So about 8 months ago I started working at a vinyl record shop, Kops records, in Toronto. We specialize in roots music and have a huge collection of 45s.
It had been quite a few years since I had lost touch with that part of me that loved vinyl records. They're big, cumbersome, and tend to be hard to travel with. But now that I'm much more sedentary, with the starting of roots growing in this hard Toronto soil, coupled with the fact that I get great discounts, my vinyl collection is growing exponentially.
There are a few key things that one needs to know about vinyl, and why it should be the medium of the future.
1. It is beautiful. Yes a vinyl record is larger than its CD or mp3 counterpart, but the black discs with its magical grooves and the packaging which actually lets you enjoy artwork in a size larger than afforded elsewhere is a piece of beautiful art. There's nothing quite like getting the wrapping off your new record and coaxing that perfect piece of plastic out of its case.
2. It sounds good. Played through a well set up sound system on a decent turntable, records have a warmth and depth that CDs and Mp3s just can't match. Maybe it's analog compression, maybe it's just nostalgia for a time when music wasn't disposable, but to me it sounds better.
3. It will last. Vinyl records, due to their plastic-y nature do not deteriorate if kept in good conditions (free of dust, not extremely humid). CDs begin oxidizing and are unreadable 20-30 years after manufacture.
4. They create value and appreciation for their contents. Unlike Mp3s and CDs which have essentially become disposable media for the music buying public, vinyl records encourage people to think about what they're doing. One must take care of a vinyl record, be gentle, and treat it like the piece of art that it is in order to enjoy it's everlasting delights. This encourages the vinyl buyer to bond with the art, and view it less as disposable fast food and more as a gourmet supper to be relived in memory every day.
5. It forces you to listen to the music as its creator wished. You can't put your turntable on shuffle. If you don't rip it, the music won't get lost in the ether of your ipod either. It is designed to be listened to track by track in the order specifically selected by the artist. This itself enhances the listening experience. Try listening to Antlers "Hospice" in random order and see if it makes sense, or Dark Side Of The Moon, or any other concept album. There is a reason the tracks are in the order they're in, and the album can be best enjoyed that way.
So that's that, 5 reasons why I'm reigniting my love of vinyl, and I suggest you look into it too, to get the most out of your music.
My current top 5 records:
Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here
Antlers - Hospice
Lightspeed Champion - Life is Sweet! Nice to meet you
Curtis Mayfield - Curtis
Syl Johnson - Is it because I'm Black
Alex
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