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Thread: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

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    Default I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Does anyone else still like to go to the actual record store to purchase their music? I know it is the outdated way to do things but I really enjoy going out and buying a new CD at my local Independent Records as opposed to downloading it online.

    I like talking to the weird guy that works at the counter and laughing as everyone tries to sneak a peek at what other people are buying. I like flipping through the used CD’s and seeing all the bad music of yesteryear. Then there are always the amusing people who like to totally rock out as they listen to music at the headphone stations.

    It will be a very sad day when kids no longer have a need for the record store . I mean every now and again it is very convenient to download music...but the experience is just not the same for me.
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Record stores were very important to me but it's amazing how I don't miss them. Kind of makes me feel like a bad human being.

    By the way, iTunes killed them? Fat chance! I hardly think it's the *paid* downloading that's hurt them!

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I remember when I had dozens of choices in record stores. Now, we only have a couple. I still like to buy the physical medium and just upload to my computer.

    I don't think online pay or free sites are to blame, the majority of blame is the record companies wanting to do things the olden ways, and putting out substandard music. I only recently began buying 'new' music in the last couple years, but most cd's coming out only have one good song (OK, one ended up having 3, I found out).

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    Featured Member Ava Jadore's Avatar
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Quote Originally Posted by Susan Wayward View Post
    By the way, iTunes killed them? Fat chance! I hardly think it's the *paid* downloading that's hurt them!
    Very true...but I thought "I-tunes" sounded more catchy !
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Fair enough. I feel no sorrow for the labels -- they gouged consumers thoroughly with their CD prices for years -- but it is sad to see cool local record stores that serve as community and scene hubs go away. Back in the olden days, before you could look everything up on the internet, the local cool record store would be the first place I would go in a new city to find out about what was going on. I once spent part of a night sleeping in one in Kansas, and have many many fond memories stemming from the Austin and Houston Sound Exchanges, Shangri-La in Memphis, and Wax'n'Facts in Atlanta.

    Anyhow. Strangely enough some still persist, I suspect by diversifying what they sell. I think the last time I bought an actual CD was two years ago. I do actually purchase downloads, I don't have to get everything for free, but I'm not attached to collecting vinyl like I used to be.

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    Banned i.breathe.in's Avatar
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    part of me misses the tangability of the cd and all the cool album insert artwork, but mostly i dont care.

    remember when cds first came out and they were like 20 bucks? lol

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I've never really had an attachment to record stores, but there are some that I've enjoyed spending time in. Two in Missoula that I used to kill entire afternoons in were Budget Tapes and CD's and Rockin Rudy's.

    It looks like Budget is really struggling to keep their business. They were always so great there, and would let me take my time listening to whatever I wanted. I've gotten some great suggestions from the guys that work there, too.

    Incidentally, Budget Tapes and CD's used to be called "Fred's Records". I would have to ask people for clarification when they said they spent all day hanging out at "Fred's" and spent a ton of money.


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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    There used to be many independent record stores near me. So many that I could check out one a day. I loved being in them and kept trying to get a job in one of them (sadly never did). This is probably why I majored in radio in college. When stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart came in, the indies started disappearing (though to be fair I've never bought cds at Wal-Mart because they don't carry the music I like). The only good thing was when the stores were liquidated, like Tower (though Tower themselves caused many indies to go out of business), I bought a ton of stuff. They were a few blocks from my office so I'd go during lunch. I'd buy somewhere around 20-30 cds when they hit 80-90% off (not to mention all the shows and movies I bought there). I remember one receipt said I saved over 500 dollars. This liquidation helped me because it was a relief from the severe pressure I had at work.

    Now there is one small store near me. I buy from them. I'll continue to buy actual cds while I have a choice. I only use iTunes to either download music not available on cd or if I just want one song.

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    Veteran Member Melvis's Avatar
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I don't use iTunes for buying music (usually download podcasts or music videos, but not music itself.)

    I'll continue to either buy CDs or vinyl, simply because I can't stand digital music @ 128 kbps. Sure it's fine if you're listening on your computer or iPod, but if you try to play a track at that bit-rate on a loud stereo, car stereo, or big speakers (e.g., DJ'ing) -- you'll notice the sub-par fidelity.

