Jeff Buckley - Grace Ltd. Ed.

Vinyl Monday!! For the final Vinyl Monday of 2014 (And the final version of these all together) We're going the Alt Rock way with a a genius artist in Jeff Buckley. He's incredibly multi talented with vocals and his range and his ability to play instruments both conventional and exotic. This album, while experimental in conception, showcases exactly why musicians that are underrated can surprise you with abilities that go well beyond anything you could ever credit them with. On the title track Grace, listen to his haunting vocals and incredible range. Hop over to Hallelujah for his take on Leonard Cohen's original and hear how Buckley's past as a gospel singer got inducted into the National Recording Registry. I'm not opening this record because of it's uniqueness, (#165 of 2000/reissued) I must thank Paul for this. It's a must own on vinyl, especially if you can find an original press, otherwise just get it. Probably one of the most important releases of it's time. You're welcome, and, Happy New Year!

Jethro Tull - Aqualung

Vinyl Monday!! Rock Flute + Psychedelics + The difference between religion and God = 1971's finest album Jethro Tull's, Aqualung. 

I wasn't a huge fan of what Progressive Rock became in the 80's, conversely I wasn't into it's earlier distinction of "Experimental" rock in the 60's & 70's either... (READ: Early Genesis) This album speaks volumes of the complexities of classic rock albums of that era. Each song with it's own message, every note emphasized, every lyric deliberate. All of that tied together with progressive and experimental instrumentation. (Shit, they even over dub'd on the Locomotive Breath track!) My God. This album had everything. Skip the title track. It's the sucker bet. Instead listen to Wond'ring Aloud and Hymn 43 to get a different level of appreciation of this epic album. Get an original pressing on Vinyl to have every little bit of meaning out of the recording. The full stereo releases and 40th Anniversary releases do nothing for such genius. You're welcome.

And Now, Vinyl Monday!! Best way to describe this group... If She and Him were good, and you mixed them with Florence and The Machine, you would have these English indie band. Their 2nd album from 2012, Coexist while nowhere near as brooding and rhythmic as their first, (An album I'll feature next year when I start theme-ing.) is really personal, very intimate and extremely addictive. You don't need to see these two live to just imagine how well these two perform together. Listen to Angels, Reunion and Tides to get a feel for what you're in for. This particular vinyl release comes with the CD for you non believers. You're welcome.

The XX - Coexist

And Now, Vinyl Monday!! Best way to describe this group... If She and Him were good, and you mixed them with Florence and The Machine, you would have these English indie band. Their 2nd album from 2012, Coexist while nowhere near as brooding and rhythmic as their first, (An album I'll feature next year when I start theme-ing.) is really personal, very intimate and extremely addictive. You don't need to see these two live to just imagine how well these two perform together. Listen to Angels, Reunion and Tides to get a feel for what you're in for. This particular vinyl release comes with the CD for you non believers. You're welcome.

Peter Murphy - Mr. Moonlight 35 Years of Bauhaus Live Ep

Vinyl Monday!!! This one is special to me for a bunch of reasons. It marks a very important period of my life and was basically my soundtrack growing up. This past Black Friday known now by some circles as Record Store Day 2, Peter Murphy (Yes, of Bauhaus) dropped a 10" album of live highlights from his Mr. Moonlight: 35 Years of Bauhaus tour... You know what I've got no words. If you've ever appreciated true alternative music, ever had a goth phase, ever wondered where the Cure got their inspiration, this is a must own. If you can still find this release, get it. Get it on vinyl even if you don't own a turntable. Get it because you enjoy great fucking music! You're welcome. (Special thank you to my coworkers who are beginning to know me too well.)

TV On The Radio - Seeds

Vinyl Monday! Sure, Alt Rock group TV On The Radio could have called it a career after their bassist Gerard Smith died in 2011, but thankfully for music the Brooklyn band held it together and put out the best work they've done in years. Released last Tuesday, their album Seeds like all their albums prior is musically eclectic. What'll turn you on to it, aside from the indie quality is their 80's era New Wave (ish) sound. Happy Idiot, Careful You, and Lazerray are the songs to listen to... On the IMPRESSIVE standard vinyl release (180grm Marble double LP). For the mp3 people, it comes with a code, but buy this on vinyl while you can where you can. Now.

Bearchild - Wishing Well

Vinyl Monday! Spotlight on local artists: How often do you see a band live first and then buy their album? Indie groups fit that mostly. Such is the case for LI and NYC group Bearchild. Frontman Justin Williams (Ye sIKEA 156 - Long Island Coworkers - past & present, that Justin) has released his groups first new full length album, Wishing Well. It's so well produced and performed you would think they've been doing this for years... Wait... They have been. You just haven't experienced it. From the first song, One you're hooked and really want to see where the record goes. Seeing them live first makes you want explore what didn't make it to the album. Get to their site and get this one now, http://bearchild.bandcamp.com/ and while you're there realize how good music is in your backyard. These guys are some to watch. You don't trust me. Pick up the record and prove me wrong. You're welcome.

