Friday, December 12, 2014

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes


when i talk to people about the vinyl revival, they think that turntables are hard to find.  That's not true! Our friends at SoundStageDirect have a great selection and they make perfect Christmas gifts!

SoundStageDirect Turntable Store






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upcoming releases from our friends at MusicOnVinyl

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK - THE IMITATION GAME

Starring Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch and Matthew Goode, The Imitation Game portrays the race against time by Alan Turing and his team of top-secret British code-breakers during the darkest days of World War II. The film spans the key periods of Turing's life: his unhappy teenage years at boarding school; the triumph of his secret wartime work on the revolutionary electro-mechanical bombe that was capable of breaking 3,000 Enigma-generated naval codes a day; and the tragedy of his post-war decline following his conviction for gross indecency, a now-outdated criminal offence stemming from his admission of maintaining a homosexual relationship.

The soundtrack is composed by Golden Globe and Grammy Award winning French composer Alexandre Desplat, who burst onto the Hollywood scene in 2003 with his evocative score to Girl With The Pearl Earring. From this point on he contributed the soundtracks to a rich collection of highly successful movies such as Syriana, Golden Compass, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Twilight Saga: New Moon, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows (Part 1&2) and The King's Speech as well as Monuments Men.
  • 180 gram audiophile vinyl
  • Insert
  • First pressing of 750 numbered copies on red/white vinyl


ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK - THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

The Theory of Everything is the extraordinary and uplifting story of one of the world's greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, and of two people defying the steepest of odds through love. The film, based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking, is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (Man on Wire).

The score for The Theory of Everything is by Icelandic Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson who has composed music for many films including his recent work scoring director Denis Villeneuvue's film Prisoners and Josh C. Waller's McCanick. Jóhannsson's intricate compositions provide a stunning backdrop to the romantic drama about Stephen and Jane Hawking, portrayed in the film by Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables) and Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spider-Man 2).

Jóhann has released several solo albums on the labels 4AD and Touch and is equally at home writing commissioned works for contemporary ensembles such as Bang On A Can and Theatre of Voices as he is collaborating with artists like Barry Adamson; Finnish electro band Pan Sonic, Marc Almond, The Hafler Trio, the nom de musique of English avant garde composer Andrew M. McKenzie, CAN drummer Jaki Liebezeit and Stephen O'Malley of the drone metal band Sunn O))).
  • 180 gram audiophile vinyl
  • Gatefold sleeve
  • First pressing of 1000 numbered copies on transparent vinyl


HERBIE MANN - SURPRISES

Surprises is a beautiful Soul Jazz album by flutist Herbie Mann, featuring singer Cissy Houston. Released on Atlantic Records in 1976, the album peaked at #32 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart, #56 on the Billboard R&B Album chart, and #178 on the Billboard 200.

Emily "Cissy" Houston (born September 30, 1933) is an American Soul and Gospel singer. After a successful career singing backup for (albums of) such artists as Wilson Pickett, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, Donnie Hathaway, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin, she embarked on a solo career, winning two Grammy Awards for her work. She is the mother of the late Whitney Houston, aunt of Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price.

On September 29, 2014, at 81 years old, Cissy sang backup to a standing-ovation performance with Aretha Franklin of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep' and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" on the Late Show with David Letterman.  As the '76 liner notes say: "Cissy Houston. Only now is she beginning to emerge from her cocoon after so many years with the Drinkards and the Sweet Inspirations. Cissy...is showcased here like a star-in-waiting."
  • 180 gram audiophile vinyl
  • Insert


ROBBEN FORD - TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER

On his 1988 solo effort Talk To Your Daughter, singer/guitarist Robben Ford proves himself a master of sophisticated Blues-Rock guitar playing. The material is quite strong, and all the musicians perform at the highest level, but it's Ford's stellar soloing that makes this release. Fans of flailing '80s Rock virtuosos would do well to check out Ford's exceptional work on Talk To Your Daughter. The musician's colorful yet controlled improvising and harmonic mastery is a rare and beautiful sonic treat.

