Evan "X to The Power" M.'s Profile

Right above Strange Maine, Moody Lords hangs onto a little bit of Strange Maine's eclectic charm but refines it into a more traditional vinyl-browsing experience.  There's plenty of vinyl records to sift through in the usual genre/artist setup and the prices seem very reasonable ($5-6 for classic punk and rock albums).  There were some 7" records as well, though the 12" versions are much more available.  Given that not everyone who is shopping for vinyl actually has something to play the tunes on, the place sells old record players as well.  I also noticed a few CDs here and there, but I would certainly not come here for that medium.

The other interesting selling point about Moody Lords is the corner of vintage/secondhand clothing.  I noticed a few older shirts and outfits on a rack, while purses and shoes could be found nearby.  The inclusion of retro clothing simultaneously allows Moody Lords to branch away a bit from vinyl while nicely adding to the decor.  I'm not sure if, given the space, they're going to expand on their limited stock of vintage material, but for those looking for such things they're worth peeking at.

With the very helpful guy behind the counter spinning what sounded like a Brazilian lounge record, as well as the comfortable vibe of the place, Moody Lords is worth the journey up the stairs from Congress Street.

Picture a giant yard sale from a kitschy culture collector.  That's what Strange Maine is, with its colorful explosion of all sorts of amusements inside.  One could also liken it to a teenager's room, or a historical art piece on what American entertainment consumers were fascinated with in the past few decades.  Essentially, a room of nostalgia.

The primary article that is being sold is vinyl.  There's a decent selection of name artists, but going there for genres (and an open mind) would probably serve the buyer well.  I did notice a dollar bin in the corner by the window, but given that much of the material that is considered dollar-worthy in other mediums (CDs, etc), one will be lucky to find too many gems there.  Take a chance, I guess.  The prices on the vinyl seemed quite reasonable no matter what is found.

Along with the vinyl, one can find a lot of cassettes, 8 tracks, VHS tapes, laser discs, DVDs, books, figurines, old video games, older video games, and my favorite: complete old video game systems.  I haven't stared at a 'Complete Atari 2600 for $40' paper bag ever, yet the other day it was the first time I sorta contemplated going way back to play some "Pitfall".  How easy it would have been to buy the system, scoop up 5-10 Atari games (they have 'em), and then contemplate acquiring music and art from the 1980s period to complete the flashback?  Could've gone all out, but as it goes ...

I went there mainly to see what kind of CDs they had and they were a downer to look at.  Not much in terms of consistency or choice, and the sections they primarily focused on (noise and local music) wasn't what I was interested in.  The dollar CD section was just a random assortment of oddities.  The CD experience just left me thinking the obvious in that Strange Maine is musically a vinyl destination if anything.

Strange Maine is certainly worth visiting by anyone regardless of what they're in town for.  The decor is worth peeking into and sorting out, and depending on how far back in time you go, you'll likely dust up some memories.  However, if you're looking for something in particular (especially with music) then this is not the place to go.  Strange Maine is better browsed when you're not looking for anything particular and prefer to be surprised.

The books are very affordable here and I highly recommend going on that account.  However, this review is about the CD selection.

The used CD section is quite extensive and one could spend quite a few hours looking over it all.  A few rows of seven foot high shelves of used CDs is a jaw dropping sight, indeed.  If one goes to the main rock and pop section one will see many tabs of typical artists that a majority of popular music listeners will recognize.  However, if one is more interested in less popular artists or smaller indie artists of recent memory, you'll have to dig for those in the miscellaneous alphabet sections.

It is quite apparent that Bookoff specializes in a wide range of media, for they likely get a ton of stock but are not always discerning of their product's quality.  This was first apparent when I looked through the CDs for the sizable David Bowie section.  Granted, many of the CDs were duplicates and, given the way used CD stores go, one cannot expect to find a title they're particularly looking for.  Each disc will most likely be priced $5, $10, or $14 depending on ... well, some kind of factor.  I couldn't really figure it out, as some of Bowie's worst albums were priced $10 while something priced $5 might actually be better.  Then there's the $14 discs which, if one considers these to be used CDs, is atrociously expensive.  Needless to say this was where all the Beatles discs ended up at, none of which were the newer remastered versions.  

