What goes around comes around - at 33 1/3rd RPM

Yes, its seems vinyl records are coming back in fashion again - time to dust off the Rega Planar: and defur the stylus....

"For many of us, and certainly for many of our artists, the vinyl is the true version of the release," said Matador's Patrick Amory. "The size and presence of the artwork, the division into sides, the better sound quality, above all the involvement and work the listener has to put in, all make it the format of choice for people who really care about music."

Because these music fans also listen using portable players and computers, Matador and other labels include coupons in record packaging that can be used to download MP3 versions of the songs. Amory called the coupon program "hugely popular."

Portability is no longer any reason to stick with CDs, and neither is audio quality. Although vinyl purists are ripe for parody, they're right about one thing: Records can sound better than CDs.

Essentially CD's are being disintermediated by MP3 files on the move and the greater artistic beauty of vinyl at home...though those of us who were around the first time may recall that its not only Rice Krispies that snap, crackle and pop.

And finally my kids will stop pointing at the turntable and vinyl and going "how quaint"....its now another cool thing (well, OK, the one thing) the Old Boy knows more about