Hi Rams! Welcome back to Behind the Music. Throughout history, many different mediums have been used to listen to people’s favorite tunes. From live performances to phonographs to cassette tapes, the way we listen to music evolves with time.
In the current digital age, we can access music wherever we go; the most prominent form of listening to music being streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. However, physical forms of music such as vinyl records have not completely died out.
Once a thing of the past, vinyl has once again become a sensation with the youth. Taking on fun shapes and colors, these “old school” records have become a fun addition to large and small collectors.
COMPASS senior Carissa Castaneda has a record player and buys vinyl. “I have old ones and they’re super cool to listen to,” she said.
Vinyl records are flat discs that store sound through grooves. This can be used to play full-length music albums as well as single songs. These records were most popular in the 1950s to the 1980s, but have now regained popularity.
According to Billboard, vinyl sales have increased for the 17th year straight. Over 43 million “vinyl albums were sold in 2022 (up 4.2% from 41.72 million in 2021),” writes Keith Caulfield, writer for Billboard. 48% of these records were bought in independent stores.
One appeal to buying vinyl is the community that surrounds it. Many small music stores still sell these records, giving others the opportunity to explore shops and meet new people there.
Long Beach has its fair share of small businesses that music lovers can explore. These include independent record stores such as Bagatelle Records, Dyzzy on Vynyl, and Fingerprints.
Vinyl records provide a gateway into a community of music lovers. Whether you’re browsing through a music store or sharing the most recent record you’ve listened to, vinyl is another music outlet that connects many.
Jolie • Jan 25, 2024 at 11:43 am
I totally agree! Records might be the best way to listen to music, it’s more exciting in my opinion
Alexa Palencia • Jan 25, 2024 at 9:21 am
As someone who collects vinyls and still uses a record player I very much agree!
Makayla Brown • Jan 23, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Very clear photos that represent the idea well
Allie C. • Jan 23, 2024 at 9:54 am
I agree that vinyls have not died out. I live very close to a store and they always have people running in and out. I had no idea that the sales have increased though. I think it’s nice to be able to turn on some music without touching your phone. Nowadays it’s all about technology so it’s nice to feel a little old school. Excited to see these rise in popularity again.
Chloe Neprud • Nov 30, 2023 at 7:33 pm
On November 3rd 2023, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. I agree with the author’s statement on how vinyl is gaining popularity among younger audiences again, and I liked how the author mentioned data on the increase of vinyl sales. I enjoyed reading this article because I’m considering buying a record player and vinyls. So, it was nice to know about local record stores that sell vinyl, so others who may be thinking about this can know where to start. Popular music artists now put out different variants of their vinyl records, for example Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s version) where she released 4 different color variations each with unique front and back cover art, or her album Midnights which had different colors and back cover art that made a clock when all 4 covers were put together. Different album editions allow consumers to pick and choose an item that best fits their personality while giving the artist unique ways to express various aesthetics of their album. Overall, this article sheds light on the history and resurgence of vinyl albums and how this method of listening to music has evolved over time.
Sofia Uribe • Nov 30, 2023 at 1:22 pm
November 29, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
The article provides insightful commentary on the renewed popularity of old-school vinyls. Vinyls have often been thought of as a thing of the past, yet it is wholesome to know that they have a place in our generation as well. Personally, I love listening to music. In my experience, the sound of vinyl comes across differently than music from electronic streaming platforms. I prefer it that way though. My father introduced me to vinyl when I was younger, and since then we began our very own vinyl collection.
I am glad this article mentioned local independent record stores. It will no doubt serve as good word of mouth, bringing more business and recognition to these stores. Furthermore, I appreciate that this article commented on how music serves as a way to connect individuals and groups. Music is something that everyone can relate to and share with one another. With that said, these rising vinyl sales will surely leave a beneficial mark on our community.
