LP revival: Fact or fantasy?

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

I'm not sure why, but there's a never-ending stream of articles cheering on vinyl's comeback. I guess if it's a slow news day, editors can't resist plugging in yet another story about booming LP sales, and they always claim something along the lines of "Kids are digging the grooves, they've seen the light, and now crave analog sound!"

Puh-leeze!

Don't get me wrong; I wish it were true. Maybe in some alternative universe, vinyl is flying off the shelves, and kids are ditching their iPods and buying turntables.

Back here on the Earth we know and love, 2008 sales of LPs were up 89 percent, from 990,000 in '07 to 1.88 million in '08. That's hardly a boom, now that CD sales are in the hundreds of millions. The best-selling LP of 2008 was Radiohead's "In Rainbows," which sold a piddling 28,800 platters. Second-place honors went to another British band, The Beatles, which sold 16,500 "Abbey Road" LPs. If those numbers are accurate, and Radiohead's Thom Yorke and company were trying to live off LP sales, they'd have to get day jobs.

So sure, there's more and more new and reissue vinyl, and that's great, but only a teensy-weensy number of people buy new vinyl. Most of my vinyl-loving buddies regularly score free records on the street, or pay a buck or two for used vinyl to play on their megabucks high-end turntables. Again, no problem there, but it's not the same as a true vinyl resurgence. That's just media hype.

I love vinyl because it looks cool and sounds great. I own around 4,000 LPs. And I'm hoping that the vinyl revival keeps growing. But the market for physical media--CDs and LPs--has nowhere to go but down. More than anything else, people want cheap or free music, playable anywhere they want.

Vinyl doesn't fit that model. Music now serves as background filler, something you have on while you do something else: read, cook, exercise, commute, work, whatever. Vinyl doesn't lend itself to those sorts of activities; it's a listening medium. That's a low priority nowadays.

There's no getting around it; new vinyl is more expensive than CDs or downloads. If you love it, it's worth it. If music is mere background, it's not all that valuable.

Do you buy vinyl? New stuff or just used?

Do you think vinyl will be around in five years?

[gringcorp]

Used to buy a fair amount of new vinyl in the late 90s, when indie labels and stores would give it a fair amount of prominence to make themselves stand out. And then I only bought used stuff (Brooklyn stoop sales) until very recently. But there have been a few vinyl-only releases and reissues (metal label Southern Lord does this a fair bit) recently, and I discovered Princeton Record Exchange, and now I'm buying a fair amount. I have to say, though, the vinyl buyer is now officially the music industry's last reliable mark. I noticed the other day in PREX an audiophile-grade heavy vinyl pressing of Faith No More's "Angel Dust", yours for only $39.99.

[Hughsuf]

I am 25 and I asked for a turntable for Christmas this year from my wife and I love it! We have been hooked ever since. Ever night we put on a LP (right now our favorite is ELO "A New World Record") and sit back to enjoy. I think there is an application for both digital and vinyl. Personally I listen to digital on the go, but as soon as I get home, the stereo is cranked to a favorite LP.
We have a great used vinyl shop in town that I frequent about once a week. Nothing beats a classic for 3 dollars. If there is anything new we want, Amazon is great at providing those new LP's whether or not its a new or old band. I hope that people start to realize how great LP's can be and learn to combine their digital world and vinyl world. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the best of both worlds.
Vinyl better be around in five years. If not, I better start buying now.
Thanks for the blog. Love the audiophiliac.

[defgibbon]

"audiophile" pressings and "collectable" boxed sets aside, a vinyl pressing of an album is within a buck or three of a CD, and many now come with a coupon for a digital download of the entire thing as well. Considering the pennies it costs record companies to press CDs and the dollar or two it costs them to press vinyl, I'd say that the vinyl is a spectacular deal. Assuming you've got a turntable on which to play it...

[mediocrates--2008]

I own hundreds of CDs, and will continue to collect them. But I'll remian blissfully free of vinyl for the rest of my days.

Remember all the reasons we switched to CDs - dust, scratches, the degradation of fidelity as the record condition and/or needle condition declined. Any contact-based medium is a war against time you're destined to lose.

[alegr]

Why not just sell CDs with recordings made from vinyl, without any post-processing, for those who enjoy the noise, clicks and distortion.

[pubmat]

Well said alegr. People need to give up the myth that vinyl is superior to CDs.

[the_skine]

Yes, CDs are generally capable of producing a given sound more effectively than vinyl. They are able to provide a greater dynamical range and true stereo recordings. The problem is that they usually don't. The problem is that, to the untrained ear, the louder the sound is, the better it sounds. Record companies have taken this to the extent that the actual dynamical range of a given recording will generally be less than that of the same recording on wax. This has been referred to as the Loudness War [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war].

As for sound quality, note that vinyl hasn't been idle since the late 80's. Recording and pressing techniques have improved since then, and likely will continue to improve. Also, I've noticed that some sounds [i]do[/i] actually sound better with an analogue source. Oddly enough, electronic noises are a prime example of this.

