Now available for pre-order, Suede’s ‘Dog Man Star – 20th Anniversary Live At The Royal Albert Hall’ (Deluxe Edition). Presented as a 4LP heavyweight vinyl + 2CD set & packaged in a lavish 32 page photo-album style 12″x12″ hardback book, the set chronicles the 2 hour set performed by the band in March 2014 as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Strictly limited to 2,000 copies worldwide, essential for fans & collectors. Suede’s second album, originally released in October 1994, often has the word “masterpiece” attached to it. A dazzling album, its creation brought about the end of the band’s original line-up, with Bernard Butler departing before the album was finished.
Suede decided to stay together following their ‘one-off’ 2010 concert for Teenage Cancer Trust. When asked by the charity to perform again at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2014, the band took the opportunity to play “Dog Man Star” in its entirety, accompanied by a string section. For the hour-long encore, the band played four “Dog Man Star” b-sides, and then delighted the audience further by playing a selection of their greatest hits.
The two-hour concert is presented across four 12” LPs and also on two CDs, in a large photo-album style book that also contains 32 pages of Paul Khera’s stunning photography from the concert. Alongside a lengthy review of the concert by journalist Mark Beaumont, Brett Anderson has written a special note for this release.
Good things come in small, strange packages—like the debut self-titled by Brisbane, Australia’s DEAFCULT, a six-piece guitar group of powerful proportions. Their enamored yet violent flow persists without interruption on the seven tracks contained, reaching a satiated climax by the closing track “TURING.” Unison male-female vocals just barely make themselves known above a bed of roaring treble and blistering bass, calling to mind the late-80s power-pop shoegaze of bands likeGalaxie 500andMy Bloody Valentine. Breaking away from the dreamy consistency of those free-flowing, listless records, however, DEAFCULT possesses absolute urgency, seemingly responding to an impending sense of doom.
Despite the bleak ambiguity of seething chord progressions that bend and blur into one another as an often indecipherable droning, particularly on tracks “AKIRA” and “HEATHEN FLOW,” the record maintains an air of defiant positivity, expressing exhilaration and euphoria in the face of possible peril. It’s most clear on “SAFETY MATCHES,” a tranquil number that picks up with an oceanic humming of guitars and one buoyant bassline before submitting to the controlled chaos that defines this record. “TURING,” to be featured on Beko Disques forthcoming compilation Do It Better Volume 2.
An experimental surf instrumental version of The Velvet Underground’s “I’m Waiting For The Man”. From the album “Nico and The Velvet Underground”. The Kettering Vampires (previously Otter Sandwich) one fated morning, musical history was (almost) born. The band (Lenny Ninja Snake on lead guitar and ostrich guitar, Neil Ska on prepared piano and ostrich prepared piano, the superbly named Jack Darkness on bass guitar and prepared bass guitar and Minnie Bannister on drums, ostrich spoons and prepared ostrich spoons) were poised to create a musical masterpiece in this, an instrumental surf version of some obscure and previously unheard of album named ‘Nico And The Velvet Underground’. Despite Jenkins putting together a stage show extravaganza for the band called The Unexpected Vegetable Incident ( ‘basically we projected cabbages over the band and sometimes a man in leather trousers would come on and juggle onions; the press loved it, it was a big hit everywhere’) the band imploded, personal and musical differences splitting the group at the height of their powers (not helped by the antics of the avant gardist Neil Ska moving on from playing ‘treated pianos’ to trying to play things like a treated tank full of penguins). So the story goes and so here we have it; a surf guitar version of that album. And it is as you would expect from such a concept; utter genius.
Opening with ‘European Son’, the Duane Eddy/ Dick Dale guitars pleasingly suit the material perfectly. Bursts of xylophone and mellotron complete the picture as Lou Reed’s paean to decadence takes a different path into a strident ‘hit the beach’ vibe. Likewise ‘The Black Angel’s Death Song’, transformed into a church organ and chattering modular synth epic, leads into a Del-Tones take on ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’ – and it works like a dream. It is actually a tribute to Reed’s songwriting that his melodic sense is so easily transferable to another genre; it is also a testament to The Kettering Vampires who manged to stop squabbling long enough to record this opus. ‘There She Goes Again’, always a 60’s beat song at heart, is ably and beautifully transformed into a twangy, tremeloed wonder; you really have to hear this! A somewhat trickier proposition for the Vampires must have been ‘Heroin’, however they go at this doomed anthem with gusto, creating a fifteen minute epic of sustained glacial church organ, building and layering reverberated guitar and, curiously, a real sense of joy. ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ is Nico as performed by The Shadows; if you never thought you wanted to hear that it turns out you were wrong, this is an absolute gem. Casio Tone keyboard finishes the track in style before ‘Run, Run, Run’ becomes an epic, widescreen Sergio Leone tinged revelation.