I think the deals are to be found in those miscellaneous sections, as the store may not really discern who the less popular artists are and might slap a $5 tag on them.  The other place to find a deal is the $2 section (or the $1 section, depending on whether or not the '$1 markdown sale' is temporary or permanent).  There are a *ton* of discs here that one can take a chance on and probably find some success with.  Given that New York City is not prone to sell any kind of music for $1, this area is at least worth a thorough search to find a hidden winner.

I will warn you to check the condition of these discs and, probably, everything else.  I thought I miraculously scored a solid release by Tegan & Sara for $1.  Previous experience nudged me to open the case and view the disc.  Indeed, it was heavily scratched and was essentially being sold as a $1 coaster.  Maybe it was an oversight, or maybe the store thought that a few Tegan & Sara tracks was worth a buck.  I don't know why stores bother to do this if it's the latter, for it's poor practice.

If I am in the neighborhood again I will certainly stop by Bookoff to check out the books, games and likely the CDs again.  In regards to music shopping, the selection of artists as well as some of those pricing issues would prevent me from marking this as a necessary destination.  Bookoff is more like a stop if you' happen to be around 45th street.

I'm a huge fan of Academy Records and CDs, so it was certainly worth a shot to see what the other two stores were all about.  I recently got a chance to walk around Academy LP's to see why vinyl enthusiasts appreciate it so much.

What I noticed immediately was the shape of the store.  It had an interesting crooked shape, with the left side of the store angling deep underneath the building while the right side remained relatively shorter.  I also noticed that most of the LPs were organized in genre and alphabet sections instead of individual artists.  Sure, there's an individually tabbed rock and jazz artist section near the entrance, but everything else is placed in general sections.  For those looking for something specific this can be a little frustrating to find something, but then again it helps with music exploration.  As they sorta say, maybe you won't find what you want but you'll find what you really need.

The prices really ranged all over the place, but one won't likely find a record priced less than $8.  However, for those looking for something more affordable one could comb through the somewhat battered $3 each or 2 for $5 section.  This area mainly consists of 70s and 80s artists that were popular at the time but have since fallen into a 'to each their own' niche.  For $2.50 one may find something affordably worth taking a chance on.

And hey, even if you find your couple of dollars hard to part with the store has two fine listening stations around the corner.  This is actually one of the more important aspects of the store, since vinyl fans usually have to cough up a decent amount of change to get one used record.  Getting the chance to gain confidence in what you're interested in buying by listening to it really helps.  Since there are only two to use, though, one may have to wait a little bit.  You could take an extended lunch break on a weekday and go when it's less crowded to increase the availability of the stations I suppose.

One of these days I'll get to Brooklyn to check out the Annex, but as far as I'm concerned Academy and its stores are doing things right.

For some reason my general search for music stores in NYC on Yelp did not come up with Kim's, so imagine my surprise when I just happened to be walking on 1st Avenue and there it was.  Used CDs, DVDs, vinyl, 7" ... pretty much all sorts of media entertainment awaited behind the loud advertisements on the front windows.  Had to go in and see.

Well, first off I kick myself for not having been to Mondo Kim's as written about by previous reviewers.  That must have been quite a place.  This version of Kim's still looks like a treasure trove of time consumption and price gaggling, so expect to spend some time here if you are one to pour over everything for something hidden and excellent.

I didn't peruse the DVDs and vinyl so much, so I can only say there were quite a bit of them (especially the DVDs).  The CDs were my main focus and I noticed that the new discs cost between $11.99 and $15.99.  That's a typical city rate for the most part, though finding anything new for $11.99 in New York could be considered a deal based on other places.  

The used section was what really grabbed my attention as it seemed like a lengthy, wide ranging collection of discs.  Again, I shake my head for not having seen Mondo Kim's epic quantities, but this Kim's still had a good selection to spend a lot of time flipping through.  Used discs primarily ranged from $4.99 to $7.99, with a high count of indie and classic rock as the main focus.  The hip hop section only had about 30-40 choices and the reggae section was a paltry 8 or so CDs.  As decent as the prices are, it can be a little disappointing if you're into a certain genre and get stiffed on opportunities.

As for other aspects of the store, the guy at the front desk with a surfer-like dialect was quite accommodating, there is a tucked away adult DVD section in the back right corner, and there is a ton of DVD collections on older entertainers near the front.

