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In Your Ear Records
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Music & DVDs [Edit]
957 Commonwealth AveBoston, MA 02215
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
(617) 787-9755
- Nearest Transit:
-
Pleasant St - Outbound (Green Line)
Pleasant St - Inbound (Green Line)
Commonwealth Ave @ Agganis Way (193, 57, 57A)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:30 am - 8 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
36 reviews for In Your Ear Records
Review Highlights
"...descend into it and soon become engulfed in stacks of music."
(in 9 reviews)
"phat underground place for good vinyl."
(in 11 reviews)
"Everything there is used, but in good condition."
(in 3 reviews)
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36 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew R.
Salem, NJ
8/20/2011
An audiophile's mecca, tucked away unassumingly in a basement. Don't let its appearance fool you - the harvest of riches here is glorious. More stacks of vinyl than I can even describe to you, for the most part impeccably organized; CDs and tapes if you're into going into a record store for that sort of thing (for whatever reason); tons of vintage audio equipment and old magazines to look through. And with all this, the price tag is still astonishingly reasonable - album prices fluctuate by condition and rarity, of course, but if you're on a budget, you can easily use that twenty-spot in your pocket to fill in holes in your vinyl collection (over the last week, I've spent about 30 dollars there, and have an enormous amount of records to show for it - plus there's free stuff up front). Any music nerd living near or visiting Beantown simply *must* make In Your Ear a priority.
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Review from Tiffanie B.
Eliot, ME
12/20/2011
I used to adore this place. And I still do, to an extent. It has a large selection of vinyl that's reasonably priced. The people behind the counter are extremely helpful and for the most part knowledgeable. Of course I'm sure it's hard to exactly keep track of everything in the store. Which is where my adoration starts to wane. I'm sure that they may have hundreds of records in that store that I would love to buy, except nobody knows exactly where they are or if they have any. I don't think they have any sort of inventory system. I know this leads to the charm of the record store but I've seen the number of records in the store grow in size and records are in boxes upon boxes. So when I went in looking for Edith Piaf they were "sure they must have something" but that it might be in a few places it was discouraging. Getting to the shelves on the bottom just simply is a chore and I've never actually looked on them. You have to really have patience when looking through the cd bargain bins, though it has paid off for me quite a few times. It's a little annoying that cds have been there for years and years and they don't just get rid of them. They cds on the shelf are sort of organized by letter and oh yeah there are actually cds behind some of the rows. For someone like me who keeps their record and cd collection in alphabetical order it makes me want to re-organize the whole store.
All in all though, this place is fantastic. If you're a classic rock fan you will be in heaven. I've found the prices ranging from cheap to "why would I pay that for a used record?" I don't know how they decide the value of things. They have some random things like pictures of movie stars and press photos of bands. They have pins, stickers and posters. A mix of stereo equipment. 8 tracks. VHS (I actually found a copy of a vhs that was listed on amazon for $40 that I paid 4 dollars for. Of course they've since released it on dvd, but I digress.) and DVD. And lots of other odds and ends. If you have the patience I say this place is great. It just seems the older I get the less patience I have. -
Review from Franz A.
Manhattan, NY
2/1/2012
absolutely fucking nuts--you should definitely go here. look for what you don't want to find.
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Review from Caitlin v.
Philadelphia, PA
11/5/2010
This place is fantastic. I just came to Boston for the first time ever and while my friend was at work I decided to do some exploring and the first thing i searched Yelp for was a record store and this was the only one near where I was staying.
It's near Boston University and it's sort of tucked away inside and down the stairs of a building that seems to house some other businesses too. I had to look twice to make sure I was going into the right place. Adds to its hidden away charm, though.
They have stacks and rows upon vinyl and a pretty good selection. Their prices were pretty darn reasonable, too. Some of the stuff they had they could have gotten away with charging more especially since it seems like the only option in the neighborhood for record stores.
They have a good collection of Rock, an international section arranged by country, an entire section just for psychedelic 60s records (YES!), and every other kind of genre. It's pretty organized, but there are many piles that are not. Dig around.
