Recent times have seen interesting trends in the music world. As the CD continues to die and the rise of the DRM-Free MP3 continues, music fans now have increasing options for formats. There’s no need to go into the details of the phenomenon here, so I’ll provide some links:
“Vinyl Goes from Throwback to Comeback” – boston.com
“Vinyl May Be Final Nail in CD’s Coffin” – wired.com
“Putting a New Spin on Vinyl Records” – NPR
“Vinyl Returns in the Age of MP3″ – Rolling Stone
“Vinyl Records Make a Return” – L.A. Times
This is by no means an exhaustive list of news reports on the vinyl craze, for more info just Google it.
However, the real purpose of this article is to provide some insight into why this all might be happening. As a kid raised on a steady diet of 90′s pop-culture, bad mainstream radio, low quality MP3s (an ode to the days of P2P networks), and an absence of live music, it’s no wonder that I’d be inclined to rebel against the current state of the music business. I remember listening to 96 kbps MP3 rips of blink-182 songs, thinking “I love computers and technology, but honestly, this is terrible sound quality.” Further than that was the lack of art. In my recent years I’ve become an amateur gig poster aficionado and appreciator of all things music-art related. Even the mighty CD lacked any real art (4″ x 4″ is a mighty small canvas, just ask anyone who’s ever done anything remotely creative). An LP jacket, on the other hand, is big enough to enjoy the album art.
And so, within the last couple of years I’ve procured a turntable (yes old people, us youngins know what those are) and more processed petroleum than I have time to listen to. In the end, the following factors made me fall in love with vinyl:
1. Price: I got my turntable for free when they tore down the old Golden High School building. Most classic records are cheap (I picked up a copy of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Prince’s Purple Rain for $7 each on eBay.) I’ve bought many other great records for pennies, it’s all about spotting the potential sources of good vinyl. Places to look: Goodwill (or any thrift store), independent record stores (check out thinkindie.com), and eBay.
2. Selection: Not only are some of the greatest albums of all time on vinyl, but so are most modern releases. Usually newer releases play up the novelty of buying wax, so there are bonuses such as stickers, posters, and occasionally bonus “vinyl only” tracks. Plus, you can find vinyl in any genre you like.
3. Sound: Most people will tell you that vinyl sounds “warm,” and this is true. The key to getting the most out of your vinyl experience is to not skimp on your stereo. Personally I use one of those Bose bookshelf units, but anything better than your average Wal-mart boom box should be good. [Important note: most older turntables require some sort of pre-amp, get one, I think they still sell them at RadioShack]
4. Pure Hipsterness: Right now this trend is cool, sexy and fairly organic. So hop on the bandwagon and be hip.
