There’s a great essay by the talented Thurston Moore in the April edition of Wired about the joy of making mix tapes, something that was an integral part of my teenage (and beyond) existence.
I love how he at once affirms my (and Crackity’s) longstanding belief that you can hear the superiority of analog over digital …
They’re [MP3s] even more compressed and harsh than CDs, and in the case of vintage grooves — be it Led Zeppelin, Bad Brains, or Pavement — sound even more detached from musical vibration.
… and then defends the spirit of music sharing, which is just a digital version of making tapes for your friends:
Once again, we’re being told that home taping (in the form of ripping and burning) is killing music. But it’s not: It simply exists as a nod to the true love and ego involved in sharing music with friends and lovers.
I haven’t made many mix CDs yet … I’m sure I will due to the convenience, but it just doesn’t feel the same as sitting in front of your stereo with a stack of albums on one side, a stack of tapes on the other (CDs eventually got a stack, too) and a notebook in between your legs, listening to each track as you record it and then having that chilling moment of “A-HA!!” when the light bulb goes on and you realize exactly what the next song’s going to be. Then you rush to the record shelves (it’s never in the stack you already pulled) to find the vinyl while the inspiration’s still there and before you have to hit the pause button.
The whole process is dirty and hands-on, like developing your own photographs. Listening to the completed tape for the first time (as you write the tracks down on the insert) is like seeing your black-and-white photo magically appear in the fixer — you kinda sit back and say “damn, that was great!” then start planning your next masterpiece.
Luckily for me (and you), Thurston’s put together an entire book about mix tapes, taking stories from various people such as Mike Watt and DJ Spooky about their favorite mixes. It comes out next month. I think I’ll start reading again.
sid world headquarters
Crackity | 06-Apr-05 at 8:40 am | Permalink
Once again, brother, you are right on. Digital music is here to stay, so I won’t get going about that. If you love music, though, there’s nothing like making or receiving a mix tape. It shows an affection for the music and for the person receiving the tape that most gifts can’t convey.
Tony | 07-Apr-05 at 6:41 am | Permalink
I have enjoyed the ability to make the Mix CD, and it’s not all that bad. Sure mp3’s are thin sounding, but I’m not rich enough to enjoy my music on anything better than a pair of bookshelf speakers and a 15 year old amp….
You should explore the fine system Sony has come up with to provide the walkman mix feeling, with the inability to actually steal music (ATRAC). Sure there’s lots of work arounds (hacks?) that allow you to copy anything you want, but the Mini-Disc is still a great idea that got screwed up because of music rights. But I’ve got lots of mixes for MD if anyone wants.
Sharon | 09-Apr-05 at 5:36 am | Permalink
I loved making a mixed tape, but I loved getting them even more. There’s nothing like seeing what the giftee is revealing to you — what they like, what they think you like, how the tape is arranged, if there’s a theme … hoo, good times. Half of the reason I bought my car is because it has a CD player AND a tape player, so I can still listen to some of the tapes people have made me.
mer | 09-Apr-05 at 6:36 am | Permalink
“Sounds from Sexy Sid the Seducer” and
“I smoke Elvis’ toenails when I wanna get high” From sid, amongst many others…
“20,000 miles over, probably, Arizona”
From Bob pelton,the master, amongst countless others…
“night driving in..” (a-side heaven, b-side hell)
From Grant-huh! (hey Grant!)
Being one who still owns and operates a cassette palyer both in home and auto, I still play these gems, novice-mixed and trebble-heavy, and keep them dear to my heart. And believe me, I have them ALL! I would not be quite the freak I am today without them.
RAAAAAAAR! Luvins ,Mer