SAMBASSADEUR
CD
European
Labrador
The single ”Days” set the direction for the new Sambassadeur album ”European”. It’s irresistibly catchy, folky and yet exquisitely luxurious in its appeal - you’d picture the band performing the song barefoot under crystal chandeliers. Tracklist: “Stranded”, “Days”, “I Can Try”, “Forward Is All”, “Albatross”, “High And Low”, “A Remote View”, “Sandy Dunes” and “Small Parade”.
135 SEK
SAMBASSADEUR
CD
Sambassadeur
Labrador
The debut album from Swedish pop quartet Sambassadeur, released in 2005. Great melodious guitar pop from this band who cited The Go-Betweens, France Gall and Wire as their influences at the time of the release. Surely of the finest new bands on Labrador in the last couple of years. Tracklist: “New Moon”, “Ice & Snow”, “One Last Remark”, “Sense Of Sound”, “If Rain”, “Still Life Ahead”, “La Chanson De Prévert”, “Between The Lines”, “In The Calm”, “Just Because Of You”, “Whatever Season” and “Posture Of A Boy”.
135 SEK
SARANDON
7"
Joe´s Record
Slumberland
Brilliant post-punk pop that pays homage to the best of 80s UK DIY. Short, angular tunes that combine the brusque drive of Big Flame and Bogshed with the spiky melodicism of June Brides and Josef K. Tracklist: “Joe's Record”, “The Linguist” and “Through With Humour”.
40 SEK
SARANDON
CD
Kill Twee Pop!
Slumberland
Since their formation by Crayola in 2003, Sarandon have marked themselves as a potent group of post-punk tacticians on a mission to save indie from wetness, knee-jerk twee posturing and careless cardigan wearing. Taking their cues from the rough angularity beloved by bands on labels like Ron Johnson and Slampt, Sarandon are the proud parents of a string of five 7" EPs (and one compilation thereof) fairly bursting with short, sharp tunes, wiry riff-mad guitars, spastic drumming and terse-yet-clever lyrics. Trimming all musical and lyrical fat, Sarandon cram more ideas and passion into 1:30 than many bands do across a whole record. Some points of comparison that spring to mind include Big Flame, The Minutemen, Boghsed, Fire Engines and The Fall, and though Sarandon share some musical DNA with those groups they've also forged their own path and unique sound. Crayola has a notable (and widely-noted) talent for somehow managing to marry naggingly catchy tunes to corruscating blasts of guitar mayhem, combining the punchy, driving tunes with surprisingly memorable melodies and smart lyrics. It's pop, but possibly the angriest and most aggressive pop you've heard. As we enter 2008, Sarandon have settled on a line-up consisting of Crayola, Tom Greenhalgh on drums and ex-Big Flame/Great Leap Forward legend Alan Brown on bass. Kill Twee Pop! is the first fruit of this new line-up and a mighty record it is indeed. Alan and Tom are an incredibly tight and powerful rhythm section, providing Crayola with such a sure foundation that he's now letting the songs stretch out a bit, one tune even breaking the unheard of (for Sarandon) three minute barrier. Which is fitting as this is the first proper Sarandon album, and it shows them at their itchy, spiky, angular, aggressive, enthuiastic best. From the chugging "Welcome" to the blues-by-way-of-The Birthday Party "The Completist's Library" to the insanely catchy "Mike's Dollar" and the croon-tastic "The Discotheque Is My Lover", this album is packed with great tunes, recalling the best of 80s post-punk and bringing it bang up-to-date with passion, humor and wit. “Kill Twee Pop!” is a call to arms for those tired of paint-by-the-numbers indie, a ration of passion in these cynical times, an antidote to your massive haircut, a soundtrack for your next dance party, an updated cubist pop manifesto. Tracklist: “Kill Twee Pop!”, “Welcome”, “Lippy”, “Remember Mavis?”, “The Completist's Library”, “Joe's Record”, “Very Flexible”, “Good Working Practice”, “Mike's Dollar”, “The Discotheque Is My Lover”, “Mark” and “Massive Haircut”.