    And definitely agreed on the used CDs bit. I could literally spend hours digging through those and vinyl crates!

    Part of me still misses being the Music Mgr. @ a Media Play (before it went pffft)

    Man, now I got a Jones to go scouring through an import section @ a local record shop. Are imports still a big deal nowadays like they used to be?


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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    It was, instead, peer-to-peer clients, like Napster, Kazaa, Limewire, etc that did them in. And that is US, not the programs, US, the cheapskate music consumers. I guess in our ignorance we did not think out stealing could hurt anyone. Sort of like uncontrolled hunting wipes out species, an animal at a time.
    Last edited by threlayer; 09-22-2008 at 09:43 PM.
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I have an AWESOME record store down the street from my house. In the absence of limewire availability, I just walk.

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I think part of the problem as well was the fact many albums being produced just weren't of the same quality as they used to be. Often times, an album may have one or two good songs with a bunch of crappy filler ones. I found it increasingly rare that I could play an album from start to finish without skipping tracks.

    Also, there seemed to be a trend for a while where album versions of songs would be different from what was being played on the radio and tv. I used to buy lots of CDs when I was younger. Later I transitioned to just buying singles as the odds were that one of the four tracks on it would be the one I wanted.

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I agree with a lot of the points made here. I think the chain stores had a more immediate effect, pre-downloading era. Cd's would come out and Best Buy would have them for 6.98, with exclusive bonus tracks. How is an indie store supposed to compete with that? Granted, it was for much more mainstream stuff that maybe the indie store wouldn't carry. Some small places have diversified, especially into the online realm. Digital Ferret Discs in Philly is almost exclusively goth/industrial/ambient/etc, but have really begun picking up the metal market since relapse Records closed up the street. I know they do the majority of their business online, though. I do miss the groovy little stores from my youth where the clerks were helpful and knew their shit and could point you in the direction of other things you might be interested in based on the purchases you made. All that said, I do still buy cd's, but nowhere near as often as I used to. Many of the things I want aren't on I-Tunes anyway. Plus, I-Tunes is annoying. I much prefer buying the track or cd directly from the artist's site, if possible.

    I agree BIG TIME about the "one or two good songs and the rest filler" part. This was especially true for crap I had to buy for work. Still is, actually. I have a whole giant case of slipcased cd's that I went through and ripped the one or two good songs off them. I suppose that's sorta always been true about mainstream/pop music though. Everything is changing, it happens. I can carry all my music in an hd carrying case the size of a small messenger bag. If you had showed me that in 1994 I would've said you were insane as I lugged all my crap to the booth. It used to take me 2 or 3 trips.

    The industry will evolve, somehow. Some artists have already made interesting strides, like NIN or Radiohead. Will the local record shop dwindle away? Probably, but something else will come along.
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I-Tunes is evil.

    Ok, maybe not literally evil, but I hate and despise it utterly. And it is evil that whenever I put a CD into this new MacBook, it automatically wants to open up, and also fuck with my excellent Traktor DJ program in small but annoying ways.

    Plus it leaps right in there and tells you you have to use it to rip CDs, then you have to go into it to find them, etc. It took me a while to figure out how to get around all this, and as soon as I am able, I will eradicate I-Tunes altogether from my MacBook, with great fanfare and much rejoicing...


    What?

    This thread isn't really about I-Tunes? Well damn, now I've wasted a perfectly good rant.


    What I like is going to used Cd stores, you can find obscure shit that no one else has or you'd never find otherwise.

    Of course I have also found a lot of cool shit while doing searches on Limewire (which I hardly use anymore due to copyright shit), or SoulSeek, and when they turn up all the permutations of your search words, some of them sound cool so I get them.


    I have no sympathy for the big recording labels, though. They set themselves up for a loss with their greed, and pandering to the schlockier tastes of the masses.
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Quote Originally Posted by MrChristopher View Post
    I agree BIG TIME about the "one or two good songs and the rest filler" part... I suppose that's sorta always been true about mainstream/pop music though. Everything is changing, it happens...
    The industry will evolve, somehow... Will the local record shop dwindle away? Probably, but something else will come along.
    To the extent that this is the case, the current trend of buying what songs you want will gain strength. And that trend is being reported more and more frequently by the electronic-oriented media.

