R.I.P.

Filed under: R.I.P.

In college towns across America, record stores continue to close in record numbers.

Sad.

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 11:10 am / Email this »

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116 comments to “R.I.P.”

More comments: [1] 2 »

me says – reply to this

1

stop charging so much for CDs!
there is usually only (max) 3 good tracks on a CD full of crap.
bella says – reply to this

2

1st.
aydno1 says – reply to this

3

good riddance… they charge too much anyways!!
mj says – reply to this

4

first bitch!
camellia! says – reply to this

5

its called iTunes!
MJ says – reply to this

6

first bitches!!!!!!!!
kelli says – reply to this

7

if they wouldnt charge 20 bucks for a cd maybe we'd buy it… i remember when you could get them for 9 bucks.

corporate conglomerates=rip offs
lauren says – reply to this

8

first
shalala says – reply to this

9

first!!
You says – reply to this

10

You're right Me…usually there are only a few good songs on a CD. That's why Itunes is so great…buy one or two good songs off an album.
perL says – reply to this

11

second
AAAAHHHH says – reply to this

12

OH
kim says – reply to this

13

How young are you kids? No one is talking about CD stores, RECORDS came long before CD's ever did. That's what the article is talking about. This generation sucks.
jen says – reply to this

14

who cares 1st
chelle says – reply to this

15

what ever happened to integrity? stop downloading people!!
mellz says – reply to this

16

shut up perez.no one cares
jill says – reply to this

17

shit happens when technology advances.
adf says – reply to this

18

people who download illegally are cheap dishonest wanks
kelly says – reply to this

19

awww
me2 says – reply to this

20

2nd
The Man says – reply to this

21

I'm confused Perez. Are you a music business wannabe, an internet hate-monger, or star-fucker?
hdhfgh says – reply to this

22

OH NOEZ!!
Lucas says – reply to this

23

why so sad? they over charge us with the price of the records anyway… mariah carey got paid off $120m a couple of years back.. im sure they can cope.
val says – reply to this

24

snd
LA says – reply to this

25

FIRST
P-shady says – reply to this

26

Re: The Man –
everything.
Not sad says – reply to this

27

Quit whining. Why is this sad? Is that where you trolled for blowjobs? The end of a bunch of fat executives making money off of musicians isn't sad. Things change and new frontiers open… the same reason that you are able to do what you do from a coffee shop.
alex says – reply to this

28

second sad..
berni says – reply to this

29

Re: me –

exactly!
amle says – reply to this

30

i would rather download the songs i like. why should i buy a cd for only one good song. the music out now is awful anyway
Lily says – reply to this

31

NOOoooo! I grew up going to that record store. Sad news.
jp says – reply to this

32

who gives a shit, its a dying product just like newspapers and magazines….thank you internet
KKK LEADS THE WAY! says – reply to this

33

WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
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WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
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WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
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WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
WHITE PRIDE WORLDWIDE!!!!!
Adam Donbie says – reply to this

34

Mariah is beating Madonna easilty. Billboard charts perez, BILLBOARD. Its the only chart that matters. I know you think iTunes is the end all be all of music, but it is only one way to buy music and to monitor how well an artist or song is doing. There are many other forms of the music industry besides iTunes. Mariah's song is 15 on the charts this week, before it was even on sale. When the charts come out next week, it is likely it will be her 18th, yes 18th!, number one hit!! Madonna's song is where? Not even in the top 50 singles. Once again perez, you are an idiot.
Chapel Hill! says – reply to this

35

ahhh! it's chapel hill!! that's where i am!! i can't believe my home town / school / life is on perez!!! this just made my day!! Go Heels!
amle says – reply to this

36

some of the same people who would whine about the stores closing probably have not been to one in years.
Jefa says – reply to this

37

It's happening here in Indianapolis, too. Our local chain, Karma Records, has been closing down stores over the last couple years and may be getting ready to shut the doors on another before this year is over. My boyfriend works at one of their locations and has for 8 years and this year they're cutting everyone's pay. The thing people have to realize about LOCAL RECORD STORES is that they have to charge more because unlike Best Buy, they aren't selling TVs and computers and whatever else those super stores have on their shelves. Locals usually sell music, head shop goodies and maybe some t-shirts or themed shot glasses. They just can't compete with the Circuit Citys, Best Buys and Targets of the world. SUPPORT LOCAL RECORD STORES!!! Buy CDs from record stores, not appliance stores and not department stores!
Jefa says – reply to this