125 SEK
SARANDON
10"
Kill Twee Pop!
Slumberland
Since their formation by Crayola in 2003, Sarandon have marked themselves as a potent group of post-punk tacticians on a mission to save indie from wetness, knee-jerk twee posturing and careless cardigan wearing. Taking their cues from the rough angularity beloved by bands on labels like Ron Johnson and Slampt, Sarandon are the proud parents of a string of five 7" EPs (and one compilation thereof) fairly bursting with short, sharp tunes, wiry riff-mad guitars, spastic drumming and terse-yet-clever lyrics. Trimming all musical and lyrical fat, Sarandon cram more ideas and passion into 1:30 than many bands do across a whole record. Some points of comparison that spring to mind include Big Flame, The Minutemen, Boghsed, Fire Engines and The Fall, and though Sarandon share some musical DNA with those groups they've also forged their own path and unique sound. Crayola has a notable (and widely-noted) talent for somehow managing to marry naggingly catchy tunes to corruscating blasts of guitar mayhem, combining the punchy, driving tunes with surprisingly memorable melodies and smart lyrics. It's pop, but possibly the angriest and most aggressive pop you've heard. As we enter 2008, Sarandon have settled on a line-up consisting of Crayola, Tom Greenhalgh on drums and ex-Big Flame/Great Leap Forward legend Alan Brown on bass. Kill Twee Pop! is the first fruit of this new line-up and a mighty record it is indeed. Alan and Tom are an incredibly tight and powerful rhythm section, providing Crayola with such a sure foundation that he's now letting the songs stretch out a bit, one tune even breaking the unheard of (for Sarandon) three minute barrier. Which is fitting as this is the first proper Sarandon album, and it shows them at their itchy, spiky, angular, aggressive, enthuiastic best. From the chugging "Welcome" to the blues-by-way-of-The Birthday Party "The Completist's Library" to the insanely catchy "Mike's Dollar" and the croon-tastic "The Discotheque Is My Lover", this album is packed with great tunes, recalling the best of 80s post-punk and bringing it bang up-to-date with passion, humor and wit. “Kill Twee Pop!” is a call to arms for those tired of paint-by-the-numbers indie, a ration of passion in these cynical times, an antidote to your massive haircut, a soundtrack for your next dance party, an updated cubist pop manifesto. Tracklist: “Kill Twee Pop!”, “Welcome”, “Lippy”, “Remember Mavis?”, “The Completist's Library”, “Joe's Record”, “Very Flexible”, “Good Working Practice”, “Mike's Dollar”, “The Discotheque Is My Lover”, “Mark” and “Massive Haircut”.
125 SEK
SARANDON
CD
The Completist´s Library
Happy Happy Birthday To Me
A compilation of all the tracks that appeared on the four 7 track 7” singles that Sarandon released on various labels 2004-2007, 28 tracks in total! Short and spiky post-punk pop tunes, with influenses from Big Flame, The Wolfhounds, The June Brides and Josef K. Tracklist: ”Pin Up”, ”Birds”, ”Make Fun”, “Frank”, “Your Devotion”, “Bored”, “Janet & Susan”, “Bored ‘A Little Light Lunch?’”, “Hiccup”, “Politique”, “Mavis”, “Little Cake”, “Moo”, “Humanoid”, “Joe & James”, “Joe Marimba & James Xylo”, “Don’t Say No”, “Prove It”, “Health”, “Manky”, “A Hat”, “Happy”, “George & Maisie”, “Prove It - The Koto Agreement”, “Kitten”, “Angela”, “Dance”, “Meet Warren”, “Virginity”, “Lovely”, “Anthony & Simon” and “Dance Outback”.
125 SEK
SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME
CD
Fill Up The Room
How Does It Feel To Be Loved?
