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The Countdown to Record Store Day


In five days (April 21st), music lovers all over the world will be converging on their local record stores for deals, exclusive releases, live music, and fellowship with fellow music lovers for this year's edition of Record Store Day. Oh yes, it's a happy, wonderful day, and in many regards, it's a genuine holiday for music lovers and people who care about music. Started in 2007 as means of getting people to local record stores to save local record stores from extinction, in just five years, it's blossomed into a full-on event, with an annual bonanza of goodies created by music artists from all over the world specifically for Record Store Day and live music performances in-store, creating a festive atmosphere, with fans goggling at the treats available and aisles filled with folks eagerly digging in bins. 


And in this era of the Spotify and iTunes and what have you (not to mention downloads on the sly), it's never been more important to hit up a record store or two on Record Store Day. Even if you're not interested in the vinyl exclusives, there's always a few cd exclusives, and besides, it's an excellent opportunity to pick up the genuine article of your favorite download and make it real. Oh you know what I mean. You know... savor the album artwork. Read the lyrics and album credits to see who exactly contributed to the music you're going to enjoy. Hold it in your hands. Indeed, isn't there something virtuous (if not noble) about the ritual of getting off your ass to take a cd/record/tape/eight track off the shelf and loading it into a proper stereo/player/boombox so you can really jam? Call me "old fashioned," but in an age when you can everything with the movement of a finger, I think there is.


So yeah, Record Store Day is a special day... and it's five days away. People all over the world get ready!



Cliff Parks

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