Amoeba L.A. is just as good as its Bay Area counterparts -- a good selection of CDs and vinyl and just as much attitude (tm) from the clerks. I find myself wondering if these people realize that... More

Amoeba L.A. is just as good as its Bay Area counterparts -- a good selection of CDs and vinyl and just as much attitude (tm) from the clerks. I find myself wondering if these people realize that they just have a retail job -- sure, it's fun working with music all day but lighten up! That being said, it is the largest and most comprehensive record store in L.A. Definitely worth a trip.
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What? You haven't heard the latest hip-hop album to come out of France? Okay, me either, so I headed up to my new favorite record store of all time, Amoeba Music, on Sunset. With everything in... More

What? You haven't heard the latest hip-hop album to come out of France? Okay, me either, so I headed up to my new favorite record store of all time, Amoeba Music, on Sunset. With everything in stock, from Britney Spears to Brit Pop, you will always find what you want, and my guess is, probably walk out with more than you planned on. If you can't find your favorite, for some reason, their amazing staff will immediately come to your rescue. The loudspeaker can often be heard asking for help on finding things-- "Japanese Techno-Bluegrass from the late '70s anybody got a clue??" The staff, sprinkled throughout the store, hard at work, really care about music, and they care even more that your experience with music is all it can be, whatever your tastes. Don't be intimidated by something you're not sure about and want to try, the vibe here is so non-pretentious and welcoming that you'll leave feeling cooler than you walked in, regardless of what's in your bright yellow shopping bag. Amoeba opened its first store in Berkeley in 1990, inspired by independent record stores of yesteryear. Now with huge additions in San Francisco and Hollywood, they maintain that small specialty store vibe despite the towering walls covered in vintage concert posters and old LP covers, the second floor of DVDs and soundtracks galore, and the friendly security bag check in front. Low on funds this month? Remember that 'NSync CD you bought to listen to in college before you went out for a night on the town? Yes, yes, treasured memories, but they're worth money, to someone out there, and you can sell them to Amoeba for cash, or a few dollars more of credit. They'll even take your old DVDs, LPs, and VHS tapes. Not sure what to do with that cash? Amoeba's helpful staff is once again to the rescue. They put out a self made paper 'zine of their favorite staff picks called "MUSIC WE LIKE" and it's free, so you've no excuse. They're also known for their free concerts held on the store's stage for those in the know, so for more details, directions and dish, head to the store immediately or check out their site. This is a definite treasure trove worth digging around in. Bring a protein bar, you might end up there all day... Amoeba Music 6400 Sunset Blvd Hollywood CA 323-245-6400
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Music aficionados would always need a home, thus Amoeba Music was spawned. The sense of place claims a warehouse atmosphere, white and standard with the countless music posters and artwork on the... More

Music aficionados would always need a home, thus Amoeba Music was spawned. The sense of place claims a warehouse atmosphere, white and standard with the countless music posters and artwork on the wall that suggests a sense of colorful frenzy. There are many layers of rows of plastic: CDs, LPs, DVDs, Lasers, Videos, Tapes. Amoeba Music is an independent music chain in Berkeley, San Francisco, and Hollywood, California. It first opened on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley in 1990. The Southern California location was added in November 2001, the store opened a new branch in Hollywood, on Los Angeles' legendary Sunset Boulevard (at Cahuenga Boulevard.) (See article.) At the time of its opening, the store was planned to stock as many as 250,000 titles, which would place the store among the largest independent music stores in the world. According to Los Angeles Times writer Michael Hiltzik, the location "instantly became a Hollywood landmark." [1] The L.A. location, at 31,000 square feet, is, it claims, the world's largest indie store. What’s a bonus is that the stores are staffed by serious record freaks who are experts on everything in stock. A large portion of the stores' business is in used merchandise. Patrons of the store can sell their used music and movies to the store for half of the retail value in cash or 2/3 supposed retail value in store credit. This can be credited to the huge success in earnings despite the profit downfall in the music industry. The California chain (with stores in Berkeley, San Francisco and L.A.) makes up to sixty percent profit on used CDs, while commercial chains are stuck eking out a twenty percent markup on new CDs alone. "Big retailers can't keep business going on those margins," says Karen Pearson, co-owner of the L.A. store, "and the consumer gets cheated and pissed off."
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This is the best music store in town, hands down. Parking is a bit of a pain, but once you get in, you can lose an hour (or two) of your life. There's a small but decently stocked dvd area upstairs... More

