Top Five Records in downtown Lake Worth is one of the most equally amazing and frustrating record stores ever. Don't bother trying to look it up online or call -- the store's only web presence comes via Facebook, and the page hasn't been updated since 2011. Phone numbers in old blog posts and listings floating around the web no longer work.
And yet, there it is -- still in business after a handful of years, possibly because of its choice location for music lovers, right next to Propaganda. So you'll have to make it up in person. Well, don't try on Monday or Tuesday, when it's closed, and not too early or late; the place is open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For vinyl nerds of a certain bent, the trip is worth it, because this is a paradise for lovers of vintage rock 'n' roll. The focus here is on garage obscurities, English invasion, and anything else that might dovetail well aesthetically with the chrome-and-formica retro sensibility of the store's décor.
While Top Five may not try to compete with indie stores specializing in new music, the store does participate in Record Store Day. Besides various limited-edition vinyl goodies, Top Five is hosting its own mini-live show.
The main act that day is John Ralston, a Top Five buddy and Lake Worth local who always delivers. But also worth checking out is opener Raggy Monster, a newish West Palm Beach-based coed act that proudly waves the flag of indie rock. No complicated subgenres needed here -- these guys (and girl) do what they set out to do well. This is hooky, mostly guitar-driven melodic stuff augmented by the occasional piano flourish and male-female vocal interplay. The result is polished and catchy and deserves to be heard more.
Download their recent free live EP below, and check them out on April 21 at Top Five for Record Store Day.
John Ralston, with Raggy Monster. 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Top Five Records, 10 S. J St., Lake Worth. No phone or web.
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