Rasputin Music
Categories: Bookstores, Music & DVD's [Edit]
630 San Antonio RdMountain View, CA 94040 (800) 350-8700
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sat 10:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
33 reviews
Sunnyvale, CA
"What a wonderful feeling I get when I enter this shop. It's like that dream I've always had, that one day I'd have a home with bookshelves…" read more »
36 Reviews for Rasputin Music
They have a large selection of films/cds. There are numerous categories, which makes finding a specific film easy. There's also a large selection of used dvds/cds/vinyl records. YES-records!! For the most part they're really well priced and in pretty good condition. It's not a rare event to find an unopened record.
Downsides: When you sell them your movies/cds, you're basically giving them away. (if you're lucky you'll get $2 for a BRAND NEW dvd)
They usually only have 1 or 2 copies of most movies, so they run out of films pretty easily. (They have more copies of recent films)
OMG...
it was so deja-vu to walk in here and to have worked here when it was Tower Records. Everything is seemingly the same and the selections are bigger.
Their T-shirt section (T-shirt Frenzy) is pretty cool, if you love the T-shirt that is a section especially to check out. I think it's a cool addition to the Mountain View area and although I miss the Tower this rides all the Rasputins to the top.
I managed to find that used Britney DVD here today...
Now I must shake my head in shame, because that's a toxic thing to mention...
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I'm a fan of this particular Rasputin location because when it first opened, it had a good portion of the inventory from the Tower Records that previously occupied the space. What this meant was that there were a lot of deeply discounted new CDs in the used bins. If you browse carefully, you can still find a few of these gems.
I primarily listen to electronic music, and when shopping at any Rasputin location, almost exclusively buy used CDs there. What I love about this location is the used electronic selection. They must have an awesome electronic music buyer on their staff at this location, because every time I go, I leave with a HUGE stack of used CDs.
Oh, and you can't beat those prices.
I haven't tried selling anything here, but I imagine I will before I move from Mountain View so I don't have to move all my unwanted music.
Sold a bunch of unwanted used DVDs and CDs here. Yay for cash!
The staff are really helpful, knowledgeable and nice.
This store has a huge selection of CDs and DVDs (and books) to buy. I have yet to explore, but I'm pretty sure I'll be back.
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When I'm too lazy to hit up Amoeba, this is where I go. Pretty good selection and reasonable prices. They've got a nice array of music t-shirts (copped a tribe called quest tee), and i love how there huge porn selection is a wide open section for everyone to see so that whenever someone is the vicinity of it looks like a perv.
Great franchise, used to make pilgrimage to Berkeley. Now it's right down the street! Major thanks for the listening stations where you can scan the CD & listen- or search for the artist or song if nothing comes up. Ridiculous bargains to be had in the clearance sections if you take the time. Thanks Rasputin's!
Rest in Peace, Tower Records, but let it be known that a musical phoenix has risen from your ashes.
It's good to see when entering Rasputin that people are still interested in buying CDs. Sure, I'd like to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that people are digitally purchasing their music nowadays, although I think that's far from the truth.
One can spend hours in Rasputin. As another Yelper put it, listen for the "Click-Click-Click" of shoppers sifting through the used CDs. (Or the less noisy "Pat-Pat-Pat" for you Vinyl shoppers) When I'm looking for a CD, I always take the time to check the used section first- you never know when you might find it- even a new and popular release. I can easily accumulate an armful of CDs (conveniently done, with the CD holder they come in) and then I am forced to pick-and-choose my selections..
Then it's off to the DVD section...
The point is, in a world of iTunes and Amazons, it's still refreshing to actually step into a music store and breathe air with your fellow music-loving brethren. And Rasputin's is a great place to do it.
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I think this is my new favorite Rasputin's location now that the one in Newark has closed up. This location took over the old Tower Records/Books site, and has a couple of quirks that I haven't seen or at least noticed in other locations. First and foremost, they have a pretty good book/magazine selection. I just took a glance around, because I had already spent several hours sifting through the clearance vinyl bins, but it looked like I could've spent several more hours in that section.