Of course they also have cds and some cassettes.
If it's new releases you're looking for though, I didn't really see any. This is just for the old nostalgic, classic rock, folk, old school lover inside of us. -
Review from Evan M.
Arlington, MA
8/7/2010
In Your Ear, as other people have mentioned, is about as good as it gets in Boston. There are other fine record stores with prettier layouts and more colorful products, but In Your Ear resembles an establishment that typifies a look of a long-term business.
The selection of musical media is extensive. Although I am not a vinyl shopper, it is clear to see that In Your Ear has an extensive collection to flip through if one is into that medium. Speaking of older mediums, there are also a slew of cassettes, 8-tracks and other miscellaneous music items in various sections. I tend to buy CDs, so I'll chat about that for a bit.
There are three sections of CD pricing. The main section, mostly used, is priced from $7-9. This is a little on the higher end for used music, but that is made up with the extensive selection one can choose from. The CDs are also in pretty good condition so one doesn't have to worry about anything sneaky. Depending on the day, one may have to move stacks of seven inch records or cassette tapes out of the way to pick through a particular artist section.
The second section of CDs is priced at $5.99 or 3 for $15. This is where one could discover some puzzlement regarding pricing. It is obvious that these CDs are not perceived as sought after as the first section of discs, but I found many that were clearly not deserving of a five-to-six dollar price tag. Most of the discs are vaguely heard of bands or nineties groups that no one really likes much anymore. I found a radio station compilation here, which would make for a nice experimental spin but not for $5.99. If they knocked this section down a few bucks and went 3 for $10 they'd probably get more interest (and less stacks of leftovers lying around).
The third section of CDs is the humongous, somewhat overwhelming dollar bin discs. They have a ton of these, but with patient sorting one can find a few good ones. I once found a disc by Tugboat Annie that I gave a shot and they turned out to be quite good, cementing my willingness to look through future cheapo bins. Definitely worth a look if you've got the time.
As for items that can't be spun to produce music, one can find a boatload of used audio equipment right by the entrance. Receivers, record players, unidentified electronic contraptions, and perhaps a time machine can be picked up here. They've also got a slew of new and old music-related magazines, books and rags for the literary music fans. For the ones who just like pictures (and articles), they've even got back issues of Playboy. Really, what have they not thought of for music mongers?
Slightly digressing a bit, the difference between this In Your Ear (5 stars) and the In Your Ear in Cambridge (2 stars) is the organization and product. Although the Allston location does have its share of stacks of CDs and records that have yet to filed, one can still get around the shop easily and not have to sift through too much. The Cambridge location, however, has stacks upon stacks everywhere. Unless one asks a staff member to check if something is in stock, one will likely have difficulty finding something in particular on their own. This affects the total product available, for a casual shopper will be able to sort through many more organized titles in Allston while only get a few titles scanned in Cambridge. This would change, of course, with a total reorganization of the product presentation in Cambridge given the space (hint hint).
Both In Your Ear stores have a great staff, a similar wide variety of goods, and a dusty, settled in vibe, but only the one in Allston is a stronger browsing experience. If one is in Boston, make In Your Ear in Allston a must stop.Listed in: Best Boston Music Stores (So…
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Review from John U.
Ledyard Center, CT
6/5/2011
I stopped by this place before a Melvins show at the Paradise Rock Club next door since I had some spare time to kill. Now it may be a little cluttered but I feel that only adds to it. Their record selection is huge and the guy behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back in the future when I'm in the area.
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Review from Ryan W.
Auburndale, MA
5/17/2011
if this place ever closes I will hurt myself in an irreversible way.
Long live IYE Records, Reed, and all the tremendous weirdos he steadily employs. -
Review from David V.
8/26/2010
The superior of the two Boston-area In Your Ear stores. Like the Cambridge location, this one is also kind of tucked away in a basement and can be rather dusty. This store is slightly better organized, though there are still haphazardly piled stacks of records here and there.
