Additionally

I rate the Electric Fetus with some indifference. The hierarchy of record stores plays like:

1. Cheapo- My home away from home. I’ve been buying from them for twenty years.  I’m friends with Michael, the manager, and we’ve spent hours sharing pieces of our lives, building rapport over the cluttered sales counter. It’s a spiritual place, a sonic sanctuary.
2. Agartha- The finest record store in Minnesota, on selection alone. I used to think gasping in surprised delight was relegated to cinematic performance. Now, I’ve done it, flipping through another row of records I never thought I’d see; far-fetched Discogs wishlist items. I found a Roisin Murphy record there. They have Definitely Maybe signed by both Liam and Noel. ‘Take my paycheck’ I want to exclaim.
3. Electric Fetus-The used section is too small and cramped. That said, there are real treasures behind the counter. I have flushed out my Husker Du and Replacements collections there. In the 1990s, it was a bit dodgy, especially when the sun went down. Freaks, dyed hair, and sweet marijuana. They’ve leaned into their legend. The store is brighter, cleaner, and loaded with chotchkies for tourists.
4. Barely Brothers- It’s too cramped for leisurely browsing, and their used section is a 4/10. Autumn found a Mariah Carey greatest hits compilation there, which remains the highlight from our visits. There’s potential, but only from expanding the space.
5. Disco Death, Roadrunner, Down in the Valley- The latter kind of sucks. Lame atmosphere and crap used section makes this a miss every time. The first two I can’t comment on from limited visits.