Geoff Stanfield
Blog
New Music From The Black Keys: Peaches!
6 days ago
Although the opening moments of The Black Keys' (Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney ) new release, Peaches!, sounds like a Tinariwen record, it quickly settles in to a familiar...
Blog
New Steve Gunn EP: Shape of a Wave
Apr 11, 2026
I interviewed Steve Gunn in 2023 for Episode #80 of the Tape Op Podcast after coming across his 2019 album, The Unseen in Between. His 2025 release, Daylight, Daylight, was one of my favorite albums...
Blog
Tape Op’s Scott McDowell hit by a car, help with his recovery
Mar 30, 2026
Our good friend and frequent contributor to Tape Op, Scott McDowell, was hit by a car last week.
His friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help with his recovery if you are able to...
Blog
Courtney Barnett: Creature of Habit
Mar 27, 2026
I always look forward to new music from Courtney Barnett, and her new release, Creature of Habit, delivers more of the fun mix of surfy, punky, sometimes angular and sometimes groovy indie rock...
Blog
New Live Album From Hurray For The Riff Raff
Mar 24, 2026
March 20, 2026, marks the digital release of Hurray For The Riff Raff's new live album, Live Forever. There will be a physical release of the album on May 8, 2026, via Nonesuch Records. Live...
Gear Review
C114 & C104 condenser mics
Mar 16, 2026
AKG has just released a new line of microphones that are aimed at the first-time mic buyer. You may ask yourself: Would these mics stand up to daily...
Gear Review
R-12 active ribbon mic
Mar 16, 2026
Royer Labs has been making quality ribbon mics for decades. They are no-compromise products that meet the demands of everyday use. The newer R-12 is...
Blog
New Music from Brigitte Calls Me Baby: Irreversible
Mar 14, 2026
The Chicago-based band, Brigitte Calls Me Baby, has just released Irreversible, produced by Yves Rothman and Lawrence Rothman . The pairing showcases the premium placed on songwriting...
Blog
Talking Heads' Tentative Decisions: Demos & Live
Mar 8, 2026
As a music creator and fan, I am always interested in the transformation from the seed of a song, the demo stage, and the version that was released as the definitive version. It's a peek behind...
Blog
New Releases from The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis, Willow, Jacob Collier and More!
Feb 21, 2026
It's a good week for new music!
Jacob Collier released Something Heavy, an EP with three versions of "Something Heavy." It straddles the world between a Coldplay ballad...
Blog
The Stooges: Fun House Vinyl Reissue
Feb 20, 2026
I appreciate a reissue of an album I have not listened to in years. In the case of Rhino High Fidelity's new vinyl version of The Stooges' 1970 release, Fun House, it is a opportunity to...
Blog
NYC Studio Photo Essay: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Feb 8, 2026
Photographer Stephen Jess has created an in-depth project of images and overview histories of historic New York City recording studios titled "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?"
From the...
Blog
Remembering Bob Weir
Feb 4, 2026
My first listen to the Grateful Dead was a cassette of Reckoning that I got from the Columbia House Record Club. I thought the cover that had the skull on it looked heavy. It is, of course, a live...
Blog
Talk Talk: Spirit of Eden Vinyl Reissue
Feb 2, 2026
At any given party or get-together we've all been asked "What's your favorite album?" For me it's an impossible question, but honestly, if I truly had to choose ten records...
Blog
Sleaford Mods: The Demise Of Planet X
Jan 16, 2026
England's post-punk duo Sleaford Mods, who we interviewed for Ep. 82 of the Tape Op Podcast, are perhaps the most punk band I have heard in years. Frontman Jason Williamson's lyrics and...
Gear Review
M23 G2 & M30 G2 reference microphones
Jan 9, 2026
My studio space sounds pretty good. I have worked toward a balanced listening experience by utilizing space-specific sound treatments such as...
Gear Review
C151 small diaphragm condenser microphone
Jan 9, 2026
As part of their new line of very affordable C Series microphones – aimed at both first-time buyers and seasoned engineers who want solid utility...
Blog
Tape Op Staff Picks 2025
Dec 18, 2025
Larry Crane, editor/founder
Emily A. Sprague
Cloud Time
Listen
My partner at Tape Op, John Baccigaluppi, turned me onto Emily A. Sprague's music and he interviewed her for Tape Op #171. Late...
Blog
Books on Music and Recording Part 2
Nov 22, 2025
I was recently in the incredible Elliott Bay Books here in Seattle, and as always, I found myself in the music section, (after the cooking section). I love the smell of a book store, and I love the...
Blog
Robert Plant: Saving Grace
Nov 18, 2025
Robert Plant has managed to not necessarily reinvent himself, but to continue to surround himself with great musicians and songs that suit his aging but unmistakable voice. His latest offering...