Eddie And The Hot Rods - Teenage Depression 7"

Arriving during the waning days of pub rock, Eddie and the Hot Rods helped usher in punk rock in the United Kingdom. Working from the same bluesy, Stonesy three-chord foundation as contemporaries like Dr. Feelgood, the Hot Rods were faster, tougher, wilder and louder than any other pub rock band. They also celebrated adolescent abandon, unlike their peers, who usually concentrated on working-class subjects

I was thrown out of my school disco for pogoing to this record. Fact.

Inevitably, they are still going.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Electric Choc - Shock The Beat 12"

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

The Knife - Like A Pen Promo CD

Taken from the Silent Shout album, Swedish siblings Olof Dreijer and Karin Dreijer Andersson push their brand of vocal electronica to its creepiest limits, and achieve a result that is by turns lovely, disturbing, but always engaging.

The vocals are bent, distorted, stretched, and otherwise manipulated resulting here in a somewhat unnerving experience.

Fantastic stuff. And isn't that Fever Ray album amazing too?

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Supergrass - Moving

Although they've never managed to deliver a consistently great album, there have been many sparkling moments of brilliant invention scattered throughout their career. This is one of them.

More incoming. But don't hold your breath for "Alright".

320 Kbps.

Expired.

The Sound Of Wonder

Finders Keepers is a super cool record label which specialises in "introducing fans of psychedelic / jazz / folk / funk / avant-garde and whacked-out movie musak to a lost world of undiscovered vinyl artifacts from the annals of alternative pop history.

"Catering to record collectors and DJ-producers alike with a huge emphasis on sample friendly soundscapes, rocksteady back-beats and primitive electronic experimentalism. Discerning purveyors of the bizarre and abnormal should expect the Japanese choreography records, space-age Turkish protest songs, Czechoslovakian vampire soundtracks, Welsh rare-beats, bubblegum folk, drugsploitation operatics, banned British crime thrillers and celebrity Gallic Martini adverts... presented on CD, 7" and traditional black plastic discs in authentic packaging...

"Manc-based vinyl-vulture, recording artist and record producer Andy Votel enlists the skills of fellow B-Music DJ and designer Dominic Thomas and Delay 68's Rare Disc Detective Doug Shipton to form a team of psychedelic librarians and cosmic-pop-quiz-elitists to run their new Twisted Nerve distant sister-label, leaving no progressive pebble unturned or record collection un-rifled."

These guys have unearthed some truly staggering and unbelievably exciting stuff in the few years they've been operational and I heartily recommend that you go and have a look at their website. Everything is packaged and presented with real love and the quality control is beyond belief.

One of my favourite strands of theirs is the "Lollywood" soundtrack material recorded in the EMI studios in Lahore, Pakistan, before the Western influences were deemed increasingly culturally unacceptable. For clarification, if Bombay is equal to Bollywood, then Lahore equals Lollywood.

"Commonly, ignorantly but understandably lumped in with its wealthy not-too-distant cousin, Bollywood, Lollywood was inspired by, but often overshadowed by its posh and well-traveled relative. Following the simplistic Bombay + Hollywood = Bollywood name game (that would in later years spawn Nollywood in Nigeria), Lollywood's Lahore based film industry was a profitable and vibrant one that found great success in the modest boundaries of its own country but was seldom savoured outside Pakistan. However, the hugely important musical business spawned a bi-product that was viewed as a potential earner for international entertainment industry, EMI, which allowed talented musicians to create ambitious music with world class mediums at their disposal, which throughout the 60s and 70s ranged from fuzz-guitars, space-echo machines and American and European synthesizers, but, due to the composers indigenous roots, rarely a drum-kit. Here you'll find fuzzy, scuzzy, twang-happy, spaced-out and funked up urdu-grooves complete with harmonium melodies and driven by some of the most random factor, freakish, finger-numbing, percussion that the South East Asian mainstream has ever had to offer. Above all, Lollywood soundtracks sound RAW! Re-imagine some of the most action packed Bollywood productions (which Lollywooders actively did) then fire the make-up department, take away the special effects budget and then improvise. The lack of gloss on a dusty Pakistani mini-LP makes for truly experimental Eastern Pop music."

Have a listen to Dama Dam Mast Qalandar (The Sound Of Wonder) and you will be, as I am, transported and delighted. Those English lyrics written in a second language are among some of the finest I can recall hearing, like, ever:

"Get together, don't be lonely
Life is a game of few days only
What is happiness and what is sorrow?
Don't think, sing with me
Die with me, Humanity"

Combined with those big fat Moog lead lines and the clatteringly funky backing, this is truly magical shit.

Download then go and buy something.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

David Sylvian - Let The Happiness In 12"

This utterly lovely track was the first single from Sylvian's third album, "Secrets Of The Beehive".