In asking your question, you also miss most of the points of why someone would collect vinyl. Yes, the sound quality is a large part, and does rival CDs. But then there's also the vinyl experience. To walk you through it...

When I first get a record, the first thing I do is look at the artwork. For some reason it's more interesting when you can actually see it, and the subtleties.
Next I pull out the lp sleeve, and set the insert aside for a minute.
Then I pull the record out of the sleeve, and look it over. At the very least, usually the sticker is interesting. If it's colored vinyl, then I just sit back and admire it for a minute. Lastly, I check the matrix to see if there's a message, even though I only have one or two that do.
Then I set it down on the slipmat, set the speed and [i]gently[/i] set down the needle*.
Sit back, read and listen. At least for the first few listens I try to not pay attention to anything else, seeing as it's the only time you can hear it for the first time.
Then a side finishes and you do the last few steps over again.

*I will say again GENTLY. Records are like my pets. You have to take good care of them, they age along with you, and despite all the extra work, it's worth it at the end of the day.

-----------------

Now to the article. Please stop posting the sales statistics of vinyl. In general, only large chain stores report statistics. However, most of the people actively selling vinyl are small record shops or online stores, such as Vinyl Collective, Interpunk, or the record company online/mail-order stores. Borders has [i]just[/i] started carrying vinyl, and Hot Topic has been the only major retailer I've known of to have vinyl consistently over the last few years.

For more reading, see this post by Virgil Dickerson of Vinyl Collective and Suburban Home Records.
http://vinylcollective.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1693

To quote that post,

"I love the fact that people are talking about vinyl and know that pieces like the one on Wired?s website will create more enthusiasm about this beloved format. I just hope people don?t get the idea that there are riches to be had putting out vinyl and that this is music?s next big trend. I?d like to close with the following LL Cool J lyric, Don?t Call It a Comeback, I?ve Been Here for Years."

[research1st]

Have to agree with Steve on this one. More hype than substance on the "resurgence" of vinyl. New vinyl will probably still be produced for many more years, but mainly as a "niche" industry. For "vinyl audiophiles" used vinyl is the real market.
The market today is driven by "portability" and "accessibilty". The digital download is here to stay.
I hate it, but that's the way it is....
My personal vinyl collection is pretty modest at a few hundred, on rare occaisons I will pick up a used copy of some obscure recording. I've invested much more on CD's and continue to do so. I've not made the jump to digital downloads and networked storage. Which is probably somewhat strange as I've been a computer programmer/system consultant for the last 22 years. Spending 8 - 12 hours a day at a keyboard making a living is more than enough.....
Sometimes simpler is better..... :-)

[EFFred]

"If those numbers are accurate and Radiohead's Thom Yorke and company were trying to live off LP sales they'd have to get day jobs."

This argument overlooks some important changes in the way in which vinyl is being marketed. The vinyl version of "In Rainbows" was initially available only as part of the $90 box set, which sold more than 100,000 copies. So that's a cool $9 million. No need to get a day job, after all. So counting up vinyl sales and multiplying by $20 may not tell the whole story.

[BigStarryEyes]

I own about 1,500 LPs & 45s. I agree with Steve that the vinyl boom that the media likes to report ( see: recent report on Nightline) is largely hokum. I still buy records - both new and used and am encouraged to see that there are more vinyl buying options than there were a few years ago. But I am alone in my sphere of friends and acquaintances in this. I know of no one else who is still buying records and that has not changed. I do like the fact that when guys like Letterman or Leno have a band on they usually hold up the LP when they introduce them. Looks better on TV than a dinky old CD too. I wonder what they'll hold up if it goes digital only? iphone screen ? Monitor?

[TJ Spyke]

The reason they usually hold up albums instead of CD's is only because it's easier than zooming in on the CD cover.

I have never owned a record (although I am not a big music listener in general and only own about 12 CD's), but 1.88 million sales is impressive for a format that most people have considered dead for over 15 years.

[Wes#1]

Like others here, I believe the hype over vinyl "resurgence" is just that: pure hype. Or, perhaps, wishful thinking on the part of the audio community that cranks out publications like Absolute Sound and Stereophile... perhaps hoping that writing about it will spur their niche market.
I long for the days of Tower, where you could flip through huge bins of LPs priced from $4 to $15 and find more great titles than you could possibly afford.... which kept you coming back. And the social aspect of browsing along side music aficionados like yourself, at all hours of the day and late night. Today new LPs just cost too darn much, so I frequent the small shops that stock used vinyl and delight in picking up a great "find" for $3. I also pick up the occasional CD, too... but again I look for used discs or bargain labels or sales. It's insane to pay $17 for a new CD.
I think there will always be some of us who would rather buy a physical product, in a physical store, than to sit at home on the PC and download a file for playback through ear buds. We can only hope that sales of vinyl continue to climb, but I think it unlikely we'll see them return to anywhere near the level experienced during the '70s.

