The best independent music shops in NYC

Other Music

Academy Records
Academy is one of the few vinyl emporiums in town that combines a discerning stock with modest pricing; it’s not uncommon to pick up a first-rate jazz, punk or folk title for under $5. The 18th Street store, with its vast holdings of jazz, classical and rock, may be the best spot in the city to trawl for—or sell off—used CDs. Academy LPs, 415 E 12th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-780-9166, academy-records.com) • Academy Annex, 96 North 6th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave (718-218-8200) • Academy Records, 12 W 18th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-242-3000)

Downtown Music Gallery
For fans of avant-garde jazz and similar experimental styles, a visit to DMG—now in fresh Chinatown digs—is more like a pilgrimage; discs by contemporary icons such as John Zorn share shelf space with legendary sides by the likes of Albert Ayler. 13 Monroe St between Catherine and Market Sts (212-473-0043, downtownmusicgallery.com)

Fat Beats
The local outpost of a venerable empire that also includes an L.A. branch, a Web shop and a record label, Fat Beats specializes in hip-hop for serious heads: You’ll find the latest CDs, sure, but also ultrarare vinyl, DVDs, DJ supplies and other accessories. The store hosts in-store performances regularly; recent guests have included Joe Budden, B-Real and 88-Keys. 406 Sixth Ave between 8th and 9th Sts, second floor (212-673-3883, fatbeats.com)

Generation Records
Hardcore punk, ska and extreme-metal fans are well served by this Village mainstay; for everyone else, Generation carries a solid selection of classic-rock and alternative releases, along with a good scattering of collectibles. Most of the used CDs that once crammed the basement have migrated to sister store Bleecker Street Records (239 Bleecker St between Carmine and Leroy Sts, 212-255-7899), where you can also blow hours digging through racks of vintage vinyl. 210 Thompson St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts (212-254-1100, myspace.com/generationrecordsnyc)

Halcyon
This beautiful (and tiny) Dumbo store exudes a Zen-like calm, but the music sold within—largely electronic house and techno, with bits and pieces of other dance genres—is anything but mellow. 57 Pearl St at Water St, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-260-9299, halcyonline.com)

Hospital Productions
When this store opened, it was an underground hideout—accessible only via a steep ladder in the back of the reggae store Jammyland (though that’s always been the extent of their connection). The location befit its esoteric stock: noise, black metal and various other outré offerings. But the same diehards who have made the like-minded No Fun Fest a hit have flocked to the store, and Hospital recently overtook the space formerly occupied by its upstairs neighbor. 60 E 3rd Sts between First and Second Aves (hospitalproductions.com)

Other Music
TONY Discount! When Other Music opened in the mid-’90s, it boldly stood across the street from the reigning behemoth Tower Records, a small pocket of resistance to corporate music. Its Goliath now shuttered, Other Music rolls on, offering a well-curated selection of indie-rock favorites, jazz, world music and experimental sounds. Present this TONY issue and get 10 percent off all merch until the end of the month.15 E 4th St between Broadway and Lafayette St (212-477-8150, othermusic.com)

Permanent Records
Homier and more friendly than its Williamsburg counterparts, Greenpoint’s Permanent Records stocks current indie fare, as well as a sampling of classic jazz, used vinyl and turntable equipment. 181 Franklin St between Green and Huron Sts, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-383-4083, permanentrecords.info)

Sound Fix
Check here for new, used and rare vinyl—mostly of the indie-rock and experimental persuasion, though there is a smattering of folk and country, too. Sound Fix also carries CDs from unsigned bands (something you absolutely wouldn’t find at Barnes & Noble). 110 Bedford Ave at North 11th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-388-8090, soundfixrecords.com)

Turntable Lab
This East Village institution is a DJ’s paradise, with an expertly vetted, multigenre selection of underground dance music (vinyl and CDs) sold alongside all the gear that the small storefront can fit. 120 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-677-0675, turntablelab.com)

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Shopping guide '09
Best independent shops Forget chain stores. It's the little guys we're loving right now.