This 12" includes two non album B sides, "Blue Of Noon" and "Buoy (Remix)".

The sleeve design is by 4AD stalwart, Vaughn Oliver of 23 Envelope.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Tim Sweeney - RVNG MX3

Aces mix from Tim Sweeney of the Beats In Space crew.

Released by the the equally aces RVNG INTL.

The 21 tracks on RvngMx3 bring the psychedelic groove and thud of Tim Sweeney's sets to digital domain. Tim invites composers of new, old, and in between (Zongamin, Gottsching and Richard D. James) to mingle in style. Avant 80s tracks (Tones On Tail, Grace Jones) blend into the acid 90s (Carl Craig) and back to organic 70s grooves (Throbbing Gristle, Kraftwerk). On your stereo it's sonic art, on the dance floor it's raw magic.

Release Date: August 9th, 2003

Liner Notes:
Selecting, Mixing, and Production: Tim Sweeney
Design: Kevin O'Neill
Cover photo by: Zonder Titell

1000 Initial Pressing
1000 Repressed

Packaged in zip bag w/ transparent white stickers and four color 8-panel poster pull out.

Expired.

That's My Weekend Sorted.

The Warp 20 box set has arrived (finally) and was waiting for me when I got home from work. It looks amazing.



That's my weekend blocked off. Sorry kids.

Pluto Shervington - Dat 7"

If this doesn't make you smile and/or dance, you'd better check your pulse because you might already be dead.

It's a bit hard for a white boy like me to understand what's going down here, but I think Pluto tries to buy some pork and/or weed from the Butcher Boy.

Whatever's going on, I am in fucking Heaven. You have to hear this.

Wikipedia.

Ripped from original 7" at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Rough Trade

Keane - Somewhere Only We Know

I liked this, then I hated it, now I like it again.

Keane get a lot of stick and I don't think I've even heard the second album, but when this came out it was fresh and (like Fab notes in the comments), romantic.

To my ears, it still holds up, so here 'tis.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age

Here's something to get excited about.

More.

Various - Record Mirror Half Pounder

One of those brilliant cut price (Half Pounder! Geddit?) compilation tie ins between a (now long defunct) music paper and a record label. In this case, the label is classic era Virgin. Dating as it does from 1978, the Virgin roster is made up of some new wave (XTC, The Motors), Some acid damaged hippies still plugging away (Steve Hillage, later to reconnect with System 7, Kevin Coyne), some falling-between-the-stools strangeness (Yellow Dog, Colin Towns) and lots and lots of good reggae, presumably plugged into the deal in order to promote the Virgin Front Line label as A&R'd by John Lydon.

And for sure, it's the reggae here that's sounding the freshest, but this is still a brilliant period piece all round. I never fail to fall in love all over again with The Motors, but the pick of the bunch is possibly the Althea and Donna track, "No More Fighting", which is mighty indeed.

Dive in. Party like it's 1978.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Latin Quarter - Radio Africa 12"

Stone classic 80's loveliness from lefty nearly-were's, Latin Quarter. A quick Google reveals that they went on to have a lengthy seven album career, but I'm afraid I wasn't involved.

This still sounds great though. The b sides make me think I should have investigated further. Anyone shed any light on their later work?

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

The Cardigans - My Favourite Game

I'm currently obsessing over the CD single as a format. All but disappeared already, it was around for far too brief a time in the larger scheme of things. There's something really lovely about a slim cased CD with four or five remixes and long, long versions of the title track. You go into HMV these days and there are hardly any singles to buy. And that's if you can find an HMV. No wonder that music sales are drastically down, there's nowhere on the high street to buy it.

I buy all my stuff by mail order these days, and from independent shops. I'm spending more money than ever on music. There's just so much good stuff around at the moment, we are truly spoiled. This seems to be a golden time for music. The only problem I have is finding time to listen to everything properly.

What really fucks me off though, are those nob-ends with a massive sense of entitlement who don't buy any music at all and expect to get everything for free. Buy some music you fools. "Hey, I'm really desperate for that album. Can you post it again?" Obviously not desperate enough to spend a tenner on a copy, though.

And my wife, who hadn't bought the onions then blamed me when I couldn't make the soup. She drives me fucking mad too. "Why don't you just fuck off out of it?", she said. "Why don't I?" I though to myself. It's those pesky children making your life feel all worthwhile and validated and enriched and stuff. How could you leave those guys? I certainly can't, that's for sure.

So. Anyway. This seems appropriate on both fronts. Ladies and Gentleman, a double CD single from The Cardigans. C'mon everybody. Let's not lose our babies.

Expired.

Another 5 CD Singles

Sorry I've not been around this week. No excuses other than work, family, life in general, you know? Meantime, hope you're all doing well and here's another batch of CD singles to make up for my unscheduled absence.



