WHERE MUSIC LISTENS TO YOU
Me and the Horse I Rode In On
Me and the Horse I Rode I...
Add To My Trusted Moggers

The record store as we know it..........is it strange that they're going out of business?

Posted over 2 years ago
I visited one of the local indie record stores today. From all the mog-fuzz I thought that the new Modest Mouse album had been released. I went to the counter and asked for it. The guy hard looked up. Said "Modest Mouse....don't know......hey...has the new Modest Mouse album been released".......another guy behind the counter: "no". Me: "Can you tell when it'll be out".........the guy: (hesitating.......checking his computer) "march 20).......(not looking at me). I leave.I thought about this. Where I live this happens almost every time. I guess it's international.....like the "High Fidelity" movie. Being arrogant about knowing stuff about music. Bitter that they're only selling the records and not making them.I truly wonder. I was the perfect target. Apparantly I had chosen to spend some money on an album. I requested a great album. I showed interest. Had the guy said "sorry man...the album is not out yet but I just got this great album that you need to hear. It's amazing. If you like Modest Mouse you'll love this......" and so on and so on and so on. If the guy had done that I would have left the store with an album. Not the Modest Mouse album but probably an album I didn't know about....maybe a great album. But no. Why even bother going?Friends of this mog-world. Please tell me that you know a record store where people are trying to introduce and sell some great music. List you favorite record store.....tell us why it is so great. Let's make a list to acknowledge the few great ones trying to keep the music alive. We'll end up with a list of "mog-approved record stores" around the world.I can only give you one. It's actually a hip hop store, but since it's so good I order all my rock albums there and even get a nice discount on every purchase.Blackout, Copenhagen, Denmark.
1

Comments (22)

