downloading songs good or Bad

[Vox]

I download music and if i like it i do tend to buy the albums just wonderin do u guys think Downloadin is right or wrong?

[goldcardsoul]

I think downloading music is definitely a good thing. It exposes me to a lot of new bands. If I don't like it, I don't get any other songs. If I do like it, then I usually buy the albums. It's a good way to obtain hard to find things like the Wassailing Song.

[Coiling Visconti]

It really depends. That's the real answer. The issue of fairness and so forth is an issue of attitude, and you can't bind or enforce the spectrum that runs from crappy apathy to divine deontology. If you'll excuse the language. It's like Fox Hunting. I can kind of see the argument, and the whole 'end justifying the means', but the whole 'grab a red uniform and go culling' pride march is fucking ridiculous, infuriating and ugly.

What really pisses me off is some cock who has an MP3 collection reaching for five digits, whilst their actual CD collection could be sold for under the price of a really nice hot meal. This is a big fuck you to everyone, from the bands, to the people who dedicate themselves to music, to the people who actually pay for their stuff, and so forth.

For me, downloading is merely a taster, a test, a teaser and never anything more. Firstly, the sound quality suffers and staring into a dull glowing monitor at night as an engine hums is not the way to enjoy music, which is an art at best lest we forget. I wouldn't dare listening to a potentially lovely record for the first time on a computer. Secondly, there is barely a better feeling out there than riffling through a monolithic CD collection for Ash Ra Tempel double-albums, obscure box-set curios and original Blur singles pre-Parklife. Part of enjoying music is being part of a fervent scene, a culture which thrives on enjoying what lies beyond the music. Simply downloading this reduces music to the lowest common denominator, and that irks to the point of itch Hell. Who are these people?

And, if I've just listened to some lovely symphonic pop, I suppose downloading the odd odd song is okay. But nothing more, or the pitchfork and pliers will suddenly appear in the savvy hands of a sweaty man...

[Austar]

I think its a great idea! I hate listening to radio because its all dominated by CCEntertainment (Clear Channel) here in the USA. Thus, I never hear enough singles by various artists to understand if I like them. Clear Channel plays a million songs by the same artists, never a great variety. If I didn't download I would never have known about many of the artists I like. Also, (un-CCE related) there is the problem that usually singles are different from the usual form of the band.

I download many a song, but only to make sure that I will like a particular artist before I buy their cd. I hate it when I waste 14-18 dollars on a cd I don't want. I already have too many cd's and not enough money left to be doing that. Also, I usually delete what I downloaded after I buy the cd and just rip it onto my computer for a copy. The only exception to these is when I download a rare or hard-to-get track.

[niknsl]

u people are so stiff! i hate that attitude 'i only download songs to see if i like them and i buy the album', its a lie and you know it. Its like saying 'I don't smoke except for cigarettes'. You download songs, and you listen to them, and its good, and you're happy cause you didnt have to pay. I have a huge cd collection, and a big mp3 collection, and i would never ever consider paying a penny for the endless joy my stolen mp3s provide me with. So There, stick it up you're arse record company overcharging dick wad face shit heads. YEAH, THATS YOU EMI.

Also, when i do buy a cd, sometime i just COPY AND TAKE IT BACK TO THE STORE. hahaha. why buy music when theres so many drugs you could buy with your monthly pittance???

[Tre']

OK, I have to confess...

I've downloaded so many songs... Mostly ones I don't think I'd buy. Like boy-band kind of thing. If I hear a catchy song from ... Blue, for example, I'll download it but at the same time I know I'll be bored by this upcoming weekend. Now, in this case, you see it's good 'cos I don't have to pay.

But there are some different cases, for example, the Wassailing Song. Most of us don't have it, now tell me what to do if we want to hear the song? Rush to your video pile and FF til you see Stonehenge or call your local stations? Downloading solves this kind of problem to many people. My sister has more than 20 Jewel's songs in mp3 'cos older Jewel's albums are somehow no longer available (according to what she says).

