SPOTLIGHT: Mars Records

As consumers, we have seen a decline in stores that stock physical media, from CD’s to DVD’s, and especially Vinyl LPs. The advent of online media and digital downloads have made it difficult for stores to stay alive in the world of free and fast media.
Early this month, a small record store appeared in downtown Plymouth. For years, Plymouth has had a lack of independent record stores, ever since the closing of Revolution Records nearly a decade ago.
Mars Records is owned and operated by Tim Downie, a record collector who has seen the rapid changes in media trends over the years. Tim originally worked for Revolution Records in Plymouth in the late 1990’s, and moved up to Boston in 2000 to work for Mars Records. During this time vinyl records were on the decline, with people getting rid of massive collections and switching to CD’s, and eventually, streaming music. Business became hard, as only diehard collectors were buying and selling records.
Nowadays, Vinyl is making a huge comeback. Tim says that CD’s are out, and that vinyl and streaming music are steadily becoming the backbone of the industry. The renewed interest in vinyl has led to artists and record labels to put out music in both high quality LP form, and including download cards as well.
The renewed interest is something that spans generations. Parents who grew up on vinyl are seeing their children rediscovering the classics, and are happy to share their generation’s music with their kids. “Young kids are coming in, many of them high school aged, and buying classic records with their parents.” Tim said.
The record boom is building family connections, and teaching younger generations to appreciate music in album form, rather than hastily streaming single songs. “Bands like Pink Floyd didn’t want people to just listen to ‘Money’ and call it a day. You have to listen to all of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ to understand the true meaning.”
Mars Records carries a wide variety of classic rock, but the store’s offerings go much deeper than that. Rare reggae, punk, indie and new wave records are all part of the selection. Being able to see the albums covers, feel it in your hand, and bringing it home to play it are all part of the experience of the album.
Tim also commented on the collector side of records. “Japanese imports are among the highest quality records you can get.” Some pristine copies of classic records imported to Japan and then brought back to America carry hefty price tags. “The sound quality is just superior to American releases, plain and simple.”

You can visit Mars Records at 58C Main St. Plymouth, MA.
You can also visit them on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/marsrecords1620/