I keep reading everywhere that vinyl is making a come back. More and more people are turning to records because of the sound quality and the cool cover art. I feel a bit torn about this. On one hand it's great that the music industry can find a medium to make some more money (downloading or more accurately "stealing" is killing the industry) and I'm happy that this means that more record stores will pop up, but on the other hand it means more competition. Oh well, more competition means better product right? Either way as another example of how great record stores are and how great vinyl is, my good buddy Angeline and I hit a few on the Ave today and had a grand old time (as seen by Angeline modeling the newest Jenny Lewis LP). So even non record kids can enjoy a record store.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Record Stores Are Fun For Everyone!!
I keep reading everywhere that vinyl is making a come back. More and more people are turning to records because of the sound quality and the cool cover art. I feel a bit torn about this. On one hand it's great that the music industry can find a medium to make some more money (downloading or more accurately "stealing" is killing the industry) and I'm happy that this means that more record stores will pop up, but on the other hand it means more competition. Oh well, more competition means better product right? Either way as another example of how great record stores are and how great vinyl is, my good buddy Angeline and I hit a few on the Ave today and had a grand old time (as seen by Angeline modeling the newest Jenny Lewis LP). So even non record kids can enjoy a record store.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Sonics!
Wow that was a long time between posts. Sorry about that I hope it will not be a regular occurrence. I had a foul up with my computer and my camera but now I'm back! I've gotten way too many great things to put up in one post so I'm just going to try and hit some highlights. I've been getting some singles lately and I figured a nice way to come back is this gem.Boss Hoss/The Hustler
The Sonics are one of the coolest bands ever in my opinion. With basically only 2 albums (I don't count Introducing The Sonics as even they themselves called it garbage) of material they left an amazing legacy. They are loud nasty and wonderful. Enjoy the A-Side off their first release and the non-album track on the B-Side. Great stuff.
Boss Hoss - The Hustler
Password: recordfinds
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Dale Hawkins - Oh! Suzy - Q
This will be the first of what I hope will be many posts featuring complete albums or at least songs for you all to listen to. This is a great album, and a pretty rare and valuable album. I've actually had 2 of these at various times but sold one for a pretty penny and kept one for myself. Alot of you are probably familiar with the title song as either done by CCR or even by The Rolling Stones. This one is the original and it kicks. The rest of the album is more of the same. Great early rock and roll guitar that should make his fellow chess label mates Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley proud. Apparently the Chess brothers were considering putting this on their Argo subsidiery which is apparent by the back cover which has an Argo label number. Either way they changed their minds and although this didn't get a big pressing, it is amazing. So, sit back and enjoy this rare LP and an artist who probably deserved more.
Dale Hawkins - Oh! Suzy - Q
Password: recordfinds
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Beatles, Pearl Jam, Wailers, and More Eddie Vedder!
Sweet trip through the record stores of Seattle yielded the one that got away, the one that just came out, the stereo one I needed, and the coolest EP ever.
Into the Wild
I'm not going to review this album because the last time I listened to it I didn't like it. I'm going to listen to it again so if I end up liking it now I'll update this post. I will however say that I never should have been buying this album this late in the game. When this album first came out I actually happened to walk into Easy Street just browsing and had it in my hand because there was a sign saying "Limited Pressing One to a Customer" and it was Pearl Jam's front man. So I was going to buy it for 20 bucks and then thought "Why buy this, I don't like it!" So I put it back. Later the same day I realized it was going for 300 bucks on ebay and went back to the store. Too late. So this has plagued my mind every time I go to a record store. Not anymore! Sonic Boom had it still sealed (for more than 20 but tons less than 300). So I am now complete.
Vinyl Sealed/Cover Sealed
Outburst!
I love this album. It's 2nd only to "Wailers Wailers Everywhere!" as my favorite Wailers album. This is in their harder more rocking days and even though the first track begins like a Monkees song I promise the album is outstanding. I've always thought that The Wailers had really unique and interesting harmonies and you can see those here on the quieter tracks like "Think Kindly Baby." The standout rocker is the title track to their previous album "Out of Our Tree." United Artists must have wanted in on that as this was their first album on the new label. I really love the song "Hold" and it's psych-rock sound. Good stuff. This is the more valuable stereo pressing of the album to go along with the mono copy I already have. 2 more to go and I've got them all!
I love this album. It's 2nd only to "Wailers Wailers Everywhere!" as my favorite Wailers album. This is in their harder more rocking days and even though the first track begins like a Monkees song I promise the album is outstanding. I've always thought that The Wailers had really unique and interesting harmonies and you can see those here on the quieter tracks like "Think Kindly Baby." The standout rocker is the title track to their previous album "Out of Our Tree." United Artists must have wanted in on that as this was their first album on the new label. I really love the song "Hold" and it's psych-rock sound. Good stuff. This is the more valuable stereo pressing of the album to go along with the mono copy I already have. 2 more to go and I've got them all!
