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AKA Music
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Vinyl Records Music & DVDs, Vinyl Records [Edit]
27 N 2nd StPhiladelphia, PA 19106
Neighborhood: Olde City
(215) 922-3855
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
62 reviews for AKA Music
Review Highlights
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"i left with 6 new cds that i am obsessed with." In 21 reviews -
"In conclusion, great selection and good prices." In 7 reviews -
"They even have a large selection of new stuff." In 4 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from josh B.
Wellesley, MA
12/4/2011
As a metalhead, Im am generally skeptical about record stores. I gave AKA a try, went inside to see the Metal Vinyl section. Found two of my favorite records, that i didnt have on vinyl. Will be going back. Great store, run by great people.
**If your curious, I found Celtic Frost's "Into the Pandemonium", and Voivod's "Killing Technology". -
Review from Caroline B.
Washington, DC
5/8/2012
I'm used to record shops being musty and cramped with boxes stuffed to the gills with records that you have to painstakingly search through.
But AKA is pretty. It's airy with high ceilings, lots of space between vinyl, and super organized. It just makes for a better, more enjoyable experience. I only wish it had more vinyl. -
Review from Hilary D.
Philadelphia, PA
3/24/2012
It's so hard to find a good independent record store nowadays, but AKA Music certainly fits the bill. It has a huge selection, with some vinyl records I have never seen before -- The Replacements' entire discography, for example, which is pretty cool. Time and time again, I've found myself saying, "oh my god, you guys actually have this?!" (Occasionally out loud. That can get embarrassing.) You can get some great records and CDs in the sales section; I've taken a chance on random $2.99 albums and I've found quality music.
One thing I have to say is that it caters to a certain crowd. My music taste is broad, so I generally have no problem finding stuff here. However, I took some of my friends here when they were visiting Philly, and they couldn't find alternative/pop-punk/post-hardcore material, which is what they're most interested in. I have my roots in pop-punk, so I can feel that. Sometimes, you just want to bypass Bon Iver and replace your worn-out copy of Deja Entendu, you know?
They also allow bands to post up ads for shows. When I went with my boyfriend, we found out that we had missed a Spoonboy show by a few days. Needless to say, I will be checking to make sure I don't miss
The staff, at least whenever I've gone, are kind of standoffish. I appreciate not being harangued when I am browsing the racks, but if I have a question, I want you to be friendly. Many of the customers are almost comically holier-than-thou. Perhaps I'm just not giving any of them a fair shot -- maybe they got a ticket for running through a red light with their bike...?
AKA Music is worth going to, not only for the media, but for the unintentionally hilarious atmosphere. -
Review from Jay D.
Philadelphia, PA
2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
probably the best record store in the city. i don't really buy cds anymore because of itunes, but sometimes get records. and when i do i come here, if only because all the other record stores in the city are horrible. i liked spaceboy, and this is the closest thing to it, and even bigger than spaceboy was.
the used cd selection in particular is pretty amazing and, ironically, or maybe just due to my ironic tastes, the best stuff is usually the cheapest. seriously tons of stuff in the .99 to 2.99 range. -
Review from Nicole D.
Philadelphia, PA
1/28/2012
Always my favorite in the city for new records and upcoming release information.
Low key but helpful staff. Interesting music is consistently playing in the shop and incredibly entertaining record descriptions lie in wait in the bins (e.g.: "Love Story meets zombie psych with nods to Ween and Michael Jackson" !!).
The used vinyl section is slowly but steadily shrinking to nothing, which disappoints me.
Overall, still entirely solid. -
Review from Sam E.
Philadelphia, PA
7/31/2011
Yesterday, I time travelled back to the 90s. All I had to do was walk into AKA Music and purchase a couple of CDs in their actual jewel cases. Just like the good ole pre-Napster / Youtube days.
They do have a good selection. They also have an extensive $.99-2.99 selection section that had random, but good, music like Cyndi Lauper and Belle & Sebastian. -
Review from Christopher S.
Ardmore, PA
4/30/2008 ROTD 8/10/2008
Is your record collection missing something? Is there a big hole where a mint condition copy of Thriller should be? At AKA, you can find the gems that complete your awesome record collection.
That is until you come back.
Every time i go to this place I walk out with at least 5 large wax disks that don't quite fit into my backpack. Their selection of used vinyl is extensive and of varying quality (and price). I recommend digging through the milk crates for a scratchy copy of Herb Albert. They even have a large selection of new stuff.
