Seeking out obscure music
For serious music fiends, or at least for those who think independent music isn't defined by the "Garden State" soundtrack, the Boston area has some pretty serious record stores far off the beaten path.
Despite the fact that it sits right across from the Charles Hotel and the Harvard Square bus stop, only a few fanatics seem to know how much Twisted Village has to offer. The Village has huge collections of old-school psychedelia, contemporary experimental and improvised music, and garage rock, and even carries some of the highly progressive European dance music that is just now making its way to us, in vinyl, CD, and yes, cassette. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 12b Eliot St., Cambridge. 617-354-6898.
Speaking of dance music, Boston's best spot for all things techno, dub, hip-hop, and break-beat is none other than LAB Boston, a small boutique in Allston that sells rare and hard-to-find CDs and LPs, as well as unique street-inspired apparel and artwork. The store hosts listening parties for CD releases and well-attended openings for fine arts, photography, provocative pop art, and graffiti styles. There are two turntables set up with a DJ mixer next to the register and three individual tables in the back, so you can hear your vinyls on the overhead sound system or in high-quality headphones before buying them. LAB has a very comfortable vibe, and owner Kim Harris is more than willing to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat noon-8 p.m.; Sun noon-6 p.m. 113 Brighton Ave., Allston. 617-395-4330.
If you don't feel like leaving your computer, there's always Forced Exposure, an online record store based in Malden that specializes in anti-mainstream, independent, and obscure music. The search engine works beautifully, and the store's constantly updated lists of recommended CDs and vinyls have introduced us to some artists and labels we can't imagine being without. 219 Medford St., Malden. mail order@forcedexposure.com. forcedexposure.com
