T.Rex - Electric Warrior (1971)

T.Rex - Electric Warrior (1971)

It must be said, grand kids and audio equipment are not in any way compatible. Usually I have just my single black box, NAD C700 amp/streamer, Theophany speakers (woofers and tweeters - which are well protected by metal) and concealed sub, in the lounge.

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Ioapok - Oisolün (2023)

Ioapok - Oisolün (2023)

Quite a strange trip this evening. This French outfit play a progressive type of jazz and rock music. Listening ecxlusively on headphones and DAC, its quite an emersive experiece.

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Hole - Celebrity Skin (1998)

Hole - Celebrity Skin (1998)

Hole’s second record, 1994’s “Live Through This” remains one of my top album contenders across any genre. While it’s peak grunge, it still has one of the highest, and surely not legal, quotas of hooks possible on a single record.

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Can - Live in Cuxhaven 1976 (2021)

Can - Live in Cuxhaven 1976 (2021)

This recording is as close to improvisational “free” jazz as I’m willing to ever venture. Can never just play their last record, they deconstruct, reconstruct or completely destroy it at every opportunity.

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Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2005)

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2005)

Coming up to it’s second decade, this incendiary debut album from London-based Quartet, Bloc Party, is refreshingly “rock”. No fancy keyboards or unnessecary embellishments, this is just a slam of guitars, bass and drums and some vitriolic vocals from Kele Okereke.

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Trees Speak - Mind Maze (2023)

Trees Speak - Mind Maze (2023)

Another all instrumental release from Tuscon’s best avant-garde, neo-psychedelic, Miles Davis Bitches Brew-era protagonists. Absolutely made for vinyl, there’s no other way to replicate and consume their retro-70’s schtick.

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Kirsten Edkins - Art & Soul (2015)

Kirsten Edkins - Art & Soul (2015)

I didn’t know anything about this recording before playing this via Tidal this evening. As the reveiw states “Saxophonist Kirsten Edkins delivers a delightful and charming batch of mainstream jazz with her engaging and exuberant debut Art & Soul.

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Luluc - Sculptor (2018)

Luluc - Sculptor (2018)

Here’s yet another fantastic band from Melbourne. Several recent favourites of the last few years have come from this town. Duo Zoë Randell and Steve Hassett have breached their folky ways and delivered a rich, cinematic experience far removed from the traditional acoustic fare.

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XTC - Black Sea (1980)

XTC - Black Sea (1980)

This is another vinyl relic that’s been added to my “Essentials” vinyl collection. This 2019 re-press is NOT the Steven Wilson remaster but the original 1980 pressing.

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Kimbra - A Reckoning (2023)

Kimbra - A Reckoning (2023)

Just thought I’d dip into a track or two to sample my new laptop/DAC/headphones setup. I never left. That headphone setup is now my new benchmark for the best way to listen to serious music.

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Adam Green & Binki Shapiro (2013)

Adam Green & Binki Shapiro (2013)

Third time lucky. I tried to listen to a couple of CDs from “The Redcross Collection” this evening. That was a painful 6 minutes of my life that I’ll never get back - they were truly hideous.

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Tones On Tail - Everything! (1998)

Tones On Tail - Everything! (1998)

A fantastic post-Bauhaus compilation of Daniel Ash’s side project prior to establishing the equally wonderful Love & Rockets. Like some Ziggy Stardust/Mick Ronson clone, Daniel Ash exudes the combination of squalling guiter slinger and crooning frontman.

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Roger Waters - Amused to Death (1992)

Roger Waters - Amused to Death (1992)

The audiophile vinyl box set of this has just been released. While I’m not at all interested in an analogue version of a digital recording, the high resolution bu-ray version will do me nicely thanks, I did watch a YouTube reveiw by German vinyl guru Michael of 45RPM Audiophile fame.

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XTC - The Big Express (1984)

XTC - The Big Express (1984)

The big news of the day was the passing of guitar maestro and personal hero, Jeff Beck. I chose not to spend the evening playing his music but did play a couple of tracks earlier in the day.

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Cure - Wish [2022 Remaster](1992)

Cure - Wish [2022 Remaster](1992)

Fuck Yes!! While there’s some poppy, happy-clappy stuff on this record (incidently, this is the brand new, freshly minted 3CD deluxe edition), there’s still a wonderful, post-“Disintegration”, doom-laden dirge as thick as treacle.

