The first record I ever bought was a 45(I hope to god at least some of you know what a 45 is) of “Coward of the County” by Kenny Rodgers. Not an inspired piece by any means but still my first and you know what they say about firsts. And thus began my long love affair with buying music. I remember searching for hours amongst the albums for just the right selection. What would send me clutching my latest booty to the cashier to shell out my hard earned pesos? Would it be a hit single I had to have ala Boston or AC/DC? Would be some sort of over the top cover art from some artist I had barely heard of like Molly Hatchet? Would it be a recommendation from a “friend” like Mary’s Danish (awful record, awful band). Would it be the newest club tracks I thought I had to have to be cool like Candyflip or The KLF? Or would it be a gut instinct such as Altered State, Lemonheads or Information Society? Whatever it was - it was special. The hunt – will I find something – should I buy this one or keep looking – do they have what I’m looking for – do I have enough money. It was vaguely exciting and stimulating. I could spend hours just looking at the music available. That is gone. Maybe I’m just old but the Internet has destroyed this aspect of music. Getting to sample albums – boring! Imagine buying a record and having no idea whether it is good or not. Scary huh? Imagine the anticipation of listening to that album for the first time. Is it good or does it suck? Imagine the exhilaration of finding that last copy of the record/song you were looking for and fostering a smug smile for the cashier as you bought your music. All that is gone with the computer age of music and music buying. Everything is there just waiting for you. The hunt is over. The uncertainity is dead. The thrill of music buying is on life support. You can shoot the tiger from your computer and never miss. On one hand you'll never experience the suckfest of a Mary's Danish but on the other you'll never have that excitement of riding home as fast as you can so you can hear your new as soon as possible. Death to internet music sales!

Da'Man