| Washingtonian
December 2003
Best of Washington
Where to Find the Music
The sign on the door of the 26-year-old independent music store Melody Records (1623 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-232-4002; www.melodyrecords.com) says WE KNOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING US. But we'd be happy to shop there even if we didn't have a choice. So what if there's only one listening station? CDs are often cheaper than at the chains, the staff will special-order anything, and the well-stocked sections--from rock to Latin pop, bluegrass to hiphop, Cajun to opera--will keep you busier than the store's compact size would lead you to expect.
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| Downbeat Magazine
2005
Customer service, deep catalog and low prices are the trump cards here. Situated in the District's Dupont Circle, the venerable record store perennially wins "Best Record Store" in Washington Magazine and the Washington Blade. As for jazz, you can't find a better store to find almost all new releases displayed and at discount prices.
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Frommer's Review
CDs, cassettes, and tapes, including new releases, are discounted here, plus the shop always has a table of unused but not newly released CDs that sell for about $10 each. Melody offers a wide variety of rock, classical, jazz, pop, show, and folk music, as well as a vast number of international selections. This is also a good place to shop for discounted portable electronic equipment, blank tapes, and cassettes. Its knowledgeable staff is a plus
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| Best of Gay D.C 2003
Music Store
Readers & Editors Agree
Melody Record Shop
With the Recording Industry Association of America cracking down on Internet file sharing, it looks like everyone is going to have to start buying music again.
It's time to revisit Melody Record Shop, independently owned since 1977, locatined int he middle of the strip of stores that stretches along Connecticut Avenue, NW, north of Dupont Circle. With more than 200,000 titles, they have all the Cher, Janet Jackson, Indigo Girls, and latest house music compilations--which are always prominently displayed for the gay clientele--you could want.
Even for those gay music fans who may be looking for something more obscure like Le Tigre or Pansy Division, you'll be sure to find it at Melody.
The clerks at the store go out of their way to help customers. So, if you're trying to find the new Soft Pink Truth album (yes, the band does exist, and yes, they are gay), they'll be more than happy to order it for you.
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| DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON
Melody Records' customers have remained loyal through three decades and three moves. Now carrying only new CDs, Melody is still known for its opera, jazz and classical collections.
"Our service is very addictive," Jack Menase says. Staffers (some have worked at Melody for more than 25 years) demonstrate expertise in specific genres, including international music, blues, New Age and rock.
Longtime customer Annie Singer says, "They don't make me feel embarrassed when I ask about country music - and that's huge. Nice, helpful people, a store that's human scale but not limited, and even has fair prices, right near Dupont Circle! What more could a music lover want?"
Customers can preview most CDs by putting on headphones and waving the CD under a barcode scanner.
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