'It's a totally different experience': Vinyl record sales overtake CDs after 37 years
For the first time in nearly four decades, vinyl records have surpassed CDs in sales.
And the resurgence appears to be driven by more than nostalgia, with younger generations spinning records more than ever.
"There's just something special that the CDs can't replicate. They just can't," said Brent Gibson, a life-long record collector.
The last time vinyl records outsold CDs was 1987.
Vinyl has been making a comeback for several years but according to data from the Recording Industry Association of America, U.S. vinyl sales reached 41.3 million in 2022 compared to about 33.4 million CDs sold in the same year.
"I've seen it slowly build over the years," said Adam Sudo, general manager at King of Trade in downtown Lethbridge.
"What once was a section of one-10th of what we have (has) grown into what you see behind me here and much more."
Vinyl sales saw a boom at the start of the pandemic, growing by 28 per cent in 2020 and then 68.8 per cent in 2021.
Caravan Records and Vintage in south Lethbridge say they're glad to see the younger generation also feeling the vibes.
"Kids getting into music on vinyl is really cool because that's a format of influence and they'll remember the music and artists that they first got into for the rest of their lives," said John Brooks, owner of Caravan Records and Vintage.
While streaming on apps like Spotify and Apple Music leads the pack, making up 84 per cent of sales in the music industry, fans of records say there's nothing like physically holding and listening to fresh vinyl for the first time.
"They're just so much more special than a CD," Gibson said.
"CDs are almost sterile, clinical in the way they make them and stuff, and they can't replicate the sound off the LPs."
For many people, vinyl records are more of an experience than just a way to listen to music.
"Collecting vinyl is a lot like watching films and there's an element of listening to it with your friends and family. There's an element of memory, nostalgia," Brooks said.
"There's dozens of reasons that people could get into vinyl."
"You're holding the cover in your hand, you're looking at the artwork, you're listening to it from front to back instead of just clicking shuffle on a device, so it's a totally different experience and it's a lot of fun," Sudo added.
The music industry doesn't expect the vinyl trend to end any time soon, as more music fans of all ages are choosing to switch their boombox for the drop of the needle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.