Sincerely,
Sofia Uribe
Samantha Pemari Macanlalay • Nov 30, 2023 at 1:20 pm
Allyson Richter first writes about the forms in which music has popularity like the easy to access forms such as Spotify and Apple Music. She then goes on to explain that vinyls still slightly have popularity. Carissa Castenada voices her views in an interview by Richter, she explains that as a COMPASS senior, she has vinyls and perceives them as cool. This may seem surprising to some who associate vinyls with past decades but Richter’s article informing of this topic’s relevance proves that association wrong. Richter also uses analytics to support her claim stating that “According to Billboard, vinyl sales have increased for the 17th year straight.” The way Richter explains the appeal to the vinyls, she makes the community sounds welcoming and fun which captivates people into becoming a part of the community by purchasing or visiting local vinyl stores. She also provides places that readers can visit which promotes the community in Long Beach. One suggestion that could have made this article even better would be to include that there are not only vinyls of older genres of music but a world of more modern music that is accessible as well. Overall, her article was very informative and persuades readings very well into the vinyl world.
Sincerely,
Samantha Pemari Macanlalay
Jenny Martin • Nov 30, 2023 at 1:19 pm
On November 3, 2023, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. I thought the article was really well written and concise! It didn’t drag on but delivered a lot of information really nicely. I love vinyl records and own quite a few myself so it was really fun to see them written about. My only issue about buying records is with my record player; it doesn’t always work so great. It would have been cool to see some mentions about the players themself and where you can buy them. Either way, I really liked that specific local shops were mentioned, and I’ll probably go check out one or two in the future. I also think it’s really cool that 48% of records are bought from independent stores, since that supports more local communities! By reporting about this, Allyson is also helping support these stores and our area. I think it’s interesting to see the growth of people buying physical records too, since although they’ve declined in the public eye the number bought has still been growing for the past 17 years! That’s really cool to think about. In addition, I like the recognition of the culture around records as it is a really nice community. I really liked this article and it was a very fun edition of behind the music.
Mikayla Brumbelow • Nov 30, 2023 at 1:11 pm
November 30, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
On November 3, 2023, Allison Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. In this article Richter writes about vinyls and how they are growing in popularity again. She states “According to Billboard, vinyl sales have increased for the 17th year straight. Over 43 million ‘vinyl albums were sold in 2022 (up 4.2% from 41.72 million in 2021),’ writes Keith Caulfield, writer for Billboard. 48% of these records were bought in independent stores”. She also states how vinyl can bring together a community due to the many independent stores that sell it.
I believe that the inclusions of statistics was a really great way to include some facts into the article. I also foud it cool to find out that vinyls are increasing in popularity. I do believe that the article could use some more quotes from students or teachers who use vinyl. It would be really interesting to hear from more students and their thoughts on vinyls. Overall I found this article to be engaging and an interesting topic. It does a great job of pulling in the reader with the introduction then giving great information on the topic.
Sincerely,
Mikayla Brumbelow
Finn Benitz • Nov 30, 2023 at 11:05 am
November 30, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
In the article I really felt an appreciation for the recognition of this alternate, and often considered old fashioned method of music listening. Many people ignore it because of the inefficiency, considering that there are ways of streaming music with dramatically less effort, however the article appropriately captured the appeal to vinyls and their impact on musical development in former years. I believe it should also be mentioned that the mass attraction to records also stems from the sound quality differences. Many are drawn to the exceptional sound which is a large factor to why they are becoming more and more popular recently. Including that detail may give the audience a better idea of the reason for the increased popularity, rather than leaving them with an impression of vinyls simply being a fad. That aside, the given statistics of vinyl sales throughout the years, especially recently, and the history in which they arose really interested me. It was fascinating to understand why people are reviving vinyls in this modern time, compared to another point in the past. Overall, I’m still curious what motivates people the most out of the numerous reasons for growing record collections? I’d love to learn about the main incentive that drives people to do so, whether it be the sound enhancements or the simple act of collecting physical forms of music. I would like more detailed information but other than that I really appreciated the insight to musical history and its revival in today’s world.