Don't have a record player? Don't worry, they've got those fancy new "Compact Discs." If you can't find what you are looking for in vinyl, you'll definitely find it in the used CD bins.
This is by far one of the best record stores in Philly. I highly recommend that you stay away from it (and leave the good finds for me!) -
Review from Jason F.
Philadelphia, PA
1/19/2010
How was I supposed to know if I wanted to buy that Todd Rundgren LP when I couldn't hear it first? AKA removed the turntables in the back! When I inquired, the gentleman behind the counter blamed record theft. Huh? I doubt it. I think it's more likely they don't want us to focus on the dwindling used vinyl section. Pretty bleak, even by Salvation Army standards.
But, still in this town, (and in this digital world) AKA is as good as it gets. Where else in Philadelphia could I see Smog live and shop for obscure soul comps, and buy tickets for local shows all in the same night? The good old days are hanging by a thread at AKA. So I will enjoy it while it lasts. -
Review from Chrissy R.
Philadelphia, PA
4/16/2008
It isn't the best for older vinyl. I did find a US pressing of a single that was wayyy underpriced (maybe under the assumption that US pressing is worth less than the UK pressing of this particular single when the opposite is true). I like the space and I like to go and chill out and go through their shit.
They're also super good about pre-ordering releases for you. -
Review from Julie H.
Irvine, CA
7/14/2009
"Does that sign say 'ska music'?" the boyfriend wondered as we turned down the street to AKA Music. "Um, no. You need glasses," I said, preventing him from turning around and running away from the supposed-ska music haven.
We'd been on a scatter-shot tour of music stores in Philadelphia that weekend and were surprised to see so many independent places tucked here and there throughout. AKA was the best brick-and-mortar establishment we came across after half a dozen stops.
AKA houses a broad and, in places, appropriately deep selection of CDs and vinyl. Though you might not find Britney Spears or Lil' Wayne prominently featured, they had the entire Radiohead catalog on hand, as well as John Vanderslice on both vinyl and CD. A smattering of albums on display possessed hand-written blurbs useful for encouraging me to discover music I might not otherwise notice (I suppose it's a lo-fi display/signage tactic).
In a true rarity both the boyfriend (the record head) and I walked out with purchases - him, clutching some European DJ album, and me, happily in possession of the newish Modest Mouse 7" that I'd sought in DC to no avail.Listed in: Philadelphia!
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Review from Vicki M.
Delaware County, PA
6/5/2008
I'm not a fan.
If I had the money and the space to fill my home with CDs, I'd happily browse the store. (This is why I'm not as harsh as I normally would be with my stars.)
My issue lies with their CD buying. I came here based on Yelp reviews, and I was a bit disappointed. I've got some weird shit, specifically tons of Jello Biafra. Despite the fact that they try to plug this punky, off the wall selection type of vibe, the sort of neurotic salesguy only took 27 of the CDs I brought in. No biggie, I didn't expect to unload everything I'm selling...HOWEVER, all of the things he took were easy to find in big box stores. I was glad to get rid of the music, but I'd like to think that a used music store would take something a little more odd than Ladytron and The Beatles.
What redeems the place a little bit is that their trade-in prices were fair. I got $75 for the discs. Considering that I'm broke as a joke and needed to prevent overdrawing my checking account, that was some pleasant news.
If you're looking to sell anything truly weird or hard(er) to find, get over to Jersey and sell your music to Tunes.Listed in: Oh Hipsters!
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Review from Anthony M.
Philadelphia, PA
4/9/2011
AMAZING!
I discovered this place one day in 2009 when I was just walking around.
First off, the staff is very helpful and nice.
Don't plan on coming here if you don't wanna spend money. Cause I guarantee you'll find something.
They sell CD's, Vinyl's, DVDs (mostly music), even Cassette Tapes.
Aside from the great selection, they're always playing great music.
The first day I was in there, this music playing over the speakers, I was really getting into it. I went up front and on a little stand there was a CD I asked the man if this is what was on. It was "Fall Be Kind", Animal Collectives 2009 EP, which had just come out. I never heard of them before that. As soon as "Bleed" came on I had to buy it, one of the best songs I ever heard.
If your into vinyl's they have a pretty decent section as well, I bought Glass Candy's "B/E/A/T/B/O/X". I've been collecting records, I have some of my dad's old ones I never played one yet though, I have to get a player aha.
Highly Recommend AKA, and will continue to shop here because there arent many places (of this size) in the city.
-AM -
Review from James B.
