Physical copies vs iTunes digital copies

THIS POST CELEBRATES 1 YEAR OF NICK’S ALBUM REVIEWS

Throughout the course of my music-buying fiend, I have often found conflict between the ownership of physical copies and digital copies. It’s true that I still buy physical copies loyally and often without hesitation, but then what if the real physical copy is cheaper on iTunes? iTunes, without much need of an introduction, has become of the number one multimedia (music, videos, TV shows and digital books) in the years it has been up and running. In saying that, I often do buy the copy of the album from iTunes if, say, the real physical copy is much more expensive; my main question is why do I stay loyal the physical copy?

First of all: I love the feeling of holding the album in your hands and not just staring at data on a computer screen or an iPad. Secondly: I love looking at the artwork as I listen to the album, at the same time or preferably separate. However, at the end of the day what do you really want? THE MUSIC, that’s what! Some albums are expensive and I can totally understand, being a lover of music myself and buying music, why a lot of people go and buy their music from iTunes.

However, the real idea of buying music these days has drastically changed. Vinyl, it seems, is back in fashion as there an increased sales of actually buying vinyl with a lot more record companies now opting to sell Vinyl, often as part of the pre-order bundle. And with more and more music stores closing down, the only way for me to actually get a physical copy of any album I love would be to buy it from Amazon UK. Many times this means actually paying more than I would like for an import of a certain album, or their ridiculous postage fees to get the album to me quicker.

Conversely, when you flip the coin on its head, iTunes has none of that. You pre-order an album so that you get an email telling you when said album is available, which then given if you have credit or a bank card, you can easily download the album at your own leisure. Both Amazon and iTunes have their pros and cons, their strengths and weaknesses, but really I think it’s down to one’s tastes which really then it decides. 

If we’re talking about my taste here then I definitely have bought more physical copies than digital copies, but really I would have to say I like iTunes a lot more than Amazon. I really like how easy  it is, but then again I still hold loyalty to the physical copy. In today’s world when everyone is trying to save money it’s only a logical choice, as for one iTunes is not expensive in their prices, because Amazon are way over the top with their prices.

So in the end it comes to a matter of choice, what do you really want and which is cheaper? Do it yourself: compare the price of a CD you want from the place you usually shop from, and then compare it with the price on iTunes (if it’s on iTunes), if not let me do one for you:

• Ghost’s latest album, Infestissumam on Amazon: £9.53
• Ghost’s latest album, Infestissumam on iTunes:     £8.99

So you see, right there iTunes wins the argument. And why? Well, for one, to buy it from Amazon you would paying at least fifty-four pence for the physical copy; I haven’t done the sums from pounds-to-dollars or whatever currency you deal with it, I’m just dealing with my tastes here. I was unsure about iTunes at first, but I’m convinced that it will soon become a totem talked about in years to come: hey, do you remember when iTunes had its first ten years?

It’s clear to point out that I’m NOT trying to say that is better than the other, one is good one is bad; merely I’m just rambling here giving my opinions on the subject — weighing up the pros and cons. During the past two months or so I’ve rarely bought any physical copies but rather opted for a few digital copies, as one my money has been tight. Again: the conversation comes around to money talk and trying to save my pennies.

But I’ll try to end this on a lighter note. I love both physical copies and digital copies, I see the positives in both and the negatives at the same time, I’ve bought both so I know what I am talking about here. Whilst I could hypothesize about someone’s buying tastes I know I can’t, and I can only talk about my own.

What are you thoughts on this?

Thank you for reading, Nick’s Album Reviews: one year strong!