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The UFO Club, Self-Titled, 2012 on The Reverberation Appreciation Society
The UFO Club, Self-Titled, 2012 on The Reverberation Appreciation Society (in white vinyl with charcoal splatter). Debut from Christian Bland of The Black Angels and Lee Blackwell of The Night Beats Need to find the right 3D glasses for that cover image Via VNYL curation, maybe because I like 13th Floor Elevators? Pink Floyd? I…
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U.K. Squeeze, self-titled debut, 1978, A&M.
U.K. Squeeze, self-titled debut, 1978, A&M. U.K. Squeeze were known in the UK as Squeeze. My copy is on red translucent vinyl with promo labels. Yes, they made colored vinyl back in the 70s as well, it is not just a new hipster thing. Take Me I’m Yours and Strong In Reason are my favorites…
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Monday, August 10th, 2020
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Brandi Carlile, The Firewatcher’s Daughter, 2015 on ATO
Brandi Carlile, The Firewatcher’s Daughter, 2015 on ATO (label founded by Dave Matthews and Coran Capshaw). Another solid 2xLP release from Carlile and the Hanseroth Twins, including Wherever Is Your Heart, Mainstream Kid, and The Eye Via Magnolia Record Club
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David Sylvian, Secrets of the Beehive, 1987 on Virgin
David Sylvian, Secrets of the Beehive, 1987 on Virgin The third in a trio of brilliant post-Japan solo albums with Brilliant Trees (1984) and Gone to Earth (1986) with Ryuichi Sakamoto All three were reissued in 2019 on 180g vinyl (see davidsylvian.com) but this one is a 1987 pressing. Via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester…
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Various Artists, Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits, 2019 on Dualtone.
Various Aritsts, Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits, 2019 on Dualtone. Three sided release (4th side is just an etching). Great collection of Tom Waits covers, including Aimee Mann, Courtney Marie Andrews and Phoebe Bridgers
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Punch the Clock, 1983 on Columbia
Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Punch the Clock, 1983 on Columbia Everyday I Write the Book, Shipbuilding, King of Thieves – classic Elvis Costello I would have had no idea back then what a lifelong fan I’d become through all the variations, bands, genres, etc. Declan MacManus is a very talented dude.
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Nelly Furtado, The Ride, 2017 double LP on Nelstar.
Nelly Furtado, The Ride, 2017 double LP on Nelstar (her own label). If you only know Nelly Furtado from “I’m Like a Bird” you are missing out – this is a great album with Bobby Sparks and Adam Pickrell produced by John Congleton
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The Del Fuegos, The Longest Day, 1984 on Slash Records
The Del Fuegos, The Longest Day, 1984 on Slash Records My favorite Del Fuegos album: Back Seat Nothing, Have You Forgotten, Missing You. Both Dan Zanes and Warren Zanes have gone on to great things They had a reunion benefit show in 2011 at the Paradise which I alas missed
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John Grant; Grey Tickled, Black Pressure; 2015 on Bella Union / Partisan
John Grant; Grey Tickled, Black Pressure; 2015 on Bella Union / Partisan John Grant is one of my favorites of the 2010s – clever, original songwriting, my favorite male voice since Leonard Cohen, and always some unexpected twists. I think I first heard him on a KEXP podcast – probably GMF from Pale Green Ghosts…
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The Smithereens, Especially For You, 1986 on Enigma
The Smithereens, Especially For You, 1986 on Enigma Blood and Roses, Behind the Wall of Sleep, Strangers When We Meet. After this album was a hit they released an album (Green Thoughts) with a song titled Especially for You which is confusing as that song it isn’t on this album.
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Mavis Staples, If All I Was Was Black, 2017 on Anti-
Mavis Staples, If All I Was Was Black, 2017 on Anti- Beautiful release produced by Jeff Tweedy and featuring him on “Ain’t no Doubt About it” Believe seeing her open for Brandi Carlile at Madison Square Garden was my last big pre-covid show. This is a must-have collaboration by two great artists
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Sade, Promise, 1985 on Portrait
Sade, Promise, 1985 on Portrait (a CBS sublabel). The trio of Diamond Life (1984), Promise (1985), and Stronger Than Pride (1988) is unparalleled Sade Found this gem at an antique store in New Hampshire in January
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Jayhawks, Hollywood Town Hall, 1991 on Def American.
Jayhawks, Hollywood Town Hall, 1991 on Def American. Mine is the 2014 remaster & reissue on American Recordings (same label, newer name), which sounds great. (That’s the town hall of Hollywood Township MN)
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Fleetwood Mac, The Alternate Fleetwood Mac, 2019 on Reprise.
Fleetwood Mac, The Alternate Fleetwood Mac, 2019 on Reprise. 25 years after the 1975 self-titled release, which was itself their 10th LP and 2nd self-titled release. It was the first album with Stevie Nicks / Lindsey Buckingham Great early versions here of Landslide, Rhiannon. and Over My Head
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Big Star, Live In Memphis, 2014 on Omnivore Recordings
Big Star, Live In Memphis, 2014 on Omnivore Recordings Recorded in 1994 at the New Daisy Theatre I found Big Star via The Replacements’ song Alex Chilton
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Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Message, 1982 on Sugar Hill Records.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Message, 1982 on Sugar Hill Records. My intro to socially conscious hip-hop, circa 1982. “It’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under”
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Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Look Now, 2018 on Concord Records
Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Look Now, 2018 on Concord Records Costello’s first with The Imposters since Momofuku in 2008. Three songs cowritten with Burt Bacharach, one with Carole King Great album with shades of Imperial Bedroom