I like shops like this but obviously few and far between. I bought Kathleen Edwards' first album, Failer, in the local Fopp when it was playing. Completely up my street and a thing of wonder.

I bought Jordan The Comeback by Prefab Sprout on a similar whim and I love that one too, but I have to say it's a rare thing for this to happen. Generally the stuff coming out of the speakers is a horrible racket, certainly in the HMV in our town. But it's Record Store Day this weekend so I'll be going down to the local independent to see what's what. No doubt other Worders will be doing the same.

it was the McAlmont & Butler 2nd album. I'd popped into HMV (funnily enough) in Putney on the way home from work and this was blaring out the sound system. Some records are meant to be played quietly, to allow for a spot of introspection and so forth. The Theme from McAlmont and Butler

is not one of these records. It's a ruddy mess of Phil Spector-y production, completely over the top singing, silly guitar noises and (I'm quite sure if you listen hard enough) kitchen sinks thrown in for good measure.

I made my way to the counter and enquired of the lad behind the counter what the hell was 'horrible racket' (© Indus, a few minutes ago). He grinned like a loon and said 'McAlmont and Butlers new album - it's daft but it's bloody brilliant, isn't it'.

How, really, can you disagree with a sales pitch like that!

I was in HMV Moorgate and a lush, lovely, heartbreaking thing came on. Turns out it was the title track from David Byrne & Fatboy Slim's Imelda Marcos concept album with Florence welch on vocals. I was stopped in my tracks.

Always had something new to offer. The two standout instances were The Justfied Ancients Of Mu Mu - during the few days it was actually on sale and Frittering from the first Mercury Rev record. Played really loud, sounded like the sky was falling in.

I went on to work in a High Street record shop and can confirm the power of The Beta Band's 'Dry The Rain', a particularly astute choice for High Fidelity.

I was perusing a magazine blog and was struck by a strong sense of deja vu. I asked what it was and lo!

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/ever-bought-thing-was-playing-shop

;)

Ah - hadn't seen that. Great minds think alike. Or something.

I ordered the 3 EPs by The Beta Band whilst watching the scene in High Fidelity where said album is played in the record shop in order to sell copies. A purchase that was the combined result of a wireless LAN, too much red wine and Amazon's One Click Buy feature.

Good record though.

speak of?

Burial

Hands down greatest thing ever recommended to me in a record shop by the owner.