Weird Format Releases

[tendernessofwolves]

I don't think there's a topic on this yet, apologies if there is already. I just watched Pad Chennington's latest video about OasisLtd. Who are putting out albums on Game Boy Advance cartridges, which look pretty cool. And it got me thinking about weird format releases from recent years.

We know vinyl and cassettes have made a big comeback recently and the equipment to play those back are still readily available. But there have been other physical formats resurrections for music such as VHS/Betamax, Minidisc, Music Boxes, and even Edison Wax Cylinders (From Steampunks The Men Who will Not Be Blamed For Nothing).

Even CDs and Vinyl releases have been reworked over the years, such as the triple decker vinyl from Third Man Recordings, and the lathe cut hybrid CD from In Death It Ends.

Discogs even have a list of outdated/weird formats that can be found on their site.

What weird formats have you seen and/or own? Or are there any you'd like to release music on? And what would you define as a weird format?

I have mixed thoughts on some of them, to me if it's an item of merch with a download code on it, or a novelty USB, it doesn't really count as a weird format to me. Also, I don't see the point in releases that you can't get the equipment to play it back on. I think I said that in a previous post. But I know there are collectors out there who just enjoy the novelty of these things e.g. I have a copy of 'The World's Shortest Album' from Earache Records, which is a 5” 45rpm Grindcore compilation that clocks in at 82.8 seconds. (I thought this was hilarious, and a friend of mine designed the album art). Because of its size some turntables can't even play the thing, which is a shame, so it isn't practical, as much as a novelty.

[WraithVeil]

I've been reading a Dave Grohl biography where they mentioned a Foo Fighters release being sent to early reviewers as a cassette glued into the cassette player to avoid piracy of it. Kind of a cool conecept in itself. Imagine buying up every shitty thrift store walkman you could find, dubbing tapes and supergluing them inside.

[tendernessofwolves]

I've been reading a Dave Grohl biography where they mentioned a Foo Fighters release being sent to early reviewers as a cassette glued into the cassette player to avoid piracy of it. Kind of a cool conecept in itself. Imagine buying up every shitty thrift store walkman you could find, dubbing tapes and supergluing them inside.

That is a cool idea actually. Not something I'd usually say related to Foo Fighters (Not my cup of tea).

I suppose that's not a million miles away from the concept of things such as the Buddha Machines and The Prism.

I wonder how many of those FF walkmans are still around and what they'd be worth now?

[lævita]

I've been reading a Dave Grohl biography where they mentioned a Foo Fighters release being sent to early reviewers as a cassette glued into the cassette player to avoid piracy of it. Kind of a cool conecept in itself. Imagine buying up every shitty thrift store walkman you could find, dubbing tapes and supergluing them inside.

HFBD dude!

[WraithVeil]

I've been reading a Dave Grohl biography where they mentioned a Foo Fighters release being sent to early reviewers as a cassette glued into the cassette player to avoid piracy of it. Kind of a cool conecept in itself. Imagine buying up every shitty thrift store walkman you could find, dubbing tapes and supergluing them inside.

HFBD dude!

Thank you!

Yes, Foo Fighters aren't my thing either but I'll forever rate Nirvana's In Utero album as well as one of the last songs they ever recorded, "You Know You're Right".

That book just found its way to me through strange circumstances and I'll read biographies of musicians in any genre.

[tendernessofwolves]

Yes, Foo Fighters aren't my thing either but I'll forever rate Nirvana's In Utero album as well as one of the last songs they ever recorded, "You Know You're Right".

100% agree there.

[zin]

I bought this minidisc from Hypersport Ltd a few years ago, even though I have no way to play it ;P
https://hypersportltd.bandcamp.com/album/product-10

They used to make witch house under Pe† Ceme†ery back in 2012

[tendernessofwolves]

I bought this minidisc from Hypersport Ltd a few years ago, even though I have no way to play it ;P
https://hypersportltd.bandcamp.com/album/product-10

They used to make witch house under Pe† Ceme†ery back in 2012

Well there are some portable minidisc players with low starting prices on ebay at the mo: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294251846409 ... SwsFdg3EI6

I'd like to see minidiscs make a comeback. They were a solid format that were so quickly superseded by mp3.

[tendernessofwolves]

Some more weird format releases I've come across recently...

Make your own ice record:
https://youtu.be/U9Q88uTdgWY

Unplayable vinyl:
https://youtu.be/uz2a1HlnXuQ

A self-contained circuit in a CD case:
https://vimeo.com/12244413

Multi axial rotation 7":
https://youtu.be/gBMBOjgYckA

Double-Groove Record:
https://youtu.be/iXTnUevdetI
From 16 mins in.

[zin]

I just remembered about Cranes Records - French label, home to the excellent White Night Ghosts (check my recommendations of his EPs here and here).

They specialize in those oddities, like:

A record made of chocolate:
http://cranes-factory.com/fra/cranes-re ... death-ii-5

A record made of wood with wooden turntable:
http://cranes-factory.com/fra/cranes-re ... lo-sure-32

Russian-style X-ray record:
http://cranes-factory.com/fra/cranes-re ... s/bones-70

They also had an album made of concrete if I remember correctly, can't find it now

[tendernessofwolves]

Love the x-ray records, and I'm surprised the chocolate one actually plays as well as it does.

[tendernessofwolves]

I'd imagine this would be interesting to experiment with. Though I doubt any of the end results would be better than what was achieved in this video:

[witcha]

French electronic artist Breakbot released 12" named By Your Side on Vinyl made of real chocolate!

"Breakbot « By Your Side » (Ed Banger Records)
One sided vinyl made of chocolate
Limited Edition (120 copies)"

https://www.discogs.com/release/4391638 ... -Your-Side

[theimplicitorder]

Looks like no one has mentioned the micro-cassette. I recorded an album on one.

https://museumofmicrocassetteart.bandca ... time-index