Dust off those Walkmans: the cassette comeback

By:Richard DeSerres

There has been constant discussion in our offices lately as to if the cassette tape is going to make a grand reemergence into record stores. Yes, you read that correctly, we are seriously considering that the medium that was severely overshadowed by the compact disc, will become a go-to for music collectors and niche markets alike. Just like the cassette, we were having this same discussion about vinyl records a few years back now. Not in our wildest dreams did we imagine that almost every single future release would be on both a vinyl record, and a compact disc. With the multitude of growing trends in Toronto, it’s hard to see right from the get-go what will stick and what wont. Vinyl records have stuck, and local stores Sonic Boom and Rotate This have flourished accordingly.      Record Store Day is going on year seven now, and from personal experience attending these events; the attendance has been growing exponentially year after year. The concept is simple: record labels release exclusive, very limited vinyl records on one day only at select record stores around the world. The demand has grown so high, that collectors have been know to purchase and then promptly re-sell the records at a much higher price.

    Now, what about the cassette? Just this past September 7 was the first ever Cassette Store Day. Record labels around the world released exclusive new or out of print records on cassette for the first time ever. It’s too soon to tell, but if the cassette trend carries on then we may see more of these days in the coming years. Cassettes overall are a very versatile but dated medium, providing both portability and a similar warm, analog sound similar to the vinyl record. Both the vinyl record and cassette share similarities as well in the playback department, in that they are both intended for continuous play-through, the way the record was intended to be listened to. With the growing trends in both technology and accessibility, we have been wondering if portability is a go-to for most people when deciding how to listen to music. One of the fastest growing mediums is digital music, most commonly found in the form of an .mp3 file. Having your favorite album or single with you wherever you going is very appealing, especially if you can store it on your smartphone or iPod. Personally, I feel as though there is no definitive answer on what the best way to enjoy music is. I can advise though that you should be open, and if the opportunity arises to listen to your favourite album on a vinyl record or cassette tape, take it. Listening to music should be a rewardable experience. If you are interested in trying or collecting vinyl LP’s, may I suggest checking out Discogs. The website operates like a marketplace similar to that of eBay and Amazon, where retailers and/or fans put their records up for sale, often at very fair prices. If you are looking for a solid record player at a reasonable price, check out Insound, a highly regarded online retailer that offers a large variety of players that will suit anyone’s budget.