Got Dem Ol' Record Store Blues (Again)

So, there’s much grumbling about the fact that AC/DC’s upcoming album Black Ice will only be available at retail via Wal-Mart—the band’s website will also carry it—as well as rumors regarding a similar sales plan for Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy. We’re no fans of the cheap ass, kings of retail exploitation either, but what do you want from these acts? With the exception of a few ‘Mom & Pops’ there are NO record stores anymore. Blame the clueless record companies for their limitless greed and alienating young music fans a decade ago and for their lack of a coherent game plan to stem the tide of subsequent rampant piracy. Like The Jam once said, this is the modern world.