Whether or not this is actually THE largest collection or archive of records in the world doesn’t really matter…this is an AMAZING clip. This segment is only one part of a larger documentary by Sean Dunne. The whole thing is available on Vimeo.
Category Archives: vinyl road rage
New York City Record Stores: Other Music
New York City record stores are generally full of great collections of dusty old records. Then there are the shops that combine brand new releases with those dusty grooves…but then there are the shops like the New York City indie record store Other Music, which concentrates on a much more selective library of new titles on the cutting edge.
Other Music, at 15 E. 4th Street, doesn’t exclusively sell new releases–there is a small collection of used records and plenty of shrink-wrapped reissues to choose from-but this shop has both feet firmly planted in the now. Compare to a store like Bleecker Bob’s which is truly the Marty McFly of record stores–going back in time and no looking back.
Other Music is clean, friendly, and when I dropped in, packed with people. Always a good sign! This is one NYC record store I could spend a lot of time in. The vibe here is much like the one you’ll find in Chicago’s Dusty Groove, except Other Music is aimed at hip modern sounds rather than delicious retro tracks. Not a bad thing, to be sure.
Browsing the titles, I got the distinct feeling that I’ve let modern indie music get away from me in the past couple of years–something I aim to rectify soon. Other Music is, for a retro vinyl-phile like me, a reminder that great music is still being made and pressed on vinyl. You just need to make time to get some and have a listen.
Other Music actually has plenty of vinyl titles. The size of the shop is a bit deceiving though; at first glance it looks like you’ve walked squarely into CD-land, but there is a good portion of LPs and yes, that’s a Kim Fowley album you see in the photo above–one I really should have picked up while there. Regrets….I definitely think Other Music is well worth the stop when you’re in NYC. Take a break from inhaling decades-old used LP dust and have a look around here. I was very glad I did.
New York City Record Stores: Bleecker Bob’s Records
New York City record stores come and go, but some are institutions. Bleecker Bob’s Records is one of those institutions and when you get inside, the collector in you comes right out and you stop thinking about silly things like prices and budgets and start drooling right away over whatever holy grail title you’re currently after on vinyl…you’re likely to find it here.
When I go into record stores that sell items intended to enhance the vinyl listening experience, (usually made out of glass) I tend to ignore that aspect of the operation, but sometimes you can’t even make it inside the shop without being reminded why so many feel that inhaling and record playing go together. But once I did get inside, it was obvious that my record collection needed some serious additions…but at this stage in the trip, my vinyl budget was in the red.
Yes, I do believe that is an ORIGINAL Mothers of Invention LP there on the bottom right. And your eyes do not deceive you–that’s a Jack Kerouac/Steve Allen LP there. What?
At this stage I just wanted to scoop up ALL this vinyl here. Coil? Current 93? Throbbing Gristle? Artifacts from an era when the music industry still had a barrier to entry but was opening up to people with strange ideas. Strange as in, good. I can’t help myself–I am a sucker for these gloriously weird and beautiful albums–they still sound as original as ever, more so sometimes when I hear the latest Vampire Weekend single. Sorry guys, I TRIED to like you, I really did. But, um, no.
All the metal you can eat. And then some. You may have noticed in this particular post that I don’t even bother TRYING to review Bleecker Bob’s Records. Hell, the pictures speak for themselves….do I really need to ooh and ahh over how much collectible stuff there is to spend massive amounts of money on? Record collectors may swoon, and some may hold their nose and hold out for an Ebay steal but the fact of the matter is that Bleecker Bob’s does have what the true junkie needs. Are you willing to pay their prices? That’s all you really need to know. But go look, regardless. There’s just a ton of essential vinyl junkie stuff here across a good cross-section of genres.
Continue reading New York City Record Stores: Bleecker Bob’s Records
New York City Record Stores: Bleecker Street Records
Bleecker Street Records is famous for those living in the area–and for many of us from farther away, too. And with good reason. This two-floor New York City record store, located at 239 Bleecker Street between Carmine & Leroy in the West Village, is chock full of excellent finds.
If you start on the main floor and work your way down, a first-time visitor will probably find it easier to pace themselves than if you go down to where all the amazing goodies are (downstairs). By the time you come up for air you’ll be flat broke! Unlike some of its NYC counterparts in the Village, Bleecker Street Records is efficiently organized and very easy to browse in spite of a huge volume of titles.
For the first-time visitor, Bleecker Street is a bit deceptive in terms of layout–you’ll probably get through many of the stacks in the basement before you discover the Collectibles side of the house (which is behind you as you walk down the stairs.) Just about the time I was asking myself where all the hidden gems were located, I found them waiting on the opposite side.
It has to be said; Bleecker Street Records is NOT run by a bunch of clueless record buyers. They know what’s collectible, and these LPs are priced accordingly. Experienced collectors looking for holy grail LPs will do well here, but newcomers may be put off by some of the prices until they learn what’s reasonable and what’s not. There truly is something for every stage of collector here, but it’s best to know what’s a steal and what’s not before trying to navigate LPs sold in ANY shop as “collectible”.
The selection in the Bleecker Street collectibles area cannot be beat. These records are plentiful, as well cataloged as the non-collector stuff, and there is a nice cross-section of genres and artists for sale. There are LPs, 45s, 10-inches, the whole gamut.
This is one hell of a record store. Vinyl junkies, this should definitely be a destination for you when you’re in the NYC area. I WILL be back!
–Joe Wallace
Continue reading New York City Record Stores: Bleecker Street Records