The IN GROOVE Record Store Rocks! And Guess Who I Saw There？

ByChris

United States of Analog | December 6, 2023

🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is about the host Bob’s visit to the In Groove record store in Scottsdale, Arizona during a weekend trip. He’s sharing his experience visiting Mike Esposito’s new standalone record store location, which he describes as a “pilgrimage” since he’s been following Mike’s YouTube channel. The visit happened during a trip originally planned to see Bruce Springsteen, whose tour was postponed.

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

  • [00:05:49] The new In Groove store is “fantastic” – moved from a strip mall to a standalone building
  • [00:05:50] Emphasizes the importance of “ample free parking” as his first requirement for any record store
  • [00:06:01] Second requirement is a clean restroom due to getting “peepee dance” when excited in record stores
  • [00:06:51] Describes the visit as like “a pilgrimage” or “religious pilgrimage to Mecca” due to following Mike on YouTube
  • [00:05:23] Notes that Mike seems like “a super private, quiet kind of dude when he’s not on YouTube”
  • [00:04:13] Compliments The British Audiophile, saying “he should be on network TV” and “should be on the BBC”

Any interesting vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?

  • [00:00:37] References Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61” in describing his excited, disheveled appearance
  • [00:01:38] Mentions Bruce Springsteen tour postponement from 2023 to 2024
  • General mention of “fluffing up the record collection” during the pandemic

Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

  • [00:00:00] Opening with Neil Armstrong moon landing reference: “one small step for man and one giant leap for an analog man”
  • [00:00:32] “I’m letting my freak flag fly today” – describing his casual appearance without his usual cap or hair product
  • [00:01:13] Humorous description of Scottsdale as where “the elderly go to retire because the weather is hot, the humidity is low, and the restaurants are plentiful because no one wants to cook after the age of 65”
  • [00:03:17] Refers to the pandemic as “the pando” multiple times and [00:05:05] says “I hope it sticks. I should copyright it”
  • [00:06:02] Frank discussion about getting “the peepee dance” in record stores and preparing by depriving himself “of any liquid refreshment for 12 hours”

3-Paragraph Summary

Bob opens this impromptu video with excitement about his weekend trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he and his wife had originally planned to see Bruce Springsteen before the tour was postponed to 2024. Instead, they decided to keep their plans to visit a friend and stay at the Andaz resort. Bob explains how during the pandemic (which he calls “the pando”), he got heavily into YouTube audiophile channels, discovering creators like Steve Gutenberg, Cheap Audio Man, A-Rob, The British Audiophile, and Mike from The In Groove.

During his Phoenix trip, Bob made it a point to visit Mike Esposito’s newly relocated In Groove record store, which has moved from a strip mall to a impressive standalone building. He describes this visit as feeling like “a pilgrimage” or “religious pilgrimage to Mecca” because he’s been following Mike’s YouTube content, including his live weekend shows and Record Store Day feeds. Bob had previously visited during the pandemic when the interaction didn’t go as well, noting that Mike seems more private and quiet in person compared to his YouTube presence.

Bob praises the new store location, particularly highlighting his two main requirements for any record store: ample free parking and clean restrooms (due to what he humorously calls getting “the peepee dance” when excited in record stores). He took a photo outside by the new sign before entering, where he spotted Mike behind the counter. The video captures Bob’s genuine enthusiasm for both the YouTube audiophile community and the experience of visiting a store he’s watched online for years.

⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?

  • [00:10:49] Ultrasonic record cleaners (In Groove uses ultrasonic cleaning)
  • [00:12:15] Hi-Fi gear sold at In Groove store
  • [00:13:24] Reference system (mentioned for playing the Grant Green album)

What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?

  • [00:08:22] In Groove is a “must-stop” record store if visiting Phoenix
  • [00:08:27] Recommends going to In Groove with a list due to the store’s extensive selection
  • [00:08:36] The store is much more extensive and deep than videos show
  • [00:09:44] Ranks Peter Wolf as the third greatest frontman of all time (after James Brown and Bruce Springsteen)
  • [00:10:54] Considering buying an ultrasonic cleaner based on the quality of In Groove’s cleaned records
  • [00:12:42] Tone Poets are “best sounding records you can buy”
  • [00:12:58] Tone Poets “hit every time” for $40

Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?

  • [00:10:47] Played the J. Geils Band record and found it “super clean”
  • [00:11:04] All used records purchased that day played “flawless”
  • [00:10:49] Records show evidence of In Groove’s ultrasonic cleaning quality

Were there any price/value assessments?

  • [00:10:44] J. Geils Band “Best of Volume Two” – $7.99, described as super clean
  • [00:12:00] Elton John Record Store Day release wasn’t overpriced, same as original 2022 issue price
  • [00:12:46] UHQRs at $150 that “sounded like trash”
  • [00:12:58] Tone Poets at $40 consistently deliver quality

Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?

  • [00:12:46] Tone Poets vs. UHQRs: Tone Poets are better value and more consistent
  • [00:12:52] Tone Poets vs. Mobile Fidelity: Most MoFi is good, some questionable, but Tone Poets are more reliable
  • [00:08:41] In Groove compared to old Sound Warehouse chain stores

Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?

  • [00:10:27] J. Geils Band “Best of Volume Two” – yellow label Atlantic promotional copy with gold foil imprint
  • [00:11:38] Elton John “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player” – Record Store Day 2022 release on red splattered vinyl with lyric book and session demos
  • [00:12:38] Grant Green “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – Tone Poet release featuring Beatles cover and jazz standards
  • [00:13:58] Nils Lofgren “Mountains” (2023) – features Neil Young, signed copy gifted by Nils

Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?

