David Bowie - Man Of Words/Man Of Music [12", LP]

Today it's been exactly five months since DAVID BOWIE passed away.

MAN OF WORDS/MAN OF MUSIC was how the 1969 solo debut album, that was released as s/t ("David Bowie") in Europe, was commonly called in the USA because it had these words written above his name on top of the sleeve on that version. The album would be called "Space Oddity" worldwide from its reissue in 1972 on, when it got another sleeve. This particular edition on blue coloured vinyl was released exclusively for  the Groninger Museum when the David Bowie Is exhibition was there a few months ago. Only 1500 copies were made, just like there were of the other exclusive release for that exhibition: the Amsterdam 7". It's a brilliant album, and of course this limited edition is pretty dear to me. I'm happy that a reissue of the 1969 version with the european artwork was included in the recent Five Years vinyl boxset, and not this one. So now i have all 3 versions of the sleeve, since i already had the 1972 one :)

Label: Parlophone

Cat.nr.: DBISHLP 2015

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Space Oddity

02. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed

03. Letter To Hermione

04. Cygnet Committee

SIDE B:

01. Janine

02. An Occasional Dream

03. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

04. God Knows I'm Good

05. Memory Of A Free Festival

Vök - Circles [12"]

As one of the concert DJ's at our local music venue i am receiving a monthly update of bands that'll be playing there, to request to play at gigs of choice. When i saw VÖK was booked it didn't instantly ring a bell, but the moment i had checked out some of their tunes on Spotify i was hooked. Definitely my kind of electronic music. So i got the job for that evening and i must say it was an amazing show. Excellent performance of a great bunch of talented young folks from Iceland. It's not without reason that they won the annual local band contest Músíktilraunir in 2013. Their debut full length should be coming out later this year, but so far they released the Tension EP in 2013 and this CIRCLES EP last year. Luckily they had these 12"es with them at the merch stand so i bought both of them after the show. The 4 songs on this EP are almost equally brilliant, but If I Was is definitely my favourite. It's got a great groove, which reminds me a bit of Austra. And of course you can't deny the catchiness of their very strong single Waterfall. The EP sounds excellent and was mixed and mastered by Biggi Veira of GusGus. I actually had some GusGus ready to play after their show, but when the band had chosen Crossfade as intro tune, i skipped that plan. I tried to re-create my playlist of the evening by the way if you're interested: Vök - Leiden 09/03/16. You can find Waterfall in there, marking when the band played. Definitely worth to check them out if you never heard of them before and are into artists like the xx, Austra or The Knife. And now let's wait for this killer debut album to be released!

Label: Record Records
Cat.nr.: RELP043
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Waterfall
02. Adrift

SIDE B:
01. If I Was
02. Circles

Blindness - Wrapped In Plastic [12", LP]

Apparently BLINDNESS was already formed way back in 2008, but it wasn't until last year when their debut album WRAPPED IN PLASTIC came out. These three ladies are indeed from London, as you might have suspected from the London Eye picture on the sleeve, and their best known member is Debbie Smith who played in Curve, Echobelly and Snowpony. Musically, their sound comes pretty close to what Curve did back in the days. It's dark and seductive electro rock, with mechanical beats and distorted guitars. But most importantly it's LOUD. Mighty fine stuff. I bought this album right after it came out late summer last year, and it says on the label's website that the initial run was limited to 250 copies - so my copy must be a part of that. Not even sure if they did a repress since then.

Label: Saint Marie Records
Cat.nr.: SMR066
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Serves Me Right
02. Deserving
03. Last One Dies
04. No One Counts
05. Sunday Morning

SIDE B:
01. Humming Song
02. Broken
03. All In One
04. Confessions

David Bowie - Amsterdam [7"]

Today it's been exactly a month since DAVID BOWIE passed away.

This particular 7" on clear orange vinyl was exclusively made for the David Bowie Is exhibition in Groningen. AMSTERDAM on the A-side (originally a B-side to the Sorrow single in 1973) was appropriately chosen, since it's the capital of the Netherlands where the exhibition's final stop takes place. Although it remains to be seen if it won't continue travelling the world after the recent developments, of course.

