ARTICLE -Teens say they prefe vinyl to CDs

Here's the abstract of the source article:

This paper analyzes the (re)emergence of vinyl as an alternative format for music consumption in the digital age. Based on interviews conducted during recent field research on the affectivity of popular music, I argue that youth consumers adopt the seemingly regressive technology of LPs and turntables to resist industry?regulated contemporary modes of music consumption. Furthermore, their participation in vinyl culture enables them to counteract two of postmodernism's core tenets: a preoccupation with nostalgia and a perceived loss of personal agency.

In other words, this article provides no evidence that teens in general really do prefer vinyl, or even that there's a trend in that direction. Instead, he found some teens who do prefer vinyl, and asked them why. The answers weren't too surprising--they pretty much follow what fans of vinyl have been saying for years.

As for trends, vinyl sales in the U.S. were down more than 20% last year, while digital download sales almost tripled. Longer term, vinyl sales aren't dropping, but they aren't rising either, by any measure. Vinyl is a stable niche market, apparently with just enough youngsters coming in to replace the old guys being carried out.

My teens (one now 20's) prefer vinyl, though they use ipod and cd their places (when the need for portability or convenience over rides sound quality). Pretty pragmatic, I say.

I think that the basic point of the abstract was that of compilation of self-reported behavior of an undisclosed (size/compositon) group of teenagers as a secondary finding in a larger body of research with no further analysis asside from author commentary. IMHO this does not look like a very good source if you are writting a research paper.

IMO most younger people that are into vinyl like the nostalgia, heard somewhere that it is actually better sound quality, and convince themselves that their $100 Sony TT is reproducing said better sound.

Rememeber that the average consumer will buy a bucket full of digital to go with their hi-definition speakers that have 1,000 watts. Self-reported behavior is notoriously inaccurate data. Couple this with the mountain of misconceptions that the average consumer has about,... well,... everything and you have a great big pile of compromise.

Now go drink a nice Rothschild (now that we all know that we like wine) and listen to source of choice (or watch one of the greatest movies of all time,... The J___... yes,... that one).

Is vinyl more popular with the youth in the E.U., vs. North America? Just wondering....