Atlanta’s Feelgood Record Store
I went by Criminal Records this morning after the gym to pick up a little something for the husband’s birthday. I was in official Soccer Mom uniform, replete with minivan in the parking lot and toddler on my hip. I walked right in to a friendly “hello,” and a “Let me know if I can help you with anything.” I told the guy at the counter what I wanted (wish I could reveal the purchase, but that wouldn’t make for much of a surprise for the husband, who reads us daily, now would it?) He replied with a “Coming right up. Anything else?” I told him I thought I’d browse for a minute. Walked around, saw about a kajillion things that I wanted, then headed up to the counter to finalize the purchase. “Anything else?” he said
I paused for a minute, knowing I should show some restraint, then told him I’d also take the new ______. “Excellent choice. Great album,” he said.
No sullen looks. No snort of derision at my selection, or evidence of disgust at my mom outfit, or my child. Just friendly service and me coming away thinking when was the last time I felt that good coming out of a big-box music store, or too-cool-for-school Wuxtry or Wax N’ Facts? Um, never. I know one of us says this about once a week, but I just wanted to reiterate: Give Criminal Records your money. (They will give you CDs, and a smile, in exchange.)
Is the “blank” album Justin Timberlake, perchance?
I hear it’s good.
Just curious.
Criminal absolutely rocks. I remember buying what seemed to be half the store a few years ago after getting stuck at Kolo.
HAH! well you know how i feel about the place annie. the best store in atlanta :-))
thanks for the Cd’s, darlin.
and hell NO it’s not the new Justin Timberlake. If she gave me that for my birthday, we’d have to have a little discussion.
For the curious – it’s the new Yo La Tengo, and the new-ish Johnny Cash “American V: A Hundred Highways”.
Todd, I’m sure she will say “I am not afraid you and I will beat your ass” if you try and find out.
Look, I’m not into it but supposedly ther is no shame in the new Timberlake/timberland, it’s being reviewed as something as avant garde as anything out there.
But they are just as nice at Wax n Facts and earwax. Wuxtry are assholes, yes, but some people need that as part of their record store experience. And all of the above are good stores (though Wuxtry is very weak on rap and Earwax is weak on rock)
I have heard the same about the JT, although i think it is all Timbaland, not JT – my sister in fact loves it. I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it.
Re: Wax nfacts.wuxtry.earwax: WnF are not as nice, in my experience. Maybe you just get the nice treatment because you pass the “cool” test. One time in high school, i was in there and a kid wanted to buy the Fugazi poster with Ian Mackaye upside down on it? Well, they gave her a similar one, but the wrong one. She asked for them to give her the correct one. The bitch working the counter told her to “Just turn the fucking thing upside down.” Nice customer service skills.
to each his own, but Criminal is getting my dollar.