  1. Kate
    Kate says Here are a couple: -End of an Ear, Austin, TX: tiny store with a very select amount of vinyl and cd's. The pefect size place to go browse when don't know what you want. -The Funky Soul Stop, Oakland, CA. Also tiny, selling used vinyl. Superior selection of out-there jazz and funk. I found Alice Coltrane, Gabor Szabo and Larry Coryell albums in abundance there.
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  2. Hmmm
    Hmmm says I don't even know of a record store here other than tower records and best buy...
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  3. j anne photography
    j anne photography says grand palace -murfreesboro, tn- esp. for vinyl and a few random music facts that go over my head from bawston sean. Cat's records- murfreesboro - they were great in helping me hunt down the sufjan stevens box set last decemeber when i couldn't find it anywhere. not all cats are created equal, btw. this one's pretty sweet tho.
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  4. kristiana
    kristiana says My local independent, Backstreet Records, has been in business since 1988, and the same guy has been working there since I first started going there, which was 1990 maybe? Not too shabby huh? Always with the good recommendations, and still ordering in quality vinyl. I don't go there as much as I should these days. Shame on me. Funny side note: when I moved back after 6 years away, and finally went into Backstreet and bought some stuff, Eric (the guy) rifled through a bunch of index cards and found mine which still had credit of about $2.00 on it. No shit. I laughed my ass off.
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  5. etcvisitor
    etcvisitor says im going to have to agree with j anne and say grand palace in murfreesboro TN is the tops... they even have a mog account. they are one of the few record stores that i know that takes an active role attempting to introduce new music to people through pod casts and posting information online in blogs etc. they realize that if they can get you to listen to a band and if you then like the band, you might *gasp* SPEND MONEY ON THAT RECORD. its a really good business model, they know that they sell records that you might not know about, so they want to give you a chance to hear it and learn about some other stuff... everybody wins. also, grimey's in nashville TN is awesome. live shows in their basement venue which is appropriately titled the basement. great CD and vinyl selection, if you are into deep digging i garauntee you wont walk out of there without spending atleast $100 on really hard to find awesome records.
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  6. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says Two great places in Minneapolis would have to be Cheepo Records, and Electric Fetus. Both have staff that will work with you, and not against you. We had a place like that here called Let It Be records, it was like you had to own a special card just to ask a question. They closed down a few years ago, no surprise to me.
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  7. chucky
    chucky says Sadly, I have no stories. There are no record stores here anymore (that I know of) except Borders and Best Buy. I do remember, though, working at an indie record store back in my late teens. I was all about showing people stuff. That was the best part of the job.
    Permalink posted 03/01/2007
  8. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Kristiana: How did you spend the $2? Chucky: The record stores of the world have lost your talent. Now only suckers are left. Rawkiddo: "Let It Be" records sounds like a place that needs to get shut down. What's next "Hey Jude Records"? "I Want To Hold Your Hand......In My One Hand And Hold My Records In The Other....Records". Kate and ETCvisitor: One of the guys running the records store I recommended is actually from Jackson, TN. Same old story. He met a danish girl.....moved here......got kids......got divorced.......and now he's stuck.
    Permalink posted 03/02/2007
  9. Anna
    Anna says My favourite one is called Stereodisc. The owners are very friendly and willing to help and recommend new music, and you can find all sorts of rare CDs there. It's nice. That aside, I don't take shit from anyone. Whenever I experience something like what you described up there, I bury the guy (though it's usually girls working in shops that sell clothes) 6 feet under using words. Verbal violence rules ;)
    Permalink posted 03/03/2007
  10. Joy
    Joy says I second that End of an Ear in Austin, TX is good. another awesome one is Good Records, Dallas TX - They have an awesome weekly email newsletter about records coming out and an online store if you're not in Dallas. http://www.goodrecords.com/ If you ARE in Dallas, they have awesome listening centers and are always helpful. I highly recommend this place. It's locally owned and operated and they put on awesome free in-store performances with free food and beer. check it out...
    Permalink posted 03/05/2007
  11. ookpik
    ookpik says In Victoria BC: Ditch Records is top notch as an all-round indie store. Roger's Jukebox has its uses for cheap vinyl classics, as does Turntable sometimes. Boomtown is sort of the opposite of a snobby indie shop-- my friendly friend works there, but they only stock techno and it's always sold out. In Nanaimo BC: Fascinating Rhythm is a great place to get vinyl. It's huge! And cheap! But you know, even crummy music stores have their uses. A few years ago I traded in a dumb Jane's Addiction bootleg CD for almost $50 at our local stuck-in-the-grunge-era used CD place, where I hate shopping. My friend just tracked down an out of print jazz album on short notice by phoning all the local used CD shops. My standard under-five-dollar gift exchange gift is a $4.99 Greatest Hits of whoever from A&B Sound (Canadian chain). Diversity breeds strength! Cheers to specialty value!
    Permalink posted 03/05/2007
  12. gakker
