Hope you are in good form this week and ready for another blast of quality music from Road Records.
Our album of the week this week goes to the new Midlake album “The Courage Of Others”, a wonderful follow up to “The Trials Of Van Occupanther”. The cd is only €14.99 and the 180 gram vinyl is €18.99.
The normal version of the new Beach House album “Teen Dreams” is now in stock, its on special offer for this week at only €13.99.
Soul Jazz Records are back with a blast this week featuring the second part in their wonderful Dancehall series of releases. The album comes on double cd and two separate double lps. The double cd is only €14.99 and each volume of the vinyl is down to only €13.99.
The most recent Lightning Bolt album is finally in stock now on vinyl [with bonus download code].
People have been asking for a weekly list of albums with download codes so here goes, I hope I can remember them all. – Lightning Bolt, Daniel Jonhston, Moonface, Pit Er Pat and Pontiak. All these albums come with free digital download coupons included.
The First Aid Kit album gets a bit of a thumbs up from us, it’s a lovely bit of breezy indie folk if you like that kind of thing.
The brand new Hot Chip album is now in stock and its only €15.99 for this week. Cd only at the moment but the vinyl should be here in a week or two.
Fans of laid back stoner rock sounds should check out the new album from Pontiak on the Thrill Jockey label.
Vinyl reissues this week in from Iggy Pop, Daniel Johnston, Gene Clark and Sunny Day Real Estate.
Lovely limited edition 12” only release from White Hills in today, top quality psyche rock from these lads again.
We have a few copies left of the limited edtion 7” from Messiah J And The Expert in stock now. The single was released on the Irish label The Richter Collective and is limited to only 200 copies.
Scout Niblett is back with a brand new album on the Drag City label. The cd is €14.99 and the vinyl is only €13.99.
The new Ambience Affair mini album is now on sale and all copies comes with a free metal button badge.
Other new Irish titles this week from The Chapman Society, The Lower Pool, The Magickal Folk Of the Faraway Tree, Brigid Power Ryce and Sounds Of System Breakdown.
There are lots of gems from last year back in stock that we haven’t had for a few weeks so it might be worth having a trawl through the back in stock section this week if there is something you have been looking for recently.
Check out the details of the upcoming Haiti benefit show organised by our good friend Aoife Barry (of the ‘Sweet Oblivion’ radio show and blog), its well worthy of your attention. Music and cakes are just the perfect combination.
Have a good weekend, see you next week sometime.
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Road Records “Album Of The Month Subscription Club”
Join up now and receive our album of the month every month for a year delivered to your door at a greatly discounted price. An easy new way to discover new music.
http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?start=1&action=4&artist=ROAD%20RECORDS%20ALBUM%20OF%20THE%20MONTH%20CLUB
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Gift Vouchers – You can now purchase gift vouchers directly from our website and we will post them out to your friend on your behalf.
http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?start=1&action=4&artist=GIFT%20VOUCHER
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Personal Shopper Service – We have now launched our personal shopper service, great for regular customers who want to streamline their online shopping experience, it couldn’t be easier than this. Join up now and you can order by either email or phone.
http://www.roadrecs.com/information.php?start=2#19
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Album Of The Week
Our favourite album this week
http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?action=10&start=1&category=2.%20ALBUM%20OF%20THE%20WEEK
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Midlake-The courage of others-Midlake return with their first new full length album since the trial of van occupanther back in 2006. Its their third album to date and a darker more slow affair compared to their last outing [also on the bella union label]. The band features regular members tim smith, eric pulido, eric nichelson, paul alexander and mckenzie. Joining them on the album are stephanie dosen on vocals, max townsley on guitar, jesse chandler on harpsichord and fiona brice on violin. This is definitely an album that owes a fair bit to both the english psychedelic folk sound of the seventies and late sixties woodstock era folk rock thing. Its an album of both early folk / country rock and classic psychedelic folk. Its full of beautifully mellow, laid back hazy folk sounds with a lovely kind of loose campfire feel about it. There is also still plenty of that neil young like vibe carried on from their last outing, its a perfect blend of electric and acoustic sounds. I think long time fans will simply adore this one and they may well have won over a few new fans, particularly those who like their alt folk and rootsy americana. January 2010-Cd-Bella union-€14.99
Midlake-The courage of others [limited 180 gram vinyl]-Midlake return with their first new full length album since the trial of van occupanther back in 2006. Its their third album to date and a darker more slow affair compared to their last outing [also on the bella union label]. The band features regular members tim smith, eric pulido, eric nichelson, paul alexander and mckenzie. Joining them on the album are stephanie dosen on vocals, max townsley on guitar, jesse chandler on harpsichord and fiona brice on violin. This is definitely an album that owes a fair bit to both the english psychedelic folk sound of the seventies and late sixties woodstock era folk rock thing. Its an album of both early folk / country rock and classic psychedelic folk. Its full of beautifully mellow, laid back hazy folk sounds with a lovely kind of loose campfire feel about it. There is also still plenty of that neil young like vibe carried on from their last outing, its a perfect blend of electric and acoustic sounds. I think long time fans will simply adore this one and they may well have won over a few new fans, particularly those who like their alt folk and rootsy americana. Limited edition 180 gram vinyl pressing. January 2010-Lp-Bella union-€18.99
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Irish Album Of The Month
Our favourite album this Month
http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?action=10&start=1&category=2.%20ALBUM%20OF%20THE%20WEEK
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Hunter gatherer-I dreamed i was a footstep in the trail of a murderer-The debut album from this irish based electronic solo artist. The album features fifteen slices of beautifully haunting ambient electronic sounds. At times reminiscent to a slightly more downbeat and darker take on the sounds of broadcast with just the odd hint of the aphex twin ambient works collections. Its an album of gentle beats over some beautifully minimal synth and keyboard sounds, almost cinematic in scope at times. Its both haunting and calming at the same time, not many albums you can say that about, with a kind of darkly sombre feel to it. Its one of those perfect late night / headphone albums and further proof of the high quality of electronic music being produced in this country at the moment. This would have to rate as one of the finest of the year so far. December 2009-Cd-Own label-€9.99
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Album Of The Month
Every month we are going to pick an album that we think everyone should have in their collection, then go to our suppliers and get a big discount for you all, hope you like our choice –
http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?action=10&start=1&category=3.%20ALBUM%20OF%20THE%20MONTH
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Pallett, owen [final fantasy]-Heartland-The artist formerly known as final fantasy returns with his third solo outing to date, he is now recording under his own name due to some stupid legal case taken against him for using the final fantasy name. His first album came out way back in 2005 [has a good home] and was followed by the exceptional second album he poos clouds in 2006. It may be nearly four years since his last album but its fair to say pallett has been busy with other projects in the meantime. Along with touring as a one man band pallett has also provided string arrangements for several bands including grizzly bear, arcade fire, beirut, last shadow puppets and mountain goats. This is his first album to be released on the domino label. This is an album of true orchestral beauty, probably one of the most lush collections your are likely to hear all year round. Known for his superb violin playing this album features what sounds to my ears like a full blown orchestra at times, full of dramatic string and horn bursts. Its an album the flows seamlessy through many genres with such each too. Sometimes you think you could be listening to some modern take on steve reich or phillip glass and before you know it things turn into some kind of indie broadway musical [ala sufjan stevens maybe]. Its highly intricate and joyously catchy at the same time, full of layered string sounds and palletts gentle almost hushed vocal delivery. Its one of those rare albums that comes up with something new each time you listen to it, sometimes classical pop and sometimes just pure classic quirky indie pop. Its got to be said this is something truly original. January 2010-Cd-Domino-€11.99
Pallett, owen [final fantasy]-Heartland [comes with bonus digital download coupon]-The artist formerly known as final fantasy returns with his third solo outing to date, he is now recording under his own name due to some stupid legal case taken against him for using the final fantasy name. His first album came out way back in 2005 [has a good home] and was followed by the exceptional second album he poos clouds in 2006. It may be nearly four years since his last album but its fair to say pallett has been busy with other projects in the meantime. Along with touring as a one man band pallett has also provided string arrangements for several bands including grizzly bear, arcade fire, beirut, last shadow puppets and mountain goats. This is his first album to be released on the domino label. This is an album of true orchestral beauty, probably one of the most lush collections your are likely to hear all year round. Known for his superb violin playing this album features what sounds to my ears like a full blown orchestra at times, full of dramatic string and horn bursts. Its an album the flows seamlessy through many genres with such each too. Sometimes you think you could be listening to some modern take on steve reich or phillip glass and before you know it things turn into some kind of indie broadway musical [ala sufjan stevens maybe]. Its highly intricate and joyously catchy at the same time, full of layered string sounds and palletts gentle almost hushed vocal delivery. Its one of those rare albums that comes up with something new each time you listen to it, sometimes classical pop and sometimes just pure classic quirky indie pop. Its got to be said this is something truly original. The album is pressed on double 180 gram vinyl and comes in a lovely heavy card gatefold sleeve. Also comes with a free digital download coupon featuring all tracks from the album. January 2010-2lp-Domino-€15.99
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The Weekly Specials – Every week we will have a selected number of album on special offer, stricly first come first serve as numbers will be limited.
