Facebook PixelThe Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

The Music Box Subscription Box Review – October 2014

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeNov 8, 2014 | 11 comments

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 Box

The Music Box is a monthly subscription service that sends you music and music-related gifts. They hand pick emerging artists (keeping in mind your favorite genres) and send you new music every month. They offer 2 subscription options: The Box is a monthly box delivery containing items like CD's, posters, stickers, wristbands, t-shirts, and more. Their other option is the Envelope, which gets you a monthly compilation CD with 10-14 different artists.

Because the Music Box curates every subscriber’s package with their individual music preferences in mind, my box will vary from others.

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 Items

The Subscription: The Music Box

The Cost: $10/month for the box, or $5/month for the envelope

The Products: In the Box, you can expect 4-6 items like CD's, posters, stickers, wristbands, t-shirts, etc. In the Envelope, you can expect 1 mixed CD with 10-14 different artists featured.

Ships to: US, Candada (+$5 for shipping) and Australia (+$9 for shipping).

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 Info

The box came with an info card stapled to the roof of the box, describing the artists that were featured and what things they included from each artist.

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 Spring

The Springs (Country/Southern Rock) – Autograph + Wristband

This was the first thing I pulled out of the box. I think they’re nice items to include in a box like this, but I’m just not that excited about a photo and wristband for a band I don’t know (and that they also didn’t include any music from in the box). I was also curious about this inclusion because the Springs are a “Country/Southern Rock” band when I specifically said that Country was one of the few genres I actually actively avoid.

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 Sons

The Sons (Alternative/Pop/Rock) – The Prime Words Committee (Full Album)

Chrysalis (Hard Rock/Rock/Metal) – Focus On the Center (Full Album)

This album by the Sons was my favorite music in the box, probably because they were the most alternative. Unfortunately, when I checked their website, they have a final blog post about their disbanding.

The Chrysalis album isn’t bad, but it’s definitely a little harder rock than I generally like to listen to – this will be passed off to either my husband or his brothers. Also, this CD isn’t listed on the info card. I know it says extra bonus items may not be listed, but it’s odd a full, physical item counts as a bonus item. But, okay!

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 jack Pines

Jack Pines (Indie/Pop/Rock) – Sticker

Cult Classic (Indie/Rock) – 6-song download code

After looking up some music from Jack Pines on Youtube, I definitely think they fall much more into the indie genre, probably even singer-songwriter too, much more than pop/rock. Also, I’m bummed the only thing by them is a sticker, because I like their music more than most of the other bands in the box, too.

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 TDS

City of the Weak (Rock/Pop) – free song download link

3 PM (Pop/Punk) – free song download code

Top Down Summer (Pop/Punk) – 2 free songs download code

Chaz Robinson (Pop) – free single download

Rivers Monroe (PopPunk/Rock) – free full album download code

They also included a lot of digital downloads, which is awesome! Some of these were public links to free downloads anyone can get (like the City of the Weak) and some were downloads you specifically needed a code for. Of these, I liked Chaz Robinson’s music the most.

The Music Box Subscription Box Review - October 2014 Scarf

They also threw in some bonus items – a bag of candy and a Halloween Scarf!

The Verdict: My favorite thing about the Music Box is its concept. Digital downloads, physical CDs, posters, etc are all really great inclusions for this box, and I haven’t seen many music-focused subscriptions out there. However, I feel like there were so many bands featured in my box, and almost all of them fall under the genre I listed as my 3rd favorite and one even fell under a genre I clearly said I specifically avoid. To be clear, I listed that my main favorite is Alternative/Indie (Like Fun!, specifically their first album), then Singer/Songwriter (like Greg Laswell), then Pop/Punk or Punk/Rock, and sometimes some good ol’ classic metal (and I actively avoid scream-o and country). if you’re interested in the information I passed onto them.

