Winter is finally behind us, Record Store Day is over, and grilling season is upon us - but not the mosquitoes yet. Things are looking pretty good in Minnesota. Besides the occasional picture of my cute kids, I pretty much talk about my art and music here on pftjschute. Since I haven't made much art in the past year, what's new on the turntable?!
Record Store Day is one of my favorite annual events, a holiday really, with its own traditions and rituals celebrated by an ever-growing band of believers. I was queued up by 7am, 5th person in line, outside Extreme Noise - Mpls's volunteer-run punk record store. We hit up 6 stores, skipping at least 6 others that I can think of. Really amazing that the Twin Cities can support that many businesses catering to a single industry, especially one facing the behemoth challenges of online stores and downloadable music. Makes me proud...makes me want to open a store to bring vinyl shopping back to NE!
My RSD breakdown :
Velvet Underground - Loaded
Totally beautiful splatter color. The vocals are a little tinny or sibilant but it sounds good to me...sure better than the Maxell cassette I have this on otherwise. I kind of wish this would've been included in the VU mono box set from last year. Everything in there sounds incredible...of course, none of those are on purdy pink and purple splatter I guess.
Nothing - Guilty of Everything
This was sort of a pre-RSD pickup for me, ordered earlier and arrived on Saturday...Emily was pleased to see even more records showing up on this already vinyl-heavy day...ahem... A friend played this recently and I dug it but haven't had a chance to revisit it this week. Again, pretty tri-color vinyl and /500 for this 2nd edition (with reversed artwork colors).
True Widow - s/t
StonerGaze? I've heard this descriptor used, and they do sort of hybridize shoegaze atmospherics with some more stomping, shambolic stoner rock. I was hooked by the male/female harmonies, though I expect the hook will increase as this feels like one of those 'grower' albums. Plus I was really happy to find this one due to the /300 pressing number.
Torche - s/t
A non-RSD release but my favorite purchase of the day. After I initially wrote them off as too classic rock-sounding or something, I've come to really love Torche. Heavy and melodic, they bury great pop hooks just under the surface of some seething metal riffs - friendly metal?... This is pressed on some great tri-colored vinyl and just fun! to listen to.
Broadcast - Berberian Sound Studio
RIP Trish Keenan. This was one of the last recordings she made before her passing in 2011 and one of those things I've vacillated on picking up for years...seeing this used at St. Paul's new Barely Brothers store made it an easy buy. I'll have to be in the right mood for this odd soundtrack to a horror movie that Broadcast was commissioned to do, but it seems a cool thing after the one listen I've had. More atmospheric and abstract than other Broadcast music I know but very much their sound still.
A Minor Forest - Flemish Altruism / InIndependence
Both their long out-of-print albums remastered and bundled together for this release. They really are excellent and I'm glad I gave in and bought them after hesitating and passing on my first sighting (found it at another store later in the morning for ten bucks cheaper, ok!). Maybe like a cross between Slint and Don Caballero but with a refreshing sense of humor and sarcasm tossed in - song titles set the stage, Jacking Off George Lucas, It's Salmon!!..., Bill's Mom Likes To Fuck...while the supreme musicianship and recording/mastering done by Bob Westin and Steve Albini seal the deal.
Dinosaur Jr. - Visitors box set
Numero Records putting this out certainly put this on my radar. They've done consistently beautiful releases, making wise choices musically and aesthetically (Codeine box?, sweet!). This lil' guy has five 7" singles from their SST and Homestead-era plus one of them covering I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better (The Byrds) and Show Me The Way (Peter Frampton). One of my favorite bands from this era being given a nice treatment. Glad to have this.
My most unfortunate miss? I'd have really loved to find the Songs:Ohia 7" box set. By far the most coveted and lovely thing I've seen of late. Oh well, that's part of the thrill that makes RSD so special I guess. The chase, the early morning, the tension. As we settle into our lives and find, or create, meaningful moments that sometimes feel sacred, holy, or at least restorative, we have to recognize that this is important to us...Music, nature, church, whatever it is. Happy Record Store Day people, until next time.
