Throughout it’s history, Rolling Stone has had the misfortune of being late to report on every musical trend or innovation, being wrong in regard to its first impressions of classic records, and being endlessly in search of a newer, more-hip identity. Look no further than the initial album reviews of Zeppelin, Beatles or Nirvana albums. The magazine’s initial reviews are frequently updated and/or erased from existence in some kind of weird, revisionist fantasy where Rolling Stone is portrayed as the most cutting-edge, spotless music publication of all time. So far this year, Rolling Stone covers have featured the cast of Mad Men, Jay Z, Jimi Hendrix, Fergie, Shaun White, and John Mayer. Talk about being in vogue! Talk about cutting edge. If you turn to an issue of Rolling Stone to learn about emerging cultural trends, I pity you.
I don’t know when this article went live on the magazine’s website, but apparently Rolling Stone has decided that record stores are cool again, kids are buying vinyl records, and what better way to express that then by creating a list of the “25 best spots for unique vinyl and CDs, from San Francisco to Boston.” Sure, Paste did it two years ago and SPIN did it in April, but since when has RS failed to cash in on something that’s already come and gone? The only problem is, they did it all wrong!
First, what’s wrong with their list:
• Amoeba Music, the mammoth Hollywood/San Francisco/Berkeley chain beloved by tourists who only revere it because they don’t have to suffer through the store’s horrible inventory on a regular basis, is granted the number one spot on the list. This is, of course, just the latest part of a long and storied tradition whereby Rolling Stone doesn’t both to do any research, and simply goes with to the de facto choice commonly cited by idiots who are impressed by large used CD sections. Nevermind that all three of the Amoeba stores (I’m most familiar with Hollywood but have been to the others multiple times) feature utterly embarrassing used vinyl selection, their used CD prices are comparable to bygone chains like Tower and Virgin. Amoeba isn’t even the best record store (or in this case, chain) in its home state. But more on that later…
• Ear X-Tacy is the largest record store in one of my favorite cities, Louisville. On my many trips to the city, I always made sure to stop in and see what was new. Only once did I ever buy something here. Their used selection of vinyl is pretty much non-existent (or at least it was when last I visited in ’07) and the used CD section is tiny and not well priced. I was saddened — but definitely not surprised — by the news that Ear X-tacy was on the brink of closing earlier this year. It has since moved down the street. Really, if a store owner can’t embrace or understand the importance of its used selection over its new selection, it’s not going to stay in business or remain profitable. And it definitely doesn’t deserve consideration as one of the best in the country.
• Goner Records in Tennessee was a record label ten years before the store opened. In to the book “Vinyl Lives” by James P. Gross, owner Eric Friedl (of Oblivions fame) talks a bit about how important his mail order business is to the store. Mostly that involves vinyl (which accounts for 20% of total store sales) and the majority of that is new records and 45s. It’s not mentioned what percentage of sales comes from albums released on their label, but one could assume that it’s a pretty hefty portion of their mail order business. Which leads me to wonder, since when is a label selling its own product online a recipe for one of the best stores in the country to find unique music?
• Newbury Comics. Wait a minute, since when is a chain of nearly 30 stores considered a unique store in which to find music? As much as I respect Mike Dreese as a businessman because he’s always been very quick to adapt to changes in the marketplace. His store(s) were keyed into eBay and Amazon long before many others have been. He understands — much like my own bosses do — that it’s very easy to thrive in musical retail if you are willing to change how your operate to compete with the Internet. But…30 locations? I’ve been to five or six of them, and never purchased anything. His acumen might be unique and remarkable, but his stores are anything but. Sorry!
• Princeton Record Exchange. The first record store I ever visited when I began collecting vinyl. It was always so impressive to me, until I moved out west. I’ve only been back once since moving, but I get depressed every time I move a chunk of my collection or attempt to catalog it, because when I look at my records and see that PREX price sticker I can be certain that the disc I spent 9 or 10 dollars on is absolutely destroyed. It’s just not a good place to find great music. There’s a lot of it to be found in that store, sure, but not much of it is any good. The used CD section is great, but it can’t carry the dead weight that is the store’s used vinyl selection.
• Academy Records. Look, I get that you’re based in New York so you can charge ridiculous sums of money for common records, but at least have the common decency to clean your filthy albums before pricing them. If a certain friend of mine were to anonymously post his most-recent encounter with an Academy employee in regard to their practice of selling disgustingly dirty records, I’m sure you’d all be very amused by it.
