If there is one single record store in Denver that you should visit, it’s probably Twist and Shout. I say this as someone who has dedicated their entire personality to the search for things off the beaten path. Even though Twist and Shout is easily the most well-known and polished record store in Colorado, it’s worth the hype.
It’s not just a place for record collectors either. Even those with no interest in spending exorbitant amounts of money on a largely outdated medium will be left awestruck by the sheer volume of records offered.
What to Expect
Congress Park is a unique neighborhood. It doesn’t have the gritty charm of the nearby Capitol Hill neighborhood. Nor does it have the chic elegance of LoHi and Sunnyside. Instead, Congress Park manages to stay right in the middle. Providing an urban feel that many Denver neighborhoods lack, but residents are still more likely to be wearing Patagonia than Armani. Twist and Shout ends up being a reflection of it’s neighborhood. Lacking some hip-grunge aesthetic, but compensating with an unabashed love for all things music.
The store itself is bright and spacious with walls lined with the blown-up faces of all your favorite artists. Music memorabilia, t-shirts, books, and an abundance of knick-knacks cover every available surface. Autographed posters, local gig prints, and legendary rock concert memorabilia give the store and almost museum-like feel. The sheer amount of stuff on the walls and shelves is bewitching and pleasantly distracting. Once you’ve spent enough time exploring and instagramming the neon sign of The Cure, it’s time to start digging.
Selection at Twist and Shout Records
Twist and Shout boasts the largest selection of records in the state and one of the biggest in the country. There are thousands upon thousands of records here. This makes it a great place for new collectors that want a massive selection to scope out old favorites and new releases. But, it also means that hardcore collectors will also be stopping by frequently in search of the many rare and unusual records that Twist and Shout gets their hands on.
Dedicated sections for Metal, Rock, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soundtracks, Blues, and more means are available. Allowing collectors to go straight to the bins they are interested in and won’t have to flip through several hundred Elvis records in the hopes of finding something interesting. The majority of the records here are new but there are plenty of used records mixed in throughout the store. Rare and other expensive records are sometimes on display near the trade-in counter but even records upwards of $150 can usually be found in the bins with the rest.
If CD collecting is your thing, Twist and Shout has plenty available near the store’s entrance. There is also a plethora of band t-shirts and Twist and Shout branded clothing available, as well as an entire room dedicated to used DVDs and all things film.
Even if you are not a record collector and are simply a casual music fan, I still think Twist and Shout is worth checking out. The size of this store alone can keep you occupied for hours or even days as you comb through all the treasures they offer.
My Take on Twist and Shout
This is one hell of a record store. For many people, this will be the biggest record store you ever step foot in. You can probably count on one hand the amount of record stores in the entire country that are as big as Twist and Shout and have even close to the amount of records this store has. This is a store that is worth it’s own trip. It’s a store where you could easily spend $1,000 on records without a second thought. This is truly one of the best record stores in the entire country. If you are in Denver, hell, if you are in Colorado, you should make it a priority to stop by.
Records Purchased
Adventure – Television
Walking My Cat Named Dog – Norma Tanega
Transformer – Lou Reed
Lust for Life – Iggy Pop
Grace – Jeff Buckley
Portrait in Jazz – Bill Evans Trio
AND SO MANY MORE
Address
2508 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206