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4 Front Records
279 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02115
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Phone: 617-236-0335
E-mail:
k2@4frontrecords.com
Web site:
www.4frontrecords.com
Size: Small
New/Used: New
Formats: CD
Styles: Electronic, Dance, Drum & Bass
Listening Post: Unknown
Borders Books and Music
24 School Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02108
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Phone: 617-557-7188
Size: Large
New/Used: New
Formats: CD, Videos, Books, DVD
Styles: Jazz, Country, Rock, Hip-Hop, Dance, Classical, Folk, Other, Soul, Blues, Latin, Reggae, Metal, Pop, World, R&B, Soundtracks
Listening Post: Unknown
Broad selection in many categories. Few imports, if any. Eclectic mix of World music. High prices.
submitted by Paul Geffen, 2002-08-23 17:27:38
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Forgive me but, should a Borders store really be in this database?
submitted by Tremspeed, 2003-07-02 04:59:18
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I agree, why is this here? But I do Borders once in a while. If there's a general release on your list that you want new then this is a good place to price it. Yeah, some stuff is in the $18 region, but most is $11-14. Unlike FYE or Strawberries, Borders does have soul.
submitted by Danny, 2003-08-27 02:44:37
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Boston Beat Records
279 Newbury St
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02116
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Phone: 617-247-2428
E-mail:
info@bostonbeat.com
Web site:
www.bostonbeat.com
Size: Medium
New/Used: New
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Videos
Styles: Hip-Hop, Electronic, Dance, Funk, Drum & Bass, House, Latin, Techno
Listening Post: Unknown
store logo or photo
Can't comment much on the selection, but the staff had huge attitude when I popped in and asked if they had the latest Luke Vibert on Warp Records. "never heard of it", in snarky tone. How good can a electronic music store be if the staff has never heard of Warp?
submitted by DefCon242, 2003-11-09 19:06:36
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Atrociously bad staff attitudes and bad selection. I wouldn't go here if someone paid me.
submitted by BostonProducer, 2003-11-10 11:12:24
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CD Spins
324 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02115
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Phone: 617-267-5955
E-mail:
info@cdspins.com
Web site:
www.cdspins.com
Size: Medium
New/Used: Used
Formats: CD, Videos, DVD
Styles: Punk Rock, Jazz, Indie Rock, Country, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Dance, Classical, Folk, Other, Soul, Blues, House, Reggae, Metal, Pop, World, Techno, Soundtracks
Listening Post: Unknown
Although the selection is middle of the road (and no vinyl), they are fantastic about buying just about anything you bring them. Even if the disc in question was used as a coaster, they will at least give you $.50 for it. Also have a CD refinishing service.
submitted by James Long, 2003-08-20 11:43:36
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I liked it - they still have a used CD singles section, while many stores don't anymore. And very reasonably priced. Their markdown section is fantastic.
submitted by Tony, 2003-09-25 09:46:32
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In Your Ear
957 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02215
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Phone: 617-787-9755
E-mail:
cdz@iye.com
Web site:
www.iye.com
Size: Medium
New/Used: New & Used
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Books
Styles: Punk Rock, Jazz, Indie Rock, Rock, Other, Funk, Soul, Blues
Listening Post: Unknown
Crowded grubby basement with tons of old worn vinyl. No great rarities. Tough to browse. Prices are OK.
submitted by Paul Geffen, 2002-07-22 12:43:33
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I'll second Paul on that - it's pretty picked over, although it looks quite appetizing at first glance. It's very hit and miss. Portable record player friendly.
submitted by Andrew Schrock, 2002-08-04 21:54:22
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Also referred to (by some) as Up Your A** Records. If you can get past the wave of attitude that threatens to block you at the door, maybe you'll find something good. They don't even bother making fun of you a la "High Fidelity", they just glower at you then roll their eyes when you come up to the counter. Don't bother asking what's wrong with that 'needs repair' tape deck you want to buy, they will inform you that "YOU probably aren't qualified to fix it."
submitted by James Long, 2003-08-20 11:55:31
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Visited when in town recently. I second the thing about the staff attitude problem. I asked what they were playing and they told me it was "so obscure I would never have heard of it"! Turns out it was Head Machine who I had heard of but I was so shocked by their rudeness that I decided not to buy the $300-400 worth of records I'd picked out and promptly left. Avoid.
