Sadly, Record Store Day doesn’t last forever, so it’s good getting periodic reminders about the importance of these spaces. In that spirit, the July issue of Paste, the one with MMJ on the cover, includes an article on “the 17 Coolest Record Stores in America.” This is how it’s framed:
People are no longer leaving their houses. They are content to wirelessly import digital music straight into nano-engineered storage devices implanted in their grey matter, and the digital revolution is killing brick-and-mortar retail. But, to paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of the record store’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Just as people of faith need houses of worship in which to commune, music zealots are no less dependent on shrines dedicated to their own decibel-cranked passion. For that reason, Paste hereby celebrates the record store, bestowing superlatives on a few of America’s finest. May they live long and loud!
Agreed, though let me start off by complaining that the Princeton Record Exchange didn’t make it. Rip-off. But 17 other stores did. The list is in no particular order. And, yes, that’s Steven Seagal.
- Amoeba Records, Los Angeles, CA
- Criminal Records, Atlanta, GA
- Other Music, New York City
- Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, Clarksdale, MS
- Waterloo Records, Austin, TX
- Aquarius Records, San Francisco, CA
- Dusty Groove America, Chicago, IL
- Ernest Tubb Record Shop, Nashville, TN
- Shangri-La Records, Memphis, TN
- Music Millennium, Portland, OR
- Ear X-Tacy, Louisville, KY
- Louisiana Music Factory, New Orleans, LA
- Newbury Comics, Boston, MA
- Grimey’s New + Pre-Loved Music, Nashville, TN
- Turntable Lab, New York City
- The Electric Fetus, Minneapolis, MN
- Jerry’s Records, Pittsburgh, PA
Shangri-La is such a great place Steven Seagal’s business couldn’t keep it off the list. Glad to see Aquarius on it, too. I’d also add Hospital (which is having a grand reopening soon) in New York City. While talking specialty stores: Metal Haven, Chicago. Also, Philadelphia Record Exchange. I’m sure you can think of others. If not, Metallica can. Read the complete Paste article here.
[Seagal photo via Shangri-La Records' MySpace]
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whaaaaat? Why amoeba los angeles and not berkeley or san francisco?
y’all better check central square records, should have made the list. we’re young but got it goin on as the only cool ass record store on the beach! you bettah axe somebody!
I have a bias towards Amoeba in LA because it’s right down the street from me, but I’m from Pittsburgh. Jerry’s is a good records store. No doubt. But is the key word “record?” ‘Cause, I have to say for great great selection in an indie store, I’d have to go with Paul’s. Paul’s inventory has no fat on it. It’s just all outstanding music. And he doesn’t screw you with super-high prices. I’m just sayin’.
yay for amoeba, aquarius, waterloo and grimeys. music saves in cleveland and sound fix and bk are good contenders too.
kind of weird that music millenium was listed instead of missisippi records or exiled. i know they’ve been in porltand longer, but still…
I think that Chicago store should be “Dusty Groove”, unless I’m missing out on some awesome roots music record store I’ve never heard of.
Ha. You’re right. Typo is fixed.
Yeah, I vote for Sonic Boom in Seattle, those guys are awesome, or Easy Street Records, also in Seattle.
Easy Street in Seattle? No. Either Sonnic Boom or Jive Time. As for Portland, Music Millennium? Seriously? Whoever wrote this list was smoking crack. Everyday Music or Jackpot.
Also why only 17? Not like a Top 20 or something? Odd number!
Any list that doesn’t include Shake It Records in Cincinnati is worthless!
Yeah, I work at one of the 17 anointed, and I wholeheartedly agree with Michael: Any list without Shake It Records is laaaame. They are my favoritest of all-time. <3
What about Everybody’s? Grew up in the neighborhood so Im a little biased I suppose
PRE didn’t make the list?! I’m shocked that has got to be one of the greatest independent record stores out there. I am also shocked to see that Phillie didn’t make the cut for it’s handful of hot spots, or even NJ in general (Vintage Vinyl anyone?) This list should be expanded, I think
Seriously, Shake It is better than any record store I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been to dozens of “indie record stores”.
