Vinyl is no longer just that awkward excuse for leather on your creepy uncle’s couch. The record industry is starting to make its comeback and it isn’t just the “underground bands” jumping on this bandwagon.

Artists and bands such as Coldplay, Foo Fighters, All Time Low, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Jack’s Mannequin and Pink Floyd have all recently released albums in vinyl form.

“Bands are doing this so they have something to sell,” said Dave Dauge of the record store Ernie November in Sioux Falls. “Everything is digital nowadays, it’s hard to find something physical. People want something to hold on to.”

Perhaps it’s the Indie craze currently sweeping the nation causing this sudden resurgence of vinyl love, or maybe it’s the sudden lack of tangible music that has created the spark. Either way, sales of vinyl records have increased, according to Dauge who has been in the business since 1979.

“As long as there is music, there will always be someone who will buy vinyl albums. There are some people who just want to have that physical feel. This isn’t a fad that will ever die out,” Dauge said.

Just don’t expect the same old, black circles your parents spun in their day. Colored, transparent, sparkly and even heart-shaped records have hit the scene to entice the younger crowds.

“Honestly, it’s just another way to get your music out there,” said John Maxwell Mellino of Boston pop band Boom Boom Crash. “A lot of bands put them out as requested by their labels, I feel, to put out as an exclusive item. Even if fans never open them or use them, it’s another piece of the band that they have.”

Vinyl records do come at a higher price, generally around $22 to $25 per record. However, for nostalgia, it doesn’t hinder the excitement of holding a piece of history.

“In a digital age, music is no longer tangible. It used to be that if I wanted to purchase a record, I’d have to go out and buy the complete album. Today, I can buy music with a single click. While it’s very tempting to store all my music on iTunes, I’d much rather have a collection of physical records that I can sit down and appreciate. Music should be more than background noise, and I’m glad that some artists are recognizing that,” said Chris Kappen, a senior advertising major.

Vinyl records are now usually sold with a modern twist. The idea of media convergence takes its place.

“Well for one, it’s a nice collectable. And now a lot come with the MP3 downloads, too,” said Alex Roy, frontman of pop-punk band Sparks the Rescue. “So you get something cool, eclectic, artsy and the modern digital world wrapped in one.”

“I listen to both CDs and records, but come on, records are just cooler,” Dauge said.