The title track is dripping with soulful, well-placed guitar lines that play like a master lesson of up-tempo blues phrasing that guitarists would do well to study. Other standouts include Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" (which was used in Clint Eastwood's feature film Pink Cadillac) and "Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues".

The fine arrangements and especially Vinnie Colaiuta's sharp drumming are all tightly wound with crisp, clear production that tops off the title track making it a shining success. The album also features Toto's Jeff Porcaro on drums on "I Got Over It". Listeners fond of Ford's work with the Yellowjackets and numerous side gigs, as well as guitarists and all musicians, should enjoy this very professional, succinctly executed offering. First rate!
  • 180 gram audiophile vinyl
  • Insert
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Carach Angren 'This Is No Fairytale' Pre-Order 

When cold sweat slowly trickles down your spine, goose-bumps crawl over your skin and your heart skips a beat as fear grips your throat in a firm choke hold then you have entered the realm of horror. CARACH ANGREN set out to claim the throne of this dark domain with their fourth full-length 'This Is No Fairytale'. The Dutch masters of horror metal have honed their weapons to sharp perfection. Flamboyant orchestral madness contrasts eerily with the icy buzzing of black metal inspired riffs coalescing into haunting melodies. Fiercely rasping vocals and the mercilessly rattling drums whip a terror-filled storyline forward into the waiting darkness. CARACH ANGREN once again step into an even more sinister dimension than before and even surpass the war-ridden nightmares portrayed on previous album 'Where The Corpses Sink Forever' (2012). CARACH ANGREN are ready to unleash the demons again in a dark tale of devilish witchcraft: 'This Is No Fairytale' is bound to put a spell on you and will continue to haunt your stereo for a long time to come.

Clear, solid blue & black mixed coloured vinyl in printed inner sleeve in gatefold displaying Ouija board inside. Limited to 150 copies worldwide. Available February 23, 2015

Pre-Order at SeasonOfMist

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Portastatic 'The Summer of the Shark' Vinyl Reissue

Portastatic’s The Summer of the Shark is now available for the first time on vinyl as part of a monthly series of reissues to mark the 25th anniversary of Merge Records.

Mac McCaughan, co-founder of Merge Records and frontman of the band Superchunk, began recording solo albums under the name Portastatic in the early ’90’s. Beginning with this album, Portastatic evolved from a lo-fi side project to become McCaughan’s main focus throughout Superchunk’s long hiatus in the early ’00s.

McCaughan wrote the songs on The Summer of the Shark in 2001 while Superchunk was on tour in support of Here’s to Shutting Up, which was released mere days after the September 11 attacks and would be the band’s last studio album for nine years. The resulting batch of songs was the last Portastatic album recorded almost entirely at home; it was also the most emotionally resonant and musically compact collection to date.

Upon the album’s release, then Chicago Tribune reporter John Cook wrote of the album: “It is the most effective and moving musical answer yet to what has happened to us over the last two years. Faced with an enormous catastrophe, McCaughan elected to make a small record. There are no heroes rushing up stairwells and no dissections of good and evil—only scared, confused people and local heartbreaks.”

Recorded at McCaughan’s home studio in Chapel Hill, The Summer of the Shark includes contributions from Janet Weiss (Wild Flag, Quasi, Sleater-Kinney), Tony Crow (Lambchop), Margaret White (Versus, Matt Pond PA), Matthew McCaughan (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger), Aaron Oliva, and John Plymale.

LP is pressed on white vinyl, and includes a coupon for a full download.

