Yesterday, 14th October 2017, was the 4th annual International Cassette Store Day. Think of it as Record Store Day's plucky younger brother. To celebrate I thought I'd share some of the cassettes I've picked up over the last couple of years.

the best of dr hook cassette the head scratcher

1. The Best of Dr Hook

Given to me by my Mum, this has some pretty classic songs on it. So old that one of the songs refers to Elton John as being a womaniser.

the music will save us volume one cassette the head scratcher

2. The Music Will Save us Vol. 1

A compilation of artists in association with Sad Club Records and Pond Blog from this year's event. All proceeds go to homeless charity SPEAR. Yet to listen to this one.

metallica no life 'til leather cassette the head scratcher

3. Metallica - No Life 'til Leather

Released on RSD 2015, my first, this is a recreation of the demo tape Metallica released back in 1982 which kicked off their incredible career. Contains raw thrash metal.

occams laser occult 86/87 cassette the head scratcher

4. Occams Laser - Occult 86/87

Another CSD 2017 release. Main reason for purchasing this? My birth year of1986. Pleasantly surprised by the 80s infused electronica.

5. Brand New - Leaked Demos

Released late 2015 this was the only official physical release of the original Fight off Your Demons demos which, much to the band's dismay, were leaked online back in 2006. Following the leak the band went on to record one of the most highly regarded alternative albums of all time; The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. That's one hell of a silver lining.

back to the fuck yeah cassette the head scratcher

6. Back to the Fuck Yeah

A quite awesome compilation tape by Post/Pop Records and Science Fiction Theatre Records released for CSD 2014. Limited to only 200 copies with all proceeds going to the Michael J Fox Foundation, I was lucky enough to find this earlier this year. Some great indie and alternative tracks on this one.

kevin devine instigator the head scratcher

7. Kevin Devine - Instigator

Picked this up from Procrastinate Music Traitors online store (Brand New's music label) earlier this year. Having never listened to Kevin Devine before, I was pleasantly surprised by this gem. Opener 'No Why' is an instant classic.

orson welles reads war of the worlds cassette the head scratcher

8. Orson Welles reads War of the Worlds

The radio drama that caused mass panic in the USA back on October 31st 1938. Many Americans tuning in after the opening credits thought this was a live broadcast of an alien invasion.

fela soul amerigo gazaway cassette the head scratcher

9. Fela Soul - Amerigo Gazaway

Mashup album of De La Soul beats with Fela Kuti's African protest music. Wonderful from start to finish, this was limited to 150 copies on CSD 2016 and I was lucky enough to pick this up online from Tapehead City. You can name your price on Band Camp for the digital version of this album and I'd recommend checking it out if you're a fan of hip-hop.

george carlin jammin in new york the head scratcher

10. George Carlin - Jammin' in New York

Llive recording of the legendary stand-up comedian's 1992 show at Madison Square Gardens. Its not my favourite of his shows but with segments such as 'Rockets and Penises in the Persian Gulf', 'Golf Courses for the Homeless' and 'The Planet is Fine' there are plenty of hilarious moments. I picked this up from Amazon when I missed out on the 2017 RSD vinyl release.

So that's my current collection of tapes and I hope you enjoyed the post. Remember to let me know your favourites and some of your pickups from CSD and RSD. Happy hunting.

Peace.