[DGthe3]

I draw a major distinction between singles and albums. If its a single that an artist has released for play on the radio, and is accompanied by a music video on TV and/or the web, I don't have an issue with downloading it. And in many cases, I can access that music on demand for free through the artists own website. I don't really see the difference between downloading such songs and recording them off the radio via a cassette tape (aside from the convenience factor)

However, entire albums are another story. The majority of songs on them (unless it happens to be a best of album) haven't been released in a public manner & can't be easily accessed via legitimate means for free.

Think of it this way, if I call up a local radio station & request they play every song off of 5FDP's American Capitalist album, they'll probably hang up on me. But if I just ask for Under & Over It, they'll probably do it. I can get a single for free by simply asking. But I can't get the album.

Also, I'd also say that I have probably bought more albums because of the singles that I've downloaded, rather than less. When I was young, there were quite a few albums that I bought because of one or two songs. But then the album sucked. Now, every now & then I browse through my music library & see who I've got a handful of songs from and what album they're off of. If I see I've got 3 or 4 singles from an album ... chances are, I'm going to enjoy the other 10 off the disc. And if I like that disc, I'll probably enjoy some of that artists other work too. And maybe even go to their show the next time they're in town.