They also have more in the way of collectible concert posters than most of the other stores (comparable selection to SF).
As with any Rasputin's, it takes a little while to get the lay of the land, and there really is no rhyme or reason to where they group certain genres, but once you find a section that appeals to you, you'll easily be able to spend a couple hours browsing through the aisles.
As always, Rasputin's has the best deals on bargain vinyl in the Bay Area, and while this one doesn't have the sheer volume of $.50 LPs that the Newark location did, there are still many treasures spanning diverse genres to be found in there.
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Great collection of cheap, used cds&dvds. I missed being right next to Amoeba when I lived in the Haight, but Rasputin is a pretty reasonable alternative. I've come here quite frequently in the past month in order to quench my thirst for dvds.
I haven't searched too much for other cd/dvd stores in the area, but given what I know, this is the best one in the peninsula hands down. Props to Rasputin.
The music selection here is pretty good and I can usually find a lot of stuff for really cheap. The magazine section sucks ass. No comparison to the Tower mag section. I do like the $1-2 book section and the fact there there are used books. Actually the best thing about Rasputin is the fact that you have the option of buying used stuff. I can always find something in the movie section but it is a little hit or miss. I always find something but not necessarily what I came in looking for.
I was bummed when Tower went away, thinking I'd have to now go to Target to get CD's. But up sprang Rasputin, and I couldn't be happier with it. While the selection was a little slim for the first few weeks it was open, they pulled it together. And it's like they keep getting better and better, which they actually are, due to the easy buy and sell nature of the store constantly upping their used item stock. With a huge selection of used CDs, I get a kick out of buying randoms from the $1.95 bin to see if I can find any hidden treasures. Although, most $1.95 albums are appropriately priced.
While Tower seemed to employ somewhat drone like employees, I've found the staff at Rasputin incredibly knowledgeably and friendly. And the selection is huge.
The vinyl section isn't incredibly well stocked. But the bookstore has a bunch of stuff that I've never been able to find anywhere else, with a great art and tattoo section.
There's also a fairly large selection of funny/music T-shirts if you're hurtin for a costume to a sex, drugs, and rock and roll party, or a late birthday present. And if you get stuck with a slow shopping partner, they have a couple pinball machines to boot.
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I came here when it first opened and the selection was pretty lame. But checked it out again recently and they do have a pretty cool and ecletic collection of used DVDs at reasonable prices. There were about 20 random off-tje-norm DVDs I saw that I just wanted to take home and check out.
Bottom line: Tired of the normal standard DVDs? Then checking out this place is a must.
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This is the only decent place to buy CDs in the greater Palo Alto area, so there isn't much choice here. It is your typical record store fare, pretty much--usually out of stock in a bunch of stuff you want, or simply don't carry whatever obscure band you're listening to these days (and you even checked the used bin, where you know it won't be, either). But what's cool and unusual about this weirdly located location (tucked away almost unnoticeably in a somewhat gangsta Mountain View strip mall) is that the employees are kind of interesting, helpful, and knowledgable, and there's always some great throwback to your youth playing over the store sound system (Chloe Dancer Crown of Thorns by Mother Love Bone, anyone? How about Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth?), so the peeps working there must have at least a modicum of good taste in the musical arena. Despite its middle-of-nowhere presence, the place does seem to be recently updated with new releases and such. Dress down if you can, because it is decidedly warehouse-ish in there with some sketchy characters lurking about...
If I don't buy music on iTunes, I buy them used at Rasputin. This location is HUGE! It even has a book section with new and used books. Great addition. The one in Newark definitely doesn't have a book section. I found exactly what I wanted there. I just took a star away just cause I think the staff could be nicer. At other locations, they are. Great selection of music, box sets, movies and books. Cool.
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I like any place with a good selection of used books, DVDs and CDs and a buy/sell/trade policy. Rasputin has sale CD bins too but I usually lack the patience to go through those. I flipped through some of the sale CDs and Amoeba definitely has better ones on sale and a much larger goth section. But you know, Rasputin's is still cool. They still carry cassette tapes, VHS tapes and vinyl - and even posters (at the back of the store).
