Jessica Pellegrino – General Assignment Reporter
I bought my first vinyl record at a flea market when I was fifteen. My dad and I would frequent these flea markets for comic books, action figures; whatever little blip of his childhood would make an appearance on that given day.
My first record was “Blondes Have More Fun” by Rod Stewart. I pulled it out of a weathered cardboard box and it reeked of mildew, a smell I would come to appreciate. The sleeve was frayed and it was in really bad shape, so I held it in my hands the entire ride home. Later that year, I got my first record player for Christmas and my father bestowed upon me his record collection. It has been a lifestyle ever since.
But in this day and age with MP3s, is this hobby really that widespread? Apparently, yes. According to the Recording Industry Association of American, vinyl record sales hit an all-time low of 857,000 in 2005 but, have been on the upswing over the last ten years. In 2013, almost six million records were sold. This year’s numbers continue to increase steadily.
Any vinyl enthusiast can attest to the fear and excitement that comes along with Record Store Day every year. One day a year, record labels release limit copies of special edition soundtracks, albums, and box sets. And I mean limited. Some records will get pressings of a mere 250 records. That means each store will get maybe one or two copies of a certain record. Collectors wait outside for hours before the store opens, sometimes paying for higher up spots in line. This year, I was offered one hundred dollars to move back three spots in line. On April 19, 2014 record stores saw their most profitable day in history. Billboard estimated that record store profits increased 57 percent, in one week.
But, let’s be real. What is the point of the vinyl record anyway? Vinyls are bulky and awkward shaped. They break and scratch easily. Not only that, they require heavy machinery to play and they hiss and pop at even the slightest bit of dust. They appear and act as archaic as they actually are.
For me, vinyl records are the only way to collect music. I get to display my record collection loud and proud. I can find music almost anywhere, from tag sales to old basements to record stores. These days, with their increased popularity, I could even find records at the mall. But most importantly, records have a history, unlike their CD counterparts. Their scratches and nicks show their age and their cracks and pops make the music sound so warm that listening to that song on your IPod after you’ve spun it on a record player will feel like a sin.
My advice to anyone reading this who wants to get acquainted with the world of vinyl records is simple. Buy old records first. Buy a Beatles album at a tag sale or spin your grandfather’s Louis Armstrong vinyl. Experience vinyl records the way they were intended to be listened to first. Then, buy your all-time favorite album on vinyl. Fair warning, it isn’t going to sound like what you’re used to. It will sound better.
With record sales continuing to increase in profit and popularity, this is a trend that does not seem to be going away anytime soon.
Photo Credit: Tim
