| The vinyl records store that was the main attraction | | | | and such, like a decent copy of Pink Floyd The Piper |
| along college streets or the Saturday hangout at the | | | | at the Gates of Dawn at an affordable price), but then |
| mall is down but not out! The CD nearly killed the | | | | I like to just wander and look around for a while. I |
| vinyl record, then digital downloads from sites like | | | | always find a disc that floods me with memories of |
| iTunes tried to deliver the knock-out punch, but the vinyl | | | | days long past. Many records will instantly bring back |
| format just will not go away. | | | | a very poignant memory of exactly when I first heard |
| There is something about holding a physical object that | | | | a certain record or song. I can usually hear the music |
| makes music in your hands, however, and vinyl discs | | | | and see the faces of friends long left behind. Often I |
| are just downright sexier than CDs! The Recording | | | | will buy a record just for that reason. Then I will take |
| Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported 2008 | | | | it home and put it on the record player right away and |
| record sales increased over 100 percent over 2007 | | | | enjoy a totally selfish nostalgic moment that |
| year-end sales, shipping 2.9 million LPs and EPs | | | | reconnects the now me with the then me and makes |
| compared to 1.3 million records the year before! | | | | me feel just a little bit more right. |
| Though more numerous in larger metro areas than | | | | If you are having difficulty finding old records to fill in |
| small towns, stores that stock and trade vinyl records | | | | your collection, you may want to try an online store like |
| are fighting back. You can find them in strip malls | | | | that specializes in both new and used vinyl records. |
| across America, usually set back from the street, but | | | | These web stores will typically carry a larger inventory |
| they are there. I have a couple that I visit often. I | | | | that is replenished more frequently than the used |
| love the feeling when I step in the door; it is like | | | | records store in your local strip mall. Some of them |
| stepping back in time. There is usually some Procol | | | | have pretty good return policies, but be careful, some |
| Harem or Pat Benatar playing on an open turntable | | | | carry a no returns, proceed at your own risk warning. |
| behind the desk, and the guy working the register is | | | | However and wherever you choose to shop, do not |
| the definition of laid back. | | | | abandon your vinyl records simply because you think |
| Do you have any music on vinyl? If so, how long | | | | they are going out of style and will be impossible to |
| since you put it on the turntable? If you walked into a | | | | find. If you like the size and flexibility of CDs or you |
| records store, what would you check out? Would | | | | prefer the convenience of a digital downloaded music |
| you just wander through the aisles nostalgically, or are | | | | library on your computer and iPod, vinyl may not be for |
| there some specific recording artists or albums you | | | | you. But, if you do not mind an occasional hiss or skip |
| would want to look for? With me it is some of | | | | (and actually think of it as texture and ambience), then |
| both. Usually I have an agenda, because if I do not I | | | | continuing to invest in your vinyl records library may not |
| can spend a LOT of time or a LOT of money (or | | | | be such a crazy thing after all. |
| both) before I leave. So, I usually give myself an | | | | Carry on, my wayward friend! |
| allowance (okay, on this trip I am going to look for such | | | | |