Renaissance Records

Great shop packed to the rafters with records of all kind with a very knowledgeable staff. Asked if they had three rather eclectic artists and the answer was "yep, he's over there, she's over there and they are over here." Great place tucked away on a side street in Bham.

This is a a crate diggers paradise! It's well organized and there is a huge selection of used vinyl and some new RSD stuff. The manager, Jimmy, knows the inventory and he pulled out a few Residents records by memory. Plus he's got a great laugh and is a music historian. The prices are fair and there are some real deals here if you hunt. This is the last record store in the once bustling area of Highlands that is know being co-opted by high rents and greedy landlords. This is a tale often told by historic vinyl stores that made a neighborhood cool, but are unfortunately being run out of business. Keep independent record stores alive!

This is what you want a record store to be. If you want to super organized, then maybe you will be disappointed. But if you want the experience of digging through wonderful piles of treasure to find your personal pot of gold and this is Nirvana --my only complaint would be that no customer ever wants to hear somebody who works in the shop dogging out another employee. The older lady there is knowledgeable and really friendly to customers, but twice I've heard her just reaming out someone else that works there. It was unpleasant enough for me to leave. That really is my only complaint though I love the charm of the place, the ambience and the really knowledgeable and friendly staff.

After a therapeutic experience down the street at another record store, I honestly walked into Renaissance with little to no expectation. Yet again, I found myself examining through an above average vinyl selection. As I searched, new releases from Alabama Shakes and Mumford & Sons served as the soundtrack backdrop. Thumbs up.

Unsure of what to select, I half-heartedly decided on the new Alabama Shakes album. I thought to myself, "Hell, I'm in Alabama. They're playing the lead single as I speak. Alright, I'll buy it."

Then as I approached the counter, I realized there was a stack of LPs I didn't sort through. What turned out to be a prized possession laid in the middle of the pile: An exceptionally rare, 12" single of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box." I call this pure, unadulterated vinyl bliss.

All record stores are treasure maps. Except as a customer, you aren't provided with a map for your convenience. You must search until you discover your buried treasure. And this particular record may very well be buried along side me when my time on Earth comes to a close.

Can you tell how enthused I am?

Personal anecdotes aside, Renaissance fills a void in the vinyl municipal. I'm incredibly jealous Birmingham houses two independent record empires in walking distance of each other. The owner, thick in Southern hospitality, voiced campfire stories for all ears to sink in. If you're looking for an excellent record, book or movie, Renaissance has your needs covered.

I've got to go with three stars for Rennaisance. I travel quite a bit on business and always scope out vinyl shops before a trip. I was surprised to find only one in Birmingham (well, there used to be two). I was expecting to find at least a few vinyl shops in Birmingham. Perhaps another one in Tuscaloosa. I guess not.

One other reviewer mentioned the store's lack of organization. It's true. Patience is the operative word here. Example: Spirit's "Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus". They had three copies (that I know of) in three different bins. The same with several Moody Blues LP's. Most of the bins are semi-sorta alphabetized. But it's still a crap-shoot if you're looking for something specific.

I did not find anything that got me super-excited. I found their overall quality to be somewhat sub-par. Then again, their prices are not obscene. Lots of $6 records. But, not that much that was worth a whole lot more than $6.

If you're in the area, definitely stop by. But I wouldn't drive too far out of my way.

A LOT OF STUFF! We were in Birmingham for a couple of days recently and I visited this record store to fill in some down time while my wife was busy. It's all coin metered street parking out the front so keep that in mind. There is quite a huge selection of used cds and vinyl records for sale but very sadly not in any alphabetical order.I had a bit of a chat with Shirley the congenial co-owner who was very helpful trying to point me in the right direction. I didn't see anything of interest to add to my collection and didn't have the time to dig further given their chaotic display method.

Insane!!!
Look here... i've been to a lot of record stores and this one of the best! Great customer service and great conversation. Great prices. Mr. Jimmy is is a good guy and very knowledgeable. I walked out of the place with literally a box and a bag full of records. Angry because i kept finding more and more records that I had to buy. What a selection! I can wait to visit Birmingham again so I can find more treasures. They really took care of me.

It's the best record store in town, but I am holding a star back because of the female employee that is sometimes there. She is brash, loud, rude and can crash a mellow mood faster than anyone I've ever seen before. She MUST be either the owner or owners wife, because no business owner in their right mind would allow someone with her attitude and temperment to work there. She would be fired by absolutely ANYONE else who COULD fire her. I'm sorry I'm harping on this but I had my 4th truly awful interaction with her. Example: you are chatting with any of the male employees there. They tell you, "oh go grad that one there." This older crab of a woman comes in to a scene she wasn't there to know anything about and thinks it's a great idea to humiliate the customer by yelling, "UR NOT SPOSED TO BE THERE." I feel deep,y sorry for whomever is stuck dealing with her.
Go to the store. It's great. But if you see a crazy, angry lady just leave. I'm assuming she owns the store or someone would have figured out a way to get her to quit just...pooping on the vibe in there.
I wondering why someone doesn't explain to her that eventually she will put the store out of business.
***some people are NOT MEANT TO INTERACT WITH CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS. she needs to be back room only if they can't find a way to get rid of her...or someone needs to grow a set and put their foot down about how she behaves in front of people.
The store has one problem and it is her.
EVERYONE KNOWS THIS. IT IS OPENLY DISCUSSED. IVE SEEN PEOPLE HIDING OUT waiting to decide if they will go in and shop or not...asking people is the bitchy lady is on or not. If she's there...they leave.
Dude, deal with this. Please.
The music needs you to.

Stacking Renaissance against Charlemagne Records, just a skip away, is a no brainer. Charlemagne is the clear winner. With that in mind, I was initially annoyed I'd come here, having already visited the other record store.

After digging and digging through a lot of records I had no interest in, however, I ended up finding some solid keepers. Ah--the joy of vinyl hunting! Not the best record store I've ever been in by far, but nothing to turn your nose up at either. Lesson learned ;)

A great record store. You'll find more indie records here than you will at Charlemagne and there's still tons of old records here to go through as well. I have found 2001: A Space Odyssey Soundtrack and Kraftwerk before. Lots of hidden treasures. Great prices too.

Also, the owner of this place is the most friendly guy you'll ever meet. He is super helpful and you can strike up a conversation with him about anything.