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BackSpin Records
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Music & DVDs [Edit]
4631 Airport BlvdSte 110A
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 454-7746
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Zach D. said: "I feel compelled to give buybacks 4 stars simply because they gave me $67 for the 25 or so DVDs I brought in to sell. I had put them on craigslist for $60 with no response except for a person who advised me to take them to buybacks.…" read more »
19 reviews for BackSpin Records
Review Highlights
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"I love the vinyl selection here." In 9 reviews -
"This is my favorite record store in Austin." In 3 reviews -
"They've got great deals and lots of interesting finds." In 2 reviews
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Globochem L.
Austin, TX
2/24/2012
BackSpin was awesome but they're closed as of I think early January 2012.
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Review from kat s.
Austin, TX
3/9/2011
I appreciate this record store.
I walked out with six records for under $25. austin is full of great record stores, but the attitude in them is horrible. I feel like I am constantly being vibed out by people who are "more hip" than I am. the overall vibe and attitude of this place is very mellow and laid back. the guys working the counter were very nice and helpful and they also had a random 15% off sale going on that day.
this place gets four stars because they need more indie and punk records!
otherwise, this place is great and I will definitely be coming back. -
Review from Kevin N.
6/27/2008
Maybe it's because I'm seldom on Airport, maybe it's because being over here always makes me think of traffic, but today was my first stop in at Backspin, and it was interesting. There seems to be a heavy contingent of wax and crunk here, and these folks are clearly comfy with who they are: it's not an everyman sort of store, but there's precious little attitude present; just lots of cool vibe and rich beats.
The CD collection is a little bit of an afterthought, but if you're looking for vinyl you'll love what they've got going on. Couple that with a heavy dose of the Houston scene cough syrup crunk, and the place has definitely got an appreciative view of Texas born and bred vibe that's a welcome respite from some of these stores that hope to be all things to all music lovers. There's simply not the space to do that here, so they've chosen carefully, and I overheard lots of organic conversation not about the next big thing, but about enduring thump. And that's a winner in my book. -
Review from Aaron W.
Austin, TX
6/11/2008
This is by far my favorite record store in Austin. I'll always come here first before trying other record stores in Austin, both because I enjoy supporting a store that specifically stocks an entire section of bossa nova and post metal vinyl, and because they are typically less expensive than Waterloo.
Everyone that works there seems to thoroughly enjoy music, and it's a much different crowd compared to the tourists you run into at Waterloo. The only fault I have with it is that the new location is awkward to get to at times, up near Airport and 35. Keep an eye out for the shopping center, and look closely for the store.
Oh, and if you don't see what you're looking for on the shelves, be sure to ask. They have a much larger stock of records than they have shelves to keep them on. -
Review from Mike L.
9/13/2008
As others say, Backspin is great for DJs, and as a DJ I agree.
I love the vinyl selection here. You don't have to sift through tons of crap to get to the goods.
You can't really compare it to Waterloo, because of the difference in size and range of selection. This is more of a vinyl specialty store. They do have CD's, but I haven't seen anybody buying them.
The guys who run the place are friendly and knowledgeable. (Zach D., you're not supposed to plug your own shop here, but I forgive you.)
Another great thing about Backspin is the in-store parties. Usually invloving a keg of beer or a cooler full of bottles, along with a great DJ or touring act. I saw Egyptian Lover at their old spot on Burnet... Egyptian Lover..Egyptian Lover.. He signed my 12"!
Need I say more?Listed in: Spending My $$$
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Review from Ben R.
Austin, TX
9/5/2010
Cheaper than Antone's, better selection than Cheapo's, and less hipsters than Waterloo.
I never come here and leave empty handed. I was just telling someone the other day that when I go to Backspin, I always leave with the best haul. You must check out the 5 for $10 selection. I've scored big in there, including Talking Heads (hip, I know) a few Rick James albums (I was born in the town we call Buffalo/Zero degrees below is too damn cold and funky), Donald Fagen's solo album, some Rush, and alladat, including Rappin' Rodney. (You didn't know Sir Dangerfield put out a rap album in the late 80s? Your loss!)
Here's the deal: If you're a vinyl collector, this place is great. If you're a DJ, it's great for digging. If you have about 8 albums and like to show them off to your new girlfriend, maybe this isn't the place for you. -
Review from oscar g.
Austin, TX
2/11/2009 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in at 5 to avoid traffic, ended up leaving at 8 with an armload of Adam Ant, Dead Boys, Bowie and Peter Godwin's Dance Emotions.
best water bill I've ever squandered -
Review from Erock P.
Evanston, IL
5/1/2007
Backspin is the best record store in Austin.... maybe even all of Texas!
I'm a fan of all kinds of music (hip hop, dance, indie, punk, soul, etc.) and only buy vinyl so this place is like heaven to me.
Every time I'm there, they have a ton of new (New and Used) stuff that is price fair, and if you have the time to dig and listen you will find GOLD! -
Review from Phillip F.
San Marcos, TX
11/2/2010
I still can remember the first time I stopped in Backspin (back when it was on Burnet) I lost my mind!!! (I'll admit that I've been using Serato since October 2007, but I have a pretty large vinyl collection and still love the dig every once in awhile).
