Put the needle on

[Gob]

More than one million vinyl records have been sold in the UK so far this year - the first time the milestone has been achieved since 1996.



The figures mark a largely unexpected resurgence in an industry now considered to be dominated by digital.

Earlier this month, Pink Floyd's The Endless River became the fastest-selling vinyl release since 1997.

The Official Chart Company told the BBC it will soon launch a weekly vinyl chart.

"In an era when we're all talking about digital music, the fact that these beautiful physical artefacts are still as popular as they are is fantastic," said Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Wake Up To Money, he said: "It's really remarkable. We're seeing it come back as a significant earner for the music industry as well.

"Only five years ago this business was worth around £3m a year. This year it's going to be worth £20m."

However, music industry officials acknowledged that vinyl will likely remain a niche interest.

Pink Floyd's accolade as the fastest-selling vinyl release this century came thanks to just 6,000 sales - a tiny amount in comparison to the numbers amassed by digital formats.

Earlier this week, for instance, One Direction celebrated passing one billion total streams on music service Spotify.

The total figures are expected to rise to around 1.2 million with Christmas sales, said Gennaro Castaldo from music industry body the BPI.

"Most of us did write off vinyl," he told the BBC.

"Whilst the candle flickered and nearly went out... it didn't entirely go out.

"I think the start of the 2000 period, a few rock bands came along - The Killers, Arctic Monkeys - it's helped made vinyl cool again."

In 1996, it was Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory? providing healthy vinyl sales. Thanks to a re-issue, the same album is one of the best-selling of this year also - the album is 10th in this week's chart.

[wesw]

I didn t even know that Floyd had put out an album. is it good?

[Gob]

here's a taste

[wesw]

hmmmm. not bad. kinda reminded me of a lot of other Floyd songs, which may have been the point. enough to make me want to hear more anyway.

I had to set the edge of my laptop on the bridge of my nose, while holding it up in the air soi had a speaker in each ear, to actually hear the music.my laptop is in stereo! 20 yrs in a steel shop and lyme disease are hell on the ears..... on the bright side I ve adapted my tinnitus to sound like crickets and frogs and such, it s easier to sleep that way

I never liked my music too loud, but for pink Floyd it s just better that way

[oldr_n_wsr]

I still havd my turntable and a bunch of albums from my younger daze.
I think there are a few albums still in unopened shrinkwrap.
Got a few picture albums too.

[BoSoxGal]

on the bright side I ve adapted my tinnitus to sound like crickets and frogs and such, it s easier to sleep that way

That's very cool! Did you have to go through therapy to be able to do that? I've always wondered how folks with that condition were able to cope, especially to sleep.

I wish I still had my albums and turntable . . . one of the things that got lost along the way. I wasn't aware that some folks were still putting out albums.

[Joe Guy]

on the bright side I ve adapted my tinnitus to sound like crickets and frogs and such, it s easier to sleep that way

I have an easy question for you to answer: Can you name a disease or condition that you haven't had?

[MajGenl.Meade]

It just sounded like Neil Young... couldn't help myself

I had to set
the edge of my laptop,
Expecting to hear.
On the bridge,
of my nose while holding
it up in the air,
a speaker in each ear.
My tinnitus it was healing,
I gave frogs a try.
All the years
I'd spent in a steel shop
Ended with a cry,
Babe, ended with a cry,
Babe, ended with a cry

[Joe Guy]

I blame the needle for the damage done
It ruined my ears and then it cut my thumb
My albums scratched on each and every one....

[wesw]

a steel shop and a life of recklessness have taken their toll.

I m at peace with that now.

[wesw]

big sky. it is cool.

your brain supplies the sounds you don t hear anymore. one night I was thinking that the ringing in my ears sounded like the nightsounds of a place I used to live. I just concentrated on hearing those more pleasant sounds, and now I just hear the ringing as crickets and frogs and aphids in their night chorus, which is still annoying at times. in the summer I just use a fan, which works fairly well

[oldr_n_wsr]

I did not know aphids made noise?

[MajGenl.Meade]

...and you still don't. Nor do I.

[oldr_n_wsr]

I guess wesw knows. or does the shadow know?

[wesw]

I think they rub their little legs together like grasshoppers and crickets.

could be wrong tho......

[wesw]

apparently I was thinking of the wrong bug, tho apparently aphids do make some noise.

I was thinking of the green bugs that look like a grasshopper mated with a leaf to produce them.....

[wesw]

katydids!!!! that s the one I meant....

[MajGenl.Meade]

apparently I was thinking of the wrong bug, tho apparently aphids do make some noise.....

"Kin you squeal like a aphid, huh?"

[oldr_n_wsr]

katydid

No she didn't.

ETA
Ants milk aphids.

[wesw]

meade is sooo funny when he tries to imitate our vernacular.

he is way off, but at least he tries, bless his heart.