And i have no idea if Bowie himself was involved in choosing the song on the other side, but also MY DEATH turns out to be more or less appropriately chosen, with today's knowledge. The version on this 7" is from the Carnegie Hall concert on September 28th, 1972. It was previously only released on a compilation CD from 1995 called RarestOneBowie. Apparently RCA recorded the show for a Ziggy Stardust live album that was never released. It's funny by the way how the name Bowie is spelled in typical RCA logo letters on the labels, while the release is on Parlophone. Both songs on this single are covers of Jacques Brel songs, and both were frequently played during the Ziggy Stardust tour.

When i was in Groningen in December last year, when the exhibition had just started a week before, both this 7" and the other exclusive release (the Man Of Words, Man Of Music a.k.a. David Bowie a.k.a. Space Oddity album) had already sold out for the first time. That was a huge disappointment. There were 1500 copies made of each, and apparently they would arrive in batches of 500. I heard stories that people had bought 4 or 5 copies each at the time, and flipped them on eBay for up to 10 times the price they paid for them. The thing is that you don't need to have an entrance ticket to enter the shop, so some locals got smart and scored a whole bunch. Luckily when further copies were supplied, the museum shop at least decided to limit them to 1 copy per person. So when a friend of mine (who's actually not even a Bowie fan and certainly not a vinyl collector) visited the exhibition recently, she managed to buy a copy of each release for me.

Unlike many other collectors i'm not keeping these releases sealed for investment. I enjoy looking at them and even playing them at least once or twice. You only live once, you know. Life is too short to not enjoy the records you have standing on the shelves. And with Bowie records, there's simply a lot to enjoy.

Label: Parlophone

Cat.nr.: DBISH 2015

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Amsterdam

SIDE B:

01. My Death (live)

Ringo Deathstarr - Pure Mood [12", LP]

PURE MOOD by RINGO DEATHSTARR is already out for some time now. Despite the fact it was listed at #13 in my Finest Vinyl of 2015 list, i hadn't had the time yet to write something about it. It's their fifth album, and i must say it's yet another awesome release by this Austin TX trio. And it's loud! Heavy Metal Suicide reminds me of the louder songs by Smashing Pumpkins (like Bullet With Butterfly Wings or Zero) while Big Bopper definitely has a Slow-vibe (one of MBV's best songs).

Show Me The Truth Of Your Love on the other hand is as gently as can be. My favourite track is Guilt. I think it's actually one of the best songs they ever did, with Alex' sweet vocals over a a really powerful groove. Also this song sounds a bit like Smashing Pumpkins, which in this case isn't all that weird because Jeff Schroeder plays some guitar on it. All in all, this album rocks. Colour Trip is still my favourite Ringo Deathstarr album, but this one comes probably right after that now. And if i'd had the time to play it more often before i made that yearlist, it would've been in the top 10 somewhere. Ah well, who cares. Club AC30 made 500 vinyl copies: 250 on "lemonade yellow" and 250 on "minty green". I've got that last version as you can see on the picture, and it looks pretty cool.

Label: Club AC30

Cat.nr.: AC3012111

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Dream Again

02. Heavy Metal Suicide

03. Stare At The Sun

04. Show Me The Truth Of Your Love

05. Big Bopper

06. Guilt

07. California Car Collection

SIDE B:

01. Frisbee

02. Boys In Heat

03. Never

04. Old Again

05. Acid Tongue

Lush - Ciao! Best Of Lush [12", 2LP]

