Vertigo Music

Very cool spot tucked away, and I mean tucked away at the corner of Penn Ave and 5^th Ave in West Reading. I always pictured a place that I would go to purchase music to actually be underground. That is pretty bad ass! Anyway the only downside of this place which I could not bear to punish it a star is the size of the place. Actually this weakness is something I believe is playing a part to it’s strength. The bottom line is if you are a music fan (not pop stuff) but really cool Indy stuff, alternative and classic rock this is a place for you. Don’t be fooled to think that they only sell vinyl, because they also sell modern vinyl aka Cd’s. They also sell used music, and in addition to that they have movies as well. Don’t have a turn table? Don’t worry they sell those as well (not a vast selection but they at least offer it!)
I was absolutely floored that the vinyl collection is actually quite modern. For example, they had several Black Key’s albums on vinyl including the latest (El Camino). I didn’t even know this could possibly exist. I have to admit I haven’t been around the music scene in quite a while due to the ease of itunes, however walking through a place like this took me back to the days of going through racks of endless music and looking at the artwork it produces. They also sell various t shirts and some posters. I definitely want to become more regular here, because I realized that itunes and digital downloads really took the oxygen out of the local music stores. Places like this remind me of how the whole experience of an album is essential to the enjoyment of the music. Like looking through Lance Mercer’s photography as I enjoyed the new Pearl Jam albums. We really need to help bring these days back.
To wrap up this review I would like to see Vertigo do some stuff to promote themselves going forward, like having a local band play out on the sidewalk (unplugged) to attract people. I think this place could have endless possibilities.
So help me stick it to the man (itunes) and support local shops like these in your communities to keep this nostalgia alive.