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Fishmans - Long Season [Tidal & YouTube] (1996)

Fishmans - Long Season [Tidal & YouTube] (1996)

This amazing recording has been haunting my dreams lately (as well as causing a few offline listening nightmares on my iPhone with the finiky Tidal app) The 34 minute, single track is like nothing you have ever heard, and if you have the patience, has one of the most haunting melodies ever to hit your ears.

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David Bowie - Toy Box (2021)

David Bowie - Toy Box (2021)

As a semi-completist Bowie-phile, I was inspired to acquire this 3CD box of revisited, pre-fame, early recordings. As a school kid in the early 70’s, and before I really knew who David Bowie was, I remember listening to the 1967 record “David Bowie”.

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Poor Moon - Poor Moon (2012)

Poor Moon - Poor Moon (2012)

Another random selection from my “Lucky Strike At The Red Cross” collection. This album on the Sub Pop label, turned out to be a side project by Fleet Foxes members Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott.

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Goldie - Timeless (1995)

Goldie - Timeless (1995)

After last night’s fabulous, Afro-centric jazz monster, something equally rich and musical is called for. This drum’n’bass classic from England’s then king of Jungle, has moments of bliss.

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Fazerdaze - Break! (2022)

Fazerdaze - Break! (2022)

I tried; I really did. I had a few things to listen to this afternoon, nothing I physically owned thank goodness, but I quickly became underwhelmed and even irritated with stuff passing as entertainment.

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Jakob - Solace (2006)

Jakob - Solace (2006)

I’m just reading a great, totally self-depreciating and honest book about Steven Wilson’s perceived failings as a rock star. Ok, it’s agreed, he’s no rock star but he’s a fantastic musician, producer, band leader (of several ensembles) and a complete music nerd.

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Mercury Rev - Yerself Is Steam (1991)

Mercury Rev - Yerself Is Steam (1991)

I was NOT prepared for this! Even my watch protested about the noise of the first track - screaming out something ‘bout “…exceeding decibels…30 minutes…potential damage…” It wasn’t just the volume; it was the shear harshness of the assault.

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Cari Cari - Anaana (2018)

Cari Cari - Anaana (2018)

Fabulous surf-punk-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink-psych. This is a recently discovered album from duo Stephanie Widmer (vocals, drums, didgeridoo) and Alexander Köck (vocals, guitar) aka Cari Cari.

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Oh Sees - Orc (2017)

Oh Sees - Orc (2017)

The genius of John Dywer never lets up throughout an array of different band monikers, (including Orinoka Crash Suite, OCS, Orange County Sound, The Ohsees, The Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees, and Oh Sees), and a myriad of fluid genres over the last 25 years.

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Cranes - Particles & Waves (2004)

Cranes - Particles & Waves (2004)

OK. I’m being right up front here. Give me actual, physical media over streaming any day. I reached for a randomly chosen CD this evening, put it in my repurposed Oppo Blu-ray transport and immersed myself in its warm, earthy, organic texture and sonic splendor.

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Autechre - Amber (1994)

Autechre - Amber (1994)

This ambient/techno record is startlingly apt for a day of national introspection. This makes a terrific soundtrack as one watches the fairy tale tributes unfold across multiple channels.

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Cornelius - Point (2002)

Cornelius - Point (2002)

If you can find a better sounding CD than this, I’ll eat my entire vinyl collection. I can’t even contemplate why you would ever listen to this on anything other than a CD or via decent streaming media.

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Low - The Great Destroyer (2005)

Low - The Great Destroyer (2005)

Another faultless record from these Duluth-based, slow-core pioneering Mormons. (Incidentally, Duluth was also the birth place of one Robert Zimmerman). Recently picked up by Sub Pop records this is a major leap forward in instrumental layering and accessibility.

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Bang Gang - Something Wrong (2003)

Bang Gang - Something Wrong (2003)

The wonderful film “Screaming Masterpiece” introduced me to many great Icelandic musicians. There were many “wow” moments throughout this music documentary and it ultimately led me to this “band” and this astounding record.

