Happy Record Store Day!

I’ll admit that sometimes the only way to get a CD or LP I want is on Amazon, but it’s purely a business transaction.  Nothing more than a few mouse clicks and a transfer of funds.  Visiting a good record store, on the other hand, is an experience that has nothing to do with convenience — it’s about exploration.   In fact, many of my favorite albums are those I never intended to buy.  I just found them while browsing at a store.  It might be something new that I hadn’t heard of yet or something older that I missed when it was released.

Show up at a store often enough and you’ll get to know the people who work there.  Over time, they’ll start to know your taste and make recommendations.  Sometimes you’ll hear something they’re playing in the store and get interested.  That’s exactly how I discovered Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, an awesome little retro band that nearly everyone seems to like when I play their CDs.  That’s just one of many examples.  The people who run these shops are often some of the most informed and passionate music fans you’ll ever encounter.  You’ll learn from them, they’ll learn from you.  If you like music, it’s a great way to spend a free afternoon.

Anyway, I know Amazon is great.  I use it.  But it would be a sad day indeed if we didn’t get away from our devices, and out into the independent record shops often enough to keep the few that remain in business.   So get out there, browse a shop and find something cool to play today!  Have fun!  I’ve listed a few of my favorite local shops below for those of you in the South Jersey region.

Tunes — Route 73, Marlton, NJ

Main Street Music — Main St. Manyunk, PA (tell Pat that his old friend Brian sent ya!)

Princeton Record Exchange — Tulane St., Princeton, NJ

The Record Collector — Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, NJ

Jack White expounded on this topic much more eloquently than me…so I’ll keep this short and post a link to his letter below.

http://www.recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/3537

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