Philadelphia, PA
3/15/2008
AKA Music in Philadelphia is like so many other music stores across America; like the decaying train tracks of yesteryear that whisper of a bygone era of technology, the independent vinyl and CD stores of our youths are dying away.
I moved to Philly about 2 years ago and was struck by how few second hand music stores there are here. I was desperately looking for somewhere - anywhere - of quality, and unfortunately AKA didn't meet the bill.
AKA is in a dilapidated warehouse-style space, not particularly big (think the size of your local hair salon) and not particularly clean. If you are hoping to dig through racks of records and CD's to find a hidden gem, you're going to miss out here. In fact the vinyl section (located WAY in the back of the store) is so sparse that one can browsed through it in less than five minutes.
The CD section consists of both new and second hand releases; the new releases are all grossly overpriced. This is no doubt in a desperate attempt to stay afloat in a world of Walmarts, but still, there is no cause to spend $20 on a new CD in today's market.
Additionally though one might consider many of the indie and punk releases here "hard to find" because they aren't at your local borders, it's 2008: you can get them cheaper and relatively fast by ordering directly from the label or band website.
For me the draw was a long line of buckets of bargain CD's priced at 99 cents that I could spend time really digging through, but that has all but dried up. There are only a few boxes left and they've been marked down to 4/$1.00 (which should tell you how desirable the titles are.) It seems like the place is poised to go out of business at any minute.
Unfortunately the staff still seems to be living in the "It's cool and hip to be crass and impolite to customers" grunge moment of the 90's. I'm all for tattoos and mohawks - in fact I have both - but it doesn't mean you have to be crappy to paying customers.
In the end I don't blame AKA for failing, because - again - it's the era that has put it into a tight spot. Unfortunately nothing really sets it apart from anywhere similar except the memories people may have attached to it from their personal history there. Otherwise it's just a minimal selection at maximum price in an unpleasant environment. -
Review from Lene P.
Philadelphia, PA
6/23/2008
I purchased most of my US release albums of Japanese bands here (TMGE, Melt-Banana, Polysics, Guitar Wolf, Boredoms, AMT, more) and they have a good selection of experimental and non-mainstream bands. I also love digging through their used section, I've actually found an Asian Kung Fu Generation and a Sugar Plant album there.
The prices aren't outrageous, they are adequate and the used merch is a good bargain. The aisles are enough for people to walk through (especially around all the people flipping through CDs). I haven't had a problem service wise. They usually just ask me to leave my bag unprotected near the counter while I browse/shop.
They're in Old City in a very good location, close to Market Street in case you want a bite or drinks or to hail a cab, close to Book Trader, if you want to browse through piles upon piles of books, and close to public transportation, especially since parking in Old City can be a pain. -
Review from Annie D.
Silver Spring, MD
3/7/2010
A.K.A. music reminds me why I hate downloading music and why I miss 1994 so damn much.
I could spend hours looking through the used/discount section finding albums to fill the varied gaps in my music collection. There is something visceral and deeply satisfying about parting with your money in exchange for tangible forms of media. -
Review from Kathryn M.
Wallingford, PA
4/30/2009
Pretentious? Sometimes...
Quirky used section with amazing finds if one delves deep enough? Totes...
Overall impressive independent music shop that emits a witty, with-it, and welcoming vibe? 24/7
AKA embodies everything your thriving local record shop should. Affordable prices and a plentiful selection. Always well informed on upcoming releases via huge white boards at the front of the store and current new jamz on the front shelves, shopping here is always a positive experience. Sometimes the staff live up to the "hipper than thou" caricatures you imagine when you think of indie music stores, but for the most part they're pretty helpful, and won't judge you too hard :P
If you can I strongly urge you to take the time to peruse their glorious used section. It has great finds and goofy goods. Also try to make your way to the vinyl section in the back of the shop. Don't know too much about vinyls myself....but my more music savvy friends love it and are always pleased with the selection. There's also two turn tables on hand to listen to records.
Even if you don't have the time to hunt for that hard to find album or can't find anything, being in the shop is fun in itself. Go! -
Review from Bill M.
Updated - 9/1/2009 12 Check-ins Here
It's still an all around vice, and it will always be my one stop shop for familiarizing myself with what new releases to look into, while scoring some hot deals in the used section. and I give it up to them for selling a healthy portion of local music. But there's just a few things that merit the dropping of a star.
