Vinyl Me, Please Record Club ~ Is it Worth It? | Talking About Records
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- The Vinyl Me, Please record subscription club has been cranking out exclusive pressings of albums for over 10 years now. From rock mainstays like Queens of the Stone Age, to Bill Withers, Outkast, and every genre in between, they're leading the charge one "Record of the Month" at a time. But is it worth the cost and commitment?
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I think it's also worth mentioning that their hip-hop titles are often the only, and hence definitive, reissues to get all the original samples cleared. This is the case with their Notorious B.I.G. 'Ready To Die' reissue.
Good to know!
Don’t forget De La Soul’s 3 Feet High & Rising!
Great topic GI. I just found out yesterday that you can use any store credit you've built up towards your membership when it expires. I did it through the chat window-it worked out great as I was expiring tomorrow
Thanks for watching!
Update- You know what, I joined VMP and then cancelled the next day after reviewing what they had to offer each month. I'm a classic rock and blues guy and I didn't see much that interested me. So I will stick with the Amazon monthly club for now. Just sayin'.....
Columbia Record my Stepfather was buying from them in the early 60s.I had belonged to them ,RCA,the BMG..Records,cassettes, 8 trs,R t Rs... i bought alot of stuff from them.
Joined the Classics track about 6 months ago and i love that I’ve been introduced to jazz, soul, and even disco artists i was either completely unfamiliar with (e.g. Barbara Lea), or had never listened to more than their popular songs (e.g Roberta Flack). Ive only swapped out once, and it’s great that if i see a new release on another track, i can join for the month, get the record at subscriber price, then cancel. Every album has sounded great, and as you pointed out, attention to detail (obi strip, booklet, art, etc.) is top notch. Which monthly tracks are you in?
right there with you Paul! I currently get Essentials and Country on a regular basis, but I'll sometimes grab items individually from their store as well. Just ordered the new Aretha Franklin title they announced.
It will not work for everyone but it has worked well for me. They have beautiful pressings and a lot of times they come out with records that haven't had a pressing in a while or at all. One thing to remember is the price goes down on the sub the longer you pay in advance for it. Month to month will be about $43 an album all the way down to $33 for a year sub.
I've been really happy with VMP, I wish there was more hard rock/metal. My dream is they start a metal track with Tool- Aenima as the first title.
Wouldn’t that be amazing!
Yes, they need more rock/metal for sure.
I agree. A hard rock metal track is needed.
Was it worth it? 100%. Is it still worth it? Not a chance. Not only did they sky rocket the subscription cost, but also the cost of each additional addon record. I used to pick 2-3 records of the month, but can barely afford 1 now. They also pull shady tactics like "Throw Back Thursday." For this event, they announce that out of stock records are available again in limited quantities. In reality, they list 2-3 copies of rare records to bait in FOMO subscriptions. Meanwhile, 99% miss out on those records and are left to pick from overstock records.
Will they be able to weather the eb and flow of the world’s chaos? Pressings good and do they use quality master tapes? Ive been tempted but at cable prices….at least you come away with something. Good to know….I got curious with the Darkside ‘Psychic’
Just finishing up a year (used Stimy money for a year sub). I'll miss it, but I can't afford to focus on it now.
The only time they really made me mad was last Sept, when they overloaded the month and they didn't press enough to meet demand on the Public Enemy album. I was actually going to add the Rap track that month to get it (while also getting my usual "Essential" choice) and I happened to go to the website the minute swaps were open, when I decided to get it (as I didn't want the August album) and found it was already "sold out." Also ended up swapping for the Country pick (Emmylou) later.
Two months into a six month VMP membership. 1st record shipped and received promptly - very familiar with the album so was thrilled to have a Vinyl copy. 2nd record shipped promptly, but USPS redirected it for some unknown reason - arrived a week later (undamaged.) Again, familiar with the album - good, but not a fave. Looking forward to the coming months, but thinking I might try another route afterwards.
I have been a VMP member for about a year now. I have been happy with the service. They do allow for some flexibility. It can be hard to swap if you are not quick.
I missed the Grateful Dead Anthology boxset, but the price tag was too much for me at the time. Their exclusives are pretty good too.
That Fiona Apple - Tidal was my first purchase on the secondary market. I was sold after getting it and diving in.
I’m new to VMP, have received 3 from the classics track. Quality has been good. I notice that some subscribers immediately put what they just received for sale on Discogs.
The only record club I'm a part of is the Third Man Records Vault. Some releases are better than others, but it's been a good value for me overall. I know there are pluses to other record clubs, but I just can't bring myself to join them.
The savings on Tidal make the Vault worth the money for me.
@@ScottTice1971 yep! I got in on that Tidal deal as soon as they offered it.
I love the way that Q.O.T.S.A album looks I've been looking to buy that copy heard it sounds great
It is a fantastic looking and sounding pressing for sure. Killer album
I’ve been a member since near the beginning. I listen to a little of everything but mostly country. They are the only club like this I know of doing true country. There next 3 releases have been announced & all 3 are great releases.
October’s is Alan Jackson’s A Lot about Livin’…
November’s is George Straight’s Ocean Front Property
December’s is Townes Van Zandt’s Live at The Old Quarter
…..and some really good upcoming titles like Nebraska and Blonde on Blonde!
