A great local independent music store, very convenient to downtown Natick and Russell, the owner is both knowadgable, helpful and respectful. It's just off the T station in downtown and there are a lot of other businesses, restaurants and it's right around the corner from the library, town hall, pretty much everything you could want. There's even a small Italian groceria, Lola's Italian groceria that has great gluten free food as well as non gluten free. I honestly can't think of a better way to shop locally. It gets at least 5 stars. read more

It's very local, the owner is a real character but in a good way. The young woman who works there is pleasant and knowledgeable. Sure cute doesn't hurt. Seriously I like shopping there read more

This is a great record shop. Natick is great. Wonderful mall, great town center, and superb library. Natick also has some great records stores. This being one, and De Ja Vu being the other. Listen Up is located in Natick Center, on South Avenue quickly accessible via Rt 27 & Rt 135. Parking is available right outside, street parking (with meters.... you do get 15 minutes free though!). The shop has TONS of records, CD's, and tapes (expected....). Always great prices and a dollar section in the back. Owner is somewhat friendly and very knowledgeable. Overall, good little shop worth checking out in Natick Center. 4 stars. read more

See all

I'm always looking for local independent brick-and-mortar record shops. This isn't usually much of a challenge since there are so few left, so I was surprised to find this place on my way home from Newbury Comics today. Listen Up is a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, and because I'd never heard of it before, I had no idea what to expect. I was pleased to see that the back wall had a large rack of $1 LP's. They seem to have a respectable selection of CD's, but I didn't check them very closely since I was only really looking for vinyl. Unlike many record shops that have cheapo bins and discount sections, the $1 wall had some deals on recognizable albums/artists. There are bins along the back right wall that have more "choice" albums at higher prices, anywhere from $3 on up. I grabbed a copy of "Rattle and Hum" for $9 in really nice shape. There was a pile of 45's on a table for $1 each. Be sure to check the "new arrivals" bin at your feet in front of the register - there were quite a few great albums in there. This place gets 4 stars from me because there were many bins of unsorted random LP's under the CD racks and I felt it could be organized better. However, it has a really decent selection of music. If you're into the vinyl thing, be sure to check it out. I'll probably become a regular. read more

Shop has some good stuff but definitely needs to work on customer service, no greeting when I walked in and didnt even offer to help or ask if I was looking for anything particular. He was talking with what I assume was his coworker the whole time and when I brought up something I didnt want he gave me that "really" face, I'd go back but only if I was looking for something specific read more

Listen up is a rare gem. It's a mix between awesome Empire-records super hip coolness (minus the high degree of pretension) and an allergy-inducing yard sale. The disorganized merchandise reeks of true, uncontrived quirkiness as well as ability to provide all the necessary staples for any music collection. Props to the adorable hand written signs that look like they were created by some punk junior high girl. If you're into vinyl and classic rock, this is the place to go. Of course you can find any new top 40 you want and the wide selection of cheap used DVDs and VHS are all in great condition, but it's the music that sets this hole in the wall apart. Russ, the owner, is a savant when it comes to the classics. He may seem a little rough around the edges, but once you get him going you'll be glad you made the effort. Come with $10 bucks and an hour to browse the disorganized dollar LPs while chatting up the old man and you'll leave with something awesome you've never heard before. read more

See all

One of my favorite things to do a across the country is check out independent music stores. This place is your quintessential indi store. Shit all over the place, great tunes playing and a good mix of current and old music. Good vinyl selection, decent Cd options and if you still have a cassette player they have you covered. In case you were wondering, the song he had playing was John Lennon's Imagine album. Sadly, I only knew the title song but after perusing the store decided I had to had that one to my purchase. read more

I get the whole "I've been buying, trading, selling records since before you were born" thing... BUT we were basically ran out the door by an employee who seemed annoyed that we were in the building for more than 10 minutes. Everything from a rude tone and shitty comments, to telling us the records on the $1 wall weren't a dollar. Oh, also the records basically thrown in boxes on the floor? Yeah, those aren't for sale. They are in fact back stock. It's like these dudes don't wanna make money? We walked out spending a couple dollars instead of the amount we had set aside for this specific little shopping trip. Places like this are few and far between these days. Little gems if you will, and it's a shame that the owners/employees are turning collectors off from their establishments. Guess going forward this place will be taken off the shopping list. Armageddon in Cambridge isn't that far anyway... read more

Occasionally you may find something in these picked over bins. And sometimes the shop keepers are rude. And sometimes their hours say they're open but when you get there the store is closed. But their "I'm doing you a service by being here" thing, well that keeps me coming back... Oh wait, I think I'm done with this place. read more

DO NOT GO THERE!. Owner is "rude" and they don't care! left boxes of records to be looked at. The owner threw them away after I specifically said I will pick them up. place is a clusterfuck - all cluttered and musty. my 2 little recoed boxes were not in the way! read more

Deep selection and knowledgeable owner. Prices are reasonable too. Nice that there are Used DVDs & Vinyl too. Glad I don't have to walk through aisles of cheap keychains, bobble heads and kids crap. It's about the music here. Yes, the hours are somewhat limited but it beats the drive to & parking in Cambridge. . read more

