Spotify

On the advice of a friend I have been giving Spotify a go - an online music streaming programme. It has the backing of the major record labels and therefore a huge catalogue of some of the biggest names are available. U2’s new album was available to listen to well before the official release date.

I’ve registered for the free account which occasionally places adverts inbetween songs but for £10 a month this can be removed. The interface is very similar to itunes and allows you to stream music, search for songs, create playlists and share them with other users. It is good to see the majors testing the water with the free / almost free music business model.

So why buy music again?

I love the convenience of music at my fingertips. I can definitely see the benefits that the likes of Spotify / Last FM bring. I get access to long forgotten classics from my youth in seconds e.g. Hothouse Flowers- Don’t Go, Aztec Camera- Somewhere in My Heart, and my laptop need never seize up with large amounts of audio files. I no longer worry about the Garry Barlow virus wiping out my itunes library (ok it wasn’t a virus I honestly have no idea how his track got on to my playlist but better to be safe than sorry I had to make sure it was permanently deleted) I could also stream my music on the go via mobile phones and tune my car stereo to an infinite supply of great driving tracks. All good.

However, I for one am a bit more of a traditional music buyer and like to own in the physical form the music I listen too i.e. cd, there is a lot to be said for inhaling that new print scent as you flick through the pages of a fresh inlay card whilst listening to the music. Maybe that’s just me?
I also consider my music collection a work of art in itself. The CD is not dead yet.

Who knows what direction the future of music is going but either way it’s an exciting journey with endless possibilities, with more and more access to music that you like. The market has been thrown wide open and is no longer a members only club.


Currently spinning - Son of Dave – Aint Going Down To Nike Town