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Originally Posted by demonrail666
I think that an increase in the means to create, and in particular distribute, music does inevitably affect quality control. However (as Sarramkrop suggests) I tend to think that the more significant shift is not in what's out there, but how we as listeners attempt to sift through it. I imagine that the generation brought up with this new technology will find a way to negotiate through it far quicker than those of us still used to the old album format. There's less incentive now to give an album time to grow on you, knowing that an alternative is just a download away. This is bad for the album as we've traditionally known it. However, in terms of the history of music, the album is a relatively recent phenomenon which was itself bound to shifts within technology. As such, the idea that it will be replaced by some other 'standard' form is only of consequence to those of us that still hold on to it as the format.
The sheer will of a certain generation of consumers will inevitably see the album maintain its industry dominance long after it's actual viability has passed, but once that generation is replaced by one that holds no such affiliatins, the traditional album will surely be seen as little more than a charming eccentricity of a bygone age, and replaced by something more appropriate to their listening habits.
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I think it's great that that the younger generations aren't concerned about audio quality and downloading their whole collections of music without paying for it. Even if you do pay for it via itunes or what ever digital transmission it is not in full cd/vinyl quality.
"The sheer will of a certain generation of consumers will inevitably see the album maintain its industry dominance long after it's actual viability has passed"...
^if it maintains it's industry dominance long after it's viability has passed does this not mean it is viable.... hummm bit of a paradox there.
I don't know how the younger generations feel but I don't wan't my whole life reduced to 1s and 0s. The digital realm has helped with certain aspects of my life but I'm not interested in having my whole music collection in a low quality format and jpg's of cover art. I like the smell of my favourite indy record store and I like talking to my mates that work there and have the same passion for music I do, I also like getting discount because I spend alot of money there...
edit: and with batreleaser's thread, i hate ipods - he just lost all of his digital collection... something that won't ever happen with the tangible physical object