Vinyl is Back: Time to Update your Record Player
Vinyl has returned. Urban Outfitters gives us a new look for an old way to listen to music. So far, we’ve seen how this Crosley record player helped give my den the mid mod look. You can see that in addition to the record player, there all kinds of retro vibes in the den.
Why are Vinyl records back?
I really believe it’s partly the shiny black, tree-ring patterned beauty of the records themselves. Not to mention their covers! Unlike tapes, the covers alone are enough reason to dust off these artifacts and display them with pride. It’s either that, or an ongoing retro craze must have swept me up.
And how did playing records come about in the first place?
Records actually have kind of an interesting history. Two of the most famous inventors in American history had a lot to do with them. Recorded sound began with Thomas Edison’s phonograph in 1877. Alexander Graham Bell took this to the next level with the graphophone some time in the 1880’s. German-born immigrant Emil Berliner then came out with the “disc phonograph record,” (i.e. “vinyl”) in the 1890’s. And then this would become the medium of recorded music playing that would dominate for almost a century. The 1980’s saw the emergence for the more compact and versatile audio cassettes & CD’s. And so vinyls rapidly began to disappear.
What do I love about Vinyl?
For me, it’s even more than the look. It begins with a sentimental attachment, a cherished childhood memory. As a young girl, I’d dance on my grandfather’s feet to music from his huge, wooden record player. However, I don’t actually miss that particular record player. It was WAY too big! This one from UO is a great size, and therefore a good “update” to an outdated pastime.
In total, I’ve ordered two Crosley—one ivory, one gold. I recently consigned the gold one, after I decided to minimize the metallics in this room. And I’m much happier with this ivory color.
And I’ll also say the record player and records aren’t TOTALLY for looks. We actually play some old Rolling Stones records from time to time. There’s just something about watching the record turn and hearing the music churn.
Other things vinyl—clothes
We can now see this vintage vinyl pattern applied to clothes. A part of me really wants some glassy black vinyl pants. What would you have to say about that? 😉
Happy Friday, Friends. Thanks for visiting!
shop this post:
RECORD PLAYER | similar CONSOLE ( mine’s from eBay) | | similar ORB | Vintage Books SYMOUR LIPTON | NOTORIOUS | PATRICK DEMARCHELIER
Beatriz Adrianna
May 12, 2018 @ 11:02 pm
I love me some vintage too! <3
Jean Exum
May 15, 2018 @ 8:54 am
Thanks, Beatriz!
Masha Santos | The High Influence
May 13, 2018 @ 8:37 pm
Love the retro vibes. Inspired to give it a try! Beautiful imagery as well.
Masha, XO
http://www.thehighinfluence.com
Jean Exum
May 15, 2018 @ 8:54 am
Thanks, Marsha 🙂
jamie
May 19, 2018 @ 1:32 pm
My husband bought a record player about a year or so ago. Nothing fancy, maybe $20 from Amazon but the sound is still so much better than what music sounds now imo. He loves that you can hear all the background stuff the musicians were recording. He is a huge 80’s rock fan and some of his favorite bands are re-releasing their albums on vinyl so he has been collecting them up. This past Christmas we listened to a Bing Crosby Christmas album while opening presents.
Jean Exum
May 20, 2018 @ 7:37 am
That’s awesome, Jamie! Yea, I completely agree with you. Where did he get the record player?