I can never pass up a record store even if I understand disappointment awaits within. For Your…read moreEntertainment (FYE) is almost ironic mockery considering the bare bones selection of physical media they now carry. For a minute I thought I had popped into Spirit of Halloween considering the cobwebs that covered their paltry selection of CDs. I get it, it's a dead format but it's hard to fathom why FYE is still with us as they specialize in nothing in particular. This joint makes Hot Topic look like Nordstrom. Two thin stars.

I know I'm dating myself here, but I remember a time when stores like Sam Goody, The Wiz, Suncoast…read moreand Kay Bee all stood alongside FYE locations. I admit I was more of a Suncoast guy when it came to buying media, but if there was an FYE nearby I'd stop into it for fun. When I saw the FYE signage in Menlo Park mall I definitely wanted to check it out partly out of nostalgia than anything else. Interestingly, they've dropped the acronym logo (F.Y.E., which stands for "For Your Entertainment) and it's just "FYE" now. FYE is not quite the spectacle of its predecessors. Its layout is basically a large rectangle with shelves on the outer edges and islands in the middle with the cashier counter off to the left in the middle. Its "decor" mostly relies on the various T-shirts and product package art on display throughout the store. This is not terrible, mind you. They have a wide selection of products so there's a lot to catch your eye, but I do remember their older format focusing a bit more on the decor of the store itself. To be honest, I'm kind of shocked FYE still exists (then again, I can say the same for Gamestop). In the old days it had a heavy focus on media (CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes etc.), but to adapt and survive in the modern era they have diversified. They are now more of a pop culture store including media (Blu-Rays, Vinyl etc.), toy store (action figures, Hot Wheels etc.), apparel shop (T-Shirts mostly) and even snack store (candy, chips etc.). What I have been surprised about is that over the past two years, they have begun to carry *more* product and diversify. Seriously, 3-4 years ago the store looked mostly empty, the air smelled stale and it looked like it was getting ready to close. Now it looks like a store with some life to it, and that's a good thing. Malls need more shops like this! It can't all be about over-expensive clothing and electronics. Much to my surprise, during my last two trips to this store I have found toys I have looked for at other stores like Target but never found. One was a Transformer, the other was a Hot Wheels car, so I make this a regular stop now when I'm in the mall. The staff members I've dealt with are friendly and efficient but I do feel bad for them. During both of my last visits the entire store is seemingly staffed by one person only and that's a lot to put on one person. This is a fun stop that is quite different than most stores in the mall. Definitely worth dropping by!

Forwver the Best record store in NYC - great selection, rare vinyl and new releases - John is the…read moregreatest!

Great store has rare and fantastic collectibles . The owner John is very knowledgeable.read more

This record store is great. I typically go to Jack's in Red Bank and I had never been to this…read moreplace. I'll tell you, this place blows Jack's away. The collection of used records for sale is much better. The prices are fair considering the quality and variety offered. Lower quality records are priced lower, better records are a bit more. Just as it should be. I was in a week after I had been a previous time and was impressed with the new stock they picked up in only a week. I'm not sure what the record turnover is, but it seems if you go every couple of weeks, it could be worth it if you just want to "see what's new". Great gear for sale as well. I'm a fan.

If you love vinyl this is the place to go! So happy to stop in as I found the album I was looking…read morefor! They have a huge section of "just in" records. Needless to say I was there for a solid hour, could easily be more. And so worth it. Records are sorted by genre. Their walk is full of classics! Prices are fair. The staff is awesome and helpful. I'll definitely be back!

Highly recommended. Great place, has that vintage vibe, on a nice quiet street, with easy access…read more Gave me a very fair value for my record collection. I hope they find them all a good home.

EXCELLENT record store in beautiful Maplewood, NJ! I wasn't…read moreexpecting much, I imagined a small-type store to take advantage of the uptick in vinyl sales. NO WAY! This is the real deal - this record store is PACKED with new and used vinyl, and practically every genre is well served. Whether you need a sealed copy of a recent release or wish to dig thru the bins searching for that Holy Grail - this place'll do. Its store-front sized, so you don't need five hours free to shop here, but SOMA is well curated, and has the goods. If you don't live in Maplewood, it's worth the trip. I don't mean you should drive here from Ohio, but anyone within, say, an hour away who has the time and loves music and especially music on vinyl, again, it's worth the trip.

Wrong place to return criterion items lol, good service, it isn't a store so there isn't a…read moreselection and the value is fine

I'm cancelling my subscription to the Criterion Channel since these erstwhile champions of film…read morepreservation have decided to get into the censorship business. In their new mission to purge anything that offends, scenes and language from the Gene Hackman classic, The French Connection have been exised because they do not conform with contemporary mores and sensibilities. Enough. Since when does a film released in a 1971 cultural context have to justify itself to the archangels of presentism. Write a review and tell the world that the film's anachronistic view of police methods is offensive and outmoded. I may even agree with you but don't force me to watch a compromised version because you can't handle it. Isn't it enough that it just exists for viewers of any era or generation to take from it what they will. Criterion was always a fierce defender of cinematic integrity whether it delighted or offended. No more... which includes my subscription.

Horrible customer service. I bought a 3 dollar AFI cd online. It arrived with stickers stuck to…read morethe digipak that were not easily removed. When I contacted them about being unhappy about the erroneous product description, they mocked my 3 dollar cd purchase and hoped I could financially recover. I paid 9 dollars with tax and shipping. They can get fucked!

95% record shop, 5% antique shop, 100% very cool shop. I waited a few weeks to pen this review just…read moreso I could try out the stack of records I bought and see what kind of condition they were in. All were PERFECT! How is that even possible?! I got 2 for $1 each (insane) and was almost positive they would be scratched and skip. Not the case. They played wonderfully. The others I got were not expensive at all and all also played wonderfully. When I stopped by they had a few crates outside, all for $1 a record. Not only did I find a Leo Sayer album in those bins, but also a old Greek movie soundtrack! I didn't know the artist and it ended up not really being my favorite, but I just thought it was so cool and couldn't resist, and for a dollar?! I am very sure my dad will get such a kick out of it when I show him. I walked out with those two gems plus an Abba, Smokey Robinson and Johnny Cash album and I think I spent like $20. I chatted with the owner a bit who was really friendly and helpful. Their old loc was near the corner of Somerset and Easton for all you RU alums that are wondering how you may have missed them all these years. They had some cool vintage/antique pieces and nick knacks, but not many (hence the %5) but I highly recommend a browse around if you are looking for affordable records or just want to browse around a great little shop. Thank you for the newest additions to my very thin collection!

Definitely the best dance and electronic music only record store NYC. Selling exclusively new…read morereleases across many genres (i mean they have a dubstep section!!). It's like going to the record store in 1999, just discovering new music from the UK and beyond. Definitely put this on your east village record list.

Although it's a small shop with a very curated selection of records, this shop is a must visit for…read morefans of techno, house, and disco. The environment is Super clean and well organized. Prices seemed very fair. Always glad to see new record stores pop up in NYC, so show some support!

The only real vinyl source in NJ, so plan ahead to spend a day there given their limited business…read morehours.

Stopped in today. It was my first time there. Very small shop but packed yo the gills with records…read more Great atmosphere. The owner was super friendly and made the trip a lot of fun. Will be going back again soon!