a few links.....

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6252300.stm

drownedinsound.com/articles/2117132
(its been rumbling along for a week or so now)

business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article2002754.ece

www.thebookseller.com/news/41393-fopp-closes-doors-as-administration-looms.html
quote
A statement put out by its management at 12.30 today read: "It is with great regret that we announce the closure of Fopp. Our chain is profitable, well regarded and loved by our loyal customers and staff. However we have failed to gain the necessary support from major stakeholders, suppliers and their credit insurers to generate sufficient working capital to run our expanding business. We would like to thank staff and customers for their support over the past 25 years."

Bring back Rival Records!

its sad that people dont buy music anymore. i love buying both cd's and vinyl. fopp was good. i hope they have a massive closing down sale.

i hope that for the rest of my life i will be still be able to go to a music shop and look through vinyls/cds

Last post of the day 4 me cos god do I need my beauty sleep! As a music collector, it's another sad day as yet one more the nail in is hammered into the physical format coffin. I like cds but I'm a complete vinyl freak for the feel, smell, look and sound as well, of course, as the covers. It's such a shame to hear of yet another victim. That said, I believe vinyl will be around for many years to come and has even made a resurgence over the last 5 years mainly due to ltd indie releases and the boyant dance scene. The main difference being the way it is bought. The internet is just so easy and convenient. IMO the major downside is that my beloved vinyl all too often falls victim to the postal system and gets mashed up beyond recognition - or at least arrives in less than mint condition, which would never do!
Sadly the days of popping down to Pride records in Lincoln are over. But at least there are still outlets that do sell the real deal and bless them for keeping it going; just a lot less than there were. You still can't beat that trawl through the racks for that slab you've been after. Oh you've set me off now but the bed beckons! Let's hope for a Banksy tomorrow eh? Peace

Vinyl is definitely never going to die!

IMO decks have become immortalised as a musical instrument now. Scratching, beat juggling, beat mixing etc etc is an art form in itself and commands huge respect the world over. I would much rather watch Mixmaster Mike, Q-bert, Cutmaster Swift, Scratch Perverts etc than performances on many other instruments!

The same argument could be applied for cd's, though for me it just doesn't have the same clout as battling/mixing with vinyl.

Scavos- I love your post and had a big smile while reading it! + I do occasionally order from internet based shops, but there's nothing like flicking through the racks to find that gem ;D

Keep the vinyl alive people! ;D

I have to admit that I'm a bit of a vinyl junkie too. Think there's probably quite a few of us on here. It's a fairly small step from obsessive record collector to street art/print addict.

I don't see the format disappearing anytime soon. In fact, if you look at recent industry figures there has actually been something of a revival in vinyl sales in recent months.

That said, I've warmed to music in digital format in the last couple of years. I was always a purist from both an analog sound and djing perspective. Though, tools like Final Scratch and Ableton open up a whole new world for the turntablist.

Many thanks teatwosugars! Glad it struck a chord. LONG LIVE VINYL!! Ths has reminded me to keep an eye open for the next local record fair. Good old charity shops are one of my best sources for gems now. Worth ploughing through all the classical and Ray Conniff stuff for!

and Replay!