Thursday, May 29, 2008

(( RECOMMENDED )) CAN-collaborator Bruno Spoerri!

BRUNO SPOERRI Gluckskugel CD
"Finders Keepers presents the first ever collection of musical works of BRUNO SPOERRI, the mythical character who worked with members of legendary Krautrockers CAN, composed music for engineering companies and made motivational music for industrial sites and factories utilising concrete techniques, primitive sampling techniques and contemporary experimental psych-rock and funk musicians..."

Another strange and beautiful import from Finders Keepers Records. Graham Massey of 808 State calls the collection "German yet fun, Willy Wonka buys the Mercedes plant, bubble perms and industrial drills." This is a highly imaginative, very European work that should appeal to fans of library music and proto-industrial sounds.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

((((( New Arrivals: DVD ))))) Tim & Eric's Awesome Show

TIM & ERIC'S AWESOME SHOW GREAT JOB! DVD
*** The first season of the infamous series produced by BOB ODENKIRK and the fellows from TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR. Brilliant. Damaged.

((((( New Arrivals: Vinyl ))))) Portishead, Egyptian Lover and reissues

AIR Moon Safari LP
*** BACK IN STOCK! Repressed on vinyl, Air's debut featuring "Sexy Boy."

BEACH HOUSE Devotion 2xLP
*** NOW ON VINYL!

DE LA SOUL Shoomp 12"
*** Repress produced by J DILLA.

EGYPTIAN LOVER The Alezby Inn 12"
*** Two versions of the title track and "Sexy Style" on the b-side.

EGYPTIAN LOVER The Lover 12"
*** Long version and radio edit of the title track and "I Want To Make Love" on the b-side.

PORTISHEAD Three 2xLP
PORTISHEAD Machine Gun 12"
*** NOW IN STOCK! The new album and single: all killer, no filler.

SMASHING PUMPKINS Siamese Dream 2xLP
*** BACK IN PRINT!

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Spiritualized, Islands, Nigeria 70

v/a NIGERIA 70: Lagos Jump CD
*** Subtitled "Original Heavyweight Afrobeat Highlife & Afro-Funk." The original Nigeria 70 comp was limited and flew outta' here. And SOLID!

JOHN CALE & TERRY RILEY Church Of Anthrax CD
*** BACK IN PRINT! The poppest thing Terry Riley ever did. Classic Cale that's been available only on vinyl for the last several years.

FREE KITTEN Inherit CD
*** KIM GORDON (Sonic Youth), JULIE CAFRITZ (Pussy Galore), and YOSHIMI (Boredoms) release their fourth album. Bossa nova rhythms run through a Kosher meat grinder. Travelogues of a Lord Buckley-like subconscious mind. "In short, the thematic eclecticism evinced in Free Kitten's present work is a movie that doesn't lie, because truth is its standard."

JOHN HIATT Same Old Man CD
*** "The brand new album featuring 'Love You Again' and 'Old Days'."

ISLANDS Arm's Way CD
*** New album by former-UNICORNS. Gone is some of the goofiness with earnestness and fancy arrangements in its place.

JOY DIVISION / A CERTAIN RATIO / THE TEARDROP EXPLODES / OMD Live At Leigh Festival 2xCD
*** A 2xCD set that captures all four bands recorded live on the third day of the legendary 3-day Leigh Rock Festival, UK in August 1979.

NEON NEON Stainless Style CD
*** "The debut album from BOOM BIP and GRUFF RHYS (Super Furry Animals) featuring SPANK ROCK, YO MAJESTY, and FAT LIP."

PROFESSOR LONGHAIR Tipitina 2xCD
*** Subtitled: The Complete 1949-1957 New Orleans Recordinds. "Put together for the first time on one album: all of Professor Longhair's recordings from 1949 to 1957, the very ones that had major influence on New Orleans music from the fifties to this day."

