Quality problems with new cassette?

I don't actively buy the new indie releases coming out on cassette, but a store owner who knew I like The Sword gave me their limited edition of Apocryphon, and it started to get crunched up this morning. Probably only the second or third time I've ever played it.

Is this a common problem with current tapes?

 

The few recently manufactured cassettes I've bought haven't had any problem like this. I do recall running across tape players back in the 80's that would sometimes do this to tapes. Usually cheapo brands or well worn decks.

 

Welcome to my life, circa 1989.

 

Good point. A cheap, excessively dirty or worn-out tape deck could eat tapes like nobody's business; a good, well-maintained deck could play pretty much any crappy tape with no problems. Of course, the higher-end tapes were the most reliable.

 

I know it has become impossible to buy the higher-quality blank cassettes these days.

 

I'm guessing that's probably the issue. The better formulations are no longer made, even for commercial applications.

 

There are lots of indie bands that are issuing cassette and download only versions of their albums, presumably out of perverse irony. In my case, it was a limited edition promo cassette that I didn't appreciate getting mauled by my Dragon.

 

I didn't even know they still sold music on cassette.

 

Modern cassettes are presumably, like pic discs, something that can be played but you're not really supposed to. Thus it wouldn't surprise me if they use cheap materials.

I grew up with tapes and I liked them but they are a pain. If there is one thing I did like about them, the EQ requirements for a tape meant brickwalled stuff didn't sound that bad on them.

 

Yeah, to take it even further, I have that Cheap Trick 8-track that came out several years ago. Sounds like crap (a given with that format), but it plays.

 

Cor, cassettes, I remember those things. I used to swear by Maxell...I had 10-20 that I rotated during the 80's. Not one ever failed..good days. The Sony Stowaway loved them..

 

I can only speak from my own experience... but, my cassette copies of Awesome Mix Tape #1 - Local H, Indie Cindy - Pixies, the tape that came in the Pisces Iscariot box set from Smashing Pumpkins and the tapes that came in the two Pearl Jam box sets all play fine and sound pretty good. Will they still play fine and sound as good as the tapes I have from the 80's in 30 years?? Only time will tell. Get back to me on that.

 

Good quality type I and II tape is still available in large quantities, here for example: http://nationalaudiocompany.com/Audio-Cassette-Tapes-C1.aspx

 

I did read recently about someone having high quality tapes and recordings but can't remember where.

 

They could make some with no tape inside, just an empty shell!

 

Really? I just bought a case of Sony metal tapes, reasonably priced too.