This week, I broke one of my own rules: I bought records online. Fortunately, everything turned out fine. It wasn’t a major expenditure – I picked up three funky 45s (AKA 7-inches, for future reference) that were on sale. So, today we’re going to experiment with a format change. In the future, when I review my new acquisitions, this is basically how we’ll do it. Here we go!
I don’t like buying used records online. You lose out on all the charm of the dusty little record shop, the joy of flipping through records in crates, and – most crucial – the all-important chance to try before you buy. A damaged record isn’t much use, after all, nor is one that you just don’t like.
Records are big, fragile, unwieldy, and generally inconvenient. Digital alternatives like MP3s and CDs are, on the other hand, small, portable, durable, easily reproducible, and generally convenient. Plus, you look totally trendy with your iPod (keep telling yourself that). So, why would anyone bother with vinyl? Why not melt all your records down into some kind of crazy sculpture?
