"CDs? We don't need no stinkin' CDs!"

by Jarrett Martineau | February 27, 2008 at 02:26 pm

840 views | 2 Recommendations | 14 comments

Sure, we're all getting our music digitally now -- from iTunes or whatever favourite P2P or BitTorrent client...but I'm still amazed at how quickly compact disc sales are slowing.

48% of teenagers bought no CDs at all in 2007, up from 38% in 2006. Music downloads continue to grow, though, with iTunes leading the way.

Futurecasting question of the day: how long until we read this same article....about Blu-Ray? I say less than ten years, maybe in the next five.

"Oh the times, they are / a-changin'..."

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cineloh

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:55 on February 27th, 2008

Ironically enough I won a CD from a local radio station this morning on my way to work. The first thing tha ran thourgh my head was "Wow, I could've downloaded this.." The gift certificate to a local restaurant made it worth the effort.

Jarrett Martineau

at 15:09 on February 27th, 2008

Exactly. I heard a similar story about one of the major record labels bringing in a bunch of teens to their office for a focus group 'listening session' and, when they were finished, the label gave them stacks of CDs to take home. And the kids left them all sitting on the table. They wouldn't even take them as free gifts.

cineloh

at 15:21 on February 27th, 2008

That's just crazy. I mean who says no to free stuff? I mean the CD I won today isn't necessarily a band that I like or dislike, but I am going to go pick it up from the radio station. However, If I saw this paticular CD in a store I would'nt give it a second glance. On the other hand if I heard one of the songs I liked off of the CD I would consider downloading it.

amyjudd

at 15:06 on February 27th, 2008

I'm still a fan of cds, does that make me old fashioned?

cineloh

at 15:15 on February 27th, 2008

I enjoy CD's as well. There is a certain nostalgic aspect to them. If I really like the artist I will buy their CD's.

Assaf_F

at 16:58 on February 27th, 2008

The industry has become very shaky. The internet makes it too easy to download mp3's and cd burners are very convenient. Don't get me wrong I still have plenty of CD's.

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Eyebee

at 17:44 on February 27th, 2008

I'd like to make a number of points.

I'm not a teenager. However, I've had a life long interest in music. I'm always playing it. I almost never watch TV. I don 't have an iTunes account, or an iPod but as I type this, I'm listening to mp3s on my Sansa m240, which I've downloaded from Napster during the last week.

Interestingly, although, I've not purchased any CDs for at least 3-4 years, I do, however, get sent a lot of promo CDs, as I run an internet radio station, with the accent on showcasing indie bands of all genres.

For me, as a listener, it's not the cost so much as the availability. I want to hear something now, and get the one song I want. I don't need to go to the mall, or get a CD full of songs that I may already have most of, and perhaps have to wait 2-3 weeks for the store to get it in.

Finally, I guess digital is better for the environment, in the long term, and as long as everyone gets paid for their work, does the medium matter?

The 78rpm lasted around 25-30 years, as did the 45, and the 33rpm LP, and the CD is 25 years old next year, so it's perhaps time for it to bow out.

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NoSpringChicken

at 18:55 on February 27th, 2008

i think its kind of funny that with every new music format sound quality suffers. Shouldn't that be one of the most important things about a new format? People dont seem to really care though. I guess thats the trade off though, convenience over quality. its the american way. Cds are way more compact than a vinyl record but with the size loss you also lose quite a few frequencies aka the sound isnt as good same with downloads you average download of a song is at 192kbps thats a far cry from the quality of a cd let alone a vinyl record. personally i like to own something physical something i can hold in my hand and dont get me wrong i love my ipod but i think sometimes music is a little too easy to listen to and its nice to sit down put on a big clumsy uncompact record.

as for the industry i think they're a bit greedy like any industry. too many big act's records suffer from having maybe one hit and a lot of filler all the while costing at least $18. what do you really expect though? i dont think im a music snob but i really dont expect too much out of this tuesdays hot new release. most albums i buy are, in my opinion, great and i really never pay more than $15 for anything. It can take some time but if you really want to get more bang for your buck you need to search a bit beyond top 40 radio.

NoSpringChicken

at 19:00 on February 27th, 2008

NoSpringChicken

at 18:59 on February 27th, 2008

Ennio Pereira R.

at 03:45 on February 28th, 2008

This photo is a Macro for testing my new Camera.

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meemss

at 12:56 on February 28th, 2008

music millennium, portland OR

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Lenin Dev

at 01:44 on February 29th, 2008

Please support your favourite musical artists by buying their original CDs and DVDs... Stick to pirated materials is virtualy stealing music...

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vloet

at 04:37 on March 1st, 2008

It would be a shame if music in it's fysical form would fully disappear. A cd (or even an LP) isn't just about music. It's also about the cover, the artwork and the booklet. It all perfectly fits together with the meaning and feel of the music on the disc. Without these things that feeling is lost and an album isn't an album anymore. It just becomes some folder on your PC with eleven files witch contain music. Sounds pretty cold in my opinion.

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