Topic: The Vinyl Thread

@Draco_V_Ecliptic My signed copy of Hannah Diamond’s Reflections arrived which is a great Bubblegum Bass album and I had tickets to see her before everything got cancelled. I also got Jay Dilla’s Donuts which is one of the best instrumental hip hop albums around so not a bad lot. Honestly, I’ve been buying more cassettes recently though since they’re crazy cheap second hand. I’ve been trying to get albums that I probably wouldn’t fork over the money for on vinyl. My latest bunch from the USA (£15 on VAT!!) was The Cranberries‘ debut album, Fugazi’s Steady Diet of Nothing and The Replacements’ Pleased to Meet Me. It’s just so much easier to get originals than with vinyl, the reprint market will probably catch up in a couple of years.

@nessisonett Yes but what's the sound quality like on them there cassettes? I don't feel like I will ever be able to part with my vinyl collection, unless I have to for some reason. Weren't the Cranberries the ones who did Zombie? Any good? I like Fugazi, up to a certain extent, that is to say, I have a certain amount of respect for them. It would be great if you could let me know whether you think it's worth getting cassettes over vinyl from anything but a financial perspective. Thanks!

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Objectively, the sound quality is worse from a purely technical point of view. However, I really like the artefacts that you can hear, it’s a bit like how the crackle of a record can add to the overall sound. They’re so much better than I expected, some of the ones I have are 30 years old and yet there’s none of the degradation you’d expect from tape. I think I’d definitely push to get the cassette of an album that I feel suits it, whether that’s lo-fi indie rock like Sebadoh or Oasis’ Definitely Maybe with its hazy guitars and fuzz that are definitely enhanced by the equipment. Like I said, originals are surprisingly easy to get hold of considering that the bootleg tape market was huge back in the day. I have Spotify so if I want to hear a new album in decent quality, I’ll just use that.

The Cranberries did do Zombie, although that was a bit later than their debut album which I bought. Dreams and Linger, two of the songs on that album are some of the highlights of 90s indie pop imo. Definitely worth checking out.

@nessisonett Yeah, thankyou, I might pick that up (Cranberries) What I really like, though, on that list - is Oasis' Definitely Maybe, I think that Weezer must have had a blast covering it live under an alias, that's what Rivers said in an interview anyway, apparently that and Nirvana's Bleach were great fun to play as musicians, even if they didn't like listening to them as musos (all according to Rivers). The songs were "riff-ier". Than those artists' later recordings.

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Have to say, I’m not a fan of later Oasis but I do love their noisier stuff on that album. I think that’s where cassettes’ strengths lie, in noisy rock and hip-hop. I own GZA’s Liquid Swords and it sounds amazing because of the way the beats mix with the crackle of the tape. The way I see it, any physical media is great to collect and the vinyl revival is making it increasingly expensive as reprints can go for up to £30 now. If I can get that same album on tape for £7, I know what I’m picking.

@LN78 Unfortunately I’m not the proud owner of a Discman, I actually don’t own a single working CD player and my laptop lacks a drive. I dunno, I have Spotify if I want the exact same copy. With vinyl and tape, it opens up the possibility of bargain bin dives, weird editions and the sound is a different kettle of fish compared to CDs. Of course, I’ve come across some absolute stinkers that barely worked and had terrible quality but that’s part of the fun! It might just be because I remember my dad’s big box of CDs but they never felt like the sorta thing you’d collect, the jewel cases and CD itself always seemed a bit plain and cheap to me.

Edit: Also, I love buying stuff second hand, I genuinely can’t remember the last time I bought new clothes or electronics. There’s a certain satisfaction to be had going into charity shops or online and finding an absolute gem for a great price. Plus I’m a typical skint student, I live for a bargain 😂😂

@LN78 Which do you think GZA's best album is?

I just ordered Yngwie Malmsteen's Trilogy album. Plenty of guitar theatrics, not everyone's cup of tea I know, but the artwork is great, and it is definitely my cup of tea. Apparently, according to another website he has a few mental health problems but that hasn't prevented him from becoming an accomplished musician, husband and father - a lesson there for us all.

@nessisonett I think you'll be pleased to know that I just ordered Sigourney's self-titled album - on cassette!

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Hahaha nice, I assume it was cheaper/available at all?

@nessisonett Available at all! There is nothing on vinyl, and I don't like the thought of losing my digital copies of my music and being forced to listen to them on a computer.

@nessisonett I picked up a signed John Scofield LP on ebay, very pleased with it.

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Signed stuff’s always cool, if I can afford it! It’s an extra bonus to have in your collection, especially if the artist blows up for whatever reason.

@nessisonett Got another record for you mate, Universal Beings by Makaya McCraven. It's jazz, and features a who's who roster of talent from Chicago, New York, London and Los Angeles. Let me know what you think, plus anything you'd recommend in return.

@nessisonett Do you ever buy vinyl primarily for the artwork and liner notes?

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Yeah, I listen to so much music that part of deciding what to buy physically is the package I’m getting, same as games and movies. That’s why I love the Mondo OST releases so much, they’re a brilliant package with great artwork. I’d love to get my hands on some of the old Factory Records releases too, with their iconic Peter Saville artworks. I managed to get hold of New Order’s Temptation single but they’ve just reissued Joy Division’s Atmosphere/She’s Lost Control which I personally think is one of the greatest singles of all time. Other albums I love but bought physically due to its presentation or liner notes are Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and The Velvet Underground & Nico’s self titled album. There’s something pretty cool about owning such iconic albums, especially if they’re just a lovely package.

@nessisonett I think I'm the same, up to a certain extent. I like the albums that have a decent sound to them, but it's just a bonus if there's excellent artwork/liner notes. Makaya McCraven's Universal Beings, Mogwai's The Hawk is Howling (before I put it away -eschewing rock) RFG inventions for cello & computer is another one....the list goes on, some of them are just endlessly innovative and creative. Next on the list is a Laurie Anderson album, and one that you recommended. What are you buying next when you have some spare dosh? Prioritizing games or music?

P.s, 6Music played a never-before heard New Order track today, as part of a recently released/upcoming vinyl release, it might be worth listening back to it on BBC Sounds if you want to.

@Draco_V_Ecliptic I’d buy a physical copy of music over games, I think. They’re more fun to hunt in charity shops, for one. I listened to that Makaya McCraven album as well, I really quite enjoyed it. Mogwai are good too, I see Stuart Braithwaite in one of the local record stores every so often which is cool.

@nessisonett I'm glad you enjoyed it. You should take one or more of your Mogwai vinyls down there with you from now on, hoping to catch him and ask him to sign it!

@Draco_V_Ecliptic Hahaha we’re not really like that here, you see somebody you recognise and you keep your head down and above all else do not let on that you know who they are.