October 31, 2007

  • The new Eagles album is out.  It came out yesterday.

    I LOVE the Eagles.  They are my favorite band of all time.  Seriously.  There are only two bands I would walk over hot coals to see.  Eagles and Melissa Etheridge.  (Conicidentially, she opened for the Eagles on the Hell Freezes Over Tour.  Me?  I was stuck in traffic on my way to Texas Stadium for the concert.  Missed Melissa, did not miss the Eagles).

    I really want this new album.  20 songs of pure Eagle goodness.

    So, you might ask, what's the problem?

    Well, in my world, the problem is quite a huge one.  The album is available only at WalMart.

    I HATE WalMart.  I mean really really hate them.  They are one of the worst of the irresponsible corporate behemoths.  They are environmentally irresponsible, they do not care for the communities they have stores in, they do not pay a living wage, they allow their pharmacists to override doctor's decisions when prescribing "the morning-after pill..."  I could go on.  But I won't.

    The thing that chaps me is that Don Henley has been a staunch environmentalist for years, and is quite liberal politically as well.  I read an interview with Don Henley regarding their choice to go with WalMart.  He said they are making progress in their environmental and labor initiatives.  And that he wanted to go with them because of their distribution power.  Making progress is not the same as fixing the problems.  He also said WalMart isn't any worse than a giant record label.  He's probably right about that.  But I still don't want to give WalMart any of my money.

    I read one blogger who suggested just ordering the CD set from the Eagles website.  However, it is pretty clear to me in viewing the website that the actual ordering goes through WalMart.  Even if you want to download it, that goes through WalMart.com. 

    I checked Amazon.com and they have the album available through third party individuals.  Those who have no objection to shopping at WalMart and then marking up their price...so either way, WalMart would technically be getting my money.

    So, the dilemma.  Do I break my WalMart boycott?  I haven't been in WalMart since 2001.  Would it be sacrificing my principles to go to WalMart to get the Eagles album?  Has WalMart really made strides in the right direction?  If they have, then maybe they aren't the evil corporate behemoth any longer...

    I am torn.  I really want the Eagles new album.  But I really don't want to support WalMart.

    And yes, I know, my lone boycott of WalMart is not hurting its pocketbook any.  But, really, it is not about hurting WalMart (that's an added bonus, if it happens), it is about remaining true to my principles and leading by example.

    *le sigh*

    When I put it that way, I guess the answer is clear.  No Eagles album for me.

Comments (61)

  • Break your Wal-mart boycott fer crissakes.

    If my Neo-Con ass can have car insurance ($700 a year) through "PROGRESSIVE" (Ie: the most liberal insurance company out there), then you can suck it up for $20 to Wally-World. 

    C'mon, give in to the dark side... we have cookies.

    Wishing you well, and the Eagles Album.

  • I hate walmart too. I'm glad I'm not the only one

  • Good for you.  You should send this entry to Don Henley.

    WalMart is a huge client of WCC.  I can tell you that they're starting to be much more demanding about green labelling, environmental awareness, and so forth.  How does that reflect on how they operate?  Not much, I suppose, but at least tells you what they're starting to ask of others.

  • Weeeelll, I'd say - if you really want the album than it is worth going and buying it.  I feel the same about Wal Mart too and avoid going there at all costs . . .but sometimes, there can be exceptions. ??

  • These bastard musicians that only have their stuff available at WalMart really piss me off. In addition to everything you mentioned about WalMart (plus so much more) I personally object to the fact that they sometimes have different album cover art (Nirvana's Nevermind comes to mind; I don't know if that was actually one that they had a different cover for, but I think so). If they are going to have a different cover, I think they at least have the obligation to let the consumer know they aren't getting the same thing they might get at Target or Best Buy or wherever. I can't recall if they also insist on "clean" versions of songs, but I'm pretty sure they do.

    The thing that totally creeped me out about WalMart, though, was an article I read in the New Yorker about just how far WalMart will go to enforce their company policies.

  • Well, what about this -- obviously the legal goons from the record companies aren't going to come after you (thank God no lawyers hang out on Xanga), so get on something like Kazaa and download it. Don and the boys will probably still be able to pay their electric bills.

  • Personally... If they are your abosolute favorite band, you should break the boycott. There is no price-tag on a favorite band. I would personally hand the founder of Wal-mart a thousand dollar's for a new Jackson Browne album. It's all worth it in the end, trust me. Call it a truce for a day :]

  • Just get an iTunes giftcard?

  • steal it? hehe.. ._.

  • Hm, I have never heard of this band, but depends on how passionate you feel about boycotting Wal-mart.

  • have a friend buy it for you so you don't have to go through walmart.. just pretend u never knew about the whole walmart thing. haha

  • See if you can purchase it online from the recording company's website or Amazon; usually when they say "exclusive" (for instance, stuff that is sold exclusively on TV can often be found in a store) they don't really mean it because being exclusive eats away the profit margin. Keep it cool and get creative if you feel you absolutely must avoid the Wally World.

  • itunes. it only goes through itunes. just buy it there and your dilemma is solved. why was this featured?

