Vinyl, CD or MP3? Digital or book?

Posted on by Opher

Vinyl, CD or MP3? Digital or book?

 

I have every format of music with thousands of vinyl albums, CDs and gigabytes of electronic music. I have a whole library of books and a stuffed kindle.

So what do I prefer?

I prefer books and vinyl.

As a reading experience the kindle is fine. As a playing experience I am quite happy with CDs and even MP3s.

But there is nothing that can compare with holding a tangible work of art in your hand. A vinyl album is a work of art. The cover is designed to be that size. The writing on the sleeve notes is easily legible. I relish coming home with a new possession. Taking the album out and carefully putting it on the turntable, then reading the liner notes and studying the cover while it plays. It is substantial. It has weight. There is a reverence to the ritual of playing it. It adds gravity to the experience.

An MP3 has no substance. It is disposable. It devalues the art.

A CD is soulless. I want something that has an intrinsic worth.

It is the same with a book. A shelf of books is satisfying in a way that a full kindle is not. The covers are interesting. The feel, smell and weight is substantial.

Books and vinyl are forever in a way that digital cannot possibly be.

The Pleasure of an Album

Posted on by Opher

The Pleasure of an Album

The excitement of anticipation as the heart rate speeds,

The eyes narrow at the eagerness of anticipation.

Sifting through the racks with narrowed eyes;

Lifting a discovery for closer inspection of the cover,

Flipping to check the track listing;

Gathering a selection with contained fervor;

An assortment of possibility from which to choose.

Then the angst of decision – Followed by the despondency of loss

As the discarded are replaced with many a reflective vacillation.

Clutching the winner there is now impatience pervading the purchase,

As the money is paid and the album professionally wrapped within its paper wrapper and sealed with sellotape.

The return home is hurried and filled with nervous indecision.

Was the choice correct? What about the other fish?

Within the sanctum the treasure is unwrapped and the prize clutched and reexamined.

It is time to perform the ritual and extract the paper sleeve from within its cardboard resting place.

The black vinyl disc is extracted from the inner sleeve,

Held reverently, by its rim with two hands, up to the light to inspect the sanctity of the grooves, and approved.

When satisfied the disc is lowered so that peg and hole are aligned in erotic summary preparing for consummation.

The arm is raised with delicate concentration and deferentially lowered to apply needle to the outer blank vinyl, so carefully.

Breath is released as the success – a click followed by a satisfying hiss.

Then to sit back as the faint noise wends into the sound

And as it fills the room to immerse oneself in its thrall;

To study the artwork,

To flip the cover and read the track listing, then the liner notes.

To lose oneself, to submerge, to examine, to breathe in, to absorb the full package of art, information and sound as it embraces you in its multisensory, concentrated reverie.

For this is the pleasure of an album.

Opher 8.3.2018

Vinyl Addiction!!

Posted on by Opher

Vinyl, CD or MP3? Digital or book?

Posted on by Opher

Vinyl, CD or MP3? Digital or book?

 

I have every format of music with thousands of vinyl albums, CDs and gigabytes of electronic music. I have a whole library of books and a stuffed kindle.

So what do I prefer?

I prefer books and vinyl.

As a reading experience the kindle is fine. As a playing experience I am quite happy with CDs and even MP3s.

But there is nothing that can compare with holding a tangible work of art in your hand. A vinyl album is a work of art. The cover is designed to be that size. The writing on the sleeve notes is easily legible. I relish coming home with a new possession. Taking the album out and carefully putting it on the turntable, then reading the liner notes and studying the cover while it plays. It is substantial. It has weight. There is a reverence to the ritual of playing it. It adds gravity to the experience.

An MP3 has no substance. It is disposable. It devalues the art.

A CD is soulless. I want something that has an intrinsic worth.

It is the same with a book. A shelf of books is satisfying in a way that a full kindle is not. The covers are interesting. The feel, smell and weight is substantial.

Books and vinyl are forever in a way that digital cannot possibly be.

Vinyl, CD or MP3? Digital or book?

Posted on by Opher

Featured Image -- 16554

I have every format of music with thousands of vinyl albums, CDs and gigabytes of electronic music. I have a whole library of books and a stuffed kindle.

So what do I prefer?

I prefer books and vinyl.

As a reading experience the kindle is fine. As a playing experience I am quite happy with CDs and even MP3s.

But there is nothing that can compare with holding a tangible work of art in your hand. A vinyl album is a work of art. The cover is designed to be that size. The writing on the sleeve notes is easily legible. I relish coming home with a new possession. Taking the album out and carefully putting it on the turntable, then reading the liner notes and studying the cover while it plays. It is substantial. It has weight. There is a reverence to the ritual of playing it. It adds gravity to the experience.

An MP3 has no substance. It is disposable. It devalues the art.

A CD is soulless. I want something that has an intrinsic worth.

It is the same with a book. A shelf of books is satisfying in a way that a full kindle is not. The covers are interesting. The feel, smell and weight is substantial.

Books and vinyl are forever in a way that digital cannot possibly be.