Reverberation is an unusual record store. I've never seen so many records in one place from artists/bands I don't recognize, but at the same time, I've spotted some very obscure stuff in the experimental and jazz sections, so I wonder if they cater to people with a taste for lesser known music. At least for the styles I shop for (jazz, experimental, electronic), this store is full of strange, unknown things. I like how they have a special section for deluxe horror movie soundtracks (think Waxwork Records, Mondo, and the like). I also appreciate how you never know what kind of weird thing you'll find there (like an old DJ Krush Mo Wax 10" for a reasonable price). My main complaint is the difficulty of browsing. First, the record bins in the main area are so high that you need a stool to see the furthest back albums unless you're decently over 6' tall. The store has stools sitting around for just this purpose. Second, the bins are completely packed, so there's no flipping through records. You have to grab a chunk, set them aside, and then you can brows. It makes digging a real pain and is one of the reasons Reverberations isn't in my regular rotation. Some have written about the owner being rude. I didn't find him rude, but yeah, he doesn't usually say hello or goodbye or look you in the eye when you check out. Definitely not the gregarious type you find at a place like Exile in Champaign, but I never got a rude vibe. Maybe he's more effusive and warm if you're a regular. If browsing wasn't such a pain, I'd give it four stars. Any record shop that continues to exist is a good thing. Certainly worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

I don't live anywhere near Reverberation, but I've had the pleasure of digging here 2x in the past year, and this is a great record store. Friendly owner, ample parking, and an incredible array of new and used records. Items are priced to move not gouge the customers, and conditions are exact. And what's crazy is the depth of the inventory. Really, this store is stacked. Local collectors are lucky to have Reverberation as one of their brick and mortars. Highly recommend! read more

I came here 2 weeks ago but still felt the need to review it. Although you do need masks that was not a problem for me and the selection they had seemed great. The hip hop section seemed a bit dull when I was there, but looking back there were so many records that I wish I would have gotten. I picked up an MF DOOM record of Operation: Doomsday and it's great! I was visiting the area so I was lucky enough to go to this place as the owner seemed nice, I will definitely go next time I visit so to anyone who lives near I recommend this place! read more

Reverberation Vinyl Records - The photo I took of the vinyl once I got home. Really great stuff. - Vinyl Records Near Me - Bloomington, Illinois

Visited today and showed up when sign said they were open and no one was there waited around for a bit then went down to North Street and Waiting room records which were open when they said they would be.Came back and found a few things but nothing overly special person working was kinda cool and unfriendly but I didnt let that bother me. Average shop nothing special, to everyone visiting don't park on the side street we got a ticket for parking within 20 feet of the cross walk. No signs were posted and when I asked the shop person why nothing was posted they just shrugged. So unless you want to spend an extra 20$ on a ticket make sure you park somewhere else. read more

Great selection and value! One of my favorite local businesses in town. John (the owner) is knowledgeable, honest, friendly and cares about his customers and business. I highly recommend to vinyl enthusiasts and music lovers. read more

So, I thought the re-release of Pink Floyd's "See Emily Play" single came out today. Pink Floyd's website listed Reverberation Vinyl as the only place in Bloomington that will be selling the record. I've never been to this store so I was looking forward to going there. The store opens at 10 a.m. and I was very excited to get this record so I showed up ten minutes after they opened. I try to walk into this place and it's closed. This made me kind of upset but I decided to get some food and then come back. At about 10:40 I come back and this place is finally open. I walk in to two employees opening up the shop, not even acknowledging that I walked in. I awkwardly walk around for about 10 seconds looking for the record and finally ask them, "Do you guys have the Pink Floyd See Emily Play 45?" and the guy behind the counter gave me a very blunt "no". I would have stayed anyways to look at the records but these guys were so rude and awkward that I just left. I was in this store for a total of about 20 seconds and felt like an idiot as I was walking to my car. Just now as I got home, I checked the website and it says it comes out TOMORROW. Why couldn't he just tell me this while I was at the store? Now I feel like an effin idiot. After this experience, I will never go here again. There are plenty of record stores in Normal where I can ride my bike to and the employees have sort of care for the business. I feel like an old man complaining about the employees at a record store (I'm 21) but I was expecting some sort of help finding this record/he could have simply told me it comes out tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if this slum closes down sometime soon. read more

This has become my go to vinyl store in Bloomington. John the owner is one super cool cat who is a ridiculous knowledge of music. He'll help ya find what your looking far and make some killer recommendations! Cool vibe with there always great music played while browsing about his expansive collection. If your into vinyl and wanna deal with a super righteous and knowledgeable dude, I highly suggest you come here. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. These Saturday visits are almost becoming like sitcom episodes to me. Owner who knows all his customers and the banter that goes on with the regulars read more

Twice I have been there when they opened, and twice he was over 15 minutes late at opening. Doesn't seem to like Mexicans? His store is only open for 7 hours a day and can't even open on time? Additionally, not even open on Sundays, and he doesn't seem too much of a Catholic to me. Good selection of vinyl I guess? read more

I was passing thru on my way to visit family and will never stop in again. The employee did not even acknowledge me when I walked in. He was to busy talking to someone about a new TV show and couldn't be bothered to even notice other customers in the store. I looked around for about 30 minutes and was somewhat pleased that I didn't find anything so that I wouldn't have to interrupt. Got the same treatment as I left - didn't even look in my direction or offer a simple Thanks for stopping in. It's the little things that make a customer feel their patronage is appreciated. Guess I should've believed some reviews I read and not wasted my time. read more

