Reckless Records

3126 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 404-5080

When it comes to music shopping, I am in a weird place. I am too cheap for the Mega™ Music stores. I am too unhip for vinyl. I am too old for mp3whatever they're called. Whatever am I to do? Shop the used bins at Reckless, that's what. And that's what I do.

Where can I buy Fantasia, the Indigo Girls, (the soundtrack to) In the Heights, Sarah Vaughan & (Robin) Thicke all for less than $20? No, I am asking. You can't do it at Reckless - but you can come pretty d@mn close. Sorta. And, in these hard economic times, that's what I am talkin' 'bout!

For these Shoe Carnival savings, I'll ignore the nasty dude sneezing over the vinyl, my need to Purell myself after handling the CD covers and the lice jumping from male emo store clerk to unwashed scowling hipster patron to the Yeti dancing to electronica at the back of the store. I am serious about savings. Perhaps my opinion and experiences would be different if I had run into some of the bad attitudes others have suffered. A couple of things about that. 1.) I only deal with the female clerks. In my experience, they're really helpful, nice & knowledgeable. Three different female clerks have helped me look for music (in the stacks!) or order it from another store. None have derided me for my tastes. 2.) I don't play that emo attitude game. As per my Santullo's recap, I am batshit crazy and quick to go circus freak insane on someone with unwarranted attitude. In other nomenclature: I am NOT the one.*

*This strategy is also applicable at The Wiener's Circle.