In a world of fast-paced music downloads and impersonal MP3s, Mystery Train Records strives to keep the tactile world of music alive through their little shop in downtown Amherst.

The record shop is set farther back from North Pleasant Street behind Chez Albert and is easy to miss if it’s eye-popping color’s don’t catch your attention as you drive by. With a building-front painted with vibrant purples and greens, a shining yellow sunset at the peak, it stands out from most other buildings in Amherst Center despite being tucked away.

It’s a place you stumble upon, a place that exudes a sense of an older time. As you walk in the door the distinct, musky smell of well-loved items surrounds you. There’s music playing at high volumes throughout the store welcoming you like a new friend. Everything about the place breaks you away from the digital world and allows you to recall a time when you couldn’t simply download a single from your smartphone — you had to go to a record store and buy the entire record.

According to Cynthia Meadows, the co-owner of Mystery Train for almost 15 years, that’s one of the reasons she and the other owners decided to purchase the shop in the first place. They saw record stores fading away, leaving fewer and fewer choices for people trying to buy and sell used CD’s and records. Meadows said she felt a sense of responsibility.

“We wanted to help keep it alive,” she said.

The “it” that Meadows refers to is the classic feeling of a great find, that opportunity of sifting through stacks of music until you chance upon the right album, with an artwork and a name that peaks your interest.

“Handling music, and discovering it in person creates different connections in the brain,” said Meadows.

The brain differentiates between what you listen to off of the iTunes suggestions page, and what you pick-up and purchase yourself. That’s why Mystery Train Records keeps its doors open.

Records are something this store has plenty of, as rack upon rack lines the walls, sit stacked on the floor and piled on tables along with CD’s, cassette tapes, VHS tapes and DVDs. The entire building radiates with organized chaos. Everything is separated into a genre of music, and then alphabetized within genre.

Any remaining space is plastered with posters supporting various local business, activist efforts, and of course, bands. It overwhelms and delights like a massive, old library. Only here you’ll get to learn about rock and roll rather than rock formations, and classic jazz rather than the literary classics.

That’s not to say that Meadows doesn’t see the appeal of digital music, or buying online. Some of their best business comes from online sales, and there is something to be said of the wide-range of opportunities to discover new artists. But she still prefers shopping for music in person and urges others to do the same.

“Get off your ass and stop downloading. Go out into the world and actually hear the music,” she said.

There are plenty of opportunities to search for new music at the store, although you’re unlikely to find anything that’s currently playing on the radio. The store specializes in used merchandise which means the majority of its stock could be classified as vintage. That’s not to say those who are fans of modern music won’t find something they’ll love, but those drawn to the shiny and new are unlikely to appreciate the charm in the inventory.

Mystery Train Records has been at its current location for 18 years, and hopes to be there for many more. Business is “okay,” but isn’t doing as well as it once was for obvious reasons.

“Not as good as the 90’s but it’s still going, we have a lot to compete with,” said Meadows.

So take Meadows advice and go out into the world and experience the joy of hunting for your favorite new band, take a moment to escape the digital world and appreciate the nostalgic offerings at this special little shop.

Mystery Train Records is located at 178 North Pleasant Street in Amherst Center and is open Tuesdays to Sundays.

Wendy Brown can be reached at [email protected]