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"Hit Import" in Nice (France) is ok, but far below some American (or English) record stores I went to.

Amoeba - Los Angeles

huge, has anything and Everything, most likely on vinyl too
or if cd, most likely used and cheap

best option outside of flying to Japan, which is just a record shoppers dream/spendthrifts nightmare.

My favorite record store rests in the corner space flanking the 40 Watt, Low Yo Yo Stuff. They seem to have just about everything one could possibly be looking for, be it the new Death Cab for Cutie whatever or that Tzadik release you've been trying to track down. Their prices are reasonable and they carry new/used CDs, vinyl, DVDs, bootlegs. Their staff is friendly (for the most part and depending on the day) and able to answer most any question you might have. The only drawback I can think of is that the place is roughly the size of a shoebox. Still, I've bought more records from Low Yo Yo than just about anywhere.

One block over is Agora. Not really a record store, but a hip little flea market with some permanent and well-stocked used record bins. Lots of old jazz, country, 80's rock, 70's shlock, and ephemera. And pretty much all of it around three bucks. Always a gem to be found. And you might find that lounge furniture or suit jacket you've been looking for while you're at it.

Everyone knows about Wuxtry. I prefer the Atlanta location, if only because it's less populated by snobby fucks.

I hate recommending record stores in Atlanta, mostly because I hate everyone working in them.

Not a big fan of LA, but I second Amoeba. Wow, it's amazing.

Our local here in Chapel Hill, CD Alley, is pretty much perfect, despite it's small size.

Sound Exchange in Houston, TX is far and away the best record store I've ever been to.

themajormiller wrote:Sound Exchange in Houston, TX is far and away the best record store I've ever been to.

I admire their tenacity - it seems that they should have closed years ago. I'm glad they're still open. Kurt, Kevin, and David are really nice guys. Speaking of nice guys with record stores in Houston, check out Chuck Roast's Vinal Edge Records in Spring.

Don wrote: Speaking of nice guys with record stores in Houston, check out Chuck Roast's Vinal Edge Records in Spring.

I've been in Houston for almost 5 years and I still have not been to Vinal Edge. I hear it's amazing. My friend used to work there in high school. Eric Springer ring a bell??

Oh yeah, David Wilcox moved to Chicago this Winter. Beau Beasley took his place. He's a great replacement. But WAY more metal!!!

alex maiolo wrote:Not a big fan of LA, but I second Amoeba. Wow, it's amazing.

Haven't been to the LA Amoeba, but having been to the SF/Berekley one twice, it's fantastic.

New York City has a surprisingly paltry number of decent records stores. Most of them are too small, too expensive, and too limted in their scope.
If you have a car and live in NYC you owe it to yourself to visit Vintage Vinyl in New Jersey (not far from the Menlo Park Mall off of Route 1).
http://www.vvinyl.com/
The store is HUGE and their prices are reasonable. Lots of vinyl too.

Seattle has a lot of great record stores, all unique and of differing sizes..

The most comprehensively great store is Easy Street Records in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood (there are others, but not as good as this one.)

Everyday Music (based in Portland) has a great store in Seattle that has two stories. Tons of used CDs.

Bop Street Records is great for old vinyl, although you have to come in when "the right guy" is there, in order to get a good deal on rarities. Three levels, including a basement that's humongous. You'll choke from the old record cover dust. But great if you need to, say, get 10 used copies of any Led Zeppelin LP you want.

Also, Wall Of Sound is great for experimental stuff.

Zion's Gate is great for electronic, dub, reggae, and metal. The people there are very helpful and sweet.

Jive Time records is probably my favorite next to Easy Street... a lot of older vinyl.. usually rare vinyl, but the employees are wonderful, and are happy to give you a frequent buyer discount. Both the Fremont and Capitol Hill locations.

Sonic Boom's Vinyl Annex in Fremont is great too. As is Sonic Boom the local chain, all stores in Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill.

Singles Going Steady in Belltown is great for punk, crust, metal, hip-hop, indie and other stuff, at great prices.

There's also a good used vinyl store in Wallingford that I've been missing out on forever that I need to check out.

Platinum Records (based in Portland) has a good Seattle store as well.. good for electronic, and DJ gear. They're nice to me, but apparently are very sexist to female DJs...

(I do miss Fallout records, which was a great garage/punk store in Capitol Hill that closed in 2002.. although the former owner now happily works at Jive Time in Capitol Hill.)

There are plenty more I'm missing, I'm sure.

(EDIT 10/18/05 : Electric Heavyland in the Wallingford neighborhood is one I forgot to mention. Great hardcore/doom/noise record store/toy store)