Snap, Crackle and Pop: Momus explores our evolving feelings about the way vinyl actually sounds. He admits to adding “analog crackle quite a lot on [his] recordings,” and explains why:

• As a reaction against the clean, cold sound of digital perfection.

• To mark an affiliation with the burgeoning “lo-fi” movement.

• Because I’d been influenced by hip hop music, with its emphasis on manipulating vinyl.

• To summon an idea of authenticity (and yet underline, ironically, the fakeness of all such summonings).

• Because crackle sounded — suddenly — warm, emotional and nostalgic.

• Because crackle was a way of getting straight to the postmodern idea of “retro” — pop music had by now become a medium self-consciously aware of its own history.

• Because — like MSG — snap, crackle and pop just seemed to make whatever they touched that little bit more tasty.

Hear a Momus song that employs the crackle: “Tape Recorder Man” (hosted on sendspace but approved by Momus). Lots more Momus MP3s.

Previously: A Fond Farewell to a Friend, a story about letting go of your vinyl collection.