It's a rather large store, with a solid selection of both the record store stables (70s-80s rock, jazz, soul, etc). There's respectable stock for local LP's, hardcore, metal and an indie section loaded with everything from experimental to Madchester. In fact, in the indie section you may have a tough time finding LP's by indie staples like Pavement or Sebadoh, but you might come across some records by The Fall, Shudder to Think or Jesus Lizard.
There's a sizeable bargain records bin near the front - in there you'll find all the Rod Stewart and Carole King you can handle. They sell old magazines as well - old issues of Rolling Stone, Q, Melody Maker, and even Playboy. A flip through a 1972 Playboy reveals just how much styles have changed. And that a Chevy Nova is a pretty sweet ride.
The records are reasonably priced here, and usually in good condition. You may find a few overpriced selections, but you'll recover that buck or two by finding a steal in the bargain bin. -
Review from Bruno A.
Chicago, IL
6/12/2007
This is they type of used music store where you'd expect music geeks to spend a lot of time discussing whether Robert Smith was better before he hit middle age or after and whether Meatloaf deserved a comeback or not. It's cool but seems a bit like an old music museum- dusty old turntables and receivers that look as if Jim Morrison himself owned one.
There is a good selection however, and cheap. If you've got the time you can look in some of the back bins and find some treasures. If you're looking for tapes (I don't know why you would) you could find some real strange ones.
They have a collection of dvds as well. My only beef with the place is the large number of cds, and most of their best ones, are stocked behind the counter so you have to ask to see them. One of the better music stores in the city though. It's worth the trip. -
Review from Mark S.
Belmont, MA
11/23/2009
I can't say enough good things about this place. Great records, and priced VERY fairly. Always going to find something interesting whether it be in the rock, rap, indie, or even the poster section.
I completely disagree with the person who said they're stuff is in complete disarray. There are many random piles about but all the major sections are organized very well.
Been shopping here since high school and certainly won't stop until I leave Boston. -
Review from Matt B.
Somerville, MA
6/28/2010
Really is as good as it gets. This place has this perfect combination that I'm always looking for- order and chaos. You can find exactly what you want, or you can spend hours looking through stacks of 45s. There's also a sense here that you might find treasure, so it's exciting to go there and look around.
Also, my turntable was sort of busted and the guy working there had some great advice. -
Review from John F.
San Antonio, TX
7/25/2010
Bean Town is one big audiophile hard-on. This record store is old school. I want to walk in with a fedora slightly askew on my head, cigarette dangling between my lips, sipping something alcoholic from a flask. My inner curmudgeon wants to escape my head and all of a sudden I want to talk politics and taxes, complain about the kids these days. No appreciation for vinyl, we're dinosaurs, me and you Lou, that's what we is, just dinosaurs searching out that rare Moby Grape bootleg, if one exists. I dunno, I'm still looking for it.
Listed in: Right Round Round Round
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Review from Bradley D.
Portland, OR
7/16/2008
Being mainly a collector punk/hardcore records, for my needs this place is OK. It's not great though. It does have tons and tons of records but mostly oldies and cheapies and stuff I'm not really into. As for punk/hc records they do have a decent selection 7"s and some LPs to rummage through but you really do have to dig, something I actually like about it. It makes it more fun. But sometimes all that digging and nothing new comes up. The same old stuff over and over. They don't get a lot of new stuff in it seems too often, but oh well.
I will continue to go here because I have discovered a few gems over the last couple years and some other cool records,. The staff is nice too and I love listening to the guys that own it talk about music.
Boston just needs a records store solely for punk/hardcore/indie etc. Newbury Comics is a complete rip-off and jacks up the prices of vinyl a ton. -
Review from Abraham S.
Brooklyn, NY
6/19/2010
I lived in Boston for two years and did not like it very much. However, this record store is an amazing treasure and is responsible for 95% of my goodwill towards the city. The greatest selection of records I have ever seen in my life, and Reid, the owner, is the nicest, most knowledgeable, most unpretentious music fan I have ever encountered. One of life's great pleasures, I wish I could give it more stars.