Don’t get me wrong – I like the music okay, with only two or three bands as an exception, and I did find a couple artists I’m excited to hear more from. I just wish there were either more variety or more of the genres I listed before Pop/Punk/Rock. I listen to these genres, but still far less often than others. One thing I’m not sure of is if they feature specific artists only one month and each person gets a slightly different selection, or if they have a sort of inventory or collection of artists they curate each box from scratch out of. If the former is the case, I understand the restrictions for what they include each month a little bit more.

As far as value goes, I was surprised at the amount of music and merchandise they included for $10! I know digital downloads keep costs down and up-and-coming or small bands are always looking for ways just to get exposure so I think it’s a brilliant idea to create a subscription box of this kind. I also think that this is a great box for people with a wide taste in music or love the extra help with being introduced to brand new bands and artists!

What do you think about the Music Box?

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

11 comments

Maggie

Just received my first box. What a let down…
This was a gift for my husband. Who was a ticketing manager for an amphitheater that held up to 20,000. He has heard and likes all kinds of music.. But his preferences for this box were metal, hardcore and punk.. Which we specified.
We recieced coffee house music!! We really like all kinds of music.. And we’re wanting to hear some new things. At least one cd in the genres we specified. Why ask for preferences at all?
For $13 we recieced 2 CDs. A 3rd cd of compilations. 5 punk or rock stickers.. (Really!!) and a wrist band… I think getting 3 cd is great. But not when it’s none of the genre expected..
I was going to give it another month but I tried to go to there site and change my preferences but you can’t do that.. No link I could find to sign into.. I just canceled it.

Reply ButtonReply

joan

they have a holiday promotion going on! Holiday20 for 20% off!! only $8 pretty great deal!

Reply ButtonReply

jessvii

Was Music Box really late in shipping out their October box? Just wondering since this review was posted in November.

Also, regarding the country music poster, part of their genre is “southern rock” – I can see how maybe Music Box thought you would be interested since they’re not just country? Maybe they have some rock songs (besides country)? Just a thought – haven’t actually looked the band up.

Reply ButtonReply

Ashley Bowen

Hi there! I’m Ashley, The Music Box owner!

The boxes are always shipped on time. The ladies over at MySubscriptionAddiction receive a lot of boxes so it is understandable that the review was posted a few weeks after the box was received. Also, as far as the country artist…some of their music is indeed southern rock. Thanks for your comment!

Reply ButtonReply

Yona

I think this is a nice concept for music lovers that also benefits the artists. It’s also offered for an affordable price. It will be interesting to see what future boxes will contain.

Reply ButtonReply

Katie

As someone who works in the music and film industry, I can tell you that none of the artists featured in a box like this are getting paid. For $10, you are paying for the packaging and the shipping for music that is available to listen to online for free.

If a company is going to send out a box like this, then they should at least be respectful enough to provide a way for consumers to make donations to the bands they discover and enjoy through the box.

Independent artists need to get paid too, and checks from streaming services are a joke – usually a couple dollars/quarter for an independent artist.

Save your $10, and create a profile on ReverbNation for recommendations. It’s better for the environment too.

Reply ButtonReply

Brit

The music box gives them promotion in return for their marketing materials. It’s actually a really good deal for the bands because promotion can cost thousands of dollars. And the music box will promote a band for a WHOLE year in return for 50 cds or a handful of stickers.

Reply ButtonReply

CreativelySwank

I think this will make a perfect xmas gift for my 23 year old son. I love the concept but personally have no use for stickers and concert swag.

Reply ButtonReply

Judi

Are the downloaded songs mp3 format, making them itunes compatible?

Reply ButtonReply

Amanda Lee

What a brilliant concept!! I love it! Signed up for the $10 box immediately. Thanks so much for letting me know about such a cool box!

Reply ButtonReply

Christine

I would totally buy this as a, Christmas gift for some boys I know but they don’t offer rap as a genre selection. Totally bummed.

Reply ButtonReply