Digital or Physical?

I don't know what to call an artist release these days.

Is it album, record, CD? All three words point to audio formats that are nearly obsolete. 

It's hard to write a review of a new work when you don't even know what word to use. For example "The band's debut ALBUM is strong, but not inventive." This sentence is fine, but I still don't think "album" is the correct word. Still, it sounds a lot better than MP3.

Music labels are another thing: RoadRunner Records. Retrospect Records. Universal Records. Metal Blade Records.

Are artists releasing records - which are simply a vinyl product of a pressed recording - or are they releasing albums?

Am I just splitting hairs?

I don't think so. The whole joy of buying new music is all but gone these days. An artist - and label - theoretically doesn't even need to spend money on cover art anymore. Just put up a picture of the band and load the songs on iTunes. If it is uploaded, they will come.

I am torn.

There is nothing better than going through bins at a thrift shop and looking for rare vinyl. I equally enjoy cruising the cutout bins of big box music shops, trying to score a great deal. Still, I sometimes get impatient and iTunes can usually fulfill my music fix within seconds.

Don't get me wrong. I love my iPod. The digital music players are completely genius. I can't imagine going to work or the gym without my iPod. Still, there is nothing quite as satisfying as tracking down some rare release (is that the correct word?) and playing it for the first time.

 Maybe it's just me. What do you prefer: physical or digital media? Also, do you say "release," "album," or "record?"

Comments

[BroJB]

One more thing -- I noticed that the promo copies of the new Ringo Starr album were on USB flash sticks that somehow tuned into a bracelet. That's a really cool idea. Load the stick up with pictures, videos, bonus tracks and other goodies and allow people to wear it a fashion statement.

If your favorite band put out their new album that way, wouldn't you want to have it rather than just download the songs? Wouldn't you be willing to pay for it?

A little fan-friendly creativity can go a long way.

[Allyson B. Crawford]

BroJB.

I think Ringo was giving away his bracelets to stars at the Academy Awards. He was handing them out to everyone. When he appeared on E! he handed one to Giuliana Depandi - she didn't even know it was an album. The bracelet is a definitely a cool way to transport music.

-Allyson

[don]

that's not what i was saying at all. when i get the chance to hear an mp3, say tesla's new song private ledbetter, that is not on any cd yet, i get excited. but i will buy the cd when it comes out. if i'm downloading the entire cd (compressed sound, etc understood) would i want pictures, etc? yes i would. i do think it's ridiculous to charge $18 for a cd or as you said $13 for a download with compressed sound and no liner notes and pictures. the record companies are fighting a losing battle. they charge too much for their product, the artist gets a small amount of that money and the consumer is being very cautious. but the standalone mp3 is the future (until something new comes along) simply because it is easily downloaded for free. the record companies cannot keep doing business as they are, being resistant to change. they have to change, figure this out or they will die off. many artists are already figuring out that if they record and produce their cd's themselves and then sign a contract with record companies to distribute them they keep a larger piece of the pie. if they offer the mp3's for a decent price from their website it's a much larger chunk. that's all i'm saying.

[BroJB]

You're right Don, no arguments from me.

My real point is that musicians and record labels, if they hope to make any money and not just have all their music downloaded for free, will have to find a way to blend the ease and portability of the MP3 with the old-fashioned coolness of great packaging that can't be translated into 1s and 0s. Put it on a flash stick, package a download card in a 12" gatefold sleeve with amazing artwork, make it a self-playable version of Guitar Hero, make a comic book featuring the band (like the awesome Weird Tales of the Ramones set included) but do something to give consumers more than just a bunch of sub-par sounding files and expect them to pay for it, and to like it.

Give people value. It's Business 101 and, for the life of me, I don't understand why the music business never seems to get it.

[Heather]

I still buy cd's.. even of the songs I've downloaded. I just want to own them, and I want to see the pics and read the artists notes. Downloading just isn't the same, although it is more convenient.

[Jack]

I use album as a generic term. A record more refers to vinyl. So even when talking about a tape/cassette I say album, esp. in a case where I say "I own all their albums". I can't see saying "I own 3 of their tapes and 2 CD's", if a band has 5 'albums', unless asked for specific format for some reason.

[bigrobbo]

Digital....I'm the kind that loses, scratches, destroys CD's by the bucketfull, so with digital I always have it.

[koko]

I love getting an album/cd because of the liner notes and stuff. I would rather have something to hold than just download it to my comupter 'cuz I can still do that with the cd's. I also really miss just roaming the racks in Towers.

[Devin]

i just call it albums.. i buy cds and vinyl