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Beck - Guero (2005)

Beck - Guero (2005)

While it couldn’t possibly top “Odelay”, it is a wonderful potpourri of brilliance. A decade later, his songwriting has matured like a fine wine.

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Stereo MC's - Connected (1992)

Stereo MC's - Connected (1992)

Despite an erroneous apostrophe, the Stereo MC’s produced this stunner absolutely full to the brim with funky rap-infused belters. While the track “Connected” is the best known song, there are 12 other tracks equally as addictive.

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The Spinanes - Manos (1993)

The Spinanes - Manos (1993)

Chicago two piece, Rebecca Gates, guitar and vocals, and Scott Plouf, on drums, make such a wonderful racket together. While it’s inherently a narrow soundstage, the chemistry and synchronicity between the duo is palpable.

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Massive Attack - Heligoland (2010)

Massive Attack - Heligoland (2010)

I’m not sure why this album gets such a bad rap. Ok, it’s probably not The Massive at their peak of popularity but it certainly contains all of the elements that make it a sonically rich, refreshingly experimental and ultimately rewarding listen.

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Implosion - Implosion (1988)

Implosion - Implosion (1988)

Back in late May I discovered a fabulous, genre-less, probably more-prog-than-not, largely instrumental rock outfit from Italy. That record was a compilation of great, unreleased music from the mid to late 80’s and an addendum to this, their first and at one point, very rare, under-the-radar release.

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Morphine - Good (1992)

Morphine - Good (1992)

Some might say that Morphine, a rowdy trio from Boston, are a bit of a one trick pony. Comprising of singer/slide bass player Mark Sandman, Dana Colley on tenor and baritone sax and drummer, Jerome Dupree, it certainly feels “samey” through out.

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Eve Adams - Metal Bird (2021)

Eve Adams - Metal Bird (2021)

This reminds me of the minimalist approach that Melbourne’s Jonnine Standish takes with her duo HTRK . While there’s more experimentation on that wonderful record, the less-is-more ethic taken on this record is similar.

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Trees Speak - Vertigo Of Flaws (2021)

Trees Speak - Vertigo Of Flaws (2021)

Emancipation of the dissonance and temperaments in irrational wavelengths. I really couldn’t have put it better myself. Electronic music, especially post-punk retro became my staple in the early 80’s as I explored the left of mainstream with Cabaret Voltaire, early Ultravox and especially Tangerine Dream the most rewarding.

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Implosion - Implosion 2020 (2020)

Implosion - Implosion 2020 (2020)

Obscure yet outstanding 80’s Italian outfit that only ever released one solitary, self-titled album back in 1988. This FANTASTIC 2020 Record Store Day record contains 16 previously unreleased tracks from other recordings done between 1983 and 1989.

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Pylon - Razz Tape (1979)

Pylon - Razz Tape (1979)

This cracker of a live session was captured on primitive recording equipment solely for the purposes of garnering interest for potential employment around the local clubs of Athens, Georgia.

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Beak> - >>> (2018)

Beak> - >>> (2018)

Strangeness personified. Intentionally radio unfriendly, Krautrock(y), squelchy, stoner prog. Perfect as a formulaic, poser-pop fly spray, this little gem completely tears up the rule book.

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Ghost Power (2022)

Ghost Power (2022)

This all instrumental, trance-inducing long player from Stereolab’s Tim Gane, while not far removed from the Labs mesmeric soundscapes, is sans his dirty old, reverb-rich, overdriven Jaguar and replaced with an all analogue, knob-twiddling, (over)indulgence.

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Garageland - Last Exit To Garageland (1997)

Garageland - Last Exit To Garageland (1997)

To these ears this is one of the best records that Pavement didn’t make. While you could say that the Flying Nun label mates of this Auckland-based outfit taught the Paves a thing or two, this group are just as effective at playing sloppy, effortless and slightly off kilter pop music like the big boys of the era.

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Radiohead - Kid A Mnesia (2022)

Radiohead - Kid A Mnesia (2022)

Holy Moley where do you start with this?! While hailed as one of the most important rock recordings of all time when they delivered their revered “OK Computer”, Radiohead went even more left field with these evil twins.

