5/5 Faded Flowers

Originally released in the late 90s but covering the years 1965-1969, this first volume (which we are looking at today in its pristine FLAC format) is less of a mixtape and more of a time machine built from melted vinyl and orange-tinted胶片. Don’t let the title fool you; "Fading Yellow" isn’t about bright, chirpy "California Dreamin’" vibes. This is the sound of 3:00 PM in late October. The sun is low, the leaves are turning, and the LSD is just beginning to wear off, leaving a gentle sense of wistfulness.

If you find this, grab it. Then immediately hunt down Vol. 3 (widely considered the peak of the series). You’re welcome.

Because these tapes are rare. Many of these 45s were pressed in quantities of 500 or less, often in terrible vinyl stock. A low-bitrate MP3 turns the delicate high-end of the harpsichord into digital swill. In , the stereo separation blooms. You can hear the room noise of the cheap studios they recorded in. You can feel the analog tape saturation. For a record this rare, listening to a lossless rip is the closest you can get to owning the original $1,000 acetate. The Verdict Fading Yellow Vol. 1 is not for everyone. If you need a beat drop or a catchy chorus on the first listen, move along. But if you are a collector of the "Curt Boettcher" sound, a fan of Pet Sounds outtakes, or just someone who wants to cry gently while looking out a rainy window, this is holy grail territory.