Is the CD dead? Are music downloads the only game in town? If there is an alternative universe to downloaded music, then maybe it will be SlotMusic.

It's hard to say what this review is specifically about. It might be about the new Sandisk Sansa SlotMusic player, it might be about SlotMusic itself. The least likely answer is that this review is about Robin Thicke's new album, Something Else. The Sandisc Sansa SlotMusic player I recieved came bundled with Thicke's album.

Since I should talk about the new device without first talking about the concept behind it, let's start with slotMusic.

SlotMusic is a simple concept. In a nutshell, slotMusic is microSD cards packed with the highest quality mp3's and additional content sold for roughly the same cost of a CD. Imagine a card the size of a fingernail that holds an album's worth of music in mp3 format (Not lower than 256 kbps/sec and probably 320 kBps/sec quality), artist photos, videos in various formats for viewing on cell phones and computers or CD liner notes. All that and room to spare, for your own music. If you can image that, you have a pretty clear picture of the concept of slotMusic.

It begs the question, why? I have had a lot of time to think about this, and I like the idea. Let's face it, the CD is going the way of the the goofy purple dinosaur. Downloadable music isn't just the wave of the future, it is here and now. So isn't putting music on a memory card and selling it taking a step backwards? Not necessarily. When I download an album, I worry about backing up my preciously purchased music. With slotMusic I have something as tangible as a CD, but in a fraction of the size. I could have a whole drawer full of slotMusic albums. I have to admit I like the idea. I like tangible.

I've started to see slotMusic sold in stores, it's not making a big splash yet. Maybe that is the marketing plan, you know, let the idea sink in for a while. After all, it's an alternative to downloadable music, not a replacement. It's something tangible that brick and mortar stores can offer instead of the ubiquitous CD.

Best of all, the microSD cards can be used in any number of devices straight out of the box, no computer required. As long as the device can play mp3's and can handle the microSD card, either by itself, or with some form of adapter.

All of Sandisk's current lineup of mp3 players except for the clip have microSD card slots, as do many smartphones.

What are the negatives? None that I can think of. The music is in DRM free mp3 format. It might be a bit more expensive than downloads, but that can change. There is no reason that it needs to be more expensive. But there is also additional content on the microSD card that you wouldn't get with a download.

I miss the days of the larger format album cover. With microSD slotMusic, artist and labels can include large artwork, posters or linernotes without the printing cost.

Is it possible to delete the music of the original miscroSD card? Yes, that is a risk. The card is just an ordinary microSD card. It's not protected in any way. So user beware. But alternatively, CD's can get scratched and downloads can be inadvertantly erased.

This brings me to the player. Few companies know how to make mp3 players right. I can think of two... SanDisk is one of those companies. The dedicated slotMusic player by Sansa is almost everything it should be: small, durable, custumizable and inexpensive.

Retailing for about 20 bucks, the player is practicly disposable. It's no-nonsense design is all about the music. It has a microSD slot play/pause button, fast forward button, rewind button, and volume up and down button, headphone jack and operation LED. That's it! It takes 1 AAA battery. The unit itself is solid without being heavy. It's about the size of 2 AA batteries stuck together. The one piece of solid metal that makes up the body is covered on three sides by a plastic wrap around cover that band or music labels can customize very easily, making the player easy to pass off as their own.

How does it sound? Better than you would expect for $20. It's exactly what you would expect from SanDisk. They know how to make mp3 players.

As for the drawbacks, it has no screen, but what do you expect for the price? My one wish is that it would have some way to randomize the music.

With only about 40 albums on the market right now, selection is one issue that will hold it back. It will be interesting to see where slotMusic winds up next year. It certainly has potential considering that the four big labels: Universal, Sony/BMG, Warner and EMI are all backing it.

Is the CD dead? If it isn't it appears that it might be in the twilight of life.