12.14.2009

new vampire weekend single

their new album is slated to hit stores on january 12, 2010. looks like it is going to be good!

12.02.2009

awesome tracks

here are a few tracks that I have been listening to recently. hope you enjoy them.







9.24.2009

taking a break

...sort of. back in school full-time so i won't be visiting any record shops for a while. but here are some of my favourite songs for now.


8.28.2009

eva b

location: 2013 st. laurent, montreal
phone#: 514-849-8246


my finds:
none.

the preview:
eva b is going vinyl! although originally a second-hand clothing store/cafe, they will be branching out into selling vintage records as well. found his stash tucked away in the small corner of the shop. spoke with the owner to purchase a few records but was sadly rejected. he just got his record player and will be going over his inventory over the next couple of months. record sleeves were pretty beat up but the few records i looked at seemed to be in pretty good condition. decent starter collection included: fleetwood mac, paul mccartney, crosby stills nash and young, and the who.

8.26.2009

inbeat

location: 3814 boulevard saint-laurent, montreal
phone#: 514-499-2063

my finds:
none.

the review:
clean, modern looking vinyl shop that caters towards dj's and the like. a lot of techno and urban mixes. the hip hop selection offers instrumental tracks and various remixes of major hits. a few cd's, some clothing, and the odd piece of dj equipment also available inside. mogg audio is conveniently located right next door for a wider selection of equipment.

cheap thrills

location: 2044 metcalfe, montreal
phone#: 514-844-8988

my finds:
1. the velvet underground & nico (new cd) $13
2. curtis mayfield: roots (new) $10

the review:
located in a 2-storey house that's sandwiched between 50-storey office buildings. although only advertised as a bookstore/cd store, cheap thrills is predominately vinyl. has the biggest selection of brand new vinyl for a second-hand shop. very strong jazz, soul and hip hop selection. followed by a large selection of new indie rock. plenty of 60's rock available in cd form. new vinyl prices are average ($20-27) with a couple being sold for well below competitor's prices ($10-15). used vinyl prices also inconsistent. example: stevie wonder's songs in the key of life (douple lp) sold for $10 while madlib's shades of blue (double lp, new) is sold for $15.

8.25.2009

l'idee fixe

location: 3320 rue ontario est, montreal
phone: 514-527-2121

my finds:
none.

the review:
small vinyl collection focused more on mid 70's-late 80's music. more of a book, dvd, and cd store. cd collection has a bit of everything. even saw erykah badu's mama's gun ($7). if you're looking for a certain used cd, there's a good chance they may have it. window displayed beatles rubber soul and revolver album covers, which may mean great albums occasionally roll through.

la note

location: 4301 rue ontario est, montreal
phone#: 514-899-5677

my finds:
1. pink floyd: a nice pair (double lp) $13

the review:
small shop with an extensive collection of 60/70's rock with a random, impressive reggae section. and then a little bit of everything else. one of the few places that sells classic beatles albums such as revolver ($13) and let it be ($7) for surprisingly low prices. cd selection is more even-handed consisting of a good hip hop selection. definitely worth the trip.

urban outfitters

location: 1250 rue sainte-catherine ouest, montreal
phone#: 514-874-0063
my finds:
1. the strokes: is this it (new) $22
2. arcade fire: funeral (new) $17

the review:
though technically not a music store, this urban outfitters always has a good little selection of records. they definitely support indie rock and still stay true to classics. but they mostly carry new artists. prices are average for new vinyl. may come out a little cheaper than ordering on-line once shipping and handling is added on. best part is it's always fun to shop for records while your girlfriend shops for clothing.

hmv megastore

location: 1020 rue ste-catherine ouest, montreal
phone: 514-875-0765
my finds:
none.

the review:
unlike other hmv's this mega store offers a small, impressive vinyl selection. good for finding new indie rock groups with a few older records being sold brand new. prices are $17-28. would still recommend looking for vintage vinyl at second-hand stores over hmv. as far as cd's go the 2 for $20 is always a good deal. being hmv you can find almost anyone on cd.

