Vinyl Underground owner Pete Freeman and SpinMore Records manager Brando Andexler have both seen a spike in record sales lately. They both agree that vinyl still holds its own against today’s technology because of its tangible quality.

 

“There’s a whole kind of revolt against the MP3 world,” Freeman said. “I know records, as a product, are just better. You’re getting something that is kind of an event to sit down and listen to. As to where you just pop in an MP3 but you’re not truly listening to the music.”

 

Andexler also points out that people don’t just seek out the nostalgic factor of interacting with their music, they like to collect it, too.

 

“Most people like the reissues or the newer vinyl because you still get the MP3s and everything,” he said. “But if you have one Led Zeppelin album, you want all of them. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a reissue or not. Good music is just good music. But most people want to go for the cleaner, newer reissues.”

 

Not everyone can afford the newer vinyl, however. Athena Cocoves, freshman philosophy and art history major, got into vinyl because the music she listens to lends itself to releases on wax, but she’s on a college kid’s budget.

 

“I would guess vintage records (sell better) because they are typically cheaper, à la dollar bin, and everyone is poor,” she said. “My shopping is usually a lot more looking than anything.”

 

There is still a new-wave streak in our generation. Some students like to be ahead of the curve, but some just prefer the convenience digital copies have to offer.

 

Sophomore advertising major Jade Tyszka said she thinks records are so popular because “it’s collectible, and it’s just kind of cool to have, (but I prefer) MP3s because I can hold more music, and it’s easier to find.”

 

Regardless of what side students take on the issue, everyone can learn more about vinyl and find out if it’s something they would like to invest in. However, Freeman stresses that no one should just walk into Kmart and buy a record player if they want their investment to be worthwhile.

 

“If you take care of your vinyl, your vinyl takes care of you and you’re going to get much more enjoyment out of it,” he said. “People need to do their research and find a turntable that’s both applicable in price and function.”

 

Contact student life reporter Sarah Spaulding at [email protected].