Review: Alvarius B's latest offering is a testament to the power of simplicity. The raw charm of his lo-fi, stripped-back arrangements allows his distinctive vocals to shine, lending a striking intimacy to every track. The album veers from covers of The Kinks to a hauntingly personal take on The Rolling Stones, but it's the original material that stands out. It's a rare thingiboth timeless and completely of its own time, drawing from folk, rock and an unshakeable sense of personal longing. It's unlikely anyone else could pull it off quite so well.
Review: Focus On Nature is the new studio album from celebrated post-psyche singer songwriter Nick Saloman and his band The Bevis Frond. Seventy-five minutes of glorious melodies that span 60s psych, English folk, Seattle art-punks The Wipers, the buzzsaw pop of Dinosaur Jr and Hendrix-esque explorations. There's always an element of playful Englishness to their music. Heavily influencing the likes of The Lemonheads, Teenage Fanclub, Elliot Smith, Pavement and Dinosaur Jr, the cult icons have produced another off-kilter mix of melodic piano-led melancholy, acoustic ruminations, scratchy garage rock with a punky edge and full-on guitar histrionics.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
She Belongs To Me (4:46)
Fourth Time Around (4:43)
Visions Of Johanna (9:11)
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (5:17)
Desolation Row (12:41)
Just Like A Woman
(5:46)
Mr Tambourine Man
(6:23)
Tell Me, Momma (4:58)
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We
Never Have Met) (5:13)
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down (2:48)
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (5:41)
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
(3:53)
One Too Many Mornings
(3:50)
Ballad Of A Thin Man
(6:06)
Like A Rolling Stone (6:32)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
In November 2022, Cat Power took the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall and delivered a song-for-song recreation of one of the most fabled and transformative live sets of all time. Held at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in May 1966 - but long known as the “Royal Albert Hall Concert” due to a mislabeled bootleg - the original performance saw Bob Dylan switching from acoustic to electric midway through the show, drawing ire from an audience of folk purists and forever altering the course of rock n' roll. In her own rendition of that historic night, the artist otherwise known as Chan Marshall inhabited each song with equal parts conviction and grace and a palpable sense of protectiveness, ultimately transposing the anarchic tension of Dylan’s set with a warm and luminous joy. Now captured on the live album Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert, Marshall’s spellbinding performance both lovingly honors her hero’s imprint on history and brings a stunning new vitality to many of his most revered songs.
Review: Father John Misty, the enigmatic indie-rock provocateur, is back with Mahashmashana, his first album in two years. Produced by Misty himself and Drew Erickson, with executive production by longtime collaborator Jonathan Wilson, the album presents a complex journey through Misty's satirical yet introspective songwriting. After gaining attention with his biting commentary on love and society, Mahashmashana continues this tradition while delving deeper into personal reflection and existential themes. The album spans eight songs over 50 minutes, including singles like 'I Guess Time Makes Fools of Us All', the haunting 'She Cleans Up', and 'Josh Tillman and The Accidental Dose', mixed by BJ Burton. Known for his sharp lyricism and rich arrangements, Misty blends melancholy, humor, and grandeur across these tracks. After a career that has included everything from Fleet Foxes to collaborations with mainstream stars like Beyonce and Post Malone, Mahashmashana cements Misty's position as an artist unafraid to challenge, provoke and redefine himself.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Sondagsmalare (LP1: Monika) (5:22)
Long John Silver (5:17)
Kulen Natt (3:57)
Monika (4:32)
Sov, Sov, Lille Man (4:50)
Gamle Van (5:27)
Klappen I (LP2: Klappen) (5:41)
Klappen II (5:10)
Natt & Dag (4:41)
Delta (4:47)
Baby Blues (5:02)
Kont (5:16)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Golden Ivy's two celebrated albums are finally back, reissued together as a stunning 2xLP gatefold limited to 300 copies. Across six tracks, the music blends the precision of urban, programmed rhythms with the organic flow of violin and flute, creating a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Inspired by Jon Hassell's fourth world concept, the compositions explore the tension between industrial landscapes and wilderness, melding folk influences into a contemporary frame. Highlights include the whimsical charm of 'Long John Silver' and the wistful beauty of 'Gamle Van.' This reissue captures Golden Ivy's mastery of simplicity, repetition, and emotional depth.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Cuckoo Casino (2:59)
