Image via Complex Original
There’s nothing like spending a nice fall afternoon scouring the racks of your local record store looking for cool new music. Unfortunately, the online shift of the music industry means that good record stores are much harder to come by than they used to be. However, fueled by the continued explosive popularity of vinyl, the best of these stores are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. We searched high and low to find some of America’s most unique and interesting music vendors. They vary from tiny hole-in-the-wall shops to big wholesalers, but they all have one thing in common: They’re a great place to search for and buy new music.
Domino Sound Record Shack
Location: New Orleans
New Orleans is famous for its vibrant and diverse musical history, and Domino Sound Record Shack seeks to connect the customer to the city’s rich heritage. Boasting what they call “the largest selection of Reggae 45s and LPs in the South,” this shop specializes in world music (particularly the African and Caribbean regions), but also features punk, jazz, hip-hop, and more at reasonable prices. True to its name, Domino Sound Record Shack also sells high-end domino sets for the refined gamer. The shop is located in the Seventh Ward, a nice respite from the more touristy French Quarter; just make sure to stop at the ATM first—it’s cash only.
Grimey’s New & Preloved Music
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
This unique store in the heart of the music capital of the South is actually a combination of three spaces. The main storefront features a wide selection of new vinyl, CDs, and cassette tapes. Right next door is Grimey’s Too, home to the “preloved” (used) music in all these formats. Beneath the store is a small venue space called “The Basement,” which features live performances by both local and touring acts. They stock everything from the newest indie releases to an extensive collection of music by local artists. No trip to the Music City would be complete without a stop at this funky music store.
Vintage Vinyl
Location: Fords, N.J.
Vintage Vinyl might be a bit of a hike out to the suburbs, but the huge selection makes the trip worth it. Teetering on the edge of the northern Jersey Shore area that birthed classic rock acts like Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, the Fords store honors the state’s music history with an extensive collection of rock and metal albums. The used section is particularly impressive, with many of the LPs rated in mint or near-mint condition and sorted alphabetically. Don’t expect to find bargain-bin prices here—the quality curation and knowledgeable staff will cost you a little—but if you’re looking for a large selection of classic albums, look no further than Vintage Vinyl.
Aquarius Records
Location: San Francisco
If you walk into Aquarius Records with your mind set on finding one particular LP, you’ll probably be disappointed. Run-of-the-mill records have no place here. Rather, the staff take it upon themselves to introduce customers to new music. Not only do they scour high and low for the best alternative, experimental, and underground music, but in the plastic sleeve of every album is a card that summarizes and reviews the work on sound, genre, and even placement in musical history. This totally unique process helps bridge the gap between the music and the buyer, eliminating some of the guesswork in searching through unfamiliar albums. Enter with an open mind, and you may leave with your new favorite music.
Absolute Vinyl Records & Stereo
Location: Boulder, Colo.
The Rocky Mountain State is home to Absolute Vinyl Records & Stereo. The standout offering at this shop is the wide variety of high-end new and vintage audio equipment. Whether you’re looking for speakers, needles, turntables, or amps, any audiophile would do well to add to their setup here. The Boulder store also carries a good selection of music from nearly every genre, and many online reviewers praised the staff for being kind and knowledgeable. Music fans in the Colorado area should make a point to spend some time browsing this store.
Singles Going Steady
Location: Seattle
Any true fan of the punk scene should make a beeline to Seattle’s Singles Going Steady. The store stocks a wealth of new and classic punk, hardcore, metal, crust, and emo records where even the most discerning fan will find something new. Although the selection of music outside these genres is limited, the sheer volume and depth of the punk-music selection, as well as the staff’s knowledge of it, is nothing short of fantastic. Prices start low, although the rare records and big names will command top dollar. It might not be for everyone, but for fans of punk and its many sub-genres, this store is an absolute gem.
Stormy Records
Location: Dearborn, Mich.
Stormy Records, located just outside of Detroit, is a great place to score rare, used vinyl, as well as some CDs and cassettes. Owned by a pair of successful ambient musicians, the store is unique in its large selection of ambient music and noise records on vinyl. On their website, they profess to stock everything from “Psychedelic pop” to “Japanese acid freakout” to “Weird ’60s soundtracks.” The prices are generally low, and great deals can also be found in the dollar bin (although some digging will be required). They also have an in-store record buyer for anyone looking to offload some old vinyl.
Static Age Records
Location: Asheville, N.C.
Nestled in the downtown heart of the hip North Carolina mountain-resort city of Asheville, Static Age Records is a great little find. The store is primarily known for its selection of punk, indie, and experimental music, selling everything from new releases to rare, out-of-print vinyl. A back room also plays occasional host to live shows, mostly touring indie and rock bands. If you’re in the area, stopping at Static Age Records should definitely be on your itinerary.
Friends of Sound
Location: Austin, Texas
Tucked away in a back alley of Austin, Texas, is Friends of Sound, a hidden gem of a record store. Although it’s smaller than most, the store is jam-packed with a big selection of records. Searching through the crates can lead to some great finds, with many used LPs selling for well under $5. Fans of old-school hip-hop, jazz, and rock are likely to be particularly satisfied with the selection. Although the city of Austin has many great record stores, any music lover should have the secretive Friends of Sound on their list.
Déjà Vu Records
Location: Natick, Mass.
The Boston suburb of Natick, Mass., is home to the eclectic Déjà Vu Records. This wholesale record store is paradise for vinyl hunters—but, you should come prepared to do a lot of digging through a series of semi-organized crates and boxes. Thankfully, a little patience is likely to lead to some great finds, and the store’s bulk-purchase style means that haggling down the price on a large order is always a possibility. While it’s not the most glamorous record shop out there, the vast selection and potential deals make it a must-stop for music fans in the area who know what they’re looking for.