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Alan Vega - After Dark (2021)

Alan Vega - After Dark (2021)

A beautiful, unconventional rockabilly blues record from now departed Suicide co-founder/co-member, Alan Vega. This could quite easily be an old time blues record backed by any number of 70’s era Krautrock bands.

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Ziggy is 50 (1972)

Ziggy is 50 (1972)

I heard “Starman” and “Suffragette City” on the car radio this morning. The realisation soon hit me - Ziggy is 50 years old!

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Fela Kuti - Fela's London Scene (1971)

Fela Kuti - Fela's London Scene (1971)

Another absolute stunner from one of Afrobeat’s finest. This 50th Anniversary Reissue is “coolness” personified. Fela was best mates with Ginger Baker, who apparently, (this is uncredited on the album), helps out on the sublime “Egbe Mio”.

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David Bowie - Toy (2021)

David Bowie - Toy (2021)

I’m not really sure how I feel about this record - I’m listening to it as I type. This is the first time I’ve heard this since acquiring it as part of the massive “Brilliant Adventure” box.

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Idles - Crawler (2021)

Idles - Crawler (2021)

One of the best opening songs I’ve heard in a long time, “MTT 420 RR”, (literally the vocalist’s own historic car crash), sets the stage for a remarkable journey.

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Grooms - Exit Index (2017)

Grooms - Exit Index (2017)

I’m really not sure what attracted me to this, aside from the beautiful cover, but what a fantastic find. Like a few days lately, I’ve been finding a few unfamiliar tracks and albums via streaming services.

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David Bowie - Earthling (1997)

David Bowie - Earthling (1997)

The stunning sonics of this newly pressed vinyl box continues. It’s certainly a box of goodies that just keeps giving. This is another record which I’ve only listened to in parts (“Little Wonder” & “I’m afraid Of Americans”) and most probably not in its entirety in one sitting.

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Swans - The Seer (2012)

Swans - The Seer (2012)

This is a CD I have always been very reluctant (aka being really frightened) to play. I mean Ray Haliburton’s Allmusic User Review from 2015 proclaims “…if you’re looking for music that is truly horrifying, visceral, epic and absorbing, step right up.

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Mew - Plus Minus (2017)

Mew - Plus Minus (2017)

This Danish band is just extraordinary. Their record, 2005’s “And the Glass Handed Kites” is an epic masterpiece that demands at least a yearly, uninterrupted aural immersion.

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La Luz - La Luz (2021)

La Luz - La Luz (2021)

I LOVED La Luz’s last record, 2018’s “Floating Features”, but while pleasant enough, this new album has upped the production levels and sanded off those rough edges I loved on the previous one.

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Sault - Nine (2021)

Sault - Nine (2021)

Another remarkable, genre non-specific, masterwork from the mysterious UK collective that is Sault. After 99 days following it’s release (June 2021) this record has already been pulled from streaming services completely and will never see a re-pressing.

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Slowdive - Pygmalion (1995)

Slowdive - Pygmalion (1995)

This beautiful album follows the magnificent “Souvlaki”, a record that Brian Eno provided keyboards and treatments. While the Eno ambience wasn’t obvious on that, it’s right to the fore on this.

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Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise (2011)

Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise (2011)

This is an exquisite, sumptuous recent discovery courtesy of the wonderful Youtube hosted by Michael the German. Michael, who is a truly engaging German man with the most incredible vinyl collection, regularly shares his insights into the best, and often but not always, audiophile vinyl pressings.

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Belly - Bees (2021)

Belly - Bees (2021)

Awesome B-Sides collection on spectacular “honey” coloured vinyl. Just fantastic to have this. One of my favourite songs of all time on one of my favourite albums of all time, is the wonderful “Not Too Soon”, sung by Tanya Donelly on “The Real Ramona”.

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Darkside - Psychic Live (2015)

Darkside - Psychic Live (2015)

Insanely good live performance of Darkside’s brilliant 2013 album “Psychic”, a mind warping, non-genre specific monster of a record. Watching this reminds me of the time that I walked into one my all time, smily face moments of pure musical bliss - Unkle playing live in the “Boiler Room” at The Big Day Out.

