THE ART OF BUYING RECORDS

This year has truly signalled the confirmation that downloading has become the primary way in which people consume music. The most recent models of Ipod have even gone so far as to include the function of storing and playing videos, meaning that, as such things are built to house almost anything you could possibly want, the actual physical format of music is becoming completely obsolete. A foregone conclusion, you might well argue. A modern necessity even. But this writer, although now considering getting an Ipod at some stage to save space, is rather set in his old-fashioned ways.

The other week, I went down to Holloway’s DOC Records to get hold of some vinyl. The actual aim of the trip was to pick up a copy of My Bloody Valentine’s apparently rare first album ‘This Is Your Bloody Valentine’, a classic record that owes much to Bauhaus, The Stooges and The Cramps and shows very little of the brilliance that was to come (although, in itself, it is still a fabulous record.) Anyway, this I did, but while I was down there, I decided to have a look for some rare vinyl by some of my other favourite artists. And, as I miraculously chanced upon one or two rarities, it gave me the impetus to search all of the vinyl in case something else of the unexpected variety jumped out at me.

As I was doing this, I was reminded of the thrill of being a music fan. Yeah, yeah, in the good old days, blah, blah, blah. But call me an old fart, call me a luddite, this thrill was all part and parcel of growing up and discovering music; and, really, truly and honestly, becoming the very person I am today (but enough about its shortcomings.)

That thrill, sense of wonderment and sense of discovery was all revisited in that one trip. Ultimately, it was the excitement of unearthing these gems that brought the very feeling of what it is to be a music fan flooding back to me. And, oh, pass me my pipe and slippers why don’t you, but it’s also the format of vinyl itself that never ceases to please. Before downloading, the gatefold sleeve made up a fair fraction of the record’s worth itself. The artwork, the lyric sheet – it all mattered. It was all part and parcel of the record’s identity, and it affected the way you listened to the record and certainly the way you heard and interpreted it. And if it conveyed some sort of message that either reinforced or complimented the music, then all the better. Not only this, but nothing sounds like vinyl. Go on about crystal-clear sound quality until the cow-droids come home, but I prefer warmth to soullessness.

I am reminded of visiting record fairs and perusing every single stall, trying to make sure that the few bob I had went towards the most valuable item or items there (well, valuable to me, anyway.) I am reminded of fishing through the old papers and magazines on sale, hoping to find some rare article or interview with a band from years back. I am reminded of glancing at the fruits of my labour while heading off home and feeling very pleased to have uncovered such a rare gem or purchased something I might not have purchased otherwise had I not been in that shop at that very time. Above all, I am reminded that I am a music fan.

This may well be about some silly sod’s fetish for second hand record shops but the music industry business model will change for good. As people stop buying CDs, they will eventually peter out. As more and more people download, you can expect the prices of everything else to go right up (gigs cost a bomb these days, ever wondered why?) But as the emphasis is taken off the consumerism and commercialism and ultimately the artifice of modern music, we will no doubt see the re-emergence of fanship. Everything is cyclical, after all.

But, for me, the one constant in all this will be vinyl. It will remain the one physical format and will hopefully enjoy a mainstream resurgence. Dance music made sure vinyl wasn’t forgotten and has been responsible for its gradual increase in sales since the compact disc threatened to banish it to the realms of history. Now, more and more bands seem to be releasing vinyl-only singles (save for downloads, obviously.)

It’s excellent to know that in an age of ever changing and improving technology, the record is still in with a fighting chance.