For those who grew up on vinyl records, you may miss the days of putting something on the turntable and carefully fitting the needle to the grooves. You may even have a collection of favorite LPs you just never could part with but have nothing you can play them on. Somehow, pressing a button on an iPod just doesn't have that same organic feel to you especially when it comes to playing classics.
And the record companies are embracing the reincarnation of vinyl for many reasons, including the fact that vinyl is another source of revenue that can't be illegally downloaded.
Its not just about Baby Boomers being nostalgic, either. The younger generation is showing a trend toward vinyl as well. Scott Storer, a longtime employee at Rockin Rudy's Record Heaven in Montana, has a theory about the iPod generation's switch to their parents' record collection.
"The younger generations missed out on having something concrete," says Storer. "There is a pure sound with its pops and clicks that lends to an actual listening experience rather than just flipping through an iPod."
CDs never were able to create that tie with music that past mediums did, said Storer. He won't be surprised if people have no problem letting CDs come to their demise, which reflects a national trend of CD sales dropping.
In an edgy, hipster-romantic sense, vinyls give younger listeners a connection with the music of yesterday.
"Vinyl gets you a little closer to the thing bands used to hear," said Storer. "There has been a real interest in the old rock bands."
Vinyl records can still be found in flea markets and garage sales and, yes, even in your mom and dad's old hi-fi cabinet.
If you love the vinyl experience, you can bring it back now.
