I Need That Record! The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store

There are a number of record stores closing around the nation as a result of bad business and a whole lot of both legal and illegal mp3 downloading. You knew that before you read this; though what you will learn from watching “I Need That Record” is a revealing look at how the music industry has nearly collapsed on itself in the last decade and half.

This tell-all documentary explains how music and music formats have de-evolved as vinyl, cassette, and CD have nearly gone the way of the do-do bird.

In essay like fashion director Brendan Toller visit’s a number of indie record stores throughout America’s vast land. He interviews numerous shop owners, employees, long time customers and musicians who have ultimately lived through the music they happen to sell, make, and buy. It’s an eye opening peek at how many people in the indie music scenes have always stood together to support what stands as a cultural and musical foundation in communities across America.

Everything in relation to record sales is discussed here as the corporate mishandlings of label money take radio stations hostage and force feed consumers of the world a butt load of aural crap. The effect big label head honchos have on the record industry is scary as this DVD explains the decline and fall of a once multi million dollar industry that can now barely stay afloat. Interviews with Minor Threat’s Ian Mackaye, The Talking Head’s Chris Frantz, Punk Magazine Legs McNeil, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and Minutemen’s Mike Watt make this more interesting from a punk rockers perspective.

I don’t want to reveal too much, but this DVD is a must have for any music lover out there who has shopped at an independent music store and wants to know why things in the music world have happened the way they have. As someone who has been purchasing music since the age of 10 this is a heartfelt look at how the music I love and care for may nearly be impossible to purchase in store in the not so distant future.

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter
 

 

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