Music Stores
A list of the coolest music shops around.
Soundscapes
Little Italy - Toronto, ON CanadaAsk any diehard music fan what kind of music they like and they'll likely respond with some version of "good music." That's the best description of the type of music Soundscapes offers. Pop, rock, punk, electronic, ambient...
Stereo Jacks
Porter Square - Cambridge, MA United StatesJazz is one type of music that everyone insists they like but that hardly anyone knows a damn thing about. The guys at Stereo Jacks know jazz. The store's racks are filled with new and used jazz and blues CDs and vinyl. But the interactive...
The Bookworks
Lakeview/Wrigleyville - Chicago, IL United StatesIn the shadow of historic Wrigley Fields, The Bookwooks offers other forms of history. Foremost are tens of thousands of books of the used and often rare variety with a focus on, what else, sports. Also around are bins of vinyl records, used CDs...
Wall of Sound
Capitol Hill - Seattle, WA United StatesWall of Sound is that rare store that is both generalist and specialist all at the same time. It's hard to categorize a store that seems to sell whatever they feel like. There are plenty of obscure records, experimental jazz, electronic,...
Waterloo Records
West End - Austin, TX United StatesGeneric music mega-stores: meet your Waterloo--Waterloo Records that is. The Austin institution has the music-obsessed staff, the personality, and obscure selection of a boutique record shop, with the volume and size of a corporate store. The...
Wax N Facts
Little Five Points - Atlanta, GA United StatesWax N Facts is the hub of the record collecting/making community in Atlanta. Walking into this dusty shot-gun style record store you become aware that the long-haired college age guy behind the counter is most likely in 3 or 4 bands himself and takes his vinyl very seriously. This is not the...
Zion's Gate Records
Capitol Hill - Seattle, WA United StatesIf Dub-wise, Electroclash or IDM mean anything to you, then Zion's Gate will mean the world to you. The bumpin' record shop focuses on reggae, dance hall, and other club-ready tracks. The mix of new releases and cool rare vinyl (even...