All Things Must Pass - 2015 - 7/10
Documentary follows the rise and demise of Tower Records.
History charts the humble beginning to the pinnacle to the disastrous aftermath of “file-sharing.”
Entertaining throughout, though the last section is uncomfortable.
Greybeards share memories (Tower execs, Label moguls, famous shoppers) in between vintage photos.
Smiles all around, but one cannot escape the notion of widespread nepotism at HQ.
By 2004, giant record stores passed into memory, Gen X-ers were likely the last generation to shop the bins.
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Rather difficult for me to rate or judge this objectively.
I shopped Tower Records on Sunset Blvd at least once a month during the 70’s.
This was paradise for music buffs. Even when I was stone broke, it was comforting to peruse endless albums.
Peaches was expensive, Licorice Pizza more so, Wherehouse and Music + were affordable, but lacked depth.
The Valley had a Tower in Van Nuys, but it was never as thrilling as the Sunset store.
I still own tons of recordings. CDs sound superior, vinyl holds memories.
The bittersweet finale I understood personally.
A decade after shopping one last time inside Tower Records, I started working for Sound Warehouse, a rival deep catalogue record shop, and would be there until I switched off the lights in 2004.
The application form asked whether “taking drugs or alcohol has ever interfered with your work?" That was the drug test.
It was one of the coolest jobs in the world. Sadly, new generations will never get the chance.
In the 80’s, the staff were knowledgeable and passionate music snobs, clubbers, collectors. Half the crew was female, always, which was and remains unheard of in the extremely sexist record store universe.
By 2000, most of my coworkers had never bought an album in their life. They downloaded tens of thousands of tunes that they never listened to. Music was free, and free had no perceived value.
Causes for the demise of the music industry were referenced in All Things Must Pass.
Won’t bother to repeat them. Things truly do vanish, however.
Traditions, technology, burger joints, friends, you name it.
Good documentary. Likely to resonate more with viewers aged 40 or older.
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10 minutes inside Tower Records - Sunset Blvd.
Back in the early 70’s -