When working in London I think most of my earnings went to the Rough Trade record store in Neal's Yard. I couldn't not buy things every time I went. They recommend great artists, and they have listening stations for whatever you need. All this in a space slightly larger than most bathrooms.
Other Music however, the next best thing in New York City, always annoyed me by never having listening stations. I enjoy the passionate written recommendations, but it's a poor second to discovering a new record in the retail-therapy moment. I've not been into Other Music for months—buying most of my music either online or on vinyl from eBay—even though I work only four blocks away, but today they took a momentous step into the 21st century launching their digital store.
There may be some "selling out" complaints—undeservedly—but they really seem to have done it right first time. There's a growing selection of independent releases, and a lot of hard-to-find material, but the best of both worlds is that even if you're still digging the tactile matter, you can at least preview the content first, which can only mean we all hear even more great new (and old) music. Which is what we go there for in the first place.
Purchase recommendation: Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping by Charlotte Gainsbourg (A version of the song Neil Hannon sings on Air's Pocket Symphony, not available on the European CD version.)