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Review from Brendan M.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2009
This place is an institution. It must be seen to be fully understood. This is the largest collection of records that I have peeped in Boston. There's also equipment, CDs, Tapes, etc and one wacky old dude who just runs the show down there.
The store is below a BoA kiosk on Comm. Ave. by The Paradise. You descend into it and soon become engulfed in stacks of music. My friend told me the guy had a deal that for $20 you could pick out 100 albums, but I think it was of the ones that weren't sorted, just in piles. Still for any collector or DJ, this is an amazing deal. I'm gonna double check on that.
This is like a thrift record store with finds and steals that you won't get elsewhere. I have a soft spot for Looney Tunes, but this is probably the most impressive and at the same time decrepit record shop in the Bean. -
Review from Mark M.
Astoria, NY
11/28/2010
Dirty, dingy & disorganized...just the way a decent used record/cd shop is supposed to be. It takes some digging to find things here, but you can definitely find some hidden gems. If you think of the book/movie High Fidelity, that's pretty much to expect from the folks who work here...a heavy dose of attitude, but highly knowledgeable as well. In my younger years I used to stop in here weekly.
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Review from Allison T.
Allston, MA
4/24/2008
Never mind the dust, just wash your hands once you're through. Why do I love this place? Well it's convenient for browsing, they've got a MASSIVE selection, staff are friendly, prices fair, you can try befor you buy, aaaaand they've always got the skinny on local shows. Plus there's an easy to sort through bin of local hardcore bands right near the entrance. Some days I like to waste away hours in here, other times I want the trip to be in, out, and over - the layout is conducive to either option.
Listed in: The Soundtrack to My Life
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Review from Sean E.
Cambridge, MA
7/11/2006
I'm one of those morons who sold his records player. I know, what the hell were you thinkin'? Hey, times were though back then, kiddo. And I was going through one of those, "I need none of these vanities, these possessions, they just weigh me down. All I need is a good book and a bed. Blah blah blah." What a douche... Anyway, when I did sell all my awesome 7 inches, LPs and CDs, this was the place I headed to. They give ya top dollar, and were always a pleasure to do business with.
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Review from greg f.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/1/2008
They say that "Virginia is for lovers". Well, my friend Rick went to Virginia and said that it was barely tolerable. He said that the people were stupid and smelly, that the food was lousy, and that he couldn't find any lovers that would take him. Instead he found himself in a haze of a crystal meth addiction that left him broke and beaten up. I had to wire him money so he could get back home. When he got back to Boston, the only thing that he wanted to do was to try to find a Denny's Grandslam breakfast meal (which there were none) and to go to In Your Ear Records and get some stuff to keep him occupied during his rehab.
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Review from Erin C.
Miami, FL
3/15/2010
So far I've only been to two record stores in Boston and this one far exceeded the other in every area: collection, friendly staff, informed staff, and price. When walking in it looks like it's in complete shambles, but each genre is organized quite well. Of course there's the boxes and boxes of other records just laying about, but they seemed to be the cheap / not in the best condition type of albums. The main genre I spent my time in was rock, which seemed to be really well stocked. Next time I'll be venturing into punk and jazz...
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Review from Amanda G.
1/10/2008
Best place to find records in Boston. It's a total mess so dont go in if you have OCD, but they got everything, even an old player to try out the vinyls. I try to go every so often and do a couple of bins - you can get totally overwhelmed if you spend the day here. You can find cheaper at yard sales, but you'll never find as many in 1 place.
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Review from Ian M.
Somerville, MA
6/19/2007
So. I'm a massive audiophile, and this is my heaven.
In Your Ear seems to be hidden away in the basement, and the first time I went to this location they opened almost 30 minutes late, so my friend and I sat outside the door staring into the store like two kids at the candy store going "I hope it's bigger than that." (It was dark, we couldn't see around the corner of the store...). Anyway, IYE has an amazing selection, including rare finds of some pretty random stuff. I stick mostly to the Rock, Prog/Psych. Rock, and Jazz sections, but their Industrial, Metal, and Experimental sections are awesome also. The staff is also extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
They will also give you pretty good deals on your used cd's, tapes, etc. I keep meaning the bring in all the old CD's I never listen to and trade them in so I can get more vinyl...
