Local Record Store Population Dwindles Even Further, eBay Still Suckiest Way Possible To Score Vinyl
While we here at Philebrity are very keen on the notion that all music should be free, perhaps a bit of clarification is in order: When we say that, we’re talking about digital music, as it has no physical shape, is art in its purest, most unadulterated form, and you need to put something into it to get something out of it. That said, you should always pay for records. And often. But it’s getting harder and harder: Earlier this week, news broke that Doylestown’s venerable Siren Records was getting evicted. Total bummer. Now comes the news that Relapse Records, just off 4th and South, is also going the way of the cassette. Super double metal bummer. Every time one of these places dies — Tower Records not included, they kinda got what they deserved — the John Cusack in us cries a little. So as a public service, let us now present to you:
PHILEBRITY’S LIST OF TOP 6 RECORD STORES STILL IN EXISTENCE
PATRONIZE THEM NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
1. AKA Music: It’s the big daddy and last man standing in a lot of regards. The vinyl is abundant and both new and used selections are replenished regularly.
2. Philadelphia Record Exchange: It is everything the Cult of Vinyl could ever hope for: Dusty, packed wall to wall with what amounts to an impossible and mind-boggling history of the 20th Century and beyond, and sometimes, they’ll let you drink beer in there.
3. Tequila Sunrise: Like the PRX above, but cleaner, more boutique-y, and sagely directed towards the discerning consumer of all out-sounds.
4. Cue Records: Probably the best place within 90 miles to drop 25 bucks on some virgin vinyl deep Studio One cuts.
5. Noise Pollution: The selection of import Britpop on seven-inch here makes us warm and fuzzy inside.
6. Val Shively: Legendary. Just remember to call ahead and BRING A LIST.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
How could Siren get to over $300,000 in unpaid rent? It was a small store. I know D’town is expensive and all but that is crazy.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Siren’s newer location is actually pretty huge. There’s a full stage. The space is much bigger than the previous location…
June 26th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
By ‘newer’ I meant their current (shuttered) location, as opposed to their old location…
June 26th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Were they in the new/shutdown location long enough to hit 300 grand? Still seems like a lot of money.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
The 300 grand figure is likely the result of an acceleration of the rent for the rest of the term of the lease, triggered by the default, rather than rent that is actually past due.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Looks like Think Music is also closing…
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=43356961&blogID=409489593
JS
June 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
No Beautiful World Syndicate! Two locations now. 1000+ vinyl LPs and 7″s come through the door a week. Best used record store in the North East perhaps ?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
yeah, beautiful world syndicate should be way high up on this list.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
you missed some newer stores like SWEET JANE (a personal favorite) and long in the tooth.
also, the hippest record store is the FLEA MARKET. i’m not giving out my spots though…
June 26th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
also BWS should get some love too. where else am i gonna pull a sugargliders 7″ (for $2!) out of that is sitting in between awful crust records? but best record store in the north east? nope!
my top 3:
double decker in allentown
academy in brooklyn
princeton record exchange in princeton
June 26th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
What’s a Doylestown?
June 27th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Thanks for the mention Jonsolomon. The difference being, of course, that people have actually heard of Siren and Relapse. Now that I don’t have my own place (in a couple days anyway), I look forward to shopping for music for myself again. I’m throwing my support behind Long In The Tooth, because Nick and Janis are awesome and they have a baby to feed.
Somebody find me a good job.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
This is all really sad to hear. Shocking emotionally, but not economically. Record stores are now getting squeezed not only by the digital music rise, but also by the thing that is and will squeeze everybody’s wallets: energy prices. Even if you don’t drive, everything you buy is going up. The twilight of the easy life? Just maybe…
June 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am
philly record exchange is #2!??? i understand history and all, but come on dudes!