As Meredith summed up, the vinyl selection is pretty stagnant and dreadful. You'll come across a couple good finds, but for the most part their nonexistent. And while you'll definitely find some good buy's in the used selection you'll also come across a horrendous dose of clutter that will hurt your brain if you attempt to sift through. Ship that clutter off to the island of unwanted music already (because even misfit toys need a soundtrack).And while it's understandable, it's kind of sad that they don't have as many listening areas as they used to, especially in regards to the theme ones.
But there's still plenty to enjoy about AKA. and in the last review I forgot to acknowledge the free publication section. often times you'll come across a bunch of crap. But if you're lucky enough you'll also come across things like copies of Vice (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)!Listed in: Born to Shop, Hey Music Lovers, I Am Nerd.....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2007
My favorite place to buy music in Philadelphia. it has the best and most ecletic selection, a… Read more »
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Review from Anthony R.
Springfield, PA
8/3/2008
This place is great. You can find almost anything in all genres, new and old. I really enjoyed the jazz section, since most record stores are lacking in this area. They had the rare artists I was looking for. I was not too impressed with the prices (dropping $35 for two cds), but I wouldn't be able to find the jazz albums anywhere else so...
The used section looked pretty nice, but it took to long to flip though the bargains to find something you actually wanted. I wish they just categorized the used stuff with a colored label in the same sections as the new stuff, it would make finding bargains you would enjoy a little easier. -
Review from Dustin B.
Philadelphia, PA
10/19/2008
This place is really really great! The absolute best part is that they have ALL TYPES OF MUSIC. If you don't believe me, go and check it out; everything is there.
The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that they don't always have the more obscure stuff that I'm looking for. Otherwise, great store. -
Review from Adam C.
Philadelphia, PA
2/12/2010
First off the selections in this place is out of this world!!!!
*echoing the word "world" with a spacey moog melody playing in the background*
They have every sub-category that would make a music snob have an orgasm. Squeaking with glee as he or she pulls up that rare limited Lou Reed meets the Muppets special limited edition vinyl including Miss Piggy and special guest Yoko Ono's extended croon solo.
Or if you're really feeling frisky how about Cookie Monster's solo effort "I'm Still About the Cookies Kids!" with Tom Waits, Tom Yorke, Bjork and Cee-lo.
But if you're that insane try Christopher Walken speaks Lady Gaga's lyrics.
Apparently that one exists.
Just to put it mildly stuff you didn't imagine or if wanted to, it's here and more. All your music fantasies at your fingertips. A dj's paradise, a musician's muse, the creepy neighbor who never sleeps who listens for subliminial messages coded within Steely Dan records, you name it, all walks of life will find what they are looking for...
So the next Barbary dance you attend or Making Time party, you'll be the radiest when you show off your knowledge of b-sides you found and music that sounds like Canadian geese in a room with a man on a typewriter. Their mouths will be ajar from your pure awesome and bros will toast their PBR's to you!
So what are you waiting for? Tune your bike, grab your vegan coffee, and peddle to the metal down to AKA Music, located in Old City's Art Gallery District.
So let me ask you this...
Are you hip enough to AKA?
*cue explosive guitar and industrial machine drumming in the background*
A!
K!
A!
AKA is not responsible for any subliminial messages in any Smooth Rock recordings including Hall and Oates, Air Supply, Coldplay, and Michael McDonald.
WARNING: Jack Johnson may cause penis shrinking after ten hours of listening. -
Review from Pete B.
Philadelphia, PA
10/26/2009
I'm a regular here. The vinyl selection is great, and has grown a lot over the past year and a half. Keep in mind that vinyl section is comprised of new releases and reissues as well as whichever used records they come across--it's not going to contain every record from the past 40 years. I don't think calling it stagnant is fair, they've done a very good job adapting to the increasing demand for vinyl. The CD section is solid as well. Granted there are occasionally times when they don't have what I'm looking for, but that's more a reflection of my tastes than their services. I've ordered a handful of things without any problems.
I find the staff to be helpful and I wouldn't call them pretentious. -
Review from Jim M.
1/7/2008
I was very pleased to find a really good music store in the city. AKA has an awesome selection, including bands by band members (like GYBE!). This was the first music store I"ve been to that had more than one album of Mono. They also had a good selection of used rock in CD and vinyl format.
I was also pleased to find a very good selection of jazz, my primary musical obsession. The even had a decent amount of Japanese remasters, which I don't see too often. Good selection of used jazz CD's and vinyl.
My only gripes were minor ones. I was not thrilled to have to hunt through both rock and jazz CD in the used bins. Not to mention they weren't in real great alphabetical order. Some division and labeling would have helped. I also wanted to put two CD's on hold, and was told that they don't do that. Oh well.
