Tuesday, September 27, 2011

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED RECORD

The Zombies - S/T (Featuring She's Not There / Tell Her No)


Aside from The Beatles and perhaps The Beach Boys, no mid-'60s rock group wrote melodies as gorgeous as those of The Zombies. Dominated by Colin Blunstone's breathy vocals, choral backup harmonies, and Rod Argent's shining jazz- and classical-influenced organ and piano, the band sounded utterly unique for their era. Indeed, their material, with unexpected shifts from major to minor keys, was perhaps too adventurous for the singles market.
To this day, they're known primarily for their three big hit singles, "She's Not There" (1964), "Tell Her No" (1965), and "Time of the Season" (1969). Most listeners remain unaware that the group maintained a remarkably high quality of work for several years.  Much more influential than their commercial success would indicate, echoes of the Zombies' innovations can be heard in the Doors, the Byrds, the Left Banke, the Kinks, and many others.
The Zombies is the American debut LP by The Zombies, released in January 1965. After the double-sided hit single "She's Not There" b/w "You Make Me Feel Good" topped the U.S. charts in the fall of 1964, Parrot Records quickly released this LP in 1965. The dozen tracks were taken from material the Zombies cut for their 1964 UK debut album, Begin Here. Also included are "It's Alright With Me" and "Sometimes" from their self-titled EP.


 

ALL ROCK RECORDS ARE 20% OFF THIS WEEK!!!

Friday, September 23, 2011

TONIGHT--EXPLODED DRAWING SOUNDFOUNDER RELEASE PARTY @ BACKSPIN


Don't miss out on this amazing show at BackSpin this evening. Exploded Drawing is gaining momentum and this tape release is a big one!

The low-down:

ED will have the cassettes (limited to 100) for sale ahead of the digital release on Sept, 27, 2011. These will not be re-pressed ever.

This is the 1st release in the ED series of 5 full-length albums coming out on cassette/digital on (iN)Sect Records

To help celebrate the full ED crew to throw down their original music as well as play some of their favorite records.

Drinks provided...plus vinyl to look though for days!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED RECORD

Paul Jones - Crucifix In a Horseshow


Paul Jones was a certified pop star in the UK in the mid 60's as lead singer with Manfred Mann and then briefly as a solo artist following his role as Steven Shorter in the great youth culture film Privilege in 1966. After a his initial solo success his career began a slow and steady decline to where at a point in the late 60's some of his records were released only in Sweden. However, Jones' had talent to burn, possessing a superb voice that sounded at times like both David Bowie and Peter Hammill. Interestingly, Jones was once asked to be lead singer for The Rolling Stones prior to Mick Jagger joining.

 

ALL SINGER/SONGWRITER LPS ARE 20% OFF THIS WEEK AT FRIENDS OF SOUND!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

BACKSPIN RECORD OF THE WEEK

McDonald & Giles - McDonald & Giles


McDonald and Giles is an album of music released by British musicians Ian McDonald and Michael Giles in 1971. McDonald and Giles were members of the original King Crimson lineup, and were featured performers on the band's debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King. Both left the group at the end of its first North American tour in 1969. Although McDonald and Giles remains popular among King Crimson fans, its commercial success was limited. The duo did not record a second album.

The music on McDonald and Giles contains many of the pastoral and musically complex elements of King Crimson, while generally avoiding that band's darker tendencies. The album contains a guest appearance by Steve Winwood, playing organ and piano on "Turnham Green."

Michael Giles' drum solo in "Tomorrow's People - The Children of Today" has been sampled by a number of hip-hop artists, most notably the Beastie Boys, on the track Body Movin' from the album Hello Nasty.
 
 

ALL PROG & PSYCH RECORDS AT BACKSPIN ARE 20% OFF THIS WEEK!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

NIGHT FEVER XVI ACL EDITION THIS SAT. 9/17


Our own Spence throws down a boogie-funk filled set with fellow ABC (Austin Boogie Crew) member Danbone at the ACL edition of Night Fever this Saturday night! Afrolicious will headline. One hell of an ACL after party on the horizon--be sure to drop by Hotel Vegas as a part of your downtown venture this Saturday.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED RECORD

Beatnuts - Stone Crazy
 

One of the most underrated hip hop LPs of all time and an absolute must for any hip hop collector. Stone Crazy is a clever combination of jazz-inflected rhythms and hardcore rhyming, highlighted by dense, provocative production. The album also features one of the first on-record performances by Big Pun.



ALL HIP HOP RECORDS ARE 20% OFF THIS WEEK AT FRIENDS OF SOUND!

Monday, September 12, 2011

BACKSPIN RECORD OF THE WEEK

Grim Reaper - Rock You to Hell


Led by the inspired guitar work of Nick Bowcott and the powerful lungs of Steve Grimmett, Grim Reaper's tough, raw, but melodically charged music embodied British heavy metal's most popular devices (and clichés) throughout the mid-'80s. The band was formed in 1979 in Droitwich, England. They were discovered after winning a Battle of the Bands featuring over 100 bands and eventually signed to Darryl Johnston's Ebony Records, releasing their first two LPs through RCA Records.

Legal battles with Ebony Records delayed the release of the band's third album Rock You to Hell by almost two years. The album was released directly through RCA Records in 1987. However, by this time Grim Reaper's melodic heavy metal sound had fallen out of favor as much of the metal market moved toward heavier fare like thrash metal and speed metal. Even the major label distribution and popular video for the title track could not save the band. With the production of their fourth studio album (reportedly to be called Nothing Whatsoever to Do with Hell) about to start, another round of legal action from Ebony Records effectively dealt the death blow to Grim Reaper, subsequently disbanding in 1988.


ALL METAL RECORDS AT BACKSPIN ARE 20% OFF THIS WEEK!