Five Underrated Albums: 1980

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

The year 1980 marked a transitional moment in popular music. Punk had fractured into post-punk, new wave was rising, and established artists were exploring deeper, more experimental waters. While some albums soared up the charts, others — often more daring or emotionally complex — flew under the radar.

These albums pushed boundaries, told deeper stories, and left behind legacies far larger than their initial sales might suggest.

Here are five albums from 1980 that didn’t receive the mainstream recognition they deserved in their time but have since gained devoted followings and critical reevaluation.

Continue reading →

A Deep Dive into Vinyl Record Sleeve Materials

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

Whether you’re a casual collector or a hardcore audiophile, the sleeves you use for your vinyl records can make a big difference in long-term preservation.

Investing in high-quality sleeves is one of the simplest, most effective ways to keep your vinyl collection clean, safe, and sound its best for decades.

The materials used for inner and outer sleeves affect everything from dust resistance to how your records age.

Here’s a look at options and what to consider:

Continue reading →

Five Essential Irish-Inspired Albums for St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us. While everyone else is wearing green, heading to parades, or chasing leprechaun gold, there are other ways to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of Irish culture. The music of Ireland offers a profound connection to its history and spirit. Listen to these five essential Celtic and Irish albums, spanning traditional tunes, rock anthems, and contemporary sounds to celebrate the holiday. Each record captures the essence of Ireland’s musical heritage, providing a perfect soundtrack to pair with a pint of Guinness.

The Chieftains – The Chieftains 4 (1973)
Why it’s essential: A cornerstone of traditional Irish music, this album features masterful instrumentation and arrangements. The Chieftains’ dedication to preserving and promoting Irish traditional music has made them cultural ambassadors, and this album exemplifies their artistry.
Standout tracks: “Drowsy Maggie,” “The Morning Dew,” and “The Munster Cloak.”

Continue reading →

Winter Harmony: How to Organize Your Music Collection

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

The cold winter months are perfect for organizing your music collection. Whether you collect vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, or all of the above, having an organized and accessible system can make rediscovering your favorite tunes even more enjoyable. Here are some easy and practical ways to get started.

Find a System That Works for You

If you don’t have a system, decide how to organize your collection. Do you like the idea of sorting everything alphabetically? Or maybe by genre, artist, or even the decade it was released? What feels intuitive to you? When it comes to organizing music, there is no right or wrong way. The goal is to create a setup that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for so you can enjoy it.

Give Everything a Proper Home

Having a designated space for your music is key to protecting your collection. Carve out a section in your home or apartment devoted to your music. There are several shelving systems for vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes. Choose what works best for your space and budget.

Continue reading →

Protect and Preserve: The Best 12-Inch Record Sleeves for Vinyl Collectors

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

If you’re a vinyl record collector, you know proper storage is essential to preserving your albums. Using 12-inch inner and outer sleeves is a simple step to protect your records from dust, wear, and moisture to maintain the sound quality and value of your collection.

Continue reading →

Five Essential Holiday Albums

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

It’s time to cue up the soundtrack of the season! Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, looking to jumpstart your holiday spirit, or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, here are five essential holiday albums that should be on your turntable.

Bing Crosby – Merry Christmas (1945)

Why it’s essential: Bing Crosby’s smooth baritone and timeless renditions of Christmas standards set the gold standard for festive music. The title track, “White Christmas,” is one of the best-selling singles of all time (50 million copies) and a song that embodies the spirit of the season.

Standout tracks: “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells” (with The Andrews Sisters)

Continue reading →

A 7-Inch Record Collection Premium Storage Solution

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

Do you want to keep your 7-inch records in new condition? Below is the method used by one life-long collector of 45 RPM singles.

Continue reading →

Alice’s Restaurant: The 18-Minute Anti-War Anthem That Became a Thanksgiving Tradition

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” has become as much of a Thanksgiving staple as turkey, stuffing, and green bean casserole, but it is far from your typical holiday song. The 18-minute talking folk-blues number – which is officially named “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” – forgoes the familiar trope of families gathering around a table to tell the true story of a quirky series of events in 1965 involving a Thanksgiving dinner, a pile of trash, and a little-known rule that helped Guthrie avoid the Vietnam War draft.

Arlo Guthrie, Alice's Restaurant — Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant

Continue reading →

Top 5 Bands Who Should Be Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrates artists who’ve had a lasting impact on music and shaped its evolution. With last month’s 2024 class featuring icons like Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, and Jimmy Buffett, there’s no shortage of legendary talent being recognized. But as we look ahead to 2025, plenty of influential artists remain overlooked. Here are five acts that need to be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year.

1. Soundgarden

Soundgarden helped define the grunge movement that swept the music world in the 1990s. With their heavy, distorted guitars and Chris Cornell’s powerhouse vocals, the band’s sound was both hard-hitting and emotionally resonant. Their albums, such as “Badmotorfinger” (1991) and “Superunknown” (1994), produced timeless hits like “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman,” which became anthems of a generation. Soundgarden’s combination of alternative rock with elements of heavy metal and their influence on subsequent generations of rock musicians make them a prime candidate for the Hall of Fame.

Continue reading →

BCW Benefits for Record Labels and Pressing Plants

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Jeremy Bonfiglio

Vinyl record collectors, independent record stores, and record industry distributors such as All Media Supply rely on BCW Supplies for inner and outer record sleeves and other music accessories all at great prices.

Record stores and record show vendors who order products by the case, often qualify for wholesale pricing, and can receive free shipping when purchasing $500 worth of Music Category items. Distributors who order even more BCW products receive an additional price discount by meeting quantity minimums.

Did you know that some industry partners, including record pressing plants, record labels, and publishers, also qualify for distributor-level pricing without quantity restrictions?

Record labels and pressing plants can receive our best pricing on items they use every day, including a range of unprinted inner sleeves, record mailers, and other related items.

Continue reading →