I really couldn't speak on just regular vinyl lovers, but if you're a dj who spins vinyl you definitely need to see this place. I don't know how they do it, but the prices for 12 inch singles and full length lp's are so much cheaper than any record store I've ever been to. I can remember buying singles (of fairly current hits) for like 3-4$ and I got some full length lp's for like 6-8$ SUPER CHEAP
The collection they have is like none other. I mean I found copy of Dj DMD's "25 lighters" I didn't even know they pressed that song!?!?! Long story short I've copped some gems in this place, I've always spent more than I planned, and I always walk up out of there super excited about what I found :)
I really like the bins underneath the shelves (the ones on the floor) it's kinda like a bargain bin, but unlike some record stores where you're just sifting through crap, if you take the time and dig you're gonna find some gems. TRUST ME
Oh they sale replacement m-447 styluses for the cheap too!
Backspin Records is that place -
Review from Nicholas B.
Austin, TX
4/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Awesome, awesome AWESOME place to find music! Cant recommend it enough!
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Review from Mandy P.
Austin, TX
8/9/2007
Of all the stores in Austin that sell vinyl, this is my favorite. It's all reasonably priced, well organized and in tip-top condition. These guys know how to dig and keep a great stock. I've gotten some pretty good selections from there, but the real reason I tag along with my boyfriend when he goes is because I have a (secret) crush on one of the guys that works there. Shhh!
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Review from meredith l.
Dallas, TX
7/1/2007
If you are a DJ or just passionate about collecting offbeat or rare vinyl, you will LOVE this place. Trust me.
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Review from Sarah Z.
7/29/2010
This is a fantastic record store. Very good and refined selection. I feel confident that if blindfolded and I picked up 3 records at random, at least 2 of 3 records I would pick up would be awesome! Great gamet of music genres, selection of very high musical calibre. Store feels like it's from a bigger city, like London or SF. Only draw back is at times the owner(?) seemed a bit on edge due to gangbanger kids that would come in from the dollar store next door. I can understand, but he needs to play some Aframes and get on with it. I felt kinda nervous unsheathing and test-playing a Windy and Carl album I'd never come across before, because the tension was thick and I felt like for all my years of playing records I would suddenly do something stupid.
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Review from Record Lovin' Ben N.
Richmond, VA
9/24/2007
This is a small place, heavy on rap, r&b, soul, etc. basically catering to DJ's. Even though that's not my cup o' tea and there's only a small selection of rock I actually found some cool stuff cheaply here. That plus the impressive selection of other genres deserves 4 stars at least, and if you're into those above styles this is a must visit. Sign on the door said they were moving so maybe they will expand their selection in the future.
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Review from Brian S.
Austin, TX
5/7/2010
This is my favorite record store in Austin. If you're looking for hip hop, funk, soul, R&B and jazz, go here first. They've got great deals and lots of interesting finds. The guys who work there are never pompous--actually a pleasure to talk to, not a challenge.
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Review from Charles R.
Austin, TX
5/11/2010
I have always been a Waterloo Records kind of guy, but I like to buy used vinyl and Waterloo can't compete with these guys.
First of all, I don't normally buy CDs. These guys do have a selection of CDs but I haven't ever looked at them so I have no idea how their collection stacks up.
For used vinyl, though, this store is a goldmine. All of their used vinyl is CLEAN, cleaned with their fancy high-dollar record-cleaning machine. If there is any scuff on a piece of vinyl (and there usually isn't), this is clearly marked on the record sleeve- and the price is adjusted down.
I've found everything from early '80s local funk punk records to original Townes Van Zandt pressings, great re-releases and good prices on original pressings. A couple of weeks ago I went diving through the bins and found a whole bunch of old folk music from the '30s-'60s- old string band and fiddle music. You'll never find this stuff all collected anywhere else.
Their metal collection is mostly lacking, but that's not generally what I'm looking for. I wouldn't complain if they beefed it up a bit.
They have a BUNCH of vinyl for DJs- old hip-hop, soul, stuff like that. Not something I am generally looking for but I notice their large sections for these.
Bottom line, if you're a record junkie check these guys out! -
Review from Jason E.
Austin, TX
6/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
yes, my favorite music store in Austin - and not because i know the owners. yes it's small, yes it's not located in a ritzy area of town. and yes, they have the best, most hard to find, indy, underground - whatever odd music taste you have you will find something here to fill your desire. the perfect place for the serious LP collector out there. i never fail to leave without a purchase.
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Review from Dylan F.
Austin, TX
7/18/2010
This place did seem like a great place to DJ's to pick up vinyl but as for me I felt it was very hit or miss. I only looked at the bargain bins and the rock/punk/indie sections and browsed through the CD section; didn't look at the Jazz, Blues, R&B or their large Hip Hop section. I found several gems in the bargain bin so I can't complain about that. I did find several albums that I felt were overpriced because I had eyed them at other record stores who wanted less. I also saw several albums in the rock section with stickers in the $20 range and saw the same album in the bargain bin with a $2.99 sticker on them with not much visible difference between the two. I found that to be rather odd. They also had a large selection of bootleg CD's (I believe they called them Fan Club CD's) for sale at a very cheap price of $5-6 per CD. Much cheaper than most bootleg CD's at other stores but I saw several that I had downloaded for free and wouldn't have wanted to pay for the mediocre quality that they are. I would stop in again to browse the bargain bins but overall it wasn't my favorite and not much really stood out about this store.
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Review from Brian D.
Austin, TX
5/2/2010
I've been going to Backspin since it opened. There are many great indy record shops in town, but this one is on top. They always have a excellent selection and their prices are reasonable. Zach runs a tight ship. Don't forget to get your used record cleaned on their killer VPI record cleaning machine.
