Long Live Vinyl!

I once read an article titled “I Still Buy CDs. Am I Normal,” and as someone who has bought physical copies of albums for many years, it had me asking the same question. Collecting CDs didn’t become a hobby of mine until I was in college thanks to the record store, that has since closed, which I lived a five minute walk away from. To relieve myself of boredom, every now and then, I would visit the store and comb through the seemingly endless columns of albums. I would buy the classics along with new and old albums by my favorite bands. Over what has now been five years, my collection has grown into the hundreds from CDs I had bought and been given by my dad and brothers.

But after reading that article, even though I new they weren’t popular anymore, I realized just how much of a dying trend CDs are. I was saddened by the fact that the days of buying physical albums may be coming to an end. Then my brother bought a record player and I came to a new realization. What at first seemed as an impractical and outdated medium was actually what is saving the physical album market. And would give my collection new life as well.

I was shocked by what I found about vinyl and its resiliency. For well over half a century vinyl has survived every advancement in the music industry. It has outlasted reel-to-reel tape, 8-track and cassettes and has held its own in competition with compact discs. Even now, in the age of digital downloads and streaming, vinyl is one of the more popular ways to listen to music.

Vinyl sales have steadily increased over the last decade, reaching a total of 7.9 million in 2014, which was a 49 percent increase from the previous year. The most amazing part of this is that vinyl is just coming off its worst selling decade in the 2000s. Digital downloads were still the most popular in music sales with 37 percent of total music sales in 2014, but physical copies were not too far behind with 32 percent. By the end of the year, a total of 94 albums sold over 10,000 copies each. According to Billboard, over the last 10 years vinyl sales rose from 0.2 percent of total album sales to 3.6 percent.

The most notable album release that has signified vinyl’s return is “Lazaretto” by Jack White, released in 2014. Not only were the album’s sales surprisingly high for today, but it is one of the biggest selling albums in decades, selling 40,000 copies in its first week. According to Billboard, “Lazaretto” had the highest week of sales for any vinyl album since the numbers began being recorded in 1991. Billboard also recorded that by the end of the year 27 percent of the album’s total sales were vinyl.

Physical copy sales were once dominated by CDs, but have declined by 15 percent in each of the last years, as vinyl sales have risen. The turnaround has been so dramatic that most stores sell vinyl rather than CDs. Stores like Urban Outfitters, Barnes & Noble and Hot Topic have put CDs aside to feature a large collection of vinyl.

So, what’s so special about vinyl that made it capable of this massive comeback? There are a few answers to that question.

One reason has been vinyl’s ability to adapt to the digital age and please younger consumers. Most albums today come with a special code for a digital download of the album for your iPod and other music devices, giving the consumer the best of both worlds.

Another reason is nostalgia, and while it has played a big part in vinyl’s comeback, it is not the main reason. Most of it is bought by people in their 20s and 30s who were raised by parents who are music lovers and collected vinyl in their youth. And now that many active bands have started releasing new and old albums on vinyl, younger generations can start their own collection with the artists they have grown or are growing up listening to. Nostalgia is what helped the comeback get started.

What has also gauged the interest of younger listeners is Record Store Day, which takes place every spring. Many active artists, both young and old, take advantage of the massive audience that Record Store Day brings by releasing rare and collectible vinyl that consumers can only get that day. According to Diffuser, in the past two years alone there have been 1,200 exclusive releases on Record Store Day. Artists will feature re-releases of classic albums with bonus tracks, rare album B-side collections and uniquely pressed vinyl records with a distinct color pattern or picture. Record Store Day has not only given new life to vinyl, but to the few record stores that remain. It’s created a win-win-win situation for the artist, store owner and consumer, while adding to the collective quality of vinyl.

Vinyl’s collectible trait is one of the main reasons that it has reached this new level of popularity. Most music fans prefer to physically own their albums and display them to show just how big of a fan they are of a particular band or genre. And its more than just owning it, it’s the interactive experience buying vinyl creates. It’s the thrill of the hunt that vinyl consumers enjoy. Going to your local store and endlessly searching for that one special album while also interacting with others who share your interest is an experience that opens you up to a whole new world of music lovers. It’s certainly a much more enthralling experience than just clicking a button.

There are now more places to buy vinyl than there ever has before, even was when it was in its prime. For as much as the digital age has hurt sales, it has also helped vinyl’s resurgence. With many record stores closing over the last few years, the internet is the largest resource for vinyl. Amazon now has what is probably the largest collection of vinyl in the world, selling both new and used vinyl at a wide range of prices. You can also get vinyl on most band’s websites, EBay and other websites that specialize in selling vinyl. Combining online vendors with the record stores that still remain and stores like Urban Outfitters, Barnes & Noble and Hot Topic has created an abundance of options vinyl consumers have never seen before.

But, the driving force behind vinyl’s amazing resurrection is what comes after the search and purchase of the album. It’s the moment everything has built up to. The hard part is over and so is the wait, now comes the most immersive part of the journey. After carefully peeling off the protective wrapping, you take a moment to study the unique cover art on the front and back in anticipation of what’s inside. On the inside you find more art along with the lyrics to every track, which gives you a glimpse into the artist’s mind when everything finally comes as you gently place the record on the turn-table and connect it with the needle. You are then greeted with a sound that isn’t quite the quality of digital music, but has a warmth to it, as described by most vinyl consumers. The little imperfections are what gives vinyl its signature sound, separating it from all other devices.

As the music is married with the artwork and follow along with the lyrics, it becomes a mesmerizing experience. The artist’s vision becomes clear and you feel a connection with them as you appreciate all the work and creativity that went into this fascinating production. And when it’s over, you are reminded why you have such a great love of music. It’s not just all about a catchy chorus and tune. It’s about the artist behind it, their message and the immersive journey their music takes you on.

My collection of physical albums continues to grow and am now on the upward trend of the music market. Which leaves me saying, long live vinyl!