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Holger Czukay - Der Osten Ist Rot (1984)

Holger Czukay - Der Osten Ist Rot (1984)

Completely wacko but totally enjoyable forth solo record from co-founder of krautrock band Can. Aside from the first song, “The Photo Song”, (definitely a false start as the “poppiest” song on the album), it’s an unconventional and wild ride across the remaining 10 tracks.

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Rupert Hine - Immunity (1981)

Rupert Hine - Immunity (1981)

One real blessing of spending an extra week in Melbourne, following a 7 day Covid-19 Aussie/NZ travel bubble pause, was spending some quality time trawling the records shops in Melbourne City and Brunswick/Smiths Street in Collingwood.

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Jane Weaver - Loops In The Secret Society (2019)

Jane Weaver - Loops In The Secret Society (2019)

Fantastic double (black) vinyl re-working of Jane Weaver’s 2014 record “The Silver Globe” and 2017’s “Modern Kosmology”. All I can say is my recently purchased Rega MM Fono stage now connected to my upstairs Project Debut and NAD amp is absolutely kicking some serious sonic arse.

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Sault - 5 (2019)

Sault - 5 (2019)

I finally managed to pick up all four albums by this extraordinary English collective knowh as “Sault”. This is their first record and if the others are even close to this, (and apparently they get even better with each subsequent release) my ears are in for a real treat.

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Jethro Tull - A (1980)

Jethro Tull - A (1980)

Another stonking Tull release that got panned at the time. A first time listen for me but a rockier effort following their folk period “Songs From The Wood”, “Heavy Horses” and “Storm Watch”.

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Moby - Reprise (2021)

Moby - Reprise (2021)

Another beautiful double album picked up over Queens Birthday weekend. This features orchestral treatments of Moby songs (there’s also a lovely reinterpretation of one of my least favorite Bowie songs “Heroes” which I can fully tolerate and appreciate one this).

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Various Artists - AK79 (1980)

Various Artists - AK79 (1980)

This fantastic compilation of Auckland punk, circa 1979(ish), is a treat for NZ music historians and rock’n’roll lovers. There’s early iterations of bands that went on to greater fame, and much higher production standards, but their brilliance is well in evidence.

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Can - Future Days (1972)

Can - Future Days (1972)

A remarkably restrained Damo Suzuki “sings” on what would be his final studio recording with this truly amazing German collective. (He went off and married a Jehovah witness apparently).

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Can - Delay (1981)

Can - Delay (1981)

These astounding recordings from 1968/1969 is empirical proof that these Germans were just so far ahead of the game. The Stooges, who are often regarded as the granddaddy’s of punk didn’t record their debut until 1969.

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VA - Tim Peaks (2019)

VA - Tim Peaks (2019)

Tim Burgess & Bob Stanley Present Songs For A Late-Night Diner. This very quirky compilation “is a soundtrack for a mythical café in the mythical north” somewhere in England.

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Lou Reed - New York (1989)

Lou Reed - New York (1989)

Excluding the Velvet Underground years, Transformer, Rock’n’roll Animal, Lou Reed Live, The Blue Mask, Legendary Hearts, Songs For Drella (with John Cale) and Magic And Loss were always my go to Lou Reed records.

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Pretty Things - Parachute (1970)

Pretty Things - Parachute (1970)

This record was released in 1970 and was named Rolling Stone’s album of the year ahead of Let It Be by The Beatles, Morrison Hotel by The Doors, After the Gold Rush by Neil Young, Moondance by Van Morrison, Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel, Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother and Led Zeppelin III.

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Tool - Opiate (1992)

Tool - Opiate (1992)

Maynard James Keenan hit the ground running with his band Tool. This and subsequent records completely shocked the world of metal, grunge and alternative rock.

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Spiritualized - Fucked Up Inside (1993)

Spiritualized - Fucked Up Inside (1993)

Great live recording of Jason Pierce’s early post Spacemen 3 collective. While it gets off to an unexpectedly noisy start with a barrage of crackles and pops all over the first track, (sometimes I really hate vinyl), but this is soon forgotten as it mainlines itself into my brain.

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Beck - Odelay (1996)

Beck - Odelay (1996)

There’s still a lot of life left in ye old compact disc. This album is the epitome of digital geek where studio trickery and massive production nearly trumps the incredible songwriting.

