Here's the article:

http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=46980_0_2_0_C

I think it's just natural that this happens, and this will take the music business to evolve in unexpected directions imo, looking forward for that.

I just read the topic about replacing books by e books and now this one... cds by mp3 downloads... the world is changing!
I sincerely don't use cds nowadays.. I love the format, the artwork but when it comes to hear music I prefer to play it from my computer and it's easier to open an mp3 file than putting a cd on the player.

Oh bum !!

End of an era..

Since I use iTunes a lot and didn't buy a CD in years! (except it came with a DVD) it is not a really big shock for me.
I can't believe books are gonna be abandoned for good, I love buying books and I never throiw a book away, they are all stored in my living room on a bunch of bookshelves. Come to think of it, many of my friends do the same thing with CDs...maybe the industry should keep the CD. Imagine, how are we guys supposed to decorate our cribs? With girlish stuff like flowers, candles and such? The news is worse than I thought at first...

yeah, it's a mix of melancholy and excitement....

It's ok.. more room for all the skulls, swords and nude sculptures !

I haven't even thought about nude sculptures for my flat yet...gotta go shopping tomorrow!

I won't miss CDs, I'm all digital these days

Good! About time! Now CD's prices will start to go up for collectors

I doubt that they will soon realize that, but let us wait, time will tell

I haven't used CDs in ages! I guess since I moved to mac in 2008. Not even for software installs. Good things its gone.. Its such a waste material.

Currently working on building the digipack download platform for the Voodoo album we'll have 1000 pieces printed and we'll see which one goes better!

Have to say that the article looks more like journalistic speculation than anything. It's very noticeable that it lacks any quotes from anyone at a major label.

If (and I think it's a big if) it's right then digital download (re)distribution needs a common platform with industry standards akin to Redbook for CDA. That means a much better audio quality format than mp3 and other lossy formats and one that can carry fully enbedded ISRC and DRM.

Very good point Tony. If retirement of CD's is really going to happen, then it doesn't look like the music industry is prepared to offer the real alternative just yet. Didn't think of that

Wise words from Tony, I agree. Never thought of some of the important things that should be set before making this happen. I hope major labels are thinking about this. CDs are really becoming impractical.

Zero excitement, 100 percent frustration.