The Lore of Lo-Fi Cassettes

Technically, it’s an abomination. Inaccurate sonic reproduction, often lacking high end definition, drizzled in haphazard distortions, subject to random pitch fluctuations and topped off with a hissy backdrop. But to some, these technically woeful traits have come to represent beauty, character, charm. Why? Why do some of us prefer a bad recording to a good one? Why do we actually like lo-fi?

Rolling Stones – Voodoo Lounge Cassette (1994)

One of the reasons bands like The Rolling Stones have enjoyed such longevity is that they’ve created and played from the listener’s viewpoint. They’ve never appeared bothered about looking clever, or skilled as musicians. All that matters in the music is

Philips Chromium Dioxide Audio Cassette: Für Elise

This is another really nice example of a high quality chromium dioxide pre-recorded cassette tape. It’s a Philips compilation entitled Für Elise – The Magic of the Piano, which includes works by a raft of composers including Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mussorgsky, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Liszt, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert and Gershwin.