View Larger Just copped the debut album from Savages, “Silence Yourself”. Already in love with them based on their classic post-punk sound and minimal yet effective visual aesthetic. First pressing comes on gorgeous cloudy clear vinyl. Do yourself a favor and “Silence Yourself”.
Atoms For Peace AMOK [2013, 180 gram. Ltd. 3000 copies]
Limited edition debossed foil-stamped triple gatefold version. Beautifully designed by UK firm Think Tank (click the link for thoughts from them on the process), the package features heavy foil stamping not only on the exterior gatefold (outside and in) but also on the sleeves that house the LP’s themselves. What makes this version also interesting is that it is the only one with a full lyric sheet.
I gave up on affordable obtaining a copy of this version on the LP after we sold out at the shop. On discogs and secondary resale sites they’ve been going for as much as $100, with $50-$60 being the norm. Luckily for me I stopped by Music Millenium in Portland before the drive back home and found a copy, and on sale nonetheless!
I expect this album to be in my top 10 at the end of the year. I’ve been a Radiohead / Thom Yorke fan since Pablo Honey and it would be safe to say that no other contemporary musician has influenced my tastes or myself more than Yorke.
“Before Your Very Eyes” is such a powerful opener.
(I also picked up a copy of Iamamiwhoami’s Kin LP, but the artwork is mostly just all black, including the labels. It does come with 12x12 booklet with this photo of Jonna Lee in different levels of brightness as well as a DVD of the video version of the album.)
View Larger Boss surprised me with an autographed copy of the latest Phoenix album, “Bankrupt!”. Pretty stoked.
Shout Out Out Out Out Spanish Moss and Total Loss
Heard about these guys via a music podcast and loved what I heard so I ordered it the next day from the shop. Little did I know how gorgeous the artwork would be! Double colored vinyl and amazing artwork by UK designer La Boca.
Kurt Vile Wakin On A Pretty Daze
Deluxe 2-LP version, limited to 3,500 copies in the US and sold exclusively through the Matador online store or Independent Music Stores. Vinyl is a beautiful clear deep blue and comes with two sided lyric sheet and a sticker sheet to customize your own cover.
Smoke Ring For My Halo was one of my favorite albums of 2011, so I am very excited to give this a spin, just had to share the artwork first. Pictured are: Cover, gatefold, sticker-sheet, lyric sheet, full color inner sleeves, LP’s and label detail.
Guards In Guards We Trust [2013]
I know this album is getting panned by a bunch of folks but I genuinely enjoy it. Check out them performing my favorite track off the album, “Not Supposed To” live at this years’ SXSW below.
My Bloody Valentine m b v [2013, MBV Records]
View Larger Somehow I managed to be lucky enough to purchase one of the ultra limited (100 copies) of the new Atoms For Peace 12” directly from Sonic Boom Records in Seattle. The cover is hand screen printed and the labels hand-stamped. Here’s the video explaining the release. Sonic Boom only allotted 30 of the total 100 to their webstore and sold out in four minutes. The b-side, “S.A.D.” is fantastic! Below is a crummy vinyl rip (the bass is blown out) of the track to give you an idea of the song.
View Larger First great album of 2013 in my opinion.
“Grown in hope, withered by trauma.”
Incredibly passionate and powerfully aggressive. Love it.
I was downtown after work today and a girl was holding out flowers to people passing by. The man in front of me moved out of the way as she extended a carnation out to her and kept walking. As I approached, she held the flower out to me and asked if I’d like a flower. I shyly smiled and took it, thanked her, and kept walking.
The stem had various messages tied to it. “Everything is okay.”, said two of them. Furthermore, “Thank you for not being numb, for not being as callous as all this concrete, for having a heart that still beats.” As I read it, I thought maybe I should turn around and thank the girl. But I felt myself tearing up. It was such a small gesture but felt so relevant.
I just keep thinking about it.