The overall selection can't compare to Amoeba but it's still very good and well organized. The fair sized bookstore area is a unique feature (for an independent music store). I love used books and they have a couple of shelves of $1-$2 used books along with new releases (several cupcake cookbooks even) and an assortment of Papyrus cards. It looks like they have a good DVD selection.
I like what Rasputin's has done to the old Tower Records Mountain View location. Back in the day, I had several goth friends who worked at this Tower Records so I feel attached to the space. It's nicer than their San Lorenzo location. Of course I'm particularly fond of their Berkeley location (though it moved ages ago - it used to be on Telegraph Avenue closer to campus than it is now). Parking is so much easier here though.
Visit their website to print out coupons that you can use at their store or get digital downloads: http://www.rasputinmus...
It will save you a dollar :-)
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It's a love/ hate kind of thing we got goin on.
Cheap CD's are great- in fact, fucking awesome- but I always walk out of here having spent more than I would have at Tower just due to the fact that I can never bring myself to turn down these deals. That, and I don't have space for any more CDs, but I can't leave without at least a dozen used discs in hand. It's rough.
This place gets bonus points for there being a couple of really cute girls on staff.
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I like going here since it's local and I can hop on my bike and browse for music. Their DVD section is pretty vast and offers a better variety than Best Buy. A great place to browse for cheap used CDs to fill the collection at home. They've got a cool t-shirt section and they seem to keep the book section or the former TR. The selection on the magazine rack is disappointing when compared to what TR had.
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I agree with Charles M. that the Rasputin that replaced Tower Records is no different from its predecessor. I also agree that the prices of the CDs are still expensive. Most of the CDs that I saw equal the prices that Borders or Barnes and Noble sells. Or FYE. Therefore, I will not be getting my music there.
The bookstore area is the same as the former Tower Books that previously occupied this location. That's where it is similar. The downside is that Tower Books had a much larger selection than Rasputin. And some or most of the books are used. Though the prices for used books are the cheapest in the whole entire Bay Area. It is not possible to get a used book for as little as a $1, unless you go to Savers or the Salvation Army.
I will only come back to the store to sell my stuff, but that's it.
Being a record geek and all, i was REAL excited about a rasputin's opening up so close to my house...but it's kinda lame. Their vinyl selection is an embarrassment of polyvinylchoride.
CD selection is slightly better. I got a copy of Dragnet by The Fall for $9.99.
I hope they stick around tho. Ive been there several times and it's usually empty. Tower in its hey day (the 80's) was the sh*ts....all the punks and new wavers hung out there. I'm old and jaded.
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5 stars for saving me all that gas/time to drive to Berkeley for the same store.
I used to buys CDs from Barns & Noble(if you know how expensive the CDs get and how limited the seletions are). Rasputin is music heaven to me.
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Eh. Never really liked Rasputin.
They sell records, CDs, Videos/DVDs, games, used DVD/Games, magazines, books... so yea, basically they were selling the same stuff that Tower Records that formerly sat at this location sold.
I only went inside this Rasputin to kill some time, while the Scion 2007 Tour was being setup out in the parking lot. I went back outside to test drive the Scion tC around the block, claim my $15 gift certificate and some other free schwag.
Cool stuff. The store has come along quite a bit since it first opened. Prices are very good compared to the old Tower records that inhabited this location. Used CDs/DVDs are a welcome addition as is the funny T-shirt shop in the back with two badass pinball machines (Adamm's Family and Indiana Jones). Put those on the sidewall (instead of the middle of the room) and make some of the shirts cheaper tho ;)
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I'm looking forward to coming to your store on April 19th to see Metallica.
It's open! I did a very geeky double armed 'YES' when we drove by and saw the now open sign. Don't be fooled by the tower records sign.
I love this place. It's not quite our record store from back home (phoenix, zias) but we love to go to Rasputin on a weekend and spend hours browsing for long lost goodies. I'm a little disappointed with the fact that the selections aren't exactly organized. The only real downside of that is I end up buying more music while I find what I'm actually looking for.
