Looking forward in all
of this news of doom and gloom, the challenge for me as a blogger and
music fan is to try and talk about something that someone else in the
world hasn't pointed out about the demise of HMV and sadly, this
isn't easy. So perhaps I will go out on a limb and and suggest that
smaller specialist outlets will actually weather the storm rather
well. According to commenters I have seen on websites, HMV used to be
able to use their buying power to identify high selling lines and
products in local music stores and undercut them significantly -
perhaps now that HMV will be taking a more conservative approach with their new owners having to undoubtedly take on a different approach, the
smaller fish in the pond will be able to take advantage of the
vacuum.
And speaking of
alternative options, there are plenty of those around. Specialist and
indie record shops are just about hanging on in there and some of the
better ones I go to are a stone's throw from HMV's flagship store.
Here are some suggestions for London-based music fans to thumb through the racks.
A familiar haunt on the
Berwick street scene (and even features on the Oasis album cover What's The Story?), Sister Ray Is a low-ceilinged place that sells
vinyl and CDs; nothing else. Genres are varied, but with a bias
leaning more to rock and indie together with lots of older, back catalog material. While you might not be able to find everything
you want or all of the latest releases, it's a good place to start or
if you were looking for older, more obscure releases. If you were
looking for grime, hip-hop and rap however, this is better served by
other outlets.
Placed conveniently
next to a Yo-Sushi and Bodeans meat house on Poland Street, you can
actually see the shutters of HMV on Oxford street from outside.
Inside, they have built up a reputation for stocking the best in
house and electronic music and they boast a great vinyl selection so
it's no surprise to see DJs in there regularly. This is complimented
by their changing range of CD albums, compilations and mixes covering
everything from avant-garde electronica to bassy dubstep. Even
better, they have knowledgeable staff, proper listening posts and
occasionally the venue (together with its downstairs basement) play
host to DJs and parties too.
A bit further down from
Sister Ray is a narrow shop piled high with vinyl and CDs and
organised into as many genres as you can imagine. Based on a
buy/sell/trade stock acquisition method, the stock on offer might be
unpredictable and in varying states of quality but the upshot of this
is a great shop for browsing through and finding a bargain amongst
the racks. Clientele seem to be a bit more diverse here as well.
If you thought that
reckless records was disorganised you clearly haven't stepped foot in a Music and Video exchange. Again, a varied selection of bits and
pieces depending on what stock they have got their hands on, but the
real plus point for me is the great selection of back catalog albums that are often punted out for a pound a piece - the one in
Berwick street literally has a bargain basement full of albums like
this and a regular search through can herald some great finds - most of which can be had for just a pound a pop.
Another decent outlet in the chain can be found a Notting Hill Gate,
close to the tube station, if you are in that part of the world.
The Grauniad seem to have beaten me to some of these recommendations as well:
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