The Top 5 CD Stores in Milwaukee
The Exclusive Company has locations all over the city. My own preference is for the store at 5026 South 74th St. (just a few doors down from Half Price Books). They always have a huge and varied selection of compact discs and a lot of DVDs as well. The prices are some of the lowest in the city for new productâÂ?¦ especially if you pay with cash. You get a reduced rate if you’re not paying with a credit card. Each price tag handily points out how much money you can save with a cash transaction. If you plan on buying a pile of discs it really pays to hit the cash machine on the way there. They have a lot of obscure offerings from a lot of obscure artistsâÂ?¦ and, of course, all the popular new stuff. The number to call for the South 74th St. location is 414-281-6644. The other stores can be found at 1669 S. Farwell Ave. (414-271-8590), 9180 N. Green Bay Road (414-354-3713), 16750 W. Blue Mound Road (262-789-0881) and 144 N. Main West Bend (262-334-7101)
Sam Goody is a decent enough fallback place if what you want to buy isn’t too obscure. It’s not bad considering that it’s a mall outlet. They have a great selection of all the current stuffâÂ?¦ anything that comes from a major company can be found there. You might even luck out and find an occasional rare, independent release. However, if what you want to purchase is truly non-mainstream fare then you would probably be better off going elsewhere. Sam Goody has locations at Bay Shore Shopping Center (414-964-8899), Brookfield Square (262-784-1887), Grand Avenue Mall (414-271-9186), Mayfair Mall (414-476-5600) and Southridge Mall (414-421-7802).
Atomic Records has more of the funky, too-cool atmosphere that true lovers of alternative music crave. This is not your fancy mall outlet store with the clean-cut teen robo-managers. This place is run and staffed by people who love the type of music that they sell. You’ll find lots and lots of obscure and offbeat music here. If you can’t find what you want here at least they’ll be able to tell you where you can get itâÂ?¦ or they’ll even order it for you. You might want to go elsewhere if you’re looking for the latest Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera releaseâÂ?¦ not only will they not have it but they are probably going to make fun of you behind your back for even asking. Atomic Records in located in the cool, college-friendly part of town at 1813 E. Locust. The number to call is 414-332-3663.
Record Head on 7035 West Greenfield Ave does not have a ton of new stuff but they get a few newer discs in now and then. What they do have is a great selection of used CDs (as well as DVDs, VHS tapes and video games)âÂ?¦ and a lot of other cool paraphernalia of interest to music fans. They have a lot of obscure and hard-to-find items on hand. Take the time to browse their well-stocked shelves and you have no idea what treasures you might unearth. Every Sunday they open up their basement which stocks thousands of (mostly used) CDs at rock bottom prices from fifty cents to three dollars apiece. It’s a bargain hunter’s paradise! Call them at 414-453-3900
Ear Wax can be found at 2192 South 60th St. If dark clothes and chains and dark heavy metal are your thing, this is the place to be. They have a great selection of new and used items (as well as T-shirts, alternative magazines and other cultural artifacts) of interest to hardcore punks and metal heads alike. Just like at Atomic Records, the staff loves what they sell and so they are quite a bit more knowledgeable than your average Sam Goody employee. If you have some specific requests they can definitely help you out. You can try phoning at 414-332-9206 and hope they can hear you over the music!