The compilation album CIAO! BEST OF LUSH was not released on vinyl originally when it came out in 2001. But when LUSH announced this year they were getting back together, 4AD decided it would be a good idea to do so after all, and for the occasion of Black Friday they made a limited coloured edition. I really hope that in the near future they'll do reissues of the regular albums as well, or at least of Split, since that's pretty hard these days to get in good condition for a good price. Same for Lovelife, but musically that's not as appealing as the first two albums - not only to my opinion, but to many others' as well. The label also released a great 5CD box called Chorus, by the way. It contains Lush's complete studio recordings and is definitely recommended if you're not only buying stuff on vinyl. Anyway, it's great that this compilation got the vinyl treatment. In reversed chronological order you hear the best tracks (or at least, sort of) that they ever released, and both the artwork and the red vinyl itself look great. The only thing that could've been done slightly better to my opinion are the sleeve notes, by either adding something about the band getting back together by the same author, or by someone else. Now everything's written in the past tense, about a band that sadly ended when Chris Acland committed suicide. Of course, this is in a way a reissue even though it's the first time it's out on vinyl, so a straight copy of the original release including the original sleeve notes is perfectly understandable. However the reason why it came out now, and the fact that the band is seemingly not planning to let it be a bunch of one-off reunion shows, might as well have been left noticed somewhere on this release. Fact is that 2016 promises to become a great year for Lush fans. A tour, an EP, and who knows what else they'll have in store. I really hope they'll play in Holland, just like Slowdive and Ride did over the past 2 years. Possibly at the Best Kept Secret Festival, like those bands? Fingers crossed!

Label: 4AD

Cat.nr.: CAD2K22

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Ladykillers

02. Single Girl

03. Ciao!

04. 500 (Shake Baby Shake)

05. Light From A Dead Star

SIDE B:

01. Love At First Sight

02. Hypocrite

03. Desire Lines

04. Lovelife

SIDE C:

01. When I Die

02. Nothing Natural

03. Untogether

04. For Love

SIDE D:

01. Monochrome

02. De-Luxe

03. Sweetness And Light

04. Thoughtforms

05. Etheriel

Cheatahs - Mythologies [12", 2LP]

MYTHOLOGIES, the second album by CHEATAHS, ended up in my top 10 list of the The Finest Vinyl of 2015. There are 13 great songs on this double album. All brand new, except for 紫 (Murasaki) that came out on an EP earlier this year. Like on their debut, there are influences from '90s indie rock and shoegaze, but this time also krautrock and sunshine pop clearly left their marks. Swervedriver and My Bloody Valentine meet Neu! and Beach Boys... something like that. Compared to the debut, the use of electronica is also one the differences. But they use their synths well, and it only adds more to an own distinctive sound. End of January they'll do a European tour, so that's something you don't want to miss. At least i won't, that's for sure.

Label: Wichita

Cat.nr.: WEBB440LP

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Red Lakes (Sternstunden)

02. Channel View

03. In Flux

SIDE B:

01. Freak Waves

02. Signs To Lorelei

03. Hey, Sen

04. Deli Rome

SIDE C:

01. Colorado

02. Su-Pra

03. Seven Sisters

SIDE D:

01. 紫

02. Mysteci

03. Reverie Bravo

Air Formation - Were We Ever Here [12"]

AIR FORMATION released 4 albums (which sadly only came out on CD) between 2000 and 2011, and a handful of EP's. They split up in 2011, but in 2014 they got back together and this WERE WE EVER HERE EP is their first release since then. And it's definitely a return to form; great to have them back. To be honest i think this is actually the best material they ever released. The limited EP (only 250 copies were made) contains 4 tracks that are simply a joy to listen to. Especially the last song, The Wasted Days, is brilliant. It balances on the boundaries between shoegaze, noise and post-rock. Also the artwork and the vinyl itself (blue splattered on orange) look absolutely gorgeous.

Label: Club AC30

Cat.nr.: AC3012104

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. I Could Stay

02. Last Resolve

SIDE B:

01. On The Floor

02. The Wasted Days

Secret Shine - Untouched [12", LP, Test Press]

There were 5 test press copies made of Saint Marie Records' reissue of UNTOUCHED, the classic SECRET SHINE album that originally came out on Sarah Records in 1993. Thought it would be cool to own one, so i pledged for the bundle of the test press and the coloured version earlier this year. You don't get your favourite shoegaze albums much more limited than this ;)

Label: Saint Marie Records
Cat.nr.: SMR079
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Suck Me Down
02. Temporal
03. Spellbound
04. So Close I Come

SIDE B:
01. Into The Ether
02. Toward The Sky
03. Underworld
04. Sun Warmed Water

Secret Shine - Untouched [12", LP]

UNTOUCHED was the only full length album that SECRET SHINE released during their first period of existence (during the early nineties). It originally came out on Sarah Records, and original copies of this album go for high prices on Discogs and eBay. Saint Marie Records had the brilliant idea to get it reissued, and they started a Pledgemusic project to get it financed. Because i love this album to death, and wanted to be sure to have a copy on vinyl finally, i stepped into it and pledged for a coloured copy and a test press. There were only 500 LP's made, and 300 of them are coloured (purple/white). The rest are black. Even though black is more limited for that matter, i wanted the coloured version because it's so beautiful and fits extremely well with the artwork.

