B Side Presents, "Friday Gut Check - Buy Curious"

I love going to the record store. No - not Best Buy or Target or whatever major retailer you enjoy buying the bulk of your music at. I'm taking about a real - old school record store. The ones where you can listen to an album before you buy it. The ones that still sell vinyl...yeah, some people still buy it. In fact, I picked up an AWESOME copy of 'Hombre Lobo' by Eels in vinyl the other day. 10 bucks new. I was elated. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked.

I've found a couple local record stores that I like to go to. And it's nice to give a local business owner some of my money, but I also like how they operate. Sell the used stuff, which of course is always worth the money. Used LP's and CD's are a great way to boost your music collection without breaking your bank. Plus, I'm a big old school when it comes to buying music. I like to have my tangible CD or album because I have something to show for my dollar. And I like being able to take the cd's on a road trip if the car doesn't have an iPod dock. (rare nowadays, I know) Regardless, I always have a list of cd's I want to buy. I'm sure you guys all do too. Like a list of..."If I had the money.." or "If I get over to the store..." that type of thing. Well, I'm going to give you guys 5 albums I need to pick up soon. Let me know what yours are too - so I can see what you all are grooving on right now...(or in the near future)

5. Radiohead - Amnesiac. I currently own every single Radiohead album except this one. And honestly, I've been resisting the urge to queue it up on Grooveshark and listen to it. Why? Because I love the surprise that comes with listening to a new cd. I still haven't worn 'King Of Limbs' out, so this isn't a huge priority. Although, I've heard the sound is most similar to 'Kid A' - which is my favorite.

4. God Is An Astronaut - All Is Violent, All Is Bright. Yeah, I just reviewed this the other day. I've been fawning over it on Grooveshark all week. It could be a temporary amorous relationship - TBD I guess. But as of this moment, I'd buy it, and wear the cd out in a week or two. I really enjoy the laidback sound and the instrumental nature of the album. I can safely say, this is the first no vocal album I'd ever considered purchasing.

3. Gorillaz - The Fall. Yeah, yeah, yeah. B Side - how have you not bought this already? You're a Gorillaz hound! Okay, so maybe none of you were thinking that, but I was. I adore the Gorillaz. And I own every single album they've dropped. Even the B Sides type records and remixes. I would have picked this up opening day, but the cheapest I found was $17 dollars! That's out of my price range. It's on sale for $11.99 at Best Buy - which is a little better, but I'm cheap. I prefer $9.99 or less. Either way, it'll get bought by me at some point.

2. James Blake - Self Titled. Holy cats. This cd is another Grooveshark staple for me. And boy do I love it. So incredibly different from anything I'd been listening to lately, and I'm infatuated with it. I probably have already listened to this 15 or 20 times, and I'm no where near sick of it. What does that add up to? Gotta buy it! And bonus, I can buy it from my local record store online, and then pick it up. No shipping, and cheaper price than in the store. Double bonus!

1. Florence + The Machine - Lungs. So, I'm slightly embarrassed. I can't believe I don't own this. I'm going to see Flo, Cage and Black Keys at Summerfest in about 2 months now. How can I not own this and be listening to it daily? Lord known the Keys get regular play on my iPod - and I literally own every cd they've ever done. Plus Auerbach's solo stuff. The album is in a word - outstanding. Worth every single penny I will be paying for it very soon.

What do you guys have on the docket? Keep the CD alive!