Used Records & Tapes #4

The fourth issue features used record and tape reviews by Chris Auman, Marc Basch, Mike Dixon, Katie Haegele, C.E. Hanifin, Deron Gram, Justin Kern, Liz Mason, and Steve Stelling. This issue includes reviews of Laurie Anderson, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, and Grunge Masters Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney. Plus a comic by Ben Snakepit.

Specs.

5.5 x 8.5 in. 40 pages, full-color matte laminated cover, b&w throughout, stapled, 80 lb paper, 110 lb cover

About Used Records & Tapes #4 Review Zine

The idea for the Used Records and Tapes zine evolved from a series of blog posts I wrote called “The History of Music.” In these columns, I took on the mantle of music professor, educating students on the albums I bought at used record stores. This included releases for 80s bands like the Police, Cars, and A Flock of Seagulls.

Eventually, I decided to collect them into zine form. I enlisted the help of long-time collaborator Mike Dixon. I wrote some more snarky reviews. Dixon did the same. We drew the covers, and boom, the first issue was born.

Since then, we’ve enlisted the help of other writers and artists to create four issues of the zine. A fifth issue hits the bins in 2025.

Review of Used Records & Tapes #4

This zine is exactly what I hoped it was about when I read the title. It’s impossible not to love shopping for used records and tapes (and CDs, but some of you aren’t ready for that conversation yet), and this publication is basically a bunch of different reviewers talking about doing just that.

Releases covered in this issue range from The Kinks, Halloween music from 1974, a stack of early grunge tapes, a live Emo Phillips record, as well as some lesser-known random stuff. The best segments are the ones where the contributors talk about their own stories on how they came upon the record—whether it’s their personal history with the release, or just the story of the day they picked it up.

The overall writing is strong, and the diversity in material covered makes it an easy read. I particularly enjoyed the story about The Bad Examples’ Bad Is Beautiful record, which included tales of sneaking out as a teenager, and this being the author’s catalyst into underground music. I don’t really need to read a piece about Bob Dylan records, but even this included a fun list of artists the author thinks have perfect catalogs. I was pleased to see that both Rick Froberg and Ice-T were included. Ben Snakepit also has a brilliant comic explanation of The Misfits Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood, which made me laugh out loud. Check it out, if you haven’t already. –Zach Nellis-Tessmer, Razorcake