Music aficionados all over the world have all marveled when the CD was introduced. Gone are the days when the cassette tape has been stuck to the player — this is the new world, let’s buy CDs.
Recently, due to the proliferation of the Internet and file sharing technology, the music industry has been greatly affected by mp3 trading. From the Napster issue to the current music protection schemes of various record labels, indeed copyright is still an issue. Well, I have no qualms about music downloads for, as some view it, it is also a way to promote the artist and give it a new listening audience — a brave opportunity to have the listener contemplate between getting settled in the mp3 or go buy CDs.
It is a different case when there are specific artists that we love: we buy CDs not only to listen to the music (wh
ich is more often has better sound quality than the downloaded ones). We buy CDs because we honor the artistry behind them and make a little payment for the type of enjoyment that we get from it. We buy CDs for the CD inlay which contains artworks that we can see and interpret. We buy CDs simply because we love the artist and we take pleasure from seeing, say, a Tori Amos or Joni Mitchell collection on top of our desks and cabinets for all the visitors to see.
Few buy CDs and prefer downloaded music because it is cheaper (and most of the time, free!) and it saves them the time to rip and upload to the mp3 players that is currently the “in” thing. But for those who really care and conscientious enough to consider that there are actually money spent — not to mention, effort, creativity, among other things — they buy CDs. They honor the artist and just pays back what is due. When you buy CDs, you play only once but the pleasure that it can give you will last a lifetime. When you buy CDs, it gives you a broader perspective of the artist and the musicians that are behind the record production. Sure, this can be scanned and can be downloaded from the net after some time but it is different when it is in your hand and ponders on it as you play the CD and sing the lyrics along as you read.
The pleasure of opening the pack and appreciating the fresh smell of a newly-opened CDs pack is also a benefit after you buy CDs. Albeit a small factor to consider, it is a good way to initiate oneself of a wonderful musical journey ahead. So my advice still stands: Buy CDs.
