# 8-Track Revivals Cheap Trick Releases 'The Latest' in Retro Format By Elsa Blaine | Published 2009-07-17 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheap-trick-8-track-the-latest References: [news.cnet](http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10287864-1.html) & [cheaptrick](http://www.cheaptrick.com/) Cheap Trick, superstar pop rock band of the 70s, has released ‘The Latest’ on 8-track. If you remember the 8-track, you will recall that they were the predecessor to the [cassette](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowsky-retro). They were big, bulky and oh so hip in their era. They revolutionized mobile audio--music of your choice could be played in a moving car! Cheap Trick, famous for such hits as, ‘I Want You to Want Me,’ ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and ‘Dream Police,’ recognizes there is still a market, albeit small, for both [8-track and vinyl](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brad-retro-mkii-turntable). You can pre-order ‘The Latest’ on 8-track for $30, [LP album](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcintosh-mti100-integrated-turntable) for $20 on the band’s website; now there’s a contradiction! 8-track car player image from [here](http://www.recording-history.org/HTML/8track4.php). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Retro Audio Formats:** There is a small market for retro audio formats like 8-track and vinyl, presenting an opportunity for niche music manufacturers and retailers. - **Nostalgic Music Consumption:** The release of albums on 8-track and vinyl taps into consumers' desire for nostalgic music experiences, creating opportunities for bands and artists to cater to this demand. - **Resurgence of Physical Media:** The resurgence of interest in physical media formats like 8-track and vinyl demonstrates a potential disruption in the digital music industry, prompting innovation in physical production and distribution. ### Where This Applies - **Music Manufacturing:** Manufacturers specializing in producing niche music formats like 8-track and vinyl can capitalize on the demand from collectors and nostalgic music enthusiasts. - **Retail:** Retailers can tap into the niche market for retro audio formats by stocking and promoting 8-track players and albums, catering to consumers looking for nostalgic music experiences. - **Music Artists:** Bands and artists can seize the opportunity to release albums on 8-track and vinyl, offering their fans a unique and nostalgic music consumption experience that sets them apart from digital-only releases. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Revamped Portable Turntables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audio-technica.md) - [Nostalgic Compact Clear Cassettes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cp81.md) - [Nostalgic Retro Music Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-mixtape-kit.md) - [Vibrant Portable Record Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/at727.md) - ['80-Style Portable Turntables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-burger.md) - [Vintage-Inspired Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintageinspired-technology-tech-brand-kickbacks-discman-is-nostalgic.md) - [Fan-Favorite Sound Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/at-sb727.md) - [Musician-Honoring Cassette Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/we001-elvis-presley-limited-edition.md) - [Modernized Mobile Cassette Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maxell-mxcpp100.md)