  • i'd say i'd be pretty happy to see a walmart...i haven't been in one in like...five or six years? living overseas is terrible, don't do it :]

  • walmart, target, kmart, they are all the same. We all hate them, but end up shopping there anyways because they have low prices which makes mom and pops type stores impossible to compete with.

  • walmart, target, kmart, they are all the same. We all hate them, but end up shopping there anyways because they have low prices which makes mom and pops type stores impossible to compete with.

  • walmart, target, kmart, they are all the same. We all hate them, but end up shopping there anyways because they have low prices which makes mom and pops type stores impossible to compete with.

  • I love the Eagles, too bad I missed their concert when they came to Hong Kong.

  • Hello Ms. CaliGrrrl,
    I like your site that you worked hard to make simple yet elegant. The pictures are a nice touch. I see that you have a wide variety of interests and observations here!
    I like to write articles about God and religion on my site to help people to really get to know God, especially in these troubled times. 14 When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) (CEV) I hope you get a chance to look at them.

  • Hello Ms. CaliGrrrl,
    I like your site that you worked hard to make simple yet elegant. The pictures are a nice touch. I see that you have a wide variety of interests and observations here!
    I like to write articles about God and religion on my site to help people to really get to know God, especially in these troubled times. 14 When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) (CEV) I hope you get a chance to look at them.

  • Hello Ms. CaliGrrrl,
    I like your site that you worked hard to make simple yet elegant. The pictures are a nice touch. I see that you have a wide variety of interests and observations here!
    I like to write articles about God and religion on my site to help people to really get to know God, especially in these troubled times. 14 When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) (CEV) I hope you get a chance to look at them.

  • Lawyers do too hang out on xanga! I loathe Wally World for one reason: How they treat their employees. If it's such a necessary evil, I'll go buy it for you, then you can pay me via Paypal, ok? I've got no qualms about getting something like this for a stranger.

  • Lawyers do too hang out on xanga! I loathe Wally World for one reason: How they treat their employees. If it's such a necessary evil, I'll go buy it for you, then you can pay me via Paypal, ok? I've got no qualms about getting something like this for a stranger.

  • You can't GET it on iTunes. I've tried.

  • The guy is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Walmart does not make it easier to distribute. iTunes and Amazon would. I suspect,unfortunately, that Walmart promised mo' money. I love the Eagles and I also hate Walmart. But I will hold my nose and go in for the new Eagles,just as soon as I have an hour to kill.

    Don,for Pete's sake, buddy, just tell us the truth.

  • I CAN'T believe one of the dude who gave comment above me has not heard of eagle! eagle is like one of the best groups ever! they are already legend! Im proud top say that im an Eagles fan! My favourite song from the have to be "I cant tell you why". it used to be the "hotel california", but ive grown bored of it. as for your problem, i can think of no other way except that you should find out when and where is their concert and go for it!

  • Stay out of wall mart. At least you have standards, as misinformed as they are, you stick with those standards. To do otherwise would be hypocritical.

  • Actually, you as a fan deserve the album, so let yourself feel better about it: Walmart is doing a LOT of good things in the area of the environment now (more than most businesses, actually). Look here and it will make you feel better, and you can enjoy new Eagles songs: http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=217. I wish you Eaglish goodness! My brother saw them in concert last year and tells me they remain timelessly brilliant.

  • uh, it's one item...you can still claim boycotting on grounds of "it wasn't possible to get it elsewhere"...

  • I also have a strong dis-like for Wal-Mart, and it ticks me off that The Eagles new album is only being sold there. I'm a big Eagles fan!!

  • If I were you, get that damn album! ANYTHING FOR AN EAGLES ALBUM I'D SAY :)

  • Well that's lousy. I'd say iTunes but another commenter said it's not available. I'm glad to see someone else who won't shop at Wal-Mart. I don't know, it it were me I might cave...or wait until someone I knew had it and burn it, so neither Wal-Mart nor the band got my money. Which yes, I know, is also slightly unethical.

  • dude, order it off Amazon.com. You can buy ANYTHING there. 

  • Dude, order it off of amazon.com. You can buy anything and everything there.

  • I boycott Walmart and the entire music industry by downloading everything off of Limewire.  I rarely ever purchase a CD anymore.  If I like the artist and their music then I support them by attending a concert (which is where the real moneymaker is in the music industry.)  Sure, downloading music is illegal but then so are monopolies which in essence is what Walmart is doing with the new Eagles album. 

  • Seems to me there is but one solution whereby you can get your CD and STILL not break with your convictions...

       Two words: Christmas List!

    If someone buys it for you as a gift then none of YOUR money contributes to the corporate terror.  (and for the record, conservatives aren't that fond of Wal-Mart either for many of the same reasons liberals aren't... it's not a right vs. left issue but a right vs. wrong issue and Wal-Mart has some practices that are in the wrong... and you left out how they 'bully' companies into lowering their prices so they, in turn, can have the lowest prices)  I shop there because I HAVE to but I'd much rather go elsewhere.  I say don't go back on your convictions.

  • there's always target...

