The Best Places to Buy Music in Iowa City

There are a variety of stores that sell music in downtown Iowa City. From the ambience of local record stores to the economy of mainstream establishments, I will examine the pros and cons of several options.

This mid-western university town prides itself on being a hotspot of cultural prestige and takes their taste in music very seriously. Depending on the realm of music you are interested in there is a music store tailored to your needs.

In the heart of downtown (on the pedestrian mall) is the Record Collector. As the name implies it is heavy in vinyl, but also sells new and used CD's and DVD's. It has long supported the college radio station (89.7 KRUI) and stocks its inventory accordingly. It also carries a knowledgeable selection of Jazz, House, and Hip-hop titles. It has the most local flavor and the dissentient clerks and their non-conforming tastes may guide you to that hidden jewel of an album you have been without for so long. (Record Collector, (319) 337-5029; 125 E Washington)

Next door to the Record Collector is The Den. The Den is your typical college convenience store complete with Hawkeye apparel and fountain soda. They have a small selection of CD's and DVD's aimed at the college crowd, and update it every Tuesday with the new releases. If the CD you're looking for is on the mainstream college charts you may be able to find it here for a couple bucks cheaper than next door. (The Den (319) 339-4500; 123 E Washington)

Less than a block up the street from these two stores is Sam Goody. If you have no hesitation in supporting a more corporate company, Sam Goody may offer a slightly better price than the local places. They carry more popular music then the aforementioned places, as well as all the extras (magazines, posters, etc.) that come with a "mall-based" music store. You get the feeling here that the clerks just aren't quite cool enough to get hired down the street. (Sam Goody (319) 351-2908; 21 S Dubuque St)

If you round the block north of the ped mall you'll run into Iowa Book and Supply, another campus "department" store. Here you will find a similar (if slightly larger) CD selection as The Den. This is a good place to justify buying the new Green Day album, which is a steal next to the stack of textbooks in your cart. (Iowa Book LLC (319) 337-4188; 8 S Clinton St)

Completing the downtown music journey is Real CD's and Records located in the Northside Book Market on Linn St, two blocks north of the ped mall. Although slightly separated from the other record stores, it is by far worth the walk. Real CD's offers a profuse selection of vinyl, CD's, and DVD's, and do a good job carrying albums unavailable elsewhere in downtown Iowa City. The clerks are astute musical resources for locals, while the store showcases the culmination of local tastes in an atmosphere inviting to the out-of-towner. (Real Compact Disc's & Records (319) 341-7800; 203 N Linn)