Ram is a studio album by recording artists Paul and Linda McCartney, released 17th May 1971 on Apple Records.The album was recorded amid Paul McCartney’s legal action in Britain’s High Court to dissolvethe Beatles‘ partnership, following their break-up the year before. The only album credited to the couple, Ram was the second of two albums that McCartney released between quitting the Beatles and forming his own band, Wings. He and Linda recorded it in New York with guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, and future Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. Its release coincided with a period of bitter acrimony between McCartney and his former bandmate John Lennon, who perceived verbal slights in the lyrics to songs such as “Too Many People“.
On release, the album was received negatively by the majority of music critics, although opinion has become more favourable in subsequent decades. A commercial success nonetheless, Ram topped the national albums charts in Britain, the Netherlands and Canada. Three singles were issued from Ram: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey“, which became McCartney’s first number 1 hit in America, “The Back Seat of My Car“ and “Eat at Home“. The album was reissued in May 2012.
“Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” is a fun song McCartney wrote about his real uncle Albert. The nonsensical lyrics pertain to the happy, sort of crazy things people do when they are in the company of their families. The song is actually relatable to all people who have had enjoyable times with their families – uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc. The joyous feel to “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” struck a chord with people overseas in America. The song quickly reached #1 on the billboard charts very shortly after it was released.
Paul McCartney and his family flew to New York City in October 1970 to begin working on the follow-up to McCartney.
While McCartney had featured him on every instrument, for Ram Paul decided to hold auditions for musicians, bringing some in under the guise of a session to record a commercial jingle. Auditions were held in an attic on 45th Street for three days,[where David Spinozza was tapped for guitar duties, after being asked by Linda, before auditions moved to a basement, where Denny Seiwell was recruited on drums. McCartney later claimed to have found Seiwell “lying on a mattress one day in The Bronx“. Midway through the sessions, Spinozza was replaced by Hugh McCracken when Spinozza became unavailable.
The basic tracks for the album were taped at Columbia’s Studio Bfrom 12th October to 20th November 1970 before the McCartneys returned to their Scottish farm for the Christmas holidays. Work continued at Studio B and A&R Recording Studios, New York, from the second week of January 1971 through to February. Playing guitar or piano and singing at the same time, Paul chose to overdub his bass later on. Although it was a collaborative project, Linda’s vocal duties were mostly limited to singing harmonies and backing Paul, who sang almost all of the lead parts; however, Linda sang co-lead vocals on “Long Haired Lady“. The New York Philharmonicwas brought in by McCartney to play on “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey“, “Long HairedLady“ and “The Back Seat of My Car“, as well as the McCartneys’ forthcoming, non-album single “Another Day“. Paul and Linda’s daughter, Heather, sang backing vocals on “Monkberry Moon Delight“.
In July 1971, Northern Songs and Maclen Music sued Paul and Linda McCartney for violating an exclusive rights agreement by collaborating on the song “Another Day“, released three months before Ram. Although six of the eleven songs on Ram were also co-written with Linda, both parties agreed the issue of royalties for the album could be decided at a later date.The lyrics to Paul McCartney & Wings’ classic “Another Day” which was originally released as a single in 1971, but never appeared on original copies of any album. Re-releases of the album Ram include “Another Day,” but it is also featured on their greatest hits albums. This particular recording came from Wingspan: Hits and History Disc 1
In June 1972, ATV announced that “all differences between them have been amicably settled” and Paul and Linda signed a new seven-year co-publishing contract between ATV and McCartney Music. The sessions also produced songs such as “Dear Friend”, released on Wings‘ debut album, Wild Life (1971), and “Little Woman Love“, as well as tracks featured on Wings’ 1973 albumRed Rose Speedway: “Get on the Right Thing“, “Little Lamb Dragonfly” and “Big Barn Bed“. It has recently surfaced that “I Lie Around”, issued as the B-side to Wings’ 1973 single “Live and Let Die”, was taped during the sessions. Also recorded was the first incarnation of “Seaside Woman“.
The album was mixed at Sound Recorders in Los Angeles. By early 1971, the project was completed, along with “Another Day” and its B-side, “Oh Woman, Oh Why“. In addition to the songs released on Ram and the first two Wings albums, McCartney recorded the following tracks during these sessions: “Hey Diddle”, “A Love for You”, “Great Cock and Seagull Race”,“Now Hear This Song of Mine”, “Rode All Night”, “Sunshine Sometime” and “When the Wind Is Blowing”.
