Does cover art of an album or recording influences your purchase?

@devinplombier 

Absolutely I feel the same as I have manage to collect some rare gems. Album art gave the music a physical presence, a personality before you even dropped the needle.

Streaming is incredibly convenient and I can’t understate its value for discovering new music. I’ve found so many artists I might have never come across otherwise. I do agree, it just doesn’t replicate the connection and anticipation that comes from holding a record or CD in your hands. That tactile ritual adds a whole different dimension to the experience.

I've discovered many artists because the cover art pulled me in. I still LP shop in used markets so I keep finding new artists. Streaming has also shown me a few in a different way. Both are great way to discover new music.

When buying vinyl the only things that matters to me are 1) I have to like 70-80% of the entire album to consider purchasing it because I like to listen to at least one side of the album at a time, most often the whole record. 2) It must be the best sonic pressing available and be in at least VG+ condition, preferably in NM condition. 

Having these strict parameters helps to limit my discography to my absolute favorite albums while allowing me to shell out the big bucks for those really expensive ones. Even with these parameters I’ve found that I haven’t listened to a lot of albums in my discography for years and I have less than 400 albums.

Cover art has absolutely no influence on what I add to the collection.

It may have when I was a lot younger and frequently under the influence of drugs when I was at the record store. 

After rethinking that, I am thinking probably not.  Back in the days that I owned a TT I didn’t have a whole lot of disposable income, so the LPs that I bought were ones that I bought because I liked the music or thought I would like the music.  But I’d say most of them had great cover art (Who’s Next, Wish You Were Here, Michael Stanley Band double live, Days Of Future Passed instantly come to mind).

No.