After three years of relative silence, warped indie-pop collective Saturday Looks Good To Me return triumphantly with their fourth studio album "Fill Up The Room". Following two critically acclaimed releases with Polyvinyl Records, this marks the beginning of the band's work with K Records, and a dramatic progression from their 60's tinged retro-pop sound to a more textured, experimental and colourful breed of pop music. This UK version of "Fill Up The Room" features two bonus tracks, taken from the “No Reaction” 7” single and a 12 page CD booklet with sleevenotes written especially for this release. Tracklist: “Apple”, “(Even If You Die On The) Ocean”, “When I Lose My Eyes”, “Make A Plan”, “Peg”, “Money In The Afterlife”, “The Americans”, “Edison Girls”, “Hands In The Snow”, “Come With Your Arms”, “Whitey Hands”, “No Reaction” and “No Reception”.
135 SEK
SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME
LP
Fill Up The Room
K
After three years of relative silence, warped indie-pop collective Saturday Looks Good To Me return triumphantly with their fourth studio album "Fill Up The Room". Following two critically acclaimed releases with Polyvinyl Records, this marks the beginning of the band's work with K Records, and a dramatic progression from their 60's tinged retro-pop sound to a more textured, experimental and colourful breed of pop music. Tracklist: “Apple”, “(Even If You Die On The) Ocean”, “When I Lose My Eyes”, “Make A Plan”, “Peg”, “Money In The Afterlife”, “The Americans”, “Edison Girls”, “Hands In The Snow”, “Come With Your Arms” and “Whitey Hands”.
135 SEK
THE SCHOOL
CD
Loveless Unbeliever
Elefant
It’s finally here. The throne has been claimed. For years, all the fans of the best pop waited anxiously for that group that was going to occupy the space left between The Pipettes, Lucky Soul and Belle & Sebastian, heirs of the best pop from the sixties (The Shirelles, The Ronettes, The Supremes...) and the best Scottish pop (Camera Obscura, Bmx Bandits...). But it’s finally here, “Loveless Unbeliever”, the debut album of The School. And the Cardiff band, after the singles “Let It Slip” and “All I Wanna Do”, with which they conquered the critics and the public half the world over, in addition to creating uncommonly high expectations, have shown us that they’re the perfect spearhead of a sound that, even today, continues to thrill us. Once again with the production of Ian Catt (Saint Etienne, Trembling Blue Stars, The Field Mice, Shampoo, The Boo Radleys…), they demonstrate their incredible ability with melodies and arrangements, releasing an album with more gems than a jewelry store, like “Valentine”, “Is He Really Coming Home”, “I Want You Back” and “Hoping and Praying”, songs that are uncontestable candidates to remain perennially in our stereos. Tracklist: “Let It Slip”, “Is He Really Coming Home?”, “Valentine”, “I Want You Back”, “Is It True?”, “I Love Everything”, “Can’t Understand”, “The One Who Left Me”, “Hoping And Praying”, “Summer’s Here”, “Shoulder”, “All I Wanna Do” and “I Don’t Believe In Love”.
140 SEK
SECRET SHINE
CD
After Years
Clairecords
A collection of recordings previously released on the Sarah Records label by Secret Shine. “After Years” compiles the “Ephemeral” and “Loveblind” singles, the “Untouched” album, and the “Greater Than God” EP - each in their entirety. 17 tracks of shoegaze/dreampop with reverbed, distorted guitars and ethereal boy/girl harmonies. Tracklist: “Honey Sweet”, “Secret Shine”, “Loveblind”, “Way Too High”, “Suck Me Down”, “Temporal”, “Spellbound”, “So Close I Come”, “Into The Ether”, “Toward The Sky”, “Underworld”, “Sun Warmed Water”, “Liquid Indigo”, “Ignite The Air”, “Deep Thinker”, “Elisabeth’s April” and “Last Words”.
