A Record, record, record, record

A record has so many qualities which make it better than the MP3 which seems to have been thrust centre stage in the world of music.

The act of listening to a record is much more involved.  You hear the crackles and pops of an older vinyl, you have to physically get up and put then record on, place the needle and then 'flip' the record when the time comes.  With the aid of an iPod, speakers, and a remote control, you can put on a shuffle remotely and not even listen to the music playing.  It becomes background noise.

And the act of buying a record is so much more personal.  Never mind your high speed broadband, and laptop.  Forget iTunes or Amazon.com.  Being amongst people who know and love music as much as you do is an experience every music lover should have.  Flicking through the records, some dusty, musty and old, smelling the smell of have been loved by people before you.  Listening to what ever the owner has on, and then subsequently being convinced as to why you must buy that record. Finding things you would never have looked for, and spending more money than you intended to in the process.

A record is much more than a piece of music.  It is artwork.  The sleeves let you see the detail an artist has delved in to.  Limited editions and box sets provide extra's and bonuses you simply don't get with a download.  You can hold it in your hands, touch it, store it, or proudly display it for all to see.

Not to forget its sell on value.  Check out the NME's article on the 100 most expensive vinyl's.  Other examples include, '5 Minutes With The Arctic Monkeys', the debut 7" from the Sheffield band usually sells for upwards of £50. Blur's exclusive 2010 RSD 7" 'Fool's Gold' of only 500 copies is reaching prices above £100 on eBay as I type.  If you want a sure fire inheritance that will be worth something to your kids, vinyl is the way forwards.

And that leads me to the exclusive-ness of vinyl.  Being a bit of a collectibles geek, there's nothing better than owning something that you know only 499 other people have.  Some ultra rare records are released in runs of only 100.  Or having the debut release before a band hit it big.

Quite simply, every day should be Record Shop Day.