In a world of instant downloads and iPods, the classic music medium of vinyl has continued to hold its own and prove that it truly cannot be kicked. Not only are record players still being sold, I would also go as far to say they are currently a hot commodity among music lovers.

Lately I have realized I am among many college students who own a record player, and it has given me a new-found faith in a seemingly “MP3-only” music generation. It is encouraging to know that I am among other young people who value the quality of vinyl. According to Digital Music News’s publisher Paul Resnikoff, LP sales went up by 16.3 percent in 2012. After doing some research, I found that LP sales have actually been continually growing for the past six years.

Instead of the music world fighting against the demand of such a seemingly “digressive” form of music technology, artists have happily embraced it. Now, in addition to releasing albums via iTunes and CDs, many artists have also started releasing their music on vinyl. Record players and records are even being manufactured and sold at trendy stores like Urban Outfitters. So, what is the buzz about? Here are some reasons why people are investing in record players and reasons why you should think about it, too.

It does not get much better when it comes to sound. I wish I could listen to every song I have on vinyl. There is something about vinyl that makes the music so much more real than anything I have ever listened to electronically. Natalie Thompson, a junior majoring in history, has added vinyl to her music repertoire.

“Most were previously my mom’s so some of them are warped, and they tend to crack and pop a bit, but for me that adds much more to the beauty of listening to music on vinyl,” she said.

Using a record player also makes listening to music more of an experience. Because most records must be flipped in order to hear all of the songs, the whole listening process is changed. The music is less likely to just become background noise. The listener has no other choice than to become aware. Also, the process of picking out a record, putting it on the turntable and setting down the needle allows a listener to feel so much more involved with what he or she is listening to.

Not only do records sound great and enhance the whole listening experience, their exteriors look awesome. It is not rare to see records or record cases framed. Personally, one of my favorite things about buying a new record is the cover. The durable cardboard-type material can easily double as wall art. Plus, this aesthetically pleasing aspect makes creating a collection more fun.

For anyone whose interest in vinyl may have been sparked, our local music store, Oz Music, has a great selection of records. For those of you who really want the record store experience, I suggest taking a well-worth trip to Birmingham and checking out Charlemagne Record Exchange downtown.