In conclusion, great selection and good prices. -
Review from David M.
Norristown, PA
9/23/2008
Long gone are the days of shops like 3rd Street Jazz & Rock- but luckily there's AKA!
They've got a really good selection (especially when it comes to jazz), the staff is helpful, and they keep better hours than most stores in the city.
I can't spend any amount of time in Old City without having to visit AKA.Listed in: All Things Music
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Review from Jason R.
Philadelphia, PA
2/8/2010
Hey, remember how great 3rd Street Jazz & Rock used to be? I miss giant good independent record stores. AKA is the closest you'll get to that experience nowadays in the Philly area. AKA Music is a lone mastedon on the frozen tundra.
It's awesome that this store still exists and they get 4 stars just for that. But I do have one minor quibble.
They should beef up their new vinyl selection. On my last visit they were missing a lot of staples. A lot of classic albums are in print on vinyl these days on reissue labels like Sundazed & 4 Men With Beards. The public wants the classics on wax. Everything else we'll steal online. -
Review from Tom D.
Philadelphia, PA
12/23/2009
I have had some pretty good experiences with this record store. They sell tickets to shows for the R5 productions, which makes them totally rad.
They also have a pretty good collection of vinyl records. I recently purchased a pair of records as a Christmas gift. Who wouldn't want Surfer Rosa and Songs from a Room? They have a variety of cds, too, if you still spend money on digitized music (I mean I totally do, RIAA).
While it is not the best record store I've been to in my life, it is up there with the top 5. -
Review from greg j.
Brooklyn, NY
4/7/2009
Anyone out there remember a spot called 3rd street Jazz? I was on a mission, and as I was hoofing it up and down in the wonderful district of housewares spots.. cafes... and american history... on a glorious sun drenched weekend.. I found AKA music... a true gem of a c.d. store..
Wide selection of CD's... I mean.. the collection of FELA, and soul and JAZZ... is just phenomenal. The Brazilian works.. and the Rock stuff.. I can go on and on..
The person at the counter.. new her stuff.. friendly and engaging... pyschedelic music bouncing and bubbling...a nice breezy air to the place.. no cramped quarters... fair prices...hey its a boutique spot... I mean come on.. who buys cd's anyway? so if you gotta pay for what you want.. which is choice... its worth it... at least to me it is...
AKA... a gem.. take your time and comb the stacks my friends... then go find a gelata or something and contemplate your purchase... -
Review from Rob R.
12/11/2009
My favorite record store in or near Philadelphia. This place is HUGE and they offer a great vinyl section (in the back).
Any place that offers vinyl records in an environment that doesn't wreak of 1972 is a-okay in my book. Most new releases are in stock and they offer a good selection of used at great prices.
I know, from experience, this place can get any special orders in within two days - which is great for a collector. They were able to order me a special edition vinyl from the UK and I had it in my hands within a few days. The owner of this place is a lifetime record store junkie (who happens to hang out at Honey's on the weekend). Although he's not the most approachable person you will ever meet, he knows a lot about great music - this place is always playing something worth listening to! -
Review from Perry H.
1/29/2010
One of the best music stores in the country. Period. Lots of new and used, CD & Vinyl, great space and layout. Definitely stop by if you're in Philly and have both a lot of money and an hour or more to kill - you'll need both...
Love to see indie record stores thriving and surviving! -
Review from Joseph R.
Cambridge, MA
6/28/2011
Out of all the CD shops I've ever been to, this is my favorite. They have a good mix of new stuff you've never heard of, older stuff you have, and a lot in between. There's vinyl in the back, new stuff on one wall, used stuff on the other, and super new stuff and videos up front. You can pick up R5 tickets and check out who's coming around. I know a lot of people like to buy stuff online, but if you're into browsing and supportong local shops, definitely go to AKA.
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Review from Anthony S.
Philadelphia, PA
9/11/2009
I go here to buy records and CDs. I like the idea of supporting a local store vs buying online. Because of this it's always hit or miss selection wise. I know they can do a special order, but I'm impatient.
I should probably check the new "used" section more often, but I only buy records once a month. Probably not the ideal customer, but definitely recommended.
I also enjoy leering at the stylists at the salon next door whenever buying records or tickets to a show. -
Review from Scott M.
