Warning: Controversial opinion ahead.
For the number of stores it has and its position in the music world, New York is shockingly bad when it comes to record shopping. I don't get why you people pay obscene amounts of money for records, especially when they're in terrible condition. I've been to A-1, Academy, Human Head, Superior Elevation, and others, but I haven't been impressed. Although I don't enjoy living in DC (I am moving soon), record shopping in the District is wonderful. I regularly find rare records for half the cost (if not cheaper) than I would in New York. I also have far less competition.
However, Brooklyn Record Exchange is one of the few shops I can wholeheartedly recommend. I went to the smaller location in Greenpoint, which is beautiful: clean, stylish, and well-organized with plenty of rarities in excellent condition. You can tell this shop is run by someone with a discerning eye. I immediately spotted Stockhausen's "Hymnen", compilations of musique concrete, hard-to-find early Nicolas Jaar and Ricardo Villalobos, and a duophonic copy of "Pet Sounds" that sounded like angels singing on one of two high-quality listening stations BRE provides with Technics turntables, Sennheiser (!) headphones, and a Bellari pre-amp. I bought "Pet Sounds," the Stockhausen, and an astonishing 2011 repress of Slowdive's "Just for a Day" that pummeled me with its wall of sound. Everything was fairly priced. The dude working the counter was super friendly and helpful.
I also went to BRE's larger outpost in Bushwick. I found OG pressings of Radiohead's "Hail to the Thief" and Chavez's "Gone Glimmering." The electronic/house/techno sections are substantial. Still, I prefer the Greenpoint location on Guernsey Street for its immaculate curation and tasteful, minimal decor.
These people don't mess around; the shops reflect a TON of work. BRE places a premium on the customer experience. Their stores are designed to spend hours in. Bring your cash to these good folks. read more