The Record Shops of Middle Tennessee

Good news for music lovers . . . especially those whose listening preference leans toward those classic black discs with the covers and notes you can read without squinting. In tribute to the record album and its major resurgence in popularity, the Pulse is devoting a large share of this month’s issue to the subject—including this directory of record shops across Middle Tennessee.

I’m old enough to remember this distinctly: as the 1990s unspooled, record albums appeared to go the way of the dodo bird and New Coke. I’m no fan of that corrosive caramel-colored concoction myself, but truly, the vinyl record is comparable in this respect to Coke Classic: it was destined to make a comeback. Although a vinyl revival was not widely foreseen back when the 20th century was playing out its final grooves, it’s no surprise, considering the enduring excellence of the format.

The cassette, and later, the compact disc, would rule the racks for years, and each has its particular charms. It’s a no-brainer, though, that anyone old enough to have owned records, or enjoyed the collections of older siblings or even their parents, knows the singular satisfaction of the side-long serenade. Often, smartly designed album jackets and inner sleeves offered complementary content; material the eyes and mind could consume in tandem with the aural feast contained inside the cardboard sheath.

Add to that the sublime experience of nestling up to an analog stereo system, and the combination is hard to beat. No wonder vinyl sales continue to rise with a whole new generation, followed by used record stores undergoing a revival and pulling in multi-generational traffic.

Hope you’ll enjoy what we’ve cued up. See you on the flip side.

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• Rutherford County

Century 21 Music & More
125 Lasseter Dr., Murfreesboro

Crying Cat Books and Records
504 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro

The Great Escape Murfreesboro
810 NW Broad St., #202, Murfreesboro

• Williamson County

Carpe Diem
212 S. Margin St., Franklin

Luna Record Shop
230 Franklin Rd., #12D, Franklin

Spinners Record Store
2001 Campbell Station Pkwy., A3, Spring Hill

• Davidson County

Alison’s Record Shop
994A Davidson Dr., Nashville