Vinyl Revival - Here to stay (Again) or just a hipster fad?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38221420
More money was spent on vinyl than downloaded albums last week, for the first time.

Vinyl sales made the record industry £2.4m, while downloads took in £2.1m, the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) said.
It marks a big shift in music consumption. In the same week last year, vinyl albums made £1.2m while digital ones made £4.4m.

Downloads have been in sharp decline as consumers switch to streaming services.

The ERA has suggested the surge in vinyl sales could be attributed to the popularity of vinyl as a Christmas gift and the growing number of retailers - including supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Tesco - which now stock vinyl.
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Are we looking at a long term revival as a kickback towards the deluge of none tactile, digital media over the decade with a generation thinking "Would be nice to goto a record shop and pick some music" or are we looking at a short term resurgence which will ultimately lead nowhere?

Or, is it possible Vinyl can exist alongside CD and digital media as a viable alternative?

One other thing, is Oil still the base of Vinyl? If so, surely that may hinder any comeback as it is a much more expensive commodity than it was in the Vinyl heyday?

Cassette is also making a comeback as well but seems to be getting less exposure but as with Vinyl, any comeback is limited owing to limited production lines.

Ironically, Cassette held out over Vinyl last time round owing to cost and portability with Vinyl being "Inferior" to CD.

The "Audiophiles" spent thousands on new kit to play CD's and threw out their Vinyl with gay abandon. Will they eat crow?

On the upside, we get to "own" music again for the time being with no **** DRM - HOORAH.

The music industry must have a rabbits foot AND a four leaf clover stuck up its *** as it always seems to smell of roses despite it's best intentions to screw it all up. It's attempt to DRM the **** out of everything in the early days of digital after Napster was a disgrace.

Amazon have jumped in feet first for what its worth:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=9840751031
 
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I'm sure there was something on one of the news sites last month sometime stating that while vinyl sales have rocketed the vast majority of people buying it don't have anything to play it on and no intention of actually listening to it.

It's a strange resurgence.
 
It will come and go every few years IMO there are some disadvantages/inconveniences that limit its general use but a few interesting angles as a novelty.
 
Its yet another horrific hipster trend that will sink to niche. It mainly feeds people at a pop up coffee shop sipping their overpriced beverage while writing their blog on the latest macbook pro.
 
It's a fad but there is something in it. It is an attempt to put some worth back into music. I got rid of all my CDs a while ago, don't own a single one. But I still have two boxes full of vinyl that I collected during 98 - 2002.

There is without doubt something missing from digital music. The tactile experience of going and buying a physical copy and having the artwork etc. The experience elevated the record into something more special.

I think with VR and augmented reality we will see more attempts to add extra value to streaming services to give the listener this added value back. But there was nothing like getting the bus home from town as a teen, reading the inlay cards and info in anticipation. Then getting home when your parents are at work and firing up a brand new album in the house on your own.
 
I've little doubt that for the majority it is a fad, but I think it is also gaining popularity as a way of actually listening to music again.

I've gone away from buying from iTunes et al back to buying CDs alongside streaming, and I planning on getting a decent hi if setup mid next year and adding vinyl to the CDs for my favourite albums. There is something about physical media, and vinyl in particular that makes music much more enjoyable and significant.
 
Eddie182 said:
I've gone away from buying from iTunes et al back to buying CDs alongside streaming, and I planning on getting a decent hi if setup mid next year and adding vinyl to the CDs for my favourite albums. There is something about physical media, and vinyl in particular that makes music much more enjoyable and significant.
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This is basically what I do.

Stream when I just want to listen to a certain genre, and buy physical media for the albums I want to listen to over and over. Some of my most recent purchased have been backing artists on the Pledgemusic platform (essentially kickstarter for music). I do rip all my music to listen to in the car, on my phone though.

Interestingly my purchase of Linsey Stirling's latest album (via pledge) came with a vinyl despite it not be advertised as included. I have no way of playing it but I love the artwork.
 
Eddie182 said:
There is something about physical media, and vinyl in particular that makes music much more enjoyable and significant.
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Let me guess it's something that you can't quite put into words or explain; it just feels better. Right?

You hipster, you :p
 
Just something about picking up an album sliding out the vinyl and sticking it on the table.

I have a great local record shop who doesn't charge eBay prices so I'm fine but if your only option is eBay or amazon I cant see it lasting due to the high price.

Oh not an audiophile BTW just like the format
 
Probably a fad. Soon as their lovely shiny new vinyl picks up permanent static crackle, some irritating scratches and an annoying jump right at the chorus of a favourite song, the novelty will soon wear off :D
 
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