How can I locate old / limited release CD?

March 28, 2007 4:58 AM

Is there a good place, repository, store, outlet from which to acquire music CDs that are long out of print or short run?

Among some other things, I have been looking for a couple of EPs by early 90s Seattle power pop band, The Best Kissers in the World. I have sought high and low, search engines, direct from their record labels for many a year, but have come up dry. Has anyone found a reliable source for locating such obscure music short of using one of those illegal Russian sites that I keep hearing about?

posted by Tommy Gnosis to media & arts (9 comments total)

Have you tried looking at record shops that specialize in second hand music in NYC?
posted by b1tr0t at 5:16 AM on March 28, 2007

As a matter of fact, I have and do all the time, b1tr0t. I have found tons of buried treasure using that method, just have been SOL on a few items I have been looking for. Seems like the web is a better bet for this kind of thing, but so far that has not proved demonstrably true.
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 5:20 AM on March 28, 2007

Ebay has worked for me many times. If a search doesn't turn up anything one month try again the next. Are you looking for one of these?
posted by bobobox at 5:29 AM on March 28, 2007

Thanks bobobox. That's not a bad selection from a band with a very limited output, but still not finding the one I was looking for. It was the eponymous debut EP with "Vicodine" and "Hungover Together" on it. Alas, the search continues.
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 5:36 AM on March 28, 2007

Try GEMM and Discogs Marketplace. Also Amazon seems to have a few copies available of this one and that one.
posted by mkb at 6:03 AM on March 28, 2007 [2 favorites]

Hm... I don't know why I didn't think to look at Amazon again. Seems to me I had tried on many occasions before and found nothing. Thanks, mkb.
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 6:09 AM on March 28, 2007

Discogs. Two members of the community have the Best Kissers in the World EP. I am not a member there and don't really know how it works but it looks like just what you want.
posted by bobobox at 6:09 AM on March 28, 2007

whoops, need to preview
posted by bobobox at 6:10 AM on March 28, 2007

Also, not specifically for your needs, I have 2 tips in general for people seeking used CDs:

1) The always reliable SecondSpin - I've been using the service since 1998 and I've never had any problems with it (Brazilian customs, however, are whole different story).

They also sell DVDs and games. Tough a biy more mainstream, from time to time you find some rarities.

2) Usually you can find some kind of commerce among dedicated groups of fans. I've got a specific record from The Men They Couldn't Hang from a member of the mail list that had a small business of buying and selling memorabilia and records from other fans.

Hope you get what you want. Best of luck.
posted by rexgregbr at 10:55 AM on March 28, 2007