Generation Records
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Type of Place: Record Shops/Vinyl
Description:
Indie record shops are part of a dying generation (pun absolutely intended). That being said, we can all thank our lucky rock-stars for Generation Records, sister to Bleecker Street Records and busting at the seams with a massive collection of used and new vinyl, CDs, DVDs (including bootleg), posters, band and plain black T-shirts (every rocker’s must). I never seen so many T-shirts shoved into a single space – you should visit GR just to see this phenomenon.
Now, a majority of Generation’s clientele whine that the customer service here is not great. I say it’s hit or miss. Most feel the staff is downright rude and “too cool for school”. In my opinion it’s really not that bad – and if it is, it’s a small price to pay for the smaller prices you will find tagged onto some of the most hard-to-find records in all of New York City. If you’re fortunate enough, you’ll run into Zach Galifianakis’ doppelganger, a stocky dude with a reddish beard and a quip and a quirk that will have you either guffawing or saying “huh?!” as you continue tune scavenging.
Generation’s collection carries all genres: indie rock, punk, hardcore, world music, hip-hop, reggae, R&B, jazz, industrial and more including collector imported vinyl. If you can’t find it anywhere you will find it here, and if you don’t, they will order it for you. While the records are in mint condition, you’ll have to do some serious digging, as organization is not this shop’s #1 priority.
Listen: the gems are in the basement. The first floor holds top-dollar new releases, used records at $20 + a piece and CDs about $17 a pop and other astronomically priced items. Enter the discount dungeon, however, and get ready to shop. In short, I’ve felt euphoric as I sift through records including 45s for $2.99 – $5.99 each and a 99-cent bin that my friends have often had to literally claw me away from. Don’t be afraid to rock the boatloads of product here, as you are sure to find that record you’ve been searching eons for. My last purchase here included 2 Police, 2 Men at Work, 1 Barry White, 1 Taking Heads and 1 Tesla record for a total of $45. The T-shirts and posters (particularly a killer Clockwork Orange poster and a Breakfast Club T) constantly whisper “Buy me now,” but at $20/each, but I’d rather use that cash for more tunes.
For serious treasure, prepare for a trip to Generation Records. Also, prepare to enter a space blasting death metal and roaming with cats. Most of all, prepare to re-assess your monthly budget and pencil in more mullah for your head-banging essentials.
Generation Records
210 Thompson St (3rd St & Bleecker)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 254-1100
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