About a month ago after my first blog post I was describing it to a few of my classmates. I explained that the purpose of the blog was to highlight different fads from the past that were coming back in style.
Surprisingly, a number of people seemed to show an interest in my topic. They started sharing a number of ideas for me to explore. One of them being that vinyl records are becoming popular again.
I put off this topic for a couple of weeks because, honestly, I didn’t have much to say, and I had a hard time believing it was true. But the other day, I was walking through the mall and a display on the wall of Urban Outfitters caught my eye. There were hundreds of records hanging on the wall with rows of records down below. Off to the side, record players were neatly stacked, waiting to be bought.
I stopped and stared, leaving my husband who was walking with me, to get a few steps ahead. When he realized I wasn’t at his side, he retraced his steps and found me inside the store, standing at the rows of records.
He asked what I was doing. I turned to him wide-eyed and explained, “I think that we need to start collecting records.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head “no.” This was when the thirteen-year-old girl in me started to shine through. I believe I stomped my foot, slightly, and simply complained, “Why not?”
I later regretted asking the question , for his rebuttal was fair. “You can’t even listen to them in the car.” I accepted his thinking and we kept walking. I did look back a few times at the display, and I couldn’t help but think, “They just look so cool.”
If you're trying to rationalize why records are back, and why you should start collecting them. I would recommend watching the YouTube video of Turnaround - A Vinyl Record Documentary. I plan to use many of the points in the video to defend my case for building a vinyl library.
Take a look at Urban Outfitters to see what vinyl records, new and old, are out there for your listening pleasure.
Either I am incredibly trendy, or I need to clean out my basement. I know for a fact that my husband and I have at least one rather large box of albums -- vinyl albums -- from when that was not retro, but the only way to buy music. I also have a pretty decent collection of 45's, the more economical option, especially in my teen babysitting money days. Perhaps we should get a turn-table working again, and become cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Casey, for making me laugh a little. I loved your foot-stamping whiny voice. Of course, I pictured me doing it. Your post makes me want to go to Urban Outfitters to see which old albums are considered cool enough to make their display.
I for one think the vinyl comeback is pretty cool. I think there is something very unique about the sound and there is some cool nostalgia to it. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with vinyl as my mom accidentally shot my dad's record collection with a 12 gauge shotgun (that's a funny story, you'll have to ask me about it sometime). I'd love to take my favorite albums and see how the vinyl compares to the digital copies of songs.
ReplyDeleteAs for your husband's point that you can't play vinyl in the car, you should ask him if he's ever seen Pimp My Ride. They put that stuff in cars all the time!
I (Professor Knapik) am laughing at this post because my husband and I have a small vinyl record collection (probably 20 or so) and add to it on occasion when we pass a Reckless Records and just have to stop in....but we have no turn table for playing them! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI believe that most husbands and wives often look at things within their household and one may think "treasure" and the other "trash". This is the case for David and me. I am most often the one who is looking for things to donate, recycle, or just plain get rid of extra "stuff". This is not the case though for my vinyl record collection. In the video that you shared the guy talked about the artwork on the jackets. When I see the artwork on the jackets or sleeves of an album I am magically transported back to my teenage years when the music of Journey, Rush, Eagles, Styx, Pink Floyd, and Genesis filled my room and the artwork filled my dresser drawers! I also have many of the vinyl albums that were favorites of my parents. George Winston, John Denver, Three Tenors, and many other classical greats can take me back to time spent with my family as a youngster. I know that I can listen to them all on YouTube, on-line, or even on CD. Maybe it is the same argument that goes with "book or kindle" . Holding something in your hand that had a significant purpose or place in history and feeling the cover, binding and pages turning in your hand....somethings just can't be replaced!
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