Vinyl's Making a Comeback
Brittany Lawler
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Scene
From college dorm rooms to high school parties, an all-but-extinct music format has been turning up lately - and this doesn't mean CDs. Vinyl records that helped define the golden era of rock in the '60s and '70s, are suddenly resurfacing.
As unnatural as it may seem, in the digital age of iPods and MP3 downloads, vinyl-the preferred format for select groups of music lovers-is prepared to re-enter the mainstream music world.
To the technologically advanced crowd, vinyl records are considered obsolete. To the general public they are considered retro, but to some-they are classic, irreplaceable and favored over CDs and digitalized forms of music.
The music industry, hoping to find another revenue, which doesn't easily lead to illegal downloads and music sharing, has recently jumped on the bandwagon. Current artists like The Killers and Ryan Adams have begun releasing their new albums on vinyl in addition to the CD and MP3 formats.
"For many of us and certainly for many of our artists, the vinyl is the true version of the release," said Matador's Patrick Amory to Wired Magazine. "The size and presence of the artwork, the division into sides, the better sound quality, above all the involvement and work the listener has to put in, all make it the format of choice for people who really care about music."
For the habitual music fans, that also use MP3 players and iPods, in addition to their computers, Matador and other labels include vouchers in record distribution, which can then be used to download MP3 versions of the songs. Amory called the voucher program "hugely popular."
Mobility nor sound quality is a reason to stick with CDs. Although the rare vinyl enthusiasts stem from parody, they're right about one thing; records can have a better quality then CDs. Music today, is digitally enhanced and altered-but vinyl records are raw. They are more difficult to copy and more challenging to reproduce.
Although, vinyl albums have a narrower demographic then CDs, the production of the CD's are often condensed versions, while the acoustics on CDs are made to allow the music to be as loud as possible. Since, the sound qualities on vinyl can't be compressed to those extremes, records generally offer a finer distinction in sound.
Music is everywhere today, but the traditions attached to music are what keep it pure. The raw, unaltered sound of vinyl is what makes it worth investing in. CDs are portable and useful, when dealing with travel, but records have utilized their unique sounds and strong undertones, while creating an untainted tune. Many musicians are releasing their albums solely on vinyl and in MP3 format, eliminating the CD form altogether.
"Having just gone through the process of mastering our new album for digital and for vinyl, I can say it is completely amazing how different they really sound," said lead singer and guitarist Joshua Babcock in an e-mail interview to Wired Magazine. "The way the vinyl is so much better and warmer and more interesting to listen to is a wonder."
As unnatural as it may seem, in the digital age of iPods and MP3 downloads, vinyl-the preferred format for select groups of music lovers-is prepared to re-enter the mainstream music world.
To the technologically advanced crowd, vinyl records are considered obsolete. To the general public they are considered retro, but to some-they are classic, irreplaceable and favored over CDs and digitalized forms of music.
The music industry, hoping to find another revenue, which doesn't easily lead to illegal downloads and music sharing, has recently jumped on the bandwagon. Current artists like The Killers and Ryan Adams have begun releasing their new albums on vinyl in addition to the CD and MP3 formats.
"For many of us and certainly for many of our artists, the vinyl is the true version of the release," said Matador's Patrick Amory to Wired Magazine. "The size and presence of the artwork, the division into sides, the better sound quality, above all the involvement and work the listener has to put in, all make it the format of choice for people who really care about music."
For the habitual music fans, that also use MP3 players and iPods, in addition to their computers, Matador and other labels include vouchers in record distribution, which can then be used to download MP3 versions of the songs. Amory called the voucher program "hugely popular."
Mobility nor sound quality is a reason to stick with CDs. Although the rare vinyl enthusiasts stem from parody, they're right about one thing; records can have a better quality then CDs. Music today, is digitally enhanced and altered-but vinyl records are raw. They are more difficult to copy and more challenging to reproduce.
Although, vinyl albums have a narrower demographic then CDs, the production of the CD's are often condensed versions, while the acoustics on CDs are made to allow the music to be as loud as possible. Since, the sound qualities on vinyl can't be compressed to those extremes, records generally offer a finer distinction in sound.
Music is everywhere today, but the traditions attached to music are what keep it pure. The raw, unaltered sound of vinyl is what makes it worth investing in. CDs are portable and useful, when dealing with travel, but records have utilized their unique sounds and strong undertones, while creating an untainted tune. Many musicians are releasing their albums solely on vinyl and in MP3 format, eliminating the CD form altogether.
"Having just gone through the process of mastering our new album for digital and for vinyl, I can say it is completely amazing how different they really sound," said lead singer and guitarist Joshua Babcock in an e-mail interview to Wired Magazine. "The way the vinyl is so much better and warmer and more interesting to listen to is a wonder."
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