(With Black Curtains)

CurtainsIt’s been a while since I ran across a worthy bootleg. Up for grabs is this “unofficial” 7″ from roughly 1996 (the band’s hay day), oddly titled In the White Room (With Black Curtains), because it has absolutely nothing to do with the Cream song, as far as I can tell. What this fool does offer, however, is three, concrete-solid live renditions of Scream Dracula Scream tracks from some British outfit proclaiming Rocket as Hell’s house band. As fitting as it is hilarious, In the White Room is a decent glimpse into overseas admiration, and deserves a home under the roof of any proper garage rock enthusiast.

New

New_2Coming home to mailorder packages is certainly a (slightly) unexpected surprise at the end of a long, hard-worked day, especially when they’re as visually aesthetic as this one. Mailorder is fun (thanks Asian Man Records), so if you aren’t in the constant habit of online shopping, consider shipping insurance, and gift yourself a little unexpected surprise. Again, it’s the little things, kids.

Wait… What?!

55″ records are few and far between (there’s only one that I know of), and limited edition pink marble versions by one’s favorite band from say, 21 years ago, needs prominent due diligence. There is a record the size of a compact disc… it contains two songs, and it’s the newest addition to the family collection. Those aware, know the scarcity of this record. We were able to acquire her for a fairly reasonably sum. The Rocket Pack on the other hand…

Also Available from Telstar

MJIt’s not very often, in fact, this is the first time it’s happened, that one reaches for a Marvin Gaye album, and runs across a back cover ad for a random-ass Michael Jackson comp record. Titled 18 Greatest Hits, this 1983 release featuring 18 mega hits from Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 can be had for a cool $0.71 on LP, and an acceptable $4.22 on cassette (courtesy of Discogs.com). I was all set and ready to dig into the untimely death of Marvin Gaye when I stumbled across this little 23-year-old gem. Rediscovering my collection by means of this medium has proven to be a hilarious and boisterous experience. I think I’m finally starting to dig it. Also available on cassette.

Give the People What They Want…

DVThis, is how a record should be released. Main album = disc 1. Instrumental version = disc 2. Done and done. Thank you, Delicious Vinyl, Slimkid3 & Nu-Marc, for not only outputting an exceptionally solid listen, but also for, without question, including the beats as their own, adventurous entity. Well, well worth the price of admission, Slimkid3 & Nu-Marc is as essential as modern day hip hop gets, in our humble opinion.

Showbiz

ShowBizPitched as the introduction to the great decline, Everybody’s in Show Biz is actually a thoroughly enjoyable album, and as a bonus, and entire live record recording during the Muswell Hillbillies tour only adds to this album’s historical greatness! Face to Face through Muswell Hillbillies era Everybody’s in Show Biz is certainly not, but it’s still damn good Kinky ear candy.

Tell William it’s Over(ture)

WilliamTell(Orangely) Clocking in at roughly 12 minutes, Arturo Toscanini’s interpretation of Gioachino Rossini’s infamous William Tell Overture can easily be downsized onto two, 45rpm records, as with this RCA Victor release from 1949. Now 67 years old, this double red vinyl box set is the perfect “quick fix” vehicle for long, dusty rides with the Lone Ranger, or eye-spying a quick romp with Alex and a few candy-sucking ladies he coerced from the local brick and mortar. Originally premiering in 1829 (!), William Tell has seen many, many iterations, and has dipped its toes in everything from children’s cartoons to ultra-violent, X-rated masterpieces. Surely one of those (mini) overtures prudent of a proper spin on a random Wednesday.

15 Years Ago…

2kIt’s sad, but just over 15 years ago, BS 2000 dropped their 2nd, and last LP, Simply Mortified. Grand Royal Records would, months later, cease to exist, and receptive ears of the world would never again hear the bubblegum grunge of BS 2000. One can only imagine what they’d sound like today, given the almost two decades of maturity (or utter lack there of), but there’s something peaceful about this short-lived outing that demands incessant spins on random Tuesday evenings. Nobody beats BS 2000, kids.

My, My Such A Sweet Thing

TJamesIt’s Friday, and it’s getting late. So what better time for some damn fantastic Tommy James & The Shondells? On the list of artists whose discography need completing, I’ll temporarially settle for this Best of comp. Crystal Blue Persuasion and Crimson & Clover… mainly Crimson & Clover. Have a good night, kids.

Living Mono

LS_newHugo Winterhalter Goes… Latin, and we here are thankful that he did, since, as far as I can recollect, we can all benefit from this throwaway, yet strikingly beautiful 1959 design layout nonchalantly strewn across his majestic cover… or some type shit. You, my friend, exist, within “Living Stereo.” Manufactured in 1958, the Living Stereo logo is both synonymous with quality, and visual brilliance… not to mention it’s 58 years old. Respect the history of graphic design, kids.