Listening / 6 MIN READ
What are those album ratings actually rating?
Five services, different scales, and the distinction between loving an album and recommending its pressing.
Collecting
Collecting / 4 MIN READ
Same album. Different record.
The cover gets you to the album. The label, catalogue number and deadwax get you to your pressing. Here’s where to look.
Collecting / 5 MIN READ
Those scratches are trying to tell you something
A practical guide to deadwax and matrix numbers. Start with the inscription you can actually read.
Collecting / 4 MIN READ
One barcode. Six pressings. Now what?
A barcode narrows the search. It doesn’t always finish it.
Collecting / 5 MIN READ
The asking price is only half the story
Read Discogs sales history without mistaking a hopeful listing for a record’s value.
Collecting / 5 MIN READ
Buying vinyl on Bandcamp
Check the edition, the shipping date and the postage before ordering.
Collecting / 7 MIN READ
Five record cleaners, and the work each leaves to you
Manual baths, vacuum machines and ultrasonic cleaning. The useful strengths and the daily friction.
Collecting / 5 MIN READ
PVC record sleeves: the protection worth replacing
What flexible PVC gets wrong, and what to use around the disc and jacket instead.