SPIRITUALIZED Songs In A&E CD
*** A rather moving sixth outing by J. Spaceman and his most cohesive, written on an acoustic before becoming severely ill and finished after recording the soundtrack to HARMONY KORINE's new film.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

(( RECOMMENDED )) Prog Is Not A Four Letter Word

v/a PROG IS NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD CD
"Forget such flamboyant cover stars such as Genesis, Yes and ELP -- what of the truly progressive international rock musicians who started their own hybrid-hurricanes outside the rectangular iris of Prog's media storm? What about the unintentionally progressive musicians from the far reaches of the globe who were forced to create their own brand of psychedelic rock in a country shielded from the influence of the western world? Even though most of the 15 tracks on this compilation were recorded over 30 years ago they still, individually embody a wide range of challenging progressive musical ideas which are as relevant today as they were when the vinyl first came off the press in each of their scattered countries of origin."

The brilliance of this compilation is so intense, one can't help but me tanned by the brilliant light! Artists: Picchio dal Pozzo, Visitors, Baris Manco, Phillipe Besombes Drugi Nacin, Bran, Breakout, Martin Kratochvil, San Ul Lim, Egg, 3 Hurel, Illes, Jean Claude Vannier, Embryo, Czerwone Gitary, Jazz Q.

Monday, May 19, 2008

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: DVD ))))) The National documentary & bonus "EP"

THE NATIONAL A Skin, A Night / The Virginia EP DVD+CD
*** "A Skin, A Night is a one-hour film on the making of Boxer with exclusive documentary + live footage. The Virginia EP is 12 songs: unreleased tracks, b-sides, demos + live recordings."

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) Mi Ami, Mountain Goats, The Beatles, Jay Reatard & Tool

THE BEATLES The Beatles (White Album) 2xLP
*** Repressed, believe it or not.

MI AMI African Rhythms 12"
*** "The debut 12-inch by San Francisco's MI AMI. Through three tracks and roughly 18 minutes, Mi Ami call to mind the finest early Rough Trade groups, from the Pop Group to the Prats, where it wasn't uncommon to sink a dubbed-out bass line into a wall of guitar noise. Featuring two members of BLACK EYES. Limited to 400 copies."

MOUNTAIN GOATS Heretic Pride LP
MOUNTAIN GOATS The Sunset Tree LP
MOUNTAIN GOATS Tallahassee LP
*** NOW ON VINYL!

JAY REATARD Painted Shut / An Ugly Death 7"
*** The second in a series of limited Jay Reatard 7"s which will eventually make up his Matador debut album. Don't sleep!

TOOL Undertow 2xLP
TOOL Opiate LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Scarlett Johansson, Orchestra Baobab, Mates Of State & more

v/a RADIO MYANMAR (BURMA) CD
*** "With the authorities attempting to control all information coming into or leaving the state, rarely does the world catch a glimpse inside Burma. Due in part to the near-blackout of all foreign music on state airwaves, the few FM stations that do exist in Yangon and Bago divisions, transmit a rather bizarre assortment of music from 7am to 9pm: synth ballads, hip-hop jingles, and internationally popular songs re-recorded in Burmese. This is a special opportunity for listeners to hear for themselves the sounds, rhythms, and voices of urban Burma's radio experience, unfiltered by the international press or state-spokesmen."

DRESDEN DOLLS No, Virginia CD
*** "A collection of unheard treasures from the vault of the punk cabaret taken from Yes, Virginia sessions & featuring new songs from the winter '08 sessions."

DUFFY Rockferry CD
*** Sometimes referred to as "the new Dusty Springfield," this Welsh soulstress is tearing charts apart between the UK and USA.

ELBOW The Seldom Seen Kid CD
*** UNCUT said "Their latest effort deserves to trigger a large-scale love affair. Elbow are at the top of their game."

SCARLETT JOHANSSON Anywhere I Lay My Head CD
*** "Inspired versions of 10 TOM WAITS songs. Produced by David Andrew Sitek of TV ON THE RADIO."

MATES OF STATE Re-arrange Us CD
*** Lush new album on Barsuk.

MISSION OF BURMA Signals, Calls & Marches CD+DVD
MISSION OF BURMA Vs. CD+DVD
MISSION OF BURMA The Horrible Truth About Burma CD+DVD
*** Fully remastered from the original tapes, these three Mission Of Burma recordings have been out-of-print for some time. Now on Matador Records, these include bonus tracks, 32-page booklets, and a DVD containing a full-length concert.

