Gaslit by Streaming Remasters? Try Physical Media.

Do you really trust streaming services NOT to change the music you thought you liked? There are a million reasons ($) for record companies and artists to fiddle and tweak and alter and, worse yet, ~ReMAsTeR~ the music you used to know. Instead of being gaslit by big streaming companies - make sure you save your favorite song DIRECTLY TO TAPE so they can't change them.

There are plenty of examples of songs being changed, and how would you really even know? And for what reason? Who knows/cares "why," you have no reason to trust that the music you are streaming today are the same tracks that you listened to tape or vinyl or CD or even mp3.

Obviously, the most trending example of this is the Taylor Swift Version re-released by the artist. Good for her. I'm happy that she gets this chance. But that level of transparency is more like a Director's Cut, not really the dreaded "remaster." This is an obvious expression by the original artist to undo studio changes and create a more honest representation of the source material.

Speaking of "Director's Cuts" did you know that Warner Bros spent $70m to make the Snyder Cut for Justice League. Originally it cost a staggering $307m to create one of the most embarrassing, joyless movies of recent memory. THEY SPENT $70,000,000 to REMAKE A BAD MOVIE AGAIN! Truly BRUTAL.

{Check out our guide for how to correctly watch the Zack Snyder Cut of the Justice League.}

We wouldn't call a remake the same thing as a remix, so what exactly is a REMASTER? That's a whole separate blog post.

Think about how many editions there are of books. It's not always the original authors who make these changes. And even more so, the justification for a new edition is often dubious. 

Comic books are some of the most egregious SPECIAL EDITIONS. Often, what makes these editions "Special" is that they have been reprinted in a way that is different from how they first appeared. "Remasters" are overseen by the publisher seeking to resell an altered/modified or repackaged version of art that already exists.

Honestly, look at the difference between how Barry Windsor-Smith's absolutely-fucking incredible and iconic Wolverine origin story, "Weapon-X" looks between editions. In the hardcover reissue, the OP* changed the paper material from a matte, pulpy texture to a glossy, premium-appearing, bright paper stock. The art may appear more defined but at a high price. *Source: somewhere BWS breaks this down very eloquently.

Weapon X, Barry Windsor Smith

Original panel on matte texture paper

Weapon X (reprint)

HIGH Gloss Weapon X panel printed on computer paper

I love VHS tapes, but they were the pioneers of "this program has been formatted to fit your screen" that genuinely destroyed good movies by clipping and zooming and stretching the image. The most glaring example that comes to mind immediately is probably Disney's dastardly attempt to make The Simpsons more palatable for an HD screen. They stretched it, AND they zoomed it - and, wow! It looks like you might be having an aneurysm! 

And that's just when the publisher gets involved - it's ALSO brutal when the artist starts "improving their original vision" so that you can fall in love with their obsession and not the art that you love (i.e., Star Wars). 

The Simpsons (Disney+)

FINALLY, after pressure from fans and curmudgeons who are reading this, Disney offered the option to watch in the original 4:3 aspect ratio.

With music - do I really believe that Billy Corgan isn't making changes to the Smashing Pumpkins catalog? Proof? Well, on Spotify you have the choice between sifting and slog through a truly staggering 96-track, 6-hour runtime for the "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness DELUXE EDITION" or the ever-cryptic "2012 Remasters."

Believe me, I do this too. When I hear something "wrong" with a Tape Lab track, who is to stop me from "correcting" it. Who is to say that the "correction" is correct? I guess you can check the filename, but are you really that committed? 

SOLUTION IS TO KEEP, BUY, OR MAKE PHYSICAL MEDIA

Sure, Spotify can stop me from downloading the files I'm streaming - but they can't stop you from RECORDING THEM TO TAPE!

All you need to do is set up a tape deck to record the audio from your device and then back up all your favorites straight to tape! It can be fun DIY project - make a mixtape while you listen. Sure, your favorite songs might sound like shit on tape, but at least you'll have some confidence that it sounds the same.