RECORD STORE REVIEW: Rasputin on Haight

Do you remember buying records? Going into the store and shuffling through bins of over-sized vinyl discs? Studying the artwork? Reading the liner notes? At last, taking your record home, peeling off the plastic, and carefully removing it from its sleeve, so as not to get fingerprints on it? Dropping it on the turntable, lowering the needle, hearing the first crackle as it slides into the grooves and then plopping into your beanbag chair and really listening to the full album, in its entirety? Some of the most epic rock groups of all time, made albums that were meant to be listened to as entire entities, created as complete experiences; Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Doors come to mind. And then iTunes came along ushering in a new age of digital downloads, that cost less than a buck and less than a minute to have a tune twanging in your ears. If you're anything like me, and you still prefer those Frisbee shaped slabs over digital, then we are cooler than we realize. Records are having a renaissance. According to Nielson SoundScan data, 3.9 million records were sold in 2011; and sales were up 16.3% from that in 2012. Many record users say that they have a fuller or warmer sound than digital, and this may be true. It could also be as simple as we humans, still needing those few moments of 'me' time to sit idly by and get lost in a musical journey, from the comfort of our bean bag, while basking in the glow of our lava lamp. Either way, there are tons of great indie record stores across the country--(asides from the behemoth that is Amoeba!) We thought we would start sharing some with you. First up; Rasputin! Rasputin is actually the largest chain of independent record stores in the bay area. They have been around since 1971, with their first store in Berkeley. Until recently, I was a regular at the Union Square location, trudging down on the #38--(undeniably the bumpiest bus in the City), but with the distinct advantage of having a stop right in front of my favorite Irish pub on Johnny Foley's on O'Farrell . It is with GREAT sadness that I discovered, this location closed, boarded up and gone, on the winds of high rent, gentrification and modernization.

However, the Haight location is alive and well. Last year, the clerk at the Union locastion had asked me if I knew they had opened in the Haight? I was stoked at the news and asked her where, in which she replied, and I will quote, "I'm not really sure, but it's a really cool building with a mural on the outside." For those who have never been to the Haight, that is EVERY building in the Haight, a neighborhood where the street is art.

The Haight is one of my very favorite neighborhoods. I never get tired of coming here. The colors, the texture, the character is something to be experienced. Rasputin Music at 1672 Haight Street is literally in the hub of the scene. The #33, #71 or #43 buses all stop right here. A block or two in either direction finds you feasting and drinking on the best food and brew around no matter what your budget. There's Alembic a fantastic cocktail bar, Magnolia a high end gastropub and brewery, Hobson's Choice; an eclectic Victorian Rum House with cheap drinks, Cha-Cha-Cha an inexpensive tacqeria and so much more.

The first thing you will notice about Rasputin is that it is clean and well kept. The murals are intact, the floors are clean, no gum stuck to the outside, no dog crap to gauntlet your way through. In the Haight, this is something of note. The store itself is bigger than you might originally think; filled with all things music; shirts, DVD's, CD's, Bu-Rays---and of course, vinyl! This is a record lover's paradise! The sections are divided into logical genres; jazz, rock, indie punk, classical, world, soundtracks, etc...The top shelves contain new, remastered and box sets; Nirvana, Jethro Tull, Janis, Led Zeppelin and on and on. The main shelves are where dreams come true. Here you have everything and priced to move! $1.95 and up! The next shelf down has the $1.00 records and one more shelf down, you find .50 cent records. I have found treasures and purchased from all of the shelves. The quality in the dollar bins, are actually pretty great. Of course there is new vinyl here as well, with an average price point of about $13.95. Almost eighties prices! My only complaint about the vinyl section is I wish there was more of it.

It's true, this store is not Amoeba. Amoeba is bigger--(ridiculously huge actually); and some may prefer that. But this is a nice sized store, with a reasonable selection, great prices and lots of little gems tucked away. It's definitely worth the visit and a great addition to The Haight.

Support your local record store today!

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