Nå, jeg køber ikke CDs

A couple days ago, Stytzer over at Hits in the Car asked readers about their CD-buying habits (or lack thereof). I wrote a response, but decided it was too long to post as a comment; then, characteristically, in trying to condense it, I made it longer. But if anyone wants my take on the issue, well, first look at Stytzer’s original post, then come back and read my (essentially irrelevant) response:

Funny this should come up now. Less than a week ago, I finished ripping all my CDs onto my computer, then gave them all to my sister. They took up too much space, and I only ever listened to them on the computer anyway.

I’m not a fan of mp3s, and I’ve never bought a digital album. Overall, I don’t buy very much music. I stopped buying CDs primarily because I couldn’t afford to -- even buying used. Furthermore, many of the artists I like are young, unsigned, or (for whatever reason) don’t have physical releases on CD; downloading their mp3s is often the only option. I do still buy vinyl, and ideally, I’d own all the music I currently listen to on vinyl, but logically, this will never happen. If many of my favored artists don’t have CDs, even fewer have vinyl.

In my mind, the record, be it an LP or 7”, is a format far superior to the CD. Yes, vinyl is outdated; yes, it can take up an excessive amount of space; yes, I know it’s not transferable to digital (i.e. the computer). However, record album liner notes are nearly always more complex and well-done than CD liners, an oversized vinyl disc is more aesthetically pleasing than a shiny compact one, and vinyl has that intangible (or tangible, if we’re comparing to mp3s) quality… nothing beats the sound or sensation of a vinyl record.

As far as buying or not buying CDs, again, I stopped because I couldn’t afford it. I’ve actually never participated in online file sharing, although I’m sure I’ve acquired music in ways that are illegal (example: ripping radio promo CDs onto my personal computer). I know the record industry is in a downward spiral, and I feel bad, but -- even if I were to discontinue the aforementioned practice - there’s really nothing I can do to save it. The majority of the population seems not to care very much about sound quality or ethics, and downloads are through the roof.

If I were really dedicated, I would have kept my CDs -- and I would have more of them, because I would have kept buying them -- and I would probably also have a CD player to play them in. But I’ve never even had a proper CD player. Before my computer, I had a discman and a lot of wires. Then, it never seemed necessary to upgrade, and now, the possibility of (almost anyone) buying a CD player only seems foolish – just think how shocked you would be if you were out walking and saw someone listening to music on a discman instead of an ipod.

The record industry, musicians, listeners, everyone, need to face facts: the CD is a dying medium. Eventually, CDs will be phased out entirely, replaced with the even more versatile mp3s. I’m not looking forward to this, but it’s true. Working at a college radio station, I’m appalled by the number of people who are entirely reliant on their mp3 players to broadcast their shows -- because these, along with the increasingly rare indie record store clerks, are the people who are supposed to be arbiters of taste, musical experts. If even disc jockeys are giving up and switching to mp3s, I can’t see that the CD has much of a future.

Even burning CDs for external use is increasingly irrelevant -- mp3 players are becoming less and less expensive, are compatible with both speakers and headphones, incredibly portable, and, with a cheap adaptor, can be used in the car, too. Basically, the mp3 can do everything the CD can – but without the risk of becoming scratched or broken, or taking up (physical) space. To most people, the difference in sound quality is negligible. Did I say CDs were dying? Essentially, they’re already dead.

Vinyl, on the other hand, will despite its many 'flaws' nevertheless be around as long as there are hipsters with credit cards. Maybe half the novelty and desire is in having a bigger or better collection than next door -- but at least that means vinyl is something people really care about. CDs, sadly enough, aren’t. To be honest, I don’t know if they ever were.

Feel free to leave comments regarding your own CD/vinyl/mp3 ideas, too.