    But you know, outside of the pop-rock genre--the best example I can think of is classical music (surely regarded as a niche market anymore) that pretty much does not happen. This is because most of the works are longer and make little sense played alone. Other music such as country and jazz (another niche market) for example are experiencing the selectivity to a lesser extent.

    The music marketers still have a big job ahead of them in transforming themselves to profitability because of their traditional market model.
    Last edited by threlayer; 09-24-2008 at 08:23 AM.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    Veteran Member grindonme's Avatar
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Quote Originally Posted by threlayer View Post
    It was, instead, peer-to-peer clients, like Napster, Kazaa, Limewire, etc that did them in. And that is US, not the programs, US, the cheapskate music consumers. I guess in our ignorance we did not think out stealing could hurt anyone. Sort of like uncontrolled hunting wipes out species, an animal at a time.
    Thanks to first Kazaa, then Limewire and now messageboards i haven't bought a cd in over 5 years. I always hated buying cds and only liking two or three songs out of 12-15. The way i do it now i can download cds FOR FREE and make a cd of the cuts from each cd i like

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    Has anyone who's actually walked into a big box store that sells music lately noticed the amount of shelf space being used for it is getting smaller and smaller? Pretty much anymore, if its not "Hot and New" or a compilation CD (think of the "Now" series), you're pretty much resigned to buying it online, whether you buy the CD at Amazon and have it shipped, or download the tracks you like (either legally or illegally).

    One thing I never understood about recorded music is why until recently, it was the only entertainment medium where as the product aged, it didn't become cheaper to buy. Old movies, old books, old video games, will often drop to half their original retail price in due time. An old CD? Nah, lets sell it for the same $16.98 it came out at three years from now.
    Last edited by doc-catfish; 09-23-2008 at 01:34 PM.
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I only started messing with Itunes recently cause my bf introduced me to it. But I'll still buy cds, borrow them from someone, steal music from the internet, etc.. I don't discriminate.

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    If I like at least 3 songs off of an artist's album, then I'll just go buy the whole thing. Other than that, I'm buying the singe... we're in a recession, I need my $15.

  21. #21
    Bianca O'Blivion
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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I miss a lot of things about old school music distribution, like radio, package presentation of an album and going to the music store.

    OTOH music is becoming more egletarian, which is good.

    I actually think the digitization of music is part of the evolution of the collective human consciousness/history.

    & I hope live music makes a resurgence.

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I like having the better sound quality of a CD and the ability, as long as there's no copy protection which I will not tolerate, to rip lower quality (to save on space) mp3 files for portable use. To me, that's a legal personal use. I don't share my files en masse, so I don't need a copyright nanny, thankyousomuch.

    I try to seek out albums that have multiple good tracks. I want the whole CD to really move me. Major label stuff usually can't lay claim to that accomplishment, but the indie and small label artists sometimes can.

    I like Amazon to purchase non-copy-protected mp3 files, and I've used SnoCap too. Trouble is, I've experienced downloads that have stalled, or it's not clear if the purchase went through, or I'm double billed, or files are mislabeled. It's made me gun shy of online purchasing.

    I love it when an artist/band makes a track or two available for free downloading on their website, or sometimes a whole album. I'm more likely to follow that artist/band through future releases and go see them when they're playing near me.

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    The evolution has been cylinders, 78s, 45s, LPs, cassettes, CDs, and now downloadable digital media. Storefronts come and go, but those that survived transited from different types of media. I do miss the record jackets, with colorful photos/art, lots of personnel info, discussions, histories, etc in easy to read format. But I do not miss the care I had to take with that fragile vinyl from fingerprints, dust, stylus wear, andof course warpage (hateds that most of all). now when I borrow others' CDs or l;oan mine (loadth to do) I get to clean off fingerprints, and stare at scratches made by people who cannot take care of their own or other peoples' stuff. I'd imagine dancers DJs do exactly the same, since time is money. That's where backup or mix disks are highly useful.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    Default Re: I-Tunes Killed the Record Store

    I live only a few blocks from a killer independently owned record store, and I don't have iTunes. Going to Twist & Shout always makes me feel like a little kid going to the ice cream parlour, but I always have to be super careful because I buy WAAYYYY too much stuff and can drop $100 in like, 10 minutes.
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