Photo by Flickr user erin_m

Welcome to the first edition of Reality Breakdown. Every few weeks I’ll be writing about releases that don’t necessarily get the coverage they deserve, not because they are bad by any means, but either due to limited availability, format or just plain “weirdness.” I’m always open to stuff to review so please send stuff here. — DCist Contributor Sean Gray

Cassettes were bigger than ever in 2012, it seems. (Well, at least since the 1980s.) While people have argued that the cassette revival is vintage fad that will die, many bands are taking advantage of the idea of creating a physical product on the cheap. In many ways, some artists find that this provides a bit more “legitimacy” than just throwing together a CD or a digital download. Though it might feel like a gimmick, more and more bands are putting just as much care into tape releases as any vinyl or CD release. Sure, it’s annoying to have another format to deal with but I’d much rather have something tangible in my hands than buying what is essentially digital code. It would be a stretch to say some of the best releases have been on the cassette format this year but here are 15 releases to argue for that.

Abject Pax: Demo (Self-released)

I really enjoyed the Vixens demo, so once I heard that some Vixens members were involved with Abject Pax I had to check it out. Unlike Vixens, who are way more agressive and lo-fi, Abject Pax’s approach pulls more from post-punk than anything else. It’s as if they’re holding back, but in the best possible way. The bass sound is awesome and gives each song a harsher feel than you’d think.

Astromason and Blue Sabbath Black Cheer:Endless Black(Worthless Recordings)

Astromason is Hiroshi Hasegawa (of Astro and C.C.C.C.) and Mason Jones. Blue Sabbath Black Cheer has been around since 2006. I could do without most of Blue Sabbath Black Cheer, but in this they keep my attention pretty easily. Side A speaks more to Hasegawa’s C.C.C.C. influence with high-end sonics, while Side B takes a darker approach. Side B feels more like that 2007-09 era black noise (or whatever you’d like to call it) for which BSBC made a name for themselves. Here, it’s done right and without wearing out its welcome.

Black James: im A mirAcle (Farfetched)

This is one of the most out there cassettes of the year. It’s an odd combination of EDM, minimalist synth, samples, field recordings, dreamy vocals and other styles. There’s nothing like this that I’ve really ever heard. Each song flows into the next and it feels like a mix made by someone with an aggressive case of attention deficit disorder. Weird? Yes, but very awesome.

Cloudface: Wyre Drive (Nice Up)

Wyre Drive, the debut from Vancouver’s David Reynolds, is minimal at its core but throws a big punch. I’m not a big fan of techno, but Cloudface works with a minimal palette that lets the small synth and simple beats carry the tracks. These songs are never too fast, but neither do they slow to a crawl.

East Link: East Link (Creep Dreams)

I included these guys in my best-of-2012 list for Brightest Young Things. For those looking for a heavy guitar fix that doesn’t cheap out or pull clowny tricks, these hard-rocking Aussies are it.

Hive Mind: They Made Me The Keeper Of The Vineyards (Chondritic Sound)

I’ve been a big Hive Mind fan since Sand Beasts came out in 2006 and it’s still surprising how consistent this project is. While synth destruction, noise, and drone sounds are all part of Hive Mind’s arsenal, They Made Me Keeper Of The Vineyards unveils just how disciplined they can be. Side A displays their control over their soundscapes, while Side B pummels the listener into complete defeat.

In School: Demo (Self-released)

The In School cassette is without a doubt the best hardcore demo of the year. The tape plays out as if In School has been around awhile and are just now hitting their stride. But, considering their name, they’re actually quite green. Credit is due to the recording itself which sounds well done but never over the top, reminiscent of YDI’s A Place In The Sun. Along with Hysterics, In School is poised to be one of the most interesting hardcore bands going.

Ingrown: Demo (Self-released)

I don’t know much about this band other than the demo reminds me of Hated Youth. As with all great demos, it’s fast and doesn’t waste a moment. I’ve had this cassette on repeat and I don’t see it leaving my tape deck anytime soon.

S.H.I.T.: Demo (Self-released)

The first track, “Feeding Time,” has a weird No Trend vibe to it, if No Trend was played at double time. I think a lot of it has to do with the echo-y vocals. S.H.I.T. attacks every song as if they have something to prove. Well, I guess with a name as dumb as S.H.I.T. you’d better be good.

Shoxx: Demo (c6 Recordings)

This tape is everything you love about stuff like the ugly noise rock destruction of Cherubs and the some what metal tendencies of United Mutation (without the cookie monster vocals). I’m not even sure these guys are going to do anything new, but this is one of the most exciting releases of 2012. “Down The Toilet,” which never gets too slow or too fast, is a prime example of Shoxx not fearing riffs. Their live show doesn’t disappoint either; it’s as blown out as this demo gets. You want a new favorite band?

Speedy Ortiz: Sports EP (Hidden Temple)

cover: http://f0.bcbits.com/z/40/69/4069342572-1.jpg

I am a sucker for good guitar bands and Speedy Ortiz is one of the most interesting I found in 2012. The obvious points of refrence are The Breeders, Thingy, That Dog and Drive Like Jehu. So, yeah, this cassette sounds pretty ’90s, but not like a throwback. An LP in the works, so look out for that.

Stillsuit: Demo (Self-released)

It’s really hard to pinpoint what Stillsuit is doing, but I mean that in a good way. The band’s combination of no-wave, post-punk and whatever other stupid genere you want to include sounds terrible on paper, but Stillsuit has a sound that clearly works. Every song sounds different and has an urgency that no other cassette this year has. Vocally, it reminds me of Yoko Ono and a bit of Patty Waters.

Technicolor Teeth: Teenage Pagans (Let’s Pretend)

Look, shoegaze in 2012 is just weak. Every fucking city in America has it’s clowny Jesus and Mary Chain or My Bloody Valentine wannabe. It’s more interesting to watch Tim Tebow pass in slow motion than to hear any of those bands. Yes, Technicolor Teeth have shoegaze elements, but instead of blanketing every song with the typical dream fuzz, they use it in bits so that it works to their advantage. “Chrystalline” is one of the best pop songs of the year, period. You won’t be able to get “Station Wagon” out of your head and “Is It Warm Enough For You” has one of the best riffs of the year. It makes any other band remotely dipping into shoegaze seem old and tired.

Vatican Shadow: Ghosts of Chechnya (Hospital Productions)

This is Dom Fernow’s 11th release for the Vatican Shadow project (or, at least, it was at the time of its release), and it’s just as good as the previous 10. I had no expectations when I discovered this. I hated Prurient’s last LP, but Fernow’s way of piecing together minimal techno, electronics and synths as Vatican Shadow is really something. “Peace Rage” enhances the Middle East conflict aesthetic with its pushing tempo and moody synths. “The Hamburg Cell Was Born in Chechnya” really does sound like something off of the GoldenEye video game soundtrack, and that actually rules.

York Factory Complaint : The Grieving Process (Nostilevo)

This is York Factory Complaint’s best release. Its simple, pounding beat mixed with Michael Berdan’s brutal vocals is the kind of stuff I’ve always wanted to hear from them. There are no frills and the old-school industrial tracks are quick to get to the point.

Find the author on Twitter at @SeanJGray