Vinyl EX+/Cover VG
Ten
I'm not going to write much about this album because I also got the Delux Edition that has this and much more and that will get its own seperate post. I had to get this as well because the cover is different than what I already have. I'm ridiculous. Awesome album features the mastered for vinyl by Bob Ludgwig audiophile pressing! Also includes a new mix of the album by their current producer that is really quite good. More in that post.
I'm not going to write much about this album because I also got the Delux Edition that has this and much more and that will get its own seperate post. I had to get this as well because the cover is different than what I already have. I'm ridiculous. Awesome album features the mastered for vinyl by Bob Ludgwig audiophile pressing! Also includes a new mix of the album by their current producer that is really quite good. More in that post.
Vinyl Sealed/Cover Sealed
Magical Mystery Tour
The coolest EP ever. This is the British version of the "Magical Mystery Tour" album or rather the American "Magical Mystery Tour" is our version of this British EP. When Parlophone offered Capitol this EP, they were sick of putting out EP's because nobody was buying them. So, they took this EP and added a series of singles to create the "Magical Mystery Tour" LP. The British version however is just side 1. It has two 45 rpm discs in it and a lyric book like we see in the LP. It's really a cool little package and even though I already had one, this was too cheap to pass up.
The coolest EP ever. This is the British version of the "Magical Mystery Tour" album or rather the American "Magical Mystery Tour" is our version of this British EP. When Parlophone offered Capitol this EP, they were sick of putting out EP's because nobody was buying them. So, they took this EP and added a series of singles to create the "Magical Mystery Tour" LP. The British version however is just side 1. It has two 45 rpm discs in it and a lyric book like we see in the LP. It's really a cool little package and even though I already had one, this was too cheap to pass up.
Vinyl VG+/Cover VG+
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Elvis! Car Rock! Stripes! Hillbillies!
It's hard to keep up with reviewing these albums! Some of these I may not talk too much about just to catch up. I'm also going to be throwing some vinyl rips on of some albums that I've gotten in the past that are worthy of a listen. So look for that. Anyway these albums are from Neptune Music on 45th and Brooklyn. I'm thinking of also doing some reviews of record stores as well so maybe I'll do that. This one I visit alot so it will definitely get a review.
Elephant
Already reviewed this one below. Found another here and couldn't pass it up. Colored vinyl! I'm a sucker.
Vinyl NM/Cover NM
Not my favorite Elvis album but this is an early effort and it is a first press. I wouldn't say that there are any big hits on this album and all in all it feels a bit disjointed. Not really a rocker and not really full of his better ballads. There are better.
Elvis
Not my favorite Elvis album but this is an early effort and it is a first press. I wouldn't say that there are any big hits on this album and all in all it feels a bit disjointed. Not really a rocker and not really full of his better ballads. There are better.
Vinyl VG-/Cover VG-
Big Hot Rod
This is a silly album. Typical of most of the crown releases this is some pretty generic surf rock. I enjoy the good surf rock of the 60's like The Impacts, Dick Dale, and The Ventures. but this was one I couldn't get myself to finish. After side 1 it was to the shelf for good for this one. Cool cover though.
This is a silly album. Typical of most of the crown releases this is some pretty generic surf rock. I enjoy the good surf rock of the 60's like The Impacts, Dick Dale, and The Ventures. but this was one I couldn't get myself to finish. After side 1 it was to the shelf for good for this one. Cool cover though.
Vinyl VG/Cover VG+
Muswell Hillbillies
This is the best album of the bunch. The last good Kinks album in my opinion. As I've mentioned before I think The Kinks are supremely underrated. From their first album, that I reviewed in the first post on this blog, to this one they were awesome. This continues on the transformation from pure rock and roll to folksy/country flavored ballads with the typical Davies lyrics and melodies. Great stuff. "20th Century Man" is awesome. "Complicated Life," "Alcohol," Muswell Hillbilly" all are great tracks as well. Definitely check it out. The problem with this release is the vinyl. The first pressing of Muswell is on RCA's new "crappy flexible disc" vinyl. It's supposed to resist warping blah blah blah. It's just supremely thin and you feel ripped off buying it. I had forgotten about it until I picked this up. I may go and buy a 180 gram re-release to listen to and put this one away. Awesome album, 1st press not the best. Stupid RCA.
