posted July 21, 2015 #
Occasionally I'll see a new release from a band that
I like and find they've released their album on cassette - a format that has notoriously terrible fidelity and a short lifespan. Also, it's not exactly easy to find a ready tapedeck these days. Much the same could be said of vinyl - it's impractical, it
can sound terrible depending on your system and it's not exactly readily available. But vinyl has somehow emerged as the "audiophile format" - an object to put on a pedestal and behold as a prize. Tapes don't feel that way (to me).
So, when
David sent me a link to this lengthy article on
Why 1980s Tape Tech Is Still Making Noise, I was quite intrigued. The piece goes through the whole history of the format and really focuses on how it remains the definitive format of DIY culture. They're cheap to make, they're affordable for new fans and they still feel like a physical prize that shows off your taste. Win win all around. Great read.
