Not entirely, but the week’s new-not-new has quite a dark energy going on.
We start the week with sunshine loveliness and the cult Spanish band, Los Z-66. Originally released in 1969, this self-titled LP is actually a compilation of tracks previously issued as 45s. A euphoric mix of pop, sunshine psychedelia and swooping soul sounds, it’s just absolutely sublime stuff. Had this on loop over the weekend, it is honestly total feel-good grooves.
+ Available for the first time in ages and now enhanced with two bonus songs not included on the original release.
Strange But True is a collaborative album from Jad Fair - outsider artist and founder of lo-fi alt group Half Japanese - and Yo La Tengo. The song titles are taken from outrageous newspaper titles, with lyrics written by Jad’s brother and fellow Half Japanese member, David. I didn’t know this record all that well (all parties are quite prolific), but it has such a sparkling mishmash of gnarled and abrasive noises, sweet pop charmers and meandering moments. It sounds like both and neither of them, like the best kind of collabs! This is the first time it has been available on vinyl since its release on Matador Records in 1998.
+ Available on Mint Green vinyl.
Adam Green - prolific singer-songwriter and formerly of The Moldy Peaches - reissues his Gemstones album to celebrate its 20th anniversary this week. Drenched in sharp surrealism and kitsch, these are some of his most accessible and most straight-out pop songs, high on Hammond organ wooze and baritone one-liners.
+ Available on limited Yellow vinyl with a lavish Mirrorboard sleeve.
Pink Floyd’s ninth studio album - Wish You Were Here - celebrated its fiftieth anniversary a few months back and we have a new and limited Yellow Flame colour vinyl pressing as part of the celebrations. It’s such a sad album, full of neurosis and guilt. Did you know that Stéphane Grappelli recorded an unused part for Wish You Were Here? It’s pretty good. Sparklehorse (with Thom Yorke) is the definitive version though, man, that’s a cracker!
Numero go back to the vaults of Missouri rock band 90 Day Men with a new press of their debut, (It (Is) It) Critical Band +. Dark and hypnotising music, the changes of pace are really enthralling. This went down real well here in the shop earlier.
+ This expanded 25th anniversary edition includes an unreleased album tracked at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio, with notes from engineer Greg Norman and a fresh Heba Kadry master.
+ Available on double Beta Wave colour vinyl.
Also this week we have a very limited 7” box set edition of Oasis’ (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? singles, a replica of the highly collectible original 1996 CD cigarette style box… but you know, just a little bit bigger.
Babyshambles debut LP Down in Albion receives a 20th anniversary pressing on double cream vinyl. Accompanying the album’s original 16 tracks, this anniversary edition includes five carefully chosen songs from the band’s archives, with several – despite bootleg fame amongst the band’s fanbase – getting their first official release.
We have currently sold out of the deluxe Sparkle vinyl pressing of Gary Numan’s Telekon 45th Anniversary Expanded Edition, but we’ll try and pick up some more as we’ve really been enjoying it. A reminder that the CD and standard 2LP are due at the end of January.
Nancy Sinatra’s Nancy goes back a week, so we’ll be shouting about that soon.
Lastly this week, we end it with some more rasp and Viagra Boys. This all-new 12” brings together their breakthrough EPs Consistency of Energy and Call of the Wild on a single record. Both utter belters.
+ New embossed and foiled jacket containing both original covers printed on the inner sleeve.