Sincerely,
Finn Benitz
Lilly Alexander • Nov 30, 2023 at 11:00 am
Richter does a good job with the introduction to this article because it doesn’t go immediately into the topic and instead has an introduction to the idea of what this article may be about. She does a good job easing into her topic and talking about why records and vinyls are becoming popular again. Since there are some people who may not know what vinyl is, Richter gives an explanation that can help the reader know what she is talking about. She also uses an interview from Carissa Casaneda and statistics from Billboard to prove what her article is talking about is correct. A suggestion for this article would be to add more reasons why people might have started buying vinyl again, with such a long and supportive introduction, a longer explanation could help to show the increased sale of vinyls. Despite that, bringing up small businesses that still sell records could help the audience find a vinyl store they might be interested in going to so they can get some vinyl. Richter also did a good job bringing this article to a conclusion by mentioning what was talked about in the introduction as well as saying that vinyl is a gateway into a community of music lovers.
Laurissa Avina • Nov 30, 2023 at 10:55 am
On November 3, 2023, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. The article was well written and informative. One thing Richter did really well was include many facts regarding records which I found very useful for those who don’t know what records are. Facts regarding how much sales have increased were also included and they came from a reliable music source, Billboard. This helped to showcase how sales have increased in this century which was evidence for him that these records continue to live without fear of dying out. I liked that Richter chose to include local places on these records because it gives people a place to go just in case they were thinking about purchasing a vinyl. The points made were constantly backed up by some sort of fact which really helped give reliability in the author and article itself. I, myself, buy vinyls from the record stores around Long Beach and found this article to be a good outlet for those who may be interested in finding new ways to listen to music and how beneficial it could be by buying them from smaller places around the city.
Kailyn Khamkhensouvann • Nov 30, 2023 at 9:57 am
I enjoyed reading this article and how it reintroduced the appeal of “old school” records. I personally find an interest in older forms of music like vinyls, so it’s nice to see editors branching out into different topics that don’t limit their focus to current events and upcoming trends. The article itself also deserves some recognition as it is well-written and maintains interest while staying on topic. There are diverse subtopics that range from historical and statistics to individual accounts such as the quote from the COMPASS senior Carissa Castaneda. I appreciate Carissa’s addition to the article as it shows students’ perspectives on the topic.
In addition to the appeal to buying vinyl, I believe that it has a distinct feeling and vibe to it that is unmatched by other forms of music. It differs from listening to music with headphones or with a speaker which makes for a unique experience. I liked how various record stores were mentioned, and certain artists, songs, or genres in particular can be mentioned too to draw in those who are interested. By introducing vinyls through current artists or songs, it may gain attention and create a gradual transition into vinyl records. I’m glad I had a chance to read your article, and I look forward to seeing more.
Caroline Gass • Nov 30, 2023 at 9:19 am
In this article Millikan students get educated on “old school records”, a form of listening to music. This article is written in detail in just a few paragraphs which is appreciated. The writer did a really good job explaining what records are, suggesting places to shop for them, and giving statistics about records still being used. They included some very nice images that help depict what they are talking about. I also like that they mentioned that buying records allows you to get into a community because it shows that music is also about people.
Although the writer provided really good information, it would’ve been nice if they included some interviews from Millikan students or added the musical records that the young generation is buying. Other than that this article was a good read and I am glad they are continuing the Behind the Music segment. I will definitely read the next one!
