~/vinyl
[5]
Browse my albums below! Click on one to bring up my thoughts and story, and change the music player to a sample from that album.
My setup :)
I never was huge into physical media. I had a small CD collection as a kid (which I still have), and a couple cassettes lying around. I think I might have an 8-track somewhere in storage. Anyways, once I got an mp3 player it was all digital for me, baby. Streaming is still the main way I listen to music, but as music became my biggest hobby I felt it would be fufilling to invest in a physical collection. Man, it has been.
I chose vinyl because I find it cool, am a big fan of the huge covers, and I really love the signature warmness. I gained a lot of appreciation for physical media once I was able to hook it up to my HiFi stereo system. I never truly understood what high fidelity was until I played a fresh-pressed vinyl.
I've now been occasionally collecting vinyls for several years from various record stores and shops. My collection is nothing crazy as far as pure mass, but I've got a lot of albums that I care a lot for.
Don't BS me about my cheap turntable, I have a nice cartridge :P
★★☆☆☆
Top Tracks: The Ties That Bind, Hungry Heart
This was one of my first records. It was given to me by one of my best friends in I think 7th or 8th grade for my birthday. I'm actually not a very big fan of Bruce Springsteen, and probably wouldn't have bought this record on my own. Still, it might be the very reason I started collecting. Forever thankful for that gift.
I grew up being very into classic rock (it's what my Dad listens to), but I just started losing interest as I explored more genres. I can still enjoy this record, and there are a few solid singles on it, just not very remarkable.
The Ties That Bind
Sherry Darling
Jackson Cage
Two Hearts
Independence Day
Hungry Heart
Out In The Street
Crush On You
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
I Wanna Marry You
The River
Point Blank
Cadillac Ranch
I'm A Rocker
Fade Away
Stolen Car
Ramrod
The Price You Pay
Drive All Night
Wreck On The Highway
★★★★★
Top Tracks: You should really listen to the whole album. The opening track Painted Paradise may be my favorite though
This record used to be my favorite in my collection. It looks sick, that pink revinyl obi strip adds so much flair. The real reason it's among my favorites is the listening experience though. It's an absolute masterpiece of funky jazz, then entire album flows so well as one piece. It's also one of the best mastered and highest fidelity records I've ever heard, I just melt at the sound of it. Seriously, I'm not sure I can praise this album enough.
Definitely check this one out if you havent. The digital master is slightly inferior in my opinion, but the composition is still a masterclass of Jazz.
Painted Paradise = ペインティド・パラダイス
Funky Motion = ファンキー・モーション
Breeze = ブリーズ
Scratch = スクラッチ
Funky Stuff = ファンキー・スタッフ
One For Jiroh = ワン・フォー・ジロー
Gentle Wave = ジェントル・ウェイヴ
Four Up = フォー・アップ
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: The Light, Chasing The Drum
This album is gorgeous. Yussef is my favorite drummer, and his debut album is pretty peak. He has such a unique and exciting rhythm; it feels like a conversation with nature.
There are some songs that I'm not a huge fan of which brings the album down from 5 stars, but none worth skipping. It's a very soulful experience, and I still love returning to this record often.
Black Classical Music
Afro Cubanism
Raisins Under The Sun
Rust
Turquoise Galaxy
The Light
Pon Di Plaza
Magnolia Symphony
Early Days
Chasing The Drum
Birds Of Paradise
Gelato
Marching Band
Crystal Palace Park
Presidential
Jukebox
Woman's Touch
Tioga Pass
Cowrie Charms
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: All Night Long, Love Will Find A Way
This is a pretty great classic record. Several great ballads, this really encapsulates Lionel Richie. Penny Lover is an honorable mention here, so much emotion on display through this record.
The real reason this album is so special to me though is because of the memories associated with All Night Long. It's one of my best friend's go-to karaoke songs, and always brings the good vibes.
Can't Slow Down
All Night Long (All Night)
Penny Lover
Stuck On You
Love Will Find A Way
The Only One
Running With The Night
Hello
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: Part-Time Lover, Stranger On The Shore Of Love
Side 1 of this record is ridiculously good. So funky, just good ol' Stevie Wonder. Side 2 is kinda mid, which is why I'm leaving this one at 3 stars.
