I Heart Rhino

Please excuse me, but today's post is actually going to be a love note...

Dear Rhino Records,

Although we have been acquainted for many years, I have never actually told you how I feel. I don't mean to come on too strongly, but I think it's time that I told you I love you. Yes, I said it. How could I not? I would not have discovered my intense love for psychedelic music without your Nuggets box set. I also wouldn't have discovered all the rare European 60's mod bands I love so much without your Nuggets II box set.

I've been duped before... A college boyfriend made me a mix tape full of great mod music and acted like he had discovered it all, but when I found your Nuggets II box set and saw that he had basically dumped the contents directly onto that very tape, I got great satisfaction out of declaring that he had not discovered these bands, but Rhino Records had. That was the day I fell in love with you.

Not only have you been there for me in my personal life, but in my professional life as well. You see, I am a librarian at a music college whose curriculum is centered around 20th century popular music. When I first began this job, the collection needed a lot of work. But instead of turning to alcohol, I turned to you, sweet, sweet Rhino Records. When a punk class was put on the schedule, you came through for me with your No Thanks! and your Left of the Dial box sets. When it was discovered that my library did not own a recording of "The Hustle," there you were, with your Disco Box. And don't even get me started on reissues: Gram Parsons, Burt Bacharach, the MC5, Elvis Costello, The B-52's, and seriously, your Ramones box set? AMAZING. Who would have thought to include a 3-d graphic novel inside a box set? You, Rhino Records, that's who.

I'm so glad I finally got a chance to express these feelings to you. I believe the best way to end this is with a quote from Todd Rundgren (whom you have reissued as well, no?):

You're so far away and so long ago

But my dream goes on forever

And how much I loved you you'll never know

'Til you join me within my dream.

Love always and forever,

Jaina

PS. I forgive you for your Barry Manilow DVD.