Happy Record Store Day!

Didn't know there was any such thing, did you?  But today really is National Record Store Day.

It seems that good old vinyl is actually making a bit of a comeback.  Sales of vinyl LP's increased about 14% between 2009 and 2010.  That's a big deal, especially in an age when music downloads make up almost half of all music sales.  And there are still about 700 independent record stores nationwide hanging on and making sales. Woo-hoo! Good news in my book.  CDs and mp3 downloads are nice and convienient, but they do have a sort of flat sound.  LPs give you a much fuller, richer sound.  And does anyone else miss album art?  Yes, it's still there in that tiny little square on your mp3 player screen, but it's sure not the same as having a 12 x 12 cardboard cover with the artwork staring you in the face.

Little independent record stores each have a unique atmosphere, too, like the one in High Fidelity. (Note: there's some naughty words in the clip.)

You don't get that from iTunes or the mall store!

Anyway, I'm glad people are starting to appreciate vinyl records again.  When you get down it it, they're just plain cool.