It’s no joking matter.

. . . a scene from that mystical time when cassette tapes reigned and CDs were the harbinger of the digital age.

A few things to note about this pic:

• Is that the original Walkman on the left there? Actually, no, it’s not.
• That’s a TV Walkman on the right!
• Uh-oh . . . Betamax
• It’s amazing to think that you can get almost all the capabilities of this equipment in a device that fits in the palm of your hand.
• It’s difficult to tell by his expression if determined . . . or just confused.

From the always interesting barnobi.tumblr.com

Anyway, that silly little paragraph is an introduction to a special post on cassette tape album art!

Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs (2009)

Ryan Adams – Demolition (2002)

Dashboard Confessional – A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar (2003)

American Hi Fi – American Hi Fi (2001)

The American Hi Fi album seems to be the earliest – or at least the earliest I’ve found so far – there’s got to be more out there! Hey if you know of any others . . . write a comment and let me know

I find it interesting that the covers are all so similar; the image of the compact cassette fairly central to the page and the in various stages of decay . . . that Dashboard Confessional album is completely unplayable, but I reckon I’ve fixed tapes in worse condition than Ryan Adams’ . . .

I don’t know all the music of all the bands, but if they’ve got a cassette tape on the front, well at least I’d give it a listen!

Bonus!

Bow Wow Wow – Your Cassette Pet (1980)

And this isn’t some retro schtuff – tapes were hot stuff back when they released this!

And you know what? Bow Wow Wow deserve their own post . . . more later.

via bo…om

but . . . ‘Ace of Base’!?

Okay. This site is nice: www.c-90.org

“This page is dedicated to cassette tapes. Here you won’t find any kind of scientific research, technical data or things like that. The authors’ only message is just to give a visitor something interesting to look at. The era of this particular medium is slowly passing, and here we are trying to turn back time for 60 minutes, or, maybe, for 90…”

It’s the biggest and best organised collection of compact, mini and micro cassettes that I’ve come across. Fan-tas-tic! Seriously – this is an amazing catalogue. Eg. Scotch 3M Cassettes

Awesome. So I have to say a big thanks to haplishe for leaving a comment letting me know about his collection. Thanks!

“Cassette Rainbow by The Bottomless Paddling Pool.”

Great photo ffffound in The Bottomless Paddling Pool’s Flickr photo pool . . .

Not the newest news, but then nothing on this blog ever is . . .

The latest release of J Dilla’s Ruff Draft is on cassette!
( “. . . let’s take it baaaaaaack . . . “)

Anyway, watch this:

On the one hand, this is simply a novelty or collectible, but on the other hand it’s a homage (!) to the pre-internet/myspace/filesharing indie music distribution culture. Yeah. That.

It’s a good album, though I prefer Donuts.
But who cares what I think!?

At this point I’d also like to recognise to probably the least recognised Stones Throw artist, Jeff Jank, the designer, illustrator and art director of so many great ST album covers. Yo!

www.owerko.com/#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&a=4&p=0&at=0

There’s a collection of image of various types of Boomboxes.
“BOOM boxes”, funny name, when you think about it. “Ghetto Blaster” is probably stranger.
Blasting the ghetto . . . ?

Anyway, he’s got some fame from this project . . .
He’s collaborated with Gelaskins to create a series of skins for your Macbook, iPhone etc, all the Apple products the cool kids have these days: http://owerko.blogspot.com/search/label/Gelaskins

And, from the homepage:
” . . . the boombx series was recently awarded by Communication Arts in their 2008 Photo Annual.”

Cassette tape technology lives on!

Viva la Cassette!

(nice work Lyle!)

sample image from tapedeck.org

Wow.

I’ve known about this site for ages, and shame on me, I’ve neglected to post on it until now. Shame on me.

tapedeck.org

If Cassette Jam is the King, this site is surely the Prince.

355 large images of cassettes, sorted by brand, playing time and tape quality. What can I say? I’m a nitwit.

Respect.

Making badges from cassette tape graphics. Well, why not.

Actually, the simple, flat, colourful, 1970s ‘tech ’style has many fans.
I can see why. I’ve never seen any CD or DVD packaging with as much style . . .

Or perhaps I’m 30 years to early

Oh, and effektive design are selling these online :
www.effektivedesign.co.uk/badges/new-cassette-badge-sets/

This post actually sets up for two more related posts.
Stay tuned.

. . . or not.

Tags: badges, fashion, tapes

The inclusion of the compact cassette in to this gallery of lost formats adds a familiar face amongst the other freaky looking silhouettes . . .

But even the Digital Compact Cassette makes an appearance.
I thought I was the only person that remembered them!

It’s a fantastic record (pun kinda intended) of gone, but not forgotten formats. It’s well worth checking out!

go to : www.experimentaljetset.nl/lostformats/01.html

go to: www.experimentaljetset.nl/archive/lostformats.html