Bottom Line, out of the few vinyl shops in Boston, this is my favorite, closely followed by their Harvard Sq. location. Definitely come here for music, whether you have a record player or not, because they have massive amounts of CD's too.Listed in: My Favorite Places in Boston
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Review from Marcus V.
Brooklyn, NY
11/12/2007
This place apparently hasn't changed since the last time I came here about 2 years ago. Granted I really like old music stores with a bit of nostalgia, and this place does go back a few decades, but some system of organization needs to be incorporated into the operation of running this store, and similar stores that can be found in NYC. Heck, I don't mind spending a lot of time flipping through a plethra of vinyl and CDs, but sometimes it's about wanting to find a particular out-of-print album that you figure you may have a chance at discovering in a store like In Your Ear Records without spending an eternity browsing. I simply don't always have the time. Hello, we live in an era of technological wonders in which databases (even online databases) can be constructed very easily, making things much simplier for the collector or music enthusiast to search for that desired recording without the hassle and difficulty of digging through piles and piles of seemingly disorganized stacks.
On my last visit, I went in looking for a particular album by a Boston-based Indie rock band from the mid-80s, something that has been out of print and circulation for awhile. To my surprise, I actually found it after browsing dust-laden piles for what seemed like hours. If the store had a database of their exact inventory, and a better way to organize the inventory, I would've been in and out in a heartbeat.
Despite my outlandish criticism, In Your Ear Records is still a cool place, even to browse at length (time permitted). -
Review from Vincent M.
Boston, MA
10/24/2007
Wow. So many records. Too many records? Thats impossible, but it IS a little hard to flip through the 7 inches with them being on a vertical wall. No super great finds though, but one incredible find through a third party.
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Review from shary m.
Cambridge, MA
11/18/2007
Dusty, bins upon bins upon bins of records. The way it should be. Roll up your sleeves bring a pair of gloves and get in there! So much fun.
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Review from Douglas M.
Los Angeles, CA
6/28/2008
Best record store in Boston. Real heads know the deal. Reed is the man.
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Review from Diana G.
4/22/2010 1 photo
Fantastic record store! I stop in here whenever I am working in the neighborhood. There are tons of records, CDs, cassettes, and even a rack of 8-tracks (remember those?). I agree that it does look unorganized at first glance, but I believe there is actually a method to the madness. The last time I went, I bought the Velvet Underground & Nico album because I love Andy Warhol and anything pop art. I figured why spend the same amount of money on the pop art print of the album cover, when I could just get the album. Now, if only I had a record player!
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Review from Lacey P.
Saint Paul, MN
7/12/2005
Piles of records. Everything you've ever wanted. Also cds and tapes. A good tape collection. They have mystery grab bags and a local section. They have a lot of buttons and pins to choose from. And can I mention the staff? So nice. So unpretentious and helpful, even if it is to find Whitney Houston which they probably don't think is cool at all but never let on that they will secretly be laughing at the thought of you dancing to "Oooh I Wanna Dance with Somebody".
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Review from Ari R.
Brooklyn, NY
8/11/2006
probably the best record shop in boston....great selection...good prices...helpful and friendly employees...
they sell cheap turntables too if you need one...
check out the thousands of $.50 45rpm records in the back...if you have the patience to go through them, you'll find some real gems....
!!!Viva In Your Ear!!! -
Review from Epic S.
Boston, MA
5/12/2010
First off, I'd like to say that whoever has been saying this store is in disarray is WRONG. If there are piles on top of stuff, it's because they're being sorted into sections and put away. New (well, used) stuff arrives daily and is sorted ASAP. Also, if you can't find something, ASK!!! The owner Reed is amazing, super nice, and knows pretty much everything about music and where things are. If something's not out on the floor or in a box, someone will get it for you. All you have to do is ask, and if you look confused, someone will come up to you and ask you if you need help. Yes, there is a lot of crap, but you will also find a ton of great stuff. What you might consider crap, someone else might want to buy. That is how used record stores work. Also, please remember that vinyl has been doing very well for the past few years, so really good stuff comes and goes really fast.