This is the best music store in town, hands down. Parking is a bit of a pain, but once you get in, you can lose an hour (or two) of your life. There's a small but decently stocked dvd area upstairs also. And don't miss the jazz room. They have a very cool collection of posters, and my girlfriend has threatened on more than one occassion to clutter the house with them.
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If you love vinyl records and/or are looking for something different, you’re going to love Amoeba Music. This place has rock-bottom prices (you can probably find something for a dollar). It has also... More

If you love vinyl records and/or are looking for something different, you’re going to love Amoeba Music. This place has rock-bottom prices (you can probably find something for a dollar). It has also has a great selection of DVDs and CDs. I can spend hours browsing here. Staff is friendly and helpful!
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I think that if music is important to you and you live close enough to it, you should visit an Amoeba music store. It differs from the other big music store chains in the sense that it has more... More

I think that if music is important to you and you live close enough to it, you should visit an Amoeba music store. It differs from the other big music store chains in the sense that it has more "off the beaten path" music, as well as the better-known chart topping hits.
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Taking up half a city block on Sunset in the heart of Hollywood is Amoeba Music. This gigantic 2 story warehouse of a store has anything and everything: new and used CDs and records; posters; DVDs... More

Taking up half a city block on Sunset in the heart of Hollywood is Amoeba Music. This gigantic 2 story warehouse of a store has anything and everything: new and used CDs and records; posters; DVDs (upstairs), imports, oldies, jazz, etc etc. The store also frequently features live appearances, which is a great way to find out about new artists. If you're looking for something obscure, or even if you aren't, start your search here.
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Probably the best record store in LA. Large selection of CDs and vinyls. You can sell your old CDs and DVDs for either cash or store credit. Some CDs are sorta on the pricey side like Dramarama's... More

Probably the best record store in LA. Large selection of CDs and vinyls. You can sell your old CDs and DVDs for either cash or store credit. Some CDs are sorta on the pricey side like Dramarama's greatest hits CD was about $18.99 so I found it cheaper on Ebay. Lines usually look long, but it moves rather quickly. Their parking lot can be pretty full but you can park at the Arclight Cinemas and get your parking validated.
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This store on sunset is a temple of music!! You can find about just ANYTHING that you were looking for from old to new CDs, vinyls, tapes. They also have like DVDs now. The prices are unbeatable!! I... More

This store on sunset is a temple of music!! You can find about just ANYTHING that you were looking for from old to new CDs, vinyls, tapes. They also have like DVDs now. The prices are unbeatable!! I bought 2 box of DVDs and 3 CDs for under one hundred dollars!! You can also bring in your CDs and they will buy it back from you. So that's how they can keep their prices low. You can also listen to any CD with their scanning system, so I love it!
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The best thing about Amoeba Music is that they have a huge selection of new and used CDs, records and DVDs, along with some vintage posters and other music collectibles. If you are looking for... More

The best thing about Amoeba Music is that they have a huge selection of new and used CDs, records and DVDs, along with some vintage posters and other music collectibles. If you are looking for something relatively obscure, you have an even-money chance that they will have it. Their prices on new CDs aren't too bad, but I object to their used prices. Used CDs shouldn't cost more than $9, at least not in most cases. They have a good selection, but too much of their used inventory is overpriced. What's the sense in paying that kind of money? It's a good place to go if you have some idea of what you are looking for, but I seldom find those items there that I do at other stores
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