Record Store Day Question

[Unsanity]

I think everyone should be into records but I'm glad they are not. More for me!

[bekessler]

Yeah, either way, this event sort of underlines how physical media has largely become the province of serious fetishists. Hard for me to come to terms with, since I used to be such a record store junkie, but true.

When do you claim this turning point to be?  Record stores (those that sold vinyl) have catered to these people, me included, for at least the last 15-20 years.

[Justin Tonation]

Yeah, either way, this event sort of underlines how physical media has largely become the province of serious fetishists. Hard for me to come to terms with, since I used to be such a record store junkie, but true.

When do you claim this turning point to be?  Record stores (those that sold vinyl) have catered to these people, me included, for at least the last 15-20 years.

I'm pretty sure it's been longer than 20 years.

[Brian_Wallace]

I still think that if they really want a younger generation to go to record stores and appreciate vinyl they have to release new and/or unreleased MUSIC not just 1,000 copies of an old single on pink vinyl.  80% of this is for fetishists.  Don't collect books, read books.  Don't collect vintage guitars or cars.  Play or drive.  That's something baby boomers introduced and the following generations just followed along like sheep.  I think Philadelphia magazine said it best:




It's lame enough to collect action figures.  But to never take them out of the packaging...

ANYHOW, looking over the two lists, the UK has a FAR better list of Record Store Day stuff.  They have the right idea.  They even had a brand new Blur song last year that the U.S. didn't.

Compare this two lists and tell me which one is cooler:

US:

http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases

UK:

http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/exclusive-product.aspx

I just glancing at it, the U.K. gets: Arctic Monkeys, Badly Drawn Boy, Beastie Boys, Beck/Bat for Lashes split single, Bob Dylan (Tings Tings remix), Broken Bells, Charlotte Gainsbourg/Villigers split single, Danger Mouse split single, Echo & The Bunnymen, Franz Ferdinand covers EP, Hercules & Love Affair, Interpol, Nada Surf, New Order/Joy Division, Primal Scream, Queen (actually unreleased material in UK, previously released in US.), St. Etienne, Suede, The Clash, The Smiths, The White Stripes, Tracy Thorn, etc.

The U.S. gets NONE of those.

Brian

[Jaguar]

First off, I fully agree with you on your US vs. UK Record Store Day contributions.

Secondly, I'm absolutely horrified by you, Brian, and others with your psycho eugenics minded attitude towards older people! I wonder how willing you will be to march off to the furnaces once you reach the ripe old age of 26?

Thirdly, collecting was not started by Baby Boomers. It was going on before we were even born.

Finally, I think at least half of those musicians on your UK list that you claimed to be better (and it probably is) are.... BABY BOOMERS!!!!! Wipe them out and it's a much less impressive list.

[StoneTheCrow]

Probably just me but I'm not impressed by the UK list at all.  Mostly retreads.  Who cares?

Agree wholeheartedly that this limited edition, one-day-only, crap really doesn't help generate the kind of buzz that record stores really need.  And some of the stuff that's being released that day has been made available in advance (Off!, for example).  So, again, who cares?

If people want to collect that stuff that's fine, I guess.

[tobyd]

I'm hoping to get a copy of the new Built to Spill 45 covering Ripple among other things.  Probably end up having to try eBay or Discogs for that.  If you relax and hit the stores in the afternoon the lines are gone and its just a nice fun day at the office.  I'll probably try and hit CD Cellar in Arlington and then work my way up to Joe's.  I don't need an excuse to buy records but I'll take it!

[Justin Tonation]

40 Sad Portraits Of Closed Record Stores

[bearman🐻]

I miss Orpheus. Also used to buy stuff at Rose Records and Rock Records in Chicago back in the day.

[kosmo vinyl]

add to that list the other Record Time store that just close in the Detroit Area, which was my favorite record store in the world and also where I earned my nickname...

[StoneTheCrow]

   That was depressing.

[serpent boy]

Interesting read about how Record Store Day might be bad for music:
http://www.knoxroad.com/2011/04/11/record-store-day-could-it-actually-be-bad-for-music/

[killsaly]

Interesting read about how Record Store Day might be bad for music:
http://www.knoxroad.com/2011/04/11/record-store-day-could-it-actually-be-bad-for-music/

Not to mention the fact that a real collector wouldnt leave their house on record store day.  5000 copies of anything isnt that exclusive.  A real collector would just grab the mp3s of the 5000 copy Flaming Lips release off the internet, and use their money for something like this:

These copies are without the proper jackets, but come with custom-painted jackets by the band and Friends Records. No two are alike, and there are only 15 of them in the whole wide world.

(*I got #6 of 16, double score on the typo in the numbering)


Heck every witch house release has been of runs of small numbers, all "instant collectors items".  Dont you want to own one of the only copies of Mater Suspiria Vision's latest opus, limited run of 75?

This record store day business seems like a last effect by the big labels (i see a few on the sponsor side, so pardon if there are also a ton of indies that i didnt notice) to make money off physical products.  I mean AC/DC live two track? (And i know its to save real record stores, but the article linked above made it sound horrid to be the retailer in this for one day of ok payout.)

I hope everyone knows Im being semi serious.  I dont collect too many things, but I have a few small run vinyls of bands that i love, a few tour posters, and some other things, so I get it. But to me, anything in the 1000s isnt limited and If i was giving Flaming Lips money, seeing them live or getting a tour poster, whose numbers would be pretty small, would be a better way to collect something cool from them.

(*I know Weekends isnt that famous, nor may never be, but you never know... I still got a one of a kind piece of art for my collection)

[Bombay Chutney]

40 Sad Portraits Of Closed Record Stores

Bummer.   I bought tons of stuff and spent many, many hours in Arboria Records (#11 - although it was at a different location when I was there).

[Got Haggis?]

the line at Soundgarden in Fells Point has gotten longer every year....I suspect the same will be this year.  Last year I think we got there 30 mins before opening and there were probably 50 people in front of us