This place fricking rocks. With all of the other smaller independent record stores going out of business, I have decided to give all of my disposable income to Paul and Naomi. And they don't let me down. There are always some good deals on new and used wax. If I'm going to spend $15-$20 on a built to spill reissue, or an english pressing of "Songs in the Key of Life," I'd much rather keep these guys in business than send my money through ebay to have something delivered from a warehouse in Indiana. Mod Lang Rocks. Give them your money....NOW! read more

one of my jobs is located very near this fine establishment. i spend my lunch break once a week perusing the .98 cent vinyl bins and come away with surprises and gems each time. it's sort of like getting presents every week, which is really fun, because they are only a dollar each. paul and naomi are rad. paul says he can get anything you want and he is right. one time i was in here and some guy asked for a classical record and paul said, "yeah we probably have it, there are hundreds i haven't sorted yet." i imagine the back storeroom to be a mountain of music that the untrained eye might find overwhelming but i have a feeling paul knows every single piece in there. naomi holds down the front of the house and puts out a fabulous newsletter complete with local shows. highly recommended if you want to keep track of what's going on in the easy bay and the city. i totally have not even started on any of the brit pop and indie since i'm in the 1968-1982 phase right now with the dollar vinyl. my latest score was styx, "pieces of eight," which is one of those eye-openers that i should have known about, but didn't, and makes me kind of happy to know i still have time to experience everything that makes rad, rad. read more

besides a bookstore, modlang is my absolute favorite place to spend (i can't say waste) money. although it was a bitch to park at, i did like the berkeley store better. what was better than spending no money on cheap pizza at arinell's and spending lots of money on records at mod lang? not much. also, i agree with the yelper who says that it seems that the indie selection has decreased at the new store. plus, it's just so... quiet... there. i've been there 3 times and i have never seen another customer. it makes me scared- what if it doesn't make it? mod lang can't go away! and i can't support them on my piddly pay check! anyway, mod lang is an awesome small business whom everyone should support. they'll hook you up with info on everything related to music, and they'll of course hook you up with the best music. don't miss it. read more

Mod Lang is strictly mail order CD's for me as i'm out of state they've helped and sold me titles i'm searching for, going back 20 years now. you go to them initially for the odd & imported i've had no problems as such and can recommend them w/o reservation, naomi always turns up something i can afford from my want list read more

Best little record store! All Britpop and indie lovers--this place is the shiznit!! I feel like a kid in a candy store when I'm in here. Naomi, one of the owners, is also super friendly and helpful! The new location is a little hard to find though--it's on the side of a row of bland looking office spaces.. look for the plastic surgeon office and it's on the side of that building! read more

Mod Lang has been my favorite record store for decades. I have discovered many bands here. I'm so glad they're still around.

By far the best little record shop in no longer in Berkeley. Despite the small size, it packs tonnes of good music. The staff is always helpful, even in finding the most obscure music. The best way to discover good new music is to simply to ask someone in Mod Lang. The one downside is that it can be a bit pricey. read more

Don't get in here near as much as I'd like or used to but still consider myself extremely lucky to have such a great brick and mortar record store so close to where I live. Naomi is awesome, everything you'd want in an independent store owner (friendly, no snarky attitude, answers all questions politely). If you believe that Amazon and free music streaming are the future, this place isn't for you. If you still value physical media, believe that good music that nourishes your soul is worth paying for, and enjoy interacting with a real person to talk about and discover new music, this place is the real deal. read more

One of the reasons why I miss living in the Bay Area. Not a large store, but it has a nice selection and a friendly approachable staff.

They're a British music shop with one of the best selections of country vinyl in the Bay Area. They have you covered!

I have been going to Mod Lang for 2 years now and will keep going back. There is always a good record playing when you walk in the door, the owners, Paul and Naomi are super duper cool with no attitude and they are totally helpful. I just went there last weekend and picked up like 6 killer records that were totally affordable and in great shape. In my mind, Mod Lang is the perfect record store, the kind where you can find that one record you've been looking for for a long time, just hangin out in their used bin with a cheap price tag, where you can make casual conversation with the owners and not feel the pressure to be all smartypants about music, and the kind of place where your addiction seems relatively healthy! read more

I only wish the best for Mod Lang. They used to help me promote artists like Train when I used to work for Sony Music. They have a great attitude and are in it for the music not the profits. I am glad they are doing bigger and better things in El Cerrito. Congratulations, and Good Luck. -Matt read more

Mod Lang is my favorite record store! Can't remember when they exactly moved to El Cerrito but I heard of them when they were still in Berkeley, although I never got to visit the shop back then. I have been going to the shop for years and most of my prized finds were from Mod Lang! Naomi is super cool! Just ask for their singles stock and you'll be in 45rpm heaven. There was one time when I was shopping there, this guy dropped by and said, "I have records", intending to sell his records, and Naomi responded with a resounding, "I HAVE RECORDS". Yes, there's plenty of them here. read more

Amazing little record store. They have good shows sometimes too! The workers are really helpful and if you're looking for something hard to find or unusual its probably here. If theres a lot of people in the store you might be kind of uncomfortable...and by a lot of people I mean like... 10. haha. read more

Love having this place in my neighborhood. This is a real record store with character with all its warts and charms. Hope you like it.