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Ambience affair-Patterns [with free button badge]-The second ep from irish outfit the ambience affair and the long awaited follow up to their stunning fragile things ep from 2009 [now sadly all sold out]. The ambience affair are a dublin based outfit featuring vocalist / guitarist jamie clarke and drummer marc gallagher. This ep features four beautifully constructed mellow indie rock sounds falling somewhere between the kooky sounds of arcade fire and the more expansive alt rock of radiohead. The main track has a lovely kind of euphoric post rock feel about it, full of looping intricate guitar sounds and multilayered vocals. I can also get a bit of a fleet foxes feel from some of the tracks, you know that kind of lovely offbeat alt folk sound. Comes in a lovely printed card envelope sleeve and you get a free metal button badge also. January 2010-Cd--€6.99
Beach house-Teen dream-Teen dream is the third album from this baltimore based outfit and the long awaited follow up to their stunning album devotion from 2008. The album was recorded in upstate new york in an old converted church called dreamland and was produced by chris coady [he has worked with the likes of tv on the radio, blonde redhead and yeah yeah yeahs]. It may only be january but this is an early contender already for the most beautiful / lush album of the year so far. The album carries on the folky americana themes of devotion and takes them to a whole new level, its a beautifully loose collection of sounds, full of spooky atmospherics which may have something to do with recording in a church. Its a truly amazing meeting of old and new sounds, rustic slide guitar seemlessly blending with the kind of woozy backwards guitars that my bloody valentine would be proud of. Its downbeat, intimate and truly expansive at the same time with an atmosphere that kind of reminds me a wee bit of mazzy star. If you liked devotion then prepared to be totally blown away by this one. January 2010-Cd-Bella union-€13.99
Dancehall [the rise of jamaican dancehall culture]-Volume two [soul jazz presents part one]-The second in a series of soul jazz releases chronicling the rise of dancehall culture in jamaica. Compiled by steve barrow [author of the rough guide to reggae and owner of the blood and fire record label]. Features inner sleeve with liner notes from barrow. Double vinyl pressing featuring tracks from lone ranger, nicodemus, johnny osbourne and pappa tullo, ini kamoze, half pint, yellowman, shabba ranks, trinity, barry brown, madoo, early b and papa san. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. Part one of a two record set, the second volume is sold separately. Double vinyl pressing. January 2010-2lp-Soul jazz-€13.99
Dancehall [the rise of jamaican dancehall culture]-Volume two [soul jazz presents part two]-The second in a series of soul jazz releases chronicling the rise of dancehall culture in jamaica. Compiled by steve barrow [author of the rough guide to reggae and owner of the blood and fire record label]. Features inner sleeve with liner notes from barrow. Double vinyl pressing featuring tracks from tiger, welton irie, general trees, johnny osbourne, edi fitzroy, anthony johnson, jah thomas and radics, professor nuts, errol scorcher, triston palma, barry brown and buju banton. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. Part two of a two record set, the first volume is sold separately. Double vinyl pressing. January 2010-2lp-Soul jazz-€13.99
Dancehall [the rise of jamaican dancehall culture]-Volume two [soul jazz presents]-The second in a series of soul jazz releases chronicling the rise of dancehall culture in jamaica. Compiled by steve barrow [author of the rough guide to reggae and owner of the blood and fire record label]. The album comes packaged in a lovely three part foldout sleeve with a full colour booklet featuring lots of amazing photos and note by steve barrow. Features tracks from lone ranger, nicodemus, johnny osbourne and pappa tullo, ini kamoze, half pint, yellowman, shabba ranks, trinity, barry brown, madoo, early b, papa san, tiger, welton irie, general trees, johnny osbourne, edi fitzroy, anthony johnson, jah thomas and radics, professor nuts, errol scorcher, triston palma, barry brown and buju banton. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. Double cd set. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. January 2010-2cd-Soul jazz-€14.99
Fucked up-Couple tracks [singles 2002 to 2009]-A collection of rare and hard to find tracks from fucked up courtesy of the matador label. Most of these tracks were released as limited edition 7 inch vinyls and are long out of print and pretty much impossible to track down now. The album goes back to their no pasaran single on the deranged label in 2002 and ends up with their last single no epiphany single for matador in 2009. Along with all these rare singles the album also features five previously unreleased tracks specially remastered for this release. The album comes complete with detailed liner notes with artwork and info on every single. Quite simply this is some of the finest old school hardcore meets motorhead like rock'n'roll you are likely to ever hear. Probably one of the finest rock bands on the planet at this moment in time. Double vinyl pressing comes in a heavy card gatefold sleeve. January 2010-2lp-Matador-€18.99
Mandarinentraume-Various artists-A collection of long lost krautrock / electronic tracks from the former communist ruled east germany. The majority of tracks were recorded at a time when the state had control over pretty much all forms of music, the communist party deemed computer music to be very much the way forward and so electronic music flourished. The tracks were all recorded between 1981 and 1989, highly influenced by the sounds being made by artists like tangerine dream, vangelis, jean michel jarre and klaus shulze. Im sure [like me] that most of these artists names will be new to you but if you are a fan of early electronic krautrock then you will simply love this one. The album comes with a highly detailed full colour booklet with lots of photos and info on all the band involved. January 2010-Cd-Permanent vacation-€13.99
Midlake-The courage of others-Midlake return with their first new full length album since the trial of van occupanther back in 2006. Its their third album to date and a darker more slow affair compared to their last outing [also on the bella union label]. The band features regular members tim smith, eric pulido, eric nichelson, paul alexander and mckenzie. Joining them on the album are stephanie dosen on vocals, max townsley on guitar, jesse chandler on harpsichord and fiona brice on violin. This is definitely an album that owes a fair bit to both the english psychedelic folk sound of the seventies and late sixties woodstock era folk rock thing. Its an album of both early folk / country rock and classic psychedelic folk. Its full of beautifully mellow, laid back hazy folk sounds with a lovely kind of loose campfire feel about it. There is also still plenty of that neil young like vibe carried on from their last outing, its a perfect blend of electric and acoustic sounds. I think long time fans will simply adore this one and they may well have won over a few new fans, particularly those who like their alt folk and rootsy americana. January 2010-Cd-Bella union-€14.99
Moonface-Dreamland ep [with bonus digital download coupon]-Moonface is a brand new solo project from spencer krug, probably best known for his work with sunset rubdown but also a sometime member of wolf parade, frog eyes and swan lake. The album is released on the jag jaguwar label and comes on vinyl only. The album features 20 minutes of music pressed on just one side of the vinyl. The album is based on musical interpretations of dreams, hence the name dreamland. Its a rather strangely beautiful blend of marimba like percussive sounds and stream of conscience like vocal sounds featuring some almost gospel like chanting. Its very much a percussive based piece, almost all 20 minutes are based around the minimal like marimba beats. Comes with a digital download coupon for the track also. January 2010-Lp-Jag jaguwar-€12.99
Pontiak-Sea voids [with bonus mp3 download coupon]-Vinyl only release from pontiak on the thrill jockey label. The album comes rather beautifully presented in a hand screened sleeve with metallic gold ink. Also features a digital download coupon featuring all tracks from the album. The last time we heard from these three brothers was their split release with arbouretum also on the thrill jockey label in 2008. These guys deal in a truly superb brand of blues tinged stoner rock, think of the totally blissed out sounds of kyuss with just a bit more of an old blues like vibe going on. Its full of heavy stoner rock guitar action harking back to the classic sounds of those desert sessions on mans ruin. This is the kind of album that i can see fans of everything from kyuss to screaming trees totally loving. January 2010-Lp-Thrill jockey-€12.99
Red krayola with art and language-Five american portraits-The red krayola produce an album of portraits in words and music to wile e coyote, president george w bush, president jimmy carter, john wayne and ad reinhardt. The band are backed by a stellar lineup including alex dower [victim] on drums, tom rogerson [three trapped tigers] on piano, french improvisational wizard q on sas, tom watson [slovenly] on guitar, jim o rourke on bass, mayo thompson on piano / guitar and gina birch [the raincoats] on bass / vocals. Its an album as weird and wonderful as you might expect from these art rock legends, going from country roots to pure psychedelia at the drop of a hat. Delve in and enjoy, its always the best way to enjoy the red krayola. January 2010-Cd-Drag city-€13.99
Scout niblett-The calcination of scout niblett-Album number five from scout niblett and another to feature the rather superb production skills of steve albini [shellac]. Its probably her most sparse collection of songs to date with the majority of tracks just featuring a totally fuzzed up electric guitar and her own voice. Its an album of sparse avant rock and slow core sounds, full of blues like dirges with a hint of everything from red house painters to the mighty codeine. Its very much an album that calls to mind the more sparse raw sounds of earlier pj harvey albums, maybe that has something to do with the sounds that steve albini seems to extract from artists. Its beautifully raw at times, nibletts voice goes from a whisper to a scream at such ease too. If you are a pj harvey fan this is definitely well worth checking out. January 2010-Cd-Drag city-€14.99
Scout niblett-The calcination of scout niblett-Album number five from scout niblett and another to feature the rather superb production skills of steve albini [shellac]. Its probably her most sparse collection of songs to date with the majority of tracks just featuring a totally fuzzed up electric guitar and her own voice. Its an album of sparse avant rock and slow core sounds, full of blues like dirges with a hint of everything from red house painters to the mighty codeine. Its very much an album that calls to mind the more sparse raw sounds of earlier pj harvey albums, maybe that has something to do with the sounds that steve albini seems to extract from artists. Its beautifully raw at times, nibletts voice goes from a whisper to a scream at such ease too. If you are a pj harvey fan this is definitely well worth checking out. January 2010-Lp-Drag city-€13.99
Thao and the get down stay down-Know better learn faster-Thao nguven returns with the long awaited follow up to we brave bee stings and all from 2008, also on the kill rock stars label. This time she is backed by her full touring band the get down stay down, giving the album a somewhat more full sound. Features some catchy and rather quirky indie rock sounds with a similar vibe to the likes of broken social scene or arcade fire with slightly more emphasis on the melodic side of things. There is also a bit of a rootsy folk like feel about some of the tunes with rolling skiffle like beats behind intricate guitar picking. January 2010-Cd-Kill rock stars-€12.99
Thao and the get down stay down-Know better learn faster-Thao nguven returns with the long awaited follow up to we brave bee stings and all from 2008, also on the kill rock stars label. This time she is backed by her full touring band the get down stay down, giving the album a somewhat more full sound. Features some catchy and rather quirky indie rock sounds with a similar vibe to the likes of broken social scene or arcade fire with slightly more emphasis on the melodic side of things. There is also a bit of a rootsy folk like feel about some of the tunes with rolling skiffle like beats behind intricate guitar picking. January 2010-Lp-Kill rock stars-€13.99
Urick, jason-Husbands-Debut solo album from baltimore based songwriter jason ulrick [wzt hearts]. The album features a collection of reverb drenced drone based pieces slowly building into some kind of tripped out psychedelic noise. Its full of looping distorted guitar sounds, layered over each other repeatedly with lots of analog sounding synth vibes. This is drone based minimalism at its very finest, constantly changing but somehow still staying the same. Its an album that takes in little pieces of seventies krautrock minimalism and stretches every note to its longest point. Try it, you will be in a trance like state within minutes. Originally released in november 2009 as a limited edition vinyl only album, now available on cd for the first time. The album comes packaged in an oversized paper sleeve with folds out into a giant poster. January 2010-Cd-Thrill jockey-€10.99
White hills-Dead-Limited edition vinyl only release on the thrill jockey label from this brookly based psyche rock outfit. The mini album features three brand new tracks alongside a remix of oceans of sound by antronhy oh [currently a member of julian copes black sheep band]. The ep features a collection of totally blissed out psyche rock coming across like hawkwind jamming with spacemen 3. Its full of wah wah heavy guitar sounds, howling moog like effects and early sabbath like doom rock beats. Features dead, another coming, red sun and the oceans of sound remix. The album comes in black card sleeve with black gloss text and mounted card artwork on the front. January 2010-12"-Thrill jockey-€12.99
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New In This Week
New in stock items on sale at - http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?start=1&action=1
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Ambience affair-Patterns [with free button badge]-The second ep from irish outfit the ambience affair and the long awaited follow up to their stunning fragile things ep from 2009 [now sadly all sold out]. The ambience affair are a dublin based outfit featuring vocalist / guitarist jamie clarke and drummer marc gallagher. This ep features four beautifully constructed mellow indie rock sounds falling somewhere between the kooky sounds of arcade fire and the more expansive alt rock of radiohead. The main track has a lovely kind of euphoric post rock feel about it, full of looping intricate guitar sounds and multilayered vocals. I can also get a bit of a fleet foxes feel from some of the tracks, you know that kind of lovely offbeat alt folk sound. Comes in a lovely printed card envelope sleeve and you get a free metal button badge also. January 2010-Cd--€6.99
Beach house-Teen dream-Teen dream is the third album from this baltimore based outfit and the long awaited follow up to their stunning album devotion from 2008. The album was recorded in upstate new york in an old converted church called dreamland and was produced by chris coady [he has worked with the likes of tv on the radio, blonde redhead and yeah yeah yeahs]. It may only be january but this is an early contender already for the most beautiful / lush album of the year so far. The album carries on the folky americana themes of devotion and takes them to a whole new level, its a beautifully loose collection of sounds, full of spooky atmospherics which may have something to do with recording in a church. Its a truly amazing meeting of old and new sounds, rustic slide guitar seemlessly blending with the kind of woozy backwards guitars that my bloody valentine would be proud of. Its downbeat, intimate and truly expansive at the same time with an atmosphere that kind of reminds me a wee bit of mazzy star. If you liked devotion then prepared to be totally blown away by this one. January 2010-Cd-Bella union-€13.99
Chapman society-Arnold sideways-The chapman society are a dublin based four piece featuring russell keogh [vocals / guitars], sean kavanagh [vocals / guitars], liam quinn [bass] and ross o connor [drums]. Arnold sideways is their debut full length album released through their own label. The album features twelve slices of intelligent and well written indie rock with hints of the mod sounds of the likes of the kinks and some classic old school grunge rock. January 2010-Cd-Own label-€9.99
