Playlist magazine and the attitude behind buying songs off of iTunes

The publishers of Macworld (U.S.) just printed up a new rag focusing on the whole iPod/iTunes phenomena. Most of it is actually a good read, with some good music reviews, musician features and iPod accessory write-ups.

While reading through some of the articles on how to do certain functions in iTunes, what struck me is my attitude towards buying music from the iTunes Music Store. Since it reminds me of buying 45 rpm singles in the 70s & 80s, I don't mind the concept of buying songs for $0.99. I even find myself buying stuff there once in a while (it's especially a good place to get exclusive content and pre-release material). But if given the option, I'd just as well get up off my ass and book it on down to the nearest music store to casually browse all the wonderful music at my fingertips and actually buy the CD I want to get. Then I'd take it home, pop the CD into a player and listen to it while leafing through the CD case and inner booklet. Maybe I'll read along with the lyrics. Or maybe I'll just stare at the CD's artwork as the music plays. I guess what I'm saying is that there's no comparison to actually browsing through a music shop's wares and actually buying and taking home a living, breathing, CD. Okay, the disc isn't alive in the usual terms, but at least it'll make you feel alive, scooting your chair away from the computer, taking a hit of that cold (or warm) air, interacting with other human beings in a public place and validating that with some music to play, part of the ongoing soundtrack to your life.