In 2009, two tribute albums featuring all of the songs from the album were made available for digital download:
Ram On L.A was compiled by the website Aquarium Drunkard and featured Los Angeles-based acts.
Luna have announced a box set compiling their five albums from the ’90s called Luna: Long Players (92-99). In addition to the five reissued vinyl LPs, the box set will contain a sixth record, of Rarities, that compiles demos and B-sides. The box set will come in late fall/early winter via Captured Tracks.
The box set also features a 12×12 book with an interview with Dean Wareham conducted by director Noah Baumbach. Wareham and Baumbach have worked together in the past, with Wareham providing music for Baumbach’s 2005 film The Squid and the Whale, and acting in 2013’s Frances Ha.
Lunapark (1992) Bewitched (1994) Penthouse (1995) Pup Tent (1997) The Days of Our Nights (1999)
Rarities:
01 Egg Nog (from Time 7″, 1992)
02 Indian Summer (Beat Happening cover from Slide EP, 1993)
03 Ride Into the Sun (The Velvet Underground cover from Slide EP, 1993)
04 That’s What You Always Say (The Dream Syndicate cover from Slide EP, 1993)
05 Anesthesia (pre-Elektra Records demo, 1991)
06 In the Flesh (Blondie cover from In the Flesh 7″, 1997)
07 Bonnie and Clyde (Serge Gainsbourg cover, Penthouse bonus track)
08 I Know You Tried (unreleased demo from Bewitched sessions)
09 Roll in the Sand (from Outdoor Miner 7″, 1996)
10 Dear Paulina (from Dear Paulina 7″, 1999)
A Séance at Syd’s is an Anthology of Modern Acid-Folk-Haunt-Psych-Prog-Space-Kraut-Radiophonic-Rock Etcetera Quotes features over thirty of today’s leading figures in the world of… well, Modern Acid-Folk-Haunt-Psych-Prog-Space-Kraut-Radiophonic-Rock.
A collection of words, with and wisdom from some eighty different bands, performers, artists and label heads, heralds of and spokesmen of the sprawling mass of musical notions that have made this decade so unexpectedly enthralling
Forget all the doom and gloom that surrounds the music industry of today; forget the epitaphs that are written almost every day; and forget the widespread insistence that we’ve never had it so bad. Behind all those words, the modern music scene is actually pretty darned healthy.
No longer the Anglo-American hegemony that once held all the cards, contemporary music now drip feeds its sonics from every corner of the globe. This book interviews musicians from Portugal, France, Germany, Finland, Spain, Italy and Sweden,releasing their music in a variety of formats and across a wealth of platforms.
Once, the major labels held all-consuming sway, swatting aside any upstart indies that might challenge their dominance as though they were less than gnats. Today, it’s the majors who are the endangered species, as bands prove they don’t even need record labels any more.
Self releasing through Bandcamp, spotlighting on the Active Listener, financing via Kickstarter… those three sites (and they are by no means alone) could keep you discovering new music for the rest of your life.
The 300 page hardback edition containing two CDs that soundtrack the book with tracks Limited edition (100 copies) of Dave Thompson’s A Séance at Syd’s. 8-inch x 8-inch hardback book, matte laminated, 286 pages, two CDs plus bonus downloads.
“Born in the U.S.A.” was the seventh studio album by Bruce Springsteen, it was released on June 4, 1984. A critical and commercial triumph, it found Springsteen marking a departure in his sound.
30 years ago Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.” was released. the album had 7 hit singles which was an unheard of feat for a rock album, and this was released during the wake of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video,it went on to win a whole new generation of fans . During the span of their 17 month tour in 1984 and ’85, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band sold out Giant’s Stadium 6 times, and could have doubled that. For a decade they had the reputation as the best live band, now millions were seeing it.
Just about every song on the album was a chart topper and 10 million copies later most are still live staples to this day. For example the title track “Born In The U.S.A.”, which President Reagan infamously manipulated during his ’84 presidential campaign obviously without having a clue as to what the song was even about. Also “Glory Days”, “Dancing In The Dark”, and personal favorites “I’m on Fire” and “No Surrender”, which almost didn’t make the cut until guitarist Steve Van Zandt convinced Bruce otherwise. He brought American heartland rock to the mainstream which allowed greater success for artists such as John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, and Bob Seger.
