One off vinyl stock, get ’em while we got ’em

Good day vinyl lovers! Just got a delivery of some fine new vinyl. However a little different this time, once they’re gone, they’re gone and we only have one copy of each! Act fast, especially if you want Floodland because if that hasn’t sold by the end of next week I’m keeping it for myself! If I can wait that long.

New releases for 2014 that we will stock on a regular basis should start trickling in next week. Stay tuned for a post about these upcoming albums tomorrow, there is already some amazing music on its way in 2014. Plus an offer to our great customers who pre-order any of these upcoming releases.

Sisters of Mercy – Floodland
Mastered on Mobile Fidelity’s world-renowned mastering system and pressed at RTI, this Silver Label LP improves the record’s splendid dynamic contrasts, low-end thrust, expansive dimensionality, and moody atmospherics. Steinman’s unforgettable sonic contributions finally receive proper due in the form of towering choruses and operatic heft. The group’s epic ‘The Corrosion’, described by Eldritch as a narrative about ‘power in the face of misery’, sounds downright staggering, with an awe-inspiring performance by the New York Chorale Society. Throughout, the Sisters of Mercy traverse myriad styles in breaking down goth-rock conventions. Brooding emotions, nocturnal episodes, and dim sentiments gloss over the songwriting. Yet there’s a colossal amplification of evocative spirituality. Delicate accents and anthemic riffs combine with funky drum-machine beats and visceral tension to yield music that dares listeners not to dance and/or lift their hands skyward. Whether felt via the dramatic waves of ‘Lucretia My Reflection’ or charging protest of ‘Dominion/Mother Russia’, Floodland is a touchstone, topped by iconic cover art that fits in with today’s vampire-obsessed society as well as it did upon release in 1987.

M.I.A. – MAYA
Exploding back into the cultural limelight, M.I.A. returns this summer with her third full length release, entitled “/\/\ /\ Y /\”, the follow-up to her Canadian Gold selling sophomore album, “KALA” and the explosive, pioneering debut, “Arular”. Prefaced by the singles “Born Free” and “XXXO” (currently Single of the Week at Radio 1), the album is available as a standard CD release with 16 page booklet, a UK import gatefold 180 Gram double LP and a deluxe limited edition lenticular slipcase CD with 4 exclusive bonus tracks. Working with Kala alum Blaqstarr, Switch, and Diplo (who has been part of both previous M.I.A. discs) along with Rusko, the later says of “/\/\ /\ Y /\” – If you’re an M.I.A. fan and you buy a new M.I.A. record, you want to hear something you’ve never heard before. This record gives you that.” Rusko, current reigning champ of the dubstep scene, has been called “one of the most promising producers of his generation” by DJ Magazine. In addition, the album also features production from N.E.E.T. Records recording artist, Sleigh Bells. The Oscar and Grammy nominated M.I.A. is never one to turn away from controversy, evidenced by her “Born Free” video. Directed by Romain Gavras (The Last Shadow Puppets, Justice and DJ Mehdi), it features government troops rounding up and then brutally killing red-headed children. Banned almost immediately from youtube, it has garnered over 8 million hits from various sites across the web.

Neil Young – Massey Hall 1971
Live At Massey Hall 1971 was released in 2007, the album features a solo, acoustic performance from Massey Hall on 19 January 1971 during the Journey Through the Past Solo Tour. It is the second release in Young’s Archives Performance Series. It reached #1 in Canada with 11,000 units sold in its first week. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart on 31 March 2007 at number 6, with 57,000 copies sold. It spent 11 weeks on the chart. In 2009, the album was named by Fretbase as one of the all-time 10 best albums featuring a singer-songwriter on acoustic guitar.

Mazzy Star – She Hangs Brightly
Mazzy Star, essentially the duo of David Roback (Rain Parade) and Hope Sandoval, formed in 1989 out of the ashes of Opal, Roback’s previous band with former Dream Syndicate member Kendra Smith. ‘She Hangs Brightly’, their debut album, was originally released on Rough Trade in 1990. A dreamy, psychedelic affair every bit as good as their sophomore breakout LP.

Disappears – Pre Language
With Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley now fully integrated into the line up, DISAPPEARS return with a full-bore assault of a new record. ‘Pre Language’ finds the band speaking on, of all things, love. Direct allusions to Philip K. Dick, James Baldwin, and Joan of Arc sit side by side with songs about the lows of life and the characters that permeate it. Recorded in Hoboken, NJ at Sonic Youth’s Echo Canyon West studio and mixed with John Congleton, ‘Pre Language’ finds Disappears at their most potent and focused. The band has finally stepped into their own world and the results are thrilling.

Bauhaus – Mask
Previously available on vinyl 180, 4AD and Beggars Banquet are pleased to be re-issuing this highly influential Bauhaus album. It has been cut from the 2008 re-masters and retain the inner bag / gatefold sleeve of the original.

James Blake – James Blake
Runner-up in the BBC’s ‘Sound Of 2011’ poll, London-based dubstep artist James Blake’s debut album reflects his famously eclectic style. Featuring a blend of electronic productionand more traditional recording techniques, this fusion is most obvious on Feist cover, ‘Limit To Your Love’, which is also the album’s first single. Blake is heavily influenced by artists such as The XX, and claims their success has made it easier for others to understand his music.