Vinyl Record Day: Five Gems from Shelby’s Collection
It's Vinyl Record Day today! In 2015, we're used to downloading one or two songs, and then listening to our iPods on shuffle. But, I believe if you really love an album, and enjoy listening to it all the way through, it's worth owning it on vinyl.
There are, of course, those times you're at a garage sale, second-hand store or even Bizarre Bazaar and Downtown Sound, and you see a classic you can't not walk out with.
I have a pretty good-sized collection (for a millennial), and I love them all, but if I had to choose the ones I am tied to most, these would be them.
- A&M Records/Paramount Pictures
A&M Records/Paramount Pictures Pretty in Pink Soundtrack (1986)
This is my favorite movie, so of course I have the soundtrack. Honestly, even if I hated the movie, this record is the perfect collection of 80s indie/new wave rock. It's got tracks from The Psychedelic Furs, New Order, The Smiths and, my favorite, 'If You Leave' (the prom song at the end) by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. Still hate the prom dress though.
- Sub Pop Records
Sub Pop Records Beach House - Teen Dream (2010)
Again, if you love an album side A through side B, you're going to appreciate it on vinyl, and that's the case for this album, from 'Walk in the Park' to 'Take Care.'
- Epic Records
Epic Records The Clash - Combat Rock (1982)
'Rock the Casbah' and 'Should I Stay or Should I Go?" Right here.
- Phonogram Ltd.
Phonogram Ltd. Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
This one is just a classic, but I think the reason that I love it so much is actually because I bought it at a place called 'Killer's Dicsos' for 12 euros in downtown Madrid. In the middle of a foreign place, I felt right at home among the shelves of a record store. The guy working yelled at me in Spanish for taking it out of the plastic sleeve. So, it turns out, music snobs are pretentious anywhere you go.
The text on the record is in Spanish, too. So that's pretty cool.
- Columbia Records
Columbia Records Jane Fonda's Workout Record (1981)
How could you not want to do squats to REO Speedwagon led by Jane Fonda? There's even a matching book, you know, in case you need a visual?
- RCA Records
RCA Records Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas (1971)
OK, this is a seasonal bonus. I also have a small sub-collection of tacky Christmas albums. This is my favorite, because it was a gift from my friend, Arthur. On the album cover, Elvis' face has been superimposed onto a cartoon Santa and a snowman. It doesn't get better than that.
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