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The Bug - London Zoo (2008)

The Bug - London Zoo (2008)

Holy shit this is one intense slab of vinyl that does not relent over its 6 sides. The complete antithesis and double-handed middle finger to rock’s bloated carcass, this is a welcome challenge that rips musical convention to shreds.

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Fourtet - Beautiful Rewind

Fourtet - Beautiful Rewind

This couldn’t be further along the other end of the continuum than yesterday’s outing with Analogue Africa. It’s probably as close to Ambient as I want to get but has an underlying grime to proceedings.

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Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist (Tidal)

Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist (Tidal)

I can’t imagine Trump knowing what music is yet alone having a favourites playlist. If for some reason he did have a slither of musical cognisance the soundtrack of his life over over the last 5 years would be “Send Out The Clowns” on continuous play.

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Jarv Is... - Beyond The Pale (2020)

Jarv Is... - Beyond The Pale (2020)

I could listen to Jarvis Cocker recite the phone book (do we still get those?) or possibly of more practical application and in keeping with this record, “The Origin Of The Species” The second song “Must I Evolve” is a question I ask myself every day.

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Elton John - Caribou (1974)

Elton John - Caribou (1974)

Being sandwiched between “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy” doesn’t help. To me, “Caribou” it was just another great Elton John record which I enjoyed as much as the others.

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Sault - 7 (2019)

Sault - 7 (2019)

A punk-funk-soul one-two that leaves you dazed and delighted. That’s the headline. I just love taking risks with music but at the same time I’m quite hesitant when considering my choices.

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Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams (2012)

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams (2012)

This pre-loved record has obviously been played to death and there’s a few pops and crackles in evidence. However, it wasn’t until I saw the debris on my stylus that I realised that I needed to do some immediate needle maintenance.

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Iggy Pop - Lust For Life (1977)

Iggy Pop - Lust For Life (1977)

Iggy looks extremely happy on the cover of this record with a grin a mile wide. Why wouldn’t he? He’d just been thrown a great big life line from David Bowie - who co-writ and recorded this and the preceeding “The Idiot”.

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Mansun - Six (1999)

Mansun - Six (1999)

This record never ceases to reveal something new each and every time I take pleasure in listening to it. (Now that’s a bit spooky, I googled a review of the record and found the following echoing my thoughts.

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Trees Speak - Shadow Forms (2020)

Trees Speak - Shadow Forms (2020)

Even though the world has gone completely bonkers, this sounds perfectly out of place and refreshingly unhinged. Heavily influenced by Krautrock, “Bitches Brew” Mile Davis and spooky soundtrack music for non-existent horror movies, it’s a bit disconcerting to say the least.

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Mantronix - The Album (1985)

Mantronix - The Album (1985)

Along with Cabaret Voltaire, who had taken a bit of a right turn mixing menacing electronic textures with funky dance rhythms in the early to mid 80’s, I was totally hooked on the electronic/hip hop mashups of Mantronix.

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ESG - Keep On Moving (2006)

ESG - Keep On Moving (2006)

There’s some truly gut-busting, funky minimalism going on here! It’s dance-punk if you really want to label it. The Scroggin sisters, which hail from The Bronx, which now include a new generation of daughters playing in the group, have been around since the late 70’s.

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Elton John - Elton John (1970)

Elton John - Elton John (1970)

I give Elton’s “Your Song” the same respect as I do for Bowie’s “Space Oddity”. Both fantastic songs released within 6 months of each other, but the albums from which these songs originated were never on my radar until much later.

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Slowdive - Souvlaki (1993)

Slowdive - Souvlaki (1993)

A gorgeous mid-nineties dreamy shoegaze record of the highest order. For the unsuspecting, it can be an otherworldly swirl of guitar noise and way-down-in-the-mix vocals, but it’s never short of a spine tingling melody within that dirge.

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The Microphones In 2020 (2020)

The Microphones In 2020 (2020)

Douglas R Hofstadter would have a field day with this one. Hofstadter’s Law states that “It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.

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Linton Kwesi Johnson - Bass Culture (1980)

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Bass Culture (1980)

This is a great relic and snapshot of life in Thatcher’s England. “Inglan is a bitch, there’s no escaping it!” While it is politically and socially charged in places, (Mr Johnson could really getaway with singing about anything), the reggae/dub soundtrack in support of Linton’s wonderful prose is just fabulous!