Thanks for the video. Are you a member of Third Man Records and their Vault series? If yes, thoughts on VMP vs TMR? Thanks and love the content you’re putting up!
Thanks Peter! On my list to shoot a Third Man Vault review as well. Member for many years. Top quality stuff for sure. Really create sets from Third Man
Great video! This touches on a lot of the reasons I've enjoyed the subscription. I've been a member since June '21 and overall have been really happy with records I've received. I'm a member of the "classic" and "essential" track. I think my favorite part about the service is the curation. A lot of the titles are definitely not something I would seek out and I've been wary of some albums they select. But I'm always pleasantly surprised how solid the selections are. For me record collecting is more about exploring new things than it is buying all my favorite albums.
That being said, I'm pretty disappointed they've decided to start pressing the classic track at GZ instead of QRP. The fact that they were pressed at QRP was my reasoning for signing up in the first place. To be fair, all but one of the GZ pressings I've received have actually sounded great. I think the main issue with pressings from that plant has been mastering that's come straight from GZ and VMP seem to always have great mastering that's done by a third party. But going with a cheaper press while consistently raising prices really makes me question the value. I'm not 100% sure I'll renew.
Thanks Ed! I'm with you on GZ. My gut says they have less ability to be choosy these days because of how backed up the pressing plants are. But I'm only guessing
I joined a few years ago and have been extremely happy with the offerings. That Meters album is awesome!
Yeah it is! Love The Meters!
$42/monthly (per month) when most new records are between $22 and $30. I understand that some of these are custom colors, designs and represses, but I'm not sure if it's worth the premium for a single record per month.
That said, I'd like to get the system of a down album for October, but it's literally $22.99 currently on Amazon. Maybe there's some value I'm missing?
It's a premium price for a premium product. Like buying a Toyota versus a Lexus. Better pressing (in most cases), unique and/or enhanced artwork and packaging, custom inserts, numbered editions, gold-foil stamping, OBI strips, etc. If you don't care for bells and whistles then wouldn't be for you IMO.
@@NTXVinyl well I just got a vintage turntable. I'm still at the beginner stage. I'm not sure if I have a need for limited editions or special pressings. Their selection and past records appealed to me over most of the other subscriptions, but the piece didn't. I think I'll stick with buying individually for now. Thanks for the explanation.
Thank you once again for helping me spend money 👍🏻😉
Glad I can help! 🤣
They are really doing a good job, always surprising me positively. I highly recommend the essential classic “Africa Brasil” by Jorge Ben. Imitated forever
Agreed! Will have to check that one out
@@NTXVinyl it’s a classic, Jorge invented a genre and first playing. Check him out
When will the Fiona Apple catalog come back to VMP lol?! I’ve been eyeing the service but everything I want is waitlisted currently. Thanks for making the video though, once something I want is an option I’ll be signing up.
They came back not all that long ago- got the two I was missing in November, I think. Just confused as to why "Extraordinary Machine" is the only one they didn't do.
Some only are made available to members and I think if you aren't a member, they won't list it as available.
Like, they just repressed Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison, but I first opened the page without logging in, and it didn't say anything about it being available until I logged in.
Good stuff G.I.. Curious your thoughts on the boxes they use to ship the vinyl. I’ve had a hit/miss experience with the records arriving in optimal condition, primarily attributed to the suspect mailers they use. For the price of the membership, best in class cartons should be a given. I assume you are a yearly member since you said it’s $33 a mo. For folks that pop in/out per single month, it’s $43.
I’ve honestly never had many issues I can remember, but I don’t disagree. They should be using top quality mailers for sure. My MMJ did get a bent corner, and it’s numbered and sold out so I know there’s no going back on that one.
Thinking of joining. I do Amazon now, cheaper but nothing really special. Yes those pressings are very pleasing to the eye. For any current members, how do you feel about the audio quality for the most part, and how about returns either for unopened packages or damaged vinyl (cover or vinyl)? Nice honest video btw.
Thanks Sandy. I've been very happy with the sounds of all of those albums I showed. Not saying they are perfect, nobody is. But in my experience - with the albums I've chosen, I've been pleased. And never had many issues with damages, but I'm sure it happens.
While VMP isn’t my preferred subscription, I think the larger point is that, if you can afford a vinyl subscription (especially if it “speaks to your taste”), is a super cool way to find new music, or get reissues you’ll be stoked about.
If you’re a music fan, and can afford to take a chance once a month, I would absolutely recommend a subscription service if it serves your tastes and interests?
It’s a great way to discover new music and grow your collection.
Well said.
I was a member from ~2016-2018. Prices kept steadily rising, they didn’t have the album credit option back then so if you didn’t like the albums of the month you could only swap with leftover stuff that no one else wanted. Seems like every 12 months or so they score a big reissue that gets lots of new members and the other 11 months are lackluster.
I never had a horrible customer service experience but many on forums said it took months to get replacements of warped records, wrong records sent to them, etc.
I’ll keep my $40/month and cherry pick their best releases on eBay/Discogs a la carte
Ouch! I've never had any bad experiences with service, but being the owner of a shop/label I know it can be hard to get it right every time.