“Born In The USA” was a departure from his normal book-like story albums with more of a grab bag of songs, some recorded during “The River” sessions and some, like Born In The USA, during the “Nebraska” sessions (that version can be heard on the box set Tracks and album 18 Tracks).”Born” was a follow up to “Nebraska”, a dark acoustic solo album built on snapshots of middle America
As for that iconic cover, some people thought it depicted Springsteen urinating on the flag. According to his book Songs denied it: “That was unintentional. We took a lot of different types of pictures, and in the end, the picture of my butt looked better than the picture of my face, that’s what went on the cover. I didn’t have any secret message. I don’t do that very much.”
Truth is with “Born In The U.S.A. he became a pop culture institution, with people still dressing up as 80’s Bruce for Halloween. But he has remained as true to himself as a musician of that caliber could be, I mean he’s still playing with the same group of friends he did with in the 70’s and 80’s and that’s saying something. Still pushing himself andthe E Street Band lyrically and music wise, is still gaining popularity around the world and continues to put out as Steve Van Zandt said “unnecessarily high quality” albums and songs.
As of yet there has been no announcement for a deluxe reissue as with previous albums, but “Born In The U.S.A.Live: London 2013″ was released as a bonus DVD with High Hopes on Amazon.
While the predecessor, the dark and acoustic “Nebraska” featured songs of pessimism and isolation, Born in the U.S.A.’s lyrics expressed signs of hope in the daily fight of the standard American in following the American Dream, a new feeling complemented by synthesized arrangements and a pop-flavored, radio-oriented sound that helped Springsteen to extend his popularity and appeal to mainstream audiences.
Ronald Reagan, during his 1984 re-election campaign, tried to coast on the rising popularity of Bruce Springsteen and Born in the U.S.A. :
“America’s future rests in a thousand dreams inside our hearts,” Reagan said at a stump speech in Hammonton, New Jersey. “It rests in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen.”
Has a song ever been so misunderstood? Maybe if he heard the following version he would have hesitated…
Born in the U.S.A. is not so different from Nebraska, it told stories of the same struggle, but this time it was set to a faster rhythm and accompanied by electric guitars (and The E-Street Band in top form). I played it a lot when it came out, bought all the singles (7 of them reached top 10!). Got the Maxi- single vinyl box and then the CD. These days I’m streaming the album on Spotify but the music is the same and it reminds me of 1984 every time I play it. Maybe it’s the production (those terribly sharp drums) or maybe it’s just a strong 1984 reference for me.
It took a while before I understood the seriousness of the lyrics, the songs where so happy or anthemic. I understand why Reagen made his mistake.
I still like the album, . When I do put in on the record player it always amazes me, the strong songs, the playing and the full force rock’n roll. Live , the songs shine even brighter!
They have been lifted up and sound thunderous in concert. Springsteen has embraced their anthemic nature and their happy feel in his live shows. He is not ashamed to give us a good time and to let us shout along.
Birthdays, Dear and Romantic Works back on vinyl due to popular demand.
Pianist, vocalist and heartbreaker Keaton Henson has announced that all three of his acclaimed and hugely popular full length LPs are to be repressed on vinyl. Henson’s 2011 debut Dear, reissued on vinyl by The Vinyl Factory earlier this year with a hand-signed print, will be repressed featuring three bonus songs not available on the original album.
Cementing his reputation at the vanguard of a new generation of songwriters in the Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith vein, Henson’s 2013 follow up Birthdays is also slated for repress, featuring three bonus tracks ‘Milk Teeth’, ‘If I Don’t Have To’ and ‘On the News’, which you can listen to below.
The series is completed by Henson’s stripped down instrumental suite Romantic Works, also released by The Vinyl Factory with a signed print in 2014. The repress will include the original bonus track ‘La Naissance’ and a remix by producer and composer Ulrich Schnauss.
All three represses are available now and are pressed on 180gram vinyl featuring artwork by Henson himself.
Watch our the one-shot video for ‘Party Song’ (taken from Dear)
Watch Keaton Henson’s stunning performance of ‘Party Song’ from his debut album Dear.
Ever since its official release in 2012 which saw all 1000 copies fly off the shelf, Keaton fans have continuously demanded a vinyl re-release of his cult heartbreak album Dear. The day has finally arrived – and could the timing be any better with Valentine’s Day just around the corner?
To mark the release, we invited Keaton to our Brewer Street Car Park Space for a secret gig. Featuring Harry Cameron-Penny on bass clarinet and recorded using Shure KSM141 microphones, watch his mesmerising and achingly beautiful performance of ‘Party Song’ in the film above.
