My name is Evan, and I have an addiction: I’m a vinylholic. For me, there’s nothing quite like the sound of a needle touching down on a record. There’s nothing quite like the smell of a room full of dusty album jackets. There’s nothing quite like discovering an unexpected gem in a crate in the back corner of a thrift store filled with Perry Como and Herb Alpert.
I recognize my addiction. I own it. Once, I tried to quit… but that just wasn’t for me. So, instead of getting over it, I’m going to do what everyone with access to a public forum does with their problems in the 21st century: I’m going to put them on display for the amusement of others. I hope you’ll learn from them, and grow with me as I explore the nature of this terrible affliction and its grim consequences.
Every Wednesday, I’m going to publish an article about my experiences digging in dollar bins, at thrift stores, at swap meets, and anywhere else I happen to strike a vein of pure grooves. I’ll show you pictures, review the albums, and talk about their historical significance as well as that of the artists who created them. I’ll talk about where I got the records, how I found them, and why I chose to pick them up.
Sometimes, I may focus on just one record. Sometimes, I’ll write about a few. Sometimes, I’ll cover other topics of interest to degenerate “black crack” addicts like myself. I expect this series to be something of a departure from my usual writing style, and each week’s piece will be different.
I invite other vinylholics to come forward and share their stories. I’ll probably even have guest columnists from time to time, if I can bring myself to let go of the headphones and crossfader long enough. Together, I hope we can learn more about who we are, and why we always do the same thing when faced with a choice between buying lunch and locking up another pristine LP or rare 45.
Don’t forget to join me next week as I recount the story of my recent score in an attic in Oakland, California. Until then, keep on diggin’!
Cross-posted from Newsvine.com.
Read more articles in the “Diggin’ the Crates” series.
Image courtesy of fensterbme.
© 2008 Evan Mix for Listen In. Some rights reserved.
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1 A “Diggin’ the Crates” Special Installment: What’s the Big Deal with Analog Sound? — Listen In // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:10 am
[…] alluded elsewhere to the powerful aesthetic vinyl holds for the true enthusiast. There’s something ritualistic […]
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