Ethan Barnhart-Ross • Nov 29, 2023 at 1:01 pm
November 29, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
On November 3, 2023, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. This is a well written article that describes what vinyls are and why they are becoming popular once again. I liked how the article gives data such as the sales rising for the seventeenth year in a row to show the rise in popularity of them along with quotes from Millikan students that collect them. One thing I think the article would have benefited from mentioning is how vinyls capture more sound than digital does, making them sound better. Although this only matters if the song is recorded on vinyl originally (which most nowadays aren’t) it is still a reason some people choose vinyls over digital regardless of if they can actually tell the difference or not. I like how the article mentioned that part of the appeal of vinyls is the community of collectors that surrounds them. Although this article could have elaborated more on some things, it is still very well written and gives a brief explanation of what vinyls are and why people are still buying them.
Sincerely,
Ethan Barnhart-Ross
Lauren Cantwell • Nov 29, 2023 at 12:56 pm
November 29th, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
On November 3rd, 2023, Allyson Richard wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. Richard does a very good job and her introduction. She addresses the audience to make them feel more included. By adding context in the beginning of her article, it gives background knowledge to the readers. To prove that vinyls are still in style, she uses other people’s experiences to prove her argument that vinyls aren’t really dead.
One suggestion for the article is to add more reasons as to why the younger generation likes vinyls. Perhaps talk about the different designs put on vinyls or interview a collector who can describe why they like vinyls. Overall the article does a very good job at spiking the audience’s interest. It was written very formally and by including data it ties the article together.
The writing makes the audience is interesting and it flows very well. Richard does an amazing job wrapping the article up in the conclusion while leaving readers with an impacting feeling.
Sincerely,
Lauren Cantwell
Santino Garetto • Nov 29, 2023 at 11:14 am
I was surprised that, despite the availability and affordability of music nowadays, people are choosing to revisit the past with vinyl records. While records can be expensive and hard to come by, they definitely provide a unique perspective on music, similar to the effects of film in contrast to digital photography. The most notable aspect of film cameras is their capability of enduring time, since digital cameras quickly become obsolete as higher resolution and quality cameras are built year after year. Film cameras have no resolution limit, only the amount of grain found on film, meaning that their quality is difficult to surpass. An enhancement to this article would be the addition of further reasoning to explain the growing demand for vinyl records. What is driving the public to collect physical copies of music when digital forms are more accessible? I fail to see any benefit to vinyl to digital, so I presume their popularity is due to either being able to physically hold them or the authenticity that noise distortion brings. The impact that vinyl is having on the music industry must be quite beneficial as collections are able to spread to many enthusiasts. ”48% of these records were bought in independent stores.” This shows that vinyl record sales are supporting many individuals under ownership of vinyls. It pleases me to know that vinyl records are not dead because, like floppy discs and cassettes, they are historical preservations that document the technological and cultural developments of the world.
Daniel Flores • Nov 29, 2023 at 11:03 am
This article in my opinion was very well written due to the fact that it was able to list specific places where I would be able to get some vinyl of my own. I also enjoyed the addition of the statistics on how vinyl has become increasingly popular. The length of the article was also very convenient, limiting its length while still having a large amount of detail on the topic. After reading the article I was able to learn about how vinyl is making a recovery because of our youth even though we are in a digital age which causes us to have more access to a variety of things on our cell phones. I love the topic of the article because it brings publicity to the school allowing for more students to have the opportunity to support small businesses that sell vinyl. Great article, another piece of amazing work by Allyson Richter!
Harriet Jung • Nov 29, 2023 at 9:20 am
I love how she wrote about records in an informative way while still making us curious about this interesting, back from the dead culture. She perfectly mixed in evidence of the trend from outside sources such as Billboard with evidence from a Millikan student, Carissa Castaneda, so as to better connect the audience with the subject.
Allyson’s logical line of reasoning gave us better insight into the subject of vinyl records because she had smooth transitions from the idea that records had not died out to information about records and finally showcasing the brilliant culture that surrounds buying records and music stores. Since she told us what a record was—“Vinyl records are flat discs that store sound through grooves”, we were better able to understand why people like them as collector items or unique ways to listen to music. The visuals included in the article also helped give us a better idea of what records and their stores look like.
