These days you can have a soundtrack to a musical, a soundtrack to a movie and a soundtrack to a TV show. So why not have a soundtrack to a record store? Never underestimate the record shop? Ok, so no one is going to be releasing a record called: The Sound of HMV, anytime soon but in this day and age, surviving for 30 years marks Rough Trade as a huge success and telling the story of the store through the music you’ve bought there and the people who have shopped there is an innovative idea. Record stores are amazing places.
But here’s the conundrum: Is the building the important thing or is it what’s inside the building that counts? For example, is a Cathedral important because of its architecture or because of the many historical events that had happened within its walls? Let's not get into the realm of Critical Theory here, but shouldn’t music be easily separated both from its author and from the shop that sells it? What exactly is the role of the record shop? Do record shops have a role in our society? Is “30 years of Rough Trade Shops” a lament, a celebration or a wistful ditty sung at the funeral of the smaller store?
You know the drill by now. This is a compilation CD. Sit back, put your feet up and rest your ears upon some brilliant music and sounds. Enjoy songs you know and love and discover songs you never knew you loved. But that aside, where do you we go from here? Is the listener meant to listen to this record, jump in their cars and head down to the nearest Rough Trade Shop to sample the musical buffet of delights? Or is this the soundtrack to a memory? Whatever you decide about this record, do one thing. Protect your local record store. Shop, chat and experience music provided by people who love music. Enjoy!
Words By: Martin Drury