submitted by Tom, 2004-08-16 14:56:33
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I can understand what everyone means by the attitude. It might have something to do with the college atmosphere there. There's a stuck-up kind of "we're better than you" attitude. Although, someof the people there are not so bad. A few. I find the biggest problem here is that a lot of their stuff--lots of more popular artists--is behind the counter in boxes marked "Led Zeppelin", "Tori Amos", "Hendrix", etc. And, uh-oh, that forces you to ask them to take the box down so you can comb through it. And if you decide you don't want anything, you get a big sigh when they have to put it back. Having said that, well, it IS a used store and so has that grubby feel. Their vinyl selection is pretty good, but I just wish their 45s were beter organized. Also, there's a whole bin of albums for 50 cents by generally familiar artists. Most are in good condition. Oh yeah....don't forget to feed the parking meters, and DON'T park next to one that's out of order. You WILL get a ticket. Happy hunting.
submitted by Rob, 2004-10-30 19:06:35
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I visit Boston at least once a year (in part to go record shopping) and oddly enough I've never had a problem with staff attitude at IYE. Maybe I've been lucky, but they were very cool when it came to filling me in on HP LOVECRAFT and the first BLACK SABBATH album (both of which were playing in store.) It's true that the selection is hit or miss, but I still make the effort to stop by each time.
submitted by Joe Neff, 2004-12-24 19:43:20
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Looney Tunes
1106 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02215
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Phone: 617-247-2238
E-mail:
vinyl@us1.channel1.com
Size: Medium
New/Used: New & Used
Formats: Vinyl, CD
Styles: Jazz, Collectibles, Other, Blues
Listening Post: Unknown
Like the 'tunes store in Cambridge, this one just doesn't care about its maintenance. Very picked-through, albeit large selection. Many, many unfiled LPs in the rear of the store. Pretty pitiful CD selection. Portable record-player friendly.
submitted by Andrew Schrock, 2002-08-04 22:42:18
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Some very good out-of-print records but I had to dig for about 2 hours (with help from two friends) to find them. Prices on the things cheap-fair. I was on a roadtrip from Canada and this is the only place where I found the Boston-related bands I was looking for; Gang Green, Nervous Eaters, Jonathan Richman, Mission of Burma, etc. In addition to some good records by Kraftwerk, Killing Joke, and Wire. Would be a 5 if it didn't take me all day to find them, but then again, if they were in order I probably wouldn't own them right now. As a warning, DO NOT EAT THE PIZZA NEXT DOOR.
submitted by J. Frank Parnell, 2003-01-29 01:21:36
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I agree that the Cd selection is absolutely pathetic in addition to being insanely overpriced, considering that most of them are used. There is kind of a dank tired atmosphere, but the employees are generally kind. The record collection is large, but doesn't seem to change to much. Also, SERIOUSLY do not eat at little stevie's pizza next door. Seriously. If you are craving a slice go three doors down to crazy doughs.
submitted by Sam, 2006-12-27 18:19:54
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Mars Records
299 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02115
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Phone: 617-266-4270
E-mail:
lomag000@aol.com
Web site:
www.marsrecords.com
Size: Small
New/Used: New & Used
Formats: Vinyl, CD
Styles: Jazz, Experimental, Rock, Electronic, Folk, Other, Soul, Blues, Reggae, Pop, World
Listening Post: Unknown
Mars used to be in Central Square, Cambridge, during what I and my friends can only describe as the "golden years". We pulled all sorts of great indie rock, hiphop, and experimental LPs out of that store. Then it moved to Newbury Street, and although the "just in" arrivals turnover is still good - you're likely to come up on a decent hiphop or punk LP, but be be prepared to pay market rate instead of the old bargain days. Pricing is fair, but not exorbant. Their selection of new (not used) could be better. Good selection of CDs in the front room of all genres. The owner is a very nice chap, reduced an LP on more than one occaision for me on account of less-than-great condition or if it was an expensive LP I was talking him down on. For Boston proper, this is a very good store.
submitted by Andrew Schrock, 2002-08-04 22:02:02
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Excellent store. Was on a roadtrip from Canada and this was the best store I encountered in Boston. Prices are pretty fair and the selection is quite good. Great rare-ish punk and experimental records. I asked for a Urinals record and he had one! (the first time in history that has ever happend). Also found some rare Kraftwerk, Big Black, and early SST Releases. In addition, got cheap noise stuff on Vermiform and Load and some good obscure $1 singles. The dude behind the counter (Tim?) knew his stuff and didn't have any of that macho hipster attitude, so that gets bonus points right there.
