When vinyl died around 1987 and the headlines were "Phil Collins first to issue new album only on CD", I started to tune out. Besides, one could only take so much G&R and Don Henley stuff. I think that is when I realised that I had become my parents and growed up. I read through all these lists of "bad" records and I either don't know them, or have thoroughly enjoyed them in private. And Ed, if I could, I'd be coming to hear your collection!
Well, you'd have to wade through a lot of pop, that much I can tell you...but you might like some of it. Most of what I bring home I do play, but some of it is simply better pressings of older stuff I already own up north, which isn't available to me at the moment. So much '50s & '60s mainstream 'adult' pop can be found at thrifts and anywhere used records are sold for a quarter to a buck, generally, and if you're willing to wade through the crap, you'll find plenty of minty or close pressings, mono or stereo. You'll stumble on some rock at times, but the better stuff mostly finds its way to dealers who charge more than some are willing to pay.
As for more guilt, here's one from 1960 that in fact sold pretty decently, though it's forgotten today. For those who remember Preston Epps' "Bongo Rock" from 1959, here's a whole album of such enjoyable noise, from late 1960:
ED