Rooftop Playlist

I can’t get enough of good records on vinyl. This album is one of my top 60 albums of all time. Elvis Costello’s  1977 /78 US release of My Aim Is True is one of those rare debuts that pack a lot of honest guitar sound under 35 minutes. Though my favorite Costello album will always be Imperial Bedrooms as musically it’s style is all over the spectrum.

It isn’t a bad day for rain when you have this as the record you purchased for the week. 12 Greatest hits of Patsy Cline released in 1988. Cline is one of the most influential vocalists of her time and I have always had a soft spot for her lush sound. And with great musicians like Willie Nelson pumping out masterpieces like “Crazy,” her short-lived life and music career is filled with some great hits. Though, I’m still in search of her album Showcase on vinyl, either the ’61 release or ’63 re-release in good condition and preferably not from some shady Amazon seller. But if nothing else buy this album on CD OR Vinyl.

Track list:

This past weekend I found Thriller by Michael Jackson while shuffling through used records at my local record restore. I was immediately filled with excitement and a lot of nostalgia. Though the video for the song “Thriller” was made a few years before I was born, it was still playing often after it was released. I must have watched the music video for it as often as the television would play it. Even now to think about the album as still one of the most sold in history is astonishing.  The music video for the song Thriller was pretty innovative for a music video in the 80s. I can’t recall too many short film music videos around that time.  Now it seems to be a main gimmick.

Watch the music video for “Thriller” below:

In March of 2012 The Shins released a brand new album called Port of Morrow after a span of five years since their last album release titled Wincing the Night Away. For a lot of artists, after a long period of time between albums you tend to notice a drastic difference in the overall presentation of the new album. In some instances it could be a bad thing and in some it could be great. The Shins’ Port of Morrow left me yearning for that missing album.

In previous albums, the band’s sound was more of a new wave sound with the synthesized sounds and their music was very guitar-heavy but what I loved about it was the light folk electric and acoustic sound.  In Port of Morrow, the band kept it heavy on rock elements in their music but the new wave sounds or folk sound from previous albums sounded as though it lacked fluidity and a bit of intricacy.

The Shins are no longer The Shins but rather James Mercer and new members and it shows. This is not for me, a bad album but it is not The Shins album.  It is just a good effort that maybe should have been labeled a solo effort by James Mercer.  After all, he did release it under his label.  I do want to note during their LIVE performances (at least during SXSW), it is clear with the removal of band mates and the addition of the new members even their old songs sound different.  It is still enjoyable but just awkwardly too different at times.

Do not get my wrong, I like the album and the sound. It is still well written musically and lyrically, and Mercer’s voice still is unique and well focused but when I put it on, it is not The Shins I am hearing.

I recently received an early birthday present. I had been eying this case for my records/vinyls for quite some time. I have ZERO complaints but there is a slight odor which is not smelt until you open it but it’s not necessarily bad. The Odyssey Gear LP Case (CLP200P) is a beast. It’s large, carpeted, and durable. The construction is well designed and the $100 - $120 price tag is worth it. However, it does not hold 200 LPs even with one record jacket. But it definitely holds over 100 LPs. My favorite part is the removable lid that you can take off completely or leave on the hinges. I’m in love.

http://www.odysseygear.com/odyssey-products/clp200p.html

Wednesday night I checked out Grimes at Lambert’s BBQ. Grimes prefaced the performance sharing that she had a sore throat but that did not stop her from bringing it. Her vocals are what make me like the music. The electro-pop, sort of dancy is becoming slightly more popular and not quite mainstream hype but not as unique as it once was unless done well and Grimes does it well. It is her unique and peculiar vocals that make the electric synth music work. Unfortunately, her set was rather short (I could listen to hours of her stuff) and covered her new (fantastic) album, Visions than her other 2 LPs, both of which were released in 2010/11 for free at some point. Grimes has amazing stage presence that sets the tone for the atmosphere in the venue. There are moments where the audience was so enthralled in her energy and times where one is just tranquil in the comfort of her soothing, yet high vocals. I would definitely love to check her out in another venue to fully appreciate the art of her music. As usual Lambert’s BBQ cannot handle such an elaborate sound setup that is not your basic bass, guitar, drums, and vocals. Anything synth driven makes it the sound so broken that it takes away from the quality of the performance, which is not to be attributed to the performer because Grimes is a dimensional talent.

Grimes will be at South By Southwest in two weeks.

Check out her new video Oblivion.

It seems remixes are always a hit or miss. But Shabazz Palaces delivers a methodical remix on Battles’ “White Electric,” off of Gloss Drop. But that should be no surprise as their debut album Black Up was rightfully one of the best hip-hop albums of 2011. The remix version, along with other remixes are available today on vinyl.

Remixed Version:

Original Version:

This takes me back. I have memories of my parents jamming out to Journey towards the latter of their career. I’m glad to have the Greatest Hits in my record collection. The downside is I can’t disassociate  “Don’t Stop Believin’” with Glee. GAG. However, I do LOVE the family guy version of it. lol.

My recent additions to my record collection. I finally bought Bon Iver’s Discography.  Justin Vernon is boss.

For Emma, Forever Ago

Blood Bank EP

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

In the Aeroplane over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel is a record I have wanted for a very long. 3 days from today will mark 14 years since the album was released. It takes me to very nice place of a dream-like state. In the Aeroplane over the Sea  is an essential album to any record collection. Yes, really.

I wouldn’t mind having From Avery Island too.