The Year On Vinyl: Dropping The Needle

WFUV, December 11, 2008 - There's something wonderful about the ceremony of playing records: dropping the needle, enjoying the gatefold artwork, holding on to something weighty while listening. It's easier to feel connected to music when you have to flip the record halfway through. It also makes proper sequencing that much more important: Which track closes Side 1, or opens Side 2?

Now that the MP3 is king, vinyl has become something of an underground revolution. More and more artists have begun to insist on releasing their new albums on vinyl, and music fans who jettisoned their collections in favor of "clear, perfect digital sound CDs" are raiding garage sales and rediscovering analog music all over again.

Now, moving and storing records isn't fun — MP3s are a whole lot lighter — but vinyl is often worth the schlep. If you haven't listened to an LP in a while, the warm, intimate sound is instantly disarming.

This isn't necessarily about being an audiophile: A $200 investment gets you a decent turntable — even one you can hook up to your computer. You can turn up great records for $1 at a garage sale (or choose the 180-gram vinyl for your favorites, though the costs add up quickly). And new vinyl issues often come with bonus songs and even free digital downloads, so you can still carry the tunes on your iPod.

Here are 10 releases from 2008 that are worth the extra effort of vinyl.


1. Artist: Shelby Lynne
Album: Just a Little Lovin'
Song: Anyone Who Had A Heart
My favorite album of the year comes with authentic wear and tear. It's analog all the way -- recorded to tape, old-school-style, with Phil Ramone at the helm. The sparse arrangements really allow Lynne's vocals to own the spotlight.


Purchase the Just a Little Lovin' LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Just a Little Lovin'
Artist: Shelby Lynne
Label: Mercury
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »


2. Artist: Radiohead
Album: In Rainbows [Special Edition]
Song: Nude
This great album is even better on vinyl, for both the audio quality and the sequencing: Each side is its own experience, with "Faust Arp" serving as a stellar opening track for Side 2. This is no background listen, so sit down, take it all in and then flip it over. Treat yourself or a loved one to the entire catalog on vinyl; it's just been reissued and remastered properly.

Purchase the In Rainbows LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: In Rainbows [Special Edition]
Artist: Radiohead
Label: MapleMusic/Fontana
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »



3. Artist: Jenny Lewis
Album: Acid Tongue
Song: Bad Man's World
Acid Tongue gets stretched over 2 LPs, with an amusing surprise on Side 4. The nuances of these well-crafted tunes, coupled with the roomy production of her vocals, really bring out the intimacy. This album seals Jenny Lewis' status as an artist for the long haul. The Shaft-like strings really pop on "Bad Man's World."

Purchase the Acid Tongues LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Acid Tongue
Artist: Jenny Lewis
Label: Warner Bros.
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »



4. Artist: Marvin Gaye
Album: Let's Get It On
Song: Let's Get It On
Here's another classic worthy of the high-end remastering, with crisp high hats practically jumping out of the mix in the title track. Plus, the gatefold album preserves Gaye's liner notes.




Purchase the Let's Get It On LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Let's Get It On
Artist: Marvin Gaye
Label: Motown
Released: 1973
Amazon.com »



5. Artist: Raphael Saadiq
Album: Way I See It
Song: Love That Girl
This one offers the year's coolest packaging: A stack of seven 45s to match the retro experience of the music. There's a real connection that comes with getting up to flip a disc after each song, though you could just stay up and dance. The Way I See It is a solid reason to relive the iconic experience of playing 45's, and "Love that Girl" is a sing-along delight.

Purchase The Way I See It LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Way I See It
Artist: Raphael Saadiq
Label: Sony
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »



6. Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006
Song: Dreamin' of You
The deluxe four-album limited-edition set costs more than $100, so this one's a real luxury item. It comes with a huge booklet full of photos that bring Dylan and his never-ending tour right into the listener's hands. This mix of unreleased and (recent) live tracks captures a great era of live Dylan, complete with Larry Campbell and Charlie Sexton on guitar, as well as snappy stand-up bass. It presents Dylan as living musician, not a museum piece.

Purchase the Tell Tale Signs LP box set from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006
Artist: Bob Dylan
Label: Columbia
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »


7. Artist: Beck
Album: Modern Guilt
Song: Chemtrails
Beck gets psychedelic and groovy with Danger Mouse on a collection that's the perfect length for vinyl: just 10 songs. Beck really seemed to visualize Modern Guilt as a record, not just a CD with a vinyl issue. Another clue: The digital download that comes with the record is ripped from the vinyl.


Purchase the Modern Guilt LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Modern Guilt
Artist: Beck
Label: Interscope
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »



8. Artist: Fleet Foxes
Album: Fleet Foxes
Song: White Winter Hymnal
Much has been written about this impressive debut, which grabs listeners from the opening notes of the harmony-rich, time- and place-defying "White Winter Hymnal." Is this 2008 or 1968? Seattle or London?



Purchase the Fleet Foxes LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Fleet Foxes
Artist: Fleet Foxes
Label: Cooperative
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »



9. Artist: Amos Lee
Album: Last Days at the Lodge
Song: Won't Let Me Go
This Don Was production is all about the vocals. Amos Lee's inner soul singer really comes out in "Won't Let Me Go," which drops his vocal right into the middle of the listener's living room.




Purchase The Last Days at the Lodge LP from Vinyl Universe.

CD: Last Days at the Lodge
Artist: Amos Lee
Label: Blue Note
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »



10. Artist: Alejandro Escovedo
Album: Real Animal
Song: Chelsea Hotel '78
Vinyl isn't all about smooth sounds, and neither is Alejandro Escovedo. This rocking album nicely captures the energy and dynamic range for which he's known. "Chelsea Hotel" is one of the loud ones, and a true tale to boot. The LP even includes a couple of excellent bonus tracks.


Purchase the Real Animal LP from Amazon.

CD: Real Animal
Artist: Alejandro Escovedo
Label: Manhattan
Released: 2008
Amazon.com »


[NPR]