Since starting my music collection in 2018, visiting record stores has become one of my favorite activities– whether that be shopping with friends or my dad, who’s also restarted his own collection. I’ve made a habit of stopping at shops while on mini-vacations or driving through new towns. That being said, I’ve taken the time to rank all of the 13 stores in Michigan that have had me flipping through vinyl. A majority of the shops I’ve ranked are located in West Michigan, however there are a couple exceptions. My list is, in-part, determined by both my preferred selection and the type of shopping experience I enjoy most.
- State Perceptory, Port Huron
I’ve enjoyed short little vacations to the town State Perceptory is located in, and despite efforts to develop a fondness for the store, I’ve never been able to come across any musical gems. While the shop has unique interior design and an eclectic feel, I expected to find a wider range of genres in their collection. My dad has made a classic rock purchase here but frankly, I would’ve liked to have seen more depth to both their used collection and new releases section.
- Earworm Records, Niles
Earworm Records used to be one of my favorite music stores in Southwest Michigan. Having previously been named Rumor Records, I had found a variety of wished-for CDs and an Elliott Smith vinyl at the shop. I’m personally a fan of having to scour for my soon-to-be purchases, but that aspect isn’t really existent anymore with Earworm. There’s less hidden finds and fewer collections being purchased– from what I can tell, at least. Occasionally I stop in, but less and less do I leave holding any albums.
- Phaseshifter Records, Benton Harbor
The store used to be 3 Pillars Music, but switched management in July 2024. Admittedly, I have little experience with the new Phaseshifter management, but due to its location, I’ve been to the store’s previous namesake more than any other on this list. In the past, and from what I can currently tell, the record shop primarily sells used vinyl from the 1960s through 1980s. While I have found pertinent CDs at the location, such as Blur’s “Parklife” and Bjork’s “Debut,” I’ve always felt the shop did little to increase its inventory. However, I have seen efforts by Phaseshifter’s new management to feature a bit of new vinyl, and I hope to see the store expand its reach in the future.
- Peoples Records, Detroit
Peoples Records is a lively music store that centers jazz, Motown, folk and classic rock artists. The shop is jam-packed with record crates and wall ornamentation, and I even came across a few LaserDiscs in their collection. From my perception, the most acclaimed albums are kept behind the counter, such as John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” While there are hidden gems, I did notice that records by many well-known artists were out of stock– such was the case when I searched for Lead Belly and Joan Baez.
- Corner Record Shop, Grandville
I desperately miss Corner Record Shop’s previous location. The store used to feel like a maze to me, as part of its selection was held in a warehouse-esque room. When Corner Records transitioned to their new building in 2022, they opened their near-empty shop for customers to buy posters and furnishings. I rushed over after my class got out, and I still regret not having bought a large Jeff Buckley poster. Regardless, their new location is well put together and they host engaging events for Record Store Day. I haven’t been able to find many albums to purchase since their move though, aside from having convinced my dad to buy Patti Smith’s “Horses” on cassette.
- Off The Record, Grand Haven
The subject of a few off-campus excursions, Off The Record spotlights a variety of artists and numerous time periods’ worth of albums. My favorite finds at the store include Deftones’ “Covers” and the Stone Roses’ self-titled release. Unfortunately, I do feel the shop’s atmosphere and selection has been altered slightly by its new management. I’ve had less luck coming across unique pressings and uncommon, older vinyl, but the shop still has an ample collection, and it’s a short driving distance from Grand Valley State University.
- RPM Records, Traverse City
The first and only time I’ve been to RPM Records was during the summer of 2019 when I went on a short vacation to Traverse City. The shop is quite large, and there is a separate room devoted solely to 45 rpm vinyl. My favorite aspect of visiting was seeing the musical murals outside the store. The back side of the building was painted as Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album cover and the side’s exterior illustrated the Grateful Dead’s Dancing Bears. Truthfully, it’s hard for me to take up a viewpoint on their selection, as my taste and standards have changed since I flipped through their stacks. However, I think the experience RPM Records affords is well-worth the visit.
- Satellite Records, Kalamazoo
To me, Satellite Records is the definition of a college town’s record store, as it’s located near Western Michigan University. The customers and staff I’ve interacted with have seemed eclectic and conversational. A vast majority of the shop’s vinyl is used, and the new pressing selection is oriented toward alternative picks. My dad I’s purchases include My Bloody Valentine’s “Glider” on cassette and a Record Store Day release of “Stillwater Demos.” The latter is an album by the fictional band Stillwater, which is from my favorite film, “Almost Famous.”
- Black Dog Books and Records, Grand Rapids
Having opened in April 2024, I’ve only been to Black Dog once. However, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the shop’s comprehensive selection of both records and books. The store represents two elements of my personality– my love for alternative music and passion for political, non-fiction literature. After noticing unique titles on the store’s bookshelves, I was also able to come across many albums that I scarcely find on vinyl, including Have a Nice Life’s “Deathconsciousness,” Slowdive’s “Souvlaki” and Galaxie 500’s “On Fire.”
- Third Man Records, Detroit
I didn’t quite know what to expect from Third Man Records, as it’s a record label, store, venue and vinyl pressing plant all in one location. The label was created by Detroit-native Jack White in 2001, and has locations in Detroit, Nashville and London. While I didn’t buy anything at the shop, which spotlights Detroit musicians and the label’s artists, I greatly enjoyed my experience stopping in. I was able to look through glass windows into their pressing facility and utilize the store’s listening booth. Surprisingly, I’d never been to a record store with a booth before, and I was instantly reminded of a scene in the 1995 film “Before Sunrise,” which showcases the feature.
- UHF Records, Royal Oak
I went to UHF Records in May 2024 with a specific new release in mind. Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” had come out the morning I visited the shop, and I was excited to find it among their music collection. In my opinion, UHF is a perfect example of having not just a well-stocked used selection, but also a variety of new pressings and recent albums. Having browsed their wall of CDs and vinyl stacks, I specifically recall encountering numerous titles by The Cranberries, Alex G’s “Trick” and the Butthole Surfers’ “Electriclarryland.”
- Green Light Music, Kalamazoo
I haven’t been to Green Light Music since I was in high school, but it’s one of my dad and I’s favorite record stores. The location has a variety of titles, and highlights one of the largest genre collections I’ve seen in West Michigan. Green Light is home to one of my biggest “album regrets,” as I came across Green River’s “Rehab Doll” at the store, and didn’t purchase it. I hope to visit the location again, and since the shop has been posting about the February release of Ethel Cain’s “Preacher’s Daughter” on vinyl, I might drive there in the near future.
- Vertigo Music, Grand Rapids
My friends and I have made numerous journeys downtown to Vertigo Music. The massive location has everything that I could possibly wish for in a record shop– an exceptional selection of new and used vinyl, out of the ordinary CDs and the best experience of unearthing albums. Over the course of multiple visits, I’ve come to own The 1975’s self-titled release and Phoebe Bridger’s “Punisher” on cassette, among other finds. I was also excited to see that Vertigo sells unique pressings of Studio Ghibli soundtracks, which I hope to purchase someday soon.