I’d second the Sonic Boom nod, especially the one in Fremont with the Vinyl-only basement. Perhaps they didn’t make the cut because there are 3 stores, instead of a giant centralized one.
would have taken wax n facts or wuxtry over criminal in the A. i like criminal and all, but i think wax is a better store for records by far.
Criminal records is more of a CD store than a record store. I agree that Wax N Facts is a better record store, as most of their stuff is used vinyl.
Why does it seem like I am the only one who doesn’t like Waterloo? Or at least doesn’t understand why it’s so renowned?
My vote goes to Guestroom Records in Norman, OK.
Ummmm… cuz you hate music? Waterloo has a good selection and isnt organized by genre. If I want an album by a strange artist I dont need to figure out what genre they are first.
Lets also not forget the decent in store concerts and the nice selecyion of DVDs and Vinyl records both new and old.
Have I not mentioned the gross bathrooms… wait… those suck actually.
Seriously, is there a better record store in Texas you’d suggest?
Why does it seem like I am the only one who doesn’t like Waterloo? Or at least doesn’t understand why it’s so renowned?
My vote goes to Guestroom Records in Norman, OK.
You know, one of the great things about Steven Seagal is that he NEVER GETS TOUCHED by the bad guys. Van Damme basically just gets worked for the first two hours of a movie and then pulls some total bull shit gymnastics move out of his hole at the last moment for the win and then limps into the sunset. You go get yourself some indy rock Steven, you earned it.
totally right about PREX, best place I’ve ever been. Other Music is good, but definitely not great. I like Sound Fix, but mostly because you can grab a beer. There vinyl section could be way bigger.
Where’s Easy Street? C’MON!
I’d like to mention my favorite local store…Lunchbox Records in Charlotte, NC. Now, if you’re ever passing thru Charlotte, you’ll know where to shop.
because the amoeba in LA is wayy bigger and has wayy more recrods.
gotta show some love for Good Records in Dallas, its all i know, but for now its my Mecca
Kim’s????????? Anyone??????????
I don’t know if you’re trying to be funny, but Kim’s on St. Marks is one of the only record stores I’ve been to that had a section specifically for new Death Metal vinyl. I’m not into it, but I thought that was capital-A Awesome.
Does everyone still hate Kim’s? I used to work there and people automatically assumed I was a jerk. But that was fine, I hated most of the other employees myself, so I could relate.
I handle the midwest region as a travelling sales puke and can give an enthusiastic nod to Electric Fetus (although the location in Duluth MN is worth the list as well) and Ear X Tacy, also noteworthy: Atomic Records in Milwaukee and Homer’s in Omaha…
I’ll put int a vote for Generation Records in NYC over here-
Agree. Good Records In Dallas should have gotten some love.
Lou’s Records in Encinitas California man. Nuff said.
PREX is definitely a legitimate snub. But what about Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ?
That one store basically supports the entire NJ punk rock scene.
Steven Seagal actually walks around wearing a kimono. That makes me feel so good all over.
Even though I think Amoeba in Berkeley is the best record store ever. Another vote for Sonic Boom in Seattle. Makes me miss Seattle. And I didn’t even know there was a vinyl-only basement (it’s been awhile, and I don’t buy vinyl any more anyway – I have 2 crates of mostly 80′s albums I’m trying to get rid of).
I will take them off your hands.
Let me know what you got. I would be interested. ggoodin1981@yahoo.com
same here- i’ll gladly take those 80s records off your hands.
I second Lou’s Records in Encinitas. That place is legendary. And as a current resident of Boston who grew up in Encinitas, there is NO WAY Newbury Comics should be on that list. It has surprisingly poor selection for how large it is.
I agree about Newbury Comics. Maybe it qualifies as “cool” because they have comics and kitchy non-music related things, but as far as as music selection, it can be really weak. The record stores in Boston have been dropping like flies over the past few years.
I agree re: Newbury Comics. There are a few on Comm. Ave that should have been on this list.
…NC is good for those hard-to-find magazines, though.
Vintage Vinyl is lame. PREX, however, is the best record store I’ve ever been to.
Soundgarden in Baltimore
AKA music in Philadelphia
Soundgarden in Baltimore has a terrible vinyl selection. It has a good selection on CDs and stuff, but they don’t have tons of rare stuff. Joe’s Record Emporium in Towson was bad ass, RIP. Baltimore has a few niche record stores like True Vine and Reptilian though that are pretty cool.
Lou’s records in Encinitas, CA should definitely be up there.
Jerry’s is one of the best things about Pittsburgh.
Don’t forget Paul’s.
Big shout out to Indy CD and Vinyl and Luna Music in Indianapolis.
I like Indy CD and Vinyl a lot, but they don’t have a particularly massive selection of vinyl. When it comes to vinyl, Missing Link is the place to go. Tons of used vinyl. Just my opinion.
I’m glad to see Amoeba even if it’s the wrong one. Aquarius is a great small store. I’m a fan of Easy Street in Seattle. M-Theory in San Diego and Paul’s CD in Pittsburgh are also solid.
I just loved Slow Train Records in Salt Lake City. I specifically went into town during my stop-over just to go to it on the recommendation of a friend and I wasn’t disappointed.
I definitely agree that PREX should be on there. Minus the one in Miss., they’re all in big cities. I wonder if that has anything to do with the exclusion.
ATOMIC RECORDS in Milwaukee deserves some love.
SLOWTRAIN in Salt Lake City!!
Yeah, you heard me
We have a thriving music community here too, dudes.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
http://www.slowtrainmusic.com
I love Sonic Boom and Shake It – but Amoeba destroys all. You could fit both those stores in a corner of Amoeba.
How about Flat, Black, and Circular (FBC) in East Lansing, MI?
Dick, Dave, and John run one of the best stores in the US of A!
yes. yes.
FBC is the best, for sure.
Suoer cool to see Shangri-la on the list…
Goner Records surely deserves a spot too.
I’ve been to the best record stores in NY and Chicago, but none of them are as great as Toronto’s “Rotate This” and “Sonic Boom.” If you ever come to the city, don’t miss either of these gems.
Dang I meant “Soundscapes” instead of Sonic Boom, but Sonic Boom here is great too.
If you’re into Punk/Hardcore and it’s offshoots Extreme Noise in Minneapolis is the best in the country for that kind of selection.
I’ve been nothing but let down by Other Music in NYC. You count on them to have everything, but I’ve always had better luck at Sound Fix in Brooklyn. If only had time for one stop, id try sound fix.
Yeah, I think Other Music is only on the list because they have indie bands play in-store performances. Which makes them “cool” I suppose. But I find the smaller stores in NYC often have a much better selection of new indie vinyl. Etherea on Avenue A in particular kills Other Music’s vinyl selection on the new release front.
Good Records in Dallas!
I second the vote for Sonic Boom and Easy Street! Both are great record stores with good music people running them.
The Sonic Boom in Fremont is closed now. They used to have a vinyl basement, then they had the “general store” next door to the main store which had all the vinyl, now they just spread all that stuff out between the Ballard store and the Capitol Hill store.
I haven’t been to all these others in other cities, so I can only speak for Seattle, but I have to think that both record stores are at least near the top 20.
Music Millenium in Portland is OK. Jackpot is much better. Just ask Colin Meloy, its his favorite too!
one more big ups to Good Records in Dallas
Hell yeah — Grimey’s… That’s my store!
I love that Amoeba store so much -wish I could drag it home with me.
i have a great deal of trouble focusing on the list as it is preceded by that righteous pic of segal in a kamona…. couldnt think of anything else…. hhahahhaa.
PREX without a doubt
Vintage Vinyl, NJ
Mystery Train in Gloucester, Mass
I too question why Vintage Vinyl isn’t on this list. It’s hard to get to if you don’t have a car, but so so worth it.
Lou’s is pathetic. Horrid selection of new stuff. I go in with a list of 30 things to buy and leave with 2 or 3. I also can’t stand craning my neck to see the selections in the new section. Get ergonomically correct bins like in the used section, will ya?
Easy Street Queen Anne….tasty.
Wuxtry in Athens GA bitches, Schoolkids records is damn good too
I get get behind Wuxtry more for vinyl than School Kids, I like both record stores though…I think Wuxtry has the edge for me though for stuff that is a bit harder to find. Low Yo Yo Stuff was what was up though…Too bad it’s gone.
Yeah Low Yo Yo Stuff had the best store in Athens while it was around. Schoolkids is good but is mostly CDs, and Wuxtry is just too small to be particularly memorable.
Now its in Chamblee, GA. Never been to it but I always see the sign for the exit when I go to Atlanta…maybe some day I’ll make the effort and check it out.
Grimey’s records: the greatest place on earth
Ear X Tacy! Yes! Louisville represent!
Dusty Groove in Chicago? Puh-leeze.
Beverly Records is 40 years old and they haven’t thrown out one single piece of vinyl in that time! Their store is old, small, and compact with 10″ aisles you must navigate without toppling over stacks and stacks of glorious vinyl! One visit and you’ll be there for two hours max.
http://www.BeverlyRecords.com
Plan 9 in Virginia is freakin’ awesome. It kicks Newbury Comic’s ass nine time over.
Louisville Kentucky rules the month of June. First the American Water Works Association named our tap water best tasting in the country. Then the US Conference of Mayors named Louisville the most Liveable City in America. Now Ear X Tacy makes the Top 14 Independent Record Store list. While all the while our native sons MMJ flash their faces on the cover of every rock mag from here to the Great Wall. That’s impressive…well if you leave out the fact we were recently told that we have the Fifth largest carbon footprint of the 100 most populated cities. I mean who needs breathable air when you have a flourishing rock scene, liveablity, and tasty water to wash it all down!
what a fucking rip……….
what was the criteria?
The criteria was pretty involved. They first broke things into 3 categories: Rock, Rot, or Rule. You can’t argue with criteria like that!
I would have taken Decatur Cd or Ella Guru in Atlanta over Criminal.
Another vote for shake it in Cincinnati
Where the fuck is Amazon from teh Internetz? I was able to get a brand new copy of “Blood on the Tracks” for only $7.95 last week! Now if only “Bonsai Superstar” will go down below $30.
What’s up… no Fingerprints in Long Beach?!?! Fingerprints kills as a small indie with a frickin’ awesome in-store schedule and huge support for local music!!! Where’s the love?!?
TurntableLab NYC is shit (“oh, we need a ‘DJ’ store on the list!” whatever).
I think a lot of these picks (Waterloo, Newbury Comics) are based on “heritage” and not current day cool-ness.
Shmeh, Turntablelab is the bee’s knees, baby. Like you said, they’re a store for DJs, and they do it well. Sure, you’re not going to find the latest indie vinyl, but they’ve got an excellent selection of the recently released outre stuff NYC DJs need to have on hand to stay up on the game. And since indie music isn’t all that popular at bars and clubs– or the public in general– that can be a real help. And the amount of short run 12″ re-issues they carry is awesome. You’re not likely to find a 12″ with instrumental and a capella for every track on Reasonable Doubt or Illmatic anywhere else anytime soon. And the fact that they carry almost every wide-release [sic] break record released in the last 7 years is great… For DJs, that is. But it’s not like DJs aren’t some of the biggest vinyl purchasers around today. We just spend most of our time in obscure mom and pop thrift stores and dusty, dirty olde record shoppes (or all day downstairs at The Thing in Brooklyn); places that would never get mentioned in a list like this, which is good for me.
no Twist & Shout in Denver??
come on… it’s newer location/store rivals Amoeba…
agreed, twist & shout is amazing, especially the new store. i love it, it’s always one of my first stops when i get home to denver.
what’s with only three record stores for the handsome western states? Bop Street in Seattle was named the best record store in the world by no less than Thom Yorke, and DJ Shadow digs there. Hot Poop in Walla Walla WA is cool. Record Exchange in Boise, ID is the founding store of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores. Also Rasputin in Berkeley might be worth a mention.
Cheapo is the only place to go for music in austin. way better than waterloo
i bought my last couple of records from iggy pop’s half-brother in a back alley in detroit.
you’re losing your edge.
Grew up in S.D. Everytime I’m back in town I make a point to go to lous, while the new section isn’t any better than the usual independent store, the used store is incredible. My vote in the Seattle area also goes to Easy Street, the minute I walked in on my first week in Seattle and they were playing You’re Living All Over Me, I knew it was going to be a passionate relationship. Also Everyday Music generally has a good/cheap used selection, once you get past the pretencious hipsters that work there.
Why?
I often cant find what I want there. Eventually gave it up. Lots of used stuff I guess…
cat head in clarksdale, ms? shit’s a gift shop, not a record store. although props must be given for inclusion of grimey’s in nashville and shangri la in memphis, mississippi’s real gem is little big store in raymond. just ask dj shadow. i’ve been to most stores on the list, and little big store destroys all!
someone should’ve taken in sam from toronto.
yessssssssss waterloo. i live there.
Major Contendors –
End Of An Ear (Austin, TX)
Strictly Discs (Madison, WI)
Rushmor Records (Milwaukee, WI)
Reckless Records (Chicago)
Landlocked Music (Bloomington, IN)
Wild Rufus (Camden, ME)
Amoeba is the ultimate, thank god that’s on there. Lists are stupid anyway though.
You can’t call this list complete without at least one of the Seattle stores in here. I’d go with Sonic Boom, but Everyday music is nice just cuz of the late hours.
I personally enjoy Bleeker Street Records in NY. I picked up a really cool rare Smiths Dvd live in Germany, but I guess that doesn’t have much to do with records…Although the selection is sitll really worth the while.
http://www.NeonMusicalinsight.com
AMOEBA IS AMAZING….. everytime i get the chance to go to LA i try to go there. I got some great stuff from there, and one time i was with my mom (we went to the AFI fest, which is literally right across from amoeba) and she got tons of music too.
What about Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis? I always stop by and pick up something whenever I’m in town.
Wall of Sound in Seattle is missing from this list. This is B.S.
it’s fact that amoeba in SF is way better than the one in LA.
I wouldn’t call Cat Head a gift shop… I’d be willing to bet their selection of Blues CDs is better than any place in the country, although that’s all you’ll find there, basically. Still, I think it’s a great store. The locally made folk art is really cool, and they do have my favorite Clarksdale souvenier there… the Cat Head crossroads t shirt.
I wouldn’t call Cat Head a souvenier store… I’d be willing to be their selection of blues CDs is better than any other place in the country, but that’s basically all you’ll find there. The locally made folk art is really cool, and they do have my personal favorite Clarksdale souvenier: the cat head crossroads shirt is amazing.
I’m a fan of the place… but I also haven’t been to any of these other stores. 
NO WAY on Newbury Comics. I’d rather go to Looney Tunes 10 out of 10 days.
Pure Pop in Burlington, Vermont!
it’s tiny and isn’t legendary but it serves our humble hamlet well.
Absolutely agree on Good Records in Dallas. They’re our little bic lighter in the wind down here in the D.
Speaking of Texas record stores, someone needs to give props to the people at Sound Exchange and Cactus Music in Houston for the great work that they do.
I can’t imagine why one of the the two record stores in Cincinnati, Shake It or Everybody’s, isn’t on this list…
I’m going to give a shout to Vertigo Music in Grand Rapids, Mi. Its one of the few places in the state I can find what Im looking for and the staff is awesome.
Good Records in Dallas, please.
Wow nice. Electric Fetus is usually overlooked by lists like this — flyover country and all. Nice to see a truly worthy institution getting some love.
I still think Papa Jazz in Columbia, SC is the best!!!
Permanent Records in Chicago is definitely on my list. Great selection of vinyl and awesome in-stores. Oh, and a cat. What more do you need?
yo, imma let you finish, but WATERLOO RECORDS is one of the best record stores of all time