The Joys Of Vinyl

My husband and I first bonded over our shared love of music, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before we started collecting vinyl. One of the first things we did after we got married was attend Record Store Day together. We picked up a few vinyl albums to show our support, despite the fact that we didn't own a record player. But after several years and a growing collection of "can't pass it up" purchases, we decided that we'd need to add a turntable to our audio setup.
 
We're now the proud owners of an audio-technica turntable that has allowed us to listen to Nina Simone, Rory Gallagher, Roxy Music, and many more of our favorite artists. One thing I've found particularly striking about playing vinyl records as opposed to CDs or streaming is that it demands that you slow down. There's something soothing about that gentle background hiss, and watching the needle drift ever closer to the center of the record is an unobtrusive reminder that time is slowly passing. It's made my work days even more pleasant!
 
I'm not sure if we'll ever be serious collectors – cost and space limitations see to that – but I do look forward to our next visit to our local store to look for new treasures. It's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, if nothing else.

-- Katie Duffy