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Sorry if this has been covered but SBS was in the featured CD rack at my local Starbucks. There was recently a NYT article on how Starbucks influences modern culture in so many ways like telling people who wouldn't otherwise know what music is OK to listen to. I don't know about that but I wonder if there is any solid information about what being featured at SB's does for record sales.

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I drank coffee while listening to Wilco in my car this morning. True story. :yes

 

Ok, more seriously... Starbucks definitely has a curious influence on music sales these days, but I'm not sure about this:

telling people who wouldn't otherwise know what music is OK to listen to.

Its the "OK to listen to" part that gets me...I'm not sure what that means. But Starbucks has established themselves as the default destination for people who realize they want to drink something better than truck-stop coffee but don't necessarily want to have to search for it. So I guess I can see a similar thing happening with the music they carry in the stores--its largely stuff people might be vaguely aware of but might not otherwise search out on their own, but if you put it on display there a bunch of people will pick it up as an impulse-buy while waiting for their coffee. I dunno that there's anything wrong with that, really.

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Not that I give credence to the tastes of others (well, not always), but I was not thrilled to see SBS promoted by Starbucks in a display with Maroon 5. NOT COOL MAN...

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Isn't Sam Beam's (Iron & Wine) fame largely attributed to Starbucks placement?

 

His music is good, so if Starbucks helped him, more power! That said, I've never bought a CD at Starbucks.

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I'm sure being in Starbucks has some kind of positive impact on sales.

 

I just wonder what kind of person decides to add a $13.99 CD to their $4.00 coffee order?

 

Perhaps I'm old school, but I normally don't plan on adding to my musical library when I go into a food/beverage locale.

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Perhaps I'm old school, but I normally don't plan on adding to my musical library when I go into a food/beverage locale.

Yeah, I agree to some extent. But if you think about it, coffee shops in particular kind of have an established history being intertwined with books and music...which is why you started seeing big stores like Borders and B&N with cafes in them start popping up all over the place. Starbucks isn't that much different than that, except that they only have a handful of non-food-related items that they sell.

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i like some of the starbucks comilations as they feature rare or prev unreleased tracks by bands i like, old 97's, calexico, neko case, etc.

 

however, starbucks is a major corp and has caused many independent coffee places to close. seems like we've gotten a mixed message from the band : support indy record stores but sip corporate coffee. not that i have a big problem with that, just an observation.

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I'm sure being in Starbucks has some kind of positive impact on sales.

 

I just wonder what kind of person decides to add a $13.99 CD to their $4.00 coffee order?

 

Perhaps I'm old school, but I normally don't plan on adding to my musical library when I go into a food/beverage locale.

 

A lot of people do things to project a certain image. Like... if you hang out at Starbucks, you'd probably listen to Wilco or whatever they have on the shelf because Starbucks is "your thing"

 

Like kids who hang out at Hot Topic and wear body jewelery and Him t-shirts...

 

I'm not saying everyone's like this, but a lot pf people my age are sort of malleable and are pressed into molds formed by places like Starbucks and Hot Topic.

 

(Also, I do like coffee, and I have been known to browse through Hot Topic, so don't get defensive, I'm really not trying to put anyone down)

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coffee shops in particular kind of have an established history being intertwined with books and music

 

I bought Dylan's Gaslight bootleg at Starbucks because I think that was the only place it was being sold(?). I sort of laughed at and dug the irony of buying that cd at a Starbucks. Those songs took form at coffee shops in the neighborhood where I bought it. Not quite Starbucks back then, though. :)

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A lot of people do things to project a certain image. Like... if you hang out at Starbucks, you'd probably listen to Wilco or whatever they have on the shelf because Starbucks is "your thing"

 

Like kids who hang out at Hot Topic and wear body jewelery and Him t-shirts...

 

I'm not saying everyone's like this, but a lot pf people my age are sort of malleable and are pressed into molds formed by places like Starbucks and Hot Topic.

 

(Also, I do like coffee, and I have been known to browse through Hot Topic, so don't get defensive, I'm really not trying to put anyone down)

 

I know what you mean. I'm probably the same age as you, actually. :)

 

I hate coffee. Hot Topic I can deal with.

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That said, I've never bought a CD at Starbucks.
I haven't either, but I have bought a few used Starbucks CDs, such as the Dylan Gaslight and Joe Henry Soul stuff.
truck stop coffee is way better than that burnt tasting shit starbucks sells.
Sadlly I don't drink coffee from anywhere anymore...it doesn't agree with me. (not that anyone asked... :lol

 

LouieB

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I thought everyone knew that hot topic is a joke

 

I've never walked by one and not had someone made a sarcastic comment

 

Eh... they sell clothes and stuff, I mean, I don't think a store is really capable of being a joke... the kids that dress up and hang out outside are jokes maybe.

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It can't hurt now can it?

 

LouieB

 

 

First reviews comparing SBS to a the best recored the Eagles never released and now a Starbucks display?!?!... Hurt the band's pocket book no, hurt our future live concert experience, yes!

 

I hate arena concerts!

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First reviews comparing SBS to a the best recored the Eagles never released and now a Starbucks display?!?!... Hurt the band's pocket book no, hurt our future live concert experience, yes!

 

I hate arena concerts!

 

There's gonna be a HEARTACHE TONIGHT!

a HEARTACHE TONIGHT!

I know...

 

 

 

ugh. must go shower now.

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