(Sort of) An Internal Battle

Maybe its just me, but it takes a lot for me to actually go out and BUY an album. Its not that I don't want to support artists, its just that I don't really have a real job, thus I hate paying dollars and cents for something I know I can own for $free.99 

Sidenote: I actually got into a rather heated discussion with a Mr. Chad Hermann of Post-Gazette blog "fame," about this topic. According to him, as an English Writing major - someone who wishes to one day be paid for her artistic endeavors - I should be willing to support others who are attempting to do the same. Anything else would be hypocritical. And I suppose that is understandable - Sir. But he, with a full time job, and salary, hails from quite I different circumstance than myself. Living off of a refund check is hard to do, and if I have to choose between lunch and a new cd - why not choose both?  If at all possible, I try to skip the illegality of downloading music by getting from my roommate, a friend, or coping it from the radio station I DJ for. But its not always so easy, especially when I am home, just me, myself, and I with no roommate or radio station within reach. 

So every time I anticipate a new release, I fight with this internal battle: to buy or not to buy?Its harder than it might appear - trust me. 

But I've developed a system - criterion if you will:

The album must A.) Be by a worthy, and trusted artist - one who has proven his or herself thus far (Except for Kanye - I drew the line at Graduation boo). B.) Be a car classic - something that I can, will, and want to bump en route, whether it be to the grocery store, the mall, or the club C.) Not be more than $12.99 - these stores charging $18.99 for a CD are all clearly out of the loop. 

I shoot for all 3, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Last ones that passed the test: T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz (although it shouldn't have) and Q-Tip the Renaissance (buy it if  youhaven't already. I love it.)

Sometimes I just need new music in my life, and Kid Cudi, Maxwell "Pretty Wings", and Gym Class Heroes were only sustaining me for so long... 

This being said... my latest investment: Chrisette Michelle's sophomore album. She's def dope. And def worth a listen.

Currently feeling tracks 1, 5, 7, 9, 12.

"From the rising of the moon, to the setting of the sun..."