Best Independent Record Stores in New York City. Before fans went online for music, they got in line. And though the information age has made acquiring one's jams more convenient, there's still plenty to be said for the irreplaceable value of brick-and-mortar record shops—where Facebook won't automatically generate a post announcing "Billy just bought Business as Usual by Men at Work on vinyl"—instead of the cold digital expanse of Spotify or iTunes. As a matter of fact, US record sales climbed by 32 percent in 2013. Whether you're looking for the latest release from Diiv, classic salsa by Héctor Lavoe or a well-worn copy of H20 by Hall & Oates, there's one thing you'll be sure to find at these music dispensaries: the human touch. (And if you're looking for Rick Springfield's "Human Touch," you may also be in luck.)
By the way, as long as you've got records on your mind, check out our roundup of famous New York City album cover locations. Rough Trade NYC The newest major arrival on the NYC record-store scene is this London import. Good Records NYC - We Buy Records. The Thing. Brooklyn – Greenpoint Map Data Map data ©2015 Google Photo: Malcolm Brown. Fifth Avenue Records & Tapes - Park Slope - Brooklyn, NY. Permanent Records. Black Gold. Brooklyn – Carroll Gardens Map Data Map data ©2015 Google Photo: Rebecca Prusinowski. Music Matters - South Slope - Brooklyn, NY. Academy Records. Manhattan – Flatiron District.