Bottom line is that if I were into movies and TV shows I would definitely make this a stop.  For those into CDs it is a good place to check out, though I'm not so sure it's a must destination.

Located in the former eclectic-now-defunct Twisted Village spot, Armageddon Shop brings the record store count in Harvard Square back to where it should be.  As music junkies know, however, it's not just a matter of taking up space and offering the same old stuff for curious prices.  Armageddon Shop has to bring something new ... something that would make anyone bother trying to find it in a basement and away from the bars.

I have not been to their other shop out of state, but let me just say that I have been missing out on a helluva store.  Armageddon Shop primarily focuses on rock, punk and metal, which is essentially my internal soundtrack for the most part.  Unlike most other music stores, Armageddon look to be going 50/50 on CDs and vinyl with some cassettes thrown in.  Although I can't comment on the vinyl too much (7" and 12" alike), I did notice that prices tend to be around $6-10 for used 12" and a little more for the new stuff.  They also have a $2.99 section of used vinyl, though truth be told you could find most of that kind of music (as well as condition) at flea markets for less.

The CDs were all used, but what a fine selection there was for the rock enthusiast.  Priced between $5-8 or so, one can sort through a lot of material ranging from the Flamin' Groovies to the Descendents to Mastodon.  There are two entire racks on metal and punk!  That is something else to behold, especially given the price range of most of the discs.  Their indie section contains most of the other music the youngsters listen to these days, yet their jazz, world and reggae sections were quite small.  I guess they believe that when you think of armageddon you're not sipping a martini.  Also, in case you were game for really cheap music, there is no dollar bin equivalent at Armageddon.

Aside from the music there is a wide range of t-shirts available.  Most of them are black and you may not get the size you want, but this isn't a department store.  If you want to wear that killer top you will have to contort your body somehow to get into that Small size, man!  

The staff was hard at work pricing material and filing things away when I was there, but those I did interact with were informative and helpful.  After browsing and talking to the staff, I realized that this is likely going to be one of places I will be pouring my money into.  With an initial purchase involving the Dead Boys, the Dictators, the Undertones and Nikki & the Corvettes, I can see these visits happening a lot.  Therefore, I worry for my budget, the space in my apartment, and my wife's wrath.  Totally worth it though.  

Now that they've settled in and I've been by a few times to pick up good music, these guys are five stars all the way.  Planet Records to Armageddon to Newbury Comics is my new Harvard Square route.

Turn It Up is a competitively visitable* music store in the Northampton area, or even anywhere for that matter.  Emerging from its depths in the basement one will immediately see Newbury Comics directly across the street.  Why should one go to Turn It Up instead of Newbury Comics?

There are a few reasons if one cares enough.  First, the prices across the board at Turn It Up are generally more affordable.  While Newbury Comics continues to treat its back stock of CDs as $14-16 items, Turn It Up generally keeps tunes around the $6-10 range.  There's a strong assortment of necessary discs for each artist for most sections, though the Soul section was a little short.  I imagine that if one cannot find what they're looking for at Turn It Up they will find a way to get it for you.

Another reason for visiting Turn It Up is the listening station.  If the place was bigger it'd be great to have even more listening stations (a la the defunct Virgin Records in NYC), but given where they're at there's only one.  Still, it's a great way to check out what to buy before you buy it.  I have tended to take leaps of faith with affordably priced music only to regret the $10 or so I'll never get back from a purchased album.  Turn It Up gives a little more convenience to the customer.

Finally, I have to say that the staff at Turn It Up edges out the nearby competition.  These guys are veterans of the shop and know the music they have within.  In my few visits to the store they've always been accessible and chatty about people's purchases.  Being laid back also helps (no crack downs on my coffee cup).  

As for other aspects of the store, they've got modest assortments of games, books and box sets for those interested in something other than singular albums and the like.  They also have a large cheap music bin near the entrance that holds a few good ones for the musically adventurous, though one may balk at paying $3 or so a disc.  There was a Cute Lepers disc in there last time I was there so you should check to see if it's still there and buy it.

If I lived near Northampton I would easily visit both Turn It Up and Newbury Comics on my music binge sprees.  However, I would go to Turn It Up first for the price and atmosphere.

