Def Jam is one of the few labels that release all of their products on vinyl, as well as cassettes and CDs. Most other labels only release records for dance and hip-hop acts, as well as selected acts from other genres. Artists such as Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam release their albums on vinyl even though it might not be profitable for their labels. As insignificant as records may seem to the overall industry, vinyl is popular in State College, which boasts three vinyl-carrying stores. City Lights manager said the store and its employees are vinyl-friendly.
Silence sounds better on CDs, but if it's well-produced, music sounds better on vinyl.
The store features much larger jazz and reggae sections, plus a section devoted to 45-rpm singles. It only carries some LPs, and none are used. Vinyl is non-returnable, so stores don't order a lot of it. John Lawrence said he likes vinyl for its aesthetic appeal. Plus, you need a magnifying glass to see the artwork on CDs.