A few weeks ago, I was in Schoolkids Records in Raleigh, flipping through their vinyl. I've gotten into the practice of looking through vinyl, even though I didn't have a record player, because I knew at some point I would get one, when I could afford it. I've made it a point to collect the vinyl from albums that have changed my perspective on things, or are people like Sleater-Kinney or Elliott. I've bought records as souvenirs from road trips. I've gotten vinyl as birthday presents, and yes, I've been the sad 20-something hipster that bought it so I could frame the album art. What, the frames keep the dust off!
We can blame it all on Jay, really, who bought me my first "real" record, Jeff Buckley's "Grace," limited edition, with a single of "Strawberry Street" pressed onto translucent blue vinyl. Whenever I found a friend with a record player, I would beg them to let me bring my small collection over to listen for the afternoon. So, as I was standing in that record store, and I was looking at a copy of "Sainthood," with a free digital copy, I realized that the time had come. Time to buy a turntable, and damn the cost.
So when I got back to Roanoke the next day, I met Ashley at Best Buy to see what they had. I wasn't too surprised, because I have priced turntables in the past... and I can't afford to put down at least 100 for a turntable, and then an amp, and speakers, not to mention find the space for all of that! I wanted to spend Christmas money, but it's not like I had 300 dollars to blow. Disappointed, we went to Target. We went to the electronics section, and lo and behold, there was a traveling turntable with attached speakers for 70 bucks. It's not going to win any awards for sound quality, but it allows me to listen to what I've been collecting so long, and stop being the wannabe hipster that puts it on my walls.
Now, in all honesty, I haven't listened to vinyl full time since I was listening to my mother play Anne Murray and the Bee Gees when I was a little girl. (Also, Best of Friends, The Smurfs, thanks to my godfather) So here are some observations of the vinyl experience from a fresh perspective:
1. Vinyl gives the user a more intimate experience. Listening to Elliott made me feel like he was sitting next to me. Since I'll never have the ability to see him in concert, it gave me the next best thing.
2. Vinyl commands your full attention. We all know I have attention problems. With vinyl, I can cut down the number of things I'm doing at the same time, and actually give the music most, if not all, of my full attention. It's harder to skip around, so I don't. I listen to albums as a whole, from beginning to end. It's an experience that I didn't realize I was losing, given that I grew up in the age of the CD and the digital music file.
3. Vinyl has album art. Yes. CD's have album art too. But with a record, I can sit and stare at a large version of the picture on the cover, read the lyrics, see who did the mastering... and since I'm getting an immersion experience, I'll probably remember it better, too.
I covered the outside of the suitcase (it *is* a travel turntable) with the decals I've collected from labels and record stores I've visited. It looks like I've had a turntable all along. And I like it that way.
1 comment:
Despite the fact that I'm listening to a mix now, I tend to listen to albums as a whole. I grew up listening to my dad's 70s/classic rock albums - guess that had more of an effect on me than I thought :) Glad you're still loving the turntable!
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