Jim McIntosh

Bookends / Simon & Garfunkel

Last week my mom sent me an article from the USA Today titled Vinyle Records Spin Back Into Vogue. It described how record sales are picking up again to levels they hadn’t been at since 1991. The article points out that no one thinks the medium is making a comeback that would make it the predominant medium, but I don’t think it did much to describe the fact that not all record collectors are audiophiles, or purists. I think part of the up tick in interest is from a group of people like me who just want to engage with the experience again, something that is lost with itunes, pandora or grooveshark.

When I was 9 or 10 years old I started collecting music. I collected albums from bands Forigner and Billy Joel, but Kiss was by far my favorite. I used to sit with my best friend in my room and play the same albums over and over. It was something I did to pass time like recreation.

Since then of corse digital music has changed this kind of experience. Some changes are good and some not so good. The added convenience is great, but the experience of an album is completely lost in my opinion.

About a year and a half ago I bought a turn table and started to collect many of the albums because I wanted that engagement. I also wanted to do it as a way to collect and remember. And, I think a growing number of people are like me – people that just want some of the old experience but aren’t willing to give up on convenience.

The bottom line for me is that vinyl really brings back the experience and doesn’t replace sound. But, it doesn’t mean I’m not collecting what I want to listen to via digital download.