3 chapters across the catalog
The hosts discuss the history and current market value of vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders, noting that prices for high-end units have risen significantly over the last decade. One host describes owning a 10-inch Teac multi-track machine while the other recalls an early Teac mixer with a built-in four-track recorder from the late 1980s. They reference specific models like the Sony 777 and the Reeboks as they compare notes on legacy analog recording formats.
NPR reports a significant comeback for audio cassette tapes, with sales increasing by double digits annually since 2017. The National Audio Company in Missouri is currently the world's largest manufacturer, selling 25 million cassettes last year primarily to the under-35 demographic. The trend is attributed to "Gen Z nostalgia" and the desire for a physical music format that can be "claimed for the first time."
A new audio recording attributed to Osama bin Laden was released, featuring a recommended reading list for the American public. The list reportedly includes "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" by John Perkins. Skepticism is expressed regarding the authenticity of the tape and the reading list, with suggestions that the entire release might be a CIA-orchestrated "joke" or psychological operation.