This place is awesome! We had a great time looking through their awesome selection. It looks great too- clean, organized, artful. The music is a little loud but it felt like a boutique kind of experience (according to my husband). :) Good prices too! Nice owner. We hope he does well! read more

My previous review posted less than a week ago was deleted so here it goes again. Owner has terrible work ethic. Shows up to open store late. Leaves early. Closed on Sunday. Gets annoyed at questions. Is uninterested in helping. Doesnt seem to like music. Is rude. Please do not even think of looking at the stuff he is researching or pricing at the front check out table. He hates it. He plays the worst ambient, drone like noise all day, maybe to draw away customers? In his defense he has a good inventory of rare stuff. And his lps always have some kind of description in the price label. Prices are fair and he seems knowlagable when ever he is in a good mood to help. Not all is lost. read more

This is the go-to place whenever I'm near Bloomington! I always have a great time going through the awesome selection, and you can't beat the prices. Whether I'm buying or selling vinyl, there's something special about being in a small shop that cares about music. read more

This place is exactly what you look for in a record store. Small, friendly, and extremely well-curated. They specialize in the best new and used independent psychedelic, folk, jazz, soul, R&B, and international releases, and even the dollar bins are stocked to please the most frugal of collectors. The staff is friendly and easy to approach, and they're knowledgeable about pretty much anything you'd ever need to know about records, collecting, and audio gear. If you're not sure if something is in stock, they're very responsive via phone or Facebook message and if they don't have it, they'll do their best to special order for you and even ship if you're from out of town. They also buy records every day and offer very fair cash or trade value for quality stuff. Overall, this place has something for everybody and is well worth the trip. read more

UPDATE: This shop is getting more space which just makes it that more great of a shop with more opportunity for the community. Here in lies the beauty of this shop...it's for our community as well as other visiting here in BloNo...This shop cares that we have good music to listen to and options! I'll tell you right upfront I am biased. I love this store, the owner John and his staff are very knowledgeable and really good people. We are blessed in B/N to have several good music shops and this place is tops for me. John caters to his customers, he stocks what they are looking to buy. It is not a huge store but it is packed full of goodness. This is not an RSD store so if you are looking for that hype, this is not your place. This is a vinyl shop, so if you are a digger this is the place for you. They cover every genre in the book, and they are always adding more. Prices are more than fair and I have never felt like I was being taken advantage of from the first day I walked in to yesterday when I walked out. I have always felt more than welcome, it's an oasis for me. Anybody giving this place any less than 4 stars isn't a record person. Chances are if you are looking for it they've got it or John can get it. If you are in town go check them out you will not be disappointed, if you are a townie or a college kid go more and go often. KOTJMFS! read more

Reverberation is a great place to find music that you don't find everywhere else. John, the owner, is super helpful. I love just looking at all the album covers! Great selection of psychedelic from all across the world. John always gives me great recommendations for my brother and never talks down to me or makes me feel dumb. If you're looking for something new to listen to, he can help! read more

Enter most record stores and you'll find an eclectic arrange of various collectibles. Reveberation Vinyl bucks the trend as this place is really for the pure vinyl enthusiast. Nothing but vinyl here ... but the selection is deep from jazz, blues, classic rock, modern rock, hip hop, and more. The owner, John, specializes in the hard to find and rare stuff. It's not out of the ordinary to walk in and find a recently reissued Italian pressing of your favorite movie soundtrack or a mint copy of your favorite Clash album. Great place to find your vinyl and talk music. read more

Who says vinyl records are extinct? Not me, I love them! If you are looking to add on to your vinyl collection, this is the place to go!

Great selection, great prices, great owner. I don't want to buy records anywhere else.

One of the best stores in the country. I have traveled the states hitting up record stores and I can honestly say this is one of the most honest shops around. Great prices on original pressings, AMAZING horror soundtrack section and a great owner. A++++++ Hit this shop up! Don't waste your money on big chains! read more

The record scene in Bloomington-Normal has been legendarily good since the 1960s, and Reverberation Vinyl still manages to stand out from the pack. Extremely well-curated selection of vinyl, from used classics to scads of new stuff. None of that digging through stacks of scratched-up crap to maayyyyybe find one good record. It's all quality here, and all genres are represented, including an incredible selection of psychedelic, punk, experimental/avant-garde, soul, jazz, and private press LPs--all genres where many stores are weak. This is a record store for people who love records. Notice I didn't say "only for people who 'collect' records." For people who LOVE records. The owner loves records too, and he runs his shop as such. read more

A great small independent record shop, worth a visit if you're in Bloomington. Very nice selection in all genres, and albums are generally in good-to-great condition. Prices are overall reasonable...some titles are a bit pricey, but then I uncovered some great finds in their discount bin. The owner seems friendly and also recommended a stop to another local record shop, which is pretty cool in my book. read more

I'm thrilled to have found this hidden gem..especially given that it's in central IL. Excellent selection of various kraut/psych albums makes this place even better. read more

I never write reviews on Yelp. But this is the best record store on the planet. Simple fact.