JetGirlArt

Records DO suck.

I was scrolling through the bear feed when I saw this post about the frustrations of listening to songs on vinyl.

It's all true, of course. Certain songs are only on limited single prints like this Florence song. Now, I do have the record store day baby blue vinyl that I listened two about twice before putting it back in it's sleeve and putting it with my other Florence albums.

Just like everyone else these days I listen to music digitally, either mp3 player or streamed. Vinyl records require a lot of time and effort to listen to.

Steps to listening to vinyl:

  1. Buy a record player.
  2. Buy a set of bookshelf speakers for the record player.
  3. Buy an amp for the record player because the speakers are not self powered and shouldn't be.
  4. Buy a record you want to listen to.
  5. Adjust the belt tensioner because it's running fast/slow.
  6. Clean or replace the needle because it's too crackly.
  7. Sit down and enjoy five songs.
  8. Get up and flip the record over, check needle for dust.
  9. Sit down and enjoy five songs.
  10. Get up and change the record.
  11. Repeat steps 7-10.

Now, that requires a lot of time, money, and whatever to enjoy. If you have an abundance of time and money go for it. Enjoy the experience.

But

BUT

You should still buy records from your favorite bands. Streaming doesn't pay hardly anything. Tours and shows start costing the band money if they don't sell enough shirts and stickers. Buying physical albums is the best way to support a band. You can still totally listen to it all on streaming or whatever but buying the vinyl helps them tremendously.

You don't even have to listen to the physical albums. You can buy these little wall frame things and put the album up on display in your house. You can store the records long term in case there is a global EMP that wipes out all the streaming services so at least now you can listen to your records with a sewing needle and a rolled up piece of paper.

I like to buy cassettes these days. They are much cheaper, records run nearly $40 sometimes and I do have working cassette decks, walkmans, and stereos. If you don't enjoy the crackling warmth of vinyl records you will loathe the drunk violin sounds that come from old busted cassette tapes.