There seems to be a lot of discussion in musical circles these days about whether or not there’s still an appeal to vinyl records. The bottom line is, vinyl has been outpaced by digital music, which is no big surprise. From iTunes to Google Play, to Spotify and pandora.com, there are various services and programs that simply make digital music too convenient to ignore.
However, there are still those who argue for the sound quality and general satisfaction of playing vinyl records. Furthermore, there are modern means of combining vinyl records at home with digital convenience on the go. For example, at mysmartbuy.com you can purchase turntables that play records and also have the capability to translate the music on them to digital files on your computer (which of course you can then put on all your devices for listening on the go). Basically, this means vinyl enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite products at home without sacrificing convenience.
And all of this begs the question – which modern albums are worth buying on vinyl?
We tend to think of records as just old classics, but with modern turntables, the idea of modern vinyl can become quite appealing. Ideally, you’ll want an album that’s cohesive from start to finish, with smooth transitions and no weak spots, as vinyl is meant to be played nonstop.
With that in mind, here are our picks for the top 10 vinyl albums to pick up in 2013 so far.
- 10. New Order “Substance” – Listen to this record on vinyl and you’ll understand exactly why New Order were one of the pioneers of electronic music and why their music is being reissued on vinyl.
- 9. Pet Shop Boys “Electric” – Limited to just 1000 copies, this is a must hear for any hardcore Petheads who appreciate vinyl.
- 8. David Bowie “The Next Day” – A remarkable rock record whose genius still resonates in 2013.
- 7. “The Great Gatsby soundtrack” – This may be the most entertaining film soundtrack to simply listen through in a decade.
- 6. Justin Timberlake “The 20/20 Experience” – It’s flawed, but if you love JT – and so many of us do – it’s worth picking up.
- 5. Adele “21” – One of the best albums start to finish of the year, this is a must-have for a modern collection. You’ll appreciate how it sounds all over again once you take it’s vinyl version on a spin.
- 4. Alison Moyet “The Minutes” – An impressive comeback that doesn’t lull even for a minute.
- 3. Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” – Throwing on vinyl is great for relaxation, and no one chills you out like some classic Fleetwood Mac. This vinyl reissue solidifies why it’s one of the greatest records of all time.
- 2. Kanye West “Yeezus” – This album is strange, too artistic for its own good, arrogant, and wonderful all at once.
- 1. Daft Punk “Random Access Memories” – Daft Punk may organize its albums as entire experiences more than any other group in music, and for that reason it’s the consummate vinyl album.