Part-Time Lover was the first song I heard on the album, shown to me by a friend. I started listening to a bunch more Stevie after that. Given the choice, I think I'd rather own Hotter Than July, but I haven't seen a copy of that in person yet.
Part-Time Lover
I Love You Too Much
Whereabouts
Stranger On The Shore Of Love
Never In Your Sun
Spiritual Walkers
Land Of La La
Go Home
Overjoyed
It's Wrong (Apartheid)
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: Mrs Hotline, V-Rally
So this is a weird one. My first and currently only electronic album. I listen to plenty of house and various eclectic electronica, but I'd never bothered to get a vinyl.
When Pizza Hotline announced this limited run of their new album, I had to pick it up (through Bandcamp of course). It's such a cool early 2000s-esc vibe. This pressing is really cool too because it was mastered at 33.3 RPM, but plays back at 45. Because of that, you can easily play the tracks slowed in perfect fidelity (which is super cool sounding with this album).
Definitely check it out if you were into NFS, or especially Wipeout as a kid. Set your emotion engine running!
V-Rally
Level Select 2
Dream Select
Nothing To Lose
Mrs Hotline
AIR
Dream Arena
★★★★★
Top Tracks: Moonglow, Shade of Blue
"What the world needs right now is a breath of love and peace to heal our hearts" - Uyama Hiroto
This is my favorite record. It's beautiful.
Uyama is my favorite saxophonist, and this album is his most serene, utopic release yet. It's pure bliss and tranquility for the entire runtime.
The vinyl itself is amazingly well mastered, it has such a gorgeous sound and that signature warmness just wraps you in the comfort of this record.
Eternal Bless
Moonglow
Color Of Love
Together
Embrace
Gentle Luv A Dub
One Six
I Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye
Shade Of Blue
Loving You
My Pleasure
Love Supreme
Calmness
Stay Who You Are
You & Me
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: Wildflower, Birds of a Feather
I love this album. I do not like this vinyl. It's a beautiful album, and I can vividly remember the experience of hearing it for the first time. It was just after finishing college, playing off a bluetooth speaker in my hotel room down the road from my part-time job. It was heavenly. It hit me harder than any other Billie album. The composition is so fine-tuned, and listening to it back on my stereo system had be soaking in my chair for an hour.
The vinyl kinda sucks though. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to own the thing itself but I will never listen to the vinyl over digital. It's mastered worse than digital (if it was remastered at all), and the eco-vinyl it's pressed on (while a nice idea) seems to induce a noticeable drop in quality. I would give this at least 4 stars if the vinyl was good.
Skinny
Lunch
Chihiro
Birds Of A Feather
Wildflower
The Greatest
L'amour De Ma Vie
The Diner
Bittersuite
Blue
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: Shakin', Think I'm In Love
I don't have much to say about this one. It's alright, and has several great singles. Classic rock just isn't as interesting to me anymore, but I do still enjoy it when in the mood.
That said, this is one where I'm more likely to stream the singles than throw on the record. Eddie does bring quite the rockin' atmosphere.
Shakin'
Runnin' Away
Think I'm In Love
Hard Life
No Control
Take A Little Bit
Keep My Motor Runnin'
My Friends, My Friends
Drivin' Me Crazy
Passing By The Graveyard (Song For John B.)
It Could Happen To You
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: キアロスクーロ, Loneliness Will Shine
toe is so cool. It's experimental math rock from Japan, with really cool digital effects on their insanely skilled drummer and guitarists.
If you have any interest in math rock, or experimental instrumental music at all, this album is a huge recommend from me. I might actually recommend another album of theirs - the book about my idle plot on a vague anxiety - even more, but both are great. I honestly got this album over that one because the vinyl was cheaper lol.
The mastering on this vinyl is not as great as many of my other records, but I honestly think that's a limitation of the music. It's so dynamic, it's probably best listened to electronically.
風と記憶
Loneliness Will Shine
Todo Y Nada
街のどこかで
Who Knows ?
Close To You
キアロスクーロ
サニーボーイ・ラプソディ
Madness Summer
Now I See The Light
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: It's effectively a concept album. I can't pick one.
This is a cool record. It's basically an hour long jam session with Miles Davis. I'm not one of those guys that collects rare Jazz vinyls or anything, and I don't have any bias towards Miles (if anything, I find most of his music a little boring) but I do have a lot of respect for him and what he's done for Jazz.