38

It's not just the record store employees affected by these closings. It's label reps, the people that shop at the stores and the families of employees and owners. Some of the stores around used to have local shows which made money for the stores, got local bands some exposure and brought the community together. Don't just hate on local record stores because of the cost…stop and use your heads and think about how things like this really affect people.
Erika says – reply to this

39

some of you people are just plain STUPID ….. these stores charged a little bit above what they had to pay for the product themselves… it's called PROFIT.
rob says – reply to this

40

Here is a novel idea….ALL CD's should be $9.99….stubborn old school music executives are ruining music for everyone!
Be-Gone says – reply to this

41

It's called Itunes…bitches!!!!!!!
THE TRUTH! says – reply to this

42

College students are broke that's why they have to dl from the internet……..
Herman says – reply to this

43

Re: KKK LEADS THE WAY! – 2nd to 10th to …..34th!!!! I know, I know if you could only stop doing SIEG HEIL to your Adolph poster you would be able to type faster.
Allison says – reply to this

44

Why doesn't anyone rally behind mom and pop owned record stores like they do for independent artist or local music???? THAT would be nice.
julie says – reply to this

45

i support my local record store
they have gems that are tough to find
iTunes is killing the music business
maybe if you listened to the whole CD, you'd find that you liked the songs
you're all too picky, when i get a CD i usually end up liking the whole thing
only with like, one or two exceptions
i agree perez this is really sad
mega says – reply to this

46

I spent lots of time in my college years' hangin at the record store - it was fun and way to connect, talk about music, find out about the local music scene, meet guys. But i guess we have myspace & youtube for that now.
Marianne says – reply to this

47

RECORD STORE DAY IS COMING UP! please participate and show love! you're supposed to act like money is no big thing and spend however much on whatever you want anyway. $9.99 for a cd isn't going to kill you.
Rtarara says – reply to this

48

I think it has to do with the death of the album. In the US famous musician try and make an album with a few big singles and some filler. There used to be no filler and a really good flow in albums. It used to make sense to buy whole albums, now it doesn't because there is only one of two good songs. If people made better ALBUMS, people would buy them instead of downloading a few tracks off each.
Shannon says – reply to this

49

Oh my gosh… I am so sorry that these bands and singers will not get to own ANOTHER vacation house! poor little things!!! Not another car??? Oh the humanity!!!

Maybe if they actually were good at performing, people would pay money to go see them. Its not fucking sad, what sad is the fact that most of the recording artists today are horrendously talentless. They get a million takes to make one song… they suck when you go see them live, and they care about is how good they look for the paparazzi! I do not feel sorry for them.
Devo says – reply to this

50

a)stop complaining about the prices, it's not like your parents don't fucking pay for your shit
b)there are more artists than just people like mariah carrey and britney spears who CANNOT afford to have their music stolen by self centered culture-less idiots like you
c)yes, there are only going to be 3 good tracks if you buy a mainstream pop record. that industry is just about making money. obviously.
d)props to perez for helping out the little guys and promoting actual talent.
e)it's not just record stores, it's small venues and small record labels and bands that actually make good music. downloading illegally affects everything having to do with music. In a few years when you're actually enough of an adult to understand, art is going to be dead. way to go america.
Jefa says – reply to this

51

Re: julie – Amen, sister!
venti says – reply to this

52

this makes my little heart cry. as a former record store clerk, noting made me happier than turning people onto new, weird, amazing music….then I lost my job to iTunes. Booooo!
kat says – reply to this

53

things change. music s now free. there's no way to stop it. and i likes it that way
YouIdiot says – reply to this

54

It' so obvious you can't elaborate on this or any other subject with depth and all you can say it's "sad". You're sad.
Chapel Hill 2 says – reply to this

55

Re: Chapel Hill! –
I know!
poor Schoolkids….
Not a Pitch for Realz says – reply to this

56

Re: Lily – Listen to The Spectrum on Sirius channel 18 for some good new music. It restored my hope in new talent.
Not a Pitch for Realz says – reply to this

57

Blame commercial radio. These guys play to the mainstream based on some limited phone surveys. They don't play variety anymore because they are afraid to lose money and are greedy to make the most money in the shortest amount of time with disposable music and manufactured talent.
Juice Tuna says – reply to this

58

"Oh my gosh… I am so sorry that these bands and singers will not get to own ANOTHER vacation house! poor little things!!! Not another car??? Oh the humanity!!!

Maybe if they actually were good at performing, people would pay money to go see them. Its not fucking sad, what sad is the fact that most of the recording artists today are horrendously talentless. They get a million takes to make one song… they suck when you go see them live, and they care about is how good they look for the paparazzi! I do not feel sorry for them."

