Stayin' Alive: Record Stores in NYC

American record stores seem to be slipping ever faster into the forgotten realm of yesterday, but in NYC, they're not going down without a fight. With dozens of shops left standing, many of them independent and undeniably unique, New York offers natives and visitors alike plenty of opportunities to hunt and collect their favorite albums in varying comfort and style.

For lovers of that timeless record store atmosphere, be sure to check out Rough Trade or one of a couple of Academy Records locations. If you're a connoisseur of the eclectic and obscure, give Earwax Records a try. For those who prefer to hunt for album titles alongside a little bit of everything else under the sun, there are unusual gems like The Thing and Black Gold (the latter not only caters to music and coffee fans, but also admirers of taxidermy). If, like me, your passion for supporting local music and small business rivals that of your love of records, Other Music may be the place for you.

These shops only begin to scratch the surface of what remains of the hard copy music scene in the city. Whether you're a DJ scouring for new sounds or a nostalgic collector looking for the Record that Got Away, rest assured, there's a home for you here.

Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org.