GARY NUMAN Replicas Redux 2xCD
*** Two-disc extended 2008 tour edition of Gary Numan's landmark album containing and a 14-track bonus disc of early versions.

OLD 97'S Blame It On Gravity CD
*** "First new album in 4 years!"

ORCHESTRA BAOBAB Made In Dakar CD
*** The New York Times says, "There isn't likely to be a more buoyant or affirmative-sounding release this year."

QUIET VILLAGE Silent Movie CD
*** "Influenced by Italian film soundtracks, BBC library music, disco edits, acid rock, vintage soul and easy listening, they combine the most unlikely elements -- bluesy guitar, chamber strings, air-raid sirens, shuffling breakbeats, even flutes and seagull cries -- into an hour-long reverie."

NINA SIMONE Nina Simone Sings The Blues / Silk & Soul 2xCD
*** Two separate albums slapped together for a price more reasonable than that of their reasonably priced single editions.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. / The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle 2xCD
*** Two separate albums slapped together for a price more reasonable than that of their reasonably priced single editions.

WE ARE SCIENTISTS Brain Thrust Mastery CD
*** "Following their debut and numerous rehab stints, We Are Scientists are bringing back the brain thrust mastery. Where did it go? I don't know. But now it's back. Thanks to We Are Scientists. Thanks, We Are Scientists!!"

THE WEDDING PRESENT Present El Rey CD
*** "The first new studio album from The Wedding Present in three years!!!!!! Recorded by STEVE ALBINI."

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: DVD ))))) Arthur Magazine presents... Paradise Now

PARADISE NOW: A COLLECTIVE CREATION OF THE LIVING THEATRE by Marty Topp DVD
*** "Arthur Magazine proudly presents our newest release Paradise Now: The Living Theatre in Amerika DVD featuring rare, never-before-distributed films and a bacchanal of revolutionary multimedia documents from The Living Theatre's historic and influential '68-'69 American tour. A fulminating art-meets-life installation brought to you in collaboration with The Living Theatre, The Ira Cohen Akashic Project and Saturnalia Media Rites of the Dreamweapon. Transform your living, work or performance space... hit play, but don't say we didn't warn you! DVD includes: Paradise Now: The Living Theatre in Amerika (1969) a film by Marty Topp, produced by Ira Cohen for Universal Mutant; Emergency (1968) a film by Gwen Brown, featuring precious footage of Living Theatre productions Mysteries and smaller pieces, Paradise Now, and Frankenstein; rare photographs of Paradise Now at Brooklyn Academy of Music by Don Snyder; the map of Paradise Now, a 14'' x 19'' double-sided, commemorative poster + 'zine including texts by Antonin Artaud, Julian Beck, Judith Malina, Ira Cohen and Don Snyder."

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: vinyl ))))) Ghostly, Bjork, Joy Division, Panda Bear & more

v/a DEATH IS NOTHING TO FEAR 4 12"
*** Ongoing Spectral limited pressing series featuring ALEXI DELANO & FRANCISCO ALLENDES, KILL (aka KILL MEMORY CRASH), TNT (aka OSBORNE and JAMES T COTTON), and DASO.

BJORK Volta 2xLP
*** NOW ON VINYL!

CLARK Ted EP 12"
*** UK-only Warp release. "The title track is complimented by an otherworldly remix by lauded producer BIBIO whose fans include BOARDS OF CANADA. The Body Riddle reinterpretations offer some pretty psychedelic parallels and the new tracks meld together to complete this richly textured EP."

THE CONGOS Heart Of The Congos LP
*** REISSUE!

DASO & PAWAS Det 12"
*** "Slowly moving and turning, Det is the sonic equivalent to watching the ocean. Great changes are constantly occuring, but the overall result is of a certain peace." House/techno on Ghostly.

MATTHEW DEAR Ep1 12"
MATTHEW DEAR Ep2 12"
MATTHEW DEAR Dog Days 12"
*** Limited edition represses of early Matt Dear records.

GOBLIN Dawn Of The Dead LP
*** BACK IN STOCK! Best cover ever and the music is tops.

