What is the root of the "return to vinyl"? Is it a fetish? Is it simply a bleary-eyed, melancholic yearning for a past that never existed? When vinyl audiophiles stoutly proclaim the "superiority" of the sound, the eyebrows of many audiologists raise in direct opposition to the idea. So, is the rebirth of vinyl simply a fetish in the midst of non-material digital downloads, or is it a longing for a different experience of engaging with recorded music, an experience steeped in romantic notions of the past?
Personally, I buy vinyl because, if I am to purchase music nowadays, I want something tangible that I can hold, look at, and talk about. There's no connection beyond a click and a drag with digital files, and forming one requires, generally, investment in the music beyond simply purchasing (favourite artist, writing about it, etc.). Having a vinyl, taking it out of the sleeve, spinning it and meeting with the needle are all, albeit minute, ways to get to know the record, and that's invaluable. – thomasjdjohnson8 years ago
I think vinyl is considered a different engagement experience - putting on a vinyl is an intent to hear a specific artist, song, album. Its physicality gives us a sense of permanence. – sheishistoric8 years ago
I heard Neil Young is associated somehow with technology that makes CD's sound like LP's, and Dylan has commented that music's not supposed to sound like it does on CD's. – Tigey8 years ago