Sean A Sullivan

It is a common topic of discussion that comes up between my friends, co-workers and I. In this day of age, the day of the iTunes store, Amazon mp3 store, and so on, most people are completely switched to the world of digital downloads when it comes to music. It seems a lot of times I’m the odd man out because yes, I still buy records (and by records, I mean CDs.) Now that’s not to say that I don’t occasionally grab a single or two off iTunes (especially if I’m in need of that instant gratification.) However, to me one of the greatest feelings in the world is ripping open a fresh copy of one of my favorite artist’s record, experiencing it as an album, the way that that artist (and their respective production crew) meant for me to hear it.

Angus Young put it best when asked why AC/DC isn’t on iTunes.

Our real reason is that we honestly believe the songs on any of our albums belong together. If we were on iTunes, we know a certain percentage of people would only download two or three songs from the album - and we don’t think that represents us musically.

Now, of course, the AC/DC crew can get away with this, because there is a strong fan base that will buy their album no matter where they have to go to get it. However, from an artistic standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world to me. When an artist is creating an album, they are often times choosing and writing songs that collectively set a mood or paint a picture.

In the pop-infested world of singles and filler tracks, I completely understand the notion of not buying albums. So, maybe my love for albums and records is due to the types of music I listen to.

My argument has many points. First of all, I can name numerous bands whom I become interested in through a single and ended up buying their album. Buying their album, which I admittedly did for a song or two, led me to discovering all kinds of potential in this band that I would have never discovered otherwise. It’s common knowledge that usually a band’s singles aren’t completely representative of that band; the record companies find the tunes with the most “sticky” factor and that’s what gets shelled out to radio stations, etc.

Also, I need to have the pure format. I admit, buying and collecting compact discs and albums is a matter of clutter, but formats change. Albums these days are mastered to CDs, that is the media. Those masters are then compressed to all hell and thrown on Amazon and iTunes. I don’t claim to be an enormous audiophile or quality snob, but if a new and better compression scheme comes out five years down the road, by owning the CD you can bet I’ll be ready for it. I don’t have to battle with DRM. Also, don’t you remember the days of being young and being so excited about the music that you’re listening to that you would sit in your room and read the album booklet? There’s something to me about that presentation. With all the words and art together in one package. It just makes sense to me.

Shopping for records is fun. I don’t know about you but I spend many many of my waking hours sitting in front of a computer. I enjoy going to record stores. It’s a change of pace for me. A chance to go somewhere and take in an experience. It’s exciting to see all those albums in one place and search for the sales and look at all of the great music I could be listening to. I really hate to see record stores close. When I’m on vacation or in an unfamiliar place, I often like to stop into record stores and see their old vinyl and concert posters. There’s something about the vibe.

Tomorrow is National Record Store Day. For most, it will be just Saturday like any other, a chance to mow the lawn and listen to your iPod. But I think it would be cool to take that time and visit a record store, especially if you haven’t been to one in a while. Step inside. It will take you back to a place, help you remember the way most artists want you to experience their music—as an entire album.

I’ll leave you with this great quote from Joe Satriani,

Musical trends are confirmed at the local independent record store, by you and me. Hanging out, listening to something you’ve never heard before, being enlightened by the staff, getting into something new, finding that old recording you’ve been searching for, having your local band’s newest offering stocked right next to major label stuff, it all happens at the local indie shop. Why would we want to do away with all that?