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Breakaway Records
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Music & DVDs [Edit]
211 W North Loop BlvdAustin, TX 78751
(512) 538-0174
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Games, Movies, Music and more! Best prices on Blu-ray in town! Our goal is to bring you like-new merchandise, at a fraction of new cost! We want you to… read more »
21 reviews for Breakaway Records
Review Highlights
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"...has a good selection of used LPs - I only wish all the..." In 4 reviews -
"Like disco/funk, and big band/jazz." In 3 reviews -
"...also had a nice selection of turntables and amps for them." In 1 review
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Shaka D.
Austin, TX
2/4/2012
Breakaway is the best place for vinyl in Austin--a town with some great record shops.
The shop is tidy and inviting and boasts a selection that will please both casual listeners and serious collectors. The vibe of this shop is friendly, which makes it a hangout for music lovers. The staff are vinyl enthusiasts themselves and can be trusted to make good recommendations at all price levels.
Prices are reasonable to cheap and new records are always rolling in. If you like 45's they have an amazingly great selection.
Go get caffeinated at Epoch a few doors down and check into Breakaway for a lazy afternoon of listening to records. -
Review from Thomas B.
Cedar Park, TX
4/6/2012
Breakaway is one of the few record stores I always find things at. The store itself is heavily focused on soul, blues, jazz and old r&b (but it also has a good selection of other genres as well esp. older rock). They have a ton of 45s and know their stuff about them. The 45s are separated by labels, artists, genre/sub genres, and rarity for easy browsing, which is noticed and appreciated. There have been many times when I walk in not planning on buying anything and see an album or 45 I have been looking for in the bins. The last examples being a $1 bin find of "You Threw A Lucky Punch" by Gene Chandler and The Jukebox Jam LP by Jazzman. If you are looking for most things Numero or Daptone chances are they have it. Their in-store events are always welcoming and regularly have djs and/or beer + East Side Pies Pizza. Pickin' up what I'm puttin' down?
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Review from Justin B.
Chicago, IL
9/1/2009
Next time I'm coming here first.
My friend was in town, and he wanted to do some record shopping. OK, fine, I haven't bought any wax for a while, so I'm game.
After taking him to the places on the South side, he had spent a mint and I hadn't scored at all. The places were all either too spendy or the vinyl was thrashed.
Then, it was, "OK, one last place." And what a wise decision.
Great selection, clean and cheap! My buddy was all spent out and was kicking himself for buying stuff at other shops that could have been procured here more cheaply.
Me? I left with a few new platters to scatter as I make with the drinks and chatter.
Daddy-o.Listed in: Hobby. Hobby. Hobby.
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Review from Owen S.
Austin, TX
8/24/2010
I first happened upon Breakaway Records a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised with how much music they have been able to fit into a rather small place. I have been back several times and have remained impressed.
I always hit the jazz section first at any record store and always seem to find some gems in the $1 section by the likes of Cecil Payne, Lenny Breau, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, one of Blue Mitchell's last records, etc. There was also pretty tempting stuff in the regular bins, but I was unable to partake due to budgetary constraints.
They also seem to have a really great selection of Soul. Perhaps some genres are ignored, but there is no reason a shop can't specialize. I have even stumbled across interesting things in the "underrepresented" genres, like an orchestral Piazzola/Jobim album on a Brasilian label. -
Review from Scotty U.
Austin, TX
4/27/2009 3 Check-ins Here
Yours truly--a self-avowed vinyl junkie (and lifelong cheapskate)--has found his smack. I collect soul singles, and rock, punk, and [cough] classical LPs. New on the east-side scene since Summer 2008, Breakaway's co-owners are very knowledgeable and helpful. If they don't have it just give your e-mail and they will notify you when it comes in. Breakaway offers fair prices and the stock turns over very often. They have quite a lot for a buck and most items are under $20. While most of the stock is used, they have some new stuff, too (I picked up Husker Du "New Day Rising" reissue for $10).
One other item of special note, during SXSW the store had 3 daytime showcases with top-notched live music. I saw The She Creatures from Bristol, Eng. (four gals in silver hot pants, laser pistols and blue hairdos). Also, Magic Christian, a band feat Cyril Jordan (Flamin' Groovies), Eddie Munoz (Plimsouls), and Clem Burke (Blondie). And Gentlemen Jesse & His Men. Hell yeah! Breakaway ROCKS! -
Review from Catherine T.
Austin, TX
1/21/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Once again, I'm the party-pooper on the list of reviewers.
They've done as much as they can with the space, and I respect that. I just wish they'd expand.
Or perhaps they could add a few more genres to what they offer. Like disco/funk, and big band/jazz.
I started out giving this place three stars, but the fact that I've never left Breakaway empty-handed means I should give them four stars. I suppose I can't fault them entirely for not selling every genre I want to listen to. After all, they have done just about as much with their tiny cramped store as they can.
I think Breakaway has a lot of potential if they could just expand to a bigger space.Listed in: Hyde Park Handy: Neighborgood
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Review from Michael f.
Austin, TX
5/17/2009
I buy records. I listen to the records I buy. Breakaway has the best selection I have seen in the Austin metro area. The records are set up in a way so you can see all of them and search through them with out tripping over boxes of records. The vinyl turns quickly due to the great pricing and selection. Gabe and Michael are knowledgeable about records, music and easy to buy from. I stop in just about daily, there is always a new stack to check out.The record shop shares the lot with Cafe Mundi . You must go buy records there today. I wish Breakaway a fabulous 1st anniversary!
Thanks for being there for my vinyl fix..... -
Review from Chea F.
Austin, TX
1/25/2010
On first glance, this place just doesnt look like it has much to offer. Small. Nothing fancy.
Simply Vinyl.
