Is digital music downloading killing the "Album"?

Question

It seems people would rather buy a single song as a Download. As opposed to buying a whole album for a single song. Do you think this trend will eventually do away with album artwork, lyrics sleeves and a hard copy of music all together? Could this be the end of the "Album"?

Answer 1

Sadly, the CD killed album art. 8^< The one good thing about vinyl was that the 12x12 package was good for artwork. There were some great ones, too!

But in my day, when we bought vinyl LPs, we often only liked one or two songs on the album! Isn't it nicer to be able to buy only the songs we like? And lyrics can be found all over the Internet.

And, funny thing, this is how it was before! In the days of 78s, you bought disks separately that had one song on either side. If you bought several, they gave you a book of record sleeves to put them in, which is how a collection of recordings first got to be called an 'album'--like a photo album or a stamp album.

Answer 2

I don't think the concept of the "album" is killed. Artists still make sure that each of their album are unique and that all the songs mesh together. I personally think good albums are the albums that have great songs that fit together well. I think some people will still appreciate the concept of an album, but there will also be people who will just download singles. It depends on the person.

Answer 3

has done a goo job of killing albums the way they were until the late 80's. Look at record co profits. On the other side anybody can produce a song /album and if anybody can find it if its good it will work for them

Answer 4

Not for some time.

Personally - i enjoy the option to download - you buy only the 'good' songs.
But, for good albums, i prefer (also) having the original.