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Son Lux - Brighter Wounds (2018)

Son Lux - Brighter Wounds (2018)

I hate always playing it safe with music and this certainly takes me well out of my comfort zone. And this record which I’m listening to for the first time since picking it out of a bargain bin, does so in such a welcome and refreshing way.

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Public Service Broadcasting (2017)

Public Service Broadcasting (2017)

It’s wet and cold outside this afternoon as this tribute to Welsh miners spins on my turntable. In contrast to the bleakness of the elements, it’s warm and cosy inside as the fire pushes out some serious heat.

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The B-52's (1979)

The B-52's (1979)

This relic from the very late 70’s is as infectious as Covid-19! At just under 40 minutes, there’s not one wasted note.

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Moon Duo - Mazes (2011)

Moon Duo - Mazes (2011)

Guitar-driven, wall-of-fuzz, melodic mayhem courtesy of Wooden Shjips front man Erik Ripley Johnson and non-affiliated keyboard player, Sanae Yamada. This records gives you a great big warm hypnotic hug.

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Arthur Russell - The World Of… (2014)

Arthur Russell - The World Of… (2014)

This FANTASTIC remastered 2014 compilation on 3 great slabs of vinyl just sounds well…. FANTASTIC! These 11 tracks, all released as 12” remixes, were clearly made for the dance floors of the late 70’s, early 80’s, but really blur the links between Disco, Classical, Jazz and Dub.

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The Slits - Cut (1979)

The Slits - Cut (1979)

I’m half way through Viv Albertine’s very candid 2014 book “Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys” She was brought into The Slits as the guitar player who had never actually played guitar.

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Santana - Moonflower (1977)

Santana - Moonflower (1977)

OK it’s not a “proper” live album - it’s got studio recordings interspersed with the live stuff - but as a 17 year old totally immersed in guitar hero worship, this thing still stings the synapses.

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Cranes - Forever (1993)

Cranes - Forever (1993)

One of the finds of my recent trip to Wellington was this amazing record. Very tastefully remastered, individually numbered and pressed on gold and black vinyl, it is physically, visually and sonically a thing of great beauty.

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Built To Spill (2006)

Built To Spill (2006)

OK, I’ve never been a big fan of Old Cranky throughout his musical lifespan. With the exception of his early days with CSN&Y, “On The Beach” “Zuma” and “Arc-Weld”, I’ve mainly stayed clear of his guitar and song-writing histrionics.

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The Beatles - Revolver (1966)

The Beatles - Revolver (1966)

This record seems to get a hell of a lot of hyper-praise. I’ve never really singled out albums in the Beatles catalogue to measure or compare against each other but in the case of this particular record, I really can’t see what all the fuss is about.

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Santana - Abraxas (1969)

Santana - Abraxas (1969)

I really forgot I even had this in my record collection when I went hunting for something substantial today. And this remastered gem on Antarctic Ice Shelf-thick vinyl IS truly substantial.

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David Bowie - Outside (1995)

David Bowie - Outside (1995)

I’m actively re-assessing Bowie’s records since 1980’s “Scary Monsters”. I have openly stated my apparent unwillingness to accept there was still genius lurking past “Ashes To Ashes” This isn’t Covid-19 related cabin fever talking either, it’s a genuine regret that I’ve followed the sway of the critics rather than making up my own mind.

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Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha (2008)

Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha (2008)

Super-G’s very last record continues with the high-calibre, riff-heavy pop-rock they are renowned for. Over their six studio albums they have made consistently great and seemingly effortless records that without failure, completely kick arse.

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Zed - Silencer (2001)

Zed - Silencer (2001)

I took a big punt on this one during my weekly Warehouse bin trawl. Dropping from $49 to $29 and a couple of well known tracks, including the anthemic “Renagade Fighter”, convinced me to part with my cash.

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Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (2020)

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (2020)

You know what, I’m getting sick of the same old same old. Three albums in and on the fantastic “Currents” Kevin Parker was getting flogged by the sky’s falling brigade for adding squelchy keyboards and turning his back on his guitar fuelled hazy psych.