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Oh, Rasputin, thanks for making the Peninsula a bit cooler. Now I don't have to go to Berkeley if I'm in the mood for Rasputin.
What's that, you say? Why, yes, there is a Rasputin in the city. Yes, I know that the one in the city is close to a BART stop. I know that's very convenient for me. I just hate that Rasputin. It needs to be burnt down.
This location has so much to offer. It's the third best Rasputin, after Campbell and Berkeley. Plus, they haven't used up all the space provided by the former tenant, Tower Records.
Yeah, some stuff is expensive. You just have to look. Is that so hard? The best part of used record/DVD shopping is looking around and finding bargains.
Deal with it.
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when this record store supersede the TR location in mtn. view, i was uncertain if they have an extensive selections of cd's and dvd's just like the popular virgin mega store and the "out of the market" TR.
my doubtfulness became certain that this place rocks and better than other familiar record stores in the bay area when i came in one day to purchase a '70's funk/r&b cd. the cd that i bought was considered a "hard to find" stuff and it was totally groovy that i finally found this precious cd here!!
while looking around, i noticed that they have a well-organized sections for: criterion films, japanime, foreign films, booty & babes (interesting and wanton indeed!) cd's for only 3 for $15, used & new games for your PS, x-box, nintendo & etc.. and an awesome selections of vinyl!!
moreover, every aisle has a listening station where you scan the cd to listen to the tracks.
their labeling system is really colorful, as well as the staff.
the staff are a bunch of enthusiastic, helpful, friendly people who doesn't have an arrogant/cocky attitude.
i was very pleased to know that they have kept the bookstore section which TR used to have...and also, they pay you $$$cash$$$ when you sell your cd's and dvd's!
now i'm convinced that they carry an extensive collections of music & movie materials!
it's such a thrill to shop here!
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I'm being really really nice here giving Rasputin a three star rating. Don't get me wrong, it's freaking AWESOME there's a decent (but not great) music store near "shallow alto". For a university town, there is an unfortunate balance of - rather lack thereof - quirky/offbeat stores offering the college youth a glimpse into the shady subculture of independent music, headshops and endangered clothing among the high-priced chain stores.
However, it's weird seeing the skeletal remains of Tower records still existing in Rasputin Mountain View.
When I went there, the store had been open for only a couple weeks, so the tower signs were still sadly affixed to the storefront, while the Rasputin's banner was haphazardly placed next to it. Inside, bits and pieces of Tower were pushed to the bookstore and classical music sides. In fact, it was all Tower leftover trash: bookshelves, unsold books, signs, boxes, etc. The paint on the walls is still Tower yellow. These messes in plain view doesn't shui well me, but since it's a burgeoning music store, I let the messiness slide.
As for the music, the selection was lacking and disorganized. Again, it's still a "new" store, so they hadn't had a chance to build their different sections.
Rasputin, in general, is sufficient; they have a good selection of new mainstream releases, they break down the genres (though if you're trying to find that experimental nu-jazzrapclassical hybrid, you may be out of luck), and their used music and movie section is simply hours of time waiting to be wasted. If you're a member, you get a cheaper price on new items. But heck, it's no Amoeba- my gold standard.
Rasputin MV didn't have (good) vinyl, and the prices are so-so. Music snobs like me aren't wealthy and need vinyl to maintain street cred. *sigh* I wish this wasn't true.
I'll give the store a couple more months (or years) to find its feet. Seriously, the mid-peninsula needs stores like this. I really hope they can survive.
update 06.19.07: i went to the store and found out it is progressing nicely: more organized, bigger selection, and this huge t-shirt area. the tower book area is still embarrassingly out in the open, but at least they got it under control. i liked how, while looking for depeche mode, the A to D section faces the "babes and booty" section. man, i got some weird stares.
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What an awesome store. The selection at the former Tower was bland, unadventurous. The selection at the new Rasputin shows that they just really love music.