What more can a girl ask for? The selection is amazing. The staff is always friendly and helpful. I never ever leave empty handed. -
Review from Kurt A.
Long Island City, NY
3/12/2010
Breakaway has a good selection of used LPs - I only wish all the bargain LPs weren't down on the lower shelves. I understand, though - it's a small space, and they gotta fit it all in there.
The staff was helpful, and the prices were okay. I really didn't want to play any nice LPs in their listening center, though, which is two portable record players that have tonearms like paperweights. I'd recommend they offer a basic turntable with a decent arm. -
Review from christina c.
Oakland, CA
5/18/2009
Lately, when I go to record stores, I don't expect much- I've become such a pessimist and think that the only way to get the records I want is through Ebay, Discogs, and flea markets. NOT TRUE!
Breakaway was a big reminder that small shops can and do still carry a punch. From friendly service to organized shelves to having two listening stations, I was able to find all sorts of gems within a short amount of time.
I'm not sure if the street leading up to Breakaway is one way or two: while we were driving down it toward the shop we realized that all the cars were parked in the opposite direction on only one side of the narrow street that's bordered by train tracks- but then again, I was visiting from California and that Texas heat really does crazy things to my brain, like making it not work. -
Review from ryan h.
Seattle, WA
9/5/2010
The shop itself is great. Nice selection.
My problem is with their price labels. The shop sticks their price labels directly on the cover. Which isn't a problem if you use the low stick variety. Sadly Breakaway does not.
I got home and started to remove the labels. The ones that didn't tear the paper right off the cover left some serious glue behind.
Why pay all this money and have the covers ruined?
Ask for a discount next time you buy, if they ask why, tell them it is to cover the damages they inflicted on the product.Comment from Gabe V. of Breakaway Records 9/14/2010
sorry you had trouble taking the labels off. this is done to… More » -
Review from oscar g.
Austin, TX
4/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I liked the old location, but they still have a great selection of record players and non trendy genres
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Review from Skyler S.
Covington, TX
12/12/2010
Although small, they have a great selection (with great prices) of mostly everything. Satisfied my psych needs, for sure. Additionally, the owner has a wall of every Bo Diddley album, which is impressive. That tells you after walking in that off the bat the place is going to be awesome.
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Review from Wes T.
Austin, TX
1/31/2011
Respectable record store with a decent selection, but the really good stuff turns over fairly quickly. The prices are a bit steep for used records, but kudos for carrying a great selection of jazz, funk, and soul.
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Review from Dylan F.
Austin, TX
7/11/2010
Stopped by for the first time a few days ago. It was smaller than I was expecting but they more than made up for it with their selection. They seem to have a corner on the R&B and Soul niche. A large selection of those genres as well as funk and jazz/blues. Also a large selection of rock and a whole isle dedicated to $1 records that had more gems than you would expect to find in a $1 bin. All records were very reasonably priced. They also had a nice selection of turntables and amps for them. Not in the market for that now but would recommend to anyone who is looking for turntable equipment.
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Review from john k.
5/4/2009
I visited this store on my last 2 trips to the Austin Record Show and this is by far the best new store I have come across in all my 30 or so visits to the US from the UK. The staff are so knowledgeable and so helpful(even to the extent of providing refreshments if you're browsing long enough). The 45 section is by far the best in Austin, and that includes the Austin dealers I have been to. The prices are very reasonable. The album section is amazing and I know if I lived in Austin I would visit the store probably every couple of days to build up my LP collection, but living in England I find LPs too heavy to transport back. All in all the best store to visit in Austin.
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Review from Richard T.
Austin, TX
12/14/2008
Breakaway is the newest record store in town, and it's certainly shaping up to be the best (I'll refrain from calling it the best because I haven't been to End of an Ear yet). And us Austinites really don't know how lucky we are when it comes to vinyl stores, either! It demands your patronage.
The location is wonderfully hip and it's nice to drop by Cafe Mondi before/afterwards. The location is small but clean. All of the sorted records are priced - to *move* - and are stored uncommonly well in aftermarket outer sleeves. To the best of my knowledge, all of the unsorted records (on the bottom shelves and outside the door) are a dollar. Typically, the unsorted records are where the soundtracks, classical, and pop are, although there is plenty of rock/jazz down there too. The owners and patrons seem to be relatively clued and normal people. -
Review from Mark L.
Austin, TX
11/15/2009
If you are a geek for vinyl, this is your record store. This place has the feel of a record store circa 1983. The contents are almost all 45's and 33 this is not the place to come if you are looking for CD's - you won't find them here (although there is a smattering of DVD product.) In going through the racks, I saw albums I hadn't seen in years and memories of the young music fan in me came back to life.
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Review from Adam H.
Round Rock, TX
12/8/2008
This place is awesome!!!!! I've found some awesome records in the dollar bin and the guys there are nice and helpful, unlike some other stores I've visted.
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Review from Brad S.
Austin, TX
12/22/2008
A vinyl-only record shop the size of a couple walk-in closets, with scores of bargains and the usual taunting selection of middingly pricey rarities. The only record store I've found in Austin that has Rahsaan Roland Kirk's Prepare Thyself to Deal with a Miracle. LPs are organized more or less alphabetically within genre, but 45s (and there are a lot of them) are sorted by style. I bought a Don & Dewy (sic) instrumental single only because I didn't have the time or inclination to go more than 20 random records in. Walked out with the single and $5 Salsoul, $5 Marty Robbins and $10 Abbey Lincoln LPs. Definitely making these guys a habit.
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Review from Ian H.
Oakland, CA
5/29/2009
sorry breakaway, you're almost 5 stars. i know you're small, and the point is to be well curated, etc. but when i find a shop with such a high percentage of good shit at good prices, i can't help but want more.