Clark, gene-Gene clark [white light]-A truly classic solo album from 1971 from the former vocalist with the byrds. The album was produced by ed davis and features chris ethridge [flying burrito brothers] on bass, ben sidran [steve millar band] on piano, michael utley on organ, john selk on guitars, jesse davis on guitar, bobby hall porter on percussion and gary mallaber on drums. The album features the virgin, with tomorrow, white light, because of you, one in a hundred, spanish guitar, where my love lies asleep, tears of rage and 1975. Now reissued by the 4 men with beards label. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl and comes in a heavy card sleeve with all the original artwork. 2008-Lp-4 men with beards-€19.99
Dancehall [the rise of jamaican dancehall culture]-Volume two [soul jazz presents part one]-The second in a series of soul jazz releases chronicling the rise of dancehall culture in jamaica. Compiled by steve barrow [author of the rough guide to reggae and owner of the blood and fire record label]. Features inner sleeve with liner notes from barrow. Double vinyl pressing featuring tracks from lone ranger, nicodemus, johnny osbourne and pappa tullo, ini kamoze, half pint, yellowman, shabba ranks, trinity, barry brown, madoo, early b and papa san. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. Part one of a two record set, the second volume is sold separately. Double vinyl pressing. January 2010-2lp-Soul jazz-€13.99
Dancehall [the rise of jamaican dancehall culture]-Volume two [soul jazz presents part two]-The second in a series of soul jazz releases chronicling the rise of dancehall culture in jamaica. Compiled by steve barrow [author of the rough guide to reggae and owner of the blood and fire record label]. Features inner sleeve with liner notes from barrow. Double vinyl pressing featuring tracks from tiger, welton irie, general trees, johnny osbourne, edi fitzroy, anthony johnson, jah thomas and radics, professor nuts, errol scorcher, triston palma, barry brown and buju banton. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. Part two of a two record set, the first volume is sold separately. Double vinyl pressing. January 2010-2lp-Soul jazz-€13.99
Dancehall [the rise of jamaican dancehall culture]-Volume two [soul jazz presents]-The second in a series of soul jazz releases chronicling the rise of dancehall culture in jamaica. Compiled by steve barrow [author of the rough guide to reggae and owner of the blood and fire record label]. The album comes packaged in a lovely three part foldout sleeve with a full colour booklet featuring lots of amazing photos and note by steve barrow. Features tracks from lone ranger, nicodemus, johnny osbourne and pappa tullo, ini kamoze, half pint, yellowman, shabba ranks, trinity, barry brown, madoo, early b, papa san, tiger, welton irie, general trees, johnny osbourne, edi fitzroy, anthony johnson, jah thomas and radics, professor nuts, errol scorcher, triston palma, barry brown and buju banton. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. Double cd set. Its pretty much an essential purchase for anyone into the history of the jamaican dancehall culture. January 2010-2cd-Soul jazz-€14.99
First aid kit-The big black and the blue-The debut full length album from these two teenage sisters on the wichita label. Swedish born klara and johanna soderberg have previously released just one ep on the rabid label [run by fellow swedes the knife]. Its an album featuring some of the most beautiful dual vocal harmonies you are likely to hear all year round, you have to keep reminding yourself these are only teenagers. Its an album deeply rooted in traditional old american folk music, the girls give it a little bit of a modern folk pop twist from time to time but the majority of tracks are down home old time roots classics. Its almost like bluegrass country pop at times. There is a bit of a joan baez vibe from time to time [imagine two of them singing at the same time] with a little bit of the mamas and papas. Anyone remember kathy and carol from the sixties, if so then you will love this one. I can see fans of everything from gillian welch to alela diane loving this one. January 2010-Cd-Wichita-€16.99
Fucked up-Couple tracks [singles 2002 to 2009]-A collection of rare and hard to find tracks from fucked up courtesy of the matador label. Most of these tracks were released as limited edition 7 inch vinyls and are long out of print and pretty much impossible to track down now. The album goes back to their no pasaran single on the deranged label in 2002 and ends up with their last single no epiphany single for matador in 2009. Along with all these rare singles the album also features five previously unreleased tracks specially remastered for this release. The album comes complete with detailed liner notes with artwork and info on every single. Quite simply this is some of the finest old school hardcore meets motorhead like rock'n'roll you are likely to ever hear. Probably one of the finest rock bands on the planet at this moment in time. Double vinyl pressing comes in a heavy card gatefold sleeve. January 2010-2lp-Matador-€18.99
Hot chip-One life stand-Hot chip return after a two year break with their fourth full length album to date. The london based quintet carry on the themes from made in the dark [2008] and have managed to make an even more pop like / dancefloor friendly collection. Mainstays joe goddard, alexis taylor, felix martin, al doyle and owen clarke are joined on this one by charles hayward [this heat], fimber bravo [steel n'skin], leo taylor [the invisible] and experimental string arrangers emma smith and vince sipprell [geese]. Its pure electro pop at times with its fair share of gentle piano led ballad action and lots of pulsating punk funk. Its hot chip really, you dont need me to tell you what they sound like. January 2010-Cd-Emi-€15.99
Jaga jazzist-One armed bandit-The return of the norwegian based big band jaga jazzist with their new album on the ninja tunes label. The lenghty list of full time regulars are joined this time by john mcentire [tortoise] and free jazz trio the thing. Its a rather complex sounding collection of electronic funk and prog jazz sounding both entirely new and also like some long lost early seventies jazz fusion album. The album comes packaged with four different cards, each one displaying different artwork on the front which means you can change to cover to suit your favourite fruit machine. January 2010-Cd-Ninja tunes-€13.99
Johnston, daniel-Artistic vice and 1990 [double lp with digital download coupon]-Two old gems from the legendary daniel johnston reissued on limited vinyl by his own eternal yip eye label. Double vinyl pressing in a gatefold sleeve replicating both originals. 1990 was originally released on the shimmy disc label [his only one for that label]. The album was produced by label owner kramer and features some help from steve shelly and lee renaldo [both from sonic youth]. The album features devil town, spirit world rising, held the hand, lord give me hope, some things last a long time, tears stupid tears, dont play cards with satan, true love will find you in the end, got to get you into my life, careless soul, funeral home and softly and tenderly. Artistic vice was originally released in 1993 and was one of his first albums to be made with a full backing band. Johnston is joined by mike west, dale dudgeon, tom gruda, donny spencer, brent conkle and fred mcmahan. The album also comes with a digital download coupon featuring all tracks from both albums. 2008-2lp-Eternal yip eye-€18.99
Lightning bolt-Earthly delights [double vinyl with digital download coupon]-Dare i begin this review by stating that lightning bolt have made their most accessible album to date with this new collection on the load label. Probably best known for their truly explosive live shows and white noise like avant rock, this album actually sheds a bit of the fuzz to reveal a truly superb collection of psychedelic grunge metal sounds, imagine a death metal version of black sabbaths doom rock. Its got to be said there are not many two piece outfits that can make a noise as good as this, its avant garde noise rock at its very very finest, pretty relentless from start to finish. These guys really have hit a peak with this album. The album was originally released late last year on cd and finally we get hold of some vinyl copies. Double vinyl pressing which also comes with a digital download coupon featuring all tracks from the album. January 2010-2lp-Load-€19.99
Lower pool, the-Straight-This is a truly intrugueing collection of 19 rustic lo fi sounds from dublin based artist frank maher. Its a collection of perfectly raw almost outsider like singer songwriter sounds. Its like a great big melting pot of daniel johnston, guided by voices, early bob dylan, john lennon, tom waits, sixties garage and psyche folk. Features lots of bluesy like fuzzed up guitar sounds. January 2010-Cd-Own label-€6.99
Magickal folk of the faraway tree-The soup and the shilling-Brand new double cd from this irish folk collective on the deserted village label. The first disc features two long out of print cdr releases, originally released in an edition of only 100 copies each and impossible to track down now. The original eps were called the mildew leaf and the cats melodeon. The first disc also features a track from the gold leaf branches compilation. The second disc features a collection of all new and previously unreleased recordings. The album features a beautifully rustic blend of traditional irish folk music, trippy psyche folk and hints of seventies english folk music. Try to imagine an irish tinged fairport convention meets six organs of admittance. January 2010-2cd-Deserted village-€14.99
Mandarinentraume-Various artists-A collection of long lost krautrock / electronic tracks from the former communist ruled east germany. The majority of tracks were recorded at a time when the state had control over pretty much all forms of music, the communist party deemed computer music to be very much the way forward and so electronic music flourished. The tracks were all recorded between 1981 and 1989, highly influenced by the sounds being made by artists like tangerine dream, vangelis, jean michel jarre and klaus shulze. Im sure [like me] that most of these artists names will be new to you but if you are a fan of early electronic krautrock then you will simply love this one. The album comes with a highly detailed full colour booklet with lots of photos and info on all the band involved. January 2010-Cd-Permanent vacation-€13.99
Mandarinentraume-Various artists-A collection of long lost krautrock / electronic tracks from the former communist ruled east germany. The majority of tracks were recorded at a time when the state had control over pretty much all forms of music, the communist party deemed computer music to be very much the way forward and so electronic music flourished. The tracks were all recorded between 1981 and 1989, highly influenced by the sounds being made by artists like tangerine dream, vangelis, jean michel jarre and klaus shulze. Im sure [like me] that most of these artists names will be new to you but if you are a fan of early electronic krautrock then you will simply love this one. This vinyl pressing is limited to only 200 copies. The album comes with detailed liner notes on the inner sleeve with info on the artists and their recordings. January 2010-Lp-Permanent vacation-€18.99
Messiah j and the expert-Acting the maggot-Limited edition 7 inch only release. The single is limited to only 200 copies released as part of the richter collective singles club. Features acting the maggot along with if you dont want to know the score look away now on the flip side. Along with messiah j on vocals and the expert on music / production the band are joined by paul twiddler dunne on bass, frankie funkadelic pollard on guitar, scratching by dj moschops and jennifer evans on vocals. January 2010-7"-The richter collective-€4.99
Midlake-The courage of others-Midlake return with their first new full length album since the trial of van occupanther back in 2006. Its their third album to date and a darker more slow affair compared to their last outing [also on the bella union label]. The band features regular members tim smith, eric pulido, eric nichelson, paul alexander and mckenzie. Joining them on the album are stephanie dosen on vocals, max townsley on guitar, jesse chandler on harpsichord and fiona brice on violin. This is definitely an album that owes a fair bit to both the english psychedelic folk sound of the seventies and late sixties woodstock era folk rock thing. Its an album of both early folk / country rock and classic psychedelic folk. Its full of beautifully mellow, laid back hazy folk sounds with a lovely kind of loose campfire feel about it. There is also still plenty of that neil young like vibe carried on from their last outing, its a perfect blend of electric and acoustic sounds. I think long time fans will simply adore this one and they may well have won over a few new fans, particularly those who like their alt folk and rootsy americana. January 2010-Cd-Bella union-€14.99
Midlake-The courage of others [limited 180 gram vinyl]-Midlake return with their first new full length album since the trial of van occupanther back in 2006. Its their third album to date and a darker more slow affair compared to their last outing [also on the bella union label]. The band features regular members tim smith, eric pulido, eric nichelson, paul alexander and mckenzie. Joining them on the album are stephanie dosen on vocals, max townsley on guitar, jesse chandler on harpsichord and fiona brice on violin. This is definitely an album that owes a fair bit to both the english psychedelic folk sound of the seventies and late sixties woodstock era folk rock thing. Its an album of both early folk / country rock and classic psychedelic folk. Its full of beautifully mellow, laid back hazy folk sounds with a lovely kind of loose campfire feel about it. There is also still plenty of that neil young like vibe carried on from their last outing, its a perfect blend of electric and acoustic sounds. I think long time fans will simply adore this one and they may well have won over a few new fans, particularly those who like their alt folk and rootsy americana. Limited edition 180 gram vinyl pressing. January 2010-Lp-Bella union-€18.99
Moonface-Dreamland ep [with bonus digital download coupon]-Moonface is a brand new solo project from spencer krug, probably best known for his work with sunset rubdown but also a sometime member of wolf parade, frog eyes and swan lake. The album is released on the jag jaguwar label and comes on vinyl only. The album features 20 minutes of music pressed on just one side of the vinyl. The album is based on musical interpretations of dreams, hence the name dreamland. Its a rather strangely beautiful blend of marimba like percussive sounds and stream of conscience like vocal sounds featuring some almost gospel like chanting. Its very much a percussive based piece, almost all 20 minutes are based around the minimal like marimba beats. Comes with a digital download coupon for the track also. January 2010-Lp-Jag jaguwar-€12.99
Pit er pat-The flexible entertainer [with bonus digital download coupon]-Album number four from pit er pat featuring butchy fuego and fay davis-jeffers. Fuego was once a member of neutral milk hotel and has recently been playing drums with the melvins. This is a truly odd collection of sounds, chopping and changing sounds with such regularity that i keep checking to see if somebody has changed the album around when i wasnt looking. At times reminscent of some kind of electro tinged no wave meets the tom tom club, full of funky beats and abstract guitar picking. On other tracks they kind of delve into the more psyche like sounds of animal collective with hints of the hypnotic sounds of konono no 1, strangely enough. Comes with a digital download coupon featuring all tracks from the album. January 2010-Lp-Thrill jockey-€12.99
Pomegranates-Everybody come outside-The second album from this cincinnati based art pop outfit and the follow up to everything is alive from 2008. Released on the lujo label last year we are finally getting our hands on some copies over here at last. The album features a collection of infectiously cathcy indie pop sounds with lots of psychedelic like twists and turns along the way. Featuring lots of shimmering guitar sounds, piano led breakdowns and hints of everything from talking heads to modest mouse and the shins. January 2010-Cd-Lujo records-€16.99
Pontiak-Sea voids [with bonus mp3 download coupon]-Vinyl only release from pontiak on the thrill jockey label. The album comes rather beautifully presented in a hand screened sleeve with metallic gold ink. Also features a digital download coupon featuring all tracks from the album. The last time we heard from these three brothers was their split release with arbouretum also on the thrill jockey label in 2008. These guys deal in a truly superb brand of blues tinged stoner rock, think of the totally blissed out sounds of kyuss with just a bit more of an old blues like vibe going on. Its full of heavy stoner rock guitar action harking back to the classic sounds of those desert sessions on mans ruin. This is the kind of album that i can see fans of everything from kyuss to screaming trees totally loving. January 2010-Lp-Thrill jockey-€12.99