What can i say about the album... some people say it was the last of the original great shoegaze albums of the early nineties. That might indeed be true. It's definitely become a classic in the genre, over the years. Songs like Spellbound, Into The Ether and So Close I Come can definitely compete with the best songs of Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine.

Label: Saint Marie Records

Cat.nr.: SMR079

Year of release: 2015 (originally released in 1993)

SIDE A:

01. Suck Me Down

02. Temporal

03. Spellbound

04. So Close I Come

SIDE B:

01. Into The Ether

02. Toward The Sky

03. Underworld

04. Sun Warmed Water

Levitation - Meanwhile Gardens [12", 2LP]

This album has a very interesting history. In 1990, Terry Bickers left The House Of Love. Together with their drummer David Francolini and 3 others he formed a new band: LEVITATION. They released a few EP's and a full length on Rough Trade, called Need For Not. Then they signed to Chrysalis and recorded enough material for two whole albums, but during that period there were arguments and at some point Bickers walked off stage during a concert. A new singer, Steve Ludwin, took his place eventually and even their album MEANWHILE GARDENS was released with the new singer's vocals replacing the original recordings of Bickers'. It came out on CD only, in Australia in 1994.

Now, after 22 years, Flashback Records did a great job releasing the album as it was meant to be. They got the original band members to authorize the album with a definitive tracklisting order, and -most importantly- with Bickers' original vocals. It was remastered from the original analogue tapes. Earlier this year they already released the limited Never Odd Or Even 12" for Record Store Day, with 3 songs from these sessions that hadn't made it to the album.

It's a brilliant psychedelic, progressive rock album. Labeling it as such might suggest it's boring and unnecessarily bombastic, but it's everything but that. It's gentle, subtle and can be very strong at the same time. And Terry Bickers' vocals are just really good. Hard to describe how it sounds, but if you like bands like Porcupine Tree, Radiohead and Mogwai, you're in for a treat. And it never sounds outdated, after all those years. My favourite songs are King Of Mice and I Believe, but there are plenty of more gems like that on this album.

Label: Flashback Records

Cat.nr.: FB009

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Food For Power

02. Gardens Overflowing

03. Bodiless

SIDE B:

01. Magnifying Glass

02. King Of Mice

03. Imagine The Sharks

SIDE C:

01. Evergreen

02. Even When Your Eyes Are Open

03. I Believe

SIDE D:

01. Burrows

02. Sacred Lover

New Order - Music Complete [12", 2LP]

Since i decided that this album would be #1 in The Finest Vinyl of 2015, it was obvious that NEW ORDER's MUSIC COMPLETE needed to be written about on this blog. Until now, i haven't been really inspired however to do so.You can find many reviews online and in printed media, and the bottom line is that they all say that it's a great album, even though their signature bass player Peter Hook is not part of the band anymore. I can only agree. I actually think it's the best release they did since their Technique album. Personal favourites are dancefloor filler Plastic and their go at italo disco Tutti Frutti. The artwork is great as well, and looks like it's inspired by Dutch painter Mondriaan and the art movement De Stijl that he belonged to.

As you can see on the picture i have the limited edition clear vinyl. Looks great and sounds even better.

Label: Mute

Cat.nr.: STUMM390

Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:

01. Restless

02. Singularity

03. Plastic

SIDE B:

01. Tutti Frutti

02. People On The High Line

03. Stray Dog

SIDE C:

01. Academic

02. Nothing But A Fool

03. Unlearn This Hatred

SIDE D:

01. The Game

02. Superheated

The Finest Vinyl of 2015

It's that time of the year again. And while going through my vinyl purchases of this year to select my favourite ones, i realise that not only i haven't posted something about all of these albums; i even haven't had the time yet to post something about what became my #1 album of the year. Shame on me! Time is my enemy.

