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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XTC - Skylarking (1986)

XTC - Skylarking (1986)

Is this the perfect pop record? A faultless masterpiece from Swindon’s finest. Aside from the Beatles, I cannot think of another consistently brilliant band.

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Group 1850 - Paradise Now [TIDAL](1969)

Group 1850 - Paradise Now [TIDAL](1969)

I recently spotted a reference to Group 1850 in a recent “Shindig!” magazine. [By the way Shindig! is now on Readly , an incredibly cheap and efficient way of getting access to ALL of your favourite magazines digitally.

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Super Furry Animals - Guerilla (1999)

Super Furry Animals - Guerilla (1999)

A big hefty chunk of vinyl playing at 45rpm, a “hidden” track on side one you play backwards, a pop-up cardboard engineer in the recording studio inside the lavish gatefold cover, and lots of a complete off-kilter, genre-bending tunes/experiments throughout!

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Stereolab - Aluminum Tunes (Switched On Vol3) (1998)

Stereolab - Aluminum Tunes (Switched On Vol3) (1998)

On Tuesday 3rd March 2020, my latest musical obsession, Stereolab are playing at the San Franscisco Bath House in Wellington. As I may have alluded to previously, I’ve been gathering Stereolab’s entire back catalogue on magnificent triple, clear-vinyl reissues.

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Zero 7 - Simple Things (2001)

Zero 7 - Simple Things (2001)

I’ve been looking out for a vinyl version of this treasure for a while now. I happened to find it in Hamilton and this is probably the antithesis of that dump.

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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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The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour (1982)

The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour (1982)

A glorious racket! They say there were several bands, including Pavement, that ripped off the Fall sound. That’s complete bollocks! Absolutely no one, now and then, sounds like The Fall.

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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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Beach House - Teen Dream (2010)

Beach House - Teen Dream (2010)

It’s 6 days since I’ve actually sat down and listened to a full record. Family do take precedence, especially when there’s tiny tots involved, but it is a sacrifice you make never the less.

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Nathan Haines - Shift Left (1994)

Nathan Haines - Shift Left (1994)

Another great haul today. I’ve been eyeing up the vinyl bins at TWH lately ready to pounce. I bought a swag the other day but this Kiwi classic, a 25 Year Anniversary remaster, was still retailing for $49.

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Stereolab - Dots And Loops (1997)

Stereolab - Dots And Loops (1997)

I’ve got a shit load of Stereolab records to work through. 22 sides of beautifully remastered clear vinyl in fact. There’s a new batch of their later catalogue remasters coming soon.

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Jakob - Cale:Drew (2003)

Jakob - Cale:Drew (2003)

One of my greatest live experiences ever was witnessing Jakob play live at some dodgy club in Nelson to an audience of about 10.

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Opeth - In Cauda Venenum [Tidal] (2019)

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum [Tidal] (2019)

I’ve gone walkabout with my iPhone and this is usually now my default for new music. I have definitely changed my original stance on only listening properly on a decent stereo system.

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Steve Rothery - The Ghosts of Pripyat (2015)

Steve Rothery - The Ghosts of Pripyat (2015)

Great guitar-based, instrumental solo record from Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery with special guests Steve Hackett and Steven Wilson. Whilst it may be too much to do it justice in a single sitting, there’s some great guitar playing from the main Steve.

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Suicide - Suicide (1977)

Suicide - Suicide (1977)

Wedged between “The Stooges” and “Talking Heads” in my highly alphabetasied and well sorted vinyl collection, is this true punk masterpiece.

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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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    Stereolab - Peng! (1992)

    Stereolab - Peng! (1992)

    Fantastic debut record from a band I couldn’t do any sort of justice by trying to describe. Led by French vocalist Laetitia Sadier, this just oozes cool.

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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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    Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007)

    Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007)

    Absolute awesomeness from the worlds best band from Oxford. Recently purchased on vinyl to add to my “must-have-on-vinyl” list. There’s a few “must-haves” from the R-Heads.

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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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    Che-Fu - 2 B.S. Pacific [digital] (1998)

    Che-Fu - 2 B.S. Pacific [digital] (1998)

    “Chains” is right up there on top of my favourite Kiwi songs list. Thankfully, this debut record by Post-Supergroove funk-rocker turned Hip-Hop Maestro Che-Fu is of equal quality throughout.

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    The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

    The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

    It’s 50 years since The Beatles walked across that pedestrian crossing opposite Abbey Road Studios. While not quite displacing “Help” as the most significant Beatles record for me, it’s comes pretty close.

