Transferring iTunes Library to new Macbook Pro

I bought a new Macbook Pro in February but didn't transfer everything from my old MBP right away because the USB adaptor wasn't in stock at my friendly neighborhood Apple Store at the time. In the meanwhile, I've transferred the more important files from the old to the new using AirDrop. I've finally got the USB adaptor, but I don't really want EVERYTHING from the old guy.

Like many, my iTunes library has become extensive over the years and I really want everything to be as it is on the new MBP as it is on the old one. Using the Migration Assistant gives me more than I want. I tried using iCloud, thinking I could do one album at a time (as time consuming as it would have been), but when I imported the files, iTunes only recognized it as a playlist and not as an album.

It seems silly to me that I can have both computers connected to each other with an ethernet cable, but not be able to drag and drop specific files. Do I really need to buy an external hard drive - after paying about 3k on the new MPB - just to keep my iTunes the same?

Reading this back, I realize that I may look spoiled or entitled, but it shouldn't be this difficult or expensive when the work has already been done. Is there something I'm missing?