If you are really into music, you have to give vinyl records a try. Listening to music on vinyl for the first time offers a memorable experience where listeners can immediately notice the difference in quality and sound. Vinyl records simply do a better job of capturing everything that was supposed to be recorded in the studio, but which, using other recording devices, was lost.
There are many technical reasons why vinyl records offer a more high-quality sound than tapes, CDs, or digital files, but the main question for music listeners isn’t technical. Why? Because those who listen to vinyl already know it’s better! They already know vinyl is the superior way to listen to music. What they really want to know isn’t, “Why is vinyl better?” But, “what records should I be listening to?” Here are some of the must-have vinyl records that you need to include in your collection.
Blonde on Blonde
Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan was released in 1966 and stood out as one of Dylan’s best albums, although, for some reason, it seems to be underrated. Really, you can’t have a vinyl collection without at least one Dylan record. And if you are going to have only one vinyl Bob Dylan record, it might as well be ‘Blonde on Blonde.’
Random Access Memories
Don’t let vinyl fool you. Just because records are a more traditional way to listen to music does not mean they are relegated only to folk-heroes like Bob Dylan. ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk is a necessary album for anyone under the age of forty. This album is scattered with fantastic songs, and listening to it on vinyl makes all the difference. Daft Punk stands out as one of the few electric bands with real longevity. Their songs do something more with electric and house music that turns them from ordinary to extraordinary.
Thriller
The greatest-selling album of all time, you haven’t heard Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ until you’ve heard it in vinyl. The 25th-anniversary edition of Michael Jackson’s vinyl ‘Thriller’ album is especially cool as it features remastered songs as well as some interesting bonus features.
Dark Side of the Moon
‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ by Pink Floyd is a vinyl record that needs no introduction. Dark Side of the Moon took Pink Floyd to a whole new level. When you really listen to their music, it is almost surprising that Pink Floyd became such a mainstream hit. Not because their music isn’t great. It certainly is! But it’s just that ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is so different from what we are used to hearing from popular vinyl records.
Born in the U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen is the working man’s, William Shakespeare. The Boss has written some of the best, most tragic, and endearing hits in the American songbook. You can’t go wrong with ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ whether you are at a BBQ, having a party, or just in the mood to hearing something deep and moving. Springsteen hits all the bases, and he does a great job at it.
There you have it, five of the must-have vinyl records that you should own in your collection. Whether you don’t have Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ or Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’ is nothing to worry about. Collecting vinyl is a lifelong hobby, and the purpose is the journey. Just because you do not have something now does not mean you need to immediately hop on the computer and buy it regardless of cost. Simply put it on your list and look forward to a time when you can get it in the future. The point is that all that matters is that you make time to listen to these records in their natural state—and that means vinyl.