I guess you want to know my opinion on the ten best record stores in the country.E Well, here they are. For the sake of being unbiased, I will leave my store off the list, even though I think it is absolutely, unequivocally one of the finest in the country. Sadly, it’s only fair to disregard it in order to remain neutral.
My unranked list:
• Aquarius Records (San Francisco, CA) – Remember when I said that Amoeba wasn’t even the best store in California? Aquarius would be my second “case in point” when referencing better shops. My store would be number one. Another LA store on this list would be number three. Yeah, Aquarius kind of falls into the same trap that Goner does in that mail order plays a huge part in its business. Still, I can’t go to San Francisco and skip a visit to Aquarius. I can do without Amoeba in the Haight. I can do without Groove Merchant or Grooves or Streetlight. I can’t do without Aquarius. Every time I’ve been in the store I’ve walked out with amazing deals on used records (the last time was when I nabbed a Fabio Orsi limited-edition import for $4, a BONG record for $10 and the Dark Fog double-LP for less than $10. In my years of dealing with the mail order department I have nothing but praise to heap upon the staff. They’ve kept things on hold for me for months until another item I’ve ordered has found its way back into inventory. They keep want-lists. It’s just an amazing music-buying experience. One of the best.
• Double Decker (Allentown, PA) – This is anything but a nostalgic selection based on my college years. Because I never shopped at Double Decker when I was in college. I only went there once (at the old location) and I wound up with a June of 44 CD and a Low CD. That’s it. I wrote the store off as a waste of time. It wasn’t until I started chatting with Jordan at the WFMU record fair in my post-Muhlenberg / pre-Los Angeles days. Since I graduated, I make a trip back to Allentown every time I am home in order to shop and chat with whoever is at the store that day. Our table at the WFMU fair has been near the Double Decker table for the past two years, so it’s nice to see a familiar face with whom to chat about music. The store’s selection is absurdly good considering its location. I don’t know what the local college kids are like around Allentown these days, but Double Decker was getting shit from labels like Not Not Fun years before they blew up. Always fair prices, always willing to negotiate, knowledgeable and friendly, it’s about the only thing in Allentown that’s been worth visiting since graduation.
• Vintage Vinyl (Saint Louis, MO) – What, you thought I was going to cite the New Jersey store as one of the greatest in the country? Please. The first time I went there a Zack Wylde in-store appearance totally ruined the experience. Now, Vintage Vinyl in Saint Louis is a fantastic store. University City — and in particular “The Loop” (as its known to locals) — is a fantastic area. Blueberry Hill, Vintage Vinyl, Suberranean Books, Pin-Up Bowl and more are all must-visits. The selection is mostly used, and the store’s savvy business owner Lew Prince understands that used product markup is the key to keeping up with the times. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that his used inventory is fantastic. When you put together a musically rich city with an intelligent businessman and a record store, you know every time you walk into the store you’re going to leave happy.
• Reckless Records (Chicago, IL) – Another mini-chain like Amoeba, Reckless operates three locations under its umbrella. I’ve been to all three, and on my birthday back in 2006 I hit up all three in one day and bought myself some fantastic gifts. It was the best way I could think of to spend my birthday while I waited for friends to finish their work days. Great selection, amiable staff, and fair prices. The only problem I ever had at at Reckless location was way back in 2002 or 2003 when I was visiting my sister and I picked up a cheap copy of a Palace record. At the time they were doing this thing where you had to bring the cover of the record up to the counter so they could provide you with the LP. I don’t think any of the locations still do this, but at the time this one place did. Anyway, they gave me the wrong record and I didn’t notice until I got back to NJ because my sister (obviously) didn’t own a record player. I called them to mention what happened and wrote them an e-mail. No one ever responded and the phone call initiated an annoying game of “phone tag” that never went anywhere. I eventually sold the record to Princeton Record Exchange for a few dollars in credit and they never realized it had the wrong album inside. I am a horrible person.
