“This sounds like sexy elevator music” was said by my fiancee upon hearing the opening title track from Still Crazy After All These Years.  I don’t know much about Paul Simon but I’m learning.  The more I learn the more I’m interested.  I was my interest was originally started by Paul Simon’s Paul Simon and my interest grew even more after watching the documentary Under African Skies about his famous album Graceland (which I still need to purchase).  Regardless I found this album used at Shake-It Records with the original album sleeve. I couldn’t pass up fun hits like “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” and the very first reuniting (not that I care) of Simon with long time partner Art Garfunkel on the song “My  Little Town”.  It’s wild to find out this won a Grammy for Best Album when you think about popular music today. To some people it probably sounds like “sexy elevator music” but in 1976 it was the best music.

Bob Marley & The Wailers came later.  First there was just The Wailers.  That is exactly how I feel about this record.  It’s the last effort with Bob, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer before they went their separate ways. It’s the genius before they knew how good they were.  After owning and listening to Live! and Rastaman Vibration, it was cool to listen to the songs like “I Shot The Sheriff” and hear how they have evolved over the years.  The studio recordings really focus more in on the instrumentation than other reggae records that focus on the rhythm more.  This is a double gatefold that I found cheap and used at Shake-It Records. I promised myself I would slow down on the reggae records, but I can’t help but scour through the bins anyways.  This is one of Bob’s best efforts and it only makes since to purchase this one compared to others.  It’s a shame these three didn’t make progress in music more together.  I think that The Wailers gets overlooked in music history when you talk about famous bands breaking up.  Good thing I have all this positive music laying around to cheer me up about it.

After being gifted the very all inclusive early works of Iron & Wine album, Around The Well, I did not think I would ever need to own another one from Sam Beam.  I enjoyed this album previously and have loved what I heard of his newest works. I purely purchased this for two reasons.

1. The thought of Iron & Wine growing their sound to an almost experimental pop sound while being heard through vinyl.

2. The cheap used price along with the amazing cover art.

I found this in the used bins of Shake-It Records.  It’s a double gatefold.  I love the artwork and I feel that it greatly matches the music created on this album.  It sounds amazing in large speakers while you are chilling at home.  I may have to get another Iron & Wine record.

Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison is a work horse (no animal confusion meant). Not only does the guy sing, play lots of instruments, produce, photographer and art director for albums, but they guy usually writes all the songs.  Pedestrian Verse is the 1st album that Scott has allowed the rest of the band to join in the song writing process while on the road.  The result is a contender for their best work to date, which is says something considering their last two records.  Pedestrian Verse doesn’t lose what makes the band great for me with songs like “The Woodpile”.  It’s the feeling of raw emotion that feels so rare for bands to portray these days.  Frightened Rabbit’s sound is large and in charge on the 180 gram vinyl. It was quick decision and easy purchase this double gatefold from Everybody’s Records (I also purchased The Midnight Organ Fight at the same time) because it’s been played constantly since I heard it.  I look for great things in the future from this band.

I’ve been searching for this record for sometime.  After enjoying their The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, I became began listening more to their sessions from Daytrotter.com.  The songs included were from The Midnight Organ Fight.  This was not available in stores until Record Store Day 2013.  I didn’t find this until a week or two later unfortunately.  The album contains new artwork (check some of it out below) and is a double gatefold 2LP.  The second LP is a live acoustic performance from Scotland around the original release of the album.  The studio and live acoustic performances from the band are remarkable on 180 grams. All the songs are equally as effective in provoking thought, emotion, and even a little dancing with an acoustic guitar as they are with a full band.  It’s a true testament to the band’s writing skills with songs like “The Modern Leper”, “The Twist” and “Head Rolls Off”.  It’s frontman Scott Hutchison’s earnest and introspective lyrics combined with scottish folk leanings that make this band so interesting.  This might be my favorite record from the band.  I’m glad to finally have these great songs in my home.