Anyway, 2015 was a good year as far as i'm concerned. So good, that i decided to not only make a Top 10 list, but make a Bubbling Under list as well for 10 extra albums. More about that later.

These are The Fine Vinyl's albums of choice:

01. NEW ORDER - Music Complete
Brilliant album, even without Hooky on bass. All-time heroes of mine, i guess you can say that.

02. SWERVEDRIVER - I Wasn't Born To Lose You
Glorious comeback of one of my favourite bands. They still got the magic.

03. GIRLS NAMES - Arms Around A Vision
Giant leap forward for the coolest Irish band around.

04. TAMARYN - Cranekiss
I completely fell in love with this album. Simply stunning.

05. EDITORS - In Dream
Beautiful album, with guest vocals by Rachel Goswell on some tracks.

06. SPECTRES - Dying
2015's best noise maelstrom there was.

07. THE CHARLATANS - Modern Nature
Like the Swervedriver album, a return to form from another favourite band of mine.

08. PINKSHINYULTRABLAST - Everything Else Matters
Besides t.A.T.u. i only know one other Russian band, and they released the best debut album this year.

09. CHEATAHS - Mythologies
Another great album by these Londoners. Murasaki is arguably the year's best single.

10. TAME IMPALA - Currents
Took me a while to really get into it, but now i am.

Like said, there are plenty of other albums that should not remain unmentioned.
So here's the Bubbling Under list:

11. PAUW - Macrocosm Microcosm
I think it's fair to say that if this would've been an English band, these guys would be huge already.

12. JAMIE XX - In Colour
Some really excellent tunes on his solo debut.

13. RINGO DEATHSTARR - Pure Mood
Was released late in the year, and might have ended up higher if i had the chance to spin it more often.

14. HEALTH - Death Magic
More accessible than their previous stuff. Stonefist is a killer track.

15. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS - Transfixiation
Eventually it ends up higher in this list than i first expected when it just came out.

16. PURITY RING - Another Eternity
I just love this band's sound.

17. FOALS - What Went Down
Solid album. As in: really good, but not as adventurous as their previous work.

18. VENERA 4 - Eidôlon
Sensual shoegaze from France. Excellent debut full length.

19. CHVRCHES - Every Open Eye
Difficult second? Fact is i like the debut better, but this is still really good.

20. BATTLES - La Di Da Di
Even though instrumental, i like this better than Gloss Drop. Mirrored still remains their best though.

So there you go.

I´d also like to share my 5 favourite reissues of the year. It´s not only brand new releases that got the vinyl treatment in 2015!

01. SLOWDIVE - Blue Day
Their earliest work finally also on vinyl again! RSD15 edition on blue vinyl.

02. SECRET SHINE - Untouched
Shoegaze classic. Happy to help Saint Marie Records out, getting it realised via Pledgemusic.

03. LEVITATION - Meanwhile Gardens
Never officially released before in this original form, with Terry Bickers on vocals.

04. LUSH - Ciao!
Compilation that never was released on vinyl before. So happy they're back!!!

05. RIDE - OX4 (Best Of)
RSD15 edition on red vinyl of this great compilation.

Looking at all those albums that haven't been featured on this little blog of mine yet, i see there's a lot of catching up to do. I might skip a few, but many are just too good to leave unnoticed. So you know what to expect over next few days/weeks/months.

Hollow Sunshine - Bring Gold [12", LP]

By coincidence i came across HOLLOW SUNSHINE somewhere on the internet last month and i liked what i heard so much that i decided to order this BRING GOLD album, which was released in summer. It sounds a bit like a mix between Jesu, Nadja and Nothing: generally slow-paced, fuzzy distorted shoegaze with post/sludgemetal influences. Good stuff, but not groundbreaking or anything. My favourite track would be opener Coral, which is also the one that caught my attention online. I've got the "milky clear" edition, of which there were 400 made. There's also an edition of 200 on "black haze & cloudy clear" out there.