Expired.




Expired.




Expired.




Expired.




Expired.

New Adventures - In Our Hands 7"

If you haven't heard of these guys, you are in for a major treat.

This fantastic single dropped last year and is, I believe their second release. They sound a bit like a proper old-school anthemic indie band, but there's something a bit deeper going on here as well. The quality of the songs is outstanding for one thing, and there's a naive, but beautiful sense of authenticity about the whole enterprise. They over-emote in the video, but I can even forgive them that with songs this good.

They have a female keyboard player into the bargain, which never fails to get my vote.


Outstanding stuff. Get the new EP and keep an eye out for news of the album here.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Wonky Beats...

Latest self released mix from The Gaslamp Killer. Unbelievable.

Expired.

5 x CD Singles

Expired.




Expired.




Expired.




Expired.




Expired.

Peaches - Set It Off

Early Peaches classic. Just in time to rock your Saturday nite, Motherfuckers.

This also has a great remix of "Fuck The Pain Away" by Kid 606 which has a brilliant vocal sample ("It's alright!).

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Manic Street Preachers - You Stole The Sun From My Heart

Mediocre fare from the Manics to be honest. This one is all about the remixes from David Holmes and Mogwai.

Mogwai win.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Saint Etienne - He's On The Phone

A great looking girl at my office came round collecting today for The Railway Children. Apparently she was about to embark upon a "three peaks challenge" which involves climbing the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland in quick succession. I was of course more than happy to contribute, but let myself down badly after she had gone by suggesting (out loud!) that I wouldn't mind scaling her peaks given half a chance. Does this make me a bad person? Or just my Dad?

Anyway here's a brace of quality tunes from another cracking bird (help me someone).

Very exciting news from the Saint Etienne camp. Richard X has remixed/remade the entire "Foxbase Alpha" album which will be released in a highly limited edition. And here's the best part. It's called "Foxbase Beta". Gotta get my hands on one of those.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Hazel O'Connor - Don't Touch Me 7"

Shiny new pop, not unlike a "Hysteria" era Human League backing track with La Hazel emoting deeply over the top. It's a Martin Rushent production job which sounds either brilliantly of its time or dated shit depending which mood you're in. There's even a bit of proto-rap! Jesus!

The flipside is the de rigeur old soul cover - Sam Cooke in this case. Again, the Rushent fairy dust makes it sound like a Human League outtake sung by either Joanne or Susanne. If either Joanne or Susanne could sing. Ooh. Bitch.

I'm loving it. But then I was one of the seven or so people who bought one. You should also know by now that these old picture discs are sounding a bit weather-beaten at this remove, so you'll have to make allowances. Although the sound of needle on vinyl only enhances the experience for me, so maybe I should stop apologising.

Here endeth the Hazel O'Connor revival.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Transit Kings - America Is Unavailable 7"

The Transit Kings are Dr Alex Paterson, Jimmy Cauty and ex-late period Pink Floyd bassist, Guy Pratt. It will be no surprise then, to hear that the music they make sounds not unlike a combination of the Floyd, The Orb and The KLF.

It's true that they have a tendency towards being slightly "muso" though, which puts me off slightly. This single is good stuff though, although the red vinyl pressing is a bit shit, sound quality wise.

The album is still available from Malicious Damage as is a (better, in my opinion) limited CDR: Early Bath, which features all the vinyl remixes, plus two new tracks, an orb remix and a 32-minute live set that was broadcast on XFM.

Also just available this week is the new Orb album.

Go and buy one. They deserve your support.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

The Golden Filter - Solid Gold 7"

This excellent, sparkling disco/electropop 7" dropped last year.

It's all here for us fans of this stuff: the breathy femme vocals, the shimmering melodies, the fat basslines, the beats.

They have a fairly substantial web presence, so seek 'em out if you want more info. Apparently there's new stuff coming soon.



Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

Hazel O'Connor - D-Days 7"

Classic British new wave pop with a great production job from Tony Visconti. Never have saxophones been juxtaposed with burbling electronics so successfully as on the genuinely great B side, "Sons And Lovers".

I told you the Hazel O'Connor revival starts here. You're really going to be tested by the next one though, so only stick around if you think you can handle (whisper it) the "New Pop" Hazel as produced by Martin Rushent. On PICTURE DISC! Love It!

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Expired.

The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love

CD single featuring not only their original (if a cover version can ever be described as an original), but a killer electro-cised remix to boot. Awesome.

Wikipedia--"On 21 February 2005, "Hounds of Love", a cover of a Kate Bush song, was released as a single. It reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart in its first week, and was named 'best single of 2005' by NME"

You have admire the clackers of anyone who even attempts a Kate Bush song. The fact that The Futureheads take it and make it their own deserves a lot of respect. The album is amazing as well.