Pop, iggy-Lust for life [180 gram vinyl reissue]-The second solo album from iggy pop after parting ways with the stooges. Originally released in 1977. The album features hunt sales on drums, tony sales on bass, carlos alomar and ricky gardiner on guitars, david bowie on piano and of course iggy screaming his head off. This is much more of a back to basics collection of raw punk rock sounds compared to his debut the idiot. The ablum features lust for life, sixteen, some weird sin, the passenger, tonight, success, turn blue, neighbourhood threat and fall in love with me. Pressed on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl and comes in a heavy card sleeve with all the original artwork [including lyrics]. 2008-Lp-4 men with beards-€21.99
Pop, iggy-The idiot [180 gram vinyl reissue]-Originally released way back in 1977, this was the debut solo album from the former stooges vocalist. The album was co written and produced by his good mate david bowie. Its a very sedate and calm affair compared to the previous albums with the stooges. Features sister midnight, nightclubbing, funtime, baby, china girl, dum dum boys, tiny girls and mass production. The album is now reissed on the 4 men with beards label and comes pressed on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Comes in a heavy card sleeve featuring all the original artwork. 2008-Lp-4 men with beards-€19.99
Power ryce, brigid-You are here ep-Limited edition five track ep on the irish based label rusted rail from avant folk artist brigid power ryce. Recorded in philidelphia with eric carbonara and also in london at toe rag studios with liam watson. The ep features some beautifully haunting avant folk sounds from this galway based artist. Its a lovely raw kind of stripped down sound simply featuring steel strung acoustic guitar picking and vocals. Almost like a more rustic cat power with the weirdness of joanna newsom. Comes in a lovely hand stamped three inch card sleeve, all lovingly hand made by the rusted rail label. January 2010-Cds-Rusted rail-€7.50
Red krayola with art and language-Five american portraits-The red krayola produce an album of portraits in words and music to wile e coyote, president george w bush, president jimmy carter, john wayne and ad reinhardt. The band are backed by a stellar lineup including alex dower [victim] on drums, tom rogerson [three trapped tigers] on piano, french improvisational wizard q on sas, tom watson [slovenly] on guitar, jim o rourke on bass, mayo thompson on piano / guitar and gina birch [the raincoats] on bass / vocals. Its an album as weird and wonderful as you might expect from these art rock legends, going from country roots to pure psychedelia at the drop of a hat. Delve in and enjoy, its always the best way to enjoy the red krayola. January 2010-Cd-Drag city-€13.99
Red krayola with art and language-Five american portraits-The red krayola produce an album of portraits in words and music to wile e coyote, president george w bush, president jimmy carter, john wayne and ad reinhardt. The band are backed by a stellar lineup including alex dower [victim] on drums, tom rogerson [three trapped tigers] on piano, french improvisational wizard q on sas, tom watson [slovenly] on guitar, jim o rourke on bass, mayo thompson on piano / guitar and gina birch [the raincoats] on bass / vocals. Its an album as weird and wonderful as you might expect from these art rock legends, going from country roots to pure psychedelia at the drop of a hat. Delve in and enjoy, its always the best way to enjoy the red krayola. January 2010-Lp-Drag city-€15.99
Scout niblett-The calcination of scout niblett-Album number five from scout niblett and another to feature the rather superb production skills of steve albini [shellac]. Its probably her most sparse collection of songs to date with the majority of tracks just featuring a totally fuzzed up electric guitar and her own voice. Its an album of sparse avant rock and slow core sounds, full of blues like dirges with a hint of everything from red house painters to the mighty codeine. Its very much an album that calls to mind the more sparse raw sounds of earlier pj harvey albums, maybe that has something to do with the sounds that steve albini seems to extract from artists. Its beautifully raw at times, nibletts voice goes from a whisper to a scream at such ease too. If you are a pj harvey fan this is definitely well worth checking out. January 2010-Cd-Drag city-€14.99
Scout niblett-The calcination of scout niblett-Album number five from scout niblett and another to feature the rather superb production skills of steve albini [shellac]. Its probably her most sparse collection of songs to date with the majority of tracks just featuring a totally fuzzed up electric guitar and her own voice. Its an album of sparse avant rock and slow core sounds, full of blues like dirges with a hint of everything from red house painters to the mighty codeine. Its very much an album that calls to mind the more sparse raw sounds of earlier pj harvey albums, maybe that has something to do with the sounds that steve albini seems to extract from artists. Its beautifully raw at times, nibletts voice goes from a whisper to a scream at such ease too. If you are a pj harvey fan this is definitely well worth checking out. January 2010-Lp-Drag city-€13.99
Soft pack-The soft pack-The debut album from this san diego based garage rock outfit formerly known as the muslims. The album features ten short sharp blasts of old school garage rock meets the early punk rock sounds of the seventies. Its full of fuzzed up and extremely catchy punk pop sounds, imagine the modern lovers fronted by iggy pop on a slighly more sixties garage pop like trip. I have to admit i am totally loving this album at the moment, its full of sunshine tinged garage rock and thats always good in my world. Its the kind of album i would imagine billy childish would have made had he been born near a beach in california. Clocking in at just over 32 minutes you just want to keep hitting the repeat button after each listen. January 2010-Cd-Heavenly recordings-€17.99
Sounds of system breakdown-Sounds of system breakdown-The debut full length album from this dublin based electro rock three piece released through their own label.the band features rob costello, adam jensen and richy kelly. The album is a big pounding blend of heavy electro pop, funky electronic disco and synth led post punk. Its full of bleepy infectiously catchy pop sounds, equally at home on a dancefloor or a steamy house party. At times reminiscent of the likes of hot chip / lcd soundsystem or even fellow dub jape. January 2010-Cd-Own label-€11.99
Sunny day real estate-Lp2 [remastered with bonus tracks]-This new version on the sub pop label has now been fully remastered and comes with bonus tracks bucket of chicken and spade and parade. The album also comes with brand new liner notes too. The album comes pressed on the two slabs of pink vinyl. Comes with a digital download coupon featuring all tracks from the album. This was the second album from sunny day real estate and their last before splitting up and heading off in their own separate ways for three years. Nate mendel and william goldsmith went off to join dave grohl in the foo fighters. 2009-2lp-Sub pop-€14.99
Thao and the get down stay down-Know better learn faster-Thao nguven returns with the long awaited follow up to we brave bee stings and all from 2008, also on the kill rock stars label. This time she is backed by her full touring band the get down stay down, giving the album a somewhat more full sound. Features some catchy and rather quirky indie rock sounds with a similar vibe to the likes of broken social scene or arcade fire with slightly more emphasis on the melodic side of things. There is also a bit of a rootsy folk like feel about some of the tunes with rolling skiffle like beats behind intricate guitar picking. January 2010-Cd-Kill rock stars-€12.99
Thao and the get down stay down-Know better learn faster-Thao nguven returns with the long awaited follow up to we brave bee stings and all from 2008, also on the kill rock stars label. This time she is backed by her full touring band the get down stay down, giving the album a somewhat more full sound. Features some catchy and rather quirky indie rock sounds with a similar vibe to the likes of broken social scene or arcade fire with slightly more emphasis on the melodic side of things. There is also a bit of a rootsy folk like feel about some of the tunes with rolling skiffle like beats behind intricate guitar picking. January 2010-Lp-Kill rock stars-€13.99
Urick, jason-Husbands-Debut solo album from baltimore based songwriter jason ulrick [wzt hearts]. The album features a collection of reverb drenced drone based pieces slowly building into some kind of tripped out psychedelic noise. Its full of looping distorted guitar sounds, layered over each other repeatedly with lots of analog sounding synth vibes. This is drone based minimalism at its very finest, constantly changing but somehow still staying the same. Its an album that takes in little pieces of seventies krautrock minimalism and stretches every note to its longest point. Try it, you will be in a trance like state within minutes. Originally released in november 2009 as a limited edition vinyl only album, now available on cd for the first time. The album comes packaged in an oversized paper sleeve with folds out into a giant poster. January 2010-Cd-Thrill jockey-€10.99
We are only riders-The jeffrey lee pierce sessions project-A stellar cast of musicians interpret and in some cases complet unfinished works by the late great frontman with seminal outfit the gun club. The album features contributions from nick cave, debbie harry, lydia lunch, mark lanegan [solo and with isobel campbel], the raveonettes, david eugene edwards, the sadies, crippled black phoenix, isobel campbell [with mark lanegan], cypress grove, nick cave [with debbie harry], mick harvey and lydia lunch [this time with dave alvin and the jlp sessions project].-Cd-Glitterhouse-€18.99
White hills-Dead-Limited edition vinyl only release on the thrill jockey label from this brookly based psyche rock outfit. The mini album features three brand new tracks alongside a remix of oceans of sound by antronhy oh [currently a member of julian copes black sheep band]. The ep features a collection of totally blissed out psyche rock coming across like hawkwind jamming with spacemen 3. Its full of wah wah heavy guitar sounds, howling moog like effects and early sabbath like doom rock beats. Features dead, another coming, red sun and the oceans of sound remix. The album comes in black card sleeve with black gloss text and mounted card artwork on the front. January 2010-12"-Thrill jockey-€12.99
White hills-White hills [with digital download coupon]-Brand new album from psychedelic rock specialists on the thrill jockey label. The album was recorded over the course of three days and features kid millions from oneida on drums. This limited vinyl version has two exclusive tracks not featured on the cd version and comes in a deluxe embossed sleeve with full digital download coupon. The album features in circles too, three quarters, let the right one in, dead, in circles and polvere di stelle. The artwork for this vinyl version is also different to the cd version. The album is a truly awesome collection of stoner rock meets pure blissed out space rock. Try to imagine a much more stoner rock like take on hawkwind. Its full of lenghty blistering guitar workouts, fuzzed up synthy space rock like sounds and kyuss like stoner rock dirges. These guys are quite possibly one of the finest stoner / psyche rock bands on the planet at this moment in time, no exaggeration. January 2010-Lp-Thrill jockey-€14.99
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New Irish Titles This Week
This weeks new titles in our extensive independent Irish section –
http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?start=1&action=3
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Ambience affair-Patterns [with free button badge]-The second ep from irish outfit the ambience affair and the long awaited follow up to their stunning fragile things ep from 2009 [now sadly all sold out]. The ambience affair are a dublin based outfit featuring vocalist / guitarist jamie clarke and drummer marc gallagher. This ep features four beautifully constructed mellow indie rock sounds falling somewhere between the kooky sounds of arcade fire and the more expansive alt rock of radiohead. The main track has a lovely kind of euphoric post rock feel about it, full of looping intricate guitar sounds and multilayered vocals. I can also get a bit of a fleet foxes feel from some of the tracks, you know that kind of lovely offbeat alt folk sound. Comes in a lovely printed card envelope sleeve and you get a free metal button badge also. January 2010-Cd--€6.99
Chapman society-Arnold sideways-The chapman society are a dublin based four piece featuring russell keogh [vocals / guitars], sean kavanagh [vocals / guitars], liam quinn [bass] and ross o connor [drums]. Arnold sideways is their debut full length album released through their own label. The album features twelve slices of intelligent and well written indie rock with hints of the mod sounds of the likes of the kinks and some classic old school grunge rock. January 2010-Cd-Own label-€9.99
Lower pool, the-Straight-This is a truly intrugueing collection of 19 rustic lo fi sounds from dublin based artist frank maher. Its a collection of perfectly raw almost outsider like singer songwriter sounds. Its like a great big melting pot of daniel johnston, guided by voices, early bob dylan, john lennon, tom waits, sixties garage and psyche folk. Features lots of bluesy like fuzzed up guitar sounds. January 2010-Cd-Own label-€6.99
Magickal folk of the faraway tree-The soup and the shilling-Brand new double cd from this irish folk collective on the deserted village label. The first disc features two long out of print cdr releases, originally released in an edition of only 100 copies each and impossible to track down now. The original eps were called the mildew leaf and the cats melodeon. The first disc also features a track from the gold leaf branches compilation. The second disc features a collection of all new and previously unreleased recordings. The album features a beautifully rustic blend of traditional irish folk music, trippy psyche folk and hints of seventies english folk music. Try to imagine an irish tinged fairport convention meets six organs of admittance. January 2010-2cd-Deserted village-€14.99
Messiah j and the expert-Acting the maggot-Limited edition 7 inch only release. The single is limited to only 200 copies released as part of the richter collective singles club. Features acting the maggot along with if you dont want to know the score look away now on the flip side. Along with messiah j on vocals and the expert on music / production the band are joined by paul twiddler dunne on bass, frankie funkadelic pollard on guitar, scratching by dj moschops and jennifer evans on vocals. January 2010-7"-The richter collective-€4.99
Power ryce, brigid-You are here ep-Limited edition five track ep on the irish based label rusted rail from avant folk artist brigid power ryce. Recorded in philidelphia with eric carbonara and also in london at toe rag studios with liam watson. The ep features some beautifully haunting avant folk sounds from this galway based artist. Its a lovely raw kind of stripped down sound simply featuring steel strung acoustic guitar picking and vocals. Almost like a more rustic cat power with the weirdness of joanna newsom. Comes in a lovely hand stamped three inch card sleeve, all lovingly hand made by the rusted rail label. January 2010-Cds-Rusted rail-€7.50
Sounds of system breakdown-Sounds of system breakdown-The debut full length album from this dublin based electro rock three piece released through their own label.the band features rob costello, adam jensen and richy kelly. The album is a big pounding blend of heavy electro pop, funky electronic disco and synth led post punk. Its full of bleepy infectiously catchy pop sounds, equally at home on a dancefloor or a steamy house party. At times reminiscent of the likes of hot chip / lcd soundsystem or even fellow dub jape. January 2010-Cd-Own label-€11.99
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Don’t forget we now carry a huge range of early Folk, Roots, Blues and Country titles which will be mixed in with all the other stock
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Store opening times
Monday 10am to 6pm, Tuesday 10am to 6pm, Wednesday 10am to 6pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm.
