To Prune One's Tunes

 You may remember my tortured missive of a couple of weeks back wherein I wept bitter, caustic tears about my ailing iPod. To close the loop on that tragic saga, I finally gave up the ghost and went to visit the dubiously-named "Genius Bar" at the Soho Apple store. Therein I met with a fresh-faced, tattooed "genius" who basically told me that my iPod was fucked. It'll still play and charge, but I won't be able to synch it or load it with anything new. Sure, I could get it repaired, but it would cost almost the same amount as, well, buying a new one. And being that funds are especially slight at the moment, I shan't be doing that for a great while. So, I'm basically just killing time until (a) this iPod dies its inevitable death and/or (b) I win Lotto.

Frustratingly, I've since amassed a small stack of compact discs that I'm dying to listen to. Among the titles are the soundtrack to "This Is England" (featuring a load of vintage ska), the deluxe re-master of Q: Are We Not Men? by Devo and my next door neighbor's coveted copy of Computerwelt,the remaster of Kraftwerk's Computer World performed in the band's icy native German. Yes, I could simply play them at home, but it's not like Peggy (let alone Charlotte & Oliver) want to hear any of this stuff. Under normal circumstances, I'd rip'em to my iTunes and listen en route to and from the office. Unfortunately for me, that's no longer an option.

At the very least, this new inaccessibility will handily curtail my old music-buying habits for a while – which is beneficial, given my afore-cited paucity of cash these days. Honestly, the last thing I really need is to bring any more compact discs into the house (yes, I'm that old-fashioned sort that still buys actual, physical albums…color me crazy). As I was mulling this quandary over in my head today, I came across this article from a youthful writer inquiring as to the right course of action in terms of disposing her "high school CD collection." Where I'd sooner part with certain vital organs than jettison any of my prized compact discs (and don't get me started on the vinyl), it seems that some people now regard the physical manifestations of their music collection in this digital age as simply clutter… although, to be fair, the writer of the piece does similarly vow to never discard her precious Whitney Houston & Mariah discs … music I wouldn't play at a dog, but I suppose there's no accounting for taste.

Comments

[Darren Peace]

Why can't you listen to them on your iPhone?

[Bowery Boogie]

One problem with digital music is that you can acquire too much too fast, and never get to it. At least you can look at a stack of CDs and know what you're getting into. With digital it's just how many GBs you have left.

[John]

That's a great point. Digital music, in a way, kind of devalues music, makes it more of a disposable commodity. You have a CD or LP or even a cassette, chances are you'll stumble on it and give it a listen.

Yeah, well, I still have my Denon turntable from the early 90s. And actually 'upgraded' my stereo buying old 70s Kenwood components on ebay! They sound fantastic, too. And really affordable.

[Marie]

I too am awaiting a chance at Computerwelt! It was very formative for both your neighbor and I. Someday...

[Jill]

Break out the old discman! Or buy a new one, they're around $20. I use one to play cd's on my stereo since my CD player broke.

[Elana M.]

I use my iPhone as my iPod. Currently have almost a thousand songs on there, and still plenty of space.