320 Kbps.

Expired.

Frank Tovey - Luxury 7"

Skinny white boy funk/pop from the ever reliable Frank Tovey/Fad Gadget (R.I.P.).

This single was released on Mute in 1986 and was taken from the "Snakes and Ladders" album.

Vinyl rip at 320 Kbps.

Download

The Coral - Dreaming Of You

Brilliant early clarion call from the youthful (still now, so incredibly so then) The Coral. This is a fantastic three tracker which it's fair to say displays its influences proudly. It also invokes the weedy stink of the La's at their most laid back, especially on "Answer Me".

The smoked out Nuggets vibes are once again in full effect on the lead track, albeit in a much more jaunty fashion. It's impossible not to like really. A beautifully effective and sympathetic production job from Ian Broudie seals the deal.

DCMA Complaint Received.

To Rococo Rot - Hotel Morgen

This, their first album for Domino was released in 2004. It's tasteful, creamy and full of unexpected little twists, yet in a very understated and elegant way. Complex and elaborate in an uber cool, effortlessly laid back fashion.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Walking In My Shoes CD EP 2

This curiously dated sounding single is remixed from their last truly great album "Songs Of Faith and Devotion".

This was the CD2, which I think was a limited edition.

1: Walking In My Shoes Extended 12" Mix
2: Walking In My Shoes Random Carpet Mix
3: Walking In My Shoes Anandamidic Mix
4: Walking In My Shoes Ambient Whale Mix

The second mix is by William Orbit. And yes, the Ambient Whale Mix has whale song all over it. This was 1993 after all.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

The Golden Hour Of The Future: Recordings By The Future And The Human League

Quoted from the excellent Human League site Blind Youth, a complete guide to The Human League 1977-1980.

This album, credited to The Future + The Human League, compiles recordings the two groups made between 1977 and the moment The Human League signed to Virgin Records in 1979. The project began soon after producer and recording artist Richard X contacted this site in early 2001 after noticing it features the sleeve of his first Girls On Top single, Being Scrubbed, which mixes Being Boiled with TLC's No Scrubs. After he expressed an interest in releasing the early works of The Future and The Human League on his Black Melody label, I contacted Martyn and Philip to find out how they felt about the idea, and both seemed interested.

Richard and I then began gathering unreleased recordings from our collection of bootlegs, and following my visit to The Human League's Sheffield studio in October 2001, I was kindly given copies of further unreleased material by the League's long-standing engineer, David Beevers, including a copy of The Future Tapes, some of which had never been bootlegged.

As the project began to gather momentum, David volunteered to explore the many master tapes stored in the League's studio and found many more unreleased recordings, some of which had probably not been played since the 1970s. While David was busy restoring and cleaning up these tapes, many of which were in bad condition, Richard and I met with Martyn and Ian, who also looked through their collections for other recordings and photographs which could be used for the artwork.

After much deliberation, Richard arrived at the tracklisting above, though the album contains some additional snippets of material not listed above or on the sleeve.

Unfortunately, the sound quality is uneven throughout the album; this is due to the variable quality of the tapes available. Of the tracks listed on the sleeve, Philip's The Circus Of Dr Lao is probably the most lo-fi, as the only good quality recording of this track which could be located was missing Philip's vocals. The only available vocal version was actually taken from a bootleg cassette, and this appears on the album. Thankfully, the other recordings were taken, if not directly from the original master tapes, then from good quality DAT backups of those masters.

While many more unreleased recordings remain in the League's archives, this album does provide the listener with a good overall introduction to both The Future and the League's early recordings which led to their publishing and recording contracts with Virgin companies.

Remastered edition. Let me know if anyone wants the original edition as well.

There's also a Wikipedia entry here.

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood

The first sighting of Albarn/Hewlett's Gorillaz. I heard yesterday that The Horrors will be appearing on the new Gorillaz album. Excellent.

This extended mix of Clint Eastwood is pretty damn fine too. Albarn gets a lot of shit, but I really rate and respect the guy. He's undoubtedly the major talent to emerge from the whole Britpop scene, with the possible exception of Jarvis, whom I think I would prefer to go out for a drink with. But then I still can't drink for another 15 weeks so I'd like to go out for a drink with fucking anybody.

Finally, someone let me out of my case...

320 Kbps.

Expired.

Richard X Vs Liberty X - Being Nobody

This is undeniable genius, I don't care what anyone says. The "OK. Ready? Let's do it" line lifted from the original Being Boiled is simply the most delicious pink icing sitting atop the big fat cake.

And yes, it's Liberty X. Get over it. The way they introduce themselves at the start of the instrumental mix (and album version) is another solid gold classic moment.

"Hello, my name's Kevin." Genius.

320 Kbps.

Expired.