High Bias

“High Bias makes a persuasive case that . . . cassette-based activity functions as a sort of understory in the forest of music, a substructure in the shadows that nurtures and fortifies the canopy of successful commercial artists above. . . . An extended, paperbound mixtape of cassette-based music. . . . Revelatory.”—New Yorker

“An affectionate ode . . . Masters constructs a lively and detailed case for the cassette as a vital driver of cultural creation. This charming history is sure to please anyone nostalgic for the mixtapes of yesteryear.”—Publishers Weekly

“Not just for the Gen X-ers on your list, but for anyone curious about the history, cultural and otherwise, of the humble cassette tape . . . This charmer of a book goes down fast and easy. . . . He does it all with narrative economy, academic rigor, a personal touch, and genial good humor. A gem.”—Esquire

“A thoroughly enjoyable romp . . . With energy, insight, and wit, Masters provides a welcome examination of an often overlooked cultural turning point.”—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED review)

“This accessible primer unravels past and present uses and misuses of cassettes. . . . Masters builds a generous lineage, where it is clear that as much as ‘sounds realign magnetic particles on a tape . . . the tape realigns your brain.'”—The Wire

“A loving tribute . . . High Bias is a clever taxonomy of cassette culture and its various subcults.”—Wall Street Journal

“Knowingly written from the perspective of an entangled enthusiast rather than a distanced observer, [High Bias] carries an awareness that an objective history of the impact of a piece of technology isn’t possible, all we can do is collect the stories we tell through it. . . . High Bias is a material history, but it’s also a folk history.”—The Quietus

“An energetic, expert tome . . . Music’s most overlooked format gets the celebration it deserves.”—MOJO

“A passionate love letter written from an unabashed fan of the format. Its thoroughness, detail, and historical accuracy make 'High Bias' an essential resource for pop culture historians and obsessives.”—PopMatters

“Masters brings together a fascinating technical history of the creation, limits, and virtues of the cassette tape.”—Dusted