05/21/04

Best independent record store in NYC

by barriexcore

Indeed Generation is a haven for punk, hardcore and metal, but you will also find a good selection of new and used classic rock, 80's, New Wave, jazz, blues, reggae, ska, and indie rock as well. Upstairs is a great spot for new, cheaper-than-a-chain store priced CD's, and the listening station. Downstairs is possibly the best spot in town for new and used CD's, vinyl LP's and 7-inches, music T-shirts, videos and DVD's. I've definitely spent hours in this store looking through the record bins. One of the only stores in NYC that caters to the underground music scene and more.

• Pros: great selection, great prices

08/14/03

New York is still a punk planet. Buy its soundtrack here.

by Contributor

The Scene
Generation is the place in Manhattan to head to if you're a fan of hardcore, punk or metal: The backwards ball-capped, pierced clerks will easily be able to tell you which Converge record is the best, and you can be sure they'll have it in stock, too. You'll likely be treated to some newish hardcore or grindcore over the house stereo; the same kind of wares populate the listening stations by the counter. They'll mix it up with some prog rock at times, though, and somewhat incongruously, the TVs bolted to the ceiling just might show your favorite "Seinfeld" episode.

The Goods
Upstairs, Generation's CD racks are jam-packed with releases from Gorilla Biscuits to Joy Division (the extensive collection of Radiohead imports and singles is noteworthy too), and the walls are lined with vinyl, new (Chemical Brothers) and old (early Samhain, $50). Downstairs you'll find nearly every hardcore hooded-sweatshirt ever screened, an intense collection of live VHS bootlegs (Napalm Death, $20), tons of old vinyl, 7-inches and posters.

03/09/03

Hidden Gem

by blatantdream

This is a great record store that has such a wide selection of CD's, records, and T-Shirts. The best thing about this store is the used records section downstairs even though it smells like an attic and is very dusty. They always change/add to their inventory frequently. But beware, if you don't snag that rare item, you wont see it the next time you visit. I learned the hard way. They stock a lot of hard to find CD's and limited pressing vinyls. Make sure you have time to sift through what they have, you never know what you'll find. I found a full length original 12" for just 49 cents! They also have the biggest section devoted just to metal CD's I've ever seen in any store. The prices are always cheaper than any other record store so if you're in the neighborhood check it out.

• Pros: Changing inventory, low prices, large selection
• Cons: Parking maybe, dusty lower level