Tower Records -- the continuing collapse

When I was a kid, the Tower Records near the sports arena in San Diego was, for me, the ultimate record store, the coolest place in the universe. It feels a little weird to realize that it won't exist anymore, and it won't even make a good story for my grandkids. I mean, I even worked at a Tower when I was a teenager.

-- Elvis Telecom (quartzcit...), December 19th, 2006. (later)

that's not surprising at all, they're down to something like 13 stores. newbury comics is a larger chain at this point!

-- Mark (mark-...), December 18th, 2006.

So musicians will only make money by performing live? I don't think so. Will all Pitchfork employees work for free?

Will all Pitchfork employees work for free?

-- cornyrocker

I worry about it all the time, believe me.

I went back today and picked up:

Nao Wave (which I had forgotten to look for previously, and was very surprised to find)
Legendary Sound, Vol. 1 (which Alex in SF recommends, I thought on this thread, not that I expect much overlap in our taste but I hardly have any drum & bass and was just thinking I might want to pick up a little tiny bit more)

Dubstep Allstars Vol 2 (3 or 4 copies left, none of Vol 3)
Get Physical comps 1 & 2 (or Anniversary 2 & 4, I can't quite figure it out.) (one copy of each left)
Optimo Presents Psyche Out (nearly 10 copies of this, I suppose I could wait for it to get cheaper, but $5 seems fair enough.)
Science Faction: Grime (last copy)
Dabrye Two/Three (last copy)

I found a second copy of the Yester/Henske album. Let me know if you still need it. The email address is good.

Which reminds me a bit -- you free Friday/Saturday? FAP plans are imminent.

Judy Henske & Jerry Yester Farewell Aldebaran
V/A Fast Product: Rigour Discipline and Disgust (score! I've been looking for this for years.)
Chris Knox Yes!!
The Methadones 21st Century Power Pop Riot
The Minus 5 The Trials Postumous of...
The Duke Spirit Cuts Across the Land
The Dambuilders Geek Lust
Chris Cutler & Fred Frith Live in Moscow, Prague & Washington
Godandtexas Criminal Element
fluf the classic years
Alan Vega New Raceion
Batman: OST
The Knife Silent Shout
Arthur Russell The World of...
Pretty Girls Make Graves The New Romance
These Arms Are Snakes This Is Meant to Hurt You
V/A Wake Up and Listen! A Brand New Generation of Hits (britpop 1995: shitloads of hits)
Young Fresh Fellows Low Beat Time
The Kelly Deal 6000 Go to the Sugar Altar
The Coachwhips Double Death
The Coachwhips Peanut Butter and Jelly: Live at the Ginger Winge
The Coachwhips Bangers vs Fuckers
The Coachwhips Put Yer Body Next to Mine
Trapdoor Fucking Exit Crooked Life/Straight World
The Zodiac Killers Have a Blast
Portastatic Who Loves the Sun
Radio 4 Enemies Like These
Ecstacy Passion & Pain s/t
V/A Optimo Present Psyche Out
Slowdive Souvlaki
The Modern Machines "Take It, Somebody!"
Alternative TV Apollo
Edgar Broughton Band LIVE Hits Harder!
Ditch Croaker Chimpfactor
The Futureheads News and Tributes
Sweep the Leg Johnny Going Down Swingin'
Rahbras Whohm

Total: $60.90

I might have time on Friday

Rock. Will call M. White tomorrow night to plot a bit, I think.

Mr. Crump mentioned it was down to 50 cents a disc towards the end when he hit the Memphis one. Yesterday was 80% plus 'buy four get one for a buck' and by the time I get there I suspect it'll be 90% plus that. I'm honestly not expecting much but there'll be some dusty remnants still! (And there were still a huge amount of copies of the new Dengue Fever album, which is quite good, so I'll get some as gifts.)

That, and I really have heard good things about them.

thanks!

Hmm, no, twernt me.

Hey PFS,

Ha! I had that copy of the Alan Vega album in my basket on two seperate trips but put it back both times. Glad to see you got it...

Are there any other copies left of the stuff you bought (not that it won't be gone by 6 which is the earliest I can get there...)

I wonder if they have restocked because there are multiple things on your list that I would have taken note of (or purchased) if I had seen.

(1) They were indeed restocking. I actually saw them do it (and snagged my copies of Silent Shout and Batman from the restock pile). There were

(2) I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to copies remaining (it wasn't like I'd have any chance to go back later), but I'm fairly certain I saw copies of the Rahbras, Fast Product, Minus 5, Radio 4, Trapdoor Fucking Exit, the Coachwhips (ahem), and maybe a couple others.

but

(3) I heard them say last week that they were planning on closing early today. Call before you go.

FESS UP

Swung by mine an hour back and it had already closed, full stop. I took it as an omen, got some tea and a muffin and caught the next bus home a few minutes later. It was a good run, though -- thank you, Costa Mesa, for having thoroughly terrible taste in music for the most part.

and RIP tower cherry hill, NJ forever. you won't be missed much except the past couple of months of spectacular bargains. and amusing stashes of black metal CDs in the hip-hop and dance sections.