This is the best album of the bunch. The last good Kinks album in my opinion. As I've mentioned before I think The Kinks are supremely underrated. From their first album, that I reviewed in the first post on this blog, to this one they were awesome. This continues on the transformation from pure rock and roll to folksy/country flavored ballads with the typical Davies lyrics and melodies. Great stuff. "20th Century Man" is awesome. "Complicated Life," "Alcohol," Muswell Hillbilly" all are great tracks as well. Definitely check it out. The problem with this release is the vinyl. The first pressing of Muswell is on RCA's new "crappy flexible disc" vinyl. It's supposed to resist warping blah blah blah. It's just supremely thin and you feel ripped off buying it. I had forgotten about it until I picked this up. I may go and buy a 180 gram re-release to listen to and put this one away. Awesome album, 1st press not the best. Stupid RCA.
Vinyl EX+/Cover VG
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Greatest Rock and Roll
Watched Korea destroy Venezuela tonight at the WBC but earlier today I picked up The Greatest Rock and Roll Atlantic 8001 which is a pretty great sampler of early Atlantic rock and roll. More when I get back.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
White Stripes! Pearl Jam with Neil Young!
Down in Los Angeles watching baseball this weekend but I did manage to find 2 great records down here at Amoeba which for as big as it is, is pretty picked through. They did have some MFSL Beatles albums i may regret not getting but nothing else really leapt out at me. Anyway I'll update this post and the last few when I get back. Go Team USA!
Mirror Ball
This is a pretty cool album that I'm a bit disappointed in myself for passing up for so long. I remember when this album came out back in 1995 and at the time I LOVED Pearl Jam (still do when they aren't being political). I didn't get really into Neil Young until fairly recently so back then I just bought the companion Merkin Ball which is basically a Pearl Jam single that Neil played on (it's definately worth a listen). This album substitutes Pearl Jam for Crazy Horse and is muddy, raw, and wonderful. The album was basically recorded live and it shows. It feels like somebody rolled tape on a jam session and this is the result. Pearl Jam is energetic and raw behind Neil's strong vocals. The album doesn't really break new ground for either performer but since Neil is considered the granddaddy of grunge and Pearl Jam perhaps the most successful artist to come out of the Seattle grunge scene, they mesh very well. The first track "Song X" sets the tone of muddy distorted guitars and chanted background vocals and is a great rocker. "Downtown" is also a great track. All in all something to consider if you're a fan of either of these artists. I will say that I hate the packaging. If you're going to have a double vinyl record, have space to put both records. A standard one opening jacket just doesn't cut it.
Vinyl NM/Cover NM
Elephant
I'll start off by saying I'm a huge Jack White fan. The Raconteurs are one of my favorite bands and he just has such a classic rock vibe to him, it's awesome. The White Stripes are obviously his more well known band with ex-wife Meg White. Everytime I listen to this album I can't imagine 2 people performing it live. I'd kill to see a White Stripes show. Anyway, this is my favorite Stripes album. It just feels more complete and less haphazard then the others and it has some awesome tracks. The whole album is great yet, the songs that really jump out at you are the songs that begin each side. "Seven Nation Army" is probably the most radio played song on the entire album and it deserves it, it's great. Yet, the best song on it is "Ball and Biscuit." This is straight up classic rock up there with Zeppelin, The Who, The Yardbirds and any other band hell bent on playing blues songs with harder more pounding riffs. I love it. If you've never heard it go buy this and skip side one and go right for side 2. You'll thank me. This album is also pretty cool because of the colored vinyl (which I took a picture of above, yes I own 2 of these) that features one white disc and one red disc. Later versions are pressed on normal black vinyl so be aware.
I'll start off by saying I'm a huge Jack White fan. The Raconteurs are one of my favorite bands and he just has such a classic rock vibe to him, it's awesome. The White Stripes are obviously his more well known band with ex-wife Meg White. Everytime I listen to this album I can't imagine 2 people performing it live. I'd kill to see a White Stripes show. Anyway, this is my favorite Stripes album. It just feels more complete and less haphazard then the others and it has some awesome tracks. The whole album is great yet, the songs that really jump out at you are the songs that begin each side. "Seven Nation Army" is probably the most radio played song on the entire album and it deserves it, it's great. Yet, the best song on it is "Ball and Biscuit." This is straight up classic rock up there with Zeppelin, The Who, The Yardbirds and any other band hell bent on playing blues songs with harder more pounding riffs. I love it. If you've never heard it go buy this and skip side one and go right for side 2. You'll thank me. This album is also pretty cool because of the colored vinyl (which I took a picture of above, yes I own 2 of these) that features one white disc and one red disc. Later versions are pressed on normal black vinyl so be aware.
Vinyl NM/Cover NM
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