Vinyl Yourself, Please
Vinyl subscription services are gaining popularity, but there's something insidious about this model and it's got to do with your freedom
With vinyl subscription services, you pay a monthly fee to receive “specially curated” records with minimal input from you.
Sometimes you don’t know what records, let alone which editions, you will get.
Personally, I don’t think I will ever be able to buy all of the records I already know I want. Why let somebody else choose? And even pay them for the (dis)service?
We are not talking about following tips from your local record store owner or a friend whose knowledge and experience you trust.
This is some random company jumping on the vinyl bandwagon thinking they know better.
The result? They send you cheap reissues of classics which, at best, sound like shit, and at worst, you won’t be able to resell at a profit (otherwise, how would they make a profit?).
Honestly, if you really want those pressings, you’d be better off buying them directly from the cheapest retailer you can find.
The main point, though, is not so much about cost and value, which would perhaps deserve a separate analysis.
Or the sound quality of some reissues, which varies greatly (I’ve seen equally decent and horrible results even within the same series).
My main issue with this model is that subscribers are outsourcing the choosing, which is one of the essential tenets of being a collector and music lover.
Discovering artists, records, genres and sounds is a liberating enterprise.
Saying yes, I like that album that didn’t sell very well or is less famous than this landmark record everyone thinks you should have.
Saying no, I’m not going to listen to something that doesn’t move me just because it is a classic.
Saying yes, I want to spin this trashy record critics hated, and so what?
If you want to start a vinyl collection but need others to choose your records, I am sorry, but you haven’t done enough listening.
Critically acclaimed records only tell a side of the story. To truly appreciate classics, you’ll need to dig more into the sounds, trends and events of that particular period.
Developing your own taste, preferences, knowledge and judgment takes time, but music has never been more accessible.
If you need guidance, start with your all-time favourite records. See what artists inspired their creation. Look them up, stream their music, and buy the records you fall in love with.
Listen to what industry veterans have to say. Real people with a track record, with tangible experience. Not some anonymous “expert” from some random company.
Learn about industry trends, genres and music history. It will broaden your horizons. But the starting point should always be the music that moves you.
Not everyone lives in a free society where they can choose their music. Don’t take this privilege for granted. Don’t ever give it away.
Thanks for reading/listening. Happy spinning!
My goodness, yes. There's a wealth of difference between reading reviews, suggestions and recommendations and having your collection curated by someone else. I know I couldn't do this simply from any streaming service I use. "People who listened to this also listened to..." shows me that only I am in control of my tastes. I'd never use this kind of service.
I agree with every word here. I obviously have some strong opinions on curated vinyl, but also the idea of curated services in general. I get that people are pressed for time or might not know much about fashion, music, etc., but at one point did we decide we were so busy that decision-making & choice were something we could outsource?