October 9, 2007

• Here's a question from a discussion with a teenager that's very telling, "...buy a CD? why would you want to do that?" Yup, that says it all right there, from someone who is part of the mp3 generation (or the iPod generation). With over 100,000 units sold in the first week of a CD's release actually considered a good thing, times have really changed from six or seven years ago, when those numbers weren't anything to brag about. Many people simply do not bother getting their songs from the tried and true hard copy of a compact disc, but prefer to just download it from the internet (be it legal or illegal). I'm not saying that's a bad thing, because there are actual music artists out there who only sell their songs through online downloads. I'm just saying that I'd rather not see CDs become extinct and go the way of the "8 track."

  I personally still support buying CDs and actually prefer it in many ways. First off, they are not as expensive as people assume, because honestly $9 - $14 is not a big deal for me (Best Buy prices). Sure there are still CDs being sold at $17+, but those aren't as common as detractors make them out to be. I also like having the liner notes and the artwork that comes with a CD, especially in a collector's sensibility. Admitedly, compared to just last year, or the year before, I haven't been buying as many CDs this year. I'm doing a combination of online downloads and buying CDs, and honestly the tide is turning towards more on the download side for me.

  We have to keep in mind though, that the music artists themselves get more money out of a CD sale than a music download. Musicians have to now do more touring and promote the sale of their merchandise, since that's the only "real" way for them to make money in this business. The rich established artists don't have to worry about that so much, but think about the up and coming musicians or the independent artists. So if you love an artist, please support them by buying their CDs.

  • 10:28 am
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