I am inherently an optimist

One has to assume that one's understanding of current reality

is in an agreeable state with one's remembrance of the past reality

This is hardly ever true. People gravitate towards recordings because it represents permanence.  People crave permanence. Recordings allow nostalgic memories to become concretized in so much as any memory can be concretized via cross-connecting pathways with 'reality sensors'. Such as a strong memory in response to a smell. 
Project Update: Since making this recording I have installed an air-filter in my basement. I can not remember how this album smelled. But it did not sound like this. We used a lot of effects and shit.  Who did the artwork? This Guy