I was thinking last night that I haven't really bought many CDs lately. I guess it's partly because (IMHO) the music scene is going through one of those downturns during which it doesn't produce much that I actually like. Or perhaps it's just that I'm finally getting older and my ability to adopt new music has atrophied: in twenty years I'll still be listening to my old Nine Inch Nails CDs, muttering "In my day, music meant something!"
Popular music has about reached the point today as it was in the late 80's: so over-manufactured that it's due to be torn apart and be recycled a decade later as embarrassing retro. Except I can't think what will tear it apart this time: the last two times it was some variant on Punk, and Punk is as much a packaged commodity these days as any other genre.
Then, during my lunch break, I went down to the local record store to pick up the new A Perfect Circle CD. Except I didn't, because the damn thing was copy controlled, and thus no use to me at all.
"Ah", I thought. "Now I remember why I haven't been buying as many CDs lately."
At least you have taste. :)
I think the fact that I haven't been exposed much to copy-controlled CDs has to do with the fact that I don't listen to much new music; it's stuff at least five years old. And it's all legally on my iPod. I wouldn't touch a CD I couldn't listen to on my iPod.
I admire your moral strength for not buying the CD, but I'd like to actually listen to the new APC disc.
I have a different method of dealing with the problem. The latest Ben Harper CD was also copy-controlled by EMI, but I bought it anyway because I'd just been to the concert. I circumvented the copy-protection and put it into my music collection, and then I took the CD back to the store and complained about the copy-protection and got my money back.
To make sure that my karma came back to normal I then donated the $25 to charity. Problem solved! :)
Everytime I start get depressed about the state of popular music, something comes along and shakes me out of the doldrums. In the "rock" genre alone there have been fantastic albums in the last year or two by Queens of the Stone Age, the White Stripes and Radiohead. I also find as I get older my musical tastes are getting broader if anything - I have recently gotten into Aussie Hip Hop and the new albums by the Herd and Downsyde are fantastic (although the Downsyde album would annoy you because it is copy controlled - although I find this less annoying from a new band like these guys trying to make a start than from an established act who have already made squillions, particularly as it is likely a record company rather than a band decision).
I bought the "A Perfect Circle" today. I have found with all copy controlled CDs when you press Shift and bypass the initial program from setting up the TSR program does not reside in the background.
Easy Solution to all Copy Protected CD's
Press Shift when entering the CD the first time - importante....
Then use Musicmatch to rip the anus out of it....
Ready to be transferred to the iPOD....
Worked for all the 4 copy controlled CDs I own.
Velvet Revolver, Asian Dub Foundation, A perfect Circle, Melissa Auf Der Maur.
I know the info is sterile but probably somebody may find some use for it......
Can someone tell me how I can play Copy Controlled cd's on my PC ?
I just purchased "Fountains Of Wayne" cd and it wont play on my PC.