Exile on Main Street — Local services in Champaign

TL;DR Store is neat, if not hard to get to, records aren't WELL organized, but they're there, the staff (or at least employee posted up) was not organized or helpful.

Long story: I went this past Sunday looking for a preamp for my phono turntable and a copy of Random Access Memories. Called ahead to inquire about both. The phone was answered (better than I can say for some companies locally) but the employee stated that they did not know what audio equipment they had, and didn't know if they had Draft Punk's Random Access Memories album in store, but that I could come in and check.

So I did! I walked in (after having some difficulty with poor door signage; which door is it? Main door, side door?), and the first thing I saw was the album art of RAM postered to the counter! I exclaimed and said "that's the one I'm looking for!" The employee whooped too, but when I asked where I could find it, they not only couldn't tell me where in the records it may be, but also didn't know if it was in stock.

So I went back into the records nook and spent about 20 minutes combing through pop, electronic, and another section only to not find it. Went to the little stage area, didn't find it. Went to the new in store section across the CDs and cassettes. No dice.

Finally after about 30 minutes of meandering unsuccessfully I asked if the shop had an inventory system, and if they could tell me if they stocked the album. Nope.

Defeated, I remembered that I had another item I needed to look for...THE PREAMP! So I asked for the audio equipment area to peruse, and was pointed towards a small glass cabinet that had some turntables and maybe one or two other things. That was the selection of audio stuff the employee was too flustered by to help me over the phone.

The store has chill vibes, and has a very unique personality to it. I could easily see myself getting lost in there and I almost bought a Metallica Black album. But I didn't because of a combination of how unhelpful the employee was and something they said to me on the phone before I arrived, "I don't know, I only work here once a week." They were the only employee in the store on Sunday, and as unhelpful as they were, reading their books while myself and others browsed, not once asking if we needed anything, and not being able to answer questions regarding stock of items they have plastered on their front counter and standing as 5'6" cardboard cutouts guarding the entryway to the record area did this a two star rating for me.

Yeah, it was...

Its a drag to drive a distance....in this case from Indy to Champaign and go to one garbag-y record shop to a so-so establishment. E.O.M.S. does not just sell lps and cd's...but those pesky games (most likely they wouldnt be in biz, if they just sold music products!)

The album selection is 'alright' if one doesnt mind spending 14.99 for a used copy of a Brothers Johnson lp!!!! The new vinyl , more or less, revolves around the 'indy' scene. So what else is new, right? The used section is quite limited-nothing really exciting, esp in their small jazz section. Same goes for the r&b racks too!

The clerk behind the counter was digging on some ole Beach Boys/Brian Wilson toons. Happened to pick up the new Stooges lp, to which the young gentleman said.....ah thats a good pick, at least I think most of the time for any Stooges album. To which I said, well do you have the new Paul Weller album? He went on the computer and went over to the cd racks-the W section. Then I said, Im looking for it on record (already looked at the new vinyl section) Then the kid said, yeah I stock the records, but am a bit lazy in putting them in any real order! Hmmm??!! Didnt come out with anything! Next.....back to either Ear-X-Tacy, Shake It Records, J&L Records, and Vons....and they are NOT in Champaign!!!! Smart shoppers will go...

This is easily the best record shop in Champaign-Urbana. They specialize in contemporary indie bands and other music that isn't quite mainstream, but they also stock a selection of relevant classics, especially if they're recently re-issued on vinyl. The stock is not huge, so you're not necessarily going to find every record by every artist they stock, but they're also good about ordering music for you if you can't find it.

They have a decent selection of used CDs, DVDs, and vinyl. The LP prices are low, although the used CD and DVD prices are a bit high. Fortunately, they have frequent sales, which serves to both save you money and insure that their stock changes reasonably quickly.

They have the requisite selection of vintage console games, zines, ironic buttons, and other kitschy stuff. I can take it or leave it. For me, it's about the music and they do it really well.

The owner is a cool guy with great taste and usually has something nice to say about your selections, provided you're not fishing a Kenny G LP out of the dollar bin. There's no pretense here; just a guy that likes helping people enjoy music.

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