I'm still shaking my head a bit at placing number five on Makeoutclub's Top 10 Mp3 Blogs of All Time List. JUST when I was wondering if this experiment in blogging about all things vinyl might have run its course, comes this fine recognition. And considering the zillions of blogs out there, I'm more than honored.
If I can be allowed one (tiny) quibble however, it has to do with this line in their write-up: "Given their nature, music posted on the Vinyl District are mainly in the “classic rock” area..." Actually, I'm not sure that's accurate. Much to Mick's dismay, there's the random KISS post for sure (it's my 'adultolescence' ...right?) ...the Thin Lizzy fascination, my T-Rexstacy, and certainly musings about all things '70's, but truthfully 85% of the TVD content tends to be of the post-punk/punk/new wave variety. Now, don't get me wrong, I dig me some AOR/FM radio rock...just not THAT much.
I think the thing is that, yea sure, vinyl's on the upswing in terms of sales volume (however incrementally) but still the majority of all new releases are most certainly CD or Mp3-based. (I can't tell you when the last time I actually bought a CD was though--maybe a boxset or some rare find on ebay...but really, who buys CDs any longer?) I actually do buy my new, NEW releases on vinyl...lovingly pressed and assembled for the 10 or 12 (fill-in-the-blanks) like me. From Bauhaus's "Go Away White" on white vinyl, to the new Supergrass or Joe Jackson LP's--all were previewed via download and purchased new. But I've had a quandary regarding posting some of this new stuff as vinyl rips for example. I mean, when it's readily available now, why undermine the sale of the shiny new stuff by Mp3-ing it up, of all things?
So, I've tended to indeed go back and highlight the stuff that kicked me in the ass way back when and perhaps it's heard for the very first time by someone. And OK, becomes a "classic" for them along the way. That'd be nice. (Hm. Now maybe if I add quotation marks around 'classic' like that, Makeoutclub was indeed RIGHT on the money...? Hm.)
If the powers that be see fit, these artists below deserve their new releases on vinyl and then you can say to your e-friends that you heard this brand new track on TVD and wow, cool--now it's out on vinyl! And that'll be when I see you at the next (fill-in-the-blank) meeting. "Hi, my name is Jon.............."
Knights - The Words Don't Come (Mp3)The Joy Formidable - Austere (Mp3)CIAM - The Journey (Mp3)Bon Iver - Blindsided (Mp3)Liam Finn - This Place Is Killing Me (Mp3)(First track courtesy of Cale at BYT...can't get it out of my head now. Thanks, I think.)
Yea, I had to reread that a few times too.
"Ever since the initial burst of blogs coming in after the pioneers like Fluxblog and Stereogum, there’s been a steady stream each day of brand new mp3 blogs. Some are set up purely for promotional reasons (it took awhile but sometime around ’06, record labels began to see the benefit of giving away single tracks) but a majority of mp3 blogs authored and maintained by fans with the desire to share the music they love. Power to the people, it is back," the eight-year old Makeoutclub writes.
"Those looking for a quick mp3 fix may just hit up one of the directories available (i.e. Elbows and Hype Machine) but when looking for a consistent introduction to new music as well as a reminder of old favorites, some of these mp3 blogs are clearly standing out above the rest."
#5 Vinyl District
"Relative newcomer to the mp3 blogosphere world (b. July 2007), the Vinyl District stress the importance of consumers continuing to purchase vinyl instead of downloading everything. They claim to be good consumers and ask that their site visitors try to remain the same. That being said, the Vinyl District exists to “promote and give exposure” to music that might have never made it out of the vinyl bin. Seeing as compressed digital files are far less superior to actual vinyl, the Vinyl District is legitimately promotional and is one of the first effective ways to sort through piles of virtual vinyl. Given their nature, music posted on the Vinyl District are mainly in the “classic rock” area with much love shown to bands like the Clash."
Coming in ahead of some my own morning reads such as I Am Fuel, You Are Friends and An Aquarium Drunkard, and right behind such notables as The Music Slut, Stereogum and Daytrotter, The Vinyl District--the semi-new kid at the dance--placed numero five-o. Amazing.
So, Makeoutclub, if I could I would--with a hickey thrown in for good measure. Thanks for the nod...(Image courtesy LP Cover Lover.)
In the summer of '84, my Aunt Gerry and her husband, my Uncle "Turk", came to stay with us for two weeks...which JUST so happened to coincide with a new found fondness for slipping out the door and around the house for a puff or twelve. 
