Waterloo Records, Austin Texas

Anyone who’s been reading this blog for a while knows I like to spread the love about great places to buy vinyl, so let me introduce you to one of my all time favorites. Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas is a pure joy. I’ve dropped a small fortune in this place, much of it on dub, Morricone, and obscure oddities like the Japanese rockabilly-at-pain-threshold-volumes madmen Guitar Wolf.

Waterloo has an online store, sure. But it’s nowhere as much fun as pawing through the stacks of wax. The CD selection is completely off the chart as well…you’ll find that barely-heard Isaac Hayes disco attack Groove-a-Thon alongside the original motion picture soundtrack for What Are Those Strange Drops of Blood Doing On Jennifer’s Body? (Really.) It’s a delight. And best of all–for you non-vinyl buyers–is the wall of employee picks.

Electronica and moody dance music fans won’t be disappointed in the vinyl selection any more than the classic punk lover or 90s indie heads. There’s so much variety here between new and used…King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown was one of my all time vinyl finds at Waterloo–I spotted it out of the corner of my eye while fondling The Faint’s Danse Macabre LP.

Make a special trip to Austin and spend all your money at Waterloo–hold just enough back to eat at Stubbs BBQ, but you could max out your plastic if you’re inclined. Get directions to Waterloo from where you’re at, or just Google 600 N. Lamar, Austin TX 78703.