Vinyl Makes A Comeback
quote: | BELLEVUE - They were dismissed over two decades ago when the Compact Disc became the music format of choice. But actual records are making a comeback.
In the earliest days of recorded music, songs were pressed onto hard discs that really didn't produce a clear sound. The hard discs eventually gave way to a softer vinyl, and that remained a standard for generations.
The advent of the compact disc in the 1980s doomed the vinyl record. But in 2005, they're back!
"The past has returned to the future," says Mike Batt, vinyl buyer for Silver Platters.
"In November of last year, we moved our Bellevue store here to Crossroads," says Silver Platters president Paul Grant. "At that time, we decided to introduce three new lines: Books, games, and vinyl records. And the vinyl has been the most successful."
What? How?
"It's difficult to say, really," Grant answers. But his buyer knows otherwise.
"The only part of the music industry right now that is growing is vinyl," Batt says. "CD sales have gone down, and cassette sales are way down."
And with vinyl sales climbing, sales of related items are growing as well. Today, most major electronics chains carry both turntables and record needles.
Vinyl purists will tell you albums sound better, and they're excited about the return of records. Mike Batt says if you're blindfolded, and you listen to the same song first on CD, then on vinyl, you'll always choose the vinyl recording as the one that sounds better.
But a new generation is fueling vinyl sales as well; a generation that wasn't here the first time records were hits.
It also helps to have popular artists making sure their new projects are also released on vinyl.
"Ben Folds, Dave Matthews, and even U2," Batt says.
So here's the big question: if vinyl is coming back, do you think we'll see the 8-track reborn?
"I don't think so," Grant says with a laugh. He adds cassettes are gone for good as well.
Vinyl selections will continue to grow, and it appears that a new album will actually once again be an album.
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