I have been coming to this record store for over a decade. Every time I visit New York, I find some time to stop by to see if I can find something that interests me. I think that I listen to quite a few different styles of music that include classic rock, prog, ambient, jazz and metal, but I primarily come to this store to look for metal, and thus the rating. In the past, I have been able to find music at Generation that was otherwise difficult to find in most physical stores (everything is available on the internet). For example, when I was getting acquainted with Opeth and Katatonia back in the day, this place used to stock most of their albums on CD. So, when I visited recently, I was hoping to find some of the albums by Enslaved that I didn't have and check out some other Scandinavian bands. I did not find any of the music that I was looking for, nor did I see any of the titles that I purchased here in the past, either new or used. I then proceeded to look for vinyl by some of these bands to maybe get one of these as a special treat and to support the store, but nothing. The entire metal collection seemed kind of sad, honestly. It's not just that they didn't have what I was looking for, but also, there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to what they did have (some stores focus on doom, others on death metal, and so on, but that wasn't it here) - it almost seemed to me that they were trying to get rid off most of the metal stock and what I found was just what happened to be available at the time. Also, unlike the CD collections which were separate, rock and metal were all grouped together in the new vinyl section, so that made it little bit difficult to browse. I am still giving this store three stars, because they do have a large collection of classic rock, indie rock, and many used albums for which I wish that I would have had more time to browse. But honestly, Rough Trade in Williamsburg had a more up-to-date and diverse metal collection than Generation during my most recent visit, and that's saying something (maybe not as many releases, but they seemed to be better curated, honestly). Having said that, I do hope that this business makes it regardless of what direction they choose in the future. I am sure that I will be back anyway when I come back to NYC. read more

I'm glad this place is here and wish it well and a long life. BUT, I found it difficult and unsatisfying to shop here because they seem to lack a massive amount of core stuff and huge amounts of the records are not alphabetized. There was once a time I could take two hours to look through every rack of a record store but those days are gone. Try Record Runner on Jones Street. I'm about to review them and that's gonna be five stars for me. read more

Not as impressed as some other reviewers. Copious New Arrivals bins were stuffed with a miscellany of completely uninteresting LPs. The records in the basement are on par with what you might find at a Goodwill--both in terms of selection and condition. Sections for soundtracks, pop vocals, and comedy are so overpriced it's breathtaking. I spotted a record by Rusty Warren (a habitual denizen of the dollar bin) for $20! read more

Been going here for years. Awesome place, friendly staff, great prices. Ill always buy my vinyl here! Thanks!

Fun place to spend some time and $. Lots of vinyl and CDs. People working there are nice enough. Prices are OK and selection is good. Need to support these types of businesses! read more

As others have said, this is a great spot for finding old and new, cd and vinyl versions of rock, metal, hardcore, and punk (among other genres). Big selection of DVDs and t-shirts, too. I used to go here alot in the early-mid 90s and recently visited after a long absence, and they still stocked some of the obscure stuff from way back when. Need a Sheer Terror circa 1993 t-shirt? They have it. Looking for some Gorgoroth on vinyl? Your black metal needs are met. Want to get a Nashville Pussy AND a Pink Floyd:The Wall live concert dvd? They're both on the shelves. In the mood to upgrade to cd versions of some of those crappy hardcore bands from the late '80s that you're ashamed to admit liking? They got you covered. The prices are pretty good, even for the rare stuff. The employees always seemed friendly and knowledgeable. If you're a fan of metal, hardcore, punk, etc., this is a place not to be overlooked when in NYC. read more

i am new to buying vinyl. i hit a few of the well known stores (Kim's Music and Video, Good Records, and Other Music) before going to Generation Records. i definitely (unknowingly) saved the best for last. sooooo much vinyl, good vinyl...a great, quality selection of all kinds of music. did i get that Pat Benetar 'Crimes of Passion' record for $2.99? yes i did. did i get a good copy of Duran Duran's 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger' for $7.99? yes i did. did i nearly lose my mind when i saw 'Synchronicity' by The Police for $7.99? yes. they all played fine on my record player. did i care that speed metal was playing from the sound system as i was fondling 'alpha' by asia? no. a great variety of new and used records from bands you actually listened to. lots of opportunities to discover new music. the price is right. i found my new record store. read more

Great selection of punk and metal music and merch. RSD releases are plentiful too. Employees didn't talk much but whatever. Worth a visit for sure. Reasonable prices too. read more

It's a kool place to go look at music but as for record it could be better. It does however have a great poster collection. I love this store even though the records could be better. If you are looking for a poster come here I buy all my friends poster here! read more

Good selection. Had a good selection of imports, but they were VERY expensive. Used stuff is in the basement. Upstairs, CDs are sorted by artists, but used discs are simply thrown together by letter. This made searching frustrating. The prices for used were not particularly impressive either. I really want to support record stores, but probably won't revisit this one. read more

Best selection of punk records I've ever seen.