New York, NY
11/8/2009
For Philly, this is a solid record store. It doesn't have an insane volume, but not many places on the East Coast do. I guess that the contrast is that the West Coast record stores will have everything from an interesting band where AKA seems to have only one or two of the more sellable albums. That said, they have a lot of the standard obscure artists plus some even more esoteric ones to grow on. I love that they provide descriptions in black marker on many of their albums to provide descriptions or additional recommendations. It'd be great for them to have some mechanism to listen to albums in-store before purchasing them - it would really make it easier to make some impulse purchases.
Their vinyl selection is also pretty strong. -
Review from Zach F.
Philadelphia, PA
1/13/2010
I like money. I like having it in my wallet and in my bank account. AKA Music does its best to take my money from me.
It's not their fault, they say, that they have the biggest selection in town... and that I always want something (or 10 somethings) when I visit them.
It's not their fault, they say, that their used CD bins are so vast and that it takes me forever to flip through all of them. And then I have to decide upon all the loot I found. And then how do a stack of used CD's always amount to more than I want to spend? Because remember, I like my money.
And there there's the fact that this record store always makes me feel good inside. They created their ambiance to try to make me come back, I know it. And take my money again! They're sly.
And they write suggestions and genre hints on the plastic covers, which makes me happy.
I have to limit myself and my wallet from coming here too often because I like AKA Music so much. Although, I do like to come and peruse and never buy anything just the same.
Despite the fact that just want my money, I still love you all the same, AKA Music.
P.S. I always wonder what is in the floor below. You know how you get a draft from the grated vents on the floor?? I want to go down there. Yes, I do. -
Review from Alexander M.
Philadelphia, PA
5/13/2010
AKA is often a must-stop when I'm in Olde City. The loss of legitimate music stores in the city is frustrating (shed a tear for 611), so it's important that the ones we have are good ones.
AKA has the best CD collection this side of the Schuylkill. I always enjoy taking a long stroll down the seemingly endless aisles to browse for things I need to get. My favorite part is looking at the walls to see the employee picks for artists and sub-genres. It's always comforting to know you're in the presence of trustworthy music geeks.
It's been mentioned before, but AKA is surprisingly sparse on vinyl. Not deathly sparse, but less than you'd expect (I believe Repo has a better selection, but haven't been there for a while). It's good that they let you sample the records before you try them, though they've always been high quality from my experience.
Three more areas where AKA excels. First is that they have a great selection of boxed sets and special collectible releases. Second is their selection of concert films and music dvds. Third, and this is the most random, but I actually like the cheapo discount cds by obscure artists that they have. Usually people browse those things as a joke, I legitimately have enjoyed the discs I have blindly bought. -
Review from cherie c.
8/24/2006
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Review from duocorn i.
Philadelphia, PA
9/13/2007
Excellent location with an excellent selection of cds and vinyl, and the prices don't eat the small amount of disposable income that I have. The best part about AKA is that I can't ever tell if the employees are judging me when I go to pay. I'm all for people judging me, I just don't like when it's so... obvious.
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Review from Mallory P.
Philadelphia, PA
11/12/2009
I couldn't say how, but somehow this became my place to buy records. I don't go anywhere else. I look forward to trips to AKA. I spend way too long sifting through the vinyls (new and used) in the back, and I always leave with at least a handful of dollar records, if not a stack of all sorts of good finds. There's a good vibe in AKA, and the prices are right. Having a local record store like this makes me glad I still own a record player.
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Review from Mike S.
Philadelphia, PA
4/16/2008
Great for new vinyl. Bad for vintage vinyl, although you will occasionally find a few gems. The used CD section is bloated and aimless, in dire need of a reboot. Reasonable prices for new cd's. Staff picks are usually right on. Great place for CD box sets too.
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Review from Colleen B.
San Francisco, CA
9/28/2007
I'm one of those weirdos who still BUYS my cds from a store, not online, not via iTunes or whatnot. Typically I'm an Amoeba girl, beings how I live in SF now. However, while shopping around I eyed Aka, and who can resist a record store? I was stoked to find out it was an indie and bought 2 cds I had been holding off on. The prices were good, the selection amazing and the eyecandy - entertaining. Shop here now.
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Review from michael m.
Philadelphia, PA
2/9/2011
Don't go in here--unless you're ready to leave with something you never thought you'd find or something you never heard of before.
I can't believe anyone could give this place less than five stars. I'd give it six if I could.
AKA is extraordinary. -
Review from Viv C.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2007
Got to love a music store that features such listening stations as "Protest Music," "DC Hardcore," and "Psychedelic Japanese Rock." The prices are average (~$12.99 for new CDs) but they do sell used CDs at lower prices. There's also a great vinyl selection in the back for vinyl junkies.