Naive much?
babs says – reply to this

59

Re: kim – He's referring to CD stores, genius.
lividlover says – reply to this

60

Such things do happen. Out go ALL mom-and-pop stores. One can only hope they are replaced by new, vibrant stores that keep downtowns operating, rather than eporting out to the suburbs.
meow says – reply to this

61

hmmm…in canada, cbc radio 3 is doing a country-wide search for the best independent record store. and there are 47 great ones to choose from. i don't think they are dying, they need to hang on to their niche and cater to the people that still prefer albums to singles, and vinyl to digital.
Kill Nelly Furtado says – reply to this

62

What is a record store?

Maybe if they would sell cds at 9.99 then they would stay open
Alanna says – reply to this

63

If my favorite record store ever closed down, I don't know what I'd do with myself.

Also, to those of you saying there's only a few good songs on a given CD? STOP LISTENING TO SHITTY MUSIC. If you start listening to real music, you will find that you can sit through *gasp* an entire album without having to skip a song.

Besides, records are way more awesome anyhow.
Jon says – reply to this

64

DAMN THE MAN! SAVE THE EMPIRE!

aww Empire Records.

I agree this is very sad… but we must embrace technology for what it is!
butterfly says – reply to this

65

It is all related to illegal downloading and burning CDs. Everyone does it…

I agree iTunes is convenient with only having to purchase one song that becomes a hit or someone likes versus the whole album.
Linda says – reply to this

66

It is sad! You all should check out Sundance Records in San Marcos, TX. Home of Texas State. Sundance has been there since I was in elementary and has all the eclectic items and old records you could ask for. Hope they stay!!!
RACHEL says – reply to this

67

That place is right down the road from me, I remember going to it a few times… GREAT place, we definitely need to do something to keep these places alive!
butterfly says – reply to this

68

It's all related to illegal downloading and burning CD's.

I agree, it is convenient with iTunes to purchase one song that becomes a hit or someone likes versus the whole album.
Making a Difference says – reply to this

69

For all you Canadians who want to make a difference please visit http://darfurchallenge.org/ and register your school today!

Thank you! :]
Mara says – reply to this

70

I call bullshit.
Meghan J says – reply to this

71

I love iTunes and I don't like buying a whole CD just for a couple songs off of it. . .HOWEVER, you sound hipocritical when you endorse iTunes ALL the fucking time and then post something like this and feel "sad".
WTF ever.
Brooke says – reply to this

72

I go to UNC! It's so sad!
seriously says – reply to this

73

The cd's cost way too much so they can way overpay all the entertainers. No one needs that much money and why does everyone think these singers should get paid more than our teachers. Cut the cost of cd's and pay them less and maybe we will start buying them again…I say good riddance!
UNC!! says – reply to this

74

Re: Chapel Hill 2 – Chapel hill!! there are a bunch of us. sad about schoolkids…I bought a cd or two from there.
Chapel Hill says – reply to this

75

Re: Chapel Hill! – It shouldn't make your day - Schoolkids was awesome. I'll miss it.
blahblahblahblahblah says – reply to this

76

like you give a shit about music being downloaded online when you steal other website's stories.
rachel says – reply to this

77

who cares?
e says – reply to this

78

School Kids in Athens, GA is stilla round and going strong
Cat says – reply to this

79

Not that the "BIG GUYS" don't have good prices, but the little chains and the patrons are getting completely screwed. My children (all teenagers) will never know the fun of record stores. Another piece of Americana gone….
it's only their fault says – reply to this

80

SERIOUSLY the local record stores suck. They charge 18.99 for a cd I can get on amazon for 7.99. It's crazy!
Megs says – reply to this

81

The state of the music industry is sickening. $15.00 is too much for a CD that, nowadays, maybe has one or two decent songs. They don't make them like they used to.

Also, MAYBE if the music industry head honchos weren't so busy prosecuting and pissing off broke college students (like myself) for downloading music, they would have more customers.
mikobella says – reply to this

82

DUHHHHH MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE YOUR ALWAYS POSTING ON DOWNLOADING MUSIC FROM ITUNES!!!! HAVE YOU EVER SUGGESTED TO YOUR READERS TO BUY A CD AT A RECORD STORE? I DON'T THINK SO. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR STATING YOUR "SAD".
Jenny says – reply to this

