Revolutions Per Minute

Tower Records, it says here, is seeking bankruptcy protection. The NYT notes that the move "comes at a time when the traditional record stores, where generations of Americans first discovered music, are under siege from big-box and electronics stores as well as from the growing availability of music online."

Evoking Tower as a "traditional music store" where "where generations of Americans first discovered music" is an interesting stab at perspective. It seems like just yesterday that Tower and other giant music chains were the villains in these kinds of stories, because they threatened small, local music retailers who offered personal service. When it comes to reporting business developments, most of whatever is happening is not only bad news, it's a sociological melodrama.