* - Yeah, made this up.  I'm setting music store visitation standards, people.

Like Cheapo Records and In Your Ear Records, Looney Tunes typifies what one comes to expect from a record store that has been around awhile and prefers a dusty aroma.  Not that there's a lot of the non-dusty around Boston ...

Looney Tunes consists of roughly half vinyl and half compact disc.  I can't speak much for the vinyl near the back of the store, so I'll discuss the CDs.  There are the main artist sections that are organized by genre, which has a few individual labels for the major artists.  The store does a pretty good job stocking these labels, but it's more difficult to find something from an artist that is marginally popular (or unpopular for that matter).  The prices of these discs go from $8-12 or so, depending on their used or new status.  

The bargain sections, which occur for pretty much every genre, consist of alphabetized discs that range from $1-5, though one is likely to see them priced at the higher range of that.  Though most sections have a pretty good stock I have to mention that, given their location near Berklee College of Music, there's a lot of classical music to be found here in vinyl and CD format.  

Looney Tunes also stock used DVD, VHS tapes and cassettes.  I'm a little surprised the VHS tapes are going for $2.99, but maybe they're raking in the older crowd's money.  They have a pretty good selection of music-related books too (with a big selection of Elvis) and also peculiarly stock random books as well.  Perhaps this is for the people who realize that, after thumbing through the 80s new wave vinyl section and then not finding the Whitesnake cassette they've been looking for, they decide that all they really wanted was a romance novel.  Who knows.

These guys aren't too far from the great Newbury Comics on Newbury Street, so ideally one could hit up both on a music trip.  However, if you're looking for cheaper prices on older CDs, a deeper vinyl experience, or a place that is not elbow-to-elbow with chatterboxes, shopping bags and iced vanilla lattes, go to Looney Tunes.

I had been to the old location of Cheapo Records quite a few times, but since I left myself out of the loop in regards to its new location (yeah, I thought they were defunct) I've only just managed to check the new store out.  Four years.  I guess this proves I don't walk around Central Square much anymore.

Cheapo Records looks like they got the organization thing down now.  No more cheap CDs in milk crates underneath a table.  No more tricky vinyl searching.  But yes, they still have the bag check-in sign (now even more prominently displayed right as you walk in).  

The most prominent medium that Cheapo sells is records.  Tons and tons of vinyl records splurge out before you as you enter the place.  I can't speak for depth, but given the amount of genres it certainly looks like they've covered variety.  They also have 7" records if you prefer the lighter vinyl.

The CD section is pretty good in respect to quantity and price.  Each new disc tends to go for around $14-15 while used discs vary from $6-9.  I didn't see a really cheap bin anywhere.  Most main artists had a good selection of their titles.  Like the vinyl, most genres can be found here, though I'm not sure if one will always be able to find that new release.  However, like someone said earlier one can likely order something through these guys if they want something in particular that they don't have.

They still sell some antiquated media like VHS tapes, but also include DVDs for sale.  Due to its volume of material and competitive prices, Cheapo Records is an excellent music store to stop by in Boston.

I'm not much of a hip hop head, but I enjoy a few modern acts that give me a slight semblance of browsibility cred.  When I visited Fat Beats recently I tried to walk around as if I had been there before.  At least I didn't ask for the Biz Markie section.  

The first impression is the excellent layout of the store.  On entrance, to the right is a wide floor that leads to a prominent DJ setup near the wide windows overlooking the neighborhood.  The in-store concerts must be an impressive experience given the intimate space.  To the left of the entrance, as well as in most places in the store, is the vinyl.  Loads of it.  

A smaller section of CDs lines the left wall near the checkout area.  The prices here are around $12-15, with most leaning towards the higher amount.  It's mostly hip hop, but there are a few artists that allow one to venture away from the genre (i.e. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings).  

I was under the impression that these discs are all new but just without the disc (security), but when I made an attempt to buy a CD I was informed that the inner art was ripped.  Therefore, if some of these discs are used, then the prices are much too high.  The friendly guy at the counter was kind enough to check my disc, but I would highly suggest anyone that buys CDs here to check their condition just in case (as one would do with vinyl).  

Overall, Fat Beats is a great genre-specific store that even those who have a fringe interest in hip hop should check out.