Download and Vinyl

I’d say it’s pretty easy to declare vinyl dead. I’m sure I’m one of last kids left who has a record player in room. So when I heard this little piece of news from independent hardcore label, Deathwish Inc., I was thrilled.

Beginning with the Shipwreck a.d. “Abyss” 12“LP, we will now offer FREE complete Digital Downloads of releases purchased in vinyl format. Each download consists of the complete audio of a release encoded at 192KPBS MP3 format, along with cover artwork at high resolution (300 DPI).

I still love records because it will always be the most intriguing form of album art. I do like CD packaging, but who doesn’t love larger formats when it comes to printing? So the idea that I can build my record collection without having to worry about either buying the album a second time on iTunes or having to thinking about converting the record into digital audio somehow is fantastic.

I do hope more labels, especially labels with an appreciation for design as Deathwish seems to have, start to pick up this trend. I don’t think vinyl is going to make a comeback anytime soon, but I do think this is a smart move for collectors and lovers of the art of the album.