  • Hmmm... Another possibility is that if you have something you could return to Wal-Mart and go get store credit then use the store credit to purchase the CD.  I mean, who doesn't have a few CD's laying around that they got as a gift and never opened because the music was... well, lousey?  Bartering is not dead... it's just more complicated.

  • From what I've heard...you aint missing nothing! Man...cant people rest on their laurels anymore! I like the Eagles too...but Ive got the Greatest Hits(both)and it just aint 1977 anymore...right?

  • Hey, I had a thought about this today. I didn't read all the comments here so someone probably beat me to it, but what about buying it used at something like half.com or Amazon? I know it's only NEW at WalMart, but I'll bet (I haven't checked, though, sorry) it's available used someplace like that now, or soon.

    I like Garth Brooks's new song (so shoot me, I like the guy, kind of, sometimes), but he isn't doing iTunes (and I'm not sure if it's only at WalMart; I know he has done that in the past because he's on the board or something so he has some special connection to that place). So anyway, no iTunes, eff that guy. I don't like it THAT much and I don't want to be forced to buy the whole album.

  • download it

  • download it

  • I don't remember ever seeing Walmart holding a gun to anyone's head making them work for a little over minimum wage or however low their payroll is. Are there people working there against their will? Maybe it's better that those low income people get back on the welfare rolls. Maybe the government can give them a top-notch education so they can find better jobs. Then we can give the low-paying jobs (and Walmart isn't the only one who pays low) to all the illegal immigrants who are happy to work for such low wages.

    BTW - I love the Eagles, too And congrats on being featured!

  • Eh walmart is kind of the work of the devil. You might as well wait until some other distributer picks it up...

  • God bless Wal-Mart. I'm sorry, but you're the only one who is losing when you don't shop there.

  • Are you serious? Walmart sucks but you want the album. Just get it. To be that stubborn holding yourself back from something you want is just stupid. You even said yourself that you're not hurting Walmart.

  • hope you get the new album...

  • well i pretty much feel completely the same ((about the Eagles being numero uno band ((<<went to farewell I tour in dallas at mere age of 12)) and hating on walmart)) and while i haven't quite thought about the dilemma in my situation, i would say: burn a copy of someone who bought it?  its a win win situation, but then again, you don't get the goodies of CD case and booklet, etc.....

    and yes, for as much as i love don henley, this seems to be a very hypocritical move of him...... and my inital thought about such a swell band giving the GREAT honor of releasing their CD to the filth that is walmart?

    WHATtheHELL?  DISGRACEFUL!

  • since walmart has none of the new stuff in stock when I want it anyway I dont go there.... I wish I could download the new eagles music on my computer

  • Hi, I like the pic of the dogs.   In response to your post, I don't particularly like the way Wal-Mart functions either, but as a starving college student, sometimes I end up shopping there ayway. My suggestion would be to check E-bay for the CD if you really want it. Any CD priced the same as Wal-Mart didn't come directly from the store, it came from the distributor whom Wal-Mart buys from.

  • i was just reading about their new album; didn't feel as strongly about them though. If I wanted it that badly, I'd still go to Walmart...then futilely attempt to make up for it by going on a shopping spree, somewhere else. =D

  • I boycotted Wal-Mart for a while after I found out that they donated a huge sum of money (think millions) to Planned Parenthood, and it's not as hard as people think.  Actually, I found other places that have some better prices, and loooots of places with better quality.

  • If you really want that new Eagles album then you have to suck it up, drop your pride for this one time, and go buy it at WalMart. I'm not a big fan of WalMart either but, if I was you I will buy it. Don't let your pride get in the way of your happiness.

  • The Eagles ROCK!  They are my favorite band of all ... and I'm only  22y/o! So they still have their appeal ...    have a great week!

  • Hi!

    I'm getting mine via Amazon. I checked this afternoon and they have it. :o )

    No need to go to Wal Mart (which was actually kind of a relief as it is probably the single most crowded store in any town).

    P.S. Did you notice that Britney's new cd (which was released the same day), was all over the news and the Eagles' album got practically no mention at all, unless you count the Wal Mart commercials?

  • OOPS. I read down a little more and now see that you already knew that. My bad.

  • Here's a solution:  ask for it for Christmas.....that way you will get it and won't compromise your principles.  Then burn a copy and sell the original on Ebay.  I have seen the Eagles in concert years ago and they were soooo good!  (p.s.- we call Wal*Mart  'China*Mart' around here.

    ilena holder.....Rose Garden...a contemporary romance on Awe-Struck ebooks 10.31.07

  • Its a great album they have it on msn free to preview but its the whole album so at least you can enjoy it a few times online. Hear is the link they have other albums to listen to free as well its pretty cool http://music.msn.com/music/ListeningBooth hope this helps you stick it to the man. take care

  • I think you ask your family or friends to buy you for Chirstmas present

    I believe that day you can receive 100 of the albums

    By the way, I just did a research about the Eagles. It's interesting to see you giving them such a big compliment

  • nnever been an eagles fan myself always preferred the penguins

  • I wonder why on earth the Eagles did that?

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