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 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 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 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 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!
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.
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.
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?
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