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We are so modern around here and just to prove it you can now follow us on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/RoadRecords
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Our website will now be updated every day now. We are going to keep the mailout to once a week, but if you want to check on stock coming in midweek then please check out the webpage for any early arrivals.
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This Weeks Pre-orders
Order these titles at special prices on the website before they are released, the more we order from our suppliers the better the price. From time to time we will also be offering free goodies with certain titles. More info at the following link on our site
- http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?start=1&action=8
PLEASE NOTE - These offers are for mail order customers only and can only be ordered through the site for mail order. See instore for other offers
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At last an atlas-From which we were raised [with limited bonus cd]-The debut full length release on the slow loris label from dublin based artist at last an atlas. Its pretty much a one man band centred around hollows member greg o brien, with just a little help from some friends. Greg previoulsy released a limited edition split mini album on the slow loris with singer songwriter paul o reilly. This is a truly beautiful collection of intimate downbeat electronic folk like sounds, lots of gentle throbbing beats, lush synth sounds and hushed vocal tones. For some reason his material always reminds of a more stripped down grandaddy, like some late night take on their sound with a bit of elliott smith blended in. Its a beautiful dreamlike collection of intimate electronic pop sounds, it almost reminds me of the kind of thing that you would expect to hear from the morr music label, you know that kind of gentle late night pop sound they specialise in. Gently pulsating electronic folk pop at its very very finest.
order this album before the 5th of february and get a very very limited edition free four track bonus cd. Only the first 100 copies will come with a bonus cd so get your orders in quick. The bonus will come in a handmade screen printed sleeve and features four exclusive tracks recorded specially for this release. The releases on this label are always a thing of real personal beauty, those still trying to track down the awesome wagtail original sleeve will testify to that. Dont say you havent been warned this time.
this album will be released on the 5th of february and your order will ship out to you on that date.-2cd-Slow loris-€9.99
Beach house-Teen dream [released on the 5th of february]-Teen dream is the third album from this baltimore based outfit and the long awaited follow up to their stunning album devotion from 2008. The album was recorded in upstate new york in an old converted church called dreamland and was produced by chris coady [he has worked with the likes of tv on the radio, blonde redhead and yeah yeah yeahs]. It may only be january but this is an early contender already for the most beautiful / lush album of the year so far. The album carries on the folky americana themes of devotion and takes them to a whole new level, its a beautifully loose collection of sounds, full of spooky atmospherics which may have something to do with recording in a church. Its a truly amazing meeting of old and new sounds, rustic slide guitar seemlessly blending with the kind of woozy backwards guitars that my bloody valentine would be proud of. Its downbeat, intimate and truly expansive at the same time with an atmosphere that kind of reminds me a wee bit of mazzy star. If you liked devotion then prepared to be totally blown away by this one.-Lp-Bella union-€16.99
Dance to the radio-Volume four [featuring super extra bonus party]-The last in a series of four limited edition 12 inch only releases from the dance to the radio label. Each volume is limited to only 300 copies and features four tracks from four different bands. This volume rather excites us as it features a track from our very own super extra bonus party along with us band drink up buttercup, milk white white teeth and paul thomas saunders. Super extra bonus party deliver an exclusive new remix of their track who are you and what do you want [featuring rsag]
this release will ship out to you on the 5th of february-12"-Dance to the radio-€7.99
Retribution gospel choir-2 [released on the 5th of february]-Album number from this rock outfit fronted by alan sparhawk [guitarist / singer with low]. Its the follow up to their self titled debut which came out in 2008 and thieir first for the sub pop label. The band features sparhawk on vocals / guitars, steve garrington on bass and eric pollard on drums. The album was recorded by eric swanson at sacred heart studios in minnesota. This is very much an album that sees sparhawk let loose with the kind of rock based guitar action the really wouldnt work on any of the recordings with low. This is back to basics guitar based rock music, falling somewhere between the slow core sounds of the likes of the red house painters and some of neil youngs crazy horse vibes. Ive got to admit it great to hear this guy let loose with his guitar on this album, its full of fuzzed up distorted sounds and plenty of heavy riff action.-Cd-Sub pop-€12.99
Retribution gospel choir-2 [released on the 5th of february]-Album number from this rock outfit fronted by alan sparhawk [guitarist / singer with low]. Its the follow up to their self titled debut which came out in 2008 and thieir first for the sub pop label. The band features sparhawk on vocals / guitars, steve garrington on bass and eric pollard on drums. The album was recorded by eric swanson at sacred heart studios in minnesota. This is very much an album that sees sparhawk let loose with the kind of rock based guitar action the really wouldnt work on any of the recordings with low. This is back to basics guitar based rock music, falling somewhere between the slow core sounds of the likes of the red house painters and some of neil youngs crazy horse vibes. Ive got to admit it great to hear this guy let loose with his guitar on this album, its full of fuzzed up distorted sounds and plenty of heavy riff action.-Lp-Sub pop-€13.99
Walker, craig-Siamese [released on the 29th of january] - signed copies-The debut solo album from dublin born singer songwriter craig walker, former frontman with power of dreams and archive. The album was recorded and mixed at bang studios in iceland and features lots of assistance from producer bardi johannsson. The album features ten brand new tracks from walker along with a bonus track which is a cover of the lou reed classic perfect day. One of the tracks [bright lights] recently featured in andre techines latest film la fille du rer. The album features some beautifully orchestrated underground pop sounds, melodic indie rock and bass heavy new wave vibes.
all copies of this album ordered before the release date on the 29th of january will be personally signed by craig walker for you.-Cd-Discograph-€9.99
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Ordering Service – We can now offer you our new special ordering facility. We try to keep the catalogue down to items we have in stock in the store so we can supply your mail order as quickly as possible, but due to that there will always be titles not on the site that we can get in stock. If there is something you are looking for that you don't see on the catalogue, chances are we can order it in for you. If you would like us to order something in for you simply fill in the form on the website. We will get back to you and let you know how long it will take (normally only takes a week or so) and if that suits we can then place the order for you. Please understand that we cannot get rarities, deleted items or rare singles no longer in print. You can access the order form at - http://www.roadrecs.com/order.php.
This service is completely free of charge, you only pay the price of the record, nothing else.
