ITunes new pricing structure: What's your take on it?

It seems like Apple claims that the prices are higher now because the music quality is higher, and they’re not in Apple’s stupid iTunes-only format anymore. link but on the other hand, it’s obvious that the more popular songs are priced higher than less popular ones. link

What’s your take on this whole thing: is it really better music or is Apple just looking for a way to raise prices without it seeming arbitrary?

Also, I noticed that Fergie’s “Glamorous” is $1.29—that song is three years old! Why is it not $.99 like most of the other “old” songs?