The Return of The Record Shop

As online streaming becomes the dominant method of listening to music, the sale of physical units has plummeted with one exception: vinyl records.

The once nearly abandoned record has made a surprising comeback as the only growth sector for the music industry, and today is a billion-dollar business with 40 million units sold in 2017. While still a niche market that only accounts for about 6% in revenues, vinyl record sales have risen over the last seven years consecutively. Why is this?

In an increasingly digitized world, many are overwhelmed by a glut of intangible content. Like photos, music files pile up and run the risk of becoming meaningless. Who cares if you have every album available if there is too much data and not enough time to listen? And while platforms like Spotify undeniably expose listeners to new sounds, they leave many yearning for something deeper. Afterall, it’s hard to connect with an mp3.

Music remains one of the most intense sensory pleasures and still carries the power to effect emotion. Perhaps more than ever, people seek real experiences in order to counter the emptiness of overabundance and digital disorientation.

With their built-in time limitations, creative album art, and arguably higher fidelity, records offer a complete package that no mp3 can hope to match. Scientifically speaking, vinyl produces soundwaves with more peaks and valleys resulting in fuller, richer tones, something digital 1’s and 0’s can never compete with. And by nature, records are tactile. The process of putting wax on a platter and cuing the needle requires participation and demands that the listener slow down and consider the music.

While these qualities may be out of step with the 21^st century culture of convenience, they help create a bond between the artist and the listener perhaps surpassed only by seeing a live concert.

Fortunately for aficionados, the record shop has returned, and there are now plenty to separate you from your money right here in Brooklyn.

Located at 461 Court St in Carroll Gardens, Black Gold doubles as a coffee shop and a record store. Open from 7am-7pm, you can start your day with an espresso to fuel your fingers as they search through a small but decent selection. It’s part of the enterprise that takes up half the block and includes Frankie’s Spuntino and Frank’s restaurants.

Nearby, Almost Ready Records is located at 135 Huntington Street, open from 11am-8pm. Its well-lit interior features a diverse selection of new and used records and tapes. Also an independent label, Almost Ready features more punk than many shops. You can contemplate your purchase at a listening station and gaze on high-priced rarities like original copies of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon” displayed on the wall.

Head further south, cross Hamilton Parkway (under the BQE), and you’ve officially entered Red Hook. There is public bus service, but if you’re prepared to walk some desolate blocks it takes about 20 minutes to get to Bene’s, located at 360 Van Brunt St and open from 12-7pm.

The funkiest of the bunch, Bene’s has a strong selection of World Music and obscure treasures. I recently purchased a vintage copy of James Brown’s “I Got the Feeling” for $4 in the “Beat But Not Busted” section and a Promotional Copy Only version of Mary Clayton’s first release for $30. Used books, turntables, and musical equipment are also for sale. Bene can usually be found at the front of the shop spinning groovy 45’s.

There is a small selection of records for sale at the Jalopy Theatre (315 Columbia St) most from their own label Jalopy Records. Hot picks include early folk music collections by John & Alan Lomax and the old timey sounds of “The 4 O’clock Flowers.”

Union Max on the corner of Union and Columbia St has a tiny vinyl selection as well as vintage clothes and items for sale as does Beacon’s Closet on 92 5^th Ave in Park Slope. Hot tip: in warmer weather, seek out the record dealer in front of Trader Joe’s near the corner of Court St. and Atlantic Avenue. He’s there nearly every day, has a small but interesting selection, and decent prices.

In addition to providing hours of analog pleasure, records help us keep a grip on reality in an increasingly weird and wired world. All signs indicate that vinyl has weathered the whims of the music market and is here to stay.

Mike Cobb is a writer accepting donations in the form of vintage records.