Cds vs. Downloading: why CDs provide a more satisfying musical experience

The advent of the iPod and Internet has brought downloading. Hardly anybody I know actually goes to a record store, such as Dimple or The Beat to purchase music anymore.
Rather than buying CDs, people have turned to downloading, but I feel CDs offer a much better musical experience.
CDs are all about having something physical in your hands.
When I get a new CD, I first look at the album artwork and lyric booklet. I like to know a song’s lyrics, the members of the band, and the recording date, in which I refer to the glossy booklet that comes with a store-bought CD.
For many songs, I miss a majority of the lyrics. For example, one of my favorite musicians, Tim Armstrong of Rancid, slurs his words when he sings so that I can hardly understand anything he says. When listening to music, I follow along with the lyric booklet to understand what I listen to.
I love getting a new album, especially when I order something off of Amazon. I get excited when my order arrives in the mail – It’s like getting a present.
There is also the joy of browsing record stores that downloading cannot offer. To get out of the house or take a break from studying, I go to Dimple Records. I love taking my time browsing through the rows of CDs, in which I hope to find a good deal. To me, shopping for a CD is as exciting as shopping for a new summer wardrobe is for some Granite Bay teenagers.
Searching for the right CD is almost like a game – I try to find the best album by that artist at the best price.
A lot of people say downloading is cheaper than buying CDs. However, I find downloading much more expensive.
To download an album off of iTunes costs $10 a minumum, while one song costs $0.99-$1.29.
By buying used CDs, I find much better deals than what iTunes offers.
The other day I bought a Blondie CD in fine condition at Dimple Records for two dollars. If I downloaded the same album off of iTunes, I would have had to pay $11.88. Who says downloading is cheaper?
And unlike downloading, when one grows tired of certain music, people can turn around and sell their old CDs. Though one may not get much money for their used CDs, it’s better than nothing.
Of course, by downloading illegally, people get music for free. However, the fines for getting caught downloading illegally are a lot more than the cost of any CD.
Also, unlike downloading illegally, buying CDs supports the band. The artists worked hard to produce their music, and deserve to make a profit.
The other problem I have with downloading is that most people only download the songs they know they like. This limits a person’s musical taste. By buying a CD, a person is exposed to a variety of songs by that artist. One may discover a favorite song or favorite artist by buying an album rather than a song.
As most people get their music by downloading, CD sales have declined. I dread the day when CDs become extinct, for CDs offer so much more than digital downloading.