The Rhythm Section — Local services in Gatlinburg

We took a family vacation to Gatlinburg a few years ago. The first thing I did before we left was look for local record stores to check out during our visit.

I found this place after a quick Google search and it was an easy walk from where we were staying. It's located inside The Mountain Mall.

Granted, the store itself is a little small but they pack in a ton of stuff in that space. Plus, it reminded me of the record stores I used to go to growing up. Even though it's in a city that's known for being a tourist hotbed, everyone working in the store seemed to have a genuine love of music.

I probably could have stayed in there a lot longer than I did but I didn't want to bore the wife and the boy.

I ended up getting a few things. I picked up Pearl Jam's Unplugged Album on vinyl which I didn't get a chance to buy when it was released as a part of Record Store Day in 2019.

I also found an unofficial vinyl release called "Pearl Jam – The Broadcasts 1992". It has a ton of the band's performances from stuff like SNL and the MTV VMAs included on it. A really nice find.

Whether you're a local or in town for a vacation visit, take a day and check out this place. Their inventory is...

Rhythm section more like RIPOFF section! My friend bought a album yesterday that had a slight opening at the bottom, the person ringing it up was told it was opened and acknowledged it and said she could exchange it if anything was wrong when opening. So when she opened a little later...yep, some of the merch inside was GONE. She went back to get an exchange because their policy says exchange only, which is fine, and when she went back in she saw the same person who checked her out. She explained what happened and reminded them that it was opened a little before purchasing and that they said she could exchange it if there was anything wrong. Stuffs missing from the product she bought from them...so of course she wants to exchange it! Tell me why the manager comes out and accuses her of stealing the stuff in it? When there's all this proof there was tampering to the product beforehand and she was told she could exchange it upon purchase if there really was something wrong with it? Her friend even recorded her opening it incase there was something missing!

You made a great day horrible by accusing her of stealing. You should really do better Mr....

My previous review for the store was pretty good, but it could have been then more like this one will be. Years ago I really loved this place; I could find almost anything I could possibly think of that couldn't be found in most other places in the area. This time, however, I have to say I'm disappointed. I realize clientele changes over time, but The Rhythm Section has devoted too much space to movies, and taken on too much of a "head shop" vibe. Screens for water faucets? Right. With phone in hand, I shopped alphabetically for music I needed for my collection and found absolutely none of it on the shelves. I know they can order anything, but I go there to buy and take it home "today."

I did find some music DVDs that I picked up, but the change of environment is disappointing. It's been a "must visit" for me for 30+ years but, based on my last couple of visits, the excitement level has waned a bit. Lose the movies and the head shop stuff, and...