My record is actually the original '82 Japanese pressing, which comes with that swanky obi strip on the left side. Still in amazing condition too.
Leaving this one at a 3 star rating because it's not my usual cup of tea, but if I'm in the mood for a jazz club atmosphere, this is a record I reach for.
Jean Pierre
Back Seat Betty
Fast Track
Jean Pierre
My Man's Gone Now
Kix
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: Cause We've Ended As Lovers, Scatterbrain
Jeff Beck was one of my first intoductions to blues, and what an intro! This guy is an artist with that guitar, makes it sing in ways I still haven't heard from anyone else.
The whole album is a great jam (and sounds great on vinyl), but it definitely has some standout singles like Cause We've Ended As Lovers that elevate the experience.
You Know What I Mean
She's A Woman
Constipated Duck
Air Blower
Scatterbrain
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Thelonius
Freeway Jam
Diamond Dust
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: Up In The Air, If You See My Heart Today
I really like this album. Marty Robbins is special to me because my late grandfather loved his later records. This album in particular has always been my favorite of his non-western ones, he has such a smooth and relaxing voice and all of these songs are so tender and pretty.
This record seems to have kinda low ratings by most, but I choose to think that's just because his western songs were more popular. It's a really nice collection of old love songs and heartbreak, and a great mood setter for retro relaxing. That said, his western stuff is amazing too. I'm on the lookout for a pressing of The Drifter.
Turn The Lights Down Low
Forever Yours
You're Not The Only One
I Don't Care (If You Don't Care For Me)
But Only In My Dreams
If You See My Heart Today
When Your Love Was Mine
Up In The Air
No Tears, No Regrets
Refer Him To Me
Can I Help It
I'll Be All Right
★★★★★
Top Tracks: Early Summer / アーリー・サマー, Scenery / シーナリィ
Another masterpiece jazz work. This vinyl sounds amazing, the soundstage is so perfectly defined and the mastering is so good that it sounds like being at a live performance.
Ryo's work on the piano is masterclass, he's seriously a magician on the keys. This whole album exemplifies his skill, not a single song leaves me bored. It's a constant rhythmic flow that I adore.
This one gets a lot of play, its not too long and is a joy to listen to in entirety.
It Could Happen To You / イット・クッド・ハプン・トゥ・ユー
I Want To Talk About You / アイ・ウォント・トゥ・トーク・アバウト・ユー
Early Summer / アーリー・サマー
Willow Weep For Me / ウィロウ・ウィープ・フォー・ミー
Autumn Leaves / 枯葉
Scenery / シーナリィ
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: The Art Of Happiness, Egocentric Molecules
This is such a cool album, Jean-luc Ponty is undoubtedly one of the most talented multi-instrumentalists I know of. It's legitimately exciting to listen to, and as the album title suggests, takes you on a cosmic acoustic adventure.
This album has some of the most unique and cool composition of the time, and just outright cool sounds. If you've any taste for Jazz fusion, this is a must-listen.
Cosmic Messenger
The Art Of Happiness
Don't Let The World Pass You By
I Only Feel Good With You
Puppets' Dance
Fake Paradise
Ethereal Mood
Egocentric Molecules
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: Small Worlds, What's The Use?
Mac Miller is a divisive one for me. On one hand, this album is amazing. Lots of raw emotion and killer lines, a hazy atmosphere with thick vibes. The beats composed for this album are pretty amazing throughout.
The source of division is the subject matter, and the influence it's had on some of my friends. Malcolm was unfortunately a very unhealthy man, but he did make some beautiful music. Enjoy this one, but don't take the messages to heart.
Come Back To Earth
Hurt Feelings
What's The Use?
Perfecto
Self Care
Wings
Ladders
Small Worlds
Conversation, Pt. 1
Dunno
Jet Fuel
2009
So It Goes
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: A Drifting Lens, Gliese677cc
This is a really cool one. I've wanted to start collecting game OSTs for a while, and I got a good opportunity with Lost In Cult releasing this one for an indie game that I loved.
It's all atmospheric, with side A being slightly more melodic. Super cool ambience, a very unique aura from any of my other records. The vinyl itself sounds great and just looks cool in transparent yellow.