83

Damn…

I went to Carolina and Schoolkids was kickass.
omfg says – reply to this

84

stop charging so much for fucking cd's and suing your customers for downloading mary had a little lamb. Yes I believe that song is worth $400,000 my big hairy balls. Fuck the RIAA and who gives a fuck if the record stores close the music is all dead anyways. Go tivo american idol dumb fucks.
Cassie says – reply to this

85

So sad…I loved mom-and-pop record stores in cities and college towns…I still do, just, they are harder to find now. Those are the places that you can find real gems…when you walk out of the store EXCITED to play the music you had just found…to put it with the rest of your collection, step back, and :::sigh:::.
JayBeeDizzle says – reply to this

86

I live in a small college town and I am proud to say that I LOVE LP's. Support your local record store!!!! but of course no one will, this issue will go on, and their goes another American pass time.
Scott says – reply to this

87

STOP downloading. GO SUPPORT your local record stores. Download sites, itunes, etc. can't provide cool promo give aways and instore events. Itunes isn't having signings with Madonna, Janet, Smashing Pumpkins, The killers, Courtney Love, Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crown, and countless others like Virgin Megastore and Tower Records did. PLUS, the quality of sound on itunes is no where near what you get on a CD. Support your record store or even Best Buy and Target, If you don't wanna pay full price, look for the sales. New releases are cheaper than ever.
sad says – reply to this

88

records are way better than cds anyway.

bring back the
record
lisakitt says – reply to this

89

as a former music store clerk and manager this is the sad day we all never believed would come. sure you can get on itunes but you miss the lookin gthru the racks and coming across something new, talking to the people in the store who can turn you on to something you might not have found on your own. was in chapel hill over the weekend and seeing a store closing sign on schoolkids store front is a sad sight. once again the cool and quirky small stores bite the dust. pity….
Laura says – reply to this

90

Love me some iTunes! Haven't been in a "record store" in forever!
Sophiqua says – reply to this

91

Umm, not really. Art should be free to the masses. And it's about time music became about the ART and not about the money. I love you Perez, but fuck all the shitty, trendy, mainstream music you plug every day, minus a few exceptions.
mish says – reply to this

92

RECORD stores are not the same as CD stores…MORONS!!!!!!
boohoo says – reply to this

93

okay…so what?
wanna buy me some new cds perez? this isnt sad, this is evolution! tuition is too high and we cant afford fucking CDS. thanks.
Jaded Pinkclit Smith says – reply to this

94

Poor Schoolkids…not really. I've lived in towns here in NC that has Schoolkids and they might have kept their business around if so many of the employees didn't have the "Record Store Elitist" attitudes. When they left the market I am currently in, they posted a big sign on their door saying how lame the town and all it's residents were…and that they'd be better off out of business than stuck in a town full of people that just didn't "get it" The trust of the matter is they were in a shitty location with a store full of shitty attitudes.

Nevertheless it is sad to see the demise of the local indie shop. The digital industry and pirating/bootlegging is killing the business. The labels and artists need to get their heads out of their asses and do something about the so called "Big boxes" ie: Circuit City and Worst..err…Best Buy, etc because once the last dedicated music store closes, be it an indie store or a record chain, you can bet your asses the big boxes will jump the prices up higher than ever and you will not be able to find anything other than what is hot on the radio already…..goodbye catalog records.

Anyway…Goodbye Schoolkids….sorry to see you go the way of Manifest records ( which whipped your ass by a mile) and CD Alley ( all the Greenville locals will remember that one)
Kate says – reply to this

95

R.I.P. Polaroid, too, lol.
Jessy says – reply to this

96

Mann, this sucks.
I live in [near] raleigh && was planning to go to college at UNC in a few years… i go anyway every few months.
School kids records is a great place.
Had no clue they were going out of business!
Thats were i got my first James Morrison cd
Lauren says – reply to this

97

I go to UNC-Chapel Hill and I never bought CDs at Schoolkids because they overcharged horribly for everything..you could literally walk down Franklin street another half mile to CD Alley and buy CDs for five bucks less.

Plus everyone working at the Chapel Hill Schoolkids was an emo douche who sneered at you if you bought anything mainstream. Schoolkids was only good for their t-shirts and bumper stickers. Hopefully now all of the wierd kids that loitered outside that store will go away too.
In Chapel Hill says – reply to this

98

Re: kim –

Schoolkids sold records, but it was 95% CDs and other random crap.
Don't bitch about things you don't know anything about.
Aubrey says – reply to this

99

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU BOUGHT A RECORD, ASSHAT?!
mario says – reply to this

100

How is this sad at all? The concept behind the record industry is dead, those dinosaurs need to get with the program. The deal is on the net now, get with the program vieja!!

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