Chicago Record Stores-The Last of a Dying Breed? (An essay)

That elusive, yet ultimately fulfilling feeling you get when you find That Sound. That eerily familiar sound you've been looking for; that ridiculous new band your friend told you about; that intellectual MC who's been saying all the right things at precisely the right time; that music that is somehow a life full of memories for one person, yet completely brand new for the new listener; that feeling, that sound lives at the remaining independent record stores across the country, but I want to tell you why Chicago's, in particular, are second to none.

Whether you're an old school, hard core collector of records, CDs, and the like or just looking to supplement your iTunes with some actual finished products, Chicago's record store community will hook you up with what you need to bolster your musical aptitude. Some people take their music more seriously than others. I am one of those serious musical aficianados, so I want other like minded folks to be able to get the most out of their musical lifestyle while they are here in Chicago. 3 things you will need (and if you don't know, you better ask somebody!):

1.) An unparalleled understanding of the history of music in Chicago
2.) An appreciation of what other cities' music stores have to offer
3.) An open mind to the evolution of all types of music

Every city I've visited, I've checked out their respectful record shops. I've been to the closest competition in New York. I've seen Seattle's best. If they sold records at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland would be worth mentioning. DC was disappointing. Kansas City has some cool, ecclectic selections. St. Louis needs a savior. Even little Dayton, OH beats St. Louis. I'm on my way to Boston this summer to see what they have to offer. Now I realize Los Angeles and San Francisco are not represented on my short list of best, but I doubt anyone is actually reading this, let alone someone from the West Coast, so I promise, I'll get there. Yet I digress...While I realize it takes more than just a 2week trip to any city to fully grasp what they're all about, I'm here to make a statement that Chicago's crop of record stores is the best in the country based on a few criteria:

*knowledge/open mindedness of staff
*selection/relevance of music in house
*music the staff chooses to play on the overhead speakers
*community involvement, if any
*experience/cool factor/overall vibe in store

Buying records (or buying CDs, for that matter) is becoming somewhat of a lost art, similar to the lost art of conversation in that both art forms are not generally considered by the masses as actual art mediums. When was the last time you visited the National Conversation Museum or the Record Collector Hall of Fame? I am not suggesting either of these art forms need such museums, just that they reemerge into the forefront of what makes us human. After all, the word "human" is derived from the Latin meaning "reverberation of sound." With that being said, I present to you Chicago's Cream of the Crop Record Shops:

(RIP) Revolver Records
Pilsen (set to reopen this year)

Groovin' High, Inc.
Lakeview (call first, as Joe is cool but not always open)

Laurie's Planet of Sound
Lincoln Square

Hard Boiled
Roscoe Village

Deadwax
North Center

Hyde Park Records
umm...Hyde Park

Reckless Records (I don't care what anyone says, they rule supreme! that's why they have 3 locations, dummy.)
Lakeview
Downtown
Wicker Park

I truly hope to open up some dialogue here, and if I've inspired you to support your local record shop, then all is well in the world. I urge you to take pride in what your area of the world's music provides. If it sucks, make it better. If it's any good, let me know, and I'll check it out and let you know for sure. That concludes this edition of Why Chicago's Awesome. Join me next time, as topics will range from Totem Poles to George Carlin.

Peace and Love(...and Music!),
T

A Higher Par

Fantastically blasted-superbly sober?

Is ignorance just indigenous to humans?

Is the opportunity for revolution over?

Hell no, not as long as I'm alive vibin'

Hello, can you hear me? If you do then start signin'

The petition to commission a new day,

A new start,

A fresh wave,

A higher par

for the course's ways...