Garwood explores the storytelling function of vinyl sound in American Independent films of the 1990s and early 2000s. This was a period that saw record playing becoming an ever more niche choice, due to the increasing dominance of the CD. As a sign of subcultural distinction, it was not surprising that vinyl references abounded in US indie films of the era, a phenomenon that has been noticed by writers such as Tim Anderson and Robynn Stilwell. Whereas these writers focus on the visual cinematic representation of the record, Garwood privileges attention to the sounds of vinyl. Referring to The Royal Tenenbaums, Pulp Fiction and Ghost World, he explores how the "fallible' qualities of vinyl sound are granted an expressive weight.