I might have been slightly too harsh on the Bee Gees over time.  I laughed and scoffed at their mention.  It wasn’t until I heard “Nights On Broadway” (not on this album unfortunately) that I started to rethink my feelings toward the Bee Gees.  I’ve been on a look out for a good Bee Gees record for at least a month now.  I’m not sure if I’ve gotten their best stuff here. I did enjoyed the lush moments filled with harmonies, but it was the jazz/funk/soul/prog/disco/whatever sounds of the Bee Gees that made this worth the purchase.  That and the double gatefold with original album sleeve from Shake-It Records. I need more of this from the Bee Gees.  Someone help me!!  This won’t be the last we see of the Bee Gees in my collection. I’ll leave you with this image.

I kneel at The Throne to beg for humility and forgiveness.  I humbly ask to be spared for cheap ways by the good Kings Jay and Ye.  For I am not worthy or rich enough to purchase your expensive over $100 original vinyl release with cross gatefold.  I worship and grovel at your feet for blessing the world with Watch The Throne.I can only hope to give you a blog post as deserving as the epic value of this record.  This album could be one of the great hip-hop records. It owned my 2011 and even my 2012. You can imagine how far my jaw dropped on Record Store Day 2013 at Everybody’s Records when I saw this non-descript gold embroidered album cover.  It has no names or titles but demands attention.  I had no idea that this would be receiving an extra more affordable release.  Luckily for me I recognized this beautiful cover.  I picked it up and have been blasting it’s 2 clear LP’s featuring the artwork below.  The label on the vinyl state this is a deluxe edition featuring bonus song “The Joy” featuring Curtis Mayfield. It’s not as great of a quality of a release but it feels great to hear these two kings giving it their all for the good of the people.

Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange was a remarkable debut release.  I had listened to Frank before with this debut mixtape nostalgia, ULTRA. I caught notice to a couple songs and then I stopped listening and wrote Frank off with the rest of his Odd Future gang.  Boy was I wrong.  My purchase of this limited Record Store Day 2013 exclusive from Everybody’s Records was purely based off of my love for Channel Orange.  I’ve since had this clear vinyl spinning pretty consistently.  I’ll admit it when I was wrong.  This isn’t as strong as his debut record but it’s fun to listen to.  Frank uses Coldplay’s “Strawberry Fields”, Radiohead’s “Optimistic”, MGMT’s “Electric Feel”, and The Eagles “Hotel California” as back drops for his heartfelt soulful voice.  The album is sprinkled with audio samples from Stanley Kubrick movies and video games like Street Fighter. It even contains some great originals like “Swim Good” and “Novacane”. All this lends itself to a care free and joyful listen.  I’m not sure what I’m looking forward to more a new album or another mixtape at this point.  Keep it up Frank.

This had to be my favorite exclusive I got from Record Store Day 2013.  I found it at Everybody’s Records. I’ve never seen a split 12” especially one the comes with a band splitting songwriting duties with two bands.  Side A features the song “Architect” and has Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull doing what he does best with an acoustic guitar with help from Frightened Rabbit’s front man chiming in.  Both of these bands tend to have heartfelt acoustic songs very similar to this.  It just happens to sound even better when they do it together.  Side B features is an even more interesting song.  It starts off with Andy and lead singer of Grouplove trading off vocals to a song that sounds similar to Manchester Orchestra’s more poppy attempts or maybe something on their side project Bad Books.  Then the chorus hits.  And the song drops into a full on rave party.  It’s one of the most fun songs Manchester Orchestra has released to date and I have to imagine that comes with help from good time experts Grouplove.  All in all this split is something to be hold and to dance to.  I need more of this!!!!

This was a blind purchase on Record Store Day 2013 at Everybody’s Records. Well…maybe not completely and to be fair most RSD exclusives are unreleased music.  I’ve heard a few songs from Davenport Cabinet in the past (but that was years ago).  I’ve also been obsessed with Davenport Cabinet’s lead writer/singer/guitarist’s main band Coheed & Cambria (well documented on this blog). So I wouldn’t say this wasn’t a huge surprise.  I’m not sure if I enjoy the songs at this time as much as I enjoy listening for the similarities to Coheed.  I’ve heard plenty from Coheed’s frontman Claudio Sanchez and his side projects.  But hearing Travis Stever’s solo work gives me new light on his influence throughout Coheed’s discography.  I look forward to listening to this and finding more of what he has to offer.  Not to mention the super cool blue vinyl.