MP3 British music downloads

Tech, TV, Mobile, Internet and Geek Corner
1
I am new to this music MP3 downloading thing, so don't laugh at me (and I have used the search function).

I am trying to download albums that are available on British websites eg. HMV, Amazon.co.uk but not on Amazon.de, exlibris.ch etc. British websites will not let me download as I am not in the UK. My bank cards are all registered here aswell.

Is there a store I can use to download UK stuff here?

2
Before you go down the road of collecting MP3s, you might also consider Spotify . The best 'legal' way IMHO for listening to music, as much as you like, online or offline etc..

For the price of a CD a month, you have unlimited streaming (or download) of music on your phone, ipod (touch), computer etc.. They have a free trial, so nothing to lose.

3
Try Qobuz

4
Try MP3Million

5
As much as I hate to say it iTunes will give you access to an awful lot of stuff. It's not DRM'd these days which is a major plus. It is, however, AAC encoded meaning some players may not support it, but it is way better quality then MP3 especially at lower bitrates.

If you really need mp3 format then you'll generally find the websites of the artists will sell mp3s or lossless directly.

To be honest given the difference in quality between AAC & MP3 I'm surprised that MP3 still exists.