Mecca Music & Books

Not friendly, and unwilling to help customers order LPs. The selection is so-​so. For older vinyl, Charley’s or any goodwill. For New Vinyl, tradesmart — the best place to get new vinyl!

On my 3^rd attempt to check out this store i was greeting by a petulant clerk who barely acknowledged my existence until I commented about how many times I tried to check out the store only to find it closed. to which I was rebuffed with «You should call first»
Almost a 1 star rating from that alone.
That aside, the selection was interesting with some more unusual sections but not amazing and prices were so/​so. I loved the «neighborhood record store» feel of the place but can’t help thinking more regular hours, and friendlier attitude would help this store immensely.
I give only 2 stars, but I am willing to give it another shot (if i can catch it open…)

It took a lot of tries just to get in. Every time I came by, the place was closed despite the posted hours. The guy behind the counter never acknowledged me even though I politely greeted him. I looked around and found some of the prices to be insulting. And the condition of some of those records didn’t justify their prices. When I was looking, another customer came in and the guy behind the counter initiated a conversation with her, making me feel even more insignificant. Discouraged by the prices, quality, and being treated like a ghost, I left. Please tell me if someone else works there besides him. I might go back if I have a chance of being treated like a human being.

Pretty good place if you wanna pay 25 bucks for numero group soul compilation or reissue. But don’t count on finding any new releases till about two months after-​even then don’t count on it all– as the owner pretty much only orders stuff that he’s ‘into’ Mostly soul reissues…
Also, it has that lame slacker «we’re only open when we fee like it if we fee like it vibe» Sometimes I wonder how they stay open at all.

Record Store Day at Mecca Music is a total waste of time… Too many hipsters, poorly sorted record selection, and prices that screamed «Meh»… Of course this *IS* New Mexico, so I should have seen it coming.
I guess it’s back to flying to other cities that actually carry current music and not boxes and boxes of rejected records from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s…

Mecca, what an appropriate title.
Before I get into this, does anyone remember what a local music store looked like?
You know, back in the day, before MP3s and iTunes and whatever. Do you remember what it used to be like to walk into a local music store and browse the racks, ask the person behind the counter about your particular selection and receive that Holier Than Thou response that put your limited knowledge to shame? Let’s not forget the outcome of that interaction: you discover music that blows your mind.
Guess what? This is an old-​school music shop, and this is what you’re going to get at Mecca. And by the way, the music is better than you could ever dream.
The very first day I stepped into this place I was browsing the dancehall/​ska selections (try to find those somewhere else) and a local asked me if I’d ever listened to the Red Bum Ball (try to find this CD anywhere, good luck). I hadn’t, and I bought it, and it changed my life. Note, this advice wasn’t given by the owner, but by another enlightened music snob who might piss off a newbie who’s too enamored by their own musical ear to listen up about something unusual.
I’ve had such encounters endlessly in this store, and my musical acumen has grown in ways I cannot begin to describe. Know this: if you buy music here, you will enrich your life. Period.
So here’s what you should know about the shop: Disorganized, sorta, the way your room looks when you’ve been out having fun. Personal. The book section, which I’ve only glanced through, has some gems, so if you’re a pulp fiction lover you’ll love the selection. Records: Holy s*it WOW. If you spin, you have to Mecca, endless variety.
This store is the last of a dying breed, and it’s still around for a reason. GO FIND MECCA in ABQ. If you’re open to new sounds, this place will rock your world.

As a store it’s fine. It’s part used bookstore, part record store. They have some new stuff, are clearly missing other stuff. They have a pretty decent selection of vinyl and when asked the staff about bands they at least know who/​what I’m talking about. Their stock, as far as I can tell, reflects the owner/​employees music preferences and not so much what is out and hot right now. I’ll likely be back but it probably won’t be my first stop.

I know that complaining about record store employees being snotty is pointless and a cliché, but seriously, this guy brings it to a whole new level.
I’ve lived in the downtown area, less than 4 blocks from this store, for about 5 years now. Every year or so, I decide to give this place another chance, and every time, the owner (Rocky, I believe) says something rude and condescending to me, or just completely ignores me.
And let me just say, I’m not some polo shirted, popped collared, backwards beer hat wearing douche bag. I would say that I don’t look too out of place in this store. So why does this guy always treat me like I just asked him where all the Chumbawamba records are?
I just skip this place and go to Natural Sound instead. The employees there have their own story, but at least they don’t make me want to punch them.

By far the best record store in New Mexico.

After Bow Wow records closed, Albuquerque was a desert for decent indie records. Then Muhammad, err Rocky, gave us Mecca. Mecca is an excellent small indie record store in Albuquerque, specializing in indie rock, hip-​hop, country, and jazz. Their used vinyl is reasonable priced and they have a small selection of new vinyl. Mecca also carries cds and books.