I've been wondering, if sites like this or Hoffman didn't exist, would you buy less music?

I know I wouldn't know half the stuff that comes out if it wasn't for these music forums and the Web.

Its all a bit like crack cocaine. You can't help yourself.

Good question. Let me repeat a story I'd posted in the old ICE forum before y'all migrated to IMWAN. In the early '00s I tried to keep track of what the ICE forum had both saved me and cost me over the course of a year ... money I saved on music purchases I didn't make because of the info being posted (poor sound, poor track selection, wrong mixes, crap packaging, etc) and purchases I did make because of the info being posted (bands and pressings I wouldn't have been aware of otherwise). It actually came out close to even! I like to believe that the overall quality of my collection was much improved, though.

I hadn't bought any new music for awhile.
then made some posts in ICE,
and then bought two albums.

So... yes.

With the demise of ICE Magazine, as well as damn-near every worthwhile music publication, this forum has become a godsend for me. It's become my main source of info for releases of new music, as well as reissues. While I have tried to continue to buy music at a steady clip, it's become more difficult for reasons which we're all quite familiar with: closings of retail music stores such as Tower and HMV - as well as downsizing of music sections of Barnes and Noble, Borders, Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, etc.

While the independent music store in my area still seems to be thriving, I'm bracing myself for the day (which is hopefully years away) when this store announces that it can't cut it anymore.

Yes, I have begun buying CDs from online sources such as Amazon, but this approach obviously involves a waiting period.

While Downloading is still a dirty word in my vocabulary, if it becomes the only option, I may try it under the condition that I can then burn the music on to my own home-made CDRs.

So, yes, music forums absolutely give me the music-buying urge.

IAWTP. I was a serious music buyer long before I discovered the original ICE bulletin board back in 1996, but the information I find here -- and on the web in general -- has allowed me to make more intelligent, informed purchases. Not to mention all the discounts we notify each other about, saving us mucho dinero!

I'm like Ven. Besides, I'm convinced that I was pre-programmed from an early age to be a big buyer of music to begin with.

Buy more? I'm not so sure, as I also have the same disposition to collect music. However, I definately have been exposed to bands and releases which I might not have normally passed on (or simply did not know existed) if not for the enthusiasm of other posters...
From Federico's recommendation of Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings
to this week's discuss of The Sword...
so I thank (curse?) this forum!

I think I buy less. A few years back, there were many more potential impulse purchases out there on the shelves--so it's not ICE's fault, necessarily--but at the same time, I like being tipped off in advance as to exactly what I'm getting for my $$$. This especially holds true for music DVD's--I would have automatically picked up that "Amazing Journey" set by the Who,last year, for example, if the good people of the internet hadn't tipped me off as to its exact contents. Or the new "Shine A Light" set from this week--I would have bought that Tuesday or yesterday if this forum hadn't tipped me off to the forthcoming Japanese version.

I think it may have ticked up a bit because it reminds me of how much great music I don't have. But I'd probably have to be making a lot more money for anything to make a big difference!

The premise is flawed--I don't think it's scientifically possible for me to buy more music.

I only have so much I can spend on music, but overall I think I do buy a bit more since I've been on this board. I know there have been a couple of times I've complained about certain tracks not being available on CD only to find out from my fellow Icers that they could be had on this or that compilation - so those are purchases I otherwise wouldn't have made.

I certainly buy more because of this forum. Not only do I learn about bands and releases that I would ordinarily miss but the enthusiasm for even well-publicized releases can be contagious and cause me to reconsider music I might have passed on if I just read about it in a review or an ad.

Kind of like when I was talking about the CCR DVD with you last night on the phone, eh?

Yes, I had already decided to pass on it and you made me think twice.

On n'a jamais assez des disques!

I have no idea what you just said, but ooh la la!!

That literally made me laugh out loud! How'd you remember that?!?!

The forums can create a feeding frenzy. Discs that you'd never consider become something you must have because everyone seems to want one too.

Like that Who vinyl release. People are buying it who don't even have a turntable!

I'm a librarian.