New Cassette Release: Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear

I noticed today, as I read on one of the music websites (okay, it was Pitchfork), that Franz Ferdinand has a new album out, The Human Fear.

Of course, my first question was “Did they make a tape?” Most of the time it is “no” but not today, they did make a tape!

The cassette is going for $16, which is pricey, especially when the CD is $17 (and only $14 on Amazon). I am not sure what to say about that, does that mean the cassette is getting so much respect the record company feels it is nearly as valuable as a CD?

This is cool. But also, the cheaper price is a major factor in collecting tapes – I hope these prices are only a major release of a new album, prices, and not the new norm.

Of the three free preview songs on their Bandcamp, my favorite is “Night Or Day”

Heads up!: At the time of posting this, there are only seven cassettes left.

P.S. Look at what tickets are going for FOR their album-supporting tour, here.

The Cure: Songs Of A Lost World Cassette

An incredible thing is happening this month. The Cure released a new album, Songs Of A Lost World, and it topped charts of all kinds in the United States.

It’s a pretty wild things for a band of their age to be topping charts with a new album. It should happen way more but it rarely does. Good for The Cure and good for music. We all need to be paying attention more when “way past their prime” bands come out with new stuff.

Anyway, I was pleased to see that The Cure came out with cassette tapes for their, now-acclaimed, new album. You can pre-order them on their website – there is a limited amount so don’t dick around, waiting to buy them.

Growing up I would have never considered myself a Cure fan, but, not too long ago, I saw The Cure play at Shoreline Amphitheater in the South Bay and they were so good, I became a fan.

My fandom is now solidified after watching their live show for the album release:

Tape Pull: Off! “Free LSD” on Cassette


The poster pulled me in. I was unaware of the punk supergroup, OFF!, until then. Also, excited to find out they do have a cassette of Free LSD available on Bandcamp.


If you scroll down the album’s Bandcamp page, you will find the perfectly pink cassette of which (at the time of this posting) there are surprisingly still some left:


I had planned this post for a while and just now finally getting it up. Since then we have all experienced the passing of Steve Albini, making the Shellac/OFF! show in Chicago a somber one – or maybe there will be appreciatively joyful respect for still being around to see a killer live show.

Sadly there isn’t a tape of the acclaimed new Shellac album. But you can always get some blanks and make one (something I plan to do). I feel like Steve would be cool with a bootleg of a Shellac album.

Tape Finds: Larkin Poe “Blood Harmony” On Cassette

The almighty Instagram algorithm found a new-to-me (even though they are Grammy winners) folk rock band, Larkin Poe. Very nice stuff, enjoying it. So of course things get around to me asking “Does Larkin Poe have any cassette tapes?”

Turns out they have two. Two of the same album, Blood Harmony:

Two because the band (also sisters Rebecca & Megan) made a cassette tape for each sister. Very funny and rad. There is a Rebecca J-card and a Megan J-card.


I only feel bad for the sister that has the lesser-selling tape.

I’m Farming Metalcore Tapes From Peloton

Charlotte Weidenbach – likely listening to metalcore

Metalcore Cassette Tapes Inspired By a Peloton Instructor

One of my favorite instructors on Peloton (I am @TheBlogCycle there – if you happen to be) is Charlotte Weidenbach. One reason is she is a big metalhead. You don’t get to see that much out of the metal music fan bubble.

In a recent ride I took of hers she turned me onto four new-to-me metal/metalcore bands. And I of course wondered if they had tapes.

  • Bring Me the Horizon
  • Bad Omens.
  • We Came As Romans.
  • While She Sleeps.

As Charlotte would say “Hell Yes!”

Does Bring Me the Horizon have tapes?

Yes. They even have one coming out in January (Post Human white cassette with recycled paper) that you can pre-order on their website. There is also some rando stuff on eBay.

No tape of this, I assure you:

Does Bad Omens have tapes?

Yes. Their 2022 release, The Death Of Peace Of Mind, is out there. It sold rather quickly when it was released. There is plenty of vinyl on eBay and Amazon, but not the tape. I found it on Discogs, but not for sale.

This is a tough one to come by and should be put on any Bad Omens fan’s watchlist.

What About The Other Two Bands?!

I could not find tapes for We Came As Romans or While She Sleeps. Maybe there are some out there but I could not find them with my limited skills. We can still watch some videos of them too though:

-Mikey

Thanks for reading.