Hipster baiting sticker on the new Erland Oye album

Well, this USED TO be clear vinyl...

Faust's debut album was released in 1971 on clear vinyl in a printed transparent sleeve; I bought it second hand at some point in the nineties for about £8. It was definitely clear then. In fact, the last time I listened to it (probably 4 or 5 years ago) it was still clear. So, when getting the record out a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised to find it had transformed to this lovely brown marbled effect vinyl.

It seems as though the vinyl has reacted with the plastic sleeve causing this happen - can anyone give some sciencey type explanation for this? I'm not sure why it only happened after 40+ years and I'm sure some people would be distraught at the thought of a valuable record being 'ruined', but I think it looks great. Besides, I have plenty of other records that are clear vinyl (and yes, I've checked that they're all still OK).

Come to think of it, something similar happened with a Howard Jones picture disc I ownd back in 1985...

Sacred Songs

This is the sort of album that people frequently flip past in record and charity shops, assuming that it's 'just' an album by that guy out of Hall and Oates. I've probably been guilty of that myself in the past until I learned of his collaborations with Robert Fripp (from hearing Fripp's Exposure album).

A lost classic - recorded in 1977, but shelved by the record label until they were persuaded to release it in 1980 - this album is allegedly the first proper use of the groundbreaking Frippertronics tape delay system that Robert Fripp pioneered. The best example being on the bonkers, and wonderfully jarring, Babs and Babs.

Goat - Commune

The new Goat album has arrived, on delicious splatter vinyl and with a free 7" single.

Brief review 2 songs in - it's sounding gooood.

It's here...

Records I Forgot I Owned

#2 Spinform - Bryter Tysnaden 

Nope, no recollection of buying this one at all - I gave a slightly baffled look when I came across it as to exactly what it was. It's from 2006 and was clearly bought new - was it a present or did I buy it myself? Then I put it on and memories came flooding back - it's very much in the spirit of early Four tet, with a health dose of found sounds, acoustic guitars and pianos amidst the clicks and cuts. It could've easily been released this year. Its much better than a lot of records I never forgot about.

Records I Forgot I Owned

#1Microdisney - Everybody is Fantastic

It's inevitable - you buy a lot of records and some fall to the back of your mind.

I can't recall when I bought this, the 1983 debut by Microdisney, but what I do know is that it offers the best advice on the back cover: "For optimum listening pleasure, please listen to this record at least four times". I'm glad I took note as I was distinctly underwhelmed with it at first, but by the 3rd or 4th listen the beauty of the songs began to shine through.

It's always a joy to hear someone singing in their own accent too.