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Back in stock titles on sale at - http://www.roadrecs.com/stock/shopping.php3?start=1&action=2
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Akron family-Set em wild set em free [with bonus mp3 code]-Akron family return with a brand new album on the dead oceans label. Now stripped down to a core three piece with the departure of regular member ryan vanderhoof. On first listen this is by far their most accessable album to date with the album taking on a somewhat country tinged americana vibe for the first few tracks. There is still plenty of their trademark rambling psyche folk in here along with a couple of truly explosive psyche rock moments building up into some superbly crazed avant garde southern rock meets pure white noise. What i love about these guys is that you simply cannot predict what is coming next as tracks can go from gentle acoustic guitar picking to full on wall of sound noise at the drop of a hat. As eccentric and brilliant as ever. Limited edition double vinyl pressing in a gatefold sleeve. Comes with a bonus mp3 download code. June 2009-2lp-Dead oceans-€19.99
And so i watch you from afar-And so i watch you from afar-The debut album from this northern irish based post rock outfit on the smalltown america label. The album features some truly thunderous and rocking post rock sounds coming across like the meeting of don caballero, japanese outfits mono or lite and fellow irishmen the redneck manifesto. Its full of intricate guitar based post rock workouts with plenty of fuzzed up explosive moments. Its mostly an album that concentrates the heavier side of post rock with a total emphasis on the word rock. A total sonic blast of weird time sequences and clever intricate guitar work layered over pounding drum passages. Wonderfully exciting stuff. May 2009-Cd-Smalltown america-€15.99
Animal collective-Fall be kind-Brand new five track mini album from the ever brilliant animal collective, none of these tracks have appeared anywhere before. The album features graze, what would i want? Sky, bleed, on a highway and i think i can. According to the press release with the album the real coup for this collection is the first ever officially cleared grateful dead sample to be used on a record, now theres a fact im sure you didnt know. The album sees the band go back just a little to their more experimental early days, full of shimmering psychedelia. I think this is the first album in my record collection to feature panpipes [the first i will openly admit to anyway]. These guys must be one of the few bands that can make totally experimental psychedelia that manages to be infectiously catchy at the same time, as ever weird but truly wonderful too. One and a half amazing albums in one year, not many bands you can say that about. December 2009-Cd-Domino-€9.99
Animal collective-Fall be kind [with digital download coupon]-Brand new five track mini album from the ever brilliant animal collective, none of these tracks have appeared anywhere before. The album features graze, what would i want? Sky, bleed, on a highway and i think i can. According to the press release with the album the real coup for this collection is the first ever officially cleared grateful dead sample to be used on a record, now theres a fact im sure you didnt know. The album sees the band go back just a little to their more experimental early days, full of shimmering psychedelia. I think this is the first album in my record collection to feature panpipes [the first i will openly admit to anyway]. These guys must be one of the few bands that can make totally experimental psychedelia that manages to be infectiously catchy at the same time, as ever weird but truly wonderful too. One and a half amazing albums in one year, not many bands you can say that about. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl and comes with free digital download coupon featuring all tracks. December 2009-Lp-Domino-€9.99
Animal collective-Merriweather post pavillion-Brand new album from animal collective, now on the domino record label. Double vinyl pressing in a gatefold sleeve-Lp-Domino-€15.99
Beach boys-Pet sounds-Now reissued on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl on the orignal capitol label. Comes with all the original artwork too. Originally released in 1966 its still one of those albums that ranks in plenty of peoples top tens of all time. Features wouldnt it be nice, you still believe in me, thats not me, dont talk, im waiting for the day, lets go away for a while, sloop john b, god only knows, i know theres an answer, here today, i just wasnt made for these times, pet sounds and caroline no.-Lp-Emi-€21.99
Been in the storm so long-Spirituals folk tales and childrens games from johns island-A collection of african american sounds from johns island in north carolina from the early sixties. 28 track collection originally release as two separate folkways vinyl albums. Its a really beautiful insight into a long lost world of traditional songs and the way of life of the islands inhabitants. The album features a host of traditional call and response work songs, gospel songs, childrens rhymes and group spirituals. Comes with the usual high standard liner notes too. 1990-Cd-Smithsonian folkways-€17.99
Big star-Number one record-Reissue of big stars debut album from way back in 1972. Reissued on the ardent label. Comes in a perfect replica heavy card sleeve. Features feel, the ballad of el goodo, in the street, thirteen, dont lie to me, the india song, when my babys beside me, my life is right, give me another chance, try again, watch the sunrise and st100 6. Features the original four piece lineup of alex chilton, christopher bell, andy hummel and jody stephens.-Lp-Ardent records-€12.99
Black banjo songsters of north carolina and virginia-Various artists [smithsonian folkways presents]-A collection of classic recordings of african american banjo playing. Features a broad selection of tracks recorded between 1974 and 1997 with extensive liner notes and artist biographies. A collection of everything from solo instrumentals to full band affairs and vocal tracks. Features tracks from john snipes, dink roberts, joe and odell thompson, james roberts, etta baker with leonard bowles, lewis hairston, john tyree and rufus kasey. Features a total of 32 classic old standards. 1998-Cd-Smithsonian folkways-€18.99
Blk jks-After robots-Whilst there are lots of bands around at the moment dabbling in african and afrobeat rhythms these four guys from south africa really have to know their way around the intricacies of blending african music and modern alt rock sounds. The album features a sublime blend of post rock and alt rock sounds with traditional afrobeat rhythms and melodies. I have to admit its like nothing i have heard before, whilst it does have obvious influences, these guys have come up with something completely original, hell there even a bit of tex mex in there from time to time. Its full of meandering complex rhythms that are distinctly african and post rock at the same time, kind of bordering on some kind of modern prog rock i suppose. October 2009-Lp-Secretly canadian-€17.99
Blue note plays-Billie holiday [various artists]-Eight track selection culled from different blue note albums released in the past. Features tracks from dexter gordon, miles davis, herbie nichols, clifford brown, ike quebec, sonny clark, freddie hubbard and lee morgan. 2006-Cd-Blue note-€9.99
Boggs, dock-False hearted lovers blues-A beautiful collection of early recordings from the much underated banjo player dock boggs. The album features a selection of tracks recorded between 1927 and 1929. They have been beautifully restored by the monk label, fast becomming one of our favourite reissue specialists around here. Features some of the finest banjo led country blues sounds you are likely to hear from this period of american folk music. August 2009-Lp-Monk-€13.99
Bonnie prince billy and the picket line-Funtown comedown-Limited edition vinyl only release from bonnie prince billy [will oldham] and backing band the picket line. The band features oscar lee riley parsons on guitar, dob dixon on electric guitar, johathan kempf on mandolin, cheyenne mize on fiddle, danny kiely on double bass and bradly reinstedler on banjo. The album features a selection of bonnie prince billy originals, a few from the picket line and a cover of the merle haggard classic rambling fever. The album was recorded live to a small audience of friends, its a lovely rustic feelgood collection of tracks with a somewhat raw old time folk kind of feel. Its really does sound like these guys had a lot of fun recording this album with oldham sounding in particularly joyous mood. January 2010-Lp-Sea note-€15.99
Bothy band, the-Old hag you have killed me-Stunning trad album from 1976. The first album to feature kevin burke. Features music in the glen, fionnghualas bothy, farewell to eirn, the ballintore fancy, the maid of coolmore, michael gormans, sixteen come next sunday, old hag you have killed me, calum sgaire, the kid on the mountain, summer will come and the laural tree.-Cd-Mulligan-€17.99
Broadcast and the focus group-Broadcast and the focus group investigate witch cults of the radio age-Broadcast return with a unique psychedelic collaborative mini album with renowned graphic and musical artist julian house [aka the focus group]. Julian house is also one of the co founders of the ghost box label. The album features a total of 23 short pieces of beautifully abstract electronica, try to imagine a more psychedelic sounding radiophonic workshop with elements of early english psyche folk. Its almost sounds like a soundtrack to some trippy seventies english sci fi movie. Its full of old analog synth sounds, haunting vocals and all manner of weird studio sound effects. 2009-Cd-Warp-€9.99
Byrd, donald-Black byrd-Reissue of what once was blue notes best selling record, i am not sure of that is still true, not surprisingly then it was considered a sell out by byrd, the album is a landmark in jazz funk with byrd giving free reign on composition duties to larry mizell perhaps better known for his work with isaac hayes and curtis mayfield, originally released in 1972-Lp-Blue note-€13.99
Callahan, bill-Sometimes i wish we were an eagle [aka smog]-The return of one of our all time favourites around here. This is the second album to be released under his own name after several long years recording under the smog moniker. Its pretty much a back to basics classic collection of dark hearted sounds from callahan with elements of both laid back folk and country roots. This album also sees the introduction of lots of lush strings and horn sounds giving it a somewhat more full slightly orchesral feel. A real intimate gem that long time fans will simply adore. April 2009-Cd-Drag city-€11.99
Clark, sonny-Sonny clark trio-Originally released in 1960. Not to be confused with the blue note release of the same name. This album features a different trio to the self titled album on blue note. This session features clark on piano, max roach on drums and george duvivier on bass. Originally released on the bainbridge label. Features minor meeting, nica, sonnys crip, blues mambo, blues blue, junka, my conception and sonia. American vinyl reissue on the time label.-Lp-Time-€13.99
Cold cave-Love comes close-Matador reissue the debut album by cold cave, the first pressings on the heartworm label and long sold out now. The band features wesley eisold, caralee mcelroy [ex xiu xiu], dominick fernow [prurient] and sarah lipstate [parts and labor]. The album features a big throbbing selection of dark wave like electro sounds with plenty of nods towards the gothic like rumblings of joy division, the cure and even very early new order. Its full of darkly sombre synth led sounds, maybe with a touch of early depeche mode in there somewhere. November 2009-Cd-Matador-€11.99
Congos-Heart of the congos [deluxe edition]-This album was released way back in 1977. The album was produced by lee perry at black ark and is still seen as one of his finest productions to this day. The album is still hailed as one of the finest roots reggae albums of all time and after one listen you will see why. The album now comes pressed as a double vinyl edition with a full two sides of bonus material. The album features eleven bonus tracks not featured on the original pressing. The extra material features a collection of recordings from four different sessions made after the albums release. Features the congo ashanti session [1979], the image of africa sessions [1979], face the music sessions [1981] and the revival sessions [1999]. 2008-2lp-17 north parade-€19.99
Crowley, adrian-Season of the sparks-The return of irish songwriter adrian crowley and the follow up to the stunning long distance swimmer album. The album was produced by stephen shannon and features guest spots from kevin murphy on cello, jarja gaynor on viola, thomas haugh on drums, emma smith on violin, cillian macdonnell on drums and arrangements from london based duo geese. Its a beautiful collection of laid back folky based sounds with some truly haunting pastoral string sounds and luscious church organs. Its perfect late night headphone music with touches of the modern folk sounds of james yorkston, the slow core of low and even the odd hint of leonard cohen. Its like honey for your ears. The album was released earlier this year on the tin angel label and now comes reissued on the ever reliable scottish label chemikal underground. November 2009-Cd-Chemikal underground-€10.99
Deaf joe harney-Forest fires ep-Limited edition three track ep. Comes in a hand made paper sleeve. The ep features bellynoises, over and under and also a recurring dream. Words and music by joseph harney with jon haggis on drums. Features three very beautiful piano led ballads, sparse, dark and perfectly folky. November 2009-Cd-Own label-€4.99
Dubbing at dynamic sounds-Various artists-A fantastic taster of classic dubs from the legendary dynamic sounds studios in jamaica, the album seems to concentrate on the slighly more brass led dub sounds from the studios, all tracks are produced by bunny lee and engineered by sylvan morris and carlton patterson, the album features the many talents of musicians like tommy mccook, vin gordon, bobby ellis, jackie mittoo, ansel collins, lloyd parke, carlton barrett, aston family man barret, robbie shakespeare and many more legends, october 2007-Lp-Jamaican recordings-€14.99
Dublins unsigned-The best of dublins unsigned-Features a collection of fourteen underground and unsigned local dublin bands compiled by the fatfux label. Features tracks from killer chloe, the spikes, hassle merchants, the hot sprockets, scarecrow disco, more tiny giants, sickboy, noise control, the red labels, bipolar empire, offshore, the looks, new secret weapon and the prairie dawgs. 2009-Cd-Fatfux records-€9.99
Endless boogie-Focus level-The debut album from this new york based outfit on the no quarter label. These guys would probably win the most aptly named band of the year if there was such a competition. This album is all about laid back groove laden stoner rock sounds or endless boogie rock. Its full of stoner blues rock, lots of mellow repetitive grooves sounding at times like the stooges on a totally stoned vibe. The band basically throw out some truly classic stoner blues riffs and just see where it takes them from there. The album almost sounds like it was just a long jam, and trust me thats a good thing with this kind of music. Fans of early stoner rock sounds will find it hard to track down a better album this year. Imagine the stones and the stooges jamming together endlessy for hours and hours. October 2009-Cd-No quarter-€12.99