What's In The Bag? The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced

Winter is here but, Vinyl Monday is coming, and it's gonna be... Big! 

1967 "...one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock and roll. An immediate commercial success, within seven months of its release it had sold more than one million copies." #VinylSoundsBetter

Easy Star All-Stars - Dub Side of The Moon

BONUS Vinyl Monday:

As promised the 2nd vinyl pick... Now, I don't smoke* but I can certainly appreciate the creativity of those who do. What better sound can you get when the best modern Dub group, the Easy Star All Stars, covers the best Psychedelic rock group, Pink Floyd, best album Dark Side of The Moon? A super trippy dub heavy album that's best taken deep. You know an album is legit when it comes with instructions on how to sync it with The Wizard of Oz. They call it, The Dark Side of The Rainbow. Limited ed. Green Vinyl available at concerts and possibly online. Get it, trust me. You're welcome.

*Much anymore....

Portishead - Portishead

Vinyl Monday! 

Portishead's 2nd album like most 2nd "Trip-Hop" albums from "Trip-Hop" artists of the 90's is darker and a lot grittier than their first and arguably best album, Dummy. This album, Portishead, released in 1997 can be defined by one of the greatest haunting tracks of all time... Elysium. Why don't you own this album? Get it. On vinyl of course. You're welcome.

Sirius/ly - TV On The Radio

The new TV On The Radio album drops on November 18th. You would be doing yourself a fucking huge favor by picking up a copy. Preferably on vinyl. Shades of The Cure right here....

Sirius/ly - Sleater-Kinney

This is how every day should start.

Anita Baker - Rapture

For this week's music that you should be listening to on vinyl, I'll assume is something that you've already heard on vinyl. If you haven't, ask a true old school R&B fan. Anita Baker's 1986 groundbreaking album Rapture, defined R&B during that era and ushered in what we now call, "Smooth Jazz". Her vocals on Sweet Love, and Same Ole Love were so good that it kept this album charting for 2 years. Not to mention it being the standard for "Grown Folks Music". Hell, just this once, I would suggest you even rifle though your parent's tapes for this gem. It's a very undervalued record store find that I'm glad I jumped on.

Jimi Hendrix - Johnny B. Good Soundtrack

Long before iTunes and YouTube, "musicians" had to actually make good whole albums and you bought them. Now, you hear a song and choose to download it and maybe a few others if you were into it. I almost never buy "Greatest Hits" or compilations as you tend to miss the artists vision... Except for this. In 1986, 16 years after his death, Jimi Hendrix's release of live material featuring covers of The Star Spangled Banner and Johnny B. Good is a great addition for any fan of his work. This soundtrack, Johnny B. Good, is better than you could imagine especially if respect that he was the greatest guitarist who ever played. Why aren't you listening to this on vinyl? You're welcome.

Eric Clapton - Slow Hand

It's been a pretty fucked up week, but it's great to have hobbies (and friends) to distract you from life sometimes. My hobby, collecting great vinyl. This week, there's a reason Eric Clapton is also known as, "Slowhand". This classic 1977 album gave us Lay Down Sally, Wonderful Tonight and The Core. Want to hear real classic rock, listen to this. You're welcome.

The Who - Quadrophenia

Here's something you're not listening to but should... 

It's impossible for me to sum up an album as iconic as The Who's 1973 masterpiece, Quadrophenia. Any fan of music would tell you that this is easily one of the greatest albums ever made. Even better on vinyl of course. You're welcome

Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence (2014)

With a distinct voice that's somewhere between Nancy Sinatra and Fiona Apple, Lana Del Ray's Ultraviolence could best be considered a sultry indie pop trip. Definitely an album you're not listening to but should, on #vinyl of course... Pick this particular one up at Urban Outfitters for the full 2 color 2 LP experience and thank me when you're done.

Toro Y Moi - Anything In Return

From 2013 Toro Y Moi, Anything In Return. Another album you need to own in vinyl, if you don't own it already... I might make this a weekly thing. Music you aren't listening to, but should be, on vinyl. Thank me later.

The Black Angels - Clear Lake Forrest

It's too late to get this on clear vinyl, Record Store Day release, but the regular release drops Tuesday. Pick this up, thank me later. The Black Angels Clear Lake Forest

Sirius/ly - Chubb Rock

Call me old, I don't care. I'll start giving a fuck about rap again when it gets as good as this, again.

Jack White - Lazaretto

#Lazaretto Buy this record. Thank me later.

Sirius/ly - Ozzy Osbourne

Oh shit yeah!