130 SEK
SECRET SHINE
CD
All Of The Stars
Clairecords
“All Of The Stars” is Secret Shine's second studio album, and their first in 14 years. The band took an unscheduled nine year break before returning in 2004 with the release of their back catalogue (“After Years”) on Clairecords, followed by two emphatically-received EP’s of new material in 2006, and live shows in Europe and America. “All of the Stars” encapsulates the passion of Secret Shine’s live power pop in the heart-thumping “Oblivion”, “Voice Of The Sea” and “The Sound Of Light” but is both delicate and beautiful in “All That’s Left” and “Last Leaves”. Secret Shine have lost none of the sumptuous boy/girl harmonies and celestial melodies (never more evident than in the heavenly “Stars in the Sky”) that made their debut album “Untouched” (released on Sarah records) such a classic that is still revered in shoegazing circles today. Secret Shine dedicated 2007 to write and record All of the Stars and demoed twice the amount of songs they needed for the album so that only the finest would survive. The band have grown on this record – the sound is stronger and more confident, expertly produced and directed by Shine protagonist Jamie Gingell. For fans of dreampop like Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine and Pale Saints. Tracklist: “Voice Of The Sea”, “Know”, “Stars In The Sky”, “Café Crash”, “Another Day”, “Hate You When You Smile”, “All That’s Left”, “Oblivion”, “Last Leaves” and “The Sound Of Light”.
80 SEK
SEXY KIDS
7"
Sisters Are Forever
Slumberland
In the grand tradition of great pop music from Glasgow come Sexy Kids. Featuring three members of the sadly departed Royal We, Sexy Kids specialize in spiky post-pop with the emphasis on POP. Drawing comparisons to groups like Girls At Our Best and The Raincoats, Sexy Kids tunes never take the most direct route, rather they revel in finding a roundabout path to that killer chorus. Listening to “Sisters Are Forever”, the adjectives charming, playful and earnest spring readily to mind. It’s a massive tune, with enough drive, energy and smarts to mark it as a future classic. “Drown Me” is more minimal, a skeletal jangle hanging on 8th note hi-hats, handclaps and a la-la chorus. Pure magic, and a perfect complement to the punkish pop of “Sisters Are Forever”. This is Sexy Kids’ debut single, and on the strength of these two ace tunes we think you'll be eagerly awaiting more from them. Tracklist: “Sisters Are Forever” and “Drown Me”.
40 SEK
THE SHAPIROS
CD
The Shapiros
Library
These songs date back to 1994 when Bart Cummings (Cat's Miaow, Hydroplane) teamed up with Pam (Black Tambourine, Glo-worm, Belmondo, The Pines...) Skooter (Veronica Lake) and Trish (Heartworms) for a short lived but very productive venture. Produced by Archie Moore (Velocity Girl), these songs hi-light the beautiful harmonies and concise jangly guitar melodies these musicians have become known for. All the singles are conveniently and beautifully compiled together for the first time on the one CD. Also included are two previously unreleased songs: a cover of The Shirelles’ "Will You Still Love Tomorrow?" and the original version of "When I Was Howard Hughes" later recorded as a single by Hydroplane. Tracklist: “Paris Kiss”, “Cry For A Shadow”, “Month Of Days”, “Gone By Fall”, “Makes Me Smile”, “Cut”, “Do You Know”, “Hundred Times”, “He Said, She Said”, “Cross Your Mind”, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “When I Was Howard Hughes”.
125 SEK
SHRAG
7"
Rabbit Kids
Where It´s At Is Where You Are
Fresh from their tour with The Cribs, and inclusion on the Rough trade Indiepop 2009 album, Brighton-based Shrag release their 6th single, and first new material since their acclaimed debut album. “Rabbit Kids” is another fine chance to get acquainted with the band’s charms. The oblique title and muffled production again suggest the early DIY movement. The surging boy-girl chorus and exposed nerves could almost entice you to visit MySpace again. We don’t hear the full story, but the scene is one of painful departure: “Why don’t you just stay?/ It’s hard to see you fall apart that way.” Little details - “The hand in palm/ The coral dawn” - help what sounds like personal heartache resonate for a wider world. It doesn’t hurt that the song is bright, scrappy, and exuberantly melodic enough to rank alongside tracks by Love Is All, The Long Blondes, or early Los Campesinos!. Tracklist: “Rabbit Kids” and “Erratic Fictions”.
