MP3: The New 45 RPM Single

As much as I love rock 'n' roll and it's ongoing ability to push the pop envelope, I admit to having a very strong preference for artists whose music is song-oriented. Even though jam bands, prog rock groups, and other types of improvisational musicians may have better technical chops, their lack of a song-oriented focus does not hold my interest particularly well.

That being the case, I have always held a special place in my heart for artists who are "singles-oriented. " My terminal adolescent is probably showing when I admit my love for that obsolete piece of musical technology, the 45 RPM single.

Of course, the "45" was the method through which I enjoyed many groups on a song-by-song basis. It was a cheap and easy way to sample new artists without committing to the expense (and potential disappointment) of buying a whole LP.

Then came that day in the late eighties when the "45" was no more. Sure, we could still buy hit songs (and a b-side or two) in the form of an oddity called a "cassingle." However, at $3.00 a pop, it never seemed like money well-spent, as compared to less than a buck for a seven-inch vinyl. Of course, cassettes also had the disadvantage of moving parts that wore out rather quickly, as compared to a single, which was nothing more than a solid slab of material that lasted, seemingly, forever.

Now, with the Compact Disc, we can enjoy up to 74 minutes of music for the "bargain" price of $18.99. As much as I love the simplicity of their technology, CD's, for me, are not a good buy. First, it is difficult to take a chance on unknown artists when nearly 20 bucks are at stake, versus merely a fin for an LP. Secondly, bands feel compelled to pack these releases to capacity. Unfortunately, this generally means that a new release often has 18, 19, or 20 songs, but only half are truly memorable. I really miss the days when the limitations of vinyl cutting forced artists to self-edit, and give us only their 10 or 12 best songs.

Seeing how I like to sample new artists without the risk of being burned by a full-length release that consists of one cool single and 15 stinkers, I really and truly miss the 45. However, the MP3 has become something of a modern single. I can download as many as I like for about a dollar apiece. I can still fill my iPod with a decent library without being stuck with several dozen 5 inch coasters cluttering my home.