Sparkle Up (2:44)
Literature Is Fluff (3:04)
Nomads (2:49)
Snapshot Pioneer (3:38)
Ill-fitting Suits (1:39)
Recent Orienteering (2:37)
The Hot Revivalist (2:12)
Phoney Racehorse (2:22)
Dressing Up The Old Dakota (3:12)
DC 8 (2:09)
Doo-woop Property (2:12)
Theatreland (2:34)
A Friendly Pioneer (3:03)
Cuckoo's Out (2:56)
Peppy (3:00)
There's Nobody Home (3:00)
The Hokey Curator (3:00)
Campers In Control (3:00)
Double Drift (3:00)
Island People (2:00)
Incidentally NEO (2:18)
Tides (3:41)
Nomad Strings (2:06)
Pilgrims (1:49)
Rustic Vespa (2:25)
Folly Time (2:15)
Hawaiian Smile (1:32)
Instrumental Suits (2:00)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Hawaii, released in 1996 by The High Llamas, is a celebrated album that showcases Sean O'Hagan's intricate arrangements and homage to the lush sounds of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. This deep dive reveals O'Hagan's journey from his early days in Microdisney to forming The High Llamas, highlighting albums like Santa Barbara and Gideon Gaye. Hawaii features 29 tracks blending Moog, banjo, strings, and brass, creating a musical paradise. It recapturing the charm of the 60s pop era, with The Irish Times describing it as a tribute to when popular music was genuinely popular. Despite being somewhat elusive on vinyl, the album still managed to breach the UK Albums Chart, landing at No. 62. O'Hagan's influences from various genres, including orchestral pop and exotic sounds, are apparent, as he sought to push musical boundaries and create something fresh, setting the stage for a rich legacy in modern pop music. This reissue makes this impressive release available again.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Floating Parade (3:41)
Small Changes (4:09)
One & Only (4:20)
Rebel Soul (3:26)
Lowdown (part I) (3:15)
Lowdown (part II) (2:35)
Follow Your Dreams (3:38)
Live For Your Love (2:24)
Stay By My Side (3:29)
The Rest Of Me (3:41)
Four Long Years (4:33)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Michael Kiwanuka's eagerly awaited fourth studio album, Small Changes, is set to continue the journey started with his critically acclaimed Kiwanuka. Once again, he collaborates with Danger Mouse and Inflo, the dynamic team behind his previous successes, Kiwanuka and Love & Hate. The album was recorded across London and Los Angeles, featuring contributions from music legends such as Pino Palladino and Jimmy Jam, enhancing its depth and texture. Kiwanuka's songwriting remains as profound as ever, blending lush grooves with introspective lyrics. He maintains his signature styleisimple yet evocative melodies that invite deep emotional engagement. The album has a soulful and timeless quality that marked his earlier work while exploring new artistic avenues. As Kiwanuka reflects on his music, he sees it as a form of communication and healing, continuing his tradition of melding personal insight with universal themes. Small Changes is poised to reinforce Kiwanuka's place as a uniquely talented and deeply relatable artist.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Brotherhood Hazy Night (1:06)
For A While (3:35)
Can You Hear Me? (3:48)
Little Big Man (3:59)
Sound From The Attic (3:41)
Shape Up (3:25)
We Shouldn't Be Here (3:45)
Rolling Man (3:45)
Here Come The Shadow Heroes (3:10)
Don't Let Me Fall (3:47)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The French group Lowland Brothers Band offers up more of its signature blend of soul, rock and Americana in what is a superbly liberating and timeless second album, Over The Fence. Their 2021 self-titled debut was led by Nico Duportal on vocals and guitars with Hugo Deviers on percussion and guitar and Max Genouel on bass and keyboards and between them, they uniquely bridged these sounds as well as an earthy take on Americana despite the band originally hailing from the West and North of France. They aim to honour the African-American musical tradition while transporting its essence into new territory and Over The Fence continues this exploration by offering a fresh transatlantic sound that resonates with both past and present influences.
Review: Every so often Record Store Day really does throw up a doozy and this is one of them. Hejira Demos is a highly anticipated vinyl release directly from the Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 4 box set. Pressed on 180g black vinyl, this collection features the iconic folk singer's solo demos from March 1976 so offers a raw, intimate look at the creation of one of her most revered albums. The demos capture her signature style and insightful lyrics in their early, unpolished form. Notably, you can hear the iconic Chaka Khan providing backing vocals on 'Black Crow' which adds another layer of depth to this timeless work.
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