Vic's Picks: Your First Album – Victrola

Vic's Picks: Your First Album

3 Min Read

Vic's Picks has the music-loving staff of Victrola sharing our bests, our favorites, our recent discoveries, and our musical memories.

With this weekend's Record Store Day nearly upon us, it made our staff reminisce about our first time experiencing the rush of buying a new album. For some of us, it was a tape; others a record or CD. But that feeling of buying or receiving an album for the first time is one we wish we could bottle and sell to you, and to ourselves. Here's our memories.

Andrew, Director of Music and Content

Prince's Batman on cassette tape.

It was sometime in 1990, and I was four-years-old. I accompanied my parents on a trip to what I'm 95% sure is Sam Goody (my dad, when I asked him recently: "I don't remember") where my mom was probably getting some combo of Doobie Brothers or Simply Red tapes for our minivan. My mom told me I could pick out any album I wanted, and the first thing I laid eyes on was a tape with the logo of my favorite superhero, and my favorite movie.

To this day, I contend it is Prince's most underrated album; I know Purple Rain and 1999 and Sign O the Times are better, but nothing can erase the feeling of slamming the rewind button on my Fisher Price tape deck to hear "Batdance" for the 12 millionth time.

Bonus gratuitous video footage of "Batdance":

YouTube

Byron, Director of Product Development

Run DMC: King of Rock on cassette tape

I just really liked the song "King of Rock."

Josh, Director of Sales

Michael Jackson: Thriller on vinyl

It was the most incredible album out at the time.

Stacy, AR/AP Analyst and Office Admin

Elvis Presley: The Number One Hits on cassette

I remember asking for it for Christmas, and the excitement of finally opening that cassette and seeing Elvis against that bright red background. I was completely overjoyed! I can still remember tracing the edges of the case with my fingers... the smooth plastic everywhere else, but those soft, rippled sides that made it feel even more special in my hands. I played it over and over again, front to back, singing every word and twirling around like I was on stage right beside him. In those moments, it felt so real, like I was part of something bigger than my little world. And more than anything, I remember the feeling of holding that cassette in my hands and knowing it was mine! It was the first time I understood how music could stay with you, how it could make the world feel a little bigger, and at the same time, a little more your own.

Lydia, FP&A Analyst

Blink-182: Dude Ranch on cassette

It was my older brothers, but the first album I remember listening to from start to finish. I thought it was awesome, "Dammit" was my favorite song.

Mark, General Manager

Dr. Dre: The Chronic on cassette

I was flying to see my very Southern Baptist grandma for the summer and tried to sneak this onto the plane. My brother spilled the beans to my mom at the last minute, and I spent the summer with a new Walkman and no Dr. Dre.

Jamie, VP Marketing

Commodores: In the Pocket, Eric Clapton: Slowhand, BeeGees: Gold on vinyl

Because Santa hooked me up in the very best way after my sister headed off to college earlier that year and left me her turntable.

Amy, Marketing Director, Customer Experience

Boston: Boston on vinyl

I was obsessed then, as I am now, with "More Than a Feeling." Something about those vocals!

Noah, Sr. Amazon Operations Specialist

The Beatles: Let It Be on vinyl

It was from my dad's record collection.