Ringo Deathstarr - God's Dream [12", EP]

GOD'S DREAM by RINGO DEATHSTARR came out only on CD in Japan on the Vinyl Junkie label late 2013, with a slightly different tracklisting. The first vinyl pressings were released in the US on Neon Sigh/Noyes Records in March 2014, and a month later we finally have the European version on Invada for Record Store Day 2014. The European version has a yellowish cover instead of a greenish one, and it replaces the song See You with Over There. This version is on yellow vinyl and there are only 500 copies made. That's about as limited as i personally like to see RSD releases to be made, to be honest, and i think Invada did a great job with that. I don't know how it is with the US pressings since i don't own one (yet), but while the sleeve and centre labels show Shut Your Eyes as the closing song for side A and Chainsaw Morning as the opening song for side B, it's actually the other way around. Minor detail of course, because it's the music that matters. And Ringo Deathstarr can do little wrong in my eyes. I've become a pretty big fan of this band over the past years, and this new release is right up there with their previous work. They have some pretty cool guest appearances this time around as well: Jeff Schroeder of Smashing Pumpkins, with whom they toured a few years ago, on Chainsaw Morning - and Adam Franklin of Swervedriver on Flower Power and Nowhere. The last one being my favourite song; for now, at least. I've only listened to the EP a few times so far so that might change over the next few weeks.

Label: Invada
Cat.nr.: INV113LP
Year of release: 2014

SIDE A:
01. Bong Load
02. God's Dream
03. Flower Power
04. Chainsaw Morning *

SIDE B:
01. Shut Your Eyes *
02. Over There
03. Nowhere

* tracklisting on the sleeve and centre labels mix these tracks up

The Fauns - Fragile (Clint Mansell Remix) [12"]

This special 12" was released (in the UK only) for Record Store Day 2013. Been trying to get my hands on one, but without any success. Until recently when THE FAUNS launched a Kickstarter fundraiser for their tour with Alcest, which is currently taking place. They were selling a few of these 12" remix singles and also signed them, for this occasion. So i ordered one to help them out a bit and got this long-desired piece of vinyl in return. That's what i call a win-win situation ;)
The song FRAGILE is my favourite of their debut album, and this remix by film music composer (and former lead singer for Pop Will Eat Itself) Clint Mansell is a really good one. So is actually the re-worked version of The Sun Is Cruising by Invada label manager Redg Weeks.

Label: Invada
Cat.nr.: INV 121 LP
Year of release: 2013

SIDE A:
01. Fragile (Clint Mansell Remix)

SIDE B:
01. The Sun Is Cruising (Redg Weeks Re-work)

The Fauns - Lights [12", 2LP]

They've been working on this album for quite some time. Around the time when i wrote about THE FAUNS' self-titled debut, the band already mentioned that they had started working on a new album. Nearly two years later LIGHTS is finally here, and it certainly has been worth the wait! It only came out last weekend over here, but it was actually released in the UK somewhere in December and should have been in my Finest Vinyl Of 2013 list for that matter. Ah well.
The single Seven Hours that preceded the release is to my opinion one of the best tracks of this album, but also Nothing Ever (MBV-esque drum fill, ♥) and especially With You have become personal favourites of mine. The uptempo In Flames could've been a Pains Of Being Pure At Heart song (which is meant as a compliment, because i really like that band and it is just a damn good indie rock tune). Ease Down and closing song Give Me Your Love still remind me the most of their debut album.
I really look forward to finally be able to see them perform live in one and half week when their tour with Alcest and Hexvessel hits Arnhem. And i don't mind driving to the other side of the country for that; been waiting for an opportunity to see them since their planned tour with Ringo Deathstarr at the end of 2012 was sadly cancelled. In the meantime i'll be giving this double white vinyl gem a few more spins.

Label: Invada
Cat.nr.: INV 129 LP
Year of release: 2013

SIDE A:
01. Point Zero
02. Seven Hours

SIDE B:
01. Ease Down
02. In Flames
03. Nothing Ever

SIDE C:
01. Lights
02. Rise
03. 4AM

SIDE D:
01. With You
02. Let's Go
03. Give Me Your Love