I have been going to generation records since i was 13 trooping from astoria to buy some good music they have a great selection i probably only bought one new cd there.I know some of the metal bands are european but it does'nt mean they have to charge more.I just go straight downstairs to the metal section i agree there staff are self centered there just 30 year old punks who think there cool because they work in a music shop i just ignore them.I work with music and always meet bands i never act like a fool. read more

great place to get lost in. go in for looking for just one album, end up spending an hour or two there, and walk out with six or seven records! read more

I'm always a fan of independent record stores, and I have to admit, Generation Records is pretty cool. They definitely specialize in punk, though they do carry a wide range of vinyl, from country to hip-hop (though these sections are significantly smaller). In the new vinyl section, I found a few Pixies and Fugazi records I hadn't seen before, and discovered a couple other interesting bands. The store is well organized and isn't cluttered like many of the independent stores I've been in. It's actually two levels, with the upstairs being new vinyl, and the downstairs housing the used vinyl, posters, and tshirts. The used section is by no means bare-bones, but it isn't the best selection I've come across. I did find some good used punk compilation albums I'd never seen before (Fat Wreck Chords, anyone?). Not the best record store I've been to, but certainly worth checking out, especially if you're into older punk/hardcore music. read more

Cool music store with cool selection of music. The knows their stuff. Great place to browse.

Really mixed selection. Lots of solid hardcore/punk releases. All competitively priced. CD selection was massive. Quite a few gems there. The T-shirt section was great but pricing was partly skewed. DVDs were superb. Some really rare stuff. Definitely worth your time. Expect to find the lp or 7" you've been hunting and then some. And if you can't ask the staff very friendly and helpful . read more

my favorite damn store for t-shirts vinyl and all that stuff. check out the book by john joseph they only sell it at generation. its amazingly good my favorite book lately!!!!!! read more

Decent mix of used vinyl and some newer re-issues. A little pricey, but not exorbitantly so. My visit was brief, but I'd return here and spend a little more time going through the stacks. Did pick up Through The Fire, the Hagar/Schon/Aaronson/Shrieve project for $4. Not bad. read more

This has to be one of my favorite record stores in any of the five boroughs. Great selection new and used, great t-shirt selection and great atmosphere. read more

Favorite Record shop in NYC, best selection of old punk & t-shirts. Probably gonna head there now actually..

disgusting service !!! thursday 25 june 2015 at noon : unpleasant welcome no answer to my "hello, good morning" when i entered the shop. the guy didn't even look up and was busy, busy with his smartphone. i had my list with cd's to buy and didn't found some of them. when i asked him for help he looked at me, said nothing and went on with playing his smartphone. i left the shop and went to rough trade in williamsburg where the service was outstanding !!! CUT THAT CRAP !!! read more

This place has great music and is just around the corner from my apartment ----- but the reason for the one star is that the people who work at this place are the worst i have encountered.. Rude and unknowledgeable about music genres and whats in the shop in general. I spent over $250 with them this week on Vinyl and i also bought a CD. The cd came as a suggestion on their "if you like X artist then you will definitely like this cd" approach -- i ask for advice on new releases and I like supporting record stores - so i take back the CD as it was atrocious and politely ask the girl at the counter if i could exchange the item. She then tells me that they wont exchange the CD and that i can head downstairs to the used records section -- and if i am lucky they might buy it back for a $1.. after i paid $12 the day before. I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THIS STORE AGAIN, THAT IS UNLESS THE CURRENT STAFF ARE FIRED - THE OWNERS ARE DOING THEMSELVES A MAJOR DISSERVICE BY EMPLOYING THESE PEOPLE - THIS IS BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. read more

Ok, I just started getting back into vinyl and just purchased a turntable. I had a few records to start with, but was excited to purchase more for my collection. So a couple of friends (male and female) and I decided to visit Generation Records. They seem to have a lot of punk and metal vinyl with limited artists in other genre of music. But that was okay because it was our first visit and we didn't know what to expect. But what we really didn't expect, was for the cashier to leave her post and begin following us around the store as soon as we entered the establishment. I don't know if it was because we were the only African Americans in the store, but she wasn't following any of the white patrons. Not cool people. We were just lovers of music like any one else. I gotta say, I wasn't expecting that response in this multicultural area. But there it is. Sad to say, but we won't be going back to shop at a store that makes us feel like criminals and not like paying customers. read more