became the music biz version of spring break.