At the end of 2005 Coolfer commented on the lack of music reviews given to online-only albums. How is an e-label going to work when critics are conditioned to write about only those albums that come on free shiny discs mailed by publicists?

Then, just like that, there were a few signs of change in the first month of 2006. First, Pitchfork wrote reviews for two online-only live albums, by indie rock staples Belle and Sebastian and The Pixies. Two days ago The Onion dedicated a small section of its A.V. Club to online albums (two of which were the two reviewed by Pitchfork).

It's a small step forward, but it's an important step. If digital music is to surge further into the mainstream, the press is going to have to play a big part.