Without making mention of the widening of the generation gap, I have to provide a little background on this series. The second car I ever owned was a '96 Toyota Camry that, although didn't have the power steering necessary to prevent its inevitable demise, did possess a tape deck that acted as a jukebox for some of the best hang outs I've ever had. Nearly every weekend I would drive around with a few friends (including Woods and our friend Paul) and crank what I called "Tape Deck Classics," basically albums I had purchased on cassette "before I saved up enough money to install a CD player in my car." The CD player never did get installed in that car and with good reason, we were having way too much fun listening to classic albums the (semi) old fashioned kind of way.
One of the first tapes that got cranked up was General Surgery's classic album "Necrology." I really have no idea when I bought this album, I swear it just appeared in my bedroom one day like a gift from the Easter Bunny or something. The original 1991 Relapse pressing, my copy of this classic album didn't act as a dorky collector's item like it does for so many now, this thing got played...often. In between jamming the "Live from Metropolis 107.9 Radio Hip Hop Show," "Grotesque Laceration of Mortified Flesh" and "Crimson Concerto" would be jammed on full blast while the heads banged on. For those of you unfamiliar with General Surgery, conduct a Google search, I'm having too much fun on my nostalgia trip.
Listen to the Full EP Here:
Just as quickly as "Necrology" appeared in my room on that fateful day, it seemed to disappear just as quickly. I sold the Camry, got a car with a CD player, and that tape seemed to be lost forever until recently when I was cleaning out some old boxes. I picked it up, marveled at the dusty case and stained inner booklet, and smiled the kind of smile that only a few close friends truly understand. I have never owned this album on any other format and I never will, it's forever a "Tape Deck Classic."
- Joe