Would You Fight For My Vinyl?

Vinyl+in+the+Adams+choir+room

Vinyl in the Adams choir room

Dust off those old records and find those scrunchies: the ‘80s are back, starting with the increase of vinyl.

2014 was a big year for vinyl with 7.9 million records sold and an increased fascination with vintage artifacts leaving hipsters across the globe scrambling to find vintage vinyl. Stores throughout the nation, including Urban Outfitters, Hot Topic, and JCPenney are even selling vinyl and turn tables.

Most people are now listening to vinyl not because of the sound, but because of the trend. With the increased popularity of social media, such as Tumblr and Pinterest, people try  to one up each other and become ‘unique,’ even though they all end up doing the same ‘unique’ thing. It seems that most teens and twenty-somethings are on the never-ending hunt for something vintage, and in the past few years, they have turned to vinyl records as their answer. In response to the growing demand for vinyl, many musicians, including Chvrches and Judas Priest are now releasing their albums on special vinyl printings.

2014 saw a 49 percent increase in the sale of vinyl albums, and last year’s top five vinyl albums sold over 25,000 copies each. The best selling vinyl album of 2014 was Lazaretto by Jack White, which sold 75,700 records, making it the best selling album in 20 years. White’s album is different from most others, as the vinyl release includes hidden tracks and a hand sketched hologram. The album was also printed on limited edition blue and white vinyl.

Adams students have also participated in the increase of vinyl sales, with favorites ranging from new and upcoming musicians and bands like Lana Del Rey and Alt-J, to classics like Bob Dylan and Michael Jackson.

Not all students are new to the trend, as many students have had vinyl passed down to them by their parents.

“My dad gave me all of his old vinyl albums in about seventh grade, and since then I have fallen in love with them,” said senior Sheham Saif.

Vinyl has even become something to bond over in senior Camille Wolanin’s family.

“My parents listened to it when they were younger, and they really got my sister and I into it,” said Wolanin.

Not all students understand the vinyl craze, including senior Michael Wright.

“I just don’t understand why someone would spend the extra money for less audio fidelity,” said Wright.

While the fascination with vinyl is growing, the increased popularity poses the question : Is it unique, or is everyone just dying to be hipster?