VINYL vs. iTunes: While taking a short lunch break, I was downloading some music on my phone which prompted a great conversation with someone at work.
We discussed a time when buying and listening to an vinyl record was an actual experience. Dad would drive me to Town & Country Music, a local record shop. Sometime I knew exactly what I wanted, sometimes not.
After my purchase, I’d get into the car and immediately tear off the shrink-wrap.
Maybe it was a “concept” album, or contain something other than music? Maybe.
Would there be lyrics, a poster, a booklet? (Sometimes there was even a T Shirt iron on, like in the case of CHICAGO VIII! )
Needless to say, I would have all these questions answered out before getting home, slapping on the KOSS headphones and listen to all the cuts, both sides, to “experience it”.
Something that can’t be done today.
After multiple plays, even with all the slight cracks and pops in the background, they somehow became a part of the song itself after a while.
And you accepted it, like a good friend.
I love the immediacy of iTunes, but the ease of disposability bothers me.
This is probably why I can’t part with my vinyl from growing up.
They somehow are and will always be a part of me.
