A new book was released “The Art of the LP:  Classic Album Covers 1955-1995″ by Ben Wardel and Johnny Morgan.  It goes into the imagery and art form that was the LP cover.    I use was, because, let’s face it, we have become increasingly digital.  I’m not sure how many people even know what the cover of their favorite album looks like anymore.

I personally still purchase CDs.  I tend to download a song if it’s more of a catchy fad-type dance song.  I may not necessarily want an entire CD of hollow beats with repetitive words.  I own the CD from Gillette, who did “Short Short Man”…the rest of the CD made my ears bleed…if only they had mp3′s back in the day.

Even my teenage step-daughter prefers to get CDs of her favorite bands.  She enjoys the art to match the mood of the music and lyrics.

A lot of my friends discover music and live via their iPods and Zunes.  Limiting the artwork they are exposed to and limiting the connection of visual, audio and emotional stimuli.

It’s very much like the death of music videos and music tv.   If video killed the radio star, what exactly killed the video star?

I’d like to know how you purchase music, what factors contribute, if you miss the visual art that once was vital to marketing an album, and if you miss the videos that once pushed songs out to the masses through your local cable company?