Digital Downloads

Quite possibly the greatest thing to happen to the music business (for fans) in the past twenty years is digital music. I don't think anyone can argue with that. Well at least anyone who reads blogs, which is all that matters at this point. We can download any track, album, or b-side from a host of different sources at any given moment. Previews are available for most songs and videos as well. With all this said, why in 2009 can't I download full versions of every concert I attend?

I know this can be done as I've got all but one of the Pearl Jam shows I've attended on CD or digital download. Nothing makes for a better souvenir than the entire show. I went to hear music not wear it on my chest. Dave Matthews Band is a great live show and lord knows I've been to my fair share of them. Why is it that I only have one live CD from a performance I attended? His shows at Alpine Valley should be recorded every single time. People love collecting shows they didn't even attend just to get that uber-rare live track that is missing from their collection. They can savor it like a fine wine and hope that someday their eardrums will be blessed by those sweet melodies.

So in closing, douchebag promoters hear our cry. We want the music from these shows, not a $45 t-shirt. By the way, how is it that concert shirts get smaller and thinner, yet double in price. I paid $40 for a Fleetwood Mac shirt and you can practically see my arm pits the sleeves are so short. Give us a break bands!! We already paid $150 just to get in the door. It should be about the music, not the merchandise, so deliver the goods and we'll pay up. (Unless it is Bob Dylan, then we'll just walk out of the venue hanging our heads thinking that we just saw a half dead man put on the worst musical performance of the past decade.)

Digital Ditty

I'll switch up the music selections from the first few weeks. I know that every once in awhile you want to hear some music that elevates the pulse above a sleep pattern. I did catch the Flo Rida video and it was solid. Not a bad tune if you're going out on the weekend. Speaking of which, I harkened back to my Zero Gravity days and spent some time checking out 96.3 and 103.5 while driving around this weekend. If you're inclined to move your ass in a gyrating motion, give Evacuate the Dance Floor a spin from Cascada. I have nothing else insightful to say about the song. It's a dance song. If you're not into that sort of thing, stay away. Since I know this genre isn't big with the typical readership, I'll throw out a second/alternative selection. (Play on words, eh) Everyone should have Audience of One by Rise Against in their collection if they enjoyed alt rock of the nineties. The lyrics are very fitting for people our age, and the song just rocks all around.