The cool thing about most of the music stores on the East Side is that they all specialize in vinyl, proving avid collectors of these musical relics still exist.

In this age of MP3s and disc burning, a lot of people would rather dish out cash for a record rather than a CD. The cover art is much bigger and more fun to look at, and records also sound richer and do not corrode like other formats do. That means that they can have the same crisp sound for years if taken care of.

Another cool thing about East Side record stores is the people who run them. They fully appreciate the power of music and do not forget about its roots. These stores offer comfortable atmospheres, different formats to choose from and lots of great albums.

Most of the prices range from $9 to $15 for new items and $1 to $15 for used ones.

Recycled Books and Music

2239 N. Prospect Ave. (inside the Prospect Mall)
276-1321
abebooks.com/home/RECYCLED

This is the perfect place to kill some time and browse for a while. In business for 10 years, it will be temporarily shut down in four months due to development in the mall area.

Owner Bill Frickensmith says that between his store and the other one across the hall, the largest selection of vinyl in Milwaukee lies here. He focuses on blues, rock and jazz, but is open to anything. Recycled Books and Music also contains intriguing literature and even cassette tapes.

Outside, there are boxes of records for $1 each. There is something oddly compelling about finding a long-forgotten album from B.J. Thomas during his disco years.

Inside, there are tall stacks of books and rows of records. The room is bright and jazz is usually pumping. Frickensmith is always on hand to help people with whatever they need to find, and has a sale going on every weekend.

– Alejandro Dowling

Farwell Music

2218 N. Farwell Ave.
271-9033

Farwell Music has long been a haven for the vinyl enthusiasts of Milwaukee. Boasting a wide array of genres for music aficionados to choose from, it provides vinyl collectors with the latest re-pressed records and a choice selection of rare and used vinyl.

Anything from John Coltrane Atlantic-era mono pressings to Country Moog records or Boxcar Willie on colored vinyl can be found in the bins of this store.

There is a listening station to test out the records before purchasing, just in case one needs to make sure that they are buying the right Englebert Humperdinck import.

The staff can answer any questions of the music persuasion. Need to know the name of the first Barbarian Streisand record or the year that Miles Davis started to suck beyond all comprehension? Farwell Music is the place to ask.

“I think Miles began to suck in 1945. I mean, just listen to the sessions with Charlie Parker, he can’t even play his instrument,” says Luke Lavin, the store’s owner.

The two-man staff of Luke and Ken Chrisein are not just knowledgeable about records, but also an unstoppable force on a bowling lane.

“I’m still averaging about a 150,” says Luke, proudly.

And they are lovers of humanity, as exemplified by their random filling of the parking meters in front of their store whenever a parking checker drives by.

“I feel sorry for the parking checker because he’s incapable of getting a job more enlightening,” says Ken.

The scope and magnitude of the used CD bin at Farwell Music is completely beyond comprehension. The music lover becomes a miner of hard-to-find gold nuggets each time he or she begins panning through the used CD bin.

Anything can be located within the racks, from Velvet Underground bootlegs to that rare Olivia Newton John CD you’ve been looking all your pitiful life for. Anything you could possibly ever need to flesh out your record or CD collection can be found inside these four walls.

– Rory Sazama

The Exclusive Company

1669 N. Farwell Ave.
271-8590

Exclusive Company is one of the few chain stores that are likeable.

It is a spacious store that houses a ton of independent music among other products like DVDs, T-shirts and various accessories. Although only brand-new vinyl is sold, with both recent albums and reissues, the collection is impressive. It is a rare treat to run into more Beck than Andy Williams for a change.

Manager Terry Hackbarth says that he does not stick to any certain genres because good music is good music. He enjoys spotlighting the best of indie rock and wants to keep adding more. He also wants to feature more live music right in the store. The Athletes, Box Social and many DJs have graced the Exclusive stage.

– Alejandro Dowling

Atomic Records

1813 E. Locust St.
332-3663
atomic-records.com

Atomic is one of the most popular independent music stores around.

Owner Rich Manning says that although there is more of a focus on local and alternative music, he sells everything from hardcore rap to Peruvian nose flute. The staff is known to be very musically knowledgeable. All of the employees are musicians or people-pleasers or both.

The store sells used and new music, and there are about 10,000 LPs waiting to be sorted in the basement.

The store is well known for having great live acts perform tiny shows for crowds of up to 100 people. Recent shows include Nada Surf and Rogue Wave.

Atomic has been around for 20 years, and Manning says there have been many ups and downs. Although 2006 has not been a great year so far, Manning plans to hang in there because he loves what he does. In his words, “a world without record stores would suck something fierce!”

– Alejandro Dowling

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