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In the Window: Captain Beefheart, Henry Mancini, Teenage Head

Posted by Dylan Leeder / June 16, 2011

22 Comments

Neurotica Records TorontoFor this week's In the Window, I head over to Queen West's Neurotica. Described by the owner, Scott, as "the anti-Chapters," this is a great place for hidden gems and general record bin searching.

With vinyl, CD's and DVD's covering every surface of the store, you could spend hours poking away at the stock. This Queen West location has been around for almost 15 years, and is the third and longest standing iteration of the store. Scott tells me that he prefers to stick to the older vintage stuff because he believes there's a price war with new releases in the area.

Neurotica RecordsALBUMS

Neurotica Records TorontoScott from Neurotica recommends...

Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica
"On the Pink Straight Label this record is an original first edition pressing. An Avant Garde rock master piece. He recorded most of it outside but first, without the labels permission, sent a tree surgeon to make sure the trees wouldn't be hurt - he then billed Warner Bros for the surgeon. Produced by Frank Zappa, this is definitely an interesting album."

Henry Mancini - The Cop Show Themes
"A great early 70's funk band. The whole album is funk versions of different cop show theme songs. A really popular album for DJ's as it provides some great funky, jazz break beats. It was really sought after when sampling became popular."

Teenage Head - Frantic City
"A sealed original of a classic Toronto band. Their first album is better, but it's a cool piece of Toronto punk history. There's a lot of bands trying to do this kind of thing today, but this is the best."

Not only is Neurotica a great music store but Scott also has a recording studio in the basement! Check out their website for more information: http://www.neurotica.ca/.

Discussion

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Colin / June 16, 2011 at 09:16 am
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Picked up a few gems here over the years. Wish I made it down there more often, for sure. Definitely an integral part of the Queen West record store strip.
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mike in parkdale / June 16, 2011 at 09:31 am
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yeah, this is a great shop but most of the 'display' records out front are actually just the discount bin overflow.

If you want to see the best stuff, look on the walls by the cash register.
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Vic / June 16, 2011 at 10:04 am
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Teenage Head are a Hamilton band, though they sure played in Toronto alot.
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Global H / June 16, 2011 at 10:17 am
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Have a lot of love for this shop over the years but the last few have been frustrating...almost every time I've dropped by it's been closed during typical business hours, so I almost never get in there anymore. :(
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skeeter / June 16, 2011 at 10:47 am
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i agree Global H. they have weird hours.
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Shoop / June 16, 2011 at 01:23 pm
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Horrible hours, way too small and the records are so jam packed it that it's a massive hassle to try to flip through them.
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Dylan replying to a comment from mike in parkdale / June 16, 2011 at 03:19 pm
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Hey Mike!

Scott actually grabbed some records from the front and placed them on the display so I had something good to list off. But yes, it is normally a discount display.
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mike in parkdale replying to a comment from Shoop / June 20, 2011 at 10:54 am
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"...and the records are so jam packed it that it's a massive hassle to try to flip through them"

better leave the crate digging to the pros then ;)


@Dylan - thanks for the clarification!
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Dwayne Roberts / June 24, 2011 at 05:27 pm
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This store rocks!!!Yes it's cluttered and funky, but full of professionally cleaned and sleeved gems. The staff know their stuff as well. Wish there was more places like it.
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Sarah Laflame / June 24, 2011 at 07:14 pm
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Love this place! One of my main reasons to do the Queen west trek. They also still pay fair $$ for CD's, probably the only place left that does.
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Kilo / June 25, 2011 at 12:30 am
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With a name like Neurotica, they are allowed to have "weird hours". They were open last week, when I scored 3 amazing, original, British Psych albums, that I've been looking for, for ages.
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Zany-guy / June 25, 2011 at 01:13 am
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Definitely a tight space. Packed to the gills with stuff, cool stuff though. Tons of vintage vinyl and music/pop culture books and mags. Occasionally find great Criterion DVD's that no one else seems to have. Main thing, very pleasant, helpful, staff....no attitude!!!!
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Dwayne Henry / June 25, 2011 at 07:34 am
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This joint is old school hip to the score. You want to find something you haven't been able to anywhere else?...this is the place to go. I can't believe the incredible variety...and not only that, the prices are good. Check it out!
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Eddie Z / June 27, 2011 at 01:32 am
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Scored a major healthy stack of (near mint)(original Stones/Zappa/Floyd (Syd Barret) and Beasties (Paul's Boutique) Lp's on Sunday. And got 20% off cause I "liked" them on Facebook. The dude at the cash let me click "like" right at the cash. Sweet deal, cool store!
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Stouffville girl / June 27, 2011 at 09:35 pm
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This place has the best selection and the best prices. Every kind of music and cool rare treats. This guy really knows his stuff!! I can shop after work, 'cause they're OPEN LATER!
My cousin's been buying here for over ten years. If you're going elsewhere, you're missing out. Always something to delight and amaze!
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MC-LCBO / July 1, 2011 at 01:54 am
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Limited hip hop on vinyl, although pretty good hip hop CD section. Great place if your'e looking for vinyl breaks from easy listening and obscure, untraceable sample/sources. Listening stations available if you're a serious collector/DJ/Producer. Glad I got turned on to this splash!
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mc lcbo / July 1, 2011 at 01:58 am
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Limited hip hop on vinyl, although pretty good hip hop CD section. Great place if your'e looking for vinyl break/samples from easy listening and obscure, untraceable sample/sources. Listening stations available if you're a serious collector/DJ/Producer. Glad I got turned on to this splash!
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Sasha Palmer stone / July 5, 2011 at 02:53 am
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Scored a box of Zep, Pink Floyd, Public Enemy, Bowie, Eno, King Crimson, Sabbath, Miles Davis,.....I'm still going thru it...ahh, Springsteen box set, Yes, ELP, ELO, Atomic Rooster, Savoy brown (don't know the last 2) but curious....all on cassette!!! About 50-75 tapes, and he (the new man of my dreams), Neurotica guy, Scott, threw in a totally cool Pioneer Boom Box w/cassette/CD and radio, for free!!! $100 bucks for all. Just moved into a new apartment on July 1, this totally helps make my place!!! Cassettes Roooool!!!
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Vinyl Peach / July 5, 2011 at 03:23 am
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Pleeeez don't ever leave us, Neurotica!!!! One of the last, great, cool, (seriously cool) record stores still around in T.O. Equal love for Zappa, Sinatra, Scott Walker, and the Carpenters!!!! (please, somehow, make it a little less cramped). Much Love, Melanie:)
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The Trev-dude / July 25, 2011 at 05:11 am
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Rockin' little shop. Very little filler, and finally got my Lou Reed "Take no prisoners" double live Vinyl for $20.00. I've been looking for that for 10 freakin' years. Also got a grab bag of other delights, and the gal workin' was actually friendly. Who would of thought....a cute friendly girl, working at a used record store?????????
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The Trev-dude / July 25, 2011 at 05:13 am
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.....Please open earlier. You guys are always closed on my lunch Break........
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Yve Dimitri / July 30, 2011 at 01:59 am
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Great place. I manly collect from awesome outside dollar bin. But got Floyd and Zeppelin for $10 to $20 mint in store. And very cool rare "live" concert CD's and DVD's as well. Nice workers, no judgement. Favorite shop, so far.
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