The 7" collection here can not be beat. They have literally ever genre you could dream of. You can always ask to listen to stuff before you buy it. Plus, the VHS and dvd collection is bangin' and cheap. As far as record stores go in Boston, this place is probably one of the cheapest and best.
Don't be surprised if you end up getting in a long conversation with an employee either. Everyone is awesome and knows their stuff. This here, ladies and gents, is a fuckin' record store. -
Review from jen y.
MA
2/16/2007
phat underground place for good vinyl...my bf goes here and the one in harvard sq a lot too...
great staff who KNOW their sh*t! I'm a hip hop girl, but you can spend hrs goin' thru all the crates and then check out old skool tapes and cd's...
For all the teeny boppers who go and buy that 50 cent crap, this is a place for true turntablists to find the diamond in the rough :) -
Review from Jeff D.
Winchester, MA
7/15/2005
http://www.iye.com/htm...
http://www.iye.com
In Your Ear is a great place to find music you sometimes can't find at the big music stores. They also have the popular titles but a lot of older stuff and indie music. They are located off the Green Line at Boston University near Nickerson Field and the Agganis Arena in West Campus.
They offer:
DVD/Video,Books/Magazines,Audiophile
Promo/Rare/Collectibles,Posters,45s,8-tracks,recor ds,
Press Kits, and Photos
Their prices are reasonable, sometimes quite cheap. You can always bragain with them sometimes. You can also bring in your own CD's or DVD's used and they will buy them from you if you want t get rid of them. Just ask about them! One of the few placea around that still has a high quality collection of 8 tracks for those nostalgia collectors. It is a cozy atmosphere as well. -
Review from Ashley M.
Taunton, MA
10/13/2008
I enjoy going to this place. It is a cramped place, for they have a lot of stuff. You can get dvd's, cd's, records, vh's and even some music equipment all for a very good price. Everything there is used, but in good condition. I bought a Frankenstein vh's for under $4 and it worked perfect.
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Review from John C.
Seattle, WA
9/12/2009
This kind of record store drives me crazy. They have tons and tons of vinyl so you see so much potential for some great finds, but in reality they have so much crap in such disarray, you quickly realize that you won't find squat. it is impossible to even move around in because they just have too much for the space. They have it all crammed in boxes and milk crates that are stacked upon each other within inches of other stacks. I tried to move boxes to get to the ones underneath, but there was nowhere to move them to or for me to bend down once I did. And in one box at the bottom of the pile most of the LPs had warped under the weight of the ones above. To me that was a sign of terrible disrespect for the discs! LPs are crammed in so tight, the concept of flipping through discs is a joke. Because the place was such an overcrowded mess, it completely discourages casual browsing. And if there was an attempt at some classification and organization about 15 years ago, it has all gone to hell now, so you also can't really locate anything specific. They need to put down their bongs, close for a week, and go through and toss out or donate the crappy beat-up half of their inventory to give the decent stuff some room to breath.
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Review from Dr. Sweetpickles Ph D.
Boston, MA
12/16/2008
What puts this place over the top is that they have hundreds of records in a bargain bin for 50 cents a piece, way cheaper if you buy in bulk. Most of them are in fine and playable condition, so it's a steal. Their regular stock is also extensive and reasonably priced. I bought an unopened John Lennon record for 6 bucks! They also sell funky old t-shirts, keyboards, magazines (like old Rolling Stones and Playboys), record players, and way more. I could spend an entire day in here without realizing it. This and Nuggets are the last of a dying breed in the Boston area, so I am all for supporting it. Best of all, nobody here is a dick or a music snob like I am.
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Review from Steve S.
Boston, MA
8/30/2005
Great little independent record store. Could very well have been the setting for High Fidelity, this place has stacks of records everywhere, a quarky, though knowledgable staff, and great music playing all the time. Find just about any CD you want here, plus all the vinyl you can imagine. Great prices to boot.