• Other Music (New York, NY) – When I was starting to collect records Other Music was my favorite New York store. You could find amazing records there in pretty good condition for very cheap. The records on the wall were absurdly priced, but you could always find something in the bins that was mispriced. The CD selection — especially in the “outsider” and experimental vein — were amazing. As far back as my college years this store would be stocking new releases on the Fonal label, shit like Philip Jeck, Christian Marclay, and all the ambient/drone I could trade for my meager income. I wouldn’t say this store helped my musical education much, but they definitely provided a local marketplace in which I could find things I was reading about on the Internet. If I hear one complaint about OM these days it’s that they take solid, easy-to-sell collectible records and put them on eBay without giving customers a shot at them first. There are enough marketplace research websites available to help you put a value on a collectible record. Put it on your wall and let give your customers something to strive towards. Don’t just give it away (and possibly receive less money for it) by putting it up for auction.
• Waterloo Records (Austin, TX) – I spent an entire day here back in 2005 and I was sold. Not content to cease shopping, I went back again the next day and had dinner next door. It’s not really a mecca for used records by any means. As of 2007-2008, the inventory consisted of 80% CDs and only 6-6% vinyl (according to “Vinyl Lives” by James P. Gross). Still, the used and new selections were thorough and well-priced. And in recent years the store has started to add more used vinyl bins. It probably has something to do with that whole vinyl resurgence I keep hearing about on the news. I haven’t been there since ’07 but I’ve bought some records from them online in the past couple years. The conditions were well described and they ship promptly. I can’t complain about this place. Back in the day people mourned the loss of…shit, I can’t even remember what it’s called anymore. Still, Waterloo and End of An Ear are still great stores. And the fact that the Austin Record Convention is still going (pretty) strong after almost thirty years is a great sign for vinyl buyers in that city.
• Armageddon Record Shop (Providence, RI) – Another location you won’t find on Rolling Stone‘s list, but absolutely belongs there. When Ian was in law school in Rhode Island I’d go to visit and we’d always hit up Armageddon. I can’t even fathom how many amazing records I found there. A continual stream of great records, a fantastic array of local music, this is the definition of a great store. We used to talk with the owner about local music and records a lot when we visited and the guy knew his stuff. I haven’t been there in half a decade but from what I hear and read online it’s still as good as ever. They’ve started doing mail order business as well. I’ve yet to buy anything, but I’m sure someday I will. Simply put, one of the best stores in the country.
• Freakbeat Records (Sherman Oaks, CA) – Have no doubts: Los Angeles is the center of the record collecting universe. Not many people know more about records than Bob at Freakbeat. Especially when it comes to the stuff that I like — psychedelic and progressive records. Bob worked for Jem and LA’s original “head” record store Moby Disc before opening Freakbeat. His store is stocked with a solid variety of used records and some choice new releases as well. I can always rely on him for Mississippi Records and Numero Group albums. On a personal night, it’s always a pleasure to work with Bob at the WFMU fair. Even when he takes his regular cat naps in the middle of the day as hundreds — if not thousands — of shoppers cause a ruckus inside the Metropolitan Pavilion.
• Pure Pop (Burlington, VT) – If I could mention all the stores in Montreal that blessed me with good records when I first started collecting, I would do so. L’Oblique in particular. Alas, Montreal is not a part of America (no matter how hard they try). Pure Pop in Burlington saved my ass during my UVM freshman year. If the intensity of this vinyl resurgence has peaked in the past two or so years, you can imagine how hard it was tracking down good records a decade ago. Yet, I never had a problem finding really cool shit here. The new selection was expertly curated, the staff left a bit to be desired, and the used section has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. I went back last year during a trip to visit my cousin and walked away with some fantastic records. Jackie-O Motherfucker, volcano! and Yume Bitsu. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Pure Pop. Helping non hippie UVM students survive in Burlington for 30 years.
• Drastic Plastic (Omaha, NE) – Granted I’ve only been here twice, but both experiences were excellent. When I went there in ’05 for the first time I walked out with bags upon bags of cheap records and CDs. I picked up a Black Dice 12″. Having come from Arizona and talked to Calexico’s Joey Burns about his band’s then-upcoming collaboration with Iron & Wine, I was really excited to hear from the staff member at Drastic Plastic that they’d received an advance copy of the CD in the mail. We listened to it and chatted about the music and several bands. It was the most personal a conversation I’d ever had with a random record store employee. I definitely respect that store. What’s more, Drastic Plastic is one of the few record stores in America I don’t mind supporting by wearing their t-shirt in public. How’s that for a vote of confidence?
Let me know if I missed anything. I can think of plenty more, but I didn’t want to write an entire top 25. This list is long enough as it is.
