Among New York City's great places to look for music of all kinds in all forms.
Bleecker Street Records, 239 Bleecker St. at Sixth Avenue and Carmine Street, 212-255-7899.
What doesn't this large, two-level West Village store have? Besides the usual Tower Records fare (for less-than-corporate prices), they've got Ethel Merman's "Gypsy" for 99 cents, an original Alex Chilton album ($15), rows of 45s, posters covering decades of heartthrobs and a box of cult '80s tunes. It's fun to peruse for new and old bands, or simply listen to other shoppers' gasps of delight as they find, say, that Wham! record they haven't heard since prom.
Colony Music Center, 1619 Broadway at 49th Street, 212-265-2050, www.colonykaraoke.com.
Open since 1948, this Times Square shop has sheet music and songbooks for every taste (or lack thereof) and instrument, from A (accordion) to V (viola). They also have an astounding CD collection and the "biggest karaoke selection in the world." Best feature: glass cases filled with music memorabilia, such as a Beatles "Yellow Submarine" alarm clock ($1,195), Madonna nesting dolls ($100) and a Michael Jackson puppet ($400).
Other Music, 15 E. Fourth St. between Broadway and Lafayette Street, 212-477-8150, www.othermusic.com.
A fave haunt of DJs seeking new spins and scruffy youngsters looking for the next It band, this is music you really won't find in any other place — like Cambodian rock, La Decadanse and Krautrock. For the clueless, a board lists staff suggestions, such as Princess Nicotine. The East Village shop also hosts in-store events and sells concert tickets to bands you most likely have never heard of. Prices from $6 to $20-plus.
Rebel Rebel. 319 Bleecker St. between Christopher and Grove streets, 212-989-0770.
This West Village indie store stands out because, says an employee, "We like what we sell." That means no Britney or Beyonce but lots of experimental tunes and imports that won't be heavily rotated on MTV (that's a good thing). More exotic offerings rest in bins labeled "trans-hypnotizing," "ambient" and "Afro-house."
St. Mark's Sounds, 16 and 20 St. Mark's Place, 212-677-3444 and 212-677-2727.
St. Mark's Sounds has two locations (across from each other) and twin appeals: It has a vast assortment of box sets and is the cheapest place around. Ray Charles and Earth, Wind and Fire, among others, fall into the former category; prices $12.99 and (way) under fit into the latter. No luck for jazz or classical music listeners, but you can find all other styles, including most soundtracks that have graced the screen or stage.