Not sure if this is better - but it works fine for me - since it can be used with any player (I think).
http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities...pocketpc.shtml
Give it a shot - I use my Axim 50. I still use WMP player and have assigned screen togle to one of the buttons.
Battery usage with screen off is really small. At the end of the day - I'm still left with more than 70% of battery (I use extened version). That's more than 3 hours of listening to music. That does not take into account other usage - like checking maps, news, playing an occasional game or two etc.