45 SEK
SHRAG
CD
Shrag
Where It´s At Is Where You Are
With admirable economy of purpose Shrag have released 10 songs of precise pop over five 7” singles released by Where It’s At Is Where You Are. These songs signalled their intention to shimmy, stagger and storm balconies everywhere. “Shrag” by Shrag is a collection of those 7” singles plus some extras. Twelve everyday stories collated from the scribbles of a diary. Tales of school bullies, “90’s crushes”, and creepy scenesters; diatribes against obsessive friendships; people who talk too much during sex, and pop songs ruined by wrecked relationships. It’s all gleefully kicked off by an anthem against pregnancy. Shrag have toured with The Cribs and last played with them in June 2008. They have also supported Love Is All, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Los Campesinos!, Art Brut, Ill Ease, Partyline, French Toast, The Raincoats, and The Television Personalities. They’ve played in New York, Washington D.C., Toronto, Ladyfest (Leeds), and Indietracks 2008. All this touring has given them time to put an extra burnish on the shiny bits and tack a spike or two to the bumpers. Perfect for fans of Love Is All, Huggy Bear and Comet Gain! Tracklist: “Pregnancy Scene”, “Long Term Monster”, “Lost Dog”, “Talk To The Left”, “Different Glue”, “Forty Five 45s”, “New Favourites”, “Intelligent Theft”, “Cupboard Love”, “Intro”, “Mark E. Smith” and “Hopelessly Wasted”.
135 SEK
SIGNED PAPERCUTS
7"
Of My Heart
Cloudberry
A two track 7” single by Signed Papercuts from Göteborg/Alingsås, Sweden, following their now sold out 3” CDR on Cloudberry records. “Of My Heart” is a fine dreampop/shoegaze pop song with boy/girl vocals, perfect for fans of Ride, Slowdive and The Cat’s Miaow. Tracklist: ”Of My Heart” and ”Sound Of Silence Pt. 2”.
55 SEK
SILVER SCREEN
CD
The Greatest Story Never Told
Clairecords
“The Greatest Story Never Told” is the fabulous debut album from Cris Miller, the man behind Silver Screen. Jangly summery guitars, gently whoosing synths, sweet vocals and such an abundance of lovely melodies, these twelve tracks are something of a follow-up to Blueboy’s “Unisex” album. Eleven years later in Los Angeles, the beauty, the melancholia and the immediate pop melodies; it´s all in there. If “The Greatest Story Never Told” was released on Sarah Records fifteen years ago, it would be a holy grail of indiepop by now. For fans of Blueboy, Brighter, Slowdive, Shoestrings, The Field Mice and The Radio Dept. Highly recommended!
130 SEK
SIMPÁTICO
CD
The Difference Between Alone & Lonely
Matinée
Debut full length from prolific and accomplished Sweet William vocalist and guitarist Jason Sweeney and his band Simpático. Following the critical success of the “Postal Museum” EP last year, Simpático was immersed in listening to records by Sea Stories, The Triffids, Rabbit’s Wedding and other brilliant Australian bands from the 80’s and early 90’s. This album is a dedication to that sound-warm, summery and melancholic tunes that reflect the harsh and dramatic Australian landscape matched with a longing and desire for lost loves. “The Difference Between Alone & Lonely” features twelve new tracks blending the strongest songwriting of Jason’s career with masterful keyboards, perfectly strummed guitars and that oh-so-dulcet voice. Intelligent, pastoral pop with an occasional electronic edge suitable for fans of the Wake, Pale Saints, The Go-Betweens, and Trembling Blue Stars. Tracklist: “Let Him Go”, “Drove It Down”, “School Life”, “Arrogance”, “Shelved”, “Street Talk”, “Urgency”, “His Goodbye Echoes”, “Spin”, “Carrying Photographs”, “Preciously Inside” and “Cold Season”.