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Run The Jewels II (2014)

Run The Jewels II (2014)

Just a great big slab of shit-kicking R&B on double teal vinyl to upset the neighbours and add an edge to the Friday night “no work tomorrow” alcohol fueled exhortations.

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Kids See Ghosts (2018)

Kids See Ghosts (2018)

This is a brilliant collaboration between Kid Cudi and Kanye West. While it’s only an 20 minute EP, it does one hell of a lot during those 1200 seconds.

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Torres - Three Futures (2017)

Torres - Three Futures (2017)

This record was a complete impulse buy whilst trawling the JB-Hifi bins in Wellington. I heard mention of Torres via the “Sound Opinions” podcast a while back where she was highly revered by Greg Kot.

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Gruff Rhys - Pang! (2019)

Gruff Rhys - Pang! (2019)

Wowee, we’ve got a right one here! It’s the perfect way to see in the new year. Bereft of any English, this collaboration with South African artist Muzi, is mostly sung in Welsh, with a bit of Zulu thrown in.

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The Who - Hits 50! (2014)

The Who - Hits 50! (2014)

There’s no shortage of Who compilations. For me, this is the big, vinyl-worth one. 21 brilliant tracks covering 50 years, this is the ultimate showcase of their greatest, radio-friendly hits.

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Automatic - Signal (2019)

Automatic - Signal (2019)

Released just a few months ago, this debut record by LA trio “Automatic”, is possibly my find of the year. On non-stop rotation for the last couple of days it’s wormed it’s way into my brain.

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Boston - Boston (1976)

Boston - Boston (1976)

I’m not a proud man. How could I resist this 2016, 40th Anniversary Legacy vinyl picture disc for just $22! I’ve never really bought into the whole picture disc thing but in this case it convinced me enough to buy this record.

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NEU! - NEU! (1972)

NEU! - NEU! (1972)

While the Germans are responsible for the abomination that is the DIN connector they are also responsible for some of the most influential and amazing music on the planet.

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George Benson - Breezin' (1976)

George Benson - Breezin' (1976)

Certainly “of it’s time” this jazz-lite record still treats the ears. I’m sure I didn’t pay the $6.99 of the sticker price still attached to the disc but got it along with about 15 other DVD-Audio discs on one of my afternoon raids to the Red Shed.

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Die Antwoord - Die Antwoord (2010)

Die Antwoord - Die Antwoord (2010)

Die Antwoord still goes down as one of my most gob smacking live music moments ever. Entering the big Boiler Room dance tent completely cold and expecting nothing, I encountered little pixie Yo Landi Vi$$er in full flight “ah ah ah, I am your butterfly - I need your protection”

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The Flaming Lips - Embryonic (2009)

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic (2009)

The Lips have always been very generous with their non-standard CD releases - if you can find them. Most of their seminal records, including “The Soft Bulletin” “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots” and “At War With The Mystics”, are also available with bonus 5.

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Angus & Julia Stone (2014)

Angus & Julia Stone (2014)

My (not so) recent trip to Melbourne yielded some surprising good Aussie music that continues to reward. One of my favorites was Dope Lemon’s “Smooth Big Cat” on pretty picture disc vinyl - it’s just fantastic!

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Tool - Fear Inoculum (2019)

Tool - Fear Inoculum (2019)

It’s only been 14 years since their last record! What’s the big deal! Listening for the first time with my best pair of headphones, it’s something I thought I would never hear in 2019.

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Hurts - Exile (2013)

Hurts - Exile (2013)

One of my less-than-$2-purchases, this completely bombastic, thickly layered, schizo-genre jumper is nevertheless an intriguing and baffling listening experience. There’s nothing here resembling a real instrument but the beats and hooks are infectious.

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Low - Drums And Guns (2007)

Low - Drums And Guns (2007)

This record just shouldn’t work. News Flash: Low, the protagonists of slowcore, embrace abrasive percussive elements and discordant organ textures. What it does uphold though, is the wonderful solo and harmonised voices of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker.

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The Modern Lovers (1976)

The Modern Lovers (1976)

I made the big mistake of popping in to see Smithies at “Family Jewels Records” at the Freehouse this afternoon. Hey, we were just going for a pint, chunky sandwich and some of Steve’s famous chips.

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