I've spent over two hours today trying to buy (that's right, buy) an album as a digital download - and I can't. It's impossible.

I'm a big fan of Mat Kearney. I bought his City of Black and White album recently and loved it. So I decided (not unreasonably) that I'd pick up his back catalogue. That's where my troubles began.

The album I already own is the only one available on iTunes (UK version). 'Not a problem' I thought, 'I'll just change my store preference to the US for twenty minutes.' Not possible. It checks your billing address.

I then thought, 'I'll see if Amazon has it.' Same problem. Can't get it as an mp3 download in the UK. US Amazon store has it, but I can't purchase from there.

I had a look around and there are sites where you can purchase iTunes US gift cards (at a hefty markup) and there are details spread around the net on how to open a US account. I did that - but as a UK resident I can't purchase a gift card to be used on the US iTunes store (glad I found this out before buying one).

The whole thing is incredibly frustrating. The media is awash with tales of the record companies clamping down on those who make use of illegal downloads. I'm trying to make an honest purchase of an album (I refuse to pay £15 to purchase an imported CD when the album as an mp3 would cost £7) and I can't. If I was that way inclined, I would download it, but I like this artist (who isn't mainstream and I would imagine every purchase is important to him) and I'm way too paranoid to dip my toe into the torrent issue for fear of recrimination.

Looks like Mat Kearney will have to wait for my money.