Frequency

I didn't own my first turntables until after I hit the age of 20. I don't even remember having turntables in my house as a child. The only record I really remember putting on was a Mickey Mouse 45. Most people in my peer group have had similar experiences. We were raised in the digital age with CDs and, more recently, MP3s. So how is it that vinyl has not only survived all of these years, but gained increased interest?\nJason Nickey from Landlocked Music said, "We wouldn't be in business if we didn't sell vinyl." \nLandlocked Music, 314 S. Washington St., is less than two years old and has been a local favorite for music fans who are interested in vinyl. The shop survives because of a diverse clientele that enjoys music of varying styles on multiple formats. Is this interest in vinyl due to aesthetics, audio or other factors?\nOne factor is that the experience is entirely different from other ways of listening to music. With an iPod or CD, changing tracks requires nothing more than the push of a button. Turntables don't have a skip button. If you want to hear a different track, you must physically put the needle on the track you desire. Vinyl allows for a more personal and calculated musical experience. \nSome people also stress that vinyl has inherent qualities that make it superior to other formats. CDs can't duplicate the "warmth" of vinyl, and some argue that the hiss or pop of an old record is more bearable than a skipping CD. However, vinyl is still a niche medium, and recent interest in crate-digging is probably not enough to bring vinyl back into the forefront. \nTo sum it up, Nickey said, "I don't have delusions that it will become the dominant medium. It's growing, but I don't think it will ever be what it was like in the '70s." \nAll methods of delivery have advantages and disadvantages, and after this brief look into vinyl, I hope you may be encouraged to get some dust on your knuckles, take out your earbuds and give it a chance.