CDs, MP3s and Mileposts

Noisy-Le-Grand leader Lars Murray explains why MP3s and CDs aren't an either/or proposition:

Vitals

Tech:
MP3-enabled portable CD-player
5-disc MP3-enabled DVD changer
25-disc CD changer (not MP3-Compatible)
Rio 500 (Busted serial connection)
Speakeasy DSL at home, T1 at work
Limewire Pro (RIP Audiogalaxy)
Cassette tapes (20-year library of mix tapes)

Caveats: I like hassle-free stuff. I am also not a first-wave adopter, as most first wave products are unreliable and are overpriced. I do not collect DVDs; I subscribe to Netflix (the greatest thing since sliced bread, or maybe Napster). I rarely buy any music based on radio play. I sometimes see stuff on TV, but mostly I buy based on press, borrowing from friends, and online previewing.

Why I still buy CDs:

1) The sound quality is uniform
2) They are reliable (burned audio and MP3 CDS still don't always work
in all my devices)
3) I like collecting them
4) I like supporting bands (regardless of your view of label practices, Soundscan numbers help a band)
5) I can rip songs from them for compilations and MP3 players
6) I can rip them for traveling and leave the original at home
7) I like to have the artwork
8) They are manageable

What is not so good about about CDs:

1) At 17.99 list, they are overpriced relative to DVDs
2) They relatively bulky; a pain to travel with.
3) I cannot legally buy a decent compilation in many genres
4) I am reluctant to risk $14+ on a CD if I have not previewed it and like at least three tracks
5) A lot of stuff I want is not in print.

What is good about MP3 sharing and ripping:

1) Purchases made in the last couple of months (some new albums, some I had never paid attention to) that would not have happened without P2P
Dusty Springfield
The Vines
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Ash
Andrew WK
Buck Owens
Waylon Jennings
Guided By Voices

Artists previewed but not yet purchased, in all but one case because the original albums are not available, or the available compilations omit important tracks:
Faron Young
Porter Wagoner
Gerry And the Pacemakers
The Adverts
Ian Dury
Flying Lizards
Luna

Artists whose stuff I have not been able to find and preview through P2P, (and who should maybe wish I could) suggesting that indies are neither hurt nor helped.
Interpol
Melomane
Josh Rouse
Viva Satellite
LES Stitches
Noisy-Le-Grand ;-)

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Article Author: Eric Olsen

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