Online is great but where is the soul?

As much as I love the convenience that iTunes and other online music stores provide I begin to wonder if it’s just another step closer to becoming consumeristic listeners of music. Don’t get me wrong… I love to be able to really enjoy an artist and 5 minutes later have the entire album downloaded and ready to go on my iPod. The question I have is, are we missing some traditions that make the experience even more special?

Maybe I’m old school but I can remember when an album would come out and I would drive way down off Shepard to Houston’s best private records store, Cactus Music. The place was full of history and unique music and people… I would go buy the album.. walk out to the truck while opening the package… put the CD and hear it for the first time. It is an incredible experience and is nothing compared to an mp3 delivered by email.

I don’t really have a point other than today when I wanted to buy Dustin Kensrue’s album, I had this incredible urge to drive down to Cactus to get it. But Cactus closed it’s doors a few years back leaving Best Buy as my only option around here. I was so bummed that I just came home and ended up buying it online. The whole experience just felt cheapened. So I guess I wonder.. does it really matter?

5 Comments

Andrea on November 27th, 2007

didnt cactus open back up?

NEW LOCATION
2110 Portsmouth
Houston, TX 77098
(713)526-9272

Tank on November 27th, 2007

Oh Sweet Baby Jane it is! wow.. that was the best Christmas present you could have ever given me. My lunch plans are now made for tomorrow.

http://www.houston-press.com/2007-11-08/music/racket/

Andrea on November 27th, 2007

i’m good with useless info that doesn’t really pertain to me.

suzy on November 27th, 2007

I couldn’t agree with you more on this. I think I’ve purchased less than 10 whole albums online…and half of those I bought becuase I just couldn’t wait, but still went to the store and picked up the album. I’m a sucker for liner notes, I suppose. I’m all about the story behind the songs.