spintheblackestcircles.org

Just reading through the forum and the number of
'my record is scratched , i have emailed the label'
'the label just got back to me'
'they are sending me another'

Just struck me that the amount of chatting about the music seems to have dropped off over the last few year and a super wierd collector mentality is kind of replacing it (not just here - all over)

Not having a dig at anyone but reading the Phase IV discussion is like 80% where my record / it doesn't look like the photo/ I have cleaned it twice posts and 20% this music is awesome ....

That's true, but...

you're talking to people here who can afford expensive records.

A record here, in France, is sold about 20€ in record shops. Death Waltz ones, when you can find them, are about 35€(Big Bad Wolves was sold 45€ during record store day : 45€ !!)... or far more (I saw Mondo records priced 54€ last week).

I think that when you buy a record at that price, you may like to take care of it.

Maybe if vinyl records are not that expensive, we can talk more about music ?

It's worse on most of the other forums I check, Vinyl-collective true to its name is everything you described X100 :/

At least we got The Damn Fine Podcast

Perhaps some posters are simply a little nervous to talk too much about the music in case they get shot down - opinions and musical taste being subjective after all?

Far safer to talk about the latest pretty colour I guess.

Also, I guess posting on here serves as a stress release of sorts for those who have got a scratched record/ missed out on a limited drop, etc, etc

But agreed Spencer, wish there was more music talk - only ever a good thing in my book

Spun
I'd much rather listen to someone talk about how the music made them feel than read endles status updates on how their order is progressing ...
No one should be shot down for saying they love (Insert score here)
If anything it might serve toward a larger discussion or (re) discovery of a certain record.
Much better than posting your fed ex tracking number in my opinion.

Just my tuppence worth of random thoughts, @spencer. I mean no offence, if anything comes across that way.

You're probably right that there are a fair proportion of those type of posts, and I guess you're probably more interested in opinions on the music than customer service issues on the forum. However, there's still a lot of talk on here about the music, and I know I've picked up a few records I would never have bought if it wasn't for this forum. I'm grateful for that.

I think it's ultimately easier to talk about the records as objects (doesn't look like the original mock up, it's shaped like a bowl, etc) as that's not subjective. For instance, I really like Maniac by Rob, and I'm not really sure why. Similarly I can see why there's love for Ennio, but I'll take Carpenter any day, it's just how the music makes me feel. It's not adding much to say 'love this score' without any further analysis, so I tend not to say much about it. I know when I have a warped record though. In a similar vein, it might be easier to talk about artwork and colours than the actual music, and that comes through too.

I can think of two ways (at least) this could be seen more positively -
1. If someone is posting that their record is on the way (a) they're obviously excited about that - surely that's good - and (b) someone might be wondering about shipping so it's helpful to them too - might even prevent another email to the label. Either way, that seems useful, and also surely complimentary to the labels and the individuals devoting their time to these releases.
2. If there's a quality control issue, it's probably better for everyone that it comes to light. This also probably is a consequence of the excitement under 1, becoming disappointment.

It's obviously frustrating for you, but I guess I'm saying even if you see these as negatives, they also say something really positive about the records you and the other labels are releasing.

The music is nearly always fantastic from the labels we buy from, it's not a question about how good the music is that you guys source, your tastes are sublime and Spencer you especially find stuff that excites and introduce many of us to great music we may not even had known about. I have been collecting music soundtracks for a while on vinyl and this was a while before the craze, even before Death Waltz were on the scene and the colour variants. But the thing is if we're paying for something, we want it to pass certain quality levels, don't we? If we're buying a record for £20-£30 surely it said be up to scratch,and shouldn't be a problem to get a replacement. I know a lot of hard work goes into releasing these records and probably seems like of effort, lots of negativity and not that much money,but let's just say I appreciate all the hard work. I just want to play the record! My only DW issue was The Fog, poppin' an cracklin' all smokey clear but it kinda fits the mood. We should have a section on the forum called ISSUES and it could all go in there, people could dive in if they wish.
I've only commented now as I got picked up on the Phase IV peace out

@Dagar, good idea about having a separate thread for issues or whatever. It might help prevent the general or OST-specific threads getting bogged down in posts about shipping costs, etc.

I'm sure we can all take what @Spencer says on board a little bit though and maybe spend a bit more time talking about the music.

You're bang on Spencer! Bullshit killed the vibe!