Released by The Vinyl Factory, the Dear reissue features all the tracks from the original album plus three ‘re-produced’ bonus tracks. The edition comes housed in a bespoke matt sleeve with spot UV debossed artwork and an exclusive fine art print by Keaton himself, individually hand numbered and signed.
In May 2014, three decades after the Jesus and Mary Chain first appeared on the scene in an explosion of noise, leather and attitude, it was announced that the Mary Chain, one of the most turbulent groups in pop history, would be performing their classic debut album Psychocandy live in its entirety for the first time to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. Psychocandy. Live. Barrowlands. Due to the increased demand, our manufacturers were not able to fulfil all the quantities on red vinyl. But there will be 340 copies available in red from selected stores in the UK only. The red copies will be stickered. Exclusive to the first 300 fans to preorder the boxset from the official Jesus & Mary Chain store , the boxset will come with a A4 setlist poster signed by the band. Strictly limited to first 300 orders worldwide.
By November 2014, the first Psychocandy shows were underway. They were both deafening and blinding, sound and light practically being used as weapons against the mesmerised crowd, and as the smoke unfurled and great tides of feedback rose and crashed everyone present surrendered to it all over again.
This Deluxe package is a true collector’s item chronicling the bands homecoming gig at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowlands Ballroom, celebrating the tour that has propelled the band across the globe and back into the hearts and minds of faithful worldwide.
Within the 40-page hardback book package you’ll find a strictly limited edition LP of the Pyschocandy performance cut to 180-gram heavyweight black vinyl by engineer Noel Summerville (MBV / Pistols) as well as the 7 track prelude set containing key singles and fan favourites including ‘April Skies’, ‘Head On’ and ‘the monstrous ‘Reverence’ cut to a bespoke 10” entirely exclusive to the package. Also included is a CD of the entire performance, a candid interview with Brothers Jim & William Reid as well as Alan McGee about the Anniversary Tour and the future, and pages of unseen photography from behind the scenes.
The Jesus and Mary Chain‘s iconic Psychocandy celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. In its honor, the band embarked on a short run of UK showsat which they performed the album in full. The first of these dates took place last November at the Barrowlands Ballroom in Glasgow, and marked the band’s first live appearance since 2008. Now, the Jesus and Mary Chain continue their anniversary celebration with Live At Barrowlands, a 10” + LP + CD deluxe package featuring the concert in its entirety, along with a book, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and more. It arrives July 31 via Demon Records, with a CD-only version planned for later this year.
In addition to the live LP, Live at Barrowlandscomes packaged with a 40-page hardback book, as well as a CD loaded with the JAMC’s set, plus extra content (interviews, behind-the-scenes photos). The 10”, meanwhile, features an assortment of tracks (“April Skies”, “Head On”, “Reverence” engineered by legendary engineer Noel Summerville (My Bloody Valentine, The White Stripes).
Find the setlist for the Barrowlands show below.
The Jesus and Mary Chains:
April Skies
Head On
Some Candy Talking
Psycho Candy
Up Too High
Reverence
Upside Down
Just Like Honey
The Living End
Taste The Floor
The Hardest Walk
Cut Dead
In A Hole
Taste Of Cindy
Never Understand
Inside Me
Sowing Seeds
My Little Underground
You Trip Me Up
Something’s Wrong
It’s So Hard
Last December an 11xLP vinyl box set from the Jesus and Mary Chain was released through Demon Music Group, marking the band’s 30th anniversary, Along with all six of JAMC’s studio records, the set will collect a live album, a 2xLP set of BBC studio sessions, an LP of B-sides and rarities, a 32-page book of interviews and photos, and a poster.
All six of the Scottish noise pop legends’ studio LPs will be collected, remastered from original tapes, including 1985′s Psychocandy, 1987′s Darklands, 1989′s Automatic, 1992′s Honey’s Dead, 1994′s Stoned & Dethroned and 1998′s Munki. The included live album is 2003’s Live In Concert, recorded in 1992 and 1995, but on vinyl for the first time. The BBC Sessions 2xLP collects recordings from 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, and 1998. Check out the complete tracklist here.
The B-sides and rarities LP will be assembled based on votes from fans. Voting runs for a week starting today, here, where anyone can choose one of 80 different titles. Strangely enough, you can also upload a photo of your own face, while voting, for potential inclusion on the box set’s poster. The Complete Vinyl Collection will be available here. (Note: it does not appear to be available in the U.S.–you’ll have to ask an overseas friend to pick it up, along with your Morrissey book.)
Numbered and Limited LP boxset including the 6 Studio albums in their original formats remastered from original tapes and pressed on heavyweight vinyl from lacquers.
