Zia hits authentic note as neighborhood record shop

The World Wide Web is seriously played out when it comes to buying music, as far as I’m concerned. I am more than eager to ditch mind-numbing media downloads and jumbled menus of online music files in favor of taking a trip to Zia Records.

The reason? The store, which has two valley locations, puts the real world back into music buying, offering a full-on experience that also has a way of inspiring interaction with — gasp! — other human beings.

That’s right. Customers get to savor the wonderful ambience of a genuine neighborhood record shop as they browse around, which also can be a visual treat. I’ll bet it’s been a while since you’ve stopped to admire album artwork. Zia’s environment is conducive to that. It’s utter culture shock compared with soulless mega outlets.

On a similar note, Zia staffers are refreshingly sincere, friendly and knowledgeable about music — the polar opposite of the corporate-trained clones you’re used to dealing with at chain stores.

Aside from the authentic atmosphere, Zia offers a nice array of secondhand merchandise. You can buy and trade CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, VHS tapes, cassettes, and/or video games. Local musicians also can sell their CDs and records on consignment. Miscellaneous accessories and other items also are available.

The store also screens films and offers live entertainment featuring local musicians on a regular basis. In fact, both stores have stages and music equipment. Being a New York City native, I like that it evokes the legendary but now-defunct CBGB rock club in Manhattan, which had a record shop next door dubbed the CBGB Record Canteen. It doubled as a performance venue for local bands and served as an option to playing in the club itself.

So, if you want to give your teeny-weeny audio device and your computer a break, visit Zia Records at 4503 W. Sahara Ave., 233-4942; or 4225 S. Eastern Ave.; 735-4942. Both locations are open from 10 a.m. to midnight daily.

For more information, visit www.ziarecords.com.