Cassette tapes might be making a come back! And not just if you’re a hipster!
Well, mostly if you’re just a hipster. But some indie bands are doing it because it’s cheaper (really?) and to get it to the audience in a quicker (seriously, really?) fashion.
As of mid-August, music-related cassette album sales are up 46% from last year at 22,000 units sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Last year, they said, cassette album sales were at about 15,000.
But that still doesn’t sound like a lot.
Rob Mason of Old Flame Records tries to explain:
“From a musicmaker standpoint, I love it because they are very inexpensive to make. I can make 100 for not a very large investment. Especially compared to making vinyl ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ it’s like a tenth of the cost.”
Okay, we understand that it’s that way compared to vinyl.
But people are buying vinyl for sound warmth/quality, the nostalgic/retro feel, and hip status, not for the speed in which it’s released. We get the feeling the only reason people are buying tapes is because they think it’s the cool, novelty thing to do — and the “cool thing” doesn’t seem to last long if there really isn’t a practical application to it.
Besides, the truth of the matter is that digital format is still cheaper and quicker.
So no. Tapes aren’t making a comeback, not really. Even the term “cassette tape” was even removed from the Concise Oxford English Dictionary this year.
Do U still listen to tapes??
[Image via AP Images.]