Label: Iron Pier
Cat.nr.: IRP15
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Coral
02. Bring Gold
03. Careful Travel
04. Last Chamber

SIDE B:
01. Firmament
02. Morning Green
03. On A Balance
04. Companion

Pauw - Macrocosm Microcosm [12", LP]

MACROCOSM MICROSCOSM is the debut full length by Dutch psychedelic rockers PAUW. An amazingly good album, packed with melodic psychedelic gems. It would very much surprise me if these guys don't break through internationally in 2016.
They had a limited 12" and a 7" out previously, and some of those songs (Visions, Abyss and the simply brilliant Shambhala) are featured on this album as well. The new songs on Macrocosm Microcosm are equally good. They really stick in your head and it's like you already know them for years. Maybe it's because the sound of the music at itself is familiar: Glare has a fuzzy Tame Impala feel to it, Glare Pt.2 although based on the same theme sounds more like Pink Floyd, and (unexpectedly) even Madonna's Beautiful Stranger is not too far away in High Tide. You can say it's all been done before - but then again what hasn't, if you're talking about sixties-inspired retro rock? Fact is that it's rarely done this good. Pauw is definitely right up there with the likes of Tame Impala, Temples and Pond.
Debut album of the year as far as i'm concerned. Also the artwork is amazing, as you can see.

Label: Caroline Benelux
Cat.nr.: 475 180-8
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Memories
02. Today Never Ends
03. Visions
04. Glare
05. Intents

SIDE B:
01. Shambhala
02. Abyss
03. High Tide
04. Glare Pt.2

Girls Names - Arms Around A Vision [12", LP]

My favourite Irish band is back with an absolutely great album. ARMS AROUND A VISION is another huge step forward for GIRLS NAMES, just like The New Life already was compared to their first album. One of the first things you notice, is that Cathal's vocals are much more in the front of the mix. No more soft mumbling, no echoes. Call it less new wave, more post-punk. Actually it reminds me the most of Felt's singer Lawrence. Musically it's more experimental than what they did before. You'll hear a saxophone, eerie screeches and weird noises, short instrumental interludes... yet still it's typically Girls Names. Their sound is like an eclectic mix of all bands that influenced them; without ever sounding as a copycat. No need to sum them all up here, but you'll surely hear familiar sounds. And if those bands happen to be your own favourite bands as well, like they are (amongst) mine, you're in for a treat for 46 minutes. This album is definitely one of the best releases of this year as far as i'm concerned. Also they'll be going on a month-long European tour in two weeks from now, so check them out if you get the chance.

Totaly unrelated: I just noticed this is my 500th post on this blog. Anniversary post, yay! ;)

Label: Tough Love Records
Cat.nr.: TLV083
Year: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Reticence
02. An Artifcial Spring
03. Desire Oscillations
04. (Obsession)
05. Chrome Rose
06. A Hunger Artist

SIDE B:
01. Málaga
02. Dysmorphia
03. (Convalescence)
04. Exploit Me
05. Take Out The Hand
06. I Was You

Snow In Mexico - Juno Beach [12"]

The moment i heard a song online of this one-sided JUNO BEACH 12" by Italian duo SNOW IN MEXICO, i knew i had to buy it. It's a great electronic EP that finds a good balance between dreampop and 80's synth pop. It's kinda like a mix between M83, Pet Shop Boys, Vangelis and Giorgio Moroder. The phone conversation in The Call even reminded me a bit of Clouds Across The Moon by Rah Band ;) My favourite track is definitely Sunshine. Nice 'n hazy, and very danceable.

Label: Saint Marie Records
Cat.nr.: SMR077
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. The Call
02. Juno Beach

SIDE B:
01. Sunshine
02. Gentle Rain

Tamaryn - Cranekiss [12", LP]

Out of the blue, or at least for me, came this new album by TAMARYN, called CRANEKISS. I love her previous albums The Waves and Tender New Signs so much that i bought this one without any hesitation. However to my surprise Cranekiss sounds much different: less guitar (actually almost no guitar), more electronics, samples and her voice is clearly present everywhere. So that's not quite what i expected - but i simply love it! The whole sound is clearly influenced by Cocteau Twins: ethereal and very well-produced. Even the artwork looks like it's a 4AD release with a 23 Envelope/Vaughan Oliver-style sleeve (Pixies - Velouria era, especially the back). However it's done by Shaun Durkan (of the band Weekend) with whom she worked on this album. Also Jorge Elbrecht (of Violens) participated, and did the production as well. Standout tracks as far as i'm concerned are the title track, Softcore, I Won't Be Found and the delicious Sugarfix. One of the most surprising releases of 2015 so far for sure, and only in a good way.

