8 TRACKED, NOISY RUBBERED SOUL

Yech!

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A friend of mine in Burlington, Ontario has operated an independent record/music store for over 25 years.

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I don't think he ever sold an 8-track, but sometimes he sees them when people are cleaning out

their basements, or trash.

So when he told me someone brought in Rubber Soul, Rock and Roll Music and Something New on 8T, I asked to borrow one-forever-to display here.

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Man, is this plastic abomination a relic. Although it had its days in the 70s, the format has recently been judged to be the WORST EVER in terms of fidelity by online audio experts.

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About the only thing that was good about the tapes was easy portability, and if you were too wasted to get up, it was a continuous player. And besides, if one was that loaded, who would notice the incredible tape hiss and playing speed variations. (Check the "warranty" fine print, at upper left. And the Capitol office listed no longer exsists.)

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Sometimes, there were slight labelling and cover variations-and mixes-within these 8 trackers, and you will note that the cover of this Rubber
Soul chops off part of Paul's coif, and uses clunky title script, unlike the original vinyl, and all subsequent domestic versions.
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Finally, who can forget seeing these dubious cartridges lying smashed by the side of the road, with their guts slithering along the byway.