Are record shops worth saving?
Recently, independent music retailers in the US organized a national Record Store Day, complete with in-store freebies and exclusive releases from dozens of bands who want to see these business survive. As someone who spent two of the best years of my youth working at an independent record store, I have a nostalgic attachment to these mom-and-pop shops. I don't know if I was motivated more by sentimentality or pity, but I felt an obligation to honor the spirit of the day and visit my local music store. The shop was ripped right out of High Fidelity, and contained all the requisite elements for an indie music store: aloof, yet knowledgeable staff; equal ratios of vinyl and CDs; postered walls; a selection of local music; and a lazy pet cat. But nostalgia aside, I couldn't shake the reality that stores like this can't last much longer. It's a shame, because some aspects of shopping in a record store haven't (or can't) translate into the world of online music. I'm not delusional enough to think that everyone should go back to buying CDs or LPs, but at the same time, my gut tells me that music consumers (and our culture in general) may realize all too late that there's something worth preserving about today's endangered music shops. Billy Corgan talks about why he loves his local record shop. What's worth savingArguing in defense of record shops, here are five things I think the best brick-and-mortar music retailers get right.Rock 'n' roll ambience (Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks) The community aspect also comes into play. I've yet to see a music store that isn't plastered with flyers for local shows. Especially in small towns, music stores often act as a vital hub for the community's live music scene. Inviting exploration (Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks) In my experience, if a shop is doing its job right and stocking the shelves with great music, the act of exploring and browsing is tremendously more satisfying offline than online. Even if you don't walk away with the music you came for, the exploratory part of shopping and discovering is different, more memorable, more of an experience. Mixing formats (Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks) Just last month, I spent US$5 on eBay for the Moog synthesizer rendition of the Star Wars soundtrack... an eight-track cassette. For me, music comes in all shapes and sizes, and I appreciate that many independent music retailers still reflect music's legacy of mixed formats. Used music (Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks) I consider it one of the least appreciated swindles of the 21st century that we're still paying new CD prices (US$12-$15) for music with lower fidelity and no resale value. Without old CDs to sell back to record stores, I probably would have starved in my early twenties. CollectiblesPromos, schwag, posters, limited edition vinyl, box sets, T-shirts, stickers, patches, bands have always offered dozens of ways to consume their brands and their music.  (Credit: Moog Music) When you really love a band, weaving them into the fabric of your life requires more than a download on your iPod. Mom-and-pops seem to get this better than online retailers. In the extreme, you've got mall chains like Hot Topic, who put the collectible merchandise ahead of the music itself. What'd I miss?So, now you know what I'd miss if music stores vanished from the face of the earth. What about you? I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets a little sentimental about this stuff, so add your two cents in the comments section.This article was first published on our sister site CNET.com. References made to some other products in this feature may not be available or applicable in Asia. Tags: Apple iPod, online retail company, music retailer, Music, HMV |
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