Best Album of 2012 or New Music for you in 2012

[BurningDoom]

1 simple word: Convenience. You can have it in an instant without having to leave your computer chair.

That's not to say I agree with it, I'd rather have the physical media as well, but I can understand the other mentality.

[dsheinem]

1 simple word: Convenience. You can have it in an instant without having to leave your computer chair.

That's not to say I agree with it, I'd rather have the physical media as well, but I can understand the other mentality.

I don't see the convenience argument unless you are just buying select tracks. A CD can be ripped in about 2 minutes, giving you music in MP3 quality in less time than it would take to download that same album from iTunes or something. You then also still have a high quality "master" that sounds better, has artwork, can be collected, lent out, sold, etc. A CD is more versatile and often comprable (or cheaper) than its MP3 album equivalent.

Then again, I don't know why anyone would download a PC game if a physical version is also available.

The difference here is price and quality. Digital versions of PC games are often much, much cheaper than their physical counterparts and are of exactly the same quality...this isn't true with music.

[Nemoide]

One obvious answer from me: Coochie Brake by The Residents


The Residents are all over the musical map. This album is mostly experimental/ambient kind of sounds, but it's really good.

[ZenErik]

1 simple word: Convenience. You can have it in an instant without having to leave your computer chair.

That's not to say I agree with it, I'd rather have the physical media as well, but I can understand the other mentality.

I don't see the convenience argument unless you are just buying select tracks. A CD can be ripped in about 2 minutes, giving you music in MP3 quality in less time than it would take to download that same album from iTunes or something. You then also still have a high quality "master" that sounds better, has artwork, can be collected, lent out, sold, etc. A CD is more versatile and often comprable (or cheaper) than its MP3 album equivalent.

Then again, I don't know why anyone would download a PC game if a physical version is also available.

The difference here is price and quality. Digital versions of PC games are often much, much cheaper than their physical counterparts and are of exactly the same quality...this isn't true with music.

Saves shelf space. I don't feel like having hundreds of CDs anymore. I don't want to get into a morality argument, but I download music for free frequently. And purchase my favorites either via physical copy or iTunes. Or BOTH if I really love them. When I buy a physical CD new these days it usually stays sealed. I buy them solely to support my favorite bands/musicians.

As someone with a fairly expensive headphone rig I can say that the difference between 256kbps AAC and lossless is generally zero for me. There are certainly songs where it does make a difference. But they are very few and the difference is not very small. Really only noticeable during A B comparisons.

[noiseredux]

I've pretty much bought all my music in digital form since like 2007 or so. For me it is far more convenient: I don't drive to the store, and I don't have to find a place in my small apartment to store physical CD's.

[BoneSnapDeez]

The difference here is price and quality. Digital versions of PC games are often much, much cheaper than their physical counterparts and are of exactly the same quality...this isn't true with music.

Fair enough. Though the prices of physical PC games do seem to tank pretty rapidly. I bought (physical) copies of Trine and Disciples III for $5 a pop earlier this year. Hard to beat GOG prices most of the time though.

[EllertMichael]

When it's an option, I'll buy the vinyl for maximum physical media enjoyment. These days most records come with digital download codes (and it's easy enough to find downloads of those that don't).
CD's have just become kind of inconvenient.
Still, I'm not like dying to get rid of my CD's or anything.
But after getting an iPod my love of CD's definitely took a hit.

hmm. let's see...
2012 Albums I've enjoyed (to varying degrees):
the Music Tapes - Mary's Voice
the Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania
James Iha - Look to the Sky
Tame Impala - Lonerism
the High Water Marks - Pretending to be Loud
the Minders - Cul-de-sacs & Dead Ends Vol. 2
Jason Lytle - Dept. of Disappearance
Graham Coxon - A+E
Jack White - Blunderbuss
Sigur Ros - Valtari
of Montreal - Paralytic Stalks
Jessica Pratt - S/T
the Townhall Orchestra - A Tribute to Bill Doss
How Am I Looking - Sun Riot


(A lot of) 2012 Albums I've been meaning to check out:

Fiona Apple
Best Coast
Vision of Disorder
Converge
Ariel Pink
the Shins
Bob Dylan
Dum Dum Girls
Mount Eerie
Thee Oh Sees
Pig Destroyer
Dinosaur Jr
Islands
Sic Alps
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Melody's Echo Chamber
The Amazing
Lightning Bolt
Deerhoof
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Tennis

[dsheinem]

James Iha - Look to the Sky

really? I'm a GIANT SP & related fan and like LICD well enough, but I thought this was very subpar...

[EllertMichael]

James Iha - Look to the Sky

really? I'm a GIANT SP & related fan and like LICD well enough, but I thought this was very subpar...

it honestly took a couple listens to grow on me.
but "Gemini" is worth the purchase price alone. awesome song

[BurningDoom]

1 simple word: Convenience. You can have it in an instant without having to leave your computer chair.

That's not to say I agree with it, I'd rather have the physical media as well, but I can understand the other mentality.

I don't see the convenience argument unless you are just buying select tracks. A CD can be ripped in about 2 minutes, giving you music in MP3 quality in less time than it would take to download that same album from iTunes or something. You then also still have a high quality "master" that sounds better, has artwork, can be collected, lent out, sold, etc. A CD is more versatile and often comprable (or cheaper) than its MP3 album equivalent.

Except you have to get up and go to the store to buy a CD or order it online and wait for it to show up, you don't have to that at when you're at your computer or on your Smart Phone and downloading MP3s. That's the convenience I'm talking about.

And like I said, I don't agree with it. I would rather have a physical copy because I'm a collector. I'm just saying I see why.