Paid music services branch out

Liquid Audio says it has partnered with independent label Roadrunner Records to create a new digital music club for hard-rock fans. The subscription service, dubbed The Vault, will let people download music, burn tracks to a CD, and transfer songs to portable devices through Liquid Audio's software, according to the companies. Roadrunner Records said it will provide the music, including current titles, assorted rarities and previously unreleased songs. Artists from Roadrunner Records include Coal Chamber, Soulfly and Jerry Cantrell. The companies added consumers will be able to purchase individual tracks or pay a monthly fee for a specified number of tracks. In a separate announcement, Sony Musiclub said it has added subscription services from Pressplay and Listen.com's Rhapsody service. Sony Musiclub offers consumers access to digital music, news and products, including downloadable tracks and albums, artist information, concert tour dates, sound clips, among other things.