If you descend the stairs into Neptune Music Company at the right time, you might run into David Sandlund, an ex–Amoeba Records buyer and proprietor of the modest music-'n'-movie shop. What he listens to at work is a good indication of the place's musical diversity; when you walk in, there might be a '70s stoner-rock band on, but then he'll put on The Roots followed by Ella Fitzgerald. When you come in, be sure to pick through the new arrivals first, where you can find everything from rare These Arms Are Snakes records to De La Soul singles released in the U.K. to obligatory LPs like Dark Side of the Moon. Best of all, David justifies his pricing (which is reasonable) with hand-labeled stickers on the sleeve of every single record that tell you if the record's a first or second pressing, if it's the artist's debut record or a reprint, if it's out of print altogether, or if it's missing something, like a lyrics sleeve or the bonus 7" that's supposed to accompany the 12". And if you want to know something else about the artist, it's likely that David can help you out with that as well.—Sara Brickner
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