There are those who say that vinyl records are superior to digital recordings, that they possess an immediacy and authenticity. The hiss and the pops that come with vinyl are not imperfections to be overcome, they say, those are integral to the experience.
This line of thinking has had a resurgence in recent years. Vinyl is back. And independent record stores are again in vogue, after the demise of most record chain stores.
"Empire Records" is about an independent store about to sell out to a chain. Its quirky group of employees are dedicated to music, especially on vinyl. They sing at work, they dance in the aisles, they have spirited discussions with customers about the music they are devoted to.
Being young adults, they have their problems. This film explores their differences and their similarities. Like "The Breakfast Club" ten years earlier, it is a day's events that represent a coming of age.
The cast is a fine group of young actors, including Renee Zellweger (very early in her career) and Liv Tyler (even before "Stealing Beauty").
Appropriately, the soundtrack is packed with contemporary rock music. Some of it is excellent.
The story is somewhat uneven and choppy, but it only seems to add to the authenticity of the film---like the imperfections of vinyl.
The film was written by Carol Heikkinen, who also wrote the great dance film "Center Stage".
This line of thinking has had a resurgence in recent years. Vinyl is back. And independent record stores are again in vogue, after the demise of most record chain stores.
"Empire Records" is about an independent store about to sell out to a chain. Its quirky group of employees are dedicated to music, especially on vinyl. They sing at work, they dance in the aisles, they have spirited discussions with customers about the music they are devoted to.
Being young adults, they have their problems. This film explores their differences and their similarities. Like "The Breakfast Club" ten years earlier, it is a day's events that represent a coming of age.
The cast is a fine group of young actors, including Renee Zellweger (very early in her career) and Liv Tyler (even before "Stealing Beauty").
Appropriately, the soundtrack is packed with contemporary rock music. Some of it is excellent.
The story is somewhat uneven and choppy, but it only seems to add to the authenticity of the film---like the imperfections of vinyl.
The film was written by Carol Heikkinen, who also wrote the great dance film "Center Stage".