If you're looking for background music, or something adventurous, I reccomend this album.
A01 Gliese677cc
A02 Pillar Gardens
A03 A Drifting Lens
A04 Farthest Point
A05 The Last Artificer
A06 Dusk Slopes
A07 Into the Bloom
A08 Lost Refuge
B01 A Living Oasis
B02 The Reef
B03 Shifting Currents
B04 The Arcology
B05 Anomaly
B06 New Life
B07 Symbiosis
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: Lowdown, Lido Shuffle
This album is distinctly of its time. Got some super funky jams, but also a couple stinkers in my opinion. Side 2 is definitely stronger.
Not much for me to say other than that, this one isn't very special to me.
What Can I Say
Georgia
Jump Street
What Do You Want The Girl To Do
Harbor Lights
Lowdown
It's Over
Love Me Tomorrow
Lido Shuffle
We're All Alone
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: Hollywood Nights, Old Time Rock & Roll
This is another pretty great classic rock record. I think Bob Seger's live album Live Bullet is my favorite (which is unusual for me, I almost always prefer studio recordings), but the singles on side 1 of this record are so good.
Side 2 is quite a bit weaker, doesn't get a lot of play from me. Overall good album with consistent composition, good cruisin' vibes.
Hollywood Nights
Still The Same
Old Time Rock & Roll
Till It Shines
Feel Like A Number
Ain't Got No Money
We've Got Tonite
Brave Strangers
The Famous Final Scene
★★★★☆
Top Tracks: What A Fool Believes, How Do The Fools Survive?
This album is pretty great, surprisingly so. Before buying the vinyl, I hadn't listened to it in its entirety. Putting this on was quite the experience though. The Doobie Brothers have a really unique composition with their funky as heck piano.
It's a great full listen, the album flows from song to song so well and maintains that lightweight floaty pop rock feeling that The Doobie Brothers are known for.
This album never fails to put me in a good mood (and pairs very well with an altered state of mind). Highly recommend for some light rock.
Here To Love You
What A Fool Believes
Minute By Minute
Dependin' On You
Don't Stop To Watch The Wheels
Open Your Eyes
Sweet Feelin'
Steamer Lane Breakdown
You Never Change
How Do The Fools Survive?
★★★★★
Top Tracks: The Stranger, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Billy Joel has always been special to me. He's always been one of my favorite artists, and I can't exactly describe why. He has such a uniquely emotional and interesting comopositional style, almost theatrical at times. The variety and intricacy in his work is inspiring and just so fun. His voice is also just iconic (and one of my favorite to karaoke).
This album in particular is my favorite of his (though 52nd Street and Storm Front come close), largely because of the stunning singles. Every single track (except for Everybody Has A Dream) is a classic. I may have rose-tinted glasses for Billy Joel, but this album is a masterpiece.
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
The Stranger
Just The Way You Are
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Vienna
Only The Good Die Young
She's Always A Woman
Get It Right The First Time
Everybody Has A Dream
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks: Baby We Better Try To Get It Together, Let The Music Play
Despite the 3 star rating, I do quite like this record. It was a random find, got it for like $2, I had only barely heard of Barry White at the time. It's pretty sweet since it's an original pressing ('76!) and still sounds mint.
The record is extremely 70s, straight up. Heavy disco vibes throughout. The repetitive nature of it is the main detractor from the score, but it is nice to listen to when in the mood.
I Don't Know Where Love Has Gone
If You Know, Won't You Tell Me
I'm So Blue And You Are Too
Baby, We Better Try To Get It Together
You See The Trouble With Me
Let The Music Play
★★★☆☆
Top Tracks:
This was a pretty random pickup for me, I found it for under $5 in great condition. Not a huge Asia fan, but everybody knows Heat of the Moment is a banger. The quality of the rest of this album surprised me though, they are all quite similar and exciting.
If you haven't listened to the full album and are in the mood for some classic rock, I would recommend it. There is a lot of anti-war sentiment in this album, especially with songs like Wildest Dreams (which is great). Kind of reminds me of Queensryche - Empire, which I have been keeping an eye out for.
Heat Of The Moment
Only Time Will Tell
Sole Survivor
One Step Closer
Time Again
Wildest Dreams
Without You
Cutting It Fine
Here Comes The Feeling
