Girls and Their Toys

I’m not sure what sparked the revival of vinyl, maybe it never died? Maybe artists who grew up on vinyl have reached the point in their careers where they can campaign for their latest album to be pressed? (Oh good they don't know either.) And while we are asking questions, why does “vinyl” sound cool and retro and “records” make me think of the 80's, the bad parts of the 80's?

Anyways, I finally got serious about getting into vinyl after being interested for a few years.  I’d been perusing Amazon and Craigslist for both new and used record players and finally hit a jackpot on Craigslist and found someone who was selling their stereo equipment. I got a great deal on a record player, 25 disc CD changer (I didn’t want this at first, but I'm glad I got it), AM/FM receiver (also acts as the record player amp and I can also connect my iPod into it) and speakers. I found the same record player on Amazon and I paid just a little more for the whole set on Craigslist than the record player would cost new. Craigslist win!! I think the original owners were respectable audiophiles so I trust that the equipment is probably more than I could afford new. Supposedly they were selling it because they are moving, but you can’t believe everything people you meet on the internet tell you.

My first record purchase was last week before I got a record player, but it hasn’t arrived yet. Matt Nathanson is releasing his new album, Modern Love (June 21st,) on vinyl and it was included in a sweet pre-order deal. I couldn’t help myself. I want to get Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers latest album, The Bear, on vinyl but otherwise I want to get some ‘classics’. From what I hear Albany has an awesome used music store that has a great vinyl collection, I’ll have to check it out this weekend. I don’t want to get hundreds and hundreds of records or anything, and I won’t be ditching my iPod anytime soon but I hope this will be something fun to play around with. Record player aside, it’s about time I had something other than crappy laptop speakers to listen to music on.

For now, I’m having fun hooking everything up and trying to figure out where I should put it. And I've checking out Craigslist for some fun “retro” record furniture. I sort of want this and the price is right at $20. A little repainting may be in order but it should be fun to have!

 

Any great records old or new I should look into? Do you have any favorites from way back when?