I've been meaning to do this for a lifetime! Here's my first conscious decision to start this page dedicated to record stores outside of Toronto:
California
Amoeba 6400 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 9002
California
Amoeba 6400 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 9002
This is my favourite record store that I've been to ever. The first time I went ventured into this store it was on my way to LAX, so I really didn't have that much time. My friend that was my lift for the day gave me thirty minutes in the store, I dropped $130 in that time. Brutal.
The second go, I really took the time to look, it was less impulsive. I only dropped $50, I even left Neko Case's Middle Cyclone because it didn't have the lyrics included. Real picky that day. But to say a few words about the store - this is what music is to me - an environment that evokes a dialogue and a mutual love for something. This record store was the most unpretentious, thorough music store I've ever been to. They seem to carry a "buy everything" motto, but are very picky to divide and organise, making it really easy to navigate around the store. I have never been to a record store that is so organised. They have enough material to divide new and old rock sections - fab bargain shopping.
Just Play Music 619 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-
With a pretty good selection, this store wasn't too bad at all. They had a rather small selection of used goods, but I managed to catch an old Something To Write Home About EP featuring the tune "Red Letter Day." This store wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but I could see it definitely being a good go-to place for used goods in Santa Barbara.
Warbler Records & Goods, 131 E De La Guerra Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101
I never got the chance to go to this store, but it was probably for the best because traveling with records is the worst! This place specialises in records. I was recommended this "record" store.
Manhattan, New York
Kim's Video and Music 124 First Avenue, New York, New York (212) 533-7390
Alright, it doesn't get any better than this. How did I not think to google my name with the words "record store" to follow. This was the first shop I stumbled upon, it doesn't even register when I googled "record stores new york," probably because they don't use the words "record" or "store" in their name. I really liked this shop, very appropriately does music follow video in the title, this is a video store that has a good selection of CDs. I was happy to see a very diverse selection of used goods. It's always interesting to see a record store's selection of used goods because it really reflects what they buy or how much they'll pay for it (based on the quality). Or better still the size of their collection reveals a store's focus. Their selection was quite eclectic, I didn't spend too much time in here, but I managed to do the worst damage of three CDs, not too bad at all!
Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio
Wolf Parade - Expo 86 (my first Wolf Parade album)
Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
All for less than $20.
Village Music World 197 Bleecker Street, New York, New York (212) 674-5463
This record shop was my least favourite, also a quickie visit. I found myself really turned down by their new prices, quite expensive. It was also kind of chaotic in there. I wish I made a note about this store because I can't really remember much else. But online store! Cool!
Bleecker Street Records 239 Bleecker Street, New York, New York (212) 255-7899
This was the nicest store aesthetically speaking, very neat and tidy, love the layout. Great selection of both new and used goods, tremendously easy to trek around in the store. The staff seemed pretty nice. I made my way into the store two times in one evening. The first clerk told me I looked sad, I said "no, I'm in fact quite happy." The second time in I knew what I wanted and bought them quick, the guy saw that I was urked by the pricey cost of the Blue Valentine soundtrack ($17.99!!!) he sold me that and another in cash, no tax. Nice guy. Always have cash on you when you are record shopping! What hooked me into buying it was after I initially said no to the price he said, he asked me if I had seen the movie. He hadn't and he was wondering what I thought about it. I told him my two cents and said "alllllright. I'll take the CD. You're too nice." What a sucker I am.
The first thing I noticed walking in was their very detailed section for Girl Groups of the sixties and seventies. Looking back, I wish I asked who was the heart and soul behind this section as it was incredibly thorough. The only catch was prices! New goods are not cheap. I tend to only like to spend $15 on a CD at any given time, preferably after tax. I tend to use the "ah, it's Vacation" line.
Rebel, Rebel Records, 319 Bleecker Street, New York, New York, (212) 989-0770
This store is a teeny tiny dump! I loved it though. I asked the guy, who I presume was the owner, how long he had been there for. He replied: "twenty-three years." I said back: "The same as me!" He said, "It'll go by so fast!" I thought to myself, yeah, I'll come back in twenty three years and we'll talk again and I meant it in the nicest way possible.
But, this place is actually a dump. I said a while back Neurotica in Toronto would be my parents home, this maybe a better reflection. I couldn't believe how he kept his store. There was very little space to actually move. The store was filled to its capacity in vinyl records with a lot of visible 7". I almost asked if he had Beach House's single Used To Be, pre-Teen Dream. I was perusing his rock section, which was actually separated by new and used goods and was shocked to find that he would stock one CD of a group and would tack a beautifully hand drawn tab on the CD saying "Ask for the Black Keys' Box for more CDs." This has to be the most odd method I've ever seen any record store use. Probably damages him a lot in time and sales.
This was probably my favourite store, although definitely not for selection but just for how odd it was. It looks like my Dad's basement. Picture to come soon!