Espers-Iii-You sometimes wonder how this outfit find the time to get together under the espers banner, they all seem to do so much outside of the band. Meg baird has been busy with a solo career and collaborating with sharron kraus. Helena espvall has been working with ghost guitarist masaki batoh. Otto hauser moonlights as drummer with vetiver and greg weeks now runs his own label language of stone. Anyway, they have all managed to get together in the studio again and have come up with another truly haunting collection of psychedelic folk sounds like only espers know how. Yet again steeped in the sounds of traditional english folk music, this album features a lot more electric guitar work than previous outings. Its full of fuzzy psyche like guitar sounds and beautifully rambling acid folk influences. November 2009-Lp-Wichita-€19.99
Flying burrito bros-The gilded palace of sin-The truly legendary debut album from the flying burrito brothers and an album that spawned at least a thousand immitators, this was probably one of the originaly country rock albums at the time of its release in 1969, the band featured chris hillman, gram parsons, sneeky pete and chris ethridge, the album is now reissued on the 4 men with beards label and comes in the original artwork with those now legendary suits, features christines tune, sin city, do right woman, my uncle, wheels, juanita, hot burrito number one and two, do you know how it feels and hippie boy, october 2007-Lp-4 men with beards-€19.99
Fuck buttons-Tarot sport-Fuck buttons return with a brand new andy weatherall produced album on the atp label. The album also features the mastering skills of one bob weston [shellac]. I have to say its taken me quite a while to warm to this new album, rave was never my thing so that was stumbling block number one. Its does take many listens to deep down within the many layers of this record before you discover a whole other world of fuzzed up krautrock, shoegazing and trance like space rock vibes. Weatherall really does seem to have taken the two worlds of techno rock and blissful shoegazing to create a sound that is truly original. Its full of euphoric synth sounds blended with some totally white noise like digital fuzz. Imagine if kraftwerk had stumbled upon early nineties rave music with kevin shields in tow. Limited edition double vinyl pressing, only 1000 copies availabel. November 2009-2lp-Atp recordings-€17.99
Girls-Album-'Lust for life', the impeccable, '60s-tinged 'laura' and the surf-rock scuzz-fest 'big bad mean motherf**ker'. The slower jams tend to invite comparisons to modern-day big-hitting jamc revivalists like glasvegas, even running along similar lines to jason pierce's gospel-gazing ways on 'hellhole ratrace', while not orbiting too far from joy division's 'atmosphere' on 'lauren marie'-Lp-Fantasy trashcan-€15.99
Hannigan, lisa-See sew [limited edition with bonus cd]-The debut solo album from the former vocalist with damien rice and contributor to the cake sale album from last year. The album feaures hannigan on vocals and guitars along with guest spots from tom osander, shane fitzsimons, donagh molloy, lucy wilkins, vyvienne long, gavin glass, justin carroll, cathy davey and rhob cunningham. The album features a beautiful cover of the bert jansch classic courting blues. The album features a really beautiful mix of mellow acoustic folk sounds and some totally blissful uptempo folky pop. There is a bit of everything from the pure guitar driven pop sounds of cathy davey to the more folky sixties like indie pop of belle and sebastian. Its almost like a perfect summer soundtrack. Originally released late last year on cd this limited edition vinyl pressing comes on 180 gram vinyl and features the full album on cd inside the sleeve. Released on the american based label ato records. October 2009-Lp-Ato records-€18.99
Heartland-Songs for croi-Croi, the west of ireland cardiology foundation, together with the cardiothoracic team at university hospital galway have developed a unique cd featuring 10 artists from the 10 counties served by the cardiothoracic unit at the hopsital. The project amis to raise awareness and funds for the unit at uhg. The album features tracks from gemma hayes, the saw doctors, noel hogan, screaming orphans, john wynne, the aftermath, davy spillane, tommy fleming, charlie mdgettigan, cora smyth and nick kelly.-Cd--€15.99
Hendrix, jimi-Band of gypsys-The only official live band of gypsys album to be authorised by hendrix before his death. The album was recorded on new years eve at the fillmore east in 1969. Features the truly awesome lineup of jimi hendrix, buddy miles and billy cox. The album features who knows, machine gun, changes, power to love, message to love and we gotta live together. This reissue comes packaged in a perfect replica of the heavy card gatefold original. A truly awesome collection of four hendrix originals and two buddy miles penned tracks. November 2009-Lp-Classic records-€16.99
Hunter gatherer-I dreamed i was a footstep in the trail of a murderer-The debut album from this irish based electronic solo artist. The album features fifteen slices of beautifully haunting ambient electronic sounds. At times reminiscent to a slightly more downbeat and darker take on the sounds of broadcast with just the odd hint of the aphex twin ambient works collections. Its an album of gentle beats over some beautifully minimal synth and keyboard sounds, almost cinematic in scope at times. Its both haunting and calming at the same time, not many albums you can say that about, with a kind of darkly sombre feel to it. Its one of those perfect late night / headphone albums and further proof of the high quality of electronic music being produced in this country at the moment. This would have to rate as one of the finest of the year so far. December 2009-Cd-Own label-€9.99
Johnston, daniel-Is and always was-Is and always was features a collection of brand new studio recordings from underground legend daniel johnston. The album was produced by jason falkner and also features joey waronker on drums. The songs are very much distinctly daniel johnston like whilst long time fans will definitely notice the more lush and coherent production quality. Its a far cry from the old casette home recordings but thankfully the songs dont suffer in any way because of it. Johnston is still very much the mainmain here with waronker providing drums on most tracks and woody jackson adding acoustic guitar on a couple. The album features a collection of beautifully quirky and innocent indie pop / rock sounds. You will either love or hate this mans vocal delivery but its hard to argue with the quality of his songwriting and his particularly surreal take on life through his lyrics. September 2009-Cd-Feraltone-€11.99
Kelleher, patrick-You look cold-A truly superb debut full length from this irish based artist now signed to the osaka label. This one man band has previously released a six track ep on his own label last year. The album is genre hopping collection of sounds mostly based in classic old school bedroom indie lo fi and intimate electronica. Thats just for starters though as kelleher takes in elements of psyche folk, animal collective like psyche pop, can like krautrock experimentalism and some of the ethereal new wave of this mortal coil. As y0u can guess from the wide range of references this is not an easy album to pigeonhole and thats always a good thing with us. There are intimate acoustic folk songs, throbbing analog krautrock and psychedelic electronica sounds going on and its a real treat for music fans that want something just a little bit different. This man is a serious talent and we beg you to try out this album. June 2009-Cd-Osaka-€13.99
Kitt, david-The nightsaver-The return of one of our all time favourite irish artists. Mr kitt sounds like he has gone right back to his two early albums on this new collection featuring a classic stripped down sound complete with programmed beats, chunky keyboards and plenty of hazy hypnotic pop songs. Recorded mostly at home the album has the old familiar intimate kind of bedroom pop feel about it that made us fall in love with his music in the first place. Features ten of his finest songs full of infectious grooves. 2009-Cd-Gold spillin records-€15.99
Legion of two-Riffs-Brand new project fronted by the former decal member alan o boyle and joined by irish based percussionist david lacey. This is an album of both haunting and dreamlike sounds with hints of early godflesh mingling with some lovely ambient shoegazing like vibes. At times it kind of reminds me of a slightly heavier take on the likes of jesu. Sounding like the most evil doom rock transferred to fuzzy analog synths with lots of dreamy shimmering guitar effects. The odd track even delves into some trance like mix of doom rock and synthy prog with some truly evil bass sounds. Its all quite hypnotic and almost dubby when put together featuring the perfect battle between live drums and heavily processed electronic sounds. This is a truly superb collection from two very forward thinking musicians. July 2009-Cd-Planet mu-€11.99
Lindstromm and christabelle-Real life is no cool-Norwegian based producer hans-peter lindstromm teams up with vocalist christabelle [aka isabell h sandoo] for this collection of totally sultry electro pop and funky late night disco sounds on the smalltown supersounds label. Its full of throbbing electro pop and seventies like disco vibes overlayed with christabelles sultry and oh so soulful vocals. A collection of highly hypnotic modern pop sounds. 2009-Cd-Smalltown supersounds-€16.99
Lindstromm and christabelle-Real life is no cool-Norwegian based producer hans-peter lindstromm teams up with vocalist christabelle [aka isabell h sandoo] for this collection of totally sultry electro pop and funky late night disco sounds on the smalltown supersounds label. Its full of throbbing electro pop and seventies like disco vibes overlayed with christabelles sultry and oh so soulful vocals. A collection of highly hypnotic modern pop sounds. 2009-Lp-Smalltown supersounds-€23.99
London is the place for me-Volume 2-Calypso and kwela, highlife and jazz from young black london, if you dont possess part one of this amazing chronicle of calypso music from london in the early fifties then shame on you, you can always start at volume 2 and work back, a collection of stunning archival recordings covering early calypso and the jazz influence on its sounds, features a wonderfully detailed booklet too with some stunning photos, double vinyl in gatefold sleeve, july 2005-2lp-Honest jons-€18.99
Mccombs, cass-Catacombs-Baltimore based singer songwriter cass mccombs returns with a stunning new collection on the domino label. Following in from his rather beautiful dropping the writ album from 2008 this is another exceptional collection of superbly crafted laid back alt rock songs. Mccombs is both an astute lyric writter and classy guitar picker. The album has a kind of rootsy feel about it without delving too deep into either country or folk. Quite simply the eleven tracks included are faultless from start to finish both lyrically and in particular with his sublime guitar playing. The album has a somewhat bright kind of breezy feel about it featuring a beautifully sparse production which just allows the songs to speak for themselves. Do your record collection a favour and include this album in it. June 2009-Cd-Domino-€10.99
Monsters of folk-Monsters of folk-Is there such a thing as an underground folk supergroup, if so then this is probably them. Monsters of folk features conor oberst [bright eyes], mike mogis [bright eyes / producer], jim james [my morning jacket] and singer songwriter m ward. They started playing shows together as far back as 2004 and this is they long overdue debut album. The first thing i would think of pointing out with this album is that maybe they should have called themselves the monsters of rootsy country rock [you will know what i mean when you hear it]. Its an album of mainly acoustic based rootsy americana with the odd burst of old school roots rock. It will be pure heaven for fans of the sounds of the band, gram parsons, wilco, whiskeytown etc. September 2009-Cd-Rough trade-€11.99
Moondog-The story of moondog-Originally released in 1957 on the prestige label. The album has now been beautifully restored by the honest jons label, transferred from the original and remastered at the legendary abbey road studios. Features up broadway, perpetual motion, gloving it, improvisation, ray malone softshoe, two quotations in dialogue, 5 8 in two shades, moondogs theme, in a doorway, duet, trimbas in quarters, wildwood, trimbas in eights and organ rounds. 2009-Lp-Honest jons-€16.99
Nuggets-Original artyfacts from the first psychedelic era [1965 to 1968]-Originally released in 1972 on the elektra label. Features some of the finest psychedelic garage rock of all time. Highlights include the electric prunes i had too much to dream last night, pushin too hard from the seeds, psychotic reaction from count five, lets talk about girls from the chocolate watch bands and youre gonna miss me from the 13th floor elevators. Other artists include the standells, the strangeloves, the vagrants, mouse, the blues project, the remains, the magicians, nazz, the magic mushrooms, the cryan shames and many many more. Features a total of 27 absolute gems. Comes on double vinyl and is in a gatefold sleeve with detailed liner notes. June 2006-2lp-Rhino uk-€18.99
O rourke, jim-The visitor-Jim o rourke returns with his first solo collection in eight years. The album sees o rourke in totally solo mood and features just one long instrumental track clocking in at just over 38 minutes. The album is being released pretty much as a sequel to his album bad timing from way back in 1999, particularly as it features some really beautiful lenghty passages of steel strung acoustic guitar arrangements. I have recently seen this album described a modern folk symphony and that phrase really does pin down this albums sound in two simple words. The album does have moments harking back to the work of the great john fahey but o rourke also adds in big washes of lush string sounds along with some truly awesome multitracked acoustic guitar sounds, it almost sounds like there could be ten different guitarists working at the same time. O rourke also throws in some passages of beautifully minimal piano which really adds to the overall orchestral feel to the record. I have to say this album really is best enjoyed in just one sitting and the forty or so minutes really do pass rather quickly. Its been a long wait, but in fairness albums like this dont just happen overnight. October 2009-Lp-Drag city-€15.99
Oneida-Rated o [triple cd]-New york based psyche rock outfit return with the second part of their truly awesome thank you parents triptych of releases. The first part the experimental preteen weaponry came out last year on the jag jaguwar label also. This album is a veritable trip through the many different forms of psyche and space rock with so many twists and turns along the way its hard to keep up. The album rather strangely opens up with a slice of pounding scuzzed up techno coming across like the bug with fuzzed up guitars. The following few tracks are simply some of the most sublime kind of stoner psyche rock you are likely to hear all year, dare i say sounding like early hawkwind on even stronger drugs. Its full of pounding almost tribal like drum sounds, scuzzy analog synths and totally fuzzed to the max guitars. Thats just the first of 3 cds now. The second cd is much more straight ahead pounding krautrock like influenced psychedelic rock with more emphasis on the guitar led side of things with lots of heavy stoner rock tangents. The last of the three cds features some truly epic psychedelic rock sounds packed with hypnotic wailing guitars doing battle with squelchy analog synths. This truly is one hell of a mind blowing aural experience, maybe not to everybodys taste but if you want to head off on a totally psychedelic noise experience for an hour or two then you wont find better than oneida for meeting your needs. Comes in a lovely three part foldout sleeve. July 2009-3cd-Jag jaguwar-€10.99
