Buying physical copies of music is a pleasure that is becoming less and less common as the era of online music continues, but there’s nothing like holding a CD or vinyl from your favorite band. I admit, I’m a religious user of Spotify premium, but I still like supporting smaller artists by purchasing their whole album in its physical form (side note: a lot goes into the album art, believe it or not). Finding obscure or less popular music can be difficult when you aren’t buying online, but some stores have vast selections and include most genres. Denver in particular has numerous record shops that sell vinyl and CDs, but which ones are the best? These are just a couple of the cool spots to buy music in Denver, but now that Urban Outfitters is apparently the country’s most popular seller of vinyl, it’s nice to give the local spots some support.

 

Twist and Shout, 2508 E Colfax Ave

This is, hands down, the best record store in Denver. In fact, It’s probably one of the best record stores I’ve ever been to. Twist & Shout has one of the biggest selections of records in Denver, and encompasses genres from rock to pop to electronica to house music to soundtracks. The shop sells both used and new records that usually run about $25 a pop  (unless it’s a rare record—there’s no limit as to how much special presses cost). Vinyl are more popular here, but CDs are available, used and new. Twist & Shout is usually fairly priced, sometimes running on the higher end. If you need a record, check here first.

 

Wax Trax Records, 638 E 13th Ave

If you’re looking for used vinyl, this is the place to go. Wax Trax sells used records at very low prices, mostly $5 and under. The store has a distinct, grungy feel to it, and customers will find lots of punks and rockers shopping here (but other genres like classical and international are sold there, too). Wax Trax also sells new vinyl at decent prices. The store has a reputation for having extremely knowledgeable and kind employees, so if you have a question or can’t find something, don’t be afraid to ask.

 

Angelo’s CDs & More, 937 E Colfax Ave

Angelo’s is a small chain comprised of four stores, but one resides right down the street from Twist & Shout. Personally, I prefer Twist & Shout, but Angelo’s is a perfectly fine option. It’s not as extensive, but it’s conveniently located right next door the Ogden Theater, and when I’m too early for a show I like to peruse through the aisles. CDs make up a good majority of the product, but vinyl is also available. If you’re looking for music by relatively unknown artists, Angelo’s might not be for you. But it has most of the more popular artists.

 

Honorable Mention: Mutiny Information Cafe might sell mostly books, but they have a small section of vinyl dedicated to strictly local music. Sweet.