Friday, July 24, 2020

CDs vs. downloads

A few months ago, I ordered a CD.  When a few weeks went by without any sign of my purchase, I sent an e-mail to the artist.

They told me that they'd been afraid to go to the post office.

Ouch.  How inconsiderate of me not to have thought about that.  :(

So I asked them whether they could send me a link to a download instead.

I got the download link within minutes.  The artist assured me that they would send me the CD later, but I asked them to stay out of the post office because they have a kid to raise.

Imagine my surprise when I found the CD in my mailbox a few days ago.

I confess that I felt both guilty--I certainly hope they didn't go to the post office just for me--and glad.  

Sure, downloads are easy, and you don't need a special player or computer drive.

But downloads are missing a few things.

Like cover art.  This CD is *gorgeous.*

Also missing:  what we older folks call "liner notes."  Where are the lists of back-up/harmony singers?  Who's playing which instrument?  Were any of the songs co-written?

Some of this can sometimes be found on YouTube.  Spotify?  Maybe not, unless I just don't know where to look.  Bandcamp seems to be good at showing both the art and the info (and I can even play an entire album in order--that "shuffle" business drives me nuts).

But what a shame that technology sometimes seems to insist on reinventing the wheel.

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