This is just an observation and not meant as a critique. I can't believe you're surprised when more people talk about the colorways, packaging, and issues than the music when that is the way the industry seems driven now. Everything is a limited release on special colors or worse was the old Mondo random variant that made it more about collecting than the music. While I love the packaging that the labels on this site come up with, I almost wish it would go to just black pressings so it would be about the music and I wouldn't have to fight flippers and variant collectors for music I want to listen to.

So if I mention that my Phase IV didn't look as pretty as the Waxwork instagram picture it doesn't mean I wasn't floored by the music on the album (I was) it means I'm part caught up in the crazy collector part of buying vinyl that Death Waltz was part of ushering in.

I don't remember worrying about colors buying records in the late 70s - 80s....just having the music.

@chiefbrody and @Aremagod hit home for me. We begin collecting something because it affects us. Us participating on this site is a declaration of that affection, making the reiteration of that fact trite, so the act of collecting becomes the prominent focal point.

Aren't these being soundtracks a factor? For the most part, since we have already seen the film, addressing the music is nearing unnecessary. New films prompt the best discussion: via e-mail, I have discussed "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" extensively. And reading analysis over Carpenter's "Lost Themes" was a treat. I can offer my take on "Phase IV" and its stamina, but more eloquent descriptions can be dug-up with a quick search, and samples are provided by the labels.

The persistent quality has established the labels we celebrate, leading to @chiefbrody's point. Only when a release is actually lacking would I expect a forward discussion, but "nay-sayers" evoke heretic trials awfully fast here, and no one wants to be alienated by the founders of the labels that have wrought his or her loyalty.

Despite the friendliness that has met me here, I have never found much encouragement to splay my opinion, so, much like in any classroom, I keep to myself. Perhaps others feel this way as well.

I'm always interested in seeing what people with good taste are listening to! There's so much great stuff out there, and most of it flies under the radar unless you stumble upon it or see a recommendation. I've lost count of the stuff I would never have heard but for posts on the forum.

On the subject of great writing focusing purely on the music... just wanted to flag up the piece by Stephen Thrower (?) for the booklet in the deluxe version of Cannibal Holocaust (DW and OWS version)...

As a piece of prose it was an absolute belter and made me want to go back and listen to the record with fresh ears after reading - which is absolutely what all great music journalism should do

Get this guy to contribute to future releases Spencer and you are on to a winner.

@spun, I picked this up when it came out but confess to not having read the liner notes. I'm actually quite guilty of ignoring the liner notes and just listening to the music.

Elvis Costello said "writing about music is like dancing about architecture" (I might have got that slightly wrong). I can see his point about using one art form to describe another. I'm not of the same view - to be honest, I tend to quite like reading about music or film, usually once I have made up my own mind (or think I have). It's interesting to challenge your own thinking by reading others' views and then maybe giving something a second chance.

Edit: I don't think Elvis Costello would like this forum very much!

Walter I'd rather get your take on some music than if your record has left chicago
Honestly it isn't about being a great writer I just want to know what moves you and why , ditto if it doesn't , that to me is what builds a community . Thats why the Deep Cuts thread is great .
I'm always interested in a good ruckus about music whereas a discussion about shipping is possibly not as interesting

(Speaking of which, I think you are back up for the next Deep Cut now that filmsonwax posted his.)

yep I am going deep for it too !

Yeah, I've mentioned similar feelings in threads before, but no one seemed to notice/respond. It's weird to check on the forum and see all these posts like:

"Has anyone got their order yet? It's been 5 days"
"Received mine in Michigan today"
"Got my shipping notification today, so I should have the record within 4 days"
"Has anyone got an email yet? I haven't and I ordered 2 hours ago..."
Etc... Boring!

HOWEVER... These days it REALLY seems that people (all over, I'm not targeting this forum) are much more into the collectibility aspect than the actual music. Just take a look at the DW, WW, OWS etc Facebook page comments and this is obvious! It's like:

*cool post about a new release*
Fan replies:
"How limited is this?"
"What color is the most limited?"
"Worst album artwork I've ever seen"
"Refuse to buy this release based on the hideous album artwork."
"Will this ship immediately after I purchase, and if not, when will you ship it?"
"I stayed up all night hitting F5 to order the splatter variant, but now I can only buy the yellow?! I will never buy from you guys again!!!"

