Every week there is an article posted listing the previous week’s album sales. And every week, with the exception of a few, sales have been down. Billboard announced the best selling album and the highest grossing concert of 2007 on Friday, and guess what… those numbers are down as well! In 2006 according to Nielsen SoundScan 588.2 million albums were sold, that was down 4.9% from 2005. But digital track sales increased 65% from 2005 with 582 million songs sold and almost 33 million digital albums were sold. As of late October album sales for 2007 were down 14% with about 363 million sold. And once again digital sales are on the rise as are digital retailers with Amazon.com getting into the game this year.

With the majority of people choosing digital over hard copies many of the big retail chains such as Wal-Mart and Target are looking at reducing not only the space they give for CDs, but also releases from lesser known bands. Unfortunately it looks as if the CD is on its way out, and I hate it. Going to the record store and buying a CD has a personal touch to it. You get to drive around town trying to find that one CD and when you find it, you have the lyric booklet where you can read the bands Thank You’s and lyrics and a physical copy of the music to enjoy.

With digital singles and albums, there is nothing personal about it. You point and click and in a few minutes you have the album or song. Yes, it is convenient, especially for me because there is only one place to buy CDs where I live, with the exception of WalMart and I’m not fond of that place either. I f I can’t find the album I’m looking for here, I usually end up going to another town where most of the time I can find it.

Convenience is all people care about anymore and CDs have become an inconvenience. My only grip about CD’s is that annoying sticker on the top of the jewel case with the artist and album name. Get rid of that and I’ll be happy… just don’t get rid of the CD!

Album sales aren’t the only thing on the decline. Tour revenue also suffered this year. The Police have the rights to the top grossing tour for 2007 which brought in $212 million plus. The Rolling Stones held the title in 2006 which brought in $437 million in revenue. A $2.6 billion difference. Concert attendance was also down 19.2%. With many labels going after these “360” deals where they get a cut of the artists tour and merch income, this just another way the artists will get screwed.