Digging In The Crates: Bargain-Bin Finds

Digging In The Crates: Bargain-Bin Finds

Aidin Vaziri & Peter Hartlaub | The economy may be in shambles, but the Bay Area has entered a bull market for fans of Bruce Springsteen solo albums, obscure punk rock bands and the Van Halen/Sammy Hagar years. If you haven't looked in your local used-record store bargain bin in the past six months, it's time for a visit. It's difficult to explain why there are so many more great deals now than before our 401(k)s imploded - we only know it to be true. To prove this point, five Chronicle arts writers and critics spent an afternoon at their favorite local record stores (plus one memorable trip to Goodwill), picking up as many great albums as possible for less than $20. Look for our finds accompanying this column.


Aidin Vaziri's Picks:
The store: Goodwill (820 Clement St., (415) 668-3635).

Joni Mitchell, "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" ($1.19): Despite the preponderance of poetry, jazz and African rhythms, a worthy companion to "Blue."
Yes, "Fragile" ($1.19): Not only does it contain prog-rock classics "Roundabout" and "Long Distance Runaround," but gave me a free contact high.
The Style Council, "Introducing the Style Council" ($1.19): Score! The import copy of Paul Weller's foray into blue-eyed-soul for less than $500.
Michael Sembello, "Maniac" ($1.19): The single from the "Flashdance" soundtrack, with an instrumental version so you can make up your own Weird Al-style lyrics.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions, "Get Happy!!" ($1.19): This didn't even have the actual vinyl in it and it was still the best thing they had in the whole store.
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