Academy Record Annex

Elite '08

17

230

Henry Y.

Palo Alto, CA

Big enough space to offer a little randomness...they don't have anything I "need" but flipping thru the stacks offers a nostalgia boost. Decent prices. Best for LP's, with most 45s in the drivel department. They have turntables to let you listen before you buy.

I like the random assortment of flyers on the wall: Flipper, The Huns...

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6

20

James G.

Bloomfield, NJ

If you're looking to score some wonderful 7-inches, this is the place to go - You're bound to find some gems (like that Wilco "I'm a Wheel" 7-inch they just happened to have). However, if you're looking to score a cheap LP, you're going to have to look elsewhere. They know what they have and they price it accordingly. That said, they have a LOT. I wait for the day when I pop in there with more than 15 minutes before they close...

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0

9

Ryan M.

Brooklyn, NY

Record stores in NYC are not so awesome. I feel like there is something wrong with every store I go in. Academy is the best one I've been to in my 4 years living here.

The vinyl selection is pretty good and the CD section is getting better. I always find something I want there, but the prices can be kind of steep.

NYC needs Amoeba. Let's all pray.

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2

10

Miguel A.

Los Angeles, CA

I'm from LA where it's hard to find a lot of good records in one hunt, but this place made it seem like people in NY don't buy records too much?  The prices were a lot lower, too.  I found a lot of stuff I usually don't come across.  I just wish I would've visited this place before my last day in NY cuz I ran out of most of my money.  I could've easily spent hundreds of dollars.

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0

9

Roni S.

Brooklyn, NY

I've heard many good things about Academy, so today was my first visit.  The used vinyl I purchased was in good, to very good condition, with no surprises and were priced reasonably.  I feel that Academy is similar to the (now defunct) record stores I grew up with back in Rochester, NY.  The selection at Academy was great, but be advised, it will take more than an hour visit to dig up all those obscure records you have on your want list.

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Elite '08

39

57

Justin C.

Brooklyn, NY

I am not sure how I have gone this long without visiting this store. Reasonably-priced vinyl in NYC? Unheard of.  

You won't find everything here, but you'll find lots of stuff you didn't know you needed to own, and the dollar bins are fantastic: my only complaint is having to crawl around the floor to peruse them.

I am writing this while listening to "Copulatin'," a compilation of blues recordings about intercourse recorded in the 30s and 40s. Where else you gonna find that?

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19

16

Lee M.

Brooklyn, NY

This is the kind of record store that makes browsing fun. Like Justin C. mentioned, you won't find everything here, but you're gonna find tons of interesting records that you forgot you'd like to own.

Unlike every other record store in the neighborhood, I can't walk in here without buying something.

Academy is one of my favorite Saturday afternoon activities.

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8

34

Michael O.

Brooklyn, NY

After spending a few hours searching through the records at the Academy Annex I've decided they have the same problem that Strand Bookstore does - I keep comparing them to the equivilent institutions in Portland, OR.  Strand is nothing compared to Powells and Academy is nothing compared to the record stores in Portland.

Academy does have a complete selection of Rock and I found some of what I wanted - the $1 bins are endless and deserve more attention.  I'll have to go back and look through every one of those.

I suspect that anything I didn't find was sold out or sold online.  Definitely better selection and space than any record store in Manhattan.  Skip Academy on West 18th and On East 10th - and head straight for the borough that's thorough.

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18

23

Brian H.

New York, NY

In a perfect world, I visit Academy Record Annex every day for 3 hours. It's almost too easy to search through their bins, making you wonder what sort of stuff other people grabbed before you got there. I'm especially fond of their 45 boxes which are organized by genre and rarity (high priced stuff behind the counter). The featured reissues and new records usually have an informative writeup which aids in impulse buying. There are two turntables to listen to most used records.  In store music varies by clerk, but is usually pretty good.

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Elite '08

54

136

Jennifer M.

Atlanta, GA

Today I went to the Academy Annex and bought 10 LPs (and one EP) for under $30.  I found a ton of original cast recordings in the $1 boxes.  I actually had to stop looking through the boxes so I would stop seeing things that I wanted.  If this store had a bookstore attached to it, it would probably be better than heaven.

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11

18

Jon W.

Brooklyn, NY

Academy's huge amount of floorspace allows them to offer the best *quality* (aka not just dumpy crates one step removed from a thrift store) selection of records in all of New York. The records are priced to move, so if you want to find a treasure, it really helps to check the new bin (there's a separate one for dance 12"s) religiously or to buy an employee a few drinks so you get the text messages. The new LP selection is very competitive with Kim's or Other Music and offers titles not found there, as the employees seem to have quite a bit of freedom in purchasing decisions. 5 stars!

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Elite '08

15

100

Tony M.

Brooklyn, NY

Love it.  Love it.  Love it.

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