submitted by J. Frank Parnell, 2003-01-29 01:14:24
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I'll ditto the previous two reviews. Preferred this store in its Cambridge location, but it still carries a good stock at reasonable prices. Not a huge new collection, but what is there, is choice. Best thing about the store is that it carries the goods without the attitude. Have a question, need a suggestion: the staff is super friendly. I received a great recommendation for a Gary Numan album (his first band's eponymous "Tubeway Army") the same day that my girlfriend chatted the storekeeper up about a Supremes CD collection. Definitely my favorite shop in Boston proper.
submitted by Christian Housh, 2003-07-11 14:48:51
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As mentioned, this is easily the best place in Boston at the moment. I have followed them around since their obscure Allston location, and have rarely been disappointed. Staff is friendly and helpful - when selling, they will gladly tell you why they are paying what they are, and always more than any of the other stores that buy.
submitted by James Long, 2003-08-20 12:40:29
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This store has closed it's doors as of Jan. 2004...I believe they are still operating on the web though I can not confirm this.
submitted by Rrose Selavy, 2004-03-13 12:38:45
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Newbury Comics
232 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02115
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Phone: 617-236-4930
E-mail:
staff@newbury.com
Web site:
www.newbury.com
Size: Large
New/Used: New & Used
Formats: CD, Videos, T-shirts, Posters, Books
Styles: Punk Rock, Jazz, Experimental, Indie Rock, Country, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Dance, Classical, Folk, Other, Funk, Soul, Blues, Drum & Bass, House, Latin, Reggae, Metal, Pop, World
Listening Post: Unknown
Imports and rarities, mostly new stuff, some cheap used discs.
submitted by Paul Geffen, 2002-07-22 12:56:14
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Way way way way over-hyped... Nothing exceptional at all, just your standard trendy indie-rock faire at chain-store prices. Actually, it kind of reminds me of a small Virgin, even the staff...
submitted by J. Frank Parnell, 2003-01-29 01:05:29
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In fact, the prices here always beat Tower or Virgin with few exceptions. The stock is pretty good, with only the now-defunct Cambridge HMV beating them on import CDs. Also a nice selection of new vinyl, from local 7"s to big major lable reissues. Used prices are a bit high, though there are occasionally treasures (like when they cleaned out their MFSL stock!)
submitted by James Long, 2003-08-20 15:23:42
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Nuggets
486 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02215
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Phone: 617-536-0679
E-mail:
nuggetsrecords@hotmail.com
Web site:
www.nuggetsrecords.com
Size: Medium
New/Used: New & Used
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Videos, Books
Styles: Jazz, Indie Rock, Collectibles, Country, Rock, Folk, Other, Funk, Soul, Blues
Listening Post: Unknown
Falls victim to the same dusty-old-selection problem as a few other stores, but periodically you see evidence of a recently-liquidated collection and can find some fantastic stuff. Have lots of deals and specials ("33 1/3 off vinyl") and some oddball stuff like Laserdiscs, RCA Videodiscs, and others.
submitted by James Long, 2003-08-20 12:36:33
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Overall, a pretty good store. Good hours, too. A nice selection of vinyl and CDs with a better than average selection of imports. They generally place the inlay card from the CDs into a plastic sleeve, which makes it pretty simple to thumb through the bin. Also, if the CD is new, they'll put a yellow card in the bin with the title and check off whether it's a promo, what country, single/full legth/promo, etc. Only thing is, you have to wait for them to search for the CD when you go up to the counter with the CD booklets and cards. Word to the wise: Look through the CDs, bring the CD booklets and cards to the counter, then look through the vinyl. The CDs will be ready for you when you check out. I guess I would say the place is pretty well kept up for a used store. As with any Boston store, be careful about parking. You may think you're getting a freebie parking next to a broken/out-of-order meter. Watch it! They WILL ticket you anyway. Be prepared to circle the block a few times for a spot. In general, I think you'll find this store worth the parking frustration. Also, on a related note, there used to be a phenominal used store just one block away on the same side of the street called Planet Records. THIS was a 5 star store. They unfortunately experienced a fire several years ago, but I think they are re-opening again somewhere in Boston. Those of you who have been there may want to look into this as it was a great used/new store.
submitted by Rob, 2004-10-30 19:41:35
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Orpheus Performing Arts
362 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
02116
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Phone: 617-247-7200
Size: Small
New/Used: Used
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Videos, Books
Styles: Classical
Listening Post: Unknown
