I know what some folks will say "shut up Tim....now you can get songs cheaper online". And I know this. But something is missing. I think I miss the "experience". In each town I'd visit by working or traveling....I'd always seek out a local record shop....just to see what they have....who knows what you'll find? Imports, b-sides, local bands, hard-to- find stuff? It was all part of the fun. Baltimore had some great obscure record shops...there were a few really great ones on South Street in Philly, one in Delaware called "Berts", plenty in NYC (which I'm happy to report are still there), there was a great place in York, Pennsylvania, some really good ones in southern California and a great one near Picadillycircus in London.
The other night at the "Ukes of Earl" show, I talked with Brendan C about how I missed the "record browsing experience" and he agreed, he, just like me, he'd like to just walk in, look around, seeing if there's something that jumps out at you, or maybe something you could pick out, that you had on your well worn "CD's to BUY"list, which I'd always keep updated and in my wallet, also there'd always be someone there who'd just like to hang out....shooting the breeze, talking about those great BIG STAR or PIXIES records everyone should have in their collections (and really...everyone should own a little BIG STAR)...where do those guys go now? They can't hang out near a virtual I TUNES store.
I remember in 10th Grade, taking the day off of school, so I could go out and get the new Guns and Roses cd's first. Nowadays...it'd be leaked way in advance (if there is a Guns and Roses cd ever coming out...I think we'll find Jimmy Hoffa before we see the long awaited next GNR effort "Chinese Democracy")....so what happens now? Do teenagers skip school anymore to go and buy music by their favorite bands? Or was that one of those things that only I did, and just assumed everyone else did as well.
I think that's sort of where I'm going with this....now with I Tunes....My Space etc etc....these are great ways to find those new bands...but there's something about being able to play that brand new cd in the car on the way home. There were lots of great bands I'd never have discovered if I'd never talked to those guys loitering at the record store...I'd have never grabbed that "Hot Snakes" record (which is really great)...
I'd never had been inspired to grab that live BOUNCING SOULS or THE EXPLOSION records in New York City, those selections got me an approving nod by the punk rock girl behind the counter. It works the other way too...I have spent 12$ on someone's recommendation and hated the cd (Thanks for nothing whoever recommended SKANKIN' PICKLE), but I think in the big picture...the good normally outweighed the bad. 
Anyway at the risk of sounding old, cranky and reluctantly accepting of new technology...I really do appreciate the accessibility of music these days, but I do sort of miss the warmth and fun it'd be to scour a record store for an hour or two and discover something really great.
Now I'm feeling old and out of touch...I'll browse my I tunes....before throwing on my Hot Snakes cd and wanting a record store like in EMPIRE RECORDS.
Now that rant is over...I'd like to invite you all out to check out Big Bad Bill Page's movie called "ALL ALONG", Bill and the talented cast and crew worked really hard on getting this film done, and he's already won awards for it....he got Krista Allen from LIAR LIAR and one of those PROJECT GREENLIGHT movies to appear (I hope Krista was nicer to Bill and the All Along cast than she was to that poor John Gulager on Project Greenlight)
I've seen a rough cut of "All Along" and it's great...Bill deserves the accolades he's been getting these days...the movie is all over the place right now...I'm going to see the new cut of it next week....but there are all kinds of updates over at www.allalongfilm.com if you'd like to come out to a show. "All Along" features Lyman Chen as well...who's in like 3 or 4 movies running right now..."All Along", "Leaf", "The Happening" and he's got "Tenure" with Luke "Bottle Rocket" Wilson out next year...so please...pop on out and enjoy a show.
take care and be good,
TIM