    gakker says Stinkweeds in Phoenix, AZ.... They were my Mog before Mog was around...and I can still count on finding some cool stuff every time I go in. Staff is knowledgable, friendly, and never "too hip" to help little ol' me - and I assume anyone else.... They're great at doing the "If you like this...you'll like this" thing, and will open up any CD and pop it in over the store sound system. They also have several listening stations...and they're actually full of non-mainstream music! Only had one "bad" experience there...recently I went in and said to the clerk "I want something new...my taste is all over the place, but lately I've really been into Architecture in Helsinki..." He recommended Arcade Fire....wtf? Well, at the time I hadn't heard of them so he popped it in...I said "Oh...this would be the OPPOSITE of the music I like..." So he said well maybe you'd like Thom Yorke....again, hadn't heard of him, so gave it a listen....not for me. We continued through about 5 or 6 other artists....and to me, they all sounded like the same guy with five different side projects... I don't know what this guy's problem was, but for the most part...Stinkweeds Rocks!
    Permalink posted 03/05/2007
  13. frankie-fake
    frankie-fake says waterloo rec. and end of an ear in austin, tx for sure... best part about waterloo is that you can ask to open anything in the store and preview it for free... if you don't like it, you don't have to buy it. great selection and usually great service.
    Permalink posted 03/05/2007
  14. Wahiawa786
    Wahiawa786 says Indie shops in Hawai'i come and go, but Jelly's (The original, run by Norm Winter) rolls on as a comic/used book/poster/used & new music CDs/Laserdisc/DVD/VHS conglomerate. When I can't find it at Borders or Borders Express, it might be at Jelly's. Or, better yet, there's something far more interesting that what I was looking for! (Hmm, Ozomatli? Lionel Hampton's "Mostly Blue" on MHS? Pat Metheny's "Secret Storm"?) Now if Norm would only try his hand at listener-programmed radio again...
    Permalink posted 03/05/2007
  15. dustfinger1210
    dustfinger1210 says In Seattle, WA- There used to be a very good Tower Records somewhere in Seattle, but sadly it no longer exists, replaced with a Silver Platters. Now, Silver Platters isn't bad, they've got import singles and whatnot, but they probably were sent in ages before someone who would have been interested came in and more wouldn't come in. A few weeks ago I finally managed to get to Easy Street Records, and I can now say I have a favorite music store. I was honestly only after one CD at that time, but I ended up leaving with a few more. I managed to get ahold of a single from an artist whose full length LP had not yet been released in the US for 99 cents, and at present am playing it near to death. If you some time pay a visit to Seattle, search out Easy Street Records. They actually have music there and you very well could catch a band doing an in store performance.
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  16. joemeyer
    joemeyer says I work for one: www.ltcds.com, Looney Tunes in West Babylon, New York. Been around 30 years, started by the father, and now run by his sons. Indie record store all the way. Always playing new stuff, always looking to turn people on to new music. In store performances, exclusive music to indie stores. A bunch of listening stations, free giveaways and DVDs, tee shirts, and other great rock merchandise.
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  17. jnif
    jnif says NYC - Future Legend on 9th Ave btwn 53rd & 54th Sts. Hands down, the best record/cd shop in Manhattan. The staff, Greta and Paul, know their stuff. They have a wonderful selection of new and used cds and some vinyl too. If they don't have it, they'll order it for you. Cash only, but their prices are great. I also love going to Kim's on St. Marks Place to go through the used cds. I always walk out of there with no less than 5 cds I never knew I needed. Long live the record store! :j
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  18. jnif
    jnif says NYC - Future Legend on 9th Ave btwn 53rd & 54th Sts. Hands down, the best record/cd shop in Manhattan. The staff, Greta and Paul, know their stuff. They have a wonderful selection of new and used cds and some vinyl too. If they don't have it, they'll order it for you. Cash only, but their prices are great. I also love going to Kim's on St. Marks Place to go through the used cds. I always walk out of there with no less than 5 cds I never knew I needed. Long live the record store! :j
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  19. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says I am extremely jealous!!! Thanks for mentioning all these great places.
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  20. fool on da loose
    fool on da loose says On the West Coast....Amoeba Records in LA/SF/Berkley. If ever in any of these cities, a visit is a must.
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  21. lorcan
    lorcan says "Road Records":http://www.roadrecs.com Dave and Julie of Road Records are thanked in the liner notes of about half the Irish independent albums I own... and deservedly so. They also sell tickets to shows (striking an important blow against Ticketmaster) and even release their own vinyl.
    Permalink posted 03/06/2007
  22. consciouslyinsane
    consciouslyinsane says My Favourite record store is shutting down =( It was the largest second hand record store in Britain and it was the only decent thing about the hole that is Croydon, South London. Other than The Cartoon, which has also been closed down. So if you're down here for some reason (perhaps to see the place with the highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe) check it out. Other than that, there are a couple in camden - All Ages on Pratt Street is good for punk though kinda tiny. Anyone know some over here?
    Permalink posted 03/07/2007

Comment on this Post

Login using email and password below.

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account?
Join MOG. It's Free!

Top Artist Radio

Top Albums

Top Songs

Top Artists From A to Z

Our Daily Picks

RSS

Featured Playlists

All Featured Playlists

© 2006-2010 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved