Paste Magazine has a nice little feature on the best record stores that are still flapping their wings to stay adrift. The internet has struck a deathblow to many traditional retailers, but the strong find a way to survive in times of stress.
You'll have to click here to read the entire thing, but here are a few samples from the article below.
WATERLOO RECORDS AUSTIN, TEXAS
Best Record Store to Grow Up and Grow Old With
Austin’s Waterloo Records has not only grown up with the Texas college-town/cultural crux, but has also stayed weird over the years. Teens find cool indie-rock 7-inches; college kids pick up Vampire Weekend or Criterion Collection DVDs, while their parents can buy Willie Nelson boxed sets and vintage Stevie Ray Vaughan posters.
[600A North Lamar, WaterlooRecords.com]
DUSTY GROOVE AMERICA CHICAGO
Best Place To Buy Funk Records No One’s Ever Heard Of
The web store rocks, but nothing beats browsing at this cozy, impeccably curated soul/funk/jazz emporium. The place is especially great for rarities and compilations, which turn at frightening speed from obscurities to must-haves. Close your eyes and grab a stack—every record in your hand will be a keeper.
[1120 N. Ashland Ave., DustyGroove.com]
OTHER MUSIC NEW YORK CITY
Most Trusted One-Stop For New York Record Dorks
Named partly for the albums the massive Tower Records across the street didn’t carry, New York’s Other Music has now outlived its late, monolithic neighbor. With a staff that birthed Animal Collective, the adventurous buyers aren’t afraid to curate sections classified merely as "In" and "Out."
[15 E. 4th St., OtherMusic.com]
My Trusted MOGs
i can only claim to have been at one...Ernest Tubbs in Nashville
could set up quite a road trip with all of those
My Trusted MOGs
Dusty Groove definitely rocks...like that track,also. It is summertime!
My Trusted MOGs
I can vouche for Crimina Records, since it used to be in my neighborhood. I love magazines, and they had an incredible selection too (and comics, and DVD's).
My Trusted MOGs
I can vouche for Crimina Records, since it used to be in my neighborhood. I love magazines, and they had an incredible selection too (and comics, and DVD's).
My Trusted MOGs
i was at EAR X-TACY LOUISVILLE, KY a few years back and spent like 2 hours in there and left with 10 albums...that place deserves to be ont he list. it rules...
My Trusted MOGs
amoeba is the best store in the world. and if you're not in the la-way, there're 2 in the bay area: berkeley and san francisco. go team amoeba.
My Trusted MOGs
As a catchall store Amoeba is great (I used to work at the San Fran one), but at Aquarius you could get records Amoeba didn't have..
Dusty Groove on line is my fave store in the world..the physical is just OK.
Vintage Vinyl in New Jersey is also great..
Toad Hall in Northern Illinois is good (A large Victorian house filled with records from basement to attic..all bagged and alphabetized.
Blues + Jazz Record Mart in Chicago was pretty dope,too.
Road Trip sounds great..
My Trusted MOGs
I would add:
Louisiana Music Factory - New Orleans
Jim Russell's Rare Records - New Orleans
(the guy who invented the sock hop, worked with Alan Freed until the mob stepped in)
for 45's:
Rooky Ricardo's - Haight Street , San Francisco
i used to go to Vintage Vinyl as a kid in Jersey (anyone remember Vogel's in Elizabeth?)
Discovered a lot of my new faves at Other Music in late 90's - great store for new stuff, helpful staff
My Trusted MOGs
In Minneapolis, the Electric Fetus at one time was only a vinyl store/ head shop. The head shop still takes up 25% of the store. Two aisles are dedicated to vinyl whereas cd's have 10-12 aisles. As someone who has a lot of vinyl this is pretty sparse .however, I do go in each week because it has the feel of 70's record store.
My Trusted MOGs
Glad to see the Electric Fetus made the list, such a great store. Now I have another place to visit when I head to Chicago later this summer