Albums a thing of the past

[Lee]

There an article on www.usatoday.com about how albums may become a thing of the past due to how everyone downloads songs now & can pick & choose the songs they want. Lindsey makes a comment in the article. I personally would really hate to see the day when albums are gone. I mean, I have real vinyl albums as well as CDS. They're complete works of art to me, whether they're crappy songs on there or not. I've never burned a CD & don't own an IPOD. Now I have downloaded songs (Mac), but they sit on my computer & I've gone out & bought the CD. I hope I'm not around when or if albums are a thing of the past.

Lee

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/n...bum-main_x.htm

[Les]

Thanks for posting that Lee. Interesting article! I would mourn the passing of the album too. Singles are fine, but the parts of my music collection that I treasure most, by the bands I love most, are the great albums that make a whole statement in and of themselves.

[Watchdevil22]

Thanks for posting that, a very interesting read. And Mr. Buckingham is oh so articulate as usual.
I really can't see the album as an art form becoming obsolete. Granted I know a few people who no longer buy many albums due to the availability and convenience of downloads, but most of my friends (in their early 20s) do still appreciate the album format and buy a lot of cds. So, I think there's some hope yet.

Erin

[Villavic]

I already miss vynil albums, CDs are too small, though size is practical. But you appreciate better a cover art in a vynil album size.

I did download songs sometimes, but it doesn't replace an album. I far prefer to buy original CDs. Don't like to buy "pirate" CDs (that's how we say in Peru)

[DownOnRodeo]

I am with Lindsey and Alannis on this one - I see the evolution (if it does transpire) as exciting. Think about it - remmber how they said they wanted to release *all* of the Rumours songs as singles? Those songs were such good single material that, had the 'no album' and 'iTunes' format been around in 1977, I'm fully confident that almost all of those songs would have been released. And so would have Silver Springs!!

What would have happened with Tusk? Without 'the album' concept or format, it's pretty clear that there wouldnt've been much of a Tusk to speak of. I'd suggest: 'Tusk', 'Over & Over', 'Sara', 'SOTM' etc. Now I guarantee that with only those and perhaps a few others released, the big drop in sales which the album format and concept of 'Tusk' caused would never have come into the equation, and these fantastic songs would have gone on to sell in the same league as the Rumours songs. The less palatable, 'Lindsey solo' songs on the album weighed down the sales of that album. Moreover, the whole scenario of being holed up in a studio for a year to make a record - that would be gone, instead you'd have a sort of continuous 'short burst sessions'.

And then apart from the singles you've got the 'album tracks' which we as diehard fans could never do without. Well these would also be released in some form or other, because the bands want to make them and the fans want to hear them.

I agree with Rob thingo from Matchbox who said in the article that the only real downside would be the lack of risk-taking in this 'world of singles'. Well apart from the 'alternative track culture' you'd see developing where the bands release esoteric tracks for the fans, songs hoping to make it on the competitive single market would require a certain amount of riskiness to stand out.

Surely the biggest drawback is the packaging, the artwork, etc. Well in the day of the website, I don't think that's such a problem. Perhaps purchasing one or two singles from a band could give you access to the artwork, information, etc etc available on the website.

And don't forget that beyond the declining sales of music CDs, it is music DVDs whose sales are on the rise. Who would shell out for the entire unedited SYW studio and tour tapes? And imagine who would have shelled out in 1977 if they'd taped the Rumours sessions and made a DVD.

[diamondsnake]

I don't think we will have to worry about this, as far as FM goes. I really doubt anything like this will happen for at least decades, but you never know...

I just couldn't imagine not being able to purchase a record. I thought it was ridiculous enough when you had to pay for the single, Peacekeeper, but it was just an MP3. If I pay money for something I want it to be tangible. Not just a file on a computer.

And I am only 15 and a little bit from the old school, as far as music goes. I hate these music trends and really don't care for any of the current artists. However, most of my friends don't buy records, they download them. I, on the other hand, like records. I like how they have a certain feeling to them and make a statement as a unit. Not just one song. I also love the artwork on records and think that is important.

However, I am going to be getting an MP3 player for Christmas and I am going to put all Fleetwood Mac's songs on it. Of course, I will still have all my FM records, but it will be nice to bring all their music with me everywhere!