Boston's Best Places For Vinyl
While it seems like every day the world finds new ways to experience the music you love, sometimes the old ways are the best. If you just aren't ready to give up your vinyl in exchange for an iPod, never fear. Boston is still full of places to get the records you crave. Whether you're looking for a particular sound quality or just love the nostalgia factor, vinyl isn't dead yet. And Boston has plenty of places where you can pick up both new, and new-to-you, records.
In Your Ear
957 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 787-9755
www.iye.com
Come ready to do some digging through crates and be prepared to spend some time doing it. In Your Ear gets major street credit for the sheer amount of vinyl it has to offer. But long-time customers know that the organization can sometimes be hit or miss. But really, isn't that part of the charm? You never know what you might stumble upon while you look for the one thing you came in to buy.
Related: Best Vintage Stores South of Boston
Nuggets
486 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 536-0679
www.nuggetsrecords.com
Don't let it ever be said that art has to come at a high price. Nuggets is proof that there are deals to be had. If the moderate prices it offers aren't enough to get you through the door, then you'll be intrigued to know that Nuggets also has an enormous selection and an extremely knowledgeable staff on hand to help you find what you need. And when you see the sheer size of this place, you'll be glad the staff knows its selection so well.
Underground Hip Hip
234 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 262-0200
www.undergroundhiphop.com
In this case, the name says it all. If you're not just in the market for vinyl but specifically for hip hop-related records, Underground Hip Hop will be your first, and probably last, shopping stop. The store is jam packed with anything hip hop you can imagine: t-shirts, posters and, of course, records, records, records. Time your shopping trip just right and you can probably get a show with your purchase. The store is as well known for its live performances as it is for its wide selection of records.
Stereo Jack's Records
1686 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 497-9447
www.stereojacks.com
Speaking of specialty, if you're looking for genre vinyl but hip hop isn't your thing, check out Stereo Jack's Records. You'll find an incredible selection of blues and jazz records in this little gem in Cambridge. And if you really want a cheap treat, Stereo Jack's cannot be beat. The store boasts a huge number of $1 records. And don't think those are just scratched vinyls that no one would want for a dollar. You might be surprised at what you find in a one-dollar bin at Stereo Jack's Records.
Weirdo Records
844 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(857) 413-0154
www.weirdorecords.com
Weirdo Records is tiny, really teeny tiny. But what the store lacks in space it makes up for with its friendly staff and its far-out collection. If you're looking for something fun, eclectic and way outside of the mainstream, then a place called Weirdo Records is probably right up your alley. You'll find the prices are just as nice as the staff.
Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