Order at MergeRecords

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Ian Humberstone and David Chatton Barker 'Two Witches'

Folklore Tapes go back to where it all began with a timely reissue of the debut title on the label, David Chatton-Barker and Ian Humberstone's Devon Folklore Tapes originally started life as a cassette housed inside a second hand hardback book hand made in an edition of 30 copies by David at the Finders Keepers office in Manchester sometime in 2011. Championed by the likes of Demdike Stare (who went onto release part of this cassette on there Pre-Cert Home Entertainment imprint) Two Witches is an eerie conceptual aural score representing the Devon residents Hannah Henley and Mariann Voaden, two 19th Century Devonshireites notorious for practicing witchcraft, the results come across somewhere between the spiky female post-punk group The Fates and the spellbinding soundtrack 'Valerie and Her Week Of Wonders' all with a 'Wicker Man' edge, from here the researchers went onto release searching works from Paper Dollhouse, Anworth Kirk, Children Of Alice, Magpahi & Sam Mcloughlin all looking to the myths surrounding Great Britain’s extensive past.
  • Pressed on twin ten-inch vinyl
  • Includes a research Booklet & comes housed in manilla hand stamped & numbered gatefold paper sleeve designed by David Chatton-Barker
  • Includes a download code redeemable from the label
Order at Bleep

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Pre-Order WITCHERY 'Symphony For The Devil' (Clear 2LP)

Witchery is a Swedish thrash/speed metal band, formed by former members of Satanic Slaughter in 1997. Witchery quickly gathered a cult following with their combination of serious, technical thrash metal and all topics "dead". Their strictly tongue-in-cheek humour, often involving executions, murder, necrophilia, resurrections and other morbid topics can be spotted in song titles and album names as well as in their very own mascot - an animated skeleton called "Ben Wrangle."

Symphony For The Devil is Witchery's third full-length studio album. It was released in 2001 and has received underground acclaim from metal fanzines and webzines. The album continues in the style of previous Witchery releases, with thrash metal riffing and solos, but with a black and death metal influence. This album sees Martin Axe of Opeth on drums, after the departure of former Witchery drummer Mique.

Release date: January 20 2015

Pre-Order at TheOmegaOrder

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vinyl news from the wall street journal:


The Biggest Music Comeback of 2014: Vinyl Records - Sales of LPs Surge 49% but Aging Factories Struggle to Keep Pace
















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great review from the uk:


T Rex: The Vinyl Collection review – proof that Bolan’s genius went beyond the hits






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from the great state of texas:


Vinyl Lives: Breakaway Records – Austin, Texas











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from the great state of michigan:


Last minute gift guide: The vinyl frontier










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from the great state of delaware:


Former Delaware Chrysler worker finds new life in classic vinyl






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vinyl news from ireland:


Vinyl attraction: the format they just can't kill - LP sales are at a two-decade high and it's thanks to a whole new generation






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from our friends at SlyVinyl


Tjutjuna – Westerner // Limited to 200 Black Vinyl LP






Anti Pony – I Go Places // Limited to 250 Colored Vinyl 7″






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The Ocean Announces "Fluxion" 10th Anniversary Re-Release










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Dan Deacon announces new album, Gliss Riffer











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Vinyl on Demand release massive 13-record industrial and avant-garde box-set








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You Can Buy the Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace on Vinyl







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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 12/01 - 12/07, 2014




Vinyl Top 25

1. Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. Yo La Tengo - Extra Painful
3. Jack White - Lazaretto
4. She & Him - Classics
5. Frank Sinatra - Jolly Christmas
6. Pink Floyd - Endless River
7. AC/DC - Rock Or Bust
8. TV On The Radio - Seeds
9. The War On Drugs - Lost In The Dream
10. Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
11. Walk The Moon - Talking Is Hard
12. Songs: Ohia - Didn't It Rain
13. Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways
14. Jason Isbell - Southeastern
15. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2
16. Andy Stott - Faith In Strangers
17. Fugazi - First Demo
18. Various - Motown Christmas
19. Dave Brubeck - A Dave Brubeck Christmas
20. The Head & The Heart - The Head & The Heart
21. The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
22. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
23. Wilco - Alpha Mike Foxtrot
24. Steelism - 615 To Fame
25. Fly Golden Eagle - Quartz Bijou

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for shits and giggles:


A whole universe of Daft Punk-inspired Lego could be on the way






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weekend reading from rolling stone:


50 Best Songs of 2014 -  Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar and the singles that shook our year