If you love it so much, nothing compares to having a real copy. That's why many people spend hundreds of pounds just to hear Dave's voice.

[Tre']

Is there anyone like me? I think a song sounds best on the radio but worst on computer. I've never put any song I really love into my computer.

[Tiinah]

Music on computer is definately good. If I wanna get to know a band, I download it. If I like it, I buy it.

[trendsandbends]

whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, it's inevitable. it's already started and you can't possibly stop it.

i personally think it's a good thing, since it has exposed me to music that i would never have found through mainstream tv or record stores, or even independent tv and stores.

the downside of course is the issue over whether or not we are cheating the music makers by getting free music without paying for it. the way i see it, most bands are signed to major labels. the major labels own most of the music rights. they gain the most profit. the artists are usually left with only a fraction of what they would otherwise receive if they owned all of their music soley. i don't see myself robbing the artists' of much money, since the labels are already doing that for them. i would rather punish the labels for exploiting the musicians' services than add to their profit and pay 20 dollars for a cd.

being an artist/musician myself, i know the tumultuous relationship between the art and the entertainment/profit world. it is hard to make true art and not have to worry about making any profit. i don't think us downloading music files off the internet is going to single handedly dismember the relationship between artist and label. it is something that is between them, not us. we are the consumers. it is our job to enjoy the music which is being put forth. i think it's a beautiful thing that we can dl songs off the internet, actually. it puts us consumers much closer to the makers of the music. being able to acquire music they way we can today does not deter me from pursuing a career in music. it does wholey the opposite. i love it more than ever, now that i have at my fingertips the ability to connect more intimately with the music makers.

what we have before us is a new generation based on the digital. that means the future musicians and artists of the world will find much of our influences and contact from the internet and what it all entails.

lyz

[nej]

Here's the basic truth behind why I started downloading music. There are often songs I would have no chance of getting otherwise. Case in point--many Blur b-sides. Living in the US, I can occasionally find some of the more well-known b-sides in indie/specialty shops, but otherwise i've got no chance. now i've got them and can listen to them and enjoy them whenever i want. i still buy CDs and will continue to buy CDs, but if i can get to hear a song i might not otherwise get a chance to hear just by downloading it, i will. It's also great for hearing samples of a band you've just 'discovered.' if i get into the band, i'll go buy their CD. If i only like a few songs, i'll keep those few songs on the `puter. There, i've said it and I'm glad I did, hehe.

[goldcardsoul]

Here's the basic truth behind why I started downloading music. There are often songs I would have no chance of getting otherwise. Case in point--many Blur b-sides. Living in the US, I can occasionally find some of the more well-known b-sides in indie/specialty shops, but otherwise i've got no chance. now i've got them and can listen to them and enjoy them whenever i want. i still buy CDs and will continue to buy CDs, but if i can get to hear a song i might not otherwise get a chance to hear just by downloading it, i will. It's also great for hearing samples of a band you've just 'discovered.' if i get into the band, i'll go buy their CD. If i only like a few songs, i'll keep those few songs on the `puter. There, i've said it and I'm glad I did, hehe.

Amen.

[jeli]

it's a good thing of course i 'll always buy the blur albums.but it's very difficult to buy all the albums we want because here(portugal)they are genarally very expensive.

[Austar]

Is there anyone like me? I think a song sounds best on the radio but worst on computer. I've never put any song I really love into my computer.

I think that depends on both your radio station and your sound card. Tre'. ^~

[dizzy]

NEJ speaks the truth! that's exactly what i do. and when I get sick of the song (in a couple of days)... *delete* bye bye.

[Tre']

Is there anyone like me? I think a song sounds best on the radio but worst on computer. I've never put any song I really love into my computer.

I think that depends on both your radio station and your sound card. Tre'. ^~

Ohhhhhhh..... Sorry I didn't inform you!

I Was talking about 'FEELINGS' my dear.....................