125 SEK
SLIPSLIDE
CDEP
Four Day Weekend
Matinée
With “Four Day Weekend”, Slipslide’s debut EP from 2001, Graeme Elston made his return to the world of pop after six years of silence. Slipslide is the logical follow-up to Elston’s previous releases with The Love Parade, Eva Luna and Pure. Beautiful pop songs with jangly 12-string guitars that will appeal to fans of his earlier works as well as fans of The Go-Betweens and Aztec Camera. Tracklist: “Firefly”, ”Unlucky Charm”, ”The Airport Song” and ”Waiting For The Call”.
45 SEK
SLIPSLIDE
7"
Sleeptalk
Matinée
Info on this item coming soon.
40 SEK
SLIPSLIDE
CD
The World Can Wait
Matinée
The debut full length from London act Slipslide, featuring the songwriting and vocal skills of Graeme Elston (The Love Parade, Pure, Eva Luna, Astronaut). “The World Can Wait” boasts numerous examples of classic songwriting within the three minute pop formula, with the signature 12-string guitars, keyboards, melodies, and addictive choruses found on Slipslide's two previous singles for Matinée. This is refined guitar pop worthy of a place in your collection next to beloved classics from Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, The Colourfield and Go-Betweens. Tracklist: “Sleeptalk”, ”Back To Work”, ”Baked Alaska”, ”The Right Time”, ”Watching, Waiting”, ”Halfway Over Town”, ”Signs Of Life”, ”X Supplies The Answer”, ”Palm House Crawling”, ”Will You Lead Me?”, ”The World Can Wait”.
125 SEK
SLOW DOWN TALLAHASSEE
CD
The Beautiful Light
Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation
Thee SPC are very proud to announce the arrival of Slow Down Tallahassee’s “The Beautiful Light”. This debut album, produced by Sheffield legend Alan Smyth (Arctic Monkeys, Long Blondes, Pulp, Richard Hawley, etc.), is a shining beacon of fuzzed-up indie pop! As Slow Down Tallahassee say themselves: “We started the band because we wanted to write songs with warmth and passion. Songs that people could dance to and fall in love with, combining truth with fantasy, exploring the shadows between innocence and corruption. But, above all, our goal has been to make a great pop record.” And that they have done. Taking guidance from their love of 50s twang, 60s pop and 80s indie, Slow Down Tallahassee have created a world of their very own. Join the gang and you’ll never be lonely again. Tracklist: “The Beautiful Light”, “Down The Alleyway”, “Candy”, “Never Be Lonely Again”, “So Much For Love”, “Electric Sun”, “Limbs”, “Tallahassee Bop”, “Kiss Me Again”, “UR Grace UR”, “Baby Don't Cry”, “A Little Hex For You”, “Till I'm Gone” and “The Prettiest Tree”.
125 SEK
SLOW DOWN TALLAHASSEE and STANDARD FARE
7"
Angel Of Death
Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation
Slow Down Tallahassee follow up their highly acclaimed debut album “The Beautiful Light” with new single “Angel Of Death”/”Trick”. These two new songs continue to display their knack for perfectly fuzzy pop and the darker side of life, ahead of their second album, due in summer 2009. Joining them on this release are the latest band to join Thee SPC roster, Standard Fare. They’re a three piece fronted by Emma, who’s soaring vocals are a mix of Isobel Campbell and Debbie Harry. Their debut release “Dancing” is a tale of broken relationships told to a delicious melody that’s musically somewhere between The Lemonheads and Los Campesinos. Tracklist: Slow Down Tallahassee “Angel Of Death”, “Tricks” and Standard Fare “Dancing”. Comes with a download code that allows you to download the single as mp3 files.