JOY DIVISION Unknown Pleasures LP
JOY DIVISION Closer LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

PANDA BEAR Person Pitch LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

THE ROOTS Rising Down 2xLP
*** NOW ON VINYL!

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) international obscurities, hometown heroes, and more

v/a BEAT AT CINECITTA Volume 1 CD
*** "A sensual homage to the most raunchy, erotic filmmusic from the vaults of Italian 60s & 70s cinema."

v/a BOLLYWOOD STEEL GUITAR CD
*** "Bollywood Steel Guitar is the most comprehensive collection to date of steel guitar pop instrumental music from India. All 21 tracks featured here were film hits from 1962-1986."

v/a OBSESSION CD
*** "Hotly tipped obscure psych compilation ranging from 1967 to 1973, and from countries such as Turkey, Uruguay and Peru, these are some of his rarest acquisitions over decades of record collecting. Includes some information about each band, even though some of it was practically impossible to track down."

APPARAT Things Frickled 2xCD
*** "A double CD release compiling a fine collection of Apparat's remix work. Things To Be Frickled presents a new motion in electronic music that takes both steps: loops/tracks/club music vs. songwriting, soundscapes, and new ways of experimenting and understanding what is possible with bits and bytes, instrument(al)s and vocals."

CHRISTOPHER BISSONNETTE In Between Worlds CD
*** "Using orchestral sound sources as well as field recording to manipulate and process, Bissonnette has crafted a symphony of six movements, with melodies as ghostly apparitions that fade in and out of view. Recorded as spontaneous mixes, these compositions maintain a sense of organic fluidity while creating passages of escalating tension."

THE BLACK ANGELS Directions To See A Ghost CD
*** "Austin’s darkest droners THE BLACK ANGELS are back with their second full-length release. With tidal rhythms and rasping epics, Directions To See A Ghost is a driving, psychedelic masterpiece that churns through the album’s 72 minutes and eleven tracks."

BOREDOMS Super Roots 9 CD
*** "Recorded live in 2004 on x-mas eve in Japan, featuring a 24-person choir alongside the group." Packaged in a custom-made mini gatefold LP style jacket, featuring artwork by Eye and a 40-page perfect bound booklet with music scores and notations."

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Narrow Stairs CD
*** DCFC's latest with 4/5 stars from Rolling Stone.

BILL FRISELL History, Mystery 2xCD
*** "On the two-disc History, Mystery, Frisell shuffles the pack and comes up trumps again—this time leading a strings, horns and drums octet in a 90-minute suite which roves between impressionistic divertissements, most of them lasting just one or two minutes, and full-on, extended, do-what-they-say-on-the-can band work-outs, which variously take in bop, post-bop, Malian desert blues, Delta blues, 1960s soul, urban groove and low slung rock."

THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS The Age Of The Understatement CD
*** One of the guys from ARCTIC MONKEYS. Very hot in the UK.

OSBORNE Osborne CD
*** "Osborne’s “Osborne” is a celebration of all that is good in American house and techno music: past, present and future."

SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE Sea From Shore CD
*** "School of Language is a new project from David Brewis of the band Field Music recorded alone and consciously susceptible to the cut-and-paste, multi-tasking tangents induced by laptop recording, these constructions are resolutely un-band-like, veering between the intricate and unplayable and the solitary and unadorned. "

SOM IMAGINARIO Som Imaginario CD
*** BACK IN STOCK! RECOMMENDED! Reissue of this album from 1970. "As Tropicalia took hold, and the unlikely sounds of funk, prog, psychedelic rock and lord knows what else were filtered through the unique sensibility of Brasil.....Som Imaginario! Bossa, Tropicalia and Samba meet Italian prog and Brit psych....western pop meets eastern soundtracks with DJ friendly beats breaking through all over the shop.... an album that was acclaimed on its release by a gobsmacked Herbie Hancock, and has to be heard to be believed."

CAETANO VELOSO A Little More Blue CD
*** "By the time this dour album was released in 1971, Veloso was in exile in the UK. Veloso's extreme bitterness and melancholy can be heard on every groove of this album, but don't let the gloomy atmosphere stop you from buying it; it is dripping with some of the best moments of saudade in the history of Brazilian music."