While a penchant for minimalism and convenient digital technology drives the majority of music sales (or lack thereof), a growing number of music fans are returning to a bulkier but more interactive format - the vinyl record.
Lily Darnell became interested in collecting records after finding a cardboard box stuffed with ‘70s-era folk-rock in her parents' garage.
"I feel like MP3s made me lose out on any sort of physical interaction with the music I was listening to. I decided to get into records so I could get back to really hearing music," Darnell said.
Darnell is not alone, either.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, records are the only physical music format to experience any growth in sales. From 2007 to 2008, vinyl LP and EP sales rose by 124 percent - a figure which, though significant, may be modest since it doesn't account for used or independent record sales. Digital sales rose by only 30 percent.
The boom in record sales is showing locally as well. Hear Again Music & Movies owner Andrew Schaer saw a growth in record sales over the past four months.
Schaer formerly expected about equal sales in movies and music, but thanks to the vinyl-revival, records now outsell both CDs and DVDs.
"People have been growing up listening to MP3s for the past 10 or 15 years - when they hear the uncompressed [vinyl] format it's an eye-opener. People feel ripped off by the compressed version of their favorite albums," Schaer said.
Vinyl collectors tend to describe the sound of records as opposed to digital formats as richer, warmer and fuller. Analog records produce a wider range of frequencies that CDs and MP3s cannot reproduce. Digital-music proponents tend to dismiss this claim by saying the frequencies are inaudible. However, some suggest that the frequencies are felt rather than heard.
"Records have a more omni-dimensional sound that really fills the room a lot better. LPs sound warmer, and you are more likely to notice subtle sounds and instruments," Schaer said.
Another appealing aspect of the vinyl sound is referred to as surface noise - the hum of the needle along the record grooves and the occasional crackling sound unheard-of in the comparatively sterile digital format.
"It's sort of a warm, fuzzy sound. I love it," Darnell said.
Because turntables are notoriously difficult to operate while driving, digital music remains popular due, at least in part, to its portability. Labels like Sub Pop now include digital download with most vinyl record sales.
iTunes tried to join the analog-trend by promoting "iTunes LPs," which bundle artwork, lyrics and videos with full album downloads instead of its typical single MP3 downloads. This particular digital LP promotion failed to generate any noteworthy trend, however.
The introduction of MP3 technology spelled the end of the CD around 2001. Declining CD sales pushed a recording industry response to thwart a beast that proved unstoppable - online music sharing.
"What's also great about vinyl is that people are finally contributing to the artists they love again and supporting local stores," Schaer said.
"If you want to hear an album the way it's meant to be heard, listen to it on vinyl."
