Over the past couple of years, the sales of vinyl records have surprisingly and greatly increased. One would think that the rapid evolution of technology would annihilate such rudimental pleasures, however, some unexpected factors have reversed the process.
Apparently, millennials are keen on vintage and are capable of being nostalgic over something they never experienced. Therefore, buying vinyl albums, nowadays, makes you cool. Another major influence is the recent death of numerous beloved artists, which actually triggered a genuine reaction of nostalgia and regret. Consequently, music on vinyl returned into the spotlight… and on turntables from all over the world!
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1. VINYL vs DIGITAL: Is Vinyl Really Better?
Actually, the sound quality on vinyl is not by far superior, it just has certain attractive particularities. Sure, it surpasses the compressed mp3s and Youtube downloads. It is called a “lossless” format. However, you need a high-quality turntable. The highest point of the vinyl experience is due to the immersive, deep sound, but even that depends on the length of the album, it’s sides and grooves and even on the order of the tracks.
Music on vinyl sounds “warmer” due to the lack of accuracy in the reproduction of the bassline, which creates a distortion.
So why do people like vinyl so much, if not necessarily for the sound quality? Audio stimulation is not enough anymore. Art, in all its forms, is in the process of evolving and becoming an active, all body experience. Music on vinyl delivers such an experience, as it implies not only listening but a visual and tactile encounter as well.
2. The Thrill of Collecting
A collection is something you take pride in, whether its rocks (*They’re called minerals!*) or rare artefacts. So face it, collecting vinyl records is much more rewarding that collecting data files of music. Because they’re harder to find and you can store them in your library, your actual library. On shelves. For all your guests to see! Furthermore, buying vinyl records makes you part of a community. It gives you the pleasure of doing something special and supporting the cause of music worth buying.
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3. An Occasion to Polish Your Music Taste
When you say vinyl, you usually say classic, consecrated artists. For example, check out last year’s Top 40 best-selling vinyl albums via officialcharts.com:
1. BLACKSTAR – DAVID BOWIE
2. BACK TO BLACK – AMY WINEHOUSE
3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – AWESOME MIX 1 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
4. A MOON SHAPED POOL – RADIOHEAD
5. RUMOURS – FLEETWOOD MAC
6. THE STONE ROSES – STONE ROSES
7. LEGEND – BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS
8. SGT PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND – BEATLES
9. PURPLE RAIN – OST – PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION
10. NEVERMIND – NIRVANA
11. I LIKE IT WHEN YOU SLEEP FOR YOU ARE SO – 1975
12. THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST – DAVID BOWIE
13. 25 – ADELE
14. PULP FICTION ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
15. AM – ARCTIC MONKEYS
16. THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON – PINK FLOYD
17. HUNKY DORY – DAVID BOWIE
18. THE QUEEN IS DEAD – SMITHS
19. HOTEL CALIFORNIA – EAGLES
20. EVERYTHING YOU’VE COME TO EXPECT – LAST SHADOW PUPPETS
21. UNPLUGGED IN NEW YORK – NIRVANA
22. WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY – OASIS
23. HATFUL OF HOLLOW – SMITHS
24. FOUR SYMBOLS – LED ZEPPELIN
25. NOTHING HAS CHANGED – THE VERY BEST OF – DAVID BOWIE
26. ABBEY ROAD – BEATLES
27. APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION – GUNS N’ ROSES
28. CHANGESONEBOWIE – DAVID BOWIE
29. BLUE & LONESOME – ROLLING STONES
30. ELLIPSIS – BIFFY CLYRO
31. THE WONDER OF YOU – ELVIS PRESLEY
32. A HEAD FULL OF DREAMS – COLDPLAY
33. STAR WARS – EPISODE 4 – A NEW HOPE – OST LSO/WILLIAMS
34. THE RIDE – CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN
35. ALL OVER THE WORLD – THE VERY BEST OF – ELO
36. WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM THAT’S WHAT I’M – ARCTIC MONKEYS
37. SKELETON TREE – NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS
38. GREATEST HITS – FOO FIGHTERS
39. GREATEST HITS – FLEETWOOD MAC
40. LONDON CALLING – CLASH
Most of these albums belong to highly acclaimed, award-winnings artists who performed decades ago but are still popular and people still invest in their music. Moreover, notice that the recently deceased David Bowie appears 5 times. Many of these albums have also sold massively in 2017.
4. A Break From the PC – You Can Enjoy Music at its Fullest
Listening to music on vinyl is also a healthy, relaxing experience. It implies sparing your eyes from staring at your screen any longer. No clicking play and no scrolling through a playlist. Moreover, no distractions. No need to reply to that e-mail while trying to enjoy this awesome guitar solo. As explained earlier, playing a vinyl record is an active experience that requires you to physically handle the disc and just take your time.
Photo source: ThisandThat
5. An Aesthetic Boost
The journey of buying and listening to a vinyl is a satisfying process. Some people enjoy browsing a record shop, much more than the usual “online shopping” that is downloading their music. Furthermore, placing the record on the turntable, fixing the cartridge, that click it makes… And especially the smooth luscious surface of the record… all these are strong influential factors in the timeless war of vinyl vs digital. Vinyl lovers find themselves more connected to the music this way. Additionally, many pubs and bars use vinyl records as wall decorations because… face it… they look so cool!
In conclusion, listening to music on vinyl proved to be beneficial to your lifestyle. Apart from the unique and immersive sound of vinyl, they provide the perfect occasion for starting a new hobby, meeting new people, and, most noteworthy, learning to relax, take it easy and enjoy the experience.
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