[thebends]

To me its straight forward; Always support the artist by purchasing their product. Once you have done this two key transactions occur a. the artist is compensated for their investment and therefore it promotes sustainability and continued output, and b. you have legal ownership of the product (i.e. personal peace of mind). The dilemma is that while most of us in this forum believe in this fundamental concept (I would like to think ...), there is a temptation with current technology to "sneak peak". If this is the case then it may not really matter in which order you exercise your choice, as long as the dilemma is balanced. Your mileage may vary.

[direwolf74]

I'm prone to taking "sneak peaks" all the time, but if I'm a fan of the artist I always end up buying the physical copy once it's released. Not just to support the band, but also because I'm a sucker for having the artwork, lyrics, and liner notes. As a hardcore music nerd, I need that stuff.

[BrenTheodore]

There should be a section devoted to all the times this base has argued about torrenting and stealing. It would be the most popular in these 'down times'. I can always garentee when I jump back on here, the discussion will be on going... for years to come. (and here's to 10 more!)

For the last two (maybe three) Hip albums I have had early copies months in advance, but always buy it when it is released. Is that wrong? Maybe. I use to buy every album after downloading. I am a student, and if my What account reflected all the albums I own well, I'd need another credit card to max out. Definitely something plantinum.

Is it ethically wrong. Yes. Morally; well I'll have to say no.

[Shane Kroeker]

I hear they're releasing a lullaby's album...

[daylight]

I still buy physical copies of albums I love, even when the band makes next to nothing. I try to order directly from labels or purchase at shows when possible, but for a band as big as the Hip I doubt it really matters where or how you buy.

[Hard Canadian]

I personally don't download any music, or movies for that matter. I prefer to own a hard copy with the art work and better sound quality etc. BUT I see nothing wrong with Hip Base members sharing files/previews of any kind of new Hip material prior to its release. If you are a big enough fan to discuss all things Hip on this board, then I'm sure you will be purchasing a copy of anything The Hip have to release, if not well then you don't really belong here do you?

When any clips or full songs leak onto the internet I'll be the first guy to ask you fine people to provide me with a link so I can view/hear it. When the album is released in stores, I'll be the first guy in line at HMV to buy my copy.

[The Heron Outside]

When any clips or full songs leak onto the internet I'll be the first guy to ask you fine people to provide me with a link so I can view/hear it. When the album is released in stores, I'll be the first guy in line at HMV to buy my copy.

I'll go one further in this debate; all this talk of how noble it is not to download or to buy a copy of the record when its released is kind of moot unless you're buying from local, independent record stores. These guys actually care about the product on the shelves instead of HMV, who'll stock whatever's cool that week.

The next time a Hip record comes out, do a little research, stay out of the mall and go check out your local record store. Buying from joints like them ensures that smaller bands which The Hip love, (Joel Plaskett, Sam Roberts, etc.) have a home.

[mojo_mattv]

When any clips or full songs leak onto the internet I'll be the first guy to ask you fine people to provide me with a link so I can view/hear it. When the album is released in stores, I'll be the first guy in line at HMV to buy my copy.

I'll go one further in this debate; all this talk of how noble it is not to download or to buy a copy of the record when its released is kind of moot unless you're buying from local, independent record stores. These guys actually care about the product on the shelves instead of HMV, who'll stock whatever's cool that week.

The next time a Hip record comes out, do a little research, stay out of the mall and go check out your local record store. Buying from joints like them ensures that smaller bands which The Hip love, (Joel Plaskett, Sam Roberts, etc.) have a home.

Sam Roberts Band have not been a "small" band for some years now. Joel Plaskett, maybe, not SRB though. Last time I saw the hip playing with a genuinely "small" band was when they had Attack in Black open Belleville a couple of years back.

[The Heron Outside]

When any clips or full songs leak onto the internet I'll be the first guy to ask you fine people to provide me with a link so I can view/hear it. When the album is released in stores, I'll be the first guy in line at HMV to buy my copy.

I'll go one further in this debate; all this talk of how noble it is not to download or to buy a copy of the record when its released is kind of moot unless you're buying from local, independent record stores. These guys actually care about the product on the shelves instead of HMV, who'll stock whatever's cool that week.

The next time a Hip record comes out, do a little research, stay out of the mall and go check out your local record store. Buying from joints like them ensures that smaller bands which The Hip love, (Joel Plaskett, Sam Roberts, etc.) have a home.

Sam Roberts Band have not been a "small" band for some years now. Joel Plaskett, maybe, not SRB though. Last time I saw the hip playing with a genuinely "small" band was when they had Attack in Black open Belleville a couple of years back.

Yea, fine. But yer missing my point. What about when SRB opened for The Hip in 2002, with only an EP to their name? They were a small band back then, and didn't receive the front-rack support from places like HMV. Instead, indie stores allowed Sam to play in-stores, promoting the record.

Before places like HMV marginalize the music selection available for the customer, why not support record stores that offer a variety of genres and options?

[mojo_mattv]

I'll go one further in this debate; all this talk of how noble it is not to download or to buy a copy of the record when its released is kind of moot unless you're buying from local, independent record stores. These guys actually care about the product on the shelves instead of HMV, who'll stock whatever's cool that week.

The next time a Hip record comes out, do a little research, stay out of the mall and go check out your local record store. Buying from joints like them ensures that smaller bands which The Hip love, (Joel Plaskett, Sam Roberts, etc.) have a home.

Sam Roberts Band have not been a "small" band for some years now. Joel Plaskett, maybe, not SRB though. Last time I saw the hip playing with a genuinely "small" band was when they had Attack in Black open Belleville a couple of years back.

Yea, fine. But yer missing my point. What about when SRB opened for The Hip in 2002, with only an EP to their name? They were a small band back then, and didn't receive the front-rack support from places like HMV. Instead, indie stores allowed Sam to play in-stores, promoting the record.

Before places like HMV marginalize the music selection available for the customer, why not support record stores that offer a variety of genres and options?

Sorry, I should clarify that I agree with you, I guess I was just feeling "bitchy" when I wrote that.

[direwolf74]

Ok, so aside from the ongoing "to download or not to download" debate, does anybody have any actual news on the new album?

[sean.bonner]

Ok, so aside from the ongoing "to download or not to download" debate, does anybody have any actual news on the new album?

I think its ok to download leaks if you're going to buy the album (I don't think that's been argued yet...)