[osynnek]

I recently bought 4 LPs. One of the LPs, I heard on the radio, downloaded one of the songs from the internet and enjoyed it so much, I decided I would by the CD. In checking around, I found the LP and bought the LP instead. The LP was the same price as the CD. Those who complain about pops and ticks on vinyl listening have never heard a new recording on a decent turntable. But I can understand they don't want to be bothered with the routine needed to clean LPs, cartridge needles, and carefully place needle on said LP.

The other 3 LPs I bought were new old jazz recordings.

[paulhouser]

I'm 21. Of all the people I know in and out of my age bracket, I'm the only one who regularly buys LP's. Most are used, purchased from eBay and consignment shops, and it's incredibly cool that some artists are now publishing new music out on 180-gram, I snatch those up whenever possible, but a market boom? In percentages perhaps, but otherwise, the people who are buying the billions of dollars of music are buying 128kbps MP3 files. Very, very few people in my generation and younger care about fidelity or craftsmanship; music now is just, as you say, used as "filler". That's one of the reasons that 5.1 channel albums crashed and burned. Man, those were great. Listening to Steely Dan's "Gaucho" on SACD was like listening to digitized heaven. But I digress... My point is, the Music industry of today has shifted far away from quality and on to relentless quantity, which is why LP's are never going to make a significant return.

[djmikulec]

Well said!

Dave
2000 Lps
1000 78s
250 open reel tapes
500 CDs
and counting


"the people who are buying the billions of dollars of music are buying 128kbps MP3 files. Very, very few people in my generation and younger care about fidelity or craftsmanship; music now is just, as you say, used as "filler". ... the Music industry of today has shifted far away from quality and on to relentless quantity, which is why LP's are never going to make a significant return."

[wdlee123]

Just ask Virgin!

[jd11193]

Seriously, that sucks that they are closing their stores. I feel lucky to be one of the few kids my age to have been able to go to a Tower Records and a Virgin Megastore before they closed.

[jd11193]

I'm 16 and actually did ditch my iPod for a turntable and purchase 2-3 records per week. I purchase mostly used, and only from local record shops. I don't really like buying online because you can't really get that good of a feel for the quality of the vinyl. Also, most of my friends purchase vinyl from time to time. I think it is true that less people buy the new reissues, because I have way more used copies than new copies. But there really is something nice about playing that new vinyl for the first time, in its untouched state.
I think it's also true that the music industry is not the same as it was 30 years ago. Its true that the quantity has gone up while the quality has gone down. It would be a nice change if people started buying vinyl again, or for that matter, actually buying music in the first place, but I don't think that change will be immediate or even happen,

[soundman45]

I'm sorry to say I abandoned vinyl and sold my record collection off, back in 1983 when I bought my first CD player. I also gave my $1500.00 turntable to my brother as well. What an idiot I was !!!

[hasanstrong]

the problem is wide spread availability if people like us in their youth are given a taste of high end audio then there will be more people who will accept it .
personally Steve i think that test LP should be prepared of the newer music and then allowed for free trial .
Also in India where I live is a second tier city getting a CD is hard and expensive and getting an LP will remain a long dream there is always a lure for free music because free music is better than no music .

[jerfus]

I buy mostly used, but have been buying new when I find new stuff - reissues or actual new albums - when I find ones I know I'll want. They sound great and are a more fun and satisfying listening experience. Plus my stereo (not a high-end one by any means) is set up much more for vinyl listening than anything else.

And yes, vinyl will DEFINITELY still be around in 5 years, why not? LPs & 45s are *far* less disposable than either cds or - obviously - mp3s. The vinyl format has staying power, especially among people who actually care about music and *don't* just use it as background noise for their commutes or blogging time.

[plasticities]

I'm a college student and I stopped buying CDs a year ago in favor of vinyl. I buy about half records and half used records. I think LP sales still have room for growth.

[one_flat_monkey]

This is kind of ironic...I'm now digitizing my vinyl collection, mostly because it takes up so much room, and my wife and I are in the process of downsizing. I'll be selling the collection eventually. I own about 2500 vinyl LPs, including an almost complete never-played collection of Beatles LPs in shrinkwrap.

[Krishna0309]

I buy mostly used,have been buying new when I find new stuff - reissues or actual new albums.They sound great more satisfying and more fun.

[Editor's note: Spam deleted]

[pubmat]

LPs are dead. There are far too many places where you can develop problems when the platter/tone arm/stylus/record/cartridge, etc interface, along with distortion, inaccurate waveforms from the LP, and loss of fidelity as the record wears. (as much as 3db each time it plays.) Give it up guys. Old school doesn't always mean better. Technology marches on, whether you like it or not.

[plasticities]

That's great and all if you prefer CDs/digital to LPs but it's just not a correct statement to say "LPs are dead," given that sale of LPs increased sharply in the last year and sales of CDs decreased yet again.