They have a great selection and friendly service. I would recommend Mod Lang for your import and box set needs.

Weird, unorganized layout for the selection. And most of the stuff isn't priced, big letdown. I distrust any place where the owner has to tell you what he thinks they're worth. read more

Mod Lang is an excellent music store and vintage place. The people who work there are so intimidatingly cool that I have to make sure I chosse the exact right music to buy. CDs there might be more expensive than at Virgin or Borders, but Mod Lang represents a dying breed: the Indie record store. So go in, buy a cd, make sure you're wearing black and your hair is properly styled. Is that so bad? read more

If you've missed a record, or a particular British/Indie/Rock CD, or you just want a good feeling of an old-school record store, ModLang is The Place you want to find and explore. It's not exactly my cup of tea...but it does have all sorts of unique stuff. read more

I'm new to the wonders of vinyl, and certainly no experienced audiophile. Typically I shy away from specialty shops because I don't like that feeling of not "fitting in" with the usual customer (I have this problem with comic book shops as well) but I'd rather support local stores rather than buy off the internet if I can manage it, which often results in awkward shop visits. Having been burned in the past, I just wanted to grab a few records and leave as quickly as possible. But Mod Lang is special. It has a dusty, sweet smell that welcomes and promises treasured finds if you dig deep enough. I found myself sucked in, browsing through ancient records and new releases alike. I brought a friend who had no turntable and no interest whatsoever, and by the end of the visit, she had a healthy start to her own vinyl collection. That's how powerful this little shop is. The best part is the shop attendant (I didn't catch her name, but I will rectify this when I return) is warm, helpful, and eager to introduce her customers to new music. Mod Lang was a great visit, but she is the one who convinced me to be a return customer. read more

love this record store but the hours are inconsistent :( second time ive drove here from hayward and its closed....

Haven't been to the EC store yet but the University shop was great. You don't have to be into vinyl or imports to love it, but it sure helps. Super knowledgeable staff and unusual stuff throughout. My friend went down to pick up Amnesiac the day it was released and came back with this beautiful collectors edition bound like a nice hardcover book wit lots of great art by Donwood and Tchoky. Never seen it anywhere else and well worth the 25 dollars. read more

Rocking record store. I went about and found a copy of Joy Division's Closer: Who the hell has this LP? I might go by today and buy it, but I'm trying not to. So far an amazing collection coupled by a great staff. It's small, but that's good. I will have to splurge here when I have some money. Check it out. read more

I have been going to them for years.....I really like the fact that you can order CD's from across the pond......Love sifting through the CD..... read more

Always a great selection of imports, indie and 60's/psych stuff, and lots of cheap used as well. Staff is always helpful and will order most anything for you. Glad they're in El Cerrito but would like to see some in-store live shows like they used to do in Berkeley. I saw Stereolab, the Bevis Frond, Preston School of Industry and many others in that tiny storefront - bands that only Mod Lang could get to do an in-store. Record collectors can now spend some quality time in El Cerrito with Mod Lang and Down Home just blocks apart. read more

The greatest little record store in the Bay Area. I used to BART up from Fremont as sideburned youth looking for that rare Smiths record or newest suede single. A great staff that will give you great recomendations and can order rare records for you. A britpop lovers dream! read more

Mod Lang is great. The peeps are friendly and knowledgeable, and they have a great selection of New and Used vinyl. I was particularly pleased to see Primal Scream and Brit treats in a premium section near their new release vinyl. read more

Mod Lang has always held a special place in my heart.Back when they were located on University in Berkeley I would peruse the cozy aisles looking for that hidden gem.The El Cerrito location is larger but the inventory continues to be varied and unique.One can find anything from ABBA to Zydeco.It's sometimes difficult to navigate through boxes of records but it's rewarding when you make the time to put your fingers to work and flip through a stack and find a precious jewel to add to your collection. read more

was totally relieved they kept this class A record store alive. they have knowledge of playlists from all around the Globe that practically dont exist anywhere else in any record store bar amoeba music and Still if your into music the american regulators dont want you to know about MOD LANG Has it. the "i never knew this existed this is sooo cool" store. read more

New discovery. Loved the vinyl records and loved the service. A bit weak on the jazz collections but I get it that it caters to a certain Brit new wave clientele. One downer for me was the .98 cents selections. Found some good ones, they played well at home but the price sticker on the actual disc and jacket tore off a chunk of the artwork when I "carefully' tried to peel it off. Ouch!! Plus, I love to shop and know the price of things right off the bat, no mystery. I think bidding wars should be reserved for Ebay...just give me a firm price...Basta! read more