Label: Mexican Summer
Cat.nr.: MEX202
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Cranekiss
02. Hands All Over Me
03. Last
04. Collection
05. Keep Calling

SIDE B:
01. Softcore
02. Fade Away Slow
03. I Won't Be Found
04. Sugarfix
05. Intruder (Waking You Up)

Spectres / Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - Record Store Day Is Dying [7"]

Back from my summer break now, and this split 7" by SPECTRES and LORELLE MEETS THE OBSOLETE was one of the last things i bought before my holiday started. There's been a lot of fuzz about this RECORD STORE DAY IS DYING release. The statement by the labels (about RSD having turned into a big circus with useless reissues for crazy prices, only feeding the greed of the major labels and resulting in indie labels getting into trouble and having to wait for months before their new releases can be pressed) and RSD's reaction to that, caused many discussions online and beyond. Personally i think these two labels absolutely have a point, although there's still a lot of excellent stuff coming out on the majors for RSD each year (not just reissues, let alone useless reissues) and the waiting times for vinyl pressing affect any record company, during the whole year - simply because all major companies have dismantled and sold their own plants years ago. So everyone's depending on the same independent pressing plants these days. The demand for vinyl during the past years has grown so tremendously that there is by far not enough capacity worldwide to get things pressed in time, throughout the year. Obviously, RSD is causing a peak in the production. This increased demand, just for the record, had already started quite some time before the first RSD took place and to my opinion the RSD organisation is taking way too much credit for the returned interest in the format we all love so dearly.
Anyway, this 7" is being released one copy per day until RSD 2016, with a stamp of the date on it, distributed in various ways. Mine was obtained via the most boring way: simply by being the first who clicked the webshop link that Sonic Cathedral put on their Facebook page, that 16th of July.
Both bands cover one of eachother's songs (Lorelle's Sealed Scene being renamed to Stealed Scene here) and they do it in an equally cool way. Even if it had been a "regular" RSD release without the fuzz around it, it would've been one of the musically most interesting releases of RSD 2015. Especially Spectres have been one of the revelations of this year as far as i'm concerned, and i'm happy i managed to get hold of a copy of this single. Unfortunately i can't make it to their show in Den Haag next month, but i'd urge anyone to go and see them. And i surely hope they'll return to the Netherlands not too long after that, so i can finally see them on stage myself as well.

Label: Sonic Cathedral / Howling Owl Records
Cat.nr.: SCR 086 / HOWL 038
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. SPECTRES - Stealed Scene

SIDE B:
01. LORELLE MEETS THE OBSOLETE - The Sky Of All Places

Loop - Array 1 [12"]

Reunions of bands like Slowdive and Ride are getting (most rightfully so) a lot of attention in the press, but the fact that LOOP -although musically quite different than the other bands i just mentioned- came back to make music again at the end of 2013, shouldn't be overlooked either. And this ARRAY 1 EP is their first release since 1990's A Gilded Eternity - and apparently there are two more EP's to follow. They have not lost any bit of their strength with this EP. The first two songs on side A sound like the band we know from the late 80's/early 90's, yet still very modern. Coma, the third one on side A, is a (rather uncomfortable) ambient soundscape. The whole B-side is taken by Radial, a song in 3 parts. An instrumental beginning (vaguely reminding me of Bowie's instrumental tunes during his Berlin period, like Warszawa), then an uptempo part with vocals, and at the end another instrumental ambient part. This 17-minute song is definitely my favourite one of the EP. Great to have them back, and looking forward to hear EP number two, which is scheduled for the autumn.

Label: ATP Recordings
Cat.nr.: ATREP07
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Precession
02. Aphelion
03. Coma

SIDE B:
01. Radial