  • [00:08:22] Go to In Groove with a list because the selection is so extensive
  • [00:10:49] Ultrasonic cleaning makes a significant difference in record quality

Any memorable quotes or strong takes?

  • [00:09:44] “Peter Wolf, for my money, third greatest frontman of all time”
  • [00:11:07] “Flawless!” (describing the sound quality of ultrasonically cleaned records)
  • [00:12:42] “Tone Poets, for my money, best sounding records you can buy”
  • [00:12:46] “I’ve bought $150 UHQRs that sounded like trash, hot trash”
  • [00:12:58] “for $40, these things hit every time. They hit every time”

Summary

In this portion of the video, the host visits the In Groove record store in Phoenix, where he initially has a somewhat awkward encounter with the owner Mike, given the host’s local radio celebrity status. He emphasizes that In Groove is a must-visit destination for record collectors, but strongly recommends going with a list due to the store’s surprisingly extensive and deep inventory that’s much larger than what appears in videos. The selection includes both vintage and new releases, with some band sections being particularly comprehensive.

The host showcases several purchases from his visit, including a promotional copy of J. Geils Band’s “Best of Volume Two” for $7.99, and shares his strong opinion that Peter Wolf ranks as the third greatest frontman of all time behind James Brown and Bruce Springsteen. He also found a long-sought Elton John Record Store Day release that he had regretted not buying a year and a half earlier, praising Mike for fair pricing. Additionally, he picked up a new Tone Poet release featuring Grant Green’s “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”

A significant discovery during his visit was the exceptional quality of In Groove’s ultrasonic record cleaning, with all his used purchases playing flawlessly. This experience has him seriously considering purchasing his own ultrasonic cleaner. He offers strong praise for the Tone Poet series, calling them the “best sounding records you can buy” at $40, while criticizing expensive UHQRs that “sounded like trash.” The segment concludes with him showing off a signed Nils Lofgren album gifted to him through his friend Mark’s connection with the E Street Band guitarist.

🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion:

  • [00:14:31-00:14:54] Nils Lofgren signed peace sign (gift from Mark of Dusty Rambler Project)
  • [00:15:34-00:16:20] Bruce Springsteen demonstration record (12-inch EP) – “Born in the USA” with additional tracks including “Shout Out the Light,” “Pink Cadillac,” “Jersey Girl,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
  • [00:16:34-00:17:19] Bruce Springsteen “The Promise” triple vinyl album (outtakes from either “The River” or “Darkness on the Edge of Town”)
  • [00:17:49-00:17:53] MoFi (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab) – referenced regarding a scandal
  • [00:18:45-00:18:50] Hi-fi gear (mentioned as being available at the store)
  • [00:20:53-00:21:03] Jeff Tweedy book

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion:

[00:19:16-00:19:44] The host gives an overwhelmingly positive verdict about In Groove record store, calling it “mind-blowing” and expressing immediate desire to return. He describes feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of inventory and variety available.

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider:

[00:19:11-00:19:36] Strong recommendation to visit In Groove in Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona – especially for anyone who likes records, music, hi-fi gear, or wants to “feel like a kid again.”

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers:

[00:18:27-00:18:35] The host advises future visitors to spend more time at the store than he did, noting there’s “so much” inventory that “your mind just gets blown” and recommending taking time to fully explore everything available.

How did the video wrap up:

[00:20:14-00:20:28] The host concluded by thanking Mike (the store owner) for his contributions to keeping vinyl and the hobby alive, particularly praising him for “breaking big stories that no one else will break.” [00:20:28-00:21:03] He then did an informal post-recording reflection, mentioning his subscriber goal and showing off a Jeff Tweedy book purchase.

Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions:

[00:20:08-00:20:14] “Thank you, Mike, for everything you do, for keeping our hobby alive, for keeping vinyl alive, for breaking the big stories that no one else will break. Say what you will about Mike in the Ingroove. His heart’s in the right place.”

[00:18:53-00:18:59] “You’re like a kid in the candy store. I know that that term has been used so many times, but that’s exactly how it feels, and I locked up.”

Summary:

In this final portion, the host showcases several vinyl finds from his visit to In Groove record store, including rare Bruce Springsteen items like a demonstration EP and “The Promise” triple album set. He emphasizes getting exceptional deals, spending about $235 total on items that were significantly underpriced. Throughout this segment, his excitement about the Bruce Springsteen finds is evident, particularly noting the sealed condition and rarity of the demonstration record.

The host then shifts to discussing his encounter with Mike, the store owner who runs a YouTube channel and was responsible for breaking the MoFi scandal. He expresses genuine admiration for Mike’s work and describes feeling overwhelmed during his visit – comparing the experience to being “a kid in a candy store” but admitting he “locked up” due to the sheer volume of inventory available.

The video concludes with an enthusiastic recommendation for viewers to visit In Groove, calling it “mind-blowing” and essential for anyone interested in records, music, or hi-fi gear. The host expresses immediate desire to return and spend more time exploring. He wraps up by praising Mike’s contributions to the vinyl community and keeping the hobby alive, followed by an informal post-recording segment where he reflects on the spontaneous nature of his presentation and shows off a Jeff Tweedy book purchase.

Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.

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