But I will also say, this is in part fueled by the labels making SUCH nice releases, AND hyping them up. Of course, they are advertising, they want to sell their releases, that's how it is. But sometimes the description of an LP in the press release is so "sexy" sounding, it reads like porno for vinyl enthusiasts.

Personally, I'd have NO problem with just a really cool OST, on a black record, in a non-special sleeve, with non-hip artwork on it, like so many "old" releases that many of us have. But the labels always want to obsess over releasing something super special, so, yes, it's going to be treated like something super special and obsessive by the fans.

For me I switched off when posts on selling and trade became the number one feature.

I still love the input from certain people I've just taken a step back from contributing to the same old discussions.

Just today reading on this forum about somebody discovering the music from Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers as being similar to "Jan Hammer on acid" and now wanting to see the film is enough for me to stay positive on things. The vast amount of exposure to both music and film, previously unheard or unseen, is a testament to the vibrancy of this community.

@deaf, I agree with you, it's increased my enthusiasm for different films and music. I think this thread does the community a bit of a disservice, to some extent.

It certaintly seems like there's a lot of frustration over the high proportion of posts about shipping, etc. Here's an idea - why doesn't every label section have a couple of new topics -
1. Issues (per Dagar's suggestion above)
2. Shipping - news on what's shipping when, shipping issues, shipping costs, etc

That way, those that want to post about that, or get updates, have a place that they can go, and everyone else can ignore those threads if they're not interested. Sure, I imagine they'd be pretty negative threads ("where's my copy of X?", "my copy of Y doesn't look as good as the test pressing", "why is the shipping cost so high?", etc), but at least it's all in one place. Anyone posting on shipping to the main thread or release threads can just get directed towards the shipping thread.

I think if we're talking about 'community' part of that is that people bring different things to the party, and are looking for different things from it. As I said above, shipping updates, etc, are useful to some, so what's the harm in providing a thread for that?

I find it a little strange that there's this reaction against "collector mentality" here. The labels are releasing multiple variants (sometimes randomly inserted), limited numbers and making a big thing about it (blink and you'll miss it-type marketing), etc. Surely this is both encouraging such a mentality and partly relies on it. It's similar to RSD, in that way. If it was all about the music, why wouldn't there just be a single colour, and any represses on the same colour, so as to not encourage double-dipping, etc? Given the focus on the art and the colour variants, is it any wonder that people then comment when it doesn't look like the instagram picture?

As a relatively new member here, I assumed that this forum thrived on such collectors. Maybe it wasn't always so, and I'd be the first to admit there might be 100 business reasons that I don't understand why this is the case.

I don't consider myself to be anything other than a collector 'lite' - I don't have all releases by any label on here (or elsewhere), the only release I have multiple vinyl versions of is Halloween III because the reissue had extra material, and I'm just as happy (in fact happier) with my black vinyl Candyman, than my Scanners/The Brood split. On a personal level, I really want to hear the music, and to find new soundtracks and films that I've not heard/seen. I don't like the idea of people buying things just so that they have them - it should be about the music - but when the 'look' of the releases is such a big thing too, I won't be criticising anyone who wants to get the super-limited cooler-looking version (or all versions), wants to know when something he or she paid for 3 months ago is going to be shipping, or is disappointed when it turns out to be damaged or looks a bit 'meh'.

So what about these shipping threads?

Problem is @Chief I wonder how many people read the forum by the recent posts section, I know I do, and as a result these posts wouldn't be hidden, in fact having a dedicated section would probably increase volume.

theres still a lot to love about this forum and the people on here. Theres a strong base of users who contribute a lot, and although I have been turned off by a lot of the posts, there is still enough to make me want to keep checking in.

I love what Spencer and Seb did with STBC but I cant help feel a lot of the content is moving away from what was originally intended.

Fair enough, @phil

As I say, I wasn't here back then, and maybe it had changed for the worse.

I use the recent posts, and u just thought it would be easier to ignore a handful of topics there than going into various topic-specific topics on the 'recent' section to find nothing but a discussion about VAT!

No harm. I'm defending a group I don't particularly put myself in. I've probably said as much as I have to say on it - and probably that was too much!

We have this discussion not every year?

Look if you pay for it you can talk about it in any way you want
But yeah that post saying HCH was Jan hammer on acid is gold and the posts today to (another) new library reissue which I just bought is amazing .
That's the spirit of STBC right there.