If a new album comes out, do you go to the store and buy the physical CD or go online a buy/download the album digitally?

CDs are such a hassle. I "buy" all my albums from "iTunes" these days.

if the album is worth it, silver backs are the best thing to get. I don't dig the compressed iTunes idea. I only purchase from iTunes if its a bonus track or a exclusive.

The quality is perfect on a silver back. That is what matters most when owning good quality music.

Good question. I got a ton of gift cards for christmas. My Aunt gave me $20.00 to FYE. I went to the store and couldn't find anything to buy.

1) The Cd's were priced too damn high. (12.99 on sale? Really?)

2) I already downloaded everything I wanted using the Zunepass Subscription

3) Zune pass gives me 10 free MP3 Downloads every month so.....

4) The selection sucked....Mostly hip hop and Britney (atleast what was pushed)



I hadn't realized that I hadn't been shopping for CD's in a store in a couple of years. It took me 40 minutes and I left with a download card (Musicpass) that hardly worked to download the last Usher album (PEW!). I got it for the extra songs and video. The download process was horrible. I'll stick to Amazon for MP3 downloads (and my Zune pass).

Cd's seem to be over. I used to by a few every other week when I was younger but It's just easier to download. Especially artists who only have 3 good songs every album release (Musiq, I'm looking at you!).

I do. I love CDs. Would buy records if I could.

I like having the physical CD, so yes. I buy the CD's. Then I can rip them to the computer in any quality I like

DarlingDiana said:

I download everything from limewire 4 free

Yeah MarniFrances, Ripping them is a consideration buy I already settled on 320 as my preferred ripping bitrate. Amazon sells full albums (with extras) for mostly 8.99 (or less) at 256 bitrate. Zune's Mp3s are 320 so I'm not losing much quality by downloading from amazon and zune.

I also don't have the hassle of storing CD's anymore (they are a bitch to move when you have thousands). I just move a small hard drive and I'm done.

If its an artist that i have been collecting then i stick with them, i rather the physical cd 100% more than iTunes or downloading from an artists website, just because im finding im forgetting i even have stuff when its just a "faceless" download. I still have a few friends that are reps at labels so i tend to get promos and advances of cds of the newer artists if i want to listen to them and give them a try, but for artists i have always been into im still buying them.

Whenever I feel the need, yes I buy CDs, blank or music ones.

I know it sounds silly but I also like the CD's for the inserts- being able to view writers, producers, etc and the thank you's. I think it's an old thing of mine- something I never grew out of from my teenage years

i still buy cds but i havent bought alot of new stuff.
like from the 2000s .
i have bought al greens lay it down, from 2008 , alain clarks album in 2007 and uhm well jamiroquai's dynamite from 2005 stevie wonders a time to love and that are pretty much all 2000 albums.
but i regulary buy classics. i have bought somewhat of 40 cds in the last 2 years . + i have 9 vinyls

DarlingDiana said:

I think you should put quotes around "albums" too.

If my photowhoring didn't make it obvious enough, yes I still buy CDs - and records too!

Sometimes there is no choice, and I do listen to podcasts and digital albums if no other physical format is offered.

marnifrances said:

This has got to be one of my main reasons. Until full liner notes become common, I don't see the point in switching over.

In some cases, like The Roots last album, the indepth liner notes were ONLY available on iTunes... I still bought it on CD and vinyl only

I agree with most of you....

Buying and making CDs is still very much a large part of the music industry.

check out my own My space website that promotes such things...

www.myspace.com/allidoworldwide
[Edited 1/4/09 6:02am]

TonyVanDam said:

Brought it where?

I still buy cd's to support my favorite artists.

I've purchased more than 60 cd's in the last 5 weeks. I can't stand the quality of mp3s.

i still buy CDs. for me, if i get an mp3 of an album first, it's more like i'm sampling the album. if i really like it, i'll get the physical product; if i'm on the fence about it, then i'll stick with the mp3.

i like having a physical package with artwork, liner notes and lyrics. a PDF file just isn't the same.

Sdldawn said:

Anxiety said:

That's basically how I view it as well. If I like something well enough, I'll buy a cd or lp. This may just be me being a crusty old man, but I can't quite bring myself to pay for something as intangible as a digital download.

That said, it's pretty rare that I'll buy a new CD/LP - I reserve that for a select group of favoured bands/performers. I mostly scrounge through 2nd hand bins looking for finds.
[Edited 1/4/09 7:31am]

I love cd's!!
to have and to hold!!
liner notes....
pics....
lyrics....

yes, I love to buy cd's!!

The last CD I bought was Madonna's current album!

In fact I'd buy more CDs if more of my fvorite artists would release them.

I love CDs, love booklets and stuff... it's more a finacial issue. I can't buy every album I'd like to have.

CD. I need to have the shit physically in my hand. I don't trust computers. I only dowlnoad if it the album/song isn't available on CD.

Yes, I still buy cds. I will always buy cds. I wish they sold vinyl also.

I buy on iTunes for rare tracks or one-off singles. I buy CDs otherwise. BTW, I only buy CDs for $10 or less. I also get 1 CD a month from yourmusic.com for $7.
[Edited 1/4/09 9:06am]

Donjuandeblacko said:

Of course you do.

I normally buy CD's and Records. I rarely buy an MP3. Only if I cannot get it any other way. In the last few days I purchased a CD, Vinyl LP and an MP3 - which was Weird Als' New song.

I bought sharon jones & the dap kings album! got home and didn't have shit to play'em on!