As an avid vinyl collector I’ve stopped buying CD’s unless I can’t find them on vinyl or on an illegal file sharing service.  Luckily record breaking vinyl sales are making this much easier than it was 11 years ago when I really started my collection.  In regards to 2009’s sales, ‘Soundscan announced that vinyl LP sales broke the two million mark for the first time since the company started keeping tabs in 1991.’  This is of course flawed and the number is exponentially higher since many indie record stores (thousands) aren’t even on Soundscan’s radar.  If you too would also like to own something that doesn’t fit in the ass pocket of your jeans or in a folder on your desktop – here’s the guide to dispell the myths, excite your senses and to get your groove on.

If the wax version’s a no-go, I would rather pirate it (and hope for the vinyl later) than pay for a measly compact disc that will only collect dust – or like many before them – get lost or scratched (furthering the “waste of time and money” factor).  At least though, if I have to, they – unlike most digital rapes sales – still provide a booklet.  But if legal digital is the only thing in reach and I need to get an album then I have to join this so-called revolution.  Don’t get me wrong; I’m glad people are buying music and am rather choked at those who opt out completely.  I want my MP3, just like Mark Knopfler and gang wanted their MTV.  I have to hand it to them…they also had movies, refrigerators, colour TV’s, money for nothing and best of all – the chicks for free.  I simply want my MP3 for free.  Provided I pay for the 12”, I should automatically get the high quality MP3’s for free everytime…period.  I know some of you are thinking, “But Steve, the record labels are one step ahead of you.  They offer a digital download with LP’s now.”  While this kicks ass and is certainly driving vinyl sales (up 33% from the previous year, whereas digital is up 16%) it’s nowhere near perfect.  Many still don’t offer it or you get home only to realize it’s US only.  Thanks a lot asshole.  What’s PirateBay’s URL again?  Don’t feel bad (especially if you’ve just paid for the record).  This is an industry who still cries about CD sales while digital sales are taking over that sector… and in their favor!.  Digital sales are not that of the CD in it’s heyday but how much overhead do you figure record labels have selling replicated files on a server at $0.99 / click?  There’s no shipping, no physical distribution, no printing or binding of booklets, no plastic cases, and no employees to pay for these aforementioned tasks.  They still want to charge you 3/4 of the price though.  How they could possibly not be making a killing there, would – at least at first glance – defy logistics.

Back to my gripe du jour: Paying for music on iTtunes.  Around $10 grants me access to a massive library of legal music that is now – at the very least – finally both DRM-free and of acceptable digital quality (256kbps).  What does this jargon mean?  Those who’ve been shelling out $10 an album up until 2007 had “less than CD quality” digital representations.  Granted this was a couple of years ago; the DRM restriction is very recent.  This means until recently your downloads were restricted to Apple products only (unlike Amazon who’s offered non restrictive MP3’s, many now at a lower price than Apple).  This doesn’t help a guy like me who’s never owned an Apple Ipod and thinks they’re overrated, over priced, restrictive garbage.  That’s a whole other ball of wax but at least they’re fixing the issue…for new subscribers.  For all of you who with massive libraries…simply upgrade with iTunes Plus.  You can buy back your music, with higher quality and no restrictions at a 30% upgrade premium!  Your $10 album now costs you $13 and still no booklet, jacket or “special coloured editions” at your disposal.  Wait… they’re trying to catch up to me.  iTunes LP is out now!  For a 70% price increase you do get a large window with the artwork, booklet, lyrics, pics and videos.  While I would probably opt for this despite the price difference; the catalog sits at roughly 30 available titles.

Maybe I’ll stick to buying records in a record store… what a concept.  Even if you don’t have a turntable, buy it, throw the fucker on your wall or bookshelf and download the MP3’s for free.  Seems cooler and easier than all that other business.  To read the review of east coast US punkers Guns On The Run’s new album that I had to buy from iTunes on Friday click here or visit www.westcoastweasel.com.  We’ve just added a couple new writers whose content will be emerging very soon.  Upcoming reviews include You Say Party, We Say Die’s latest, Bedouin Soundclash live @ Ontario House, Alkaline Trio in Seattle and keep your eyes open for our interview with Against Me! in the coming weeks.

Steve “Weasel” Roland