I have to admit that I have become a big fan of downloading iTunes. I used take pride in my massive CD collection, but now when I hear a favorite song on the way to work I can just download it immediately — without the remaining ‘B’ tunes and, better yet, without the price of a whole album.
Back in the day, when cassette tapes were the big thing, the music industry toyed around with the idea of single sales like this. Problem was, they were way too greedy. At that time albums had an average of only 7 or 8 songs and you would pay roughly 8-12 bucks. When the singles came out they charged $4 for 2 songs; since it was a tape there was still some random ‘B’ tune on the back. Though it was cool to get a hot single a little cheaper, it still made more sense to buy the whole album, because, let’s face it, the bands back then typically had several great tunes on each album. I’m certainly not saying that today’s bands can’t crank out anything more than one-hit wonders, but it sure is nice to have the choice to buy one song that you know you want and not be saddled with an entire CD that sucks for the most part.
Perk number two is that the tunes go straight to your iPod or computer. I remember having to download all my favorite CDs onto my laptop years ago. It took me weeks to get my best stuff on it. I don’t think I’d survive if I ever had to go through that again.
My husband laughs at my tunes list because it’s getting more eclectic than ever before. I love all kinds of music, so it completely depends on my mood when I decide what to listen to and sometimes I’ll repeat the same song 50 times in a row. He tends to stick with only one or two genres. What’s funnier is that I don’t generally compartmentalize my music. I can have White Zombie next to Frank Sinatra and The Psychedelic Furs next to Aldo Nova. I know that’s kind of strange, but, on the up side, it keeps my husband from ‘mistakingly’ picking up my music player.
I’m always looking for new tunes and bands to get into, let me know your favs!
bbrackett said,
June 2, 2008 at 5:23 pm
This reminds me to get my iPod set up on my new laptop. And I can’t wait to do that for myself. I never wanted to import songs from CD to computer. Watching someone do that years ago was the most boring thing I ever had to bare. I told myself, I’ll wait ’til the CD goes on sale or something. Buy it at a used rate or just borrow someone’s album for a week. I was always great at returning them — without scratches.
My favorite new band is pretty much unknown by Oklahoma I think. The Cliks are a northern band, maybe Canadian. I can’t remember.
And not to be confused with the rap group The Clicks, The Cliks are an all-girl punk band. The lead singer is a cross dresser who refers to herself as a man. The others are lesbians. I forget a lot of the details, but I do remember they did a cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry me a river.” It’s not bad.
Vicky Misa said,
June 2, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Sweet! I’ll have to check them out!
Tony said,
July 2, 2008 at 8:52 am
Try listening to Kings of Leon…I think that is how it is spelled. They are fantastic!