It's quiet out there

Around this time every year, I start to check my credit card and wince at the big chunks that record buying knocks of my creditworthiness. It’s a happy complaint though; I’m more than willing to go deeper and deeper into debt if the pay-off is access to great new music. That’s the way things usually pan out; unfortunately this year hasn’t followed that pattern yet. Maybe I’m just getting pickier and picker, perhaps my sense of ennui with most contemporary music is getting sharper or maybe there is something approaching lingering dread in the back of my mind about what might be about to happen (eg, things get worse and we’re reduced to a hunter-gatherer state of existence), but whatever the cause(s), I have bought far fewer new records this year than in recent years – although I continue to mine the rich back stock/reissue sections of my favourite stores. So is it just me, something that’s entirely feasible, or has this end of days scenario that’s gripping the world a real concern in our own little micro world, in turn making labels, producers etc more fearful and less willing to release music, physically as well as digitally? It's impossible to provide empirical evidence to support this theory, so in the absence of same, I'd like to open the floor to you guys...

Comments

[tom/pipecock]

just seems to me like there's not that much great NEW stuff out there. i think i've bought like 5 records so far from this year? i've bought plenty of older stuff, including a couple 08 jams i missed out on (and there's still a couple of those i need to get!).

[clom]

I'm getting pickier but it's not because of the quality, it's purely financial.

the fact that new 12"s from Europe or the US (or, for that matter the UK!) are pushing £10 per release is staying my hand.

there's some great music being released but is it REALLY worth spending 50-60 notes to end up with 5 12's?

over the last few months I've been digging like crazy. second hand racks are where it's at.

[Benjamin Anon]

In my opinion, there's always good music being released but it's always few and far between. I guess it just depends on your perspective. I've never been one to purchase a lot of music at any one time. As an aspiring dj/producer, I consider it a huge commitment to purchase even one record because I have to learn it inside and out and how it fits into my collection, which is no small feat. I, however, must point out that I rarely purchase music outside my "sound", even though I listen to a broad spectrum of music consisting mostly of other DJ's sets.

[Kenny]

Since January I think i've bought about 50-60 records. When I looked at my discogs I was a bit surprised to see how little of it was from this year, I thought there was more 09 stuff in there ha. Don't think it's been a particularly bad year though, I've gotten a few gems at least from Sistrum label, Levon Vincent, Moodyman and there's a new Legowelt album just dropping now...I'm still picking up on some stuff from last year, and I predict this time next year I'll be doing the same

[Brophy]

I've bought about 15 records since the start of 09 - usually I'd buy that amount a month! maybe I am getting much pickier or maybe far less new music excites me, not sure really. forgot to say, about 5 of those records are oldies too, so I haven't stopped crate digging....