America’s Greatest Record Stores

Now that Tower is out of business and iTunes is putting the squeeze on even Wal-Mart, it’s survival of the fittest for indie record stores.

Fortunately, there are still some incredible record stores standing.

The ones that JUST WON’T DIE.

The ones that Wal-Mart couldn’t kill.

The ones that iTunes hasn’t killed.

Paste magazine has done a rundown of its take on the coolest record stores in America:

  • 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

I’ll vouch for Amoeba, Waterloo Records, Music Millenium & The Electric Fetus. And I’ll lament the passing of KC’s Music Exchange. And I’ve got a few places to visit on my next trip.

Let me know if you think they missed a great record store in your area!

Image: chelseagirl

7 thoughts on “America’s Greatest Record Stores

  1. I live in Minny and can tell you Electric Fetus sucks. Cheapo blows them out of the water. And if you’re looking for hip-hop in Minny, hit up 5th Element. The people at the fetus are know nothing yuppie scumbags.

  2. ABSOLUTELY!!! AMOEBA is #1! You MUST drop in when in Hollywood!
    I personally collect albums by Muslimguaze, and I have never seen a larger collection of it anywhere else. They also have a very extensive selection of dub, with employees who know what the hell they are talking about. Plus you never know who you’ll run into at Amoeba LA. Lee “Scratch” Perry was just there as a matter of fact! (if you don’t know who LSP is, go stand in the corner).
    My fave record store, nothing else compares to it, not even the web.

  3. Amoeba is like mecca for music fans!

    I spent a couple of hours there before I figured out there was another room in the back.

    And a second floor.

    And the guy at the check out gave us unbelievable restaurant advice.

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