Oneida-Rated o [triple vinyl]-New york based psyche rock outfit return with the second part of their truly awesome thank you parents triptych of releases. The first part the experimental preteen weaponry came out last year on the jag jaguwar label also. This album is a veritable trip through the many different forms of psyche and space rock with so many twists and turns along the way its hard to keep up. The album rather strangely opens up with a slice of pounding scuzzed up techno coming across like the bug with fuzzed up guitars. The following few tracks are simply some of the most sublime kind of stoner psyche rock you are likely to hear all year, dare i say sounding like early hawkwind on even stronger drugs. Its full of pounding almost tribal like drum sounds, scuzzy analog synths and totally fuzzed to the max guitars. Thats just the first of 3 lps now. The second lp is much more straight ahead pounding krautrock like influenced psychedelic rock with more emphasis on the guitar led side of things with lots of heavy stoner rock tangents. The last of the three lps features some truly epic psychedelic rock sounds packed with hypnotic wailing guitars doing battle with squelchy analog synths. This truly is one hell of a mind blowing aural experience, maybe not to everybodys taste but if you want to head off on a totally psychedelic noise experience for an hour or two then you wont find better than oneida for meeting your needs. The album comes pressed on three slabs of vinyl, packaged in a lovely three part foldout sleeve and features mp3 downloads of all tracks. July 2009-3lp-Jag jaguwar-€25.99
Pastels with tenniscoats-Two sunsets-This is truly a band made in heaven for fans of old school jangly indie pop sounds featuring stephen pastel, alison mitchell and katrina mitchell from the pastels, saya and takashi ueno from japanese indie pop outfit tenniscoats, norman blake and gerard love from teenage fanclub and tom crossley from appendix out. The album was recorded in glasgow whilst the tenniscoats were on tour there. The album features one of our singles of the year so far vivid youth along with eleven other real mellow gems. Its all very quirky and twee in an indie folk kind of way, but lets be honest twee can be good when the right people are making it, and who better than the pastels to spearhead this kind of album. Its probably one of the most perfect collections of laid back indie pop we have heard all year round. September 2009-Cd-Geographic-€10.99
Pastels with tenniscoats-Two sunsets-This is truly a band made in heaven for fans of old school jangly indie pop sounds featuring stephen pastel, alison mitchell and katrina mitchell from the pastels, saya and takashi ueno from japanese indie pop outfit tenniscoats, norman blake and gerard love from teenage fanclub and tom crossley from appendix out. The album was recorded in glasgow whilst the tenniscoats were on tour there. The album features one of our singles of the year so far vivid youth along with eleven other real mellow gems. Its all very quirky and twee in an indie folk kind of way, but lets be honest twee can be good when the right people are making it, and who better than the pastels to spearhead this kind of album. Its probably one of the most perfect collections of laid back indie pop we have heard all year round. September 2009-Lp-Geographic-€13.99
Patton, charley-Electrically recorded [high water everywhere]-The second episode in the monk labels collection of classic charley patton reissues, the first one being prayer of death from earlier this year.-Lp-Monk-€13.99
Pyramids with nadja-Pyramids with nadja-Brand new collaboration between pyramids and drone based outfit nadja. Along with all members of pyramids and nadja [aka leah buckereff and aidan baker] the album also features guest spots from the cocteau twins simon raymonde, albin julius from der blutharsh and colin marston from dysrhythmia. The album was mixed and mastered by james plotkin. The album features four pieces of pure droning beauty falling somewhere between the more darkly evil sounds of nadjas previous releases and a slightly lighter kind of ambient shoegazing like vibe. Its a really beautiful meeting of two very different sounds which sees some really dark feedback like drones meet lots of shimmering almost ambient like guitar sounds. November 2009-Cd-Hydra head-€15.99
Roberts, alasdair-Spoils-Appendix out frontman returns with a superb new collection on the drag city label. Roberts has enlisted fellow appencix out members tom crossly and gareth eggie to assist on the album along with baroque guitarist gordon ferries, percussionist alex nielson, niko matti ahti from finnish outfit kiila and concerto calendonia members david mcguinness and alison mcgillivray. Its an album of beautifully intimate and rustic folk songs with lots of traditional instrumentation. Fans of the fence collective label or the likes of king creosote, bonnie prince and james yorkston will simply adore this one. May 2009-Cd-Drag city-€11.99
Shrinebuilder-Shrinebuilder-Fans of alt rock / stoner rock could possibly consider this to be the ultimate supergroup which sees this new outfit spearheaded by scott wino weinrich. Wino has and is a member of saint vitus, the obsessed, spirit caravan and the hidden hand. He is joined on this album by al cisneros [om and sleep] on bass, dale crover [melvins and altamont] on drums and scott kelly [neurosis] on guitars. The album is split between the pure sludge doom like sounds of om or sleep and the more grunge like metal sounds of the melvins. Its devilishly slow and evil throughout, fans of sleep will be in love with this one almost instantly. Its full of classic doom / stoner rock action with plenty of truly awesome dual guitar action going on. November 2009-Cd-Neurot recordings-€18.99
So cow-Im siding with my captors-The second album from so cow on the covert bear label. So cow is pretty much a one man band with a deep deep love of all things diy and indie rock by the sounds of things. This is an album of pure lo fi pop genius in our opinion taking in a bit of everything from the slacker rock of pavement to the totally jangly guitar sounds of the c86 bands or the likes of sarah records. Fans of early pastels and the likes will love this for its pure lo fi bedroom quality. The album features eleven incredibly catchy slices of pure indie pop with a lovely raw feeling about them. A true underground hit from this irish born artist. May 2008-Cd-Covert bear records-€9.99
So cow-These truly are end times-This is the second release from solo artist so cow that we have had the pleasure to listen to in here, the first was released on the irish based rusted rail label and this new one is on the covert bear label, this guy is rapidly becomming one of my favourite underground irish artists already, imagine a blend of the loose indie rock sounds of pavement or sebadoh blended with the anti folk sounds of jeffrey lewis or even the moldy peaches, the album is full of beautifully ramshackle lo fi sounds created by just one man and a selection of noisy guitars and stripped down drum sounds, harking back to the classic days of jangly indie rock, wonderful stuff again, february 2007-Cd-Covert bear records-€9.99
Stevens, sufjan-The bqe-Sufjan stevens presents a film and musical suite exploring new york citys infamous brooklyn queens expressway [what happened to an album for every state]. The album comes packaged as a double disc featuring the original film in widescreen format, the original motion picture soundtrack, a 40 page booklet and a stereoscopic image reel for those of you who still have an old viewmater. The album features 13 classical based pieces ranging from dramatic broadway like showtune sounds to some truly minimal steve reich like movements. The album is performed with a full orchestra and is probably one of the most ambitious albums from a man who always likes to stretch the bounderies. Its quite a classical sounding album but with a certain playfullness about it at the same time. Comes presented in a lovely three part foldout sleeve. October 2009-2cd-Rough trade-€21.99
This is the kit-Krulle bol-This is the debut album from english born folk singer kate stables. The last time we heard from stables was on her truly exceptional two wooden spoons single for the sunday best label. Thankfully there is a new recording of that track on this album along with eleven other true gems. Stables is also a member of folk duo whalebone poly. The album was produced by john parish who also assists on a couple of tracks. This really is a most beautiful collection of intimate sombre folk sounds with hints of early cat power and elements of early seventies british folk sounds. Fans of the recent nancy elizabeth album on the leaf label will quite simply adore this one. The majority of tracks feature just stables haunting voice and gently guitar picking with the most subtle brushed drums added from time to time. Possibly one of the finest folk albums of the year so far. August 2008-Cd-Microbe-€13.99
Twinkranes-Spektrum theatre snakes [special offer, normally retails at €16.99]-The long awaited debut album from this dublin based three piece finally hits the shelves, courtesy of the twisted nerve label. The album was co produced by voice of the seven woods frontman ricky tomlinson. An album i have to admit has totally blown us away here in the shop and a real late contender for our irish album of the year. On first listen this is a real gem for lovers of all things krautrock but its only after repeated listens that the many many layers and sounds really begin to reveal themselves. It is definitely based in the kind of hypnotic repetitive sounds of seventies krautrock but dig deeper and you will hear bits of space rock, prog, pure psychedelia and even the kind of crazed early electronic trickery of the bbc radiophonic workshop. Featuring a truly propulsive rhythm section laying grooves down for some dr who like sound effects, these guys are not afraid to let loose and totally rock out from time to time too. November 2009-Cd-Twisted nerve-€11.99
Urick, jason-Husbands [limited to 500 copies with bonus mp3 download]-Debut solo album from baltimore based songwriter jason ulrick [wzt hearts]. Limited edition vinyl pressing on the thrill jockey label, only 500 copies available. The album comes with a bonus mp3 download coupon. The album features a collection of reverb drenced drone based pieces slowly building into some kind of tripped out psychedelic noise. Its full of looping distorted guitar sounds, layered over each other repeatedly with lots of analog sounding synth vibes. This is drone based minimalism at its very finest, constantly changing but somehow still staying the same. Its an album that takes in little pieces of seventies krautrock minimalism and stretches every note to its longest point. Try it, you will be in a trance like state within minutes. November 2009-Lp-Thrill jockey-€12.99
Van zandt, townes-Townes van zandt-Originally released by poppy records way back in 1969, features 10 of his finest recordings in my humble opinion. Its a fine example of this mans great work and features some exceptional post country folk music from the late sixties. The album was originally released on his own tomato label and now gets a well deserved vinyl reissue on the fat possum label. Pressed on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Features for the sake of the song, columbine, waitin round to die, dont take it too bad, colorado girl, lungs, ill be there in the morning, fare thee well miss carousel, quicksilver daydreams of maria and none but the rain.-Lp-Fat possum-€17.99
Velvet underground-Another view [limited edition 180 gram pressing]-A collection of rare and unreleased tracks from 1967 to 1969. The album was originally compiled in 1986 and has been out of print on vinyl for many years now. Now reissued on the 4 men with beards label on heavy 180 gram vinyl. The band at the time featured john cale, lou reed, sterling morrison, marueen tucker and doug yule. The album features a collection of unreleased gems along with rough instrumental demos. The opening track were gonna have a goodtime together is worth the admission price alone. 2007-Lp-4 men with beards-€19.99
Volcano choir-Unmap [featuring bon iver]-Volcano choir is a brand new collaborative project between justin vernon [aka bon iver] and the collection of colonies of bees. This is their debut release for the jag jaguwar label. Bon iver fans should be warned this is a very different collection of sounds compared to his solo release for emma. This is a collection of almost psyche folk based sounds with heaps of added electronic tinkering, coming across like animal collective in a more folky mood. The album features some beautifully abstract almost ambient like passages reminiscent of fennesz meets a bit of four tet. September 2009-Cd-Jagjaguar-€10.99
Walker, scott-Scott 2-Scott walkers second solo album gets a well deserved reissue on the ever reliable four men with beards label. Comes in a perfect replica sleeve too. Features four walker originals along with covers of tim hardins black sheep boy, three jacques brels tracks and windows of the world by bacharach and david. The album also features his first ever top 20 solo hit jackie. May 2008-Lp-4 men with beards-€20.99
Whipping boy-Heartworm-11 track album from 1995, probably their finest moment put to record, features twinkle, when we were young, tripped, the honeymoon is over, we dont need nobody else, blinded, personality, users, fiction, morning rise and natural, this album has been out of print for years now but at least get reissued at mid price, the second album from this highly underrated irish indie rock outfit, 1995-Cd-Columbia-€12.99
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Rockers, DJs and Bakers get together to raise money for Haiti
[I think you will agree this is worthy of a mention this week]
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A fundraising gig and bake sale will take place in Dublin’s Twisted Pepper venue next week to raise money for people affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Dublin bands BATS, Hunter-Gatherer and Groom will play at the venue on Middle Abbey St on Thursday 4th February on what promises to be a fantastic night of fundraising for GOAL.
Organised by journalist and 2XM presenter Aoife Barry (of the ‘Sweet Oblivion’ radio show and blog), the event will kick off at 7pm when bakers begin selling their delicious homemade cakes (including vegan and gluten-free options) – with all money going to GOAL. The cake-selling will continue for the night but at 8pm the first of the three bands will take to the stage.
After the bands have finished their sets, the partying will continue upstairs in the Mezz room with DJ sets from Nialler9, Popical Island DJs and the Mary Jane Girls.
Tickets for the event can be bought on the door for €10 and there will be a raffle on the night.
Aoife said: “Like everyone in Ireland, I was shocked to hear about the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti, which is one of the world’s poorest countries. I wanted to do something to help GOAL do its work in Haiti and thought that a gig would be a great way to bring the music community together so we could all do our bit to help. The cake sale element is a way of boosting funds on the night but also for showcasing the skills of local amateur bakers and I’ve been stunned with the reaction so far. Everyone has been hugely positive and I would love if we raised a substantial amount of money for GOAL. I’d like to thank everyone who has offered to volunteer or help in any way with the gig, and hope to see a great crowd there on the night.”
To find out more, visit www.sweetoblivionloves.com or the official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=269498077025&ref=mf
Venue: Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey St
Date: Thursday 4th February
Bands: BATS, Hunger-Gatherer, Groom
DJs: Nialler9, Popical Island DJs, Mary Jane Girls
Tickets: €10
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Ticket Sales (Along with our usual list of tickets on sale here in the store we are also an official outlet for tickets.ie, anything you see listed on their site is available to purchase in the store)
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