Staff Picks: December 2020

3 Min Read

At Victrola, we are committed to bringing lifelong music memories into every home. Our employees are passionate about music, and believe music defines our moments, pressing them into our subconscious. The warm, imperfectly perfect needle on a record transports us to those places in our individual and collective history, with a nostalgia more powerful than simple recollection.

We've curated those music memories for you from our online vinyl store, featuring a few of our employees every month. Stop by and get to know us, and perhaps take our recommendations for a spin. We're certain you'll find some music memories to share with us.

Shop the selections >

Carin Frenchman, Commercial Ops

Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill

Listened to this over and over and could totally relate to the emotions expressed in her music. Would listen with friends before going out.

Dave Matthews: Under The Table and Dreaming

I had just met my husband and when I found out he had an extra ticket to their upcoming concert, I pretty much invited myself.

Matthew Schechter, Finance

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life

This album opened my ears to sonic possibilities I never knew existed and taught me many valuable lessons about social justice, family, and Jazz. To this day some of the best rhythm and depth you will ever hear on a popular record.

Santana: Santana

A groundbreaking artist who wove Latin percussion, soul, and Rock music seamlessly together. Unmatched. Played the Filmore at the age of 19.

Lee Pavlakos, Creative

The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers

Besides the clever “packaging” of this vinyl, it’s an incredible album. Every song has their own feeling, identity and emotion.

Lou Reed: Rock n’ Roll Animal

Although it’s a live album, Reed does an amazing reinterpretation of his Velvet Underground work. It feels as if he took old rough sketches and then turned them into full size masterpieces.

Scott Hagen, CEO

Prince: Purple Rain

Yes I'm from Minnesota. Yes I'm a product of the 80s. That has nothing to do with why I love this record. At the age of 9, Purple Rain had just been released that summer and my parents surprised me for Christmas with one of the most memorable gifts ever. It was my first, boom box a grey Sharp. It was accompanied by two cassettes, Falco (Falco 3) and Prince (Purple Rain) I really didn't know anything about Prince, but I was stoked to get the Falco tape. After about a week, I finally played Purple Rain, and it transformed me. I literally wore the tape out until it wouldn't play. I started playing the piano that year. I loved music before listening to Purple Rain. I knew I needed to become a musician after listening to Purple Rain. I remember knowing music would have to play huge role in my life or I'd feel empty. To me this record has a ton of personal meaning, but it also shows that music is truly timeless.

Paul Simon: Graceland

I believe sometimes vinyl carries a soul that is scientifically not definable when compared to the same song in a digital format. Part of it is the tactile experience you get when you take the album out of its sleeve, place it on the platter, move the tone arm... and then there is this split second of silence that builds up energy until you hear the music. Part of it is that you most likely will sit and listen to more than just one track at a time. Its like a good meal vs fast food. But sometimes there is something even more, and I think Graceland is an example of that. I really like to hone in on the instruments and backing vocals. There is a great article written by Richard Buskin about this album on "Sound on Sound." He describes how Roy Halee and Paul Simon bounced this recording from digital to analog and back nearly 20 times in the mixing and mastering process. This truly drove some of the unique sounds you'll find listening. I also love the Bass lines and sound on this album. It seams like one continues song all the way through.