Volume CXXXII, Number 12 January 24, 2003 f

Life after Napster
MACAELA FLANAGAN
COLUMNIST

1. Make a list. Sit down and think of all those CDs you've wanted for so long and for some reason haven't gotten around to purchasing. What feeling is worse than thinking, "I'm really in the mood for (insert much loved band name here), too bad I didn't think to buy it." You rummage through your CD collection hoping for something to satisfy your urge, but it's hopeless. You get pissed and cranky and sulk for the rest of the night. The album now sits at the top of your list.

2. Edit your collection. Haven't listened to it in years? Then put it in the Bull Moose pile. They buy your old Whitney Houston's, and you get money to buy The Liars-more than a fair deal.

3. Share. Introduce people in your house or dorm to your music. There are several possible benefits to this gratuity. Firstly, they might get hooked on music you really like. Then, when you visit them, you can relax instead of feeling like you need half a bottle of Advil from hearing too much Nelly. Another benefit of sharing might be that they have a secret to let you onto as well. There is more music being made in the world than can be imagined-how much do you think actually makes its way to every Bowdoin student? It's a shame.

4. Use your computer. If money doesn't grow on trees for you, steps four and five provide wonderful alternatives. Not only does downloading music save you cash, it also lets you listen to a band before you fork over the fiftenn bucks. Take a break from your papers, surf indie label websites and give their bands a listen.

5. Set radio to WBOR. Unless you like junior high pop or country, Maine radio stations are slim pickings. Never fear, WBOR is right here. Some of Bowdoin's biggest music fans share their knowledge and music that you're not going to hear on Clear Channel stations. Not to mention, if you're not into the fusion jazz you hear when you turn BOR on, just wait an hour and it might be followed by hip hop, or drum and bass, or Australian indie rock, or… Ah, something for everyone.

6. See live music! Granted seeing a live band in Brunswick means three bald men playing Springsteen covers, but Portland and Boston aren't all far away. Checkout the listings, find a show, recruit musical friend(s), go.

7. Splurge. I realize this is not the most economically conservative of suggestions, especially after coughing up $300 for books. But forgo dinner out with friends and buy music. You can either buy the album you listed in step number 1, or, for the more daring Bowdoin student, surprise yourself. Take a suggestion from a reliable friend, or a trusted magazine, and buy a band's album you know nothing (or very little) about. What's the worst that could happen? You could hate it and be out of a little cash. But maybe you'd find a new love… What a rush.

8. Open up. While all of these steps are to enhance your musical collection, expanding musical horizons is also crucial. If you're a folk fan, listen to some rap. If you're a punk fan, check out some gospel. No one says you have to like it, but at least you can say you tried.

Resolutions always seem to be about adding something new to your life, or taking something out completely, this way you can just enhance what's already prevalent. Now you'll have an album for every occasion and, finally, a resolution you actually kept. Come December, maybe you'll still smoke a pack a day and be a C student, but just think of all the musical prowess you'll have gained.

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