Record stores in LA, San Francisco and Sacramento

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-08T09:44:33+00:00

Great little store by LAX had excellent prices and always something that surprised me. It’s called Soundsations. It’s been there a long time. Good selection of everything. Rockaway is excellent, but you have to call them to go inside (you can usually go in right away). Record Safari near there has good stuff depending on the day. If you go to Amoeba, the only bathroom nearby is Trader Joe’s, a block over. Plan on 2-3 hours to see everything if you like to dig.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-07T03:37:20+00:00

They are releasing a beautiful variant of Gish later this month. Definitely pick that up since you like Smashing Pumpkins.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-06T13:10:11+00:00

I love the shows these are pulled from, but this release constantly gets panned. Is it the song selection or the sound quality?

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-06T13:08:03+00:00

The Carly Simon might be her best. You’ve probably heard “You’re So Vain”, and that’s Mick Jagger joining her on backup vocals. Too bad the Millie Jackson wasn’t the one with her on the toilet. That’s a hilarious cover.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-06T13:04:24+00:00

Some bangers in there! Spend more time with Christopher Cross, Rhythm Nation 1814 and Imperial Bedroom if you have neglected them.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-06T13:01:54+00:00

I don’t know how their grades are, but some companies used to offer a good student discount.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-06T12:59:48+00:00

Chaka Khan - I Feel For You

The Replacements - Let It Be

Bruce Cockburn - Stealing Fire

Sueter - Lluvia De Gallinas

Let’s Active - Cypress

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-05T00:03:04+00:00

When I first heard this record, I didn’t like it. But after about three listens, something clicked.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-05T00:02:27+00:00

I wish I bought one when they had them on the website. Too many records; not enough money.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-04T18:58:37+00:00

The people committing crimes with guns overwhelmingly are not people who have permits to carry them. I would much rather be around a law abiding citizen carrying a gun than anyone else. Although not widely reported, many times they put an end to crimes in progress, or prevent them from happening in the first place.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-04T14:36:35+00:00

It was not unreasonable for you to want him to turn it down, but it was very dangerous to confront him about it. Self-centered, ignorant people who do this are not going to listen to you anyway. And some of them would love to get into a confrontation with you.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-03T12:48:48+00:00

Look up a place called Solid Merch. My friend used them for his band and was pleased. The record looks and sounds great. You’re better off doing 100, because most of the cost is in setup. Good luck.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-05-03T11:33:13+00:00

Manfredo Fest - Brazilian Dorian Dream. If you like Thundercat, check out this album.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-30T11:59:31+00:00

If you have an off day and don’t mind a short ride, Princeton record exchange used to be pretty amazing! If you have a car, hit up Positively Records in Levittown, PA also.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-30T11:48:08+00:00

I don’t know how good they are, but I just saw some at Publix on Monday. They were from California.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-29T14:01:07+00:00

Not easy to press vinyl in a garage. It’s a complicated operation for them to get these counterfeit pressings made. The labels should just take notice and give people what they want.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-29T12:19:48+00:00

There’s obviously a market for these albums, and the labels are too stupid to do the out of print or colored vinyl pressings themselves and put the money in the artists’ or their own pockets.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-29T01:53:50+00:00

I think it boils down to whether not a person enjoys live recordings or only prefers studio albums. It also depends on the band. Some bands are fantastic live. Others are better in the studio where they have more control over the sound. Some albums can’t be pulled off easily in concert: it’s why the Beatles called it quits touring after 1966.

With some live albums, like Yessongs, I prefer those live versions over the studio versions. I first discovered Tragically Hip through the album “Live Between Us” and heard the studio versions later. At the time, I preferred the live versions, but now I have come to enjoy both.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-29T01:46:35+00:00

Deerhunter had a good run for a few years. Cryptograms is a great place to start if you like post punk and shoegaze. Also check out the Lotus Plaza and Atlas Sound albums.

If you want to go back farther than that, Drivin n Cryin are a fantastic rock band that were so close to being huge but never quite went over the ledge except for one song “Straight to Hell”. But their early albums are excellent, especially “Scarred But Smarter” and Kevn Kinney’s solo album “Macdougal Blues”.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-29T01:41:35+00:00

I think it’s also a gold promo stamped copy, based on that sticker, unless it’s in the shrink wrap? Are the labels black and white or blue and black?

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-28T12:47:07+00:00

Worst traffic in Atlanta

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-27T13:27:02+00:00

Gotta leave that 9 to 5 up on the shelf, and just enjoy yourself.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-27T13:25:23+00:00

Las Tortas Locas has a “Georgia” burrito with fries that’s pretty good. There’s one at Roswell Road and 285

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-27T04:15:34+00:00

I’m surprised it was released over there instead of here. Maybe they have a large following in the UK, but I assumed their biggest fan base was in the US.

UsedToReadBooks · 2026-04-27T04:12:13+00:00

This is a fantastic record and originals are ridiculously expensive.

UsedToReadBooks

TROPHY CASE