I'm going to be nice and leave a 3 star here, because I haven't spent as much time at Listen Up as I'd like. The reason behind that is because I always get a "get the hell out of my store" vibe from the staff (the owner?). My gf and I have gone in a few times on separate occasions, and we both agree they're pretty unwelcoming. They're def a bit brusque with their "can I help you with something? (no? then wtf are you doing here?)." Maybe I'm misreading here (which is why this isn't a 1 star review), and I'd like to say that I'll update this after giving it one more shot, but I don't really plan on going back. read more

If you live in or near Boston, it's worth the drive to Natick to go to Listen Up. It's a great store with new and used CDs, vinyl, DVDs, VHS tapes, cassettes and more. I found some great used CDs (3 for 10 dollars) and an import vinyl copy of Sandinista by the Clash for 8.99; make sure you take a couple of quarters with you as parking is on the street and it's metered. At least you get an hour for 25 cents. Don't be afraid to put two quarters in, because you'll want to spend two hours there. I will definitely be going back. read more

I recently decided to buy a record player and I went here for a couple vinyls to start my collection. There's a nice selection and I'm glad a store like this still exists. However. I'm not sure how this place is still in business. The owner keeps track of sales by scribbling in a notebook. Hopefully the store will upgrade to a POS system and square, so they can stay in business read more

The owner treats customers with bad vibes. He will give you scornful glances like he doesn't want you in his shop. I have been there quite a few times now I WILL STAY CLEAR OF THIS PLACE! read more

I've been a customer of Listen Up for atleast 7 or 8 years, and have become friends with Russ and Joey (I call Joey his side-kick!) for about 7 or 7 years, or more. I must say that if I were to judge a book, or in this case, a music store, by its cover, I would have walked out of the store before even going all the way into it. I am glad I didnt and let me explain. First off, it was the music they got blaring that grabs your attention when your strutting down South Ave, minding your own business. "Hmmm, I like that tune, oh, its coming from here... Listen Up". You go through the door, and see racks upon racks of cds, with more piles of them and Lp's through out the store, under the display cases, along the walls, and even entrapping Russ and Joey by the check-out area! Kind of reminds me of my place with my now mounting piles of cds and shelves! I further investigate and see the store collection has some really good stuff here, and if you can't afford the new cds, or can't find what you're looking for there, there is always a chance of finding it at a more reasonable price in the used section. I found some classic Elton John, vintage Fleetwood Mac, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Hendrix and others in both new and used. Russ will even allow us to inspect the used cds for scratches and make sure it plays properly so we don't end up paying for a defective cd, and it gives us a chance to see if we really like it. I have made the bulk of my purchases this way. Also, Russ is more then willing to order on EBAY or Amazon for you with very little over-head charge. Yes, when you first get to know Russ and Joey, and now Josh, the personalities are a bit off the beaten path, but please realize, Russ and Joey are music prodigies who know their stuff, particularly the classic hits, blues and Beatles. If they recommend a particular cd or record, listen to them, they know what they are talking about, and have very vast knowledge of the subject at hand. My knowledge is just starting to touch what they already know due to my ever-increasing in size cd collection. You talk with them on the subject of music, you go right up their alley and you become friends for life with them. Forget politics, and forget Obamacare. It doesnt hurt to talk Red Sox though! One of the other things that really struck me is the compilation cds they have or the every-so-often rare cds that come in that they have. I mean, they really some how manage to acquire some good stuff that has rare gems on them, and you'll have to trust me on it when I tell you to go in and take a look for yourself. Be prepared to take atleast 50 dollars with you, not so much due to the expense of it, but you find one lp or cd, and next minute, you're walking out with 5 or more! Russ, Joey and now Josh are all quite knowledgeable, like I said on finding certain albums and artists and will manage to lead you to exactly what you are looking for when you inquire. Plus you might find a few gems within the piles that haven't been officially stocked yet through out the store. As long as there is a price tag and they have it index, it is for sale. If it is not, hand it over to them, let them price it (doesn't hurt to negotiate on an occasional basis if you are a regular croney customer like me) and they will ready the lp, which they have tons of for prices of as little as a couple bucks on up, or cd, for purchase, and it will be all yours. The promotional items like the sport magnets that have the Boston Team playing schedules or the Listen Up Magnifying Glasses aren't bad either. I gave one to my boss and he uses it frequently. I do highly recommend them. Just look passed the mess and forest and focus in on the music and quality of their customer service and you will walk out with a handful of lps and cds. Give yourself (and Russ and Joe) a chance to show their knowledge and listen to their jokes and antics, as I have, and they have laughed back at my own silly humor. If it is not the music that keeps me coming back, it is their willingness to laugh at my own jokes without me knowing they could laughing at me that also keep me coming back for more! read more

This is a great store.I always go and buy my records from here.All the stuff here is extremely well priced.I was in there and found an almost new copy of Iron Maiden's Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son for $5.99 and he told me that he had only seen 5 records like that enter the store ever.What a find! read more