45 SEK
SLOWDIVE
CD
Pygmalion
Cherry Red
“Pygmalion” is the final album by Slowdive, originally released in1995. A departure from their previous two albums, “Pygmalion” incorporated a more experimental sound tilted towards ambient electronic music, with sparse, atmospheric arrangements. All compositions were by Neil Halstead. Lyrics on tracks “Miranda” and “Visions of La” by Rachel Goswell. The cover illustration is by acclaimed designer Steven Woodhouse. It was the final album before Slowdive disbanded in 1995, an event widely associated with the demise of shoegazing. This re-issue long out of print now has an enhanced booklet with new sleeve notes by Mojo’s Kieron Tyler. Re-mastered from original tapes, it features a whole disc of rare demos never before released on CD. Tracklist disc one: “Rutti”, “Crazy For You”, “Miranda”, “Trellisaze”, “Cello”, “J’s Heaven”, “Visions Of La”, “Blue Skied An’ Clear” and “All Of Us”. Tracklist disc two (Pygmalion demos): “Miranda”, “Watch Me”, “Yesterday”, “To Watch”, “Option One (Instrumental #1)”, “Carfo”, “Sinewaes”, “Ambient Guitar”, “Crazy For You (Alt Version)”, “Krautruck”, “Changes” and “Red Five”.
155 SEK
THE SMITTENS and THE JUST JOANS
7"
What Do We Do Now
WeePOP!
A beautifully packaged split 7” from lovely London DIY label WeePOP. Divided by the Atlantic Ocean but united in their love of melodic indiepop, The Smittens and The Just Joans are doing one cover of each other’s songs and one brand new original. A lo-fidelity summer smash hit on pink vinyl! Comes with a mp3 token. Tracklist: The Smittens “What Do We Do Now?” and “Summer Sunshine”. The Just Joans “Gin And Platonic” and “I Hear You’re The Man Now, John”.
55 SEK
THE SMITTENS
CD
A Little Revolution
North Of January
The Smittens are back and better than ever on their sophomore full length release, “A Little Revolution”. The Smittens mine the innocent harmonies of bubble-gum bands of the '60s for a bright indie-pop sound. You will still find the same classic indie-pop appeal with nods to both Beat Happening and The Archies. While drawing comparisons to bands like The Feelies and The Go-Betweens; this is girl/boy jangle pop with a nice mix of content and emotion that combines playful, cheery, and political. This time around the Smittens have found a more controlled and mature sound but hold on to that same DIY ethic. The message hasn’t changed either; the Smittens are still all about kindness and a gentler world, because Being nice IS a political act! Tracklist: “My Favorite Dream”, “Jeans And Mittens”, “Stop The Bombs”, “The Garden”, “Party Time”, “Cool Sound”, “Guess What!?”, “Sapphire”, “Good Migrations”, “Tell Al Green”, “Nate Is Straight”, “Twitterpated! (MFDOD Remix)”, “Flowers, Kisses, You”.
135 SEK
THE SMITTENS
CD
Gentlefication Now!
Dangerfive
“Gentlefication Now!” is the debut album by American five-piece from Burlington, Vermont. Charming lo-fi bubblegum pop with boy/girl vocals, excellent Pop melodies, subtle and personal lyrics. Boston Phoenix wrote “If the Disney Channel were run by K Records, the Smittens would be the hugest...” and they’re so right. The Smittens would be stars in a better world and their slogan “Being nice IS a political act” would be on everyones lips. Tracklist: “Twee Valley High”, “Obligatory Sad Love Song”, “Gin And Platonic”, “I Hate Vermont”, “Gentlefication Now! (The La La La Song)”, “My Girl”, “The Champagne Room”, “Doomed, Lo-fi And In Love”, “Cotton Sox”, “To The Enemies Of Political Pop”, “Momus, Where Are You?”, “Capucine”, “