Even less choice for the music buyer and more importantly even less influence. Fopp has gone bust. They purchased the Music Zone stores which saddened me as I liked the fact they were not everywhere like Virgin or HMV, but then business seems to all about aquisitions rather than offering top rate service and choice to the customer by investing in what you already have rather than what you have not.
Apart from the great price points, they also had most of the recommended new releases rated by Mojo magazine and not just the obivous big artists. It was a great reason to go into town, start the day with a Starbucks then wander round Fopp.
So now we are left with HMV & Virgin, standardised displays and music so lound you want to get out of the store the minute you walk in. Staff with all the knowledge of the latest album charts and nothing else. A global identifcation tag of mediocrity so that you feel safe buying your music even if the store is in Singapore, 'you know where you are' because they are all the same. Thing is I like to feel lost because then I explore and that's when I dsicover.

On days like today I feel like becoming a professional hermit and living off the internet. Making a living from ebay, ordering my shopping from TescoDirect and downloading all my musical wants.

Today's playlist: Aerial by Kate Bush thorugh my Itunes. Wanted some comfort and her voice gives it.She is so brave and barmy at the same time. Rolf Harris, laughing maniacally,imitating bird songs, singing a love song to your washing machine ... it's all there and it all works. I feel better already.