Lastly, does the trend of increased vinyl sales continue into 2023 or did it stop after 2022? Allyson did a great job in presenting the culture and background information on records! Her article made me more interested in them and helped me understand the trend of buying records when I hadn’t previously.
Mikaela Gan • Nov 29, 2023 at 9:20 am
Dear Corydon Editor,
On November 3, 2023, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. I really enjoyed how you got a seniors point of view on record players and vinyl. It shows that there are more people out in the school that uses record players and vinyl. I also enjoyed how you used facts in your article, that the vinyl sales have increased for the 17th year straight from 41.72 million in 2021 to over 43 million in 2022. My sister has a record player in the house but she doesn’t use it. Reading this article makes me want to take the record player out and play some music. I have been to a small music store once and the atmosphere and community there is great. Music is a way of connecting people and in these stores you can find many genres and artists that you like. I also appreciate that you added store suggestions. Giving these suggestions makes the reader want to visit and actually see what their small music stores are like. I also liked how you said music has evolved over time from vinyls and cassette tapes to music digitally and how even though people listen to music digitally now, there are still people who listen to music using record players and vinyl.
Sincerely,
Mikaela Kamakana Gan
Izabella Gonzalez • Nov 29, 2023 at 9:10 am
The article was extremely well written and was able to connect to the reader in many ways. One way this was achieved was by having a quote by someone familiar to us to show how people around us are still using old forms of music. I also found it really helpful how she defined to us what exactly a vinyl was and how it may be used which left no room for confusion if someone were unaware of what a vinyl was. Furthermore I found her use of sales statistics to be rather helpful in proving her point that many people still use and buy records. She then enlightened the readers on the appeal of purchasing vinyl records and music shops and ended with a few music shop recommendations which I found rather interesting and helpful. Although it would be interesting to know more about the independent stores she has listed.
Suzanna Gonzalez • Nov 29, 2023 at 9:09 am
I really enjoyed reading this article, since it informs us that more and more people are enjoying the “old school” versions of music. It really helps us realize that even though they may be considered old or outdated they can still be enjoyed by the people who discover their existence. I’ve never really listened to music in ways besides digitally, but recently I’ve been buying albums and they contain CDs, so when I decide to play those CDs, I realize just how different it is compared to going to Spotify or Apple Music. So I can understand why vinyl is becoming popular with the younger generation. I hope that in the future I can listen to music with vinyl or cassettes and get to enjoy it like how much my parents had before me. I hope I can read another interesting and informative article about music like this one.
Noah Perez • Nov 29, 2023 at 9:06 am
November 29, 2023
Dear Corydon Editor,
On November 3, 2023, Alison Richter wrote an article titled “Behind the Music: Records Aren’t Dead”. As someone who really enjoys traditional forms of music listening, and has a record player, I think this article sums up the listening experience very well. I’ve been to a few of the locations mentioned and they all have a very fun environment especially as an avid music listener. My favorite hobby is listening to music and finding ways to upgrade the sound quality to hear everything. Using impressive sound systems with the vinyl records I’ve either bought or found in my dad’s collection, is such an amazing experience and very worthwhile.
I really appreciate bringing other people into this medium of listening to music because it’s completely unique and gets a greater connection with the artist. I really like how the author tries to spread this medium so more people can enjoy listening to their favorite artists in new ways. It’s always a good feeling to give support directly to the artists that work really hard making the music. I agree with the sense of community that this way of listening comes with. Overall the experience is very refreshing and finding music listeners just as avid as myself is very fun. I get to connect with people and find new music which is something I really love and enjoy.
I really like how the author gave a well rounded and thought out explanation of fun experiences that listeners might enjoy about buying a vinyl, and the content that comes with it. My appreciation for artists everywhere has grown immensely the more I dive deep into music listening. Understanding the medium better has led me to an ever growing interest in music and I think spreading this hobby of mine can prove to be something many others can enjoy as well.
Sincerely,
Noah Perez