The jazz section is huge. I found recently rereleased Rudy Van Gelder Edition remasters from artists like John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, Oscar Peterson, and a whole ton of others. (For really really cheap).
I know where I can buy records nearby now. Awesome!
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I am a fan of Rasputin's stores in Berkeley and Campbell...and I believe in supporting indie music stores...but all I can say about this one is: bring back Tower records!!
It's pretty disappointing, quite a half assed collection IMO. Not half as comprehensive as the other branches....hopefully these are just growing pains, but the store has been around for around 3 months now, so I guess it's time for them to get their act together.
The area needs a good music store with cool and knowledgeable staff, if only to overcome the claustrophobia of shopping at Border's.
Till such a time I guess I'll have to continue to make the hike down to Campbell......
RIP Tower Records. Can't believe I missed their "everything must go including the BS we can't get rid of" sale!
Tower was great but a little too mainstream. Amoeba has the best of indie, underground, small label, and worldly flavors. Rasputin is a bit in between, but does not have the variety or flavors that Amoeba has.
Rasputin's will come to this location shortly. This should be a nice addition to this neighborhood, although I REALLY wished an identical version of Amoeba's of either Haight SF or Telegraph Berkeley opened down here instead.
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Yes! A Rasputin nearby! I like perusing the shelves, and flipping each CD one by one in the $1.95/$2.95/$3.95 bins. Click-click-click! The faster you are, the more ground you'll cover in less time!
I usually forego the new stuff in favor of the old from my youth. There's nothing like strolling down memory lane with the likes of Stevie B, The Cover Girls, Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam, Another Bad Creation. How about the albums that you wanted to buy back then, but was too embarassed to do so (like that Joey Lawrence CD)? Eh, for $1.95, you can't go wrong!
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what an amazing place to kill time! they have SO MUCH used stuff you can find something to suit your price range. i do have to point out how they didnt even change the layout since the site was tower! how cheezy to just takeover for namesake and not change anything else about the place? the tshirt section is heaven, altho i am against paying $20 for cheap screenprinted tees. the indie rock section is BANGIN, they have so much good stuff all over this store come peruse and walk out dizzy hours later.
The Rasputin that replaced Tower Records is no different from its predecessor. The prices are still a little high but at least you can feel good supporting an independent record shop. The selection is great and the service is quick and polite. I still buy my CDs online whenever I can but if I need a quick pickup, Rasputin is where I go.
I am thrilled to have a really good music store near me in the south bay. I wasn't sure what the music store situation was down here- I had heard decent things about Streetlight Records (in San Jose? I'm not sure), and I knew there was a Rasputin in Newark (I think?) but over all, I was worried that any trip to the music store would involve a trek. And I'm the kind of person who really likes holding cds in my hands, picking them out... not just downloading or ordering online.
Then I saw this store had recently opened- I always liked Rasputin up in Berkeley/SF and was pleased that this particular store did not disappoint. It's pretty large, I found a lot of what I was looking for, and I enjoyed browsing. Its location by just about all the stores I regularly need to do errands at (Whole Foods, Target, Washington Mutual) adds a lot to its appeal.
Also, the nice thing about going to a music store in Mountain View, across the street from Target/etc, is that you can't possibly get a "that music isn't good enough" look from a clerk and take them seriously. Sure, if you're in Amoeba in SF, that might happen, and you just learn to not give a damn. But it's Mountain View.
the fact that i found a gundam/sailormoon spin anime called GALAXY FRAULEIN YUNA here - used, but in good condition was great...
im a little too old to collect anymore geeky sailor-moon cards, [omg, im 23 and i STILL have them...] - hahah, but if youre looking for an anime for the youngins thats positive like sailormoon - but without all the glitzy "transformation" scenes in skimpy sailor suits... this is the anime for you... still sorta skanky transformations - but they get into techie gundam suits to kick ass with gundam-like battle bots... much better.
this place is not for those that dont know what theyre doing - because you will end up here for HOURS... haha... but its great for the people that know the less mainstream stuff looking into a deal and a fun hunt....
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good prices, but it's no tower records
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