I Need That Record

I Need That Record! is a fascinating and engrossing look at the collapse of the independent record store industry, expertly resized, and organized by director Brendan Toller. This thought-provoking documentary film threads the sentiments of a diverse assortment of music industry stakeholders - independent records store proprietors, music critics, journalist, musicians, and avid music enthusiasts.

Released in 2008, this 77-minute film delves into the demise of roughly 3,000 independent record stores in the United States over the past ten years, heavily impacting music communities. The movie tries to explain this disturbing downfall with an engrossing mix of rich historical and contemporary footage, insightful interviews, and charming first-hand narratives.

Opening with heartbreaking images of closed and barren music stores, I Need That Record! paints a somber picture of the state of indie music and opens the stage for the comprehensive exploration that follows. It combines powerful animation, photography, and compelling interview footage from music icons such as Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and Mike Watt of the Minutemen to set the tone for the argument the film advances - that the demise of the independent record store signifies a significant loss to our culture and society.

Director Brendan Toller skillfully investigates the factors that have led to this situation. He delves into the role of increasing media conglomeration, homogenized radio, big box stores, e-commerce, shoddy "loud" digitally remastered music, the ongoing dispute over digital music rights, unfair record industry practices, and perhaps most importantly, the wide loss of music enthusiasts' sense of community and connection.

Despite its somewhat melancholic theme, the film is steeped in a tangible passion for music. Toller's vision brings to life the vibrant atmosphere of record stores that once served as a hub for music discovery and community connection. He uses the personal narratives of store owners, the music industry insiders, the musicians, and the devotees to bring a humanistic touch to this issue. The film's excellent cinematography captures the unique aesthetics of the physical record stores and offers invaluable insight into world dominated by digital platforms.

Among its subjects, the film features legendary rock music journalist Legs McNeil, outspoken critic Noam Chomsky, indie-musician Pat Carney of the Black Keys, punk author Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Minor Threat, filmmaker and author Joe Carducci, and the founder of legendary indie music store owner Glenn Branca. These participants collectively lament the downfall of the unique culture of indie record stores and their impact on the music scene.

I Need That Record! is as much a study of the media conglomeration and the increasingly impersonal landscape of the music industry as it is an elegy for a cultural phenomenon. Yet, it doesn’t drown in its nostalgic tone, instead it manages to discuss the future of the business through these voices of the industry. The potential rise of the vinyl market and the grassroots appeal of small local bands, are position as a ray of hope for the future.

The film’s diversity is clear in its eclectic soundtrack, featuring the likes of The Adolescents, Negative Approach, and Mission of Burma to Fugazi and The Minutemen. These tracks not only enrich the viewing experience, but establish the feelings of the interviewed subjects and the overall argument of the film.

Though I Need That Record! is a must-watch for any music lover, it's also a thought-provoking exploration of broader themes of global market forces, grassroots resistance, inequality, and resilience in the face of change. It's a critical look at the homogenizing effects of corporate power and a celebration of the vitality and relevance of independent culture.

In conclusion, the film, while shedding light on issues, acts as a wakeup call on the pressing need for supportive communities and resistance against oppressive market forces and reminder of a time when buying music was a visual, tactile and social event.