You might think that record companies would reduce the cost of digital downloads compared to CD's since they don't have to pay the same manufacturing and distribution costs. Most songs cost $.99 to download. Most CD's have 10-15 songs and cost $10-$15. That makes downloading songs no cheaper than buying CDs, which are already priced artificially high. I can't feel any sympathy for the record labels crying about theft when they're gouging fans and robbing artists.
Part of a vinyl record's appeal is that I'm getting something more for my money. You get the music plus you get the artwork that doesn't come with a download. It's hardly worth bothering with the artwork in a tiny CD package.
It's best when the record comes with a code for a digital download too (aka an LP3). Even better if it's released on an independent label.
I recently got Ryan Adam's album Easy Tiger. It's not his newest (I think he releases a new album once every three weeks) but I was still able to order a copy at Recycled Records. It came in a plastic sleeve with a cover that folds out into the poster pictured above. The record itself is translucent orange vinyl. Cooooooool!
Like most of Adams' albums, this one is good for reminding me of that one girl I never seem to get over.
Mabye nothing is more of a hipster cliche than a Strokes album on vinyl but I love it. Surprisingly, this one didn't come with a one-inch button.
The back side of the poster above has lyrics and more artwork. This album didn't do as well as their others but You Only Live Once is one of my favorite songs. It's worth the cost when I'm buying an album I can listen to from start to finish like these two.