8.24.2009

musique-disque sonik

location: 4050 rue berri. montreal
phone#: 514-288-2113

bouquinerie saint-denis

location: 4075 rue saint-denis, montreal
phone#: 514-288-5567
my finds:
1. jimi hendrix: band of gypsies $2
2. jimi hendrix: hendrix in the west $3

the review:
unassuming bookstore with a small but amazing record collection. a surprisingly good amount of great albums amongst a bunch of "cheese". was able to find bob dylan, the guess who, the who, hendrix, etc. mixed in with the usual dollar bin records. with crazy garage sale prices. definitely worth a visit.

primitive

location: 3828 rue saint-denis, montreal
phone #: 514-845-6017
my finds:
1. pink floyd: dark side of the moon $8

the review:
packed with records. a lot of everything with a focus in 80's/90's alternative and garage rock. owner is really nice. remembered me from my first visit and let me know of new records that came in. he seems to be constantly getting new stock. prices are very reasonable ranging $7-15. brand new records $20+. also has a wide selection of 45's. smaller but decent cd selection. probably has any record you can think of. don't worry about leaving empty handed unless you don't carry cash (debit and credit card not accepted).

le fox-troc

location: 819 avenue du mont-royal est, montreal
phone#: 514-521-9856
my finds:
1. erykah badu: world wide underground (cd) $8
2. led zeppelin IV $4

the review:
very organized and clean. cool music set-up different than most shops. small but quality vinyl and cd selection with great prices. have found something every time i've visited the store. regrettably passed up a stooges record (marked $4). cd's cover many musical genres with a good alternative and indie section. cd prices range from $7-15. the newer the cd, the higher the price. owner is willing to cut a good deal with multiple purchases. definitely offers quality over quantity.

marche du disque

location: 793 avenue du mont-royal est, montreal
phone #: 514-526-3575
my finds:
1. marvin gaye: in our lifetime $4.99

the review:
huge cd and vinyl collection. vinyl is located in the basement. store has a little bit of everything with a strong classic rock and soul selection. awesome prices ranging $5-10. records in good condition. time needed for good finds.

l'echange

location: 713 ave due mont-royal est, montreal
phone#: 514-523-6389

soundcentral

location: 4486 avenue coloniale, montreal
phone#: 514-393-4495
my finds:
none.

the review:
definitely favours punk and garage rock with less emphasis on vintage and other genres. probably can find decently priced albums. also carries a lot of new records. good if you're into newer groups such as rise against, propagandhi, etc. prices range $8-15.

paul's boutique

location: 112 avenue du mont-royal est, Montreal
phone#: 514-284-7773
my finds:
1. marvin gaye: let's get it on (new, 180 gram vinyl) $15

the review:
small store stacked with records. widest selection in old school hip hop and indie music. with old school hip hop always playing in the background. surprisingly good reggae section. main level has plenty of records but don't forget to take a break and look up where the walls are lined up with cd's. not the cheapest store for used records. prices ranging $9-15. employees are cool and laid back. makes browsing for hours easy and relaxed.


for those interested..below is an interview with the owner by winston ford (aka stone) of "the couch sessions"

beatnick disques

location: 3770 rue saint-denis, montreal
phone#: 514-842-0664
my finds:
1. radiohead: in rainbows (new) $15
2. the doors: strange days $8

the review:
good selection. specializes in collectible vinyl. decent prices if you're into that ranging $20-70. competitive prices on brand new vinyl. fair prices on used records. owner definitely knows his music and sets his prices accordingly. not willing to cut any deal unless you're spending over $100.

8.23.2009

live performances i like







these are awesome takes on already good songs. "annie" (which I have not included) is not on erykah badu's most recent album new amerykah pt.1 ...still waiting on pt.2

8.22.2009

my record player and music

i know it looks sparse...give it time
technics turntable SL-1900