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    Cloud Control - Zone (2017)

    Cloud Control - Zone (2017)

    I’ve just about finished with my Aussie haul and I may just have picked the best for last. Meandering along without much effort by the time it gets midway, I’m absolutely hooked.

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    Return To Forever - Romantic Warrior (1975)

    Return To Forever - Romantic Warrior (1975)

    I finally got this big MF of an album on vinyl! This is one of those watershed records, along with Jeff Beck’s “Wired” and Santana’s “Caravanserai/Moonflower”, that helped to define and steer my musical encounters for the next couple of decades.

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    Hatchie - Keepsake (2019)

    Hatchie - Keepsake (2019)

    I was (and still am) a big fan of the dirgy, ethereal, dreamy sounds of mid-eighties Cocteau Twins, Lush, Ride and the collective sounds of This Mortal Coil.

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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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      The Cure - Pornography (1982)

      The Cure - Pornography (1982)

      The Cure at their bleakest. This record, the third record in a trilogy of misery, “17 Seconds” and “Faith” preceded this, makes a lot more sense in these days of utter dispair.

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      Che Fu - Navigator (2001)

      Che Fu - Navigator (2001)

      Another NZ recording artist I’ve admired since first hearing the wonderful “Chains” released nearly 2 decades ago. Brilliantly produced and sounding massive.

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      Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

      Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

      Another record that’s most definitely vinyl-worthy sounds absolutely extraordinary oozing from my speakers this evening. Probably my favourite Dan, this album never stops being a revelation each time I listen to it.

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      David's Session - May 19

      David's Session - May 19

      The themes were: Influenced: One song representative of the music your parents played. , Influenced: One song representative of the music your parents played. , Influence: One track that you would consider to be one of the most important songs you would want your children to listen to., Influenza: Go Sick! Infect us with something new and affecting.

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      America - Homecoming (1973)

      America - Homecoming (1973)

      There’s really no shame these days in admitting you once enjoyed (and still do) the sonic aesthetic of the less than revered artists of yesteryear.

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      UT - Conviction [Tidal] (1986)

      UT - Conviction [Tidal] (1986)

      I’ve made a pact with myself to listen to a brand new new release or brand new old album (or whatever you call a collection of songs by a single artist or curator these days?

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      The Young Gods - X X Years (2005)

      The Young Gods - X X Years (2005)

      It’s Friday night - it’s sonics over substance tonight. These Swiss electro-noise terrorists totally anilate all the rule books and smash you around the head with some of the heftiest beats and riffs imaginable.

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      The Stooges - Funhouse (1970)

      The Stooges - Funhouse (1970)

      Always one of my favourite records, the importance of this landmark record by Iggy and The Stooges was reinforced this morning while on my Sunday ramble over to Raglan Roast.

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      Porcupine Tree - Coma Divine [Live In Rome] (1999)

      Porcupine Tree - Coma Divine [Live In Rome] (1999)

      Just grabbed some feel-good, proggy-pop-rock-metal-whatever-the-fuck-you-want-to-call-it this evening (it’s Friday) and it’s had an immediate pay off. You know the feeling when you just can’t get it loud enough and it gets into your synapses and you think “holy fuck” how good is this!

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      The Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land (1997)

      The Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land (1997)

      A few weeks ago the music world lost Keith Flint, vocal protagonist of The Prodigy. While a complete monster on stage and a savage in the studio, he was apparently one of the nicest, kindest and most thoughtful souls on planet music.

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      Dire Straits - Love Over Gold [Tidal] (1982)

      Dire Straits - Love Over Gold [Tidal] (1982)

      A big moment happened today that will potentially have a huge impact on my future consumption of music. While near the checkout with several albums ready for purchase tucked under my arm, (including this), the realisation suddenly hit me that “I don’t need physical media” anymore.

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      Matt Berry - Opium (2008)

      Matt Berry - Opium (2008)

      Most people just wouldn’t get this and I wouldn’t want them to. Matt Berry, who is due to be one of the stars of the new “What We Do In The Shadows” TV series, is a acting, comedy and musical genius.

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      Mercury Rev - All Is Dream (2001)

      Mercury Rev - All Is Dream (2001)

      Nothing short of profound, this turn-of-the-new-millennium record, with ostentatious string arrangements by Tony Visconti, is a beautiful mess. I’d never be one to recommend Mercury Rev’s singular vision and introspective execution as a “must have” for any one’s music collection.

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      Scott Walker - Scott 4 (1969)

      Scott Walker - Scott 4 (1969)

      This record is the late 60’s crooning Scott Walker NOT the so-fucking-out-there, avant-garde-doesn’t-do-it-justice Scott Walker of a more recent era. That later day Scott Walker still claims top spot for the most profound Shut Up And Listen session ever experienced in nearly 2 decades!

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      Talk Talk - Natural History (DVD)(2007)

      Talk Talk - Natural History (DVD)(2007)

      The recent death of Mark Hollis at just 64 years of age was a big shock. His early songs from the first three Talk Talk records, while sounding clearly of their time in the mid-eighties, were the epitome of pop hook on continuous replay.

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      Prefab Sprout - Crimson / Red (2013)

      Prefab Sprout - Crimson / Red (2013)

      A beautiful return to form for Paddy McAloon. A cast-aside solitary CD recently (re)-discovered in a Red Shed bargain bin. There’s absolutely no let up in quality from his (Prefab Sprout’s) earlier masterpeices “Steve McQueen” (1985), “Jordon: The Comeback” (1990) and the astounding “I Trawl The Megahertz” (2003).

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      Lou Reed - Transformer (1972)

      Lou Reed - Transformer (1972)

      I haven’t finished with Bowie just yet. This record from 1972, coinciding with the release that year of Ziggy Stardust, is my third favourite Bowie record.

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      David Bowie - Heroes (1977)

      David Bowie - Heroes (1977)

      For me the last great Bowie record. It’s abrasive and harder edged in places than “Low” but is similarly radical with it’s mix of ambient textures.

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      David Bowie - Low (1977)

      David Bowie - Low (1977)

      I remember like it was yesterday popping into one of many of my favourite record shops on my way home from school and hearing this complete game changer for the first time.

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      David Bowie - Hunky Dory (1971)

      David Bowie - Hunky Dory (1971)

      There’s possibly nothing in my entire collection that is as ageless as this masterpiece. The fact that my son Peter listened to this in his car on his wedding day speaks volumes.

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      David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World (1970)

      David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World (1970)

      I’ve waited what seems like an eternity to play this. I’ve just returned from a week away and within the first hour of being home I feel a real anticipation that turns into necessity, to get on with playing Bowie’s second record.

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      David Bowie - Space Oddity (1969)

      David Bowie - Space Oddity (1969)

      I’m breaking out the Bowie box sets this February. It’s wall-to-wall studio Bowie records only this month - starting with this, his first “proper” album through to 1980’s “Scary Monsters”.

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      Placebo - Placebo (1996)

      Placebo - Placebo (1996)

      A placebo is a substance that has no therapeutic effect or a measure designed merely to humour or placate someone. Placebo, the band, are more often than not treated similarly by the music press.

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      Can - Ege Bamyasi (1972)

      Can - Ege Bamyasi (1972)

      If you haven’t listened to this band, I urge you to drop everything and do so right now! Start with this fantastic record, circa 1972, then work your way up from 1969’s “Monster Movie” through to 1973’s “Future Days”.

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      Pink Floyd - Pulse [Vinyl Box] (1995)

      Pink Floyd - Pulse [Vinyl Box] (1995)

      Ok, more “Dad” rock this evening but there’s a good story behind this one that involves The Big Red Shed. While browsing the vinyl bins recently I came across this beast of a box set newly remastered on 4 big slabs of vinyl.

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      Prodigy - Music For The Jilted Generation (1994)

      Prodigy - Music For The Jilted Generation (1994)

      A classic dance/drum’n’bass/rock/metal cross-over record that absolutely slam dunks all of the big beats, electronic riffage and squelchy brilliance. We lost a past “Shut Up And Listen” member because of this band (notably “Smack Your Bitch Up”).

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      Mad Season - Above (1995)

      Mad Season - Above (1995)

      An absolute stonker of a record this evening. This is truly a forgotten gem from the very short-lived Seattle supergroup made up of members of Alice In Chains (Layne Staley), Screaming Trees (Barrett Martin), Pearl Jam (Mike McCready - who I tolerate big time on this record) and some dude called John Baker Saunders.

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      Mr David Bowie - Ziggy (SACD)(1972)

      Mr David Bowie - Ziggy (SACD)(1972)

      If you don’t get goose bumps during Ronson’s “Moonage Daydream” solo you are fucking deaf and probably musically bereft. The end of “Soul Love” as it counts down into the first note of that song is also as perfect a moment on any record that I can think of.

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