It was the year of our lord 2024 and Christmastime was fast approaching. As a 35 year old manchild, of course I was checking out the Christmas catalogs and building my wish list. It took a while but my family has succumbed to this fact… FINALLY. Also, stick to the list JESS. ( I’m not spoiled, I just love to give and receive gifts and society, you started it.)
That got weird, let’s get back on track here, so I always wanted a record player and this was the year. I found a decently priced one, through it on the list and let Santa work his magic. As usual Christmas morning rolled around and for 35 years straight, Santa mostly delivered(There was a dark period.)
I opened up my record player and a few albums. To start? None other than the man the myth the LEGEND! Frank Sinatra. I also received a sweet Christmas compilation that features, the Drifter’s version of “White Christmas”, my personal favorite version.
From there I was off.
In about 18 months, I am up over 100 records. In my true eclectic nature, my collection ranges from the discography of Y.O.’s great THA LOX, to Lynyrd Skynrd, and not forgetting to stop at other classic places, like the Grease soundtrack, or Disney Classics Jazz Piano.
I braved the crowds and deficient stock amounts on my first RSD(Record Store Day for you AUX cord lames) and have even worn our the little sensor thingy on the record player that tells the plate to stop spinning when the record ends.
I am old enough to have seen the episode of the “Looney Tunes” or “Looney Toons” for my Mandela Effect peeps, that had them using music to keep Taz calm. Boy that resonates with me now.
When me and music don’t spend adequate time together it changes me.
I become the whirlwind but put a record on and sit in the corner? The happiest place on my earth.
My favorite added bonus of vinyl collecting? The beautiful 12X12 cover art.
As a millennial( eye roll, bite me) album artwork, is some of the greatest and most well-known art work for a generation. Picasso? Never heard of her but did you see the cover of that new Nirvana album.
The Slim Shady LP art is instantaneously recognizable by a music lover. The vintage flowery aesthetic of Panic at the Disco’s Pretty Odd. And I could never fail to mention the iconic cover art of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight Marauders”.
To me these images are as nostalgic as a home video.
I can look at album artwork and remember where and with who.
I can remember being 16 years old and absolutely cracking up in the car after just purchasing the debut Mike Jones (who?) album and by song 4 it’s like, wow he really stuck to that, through laughter filled tears.
I can remember when Get Rich Or Die Trying came out. Who doesn’t? I was in 6th grade, doing lay ups in my driveway, with “Many Men” blasting.
I remember my first Third Eye Blind CD and I remember when this past record store a company listed it in stock and then said “oh it’ll be a few months, can we interest you in a store credit?” STOP THAT CRAP INDIE COMPANIES.
I can remember being way to young listening to 90s R&B, but I wouldn’t trade school bus morning of 112 or jagged edge on my way to unsuccessfully “rizz” up the ladies.
I think I love music?
What You Can Expect From “My Vinyl Obsession”
Record store adventures
New pickups & rare finds
Music nostalgia spirals
Album artwork appreciation
Stories attached to the records
Impulse purchases I absolutely didn’t need
Speaker bumpin’
Occasional financial irresponsibility
The hunt for the perfect pressing
Me pretending I know audio terminology
And probably way too much emotional attachment to vinyl discs
The Professional Slacker
-PSU
Find your local record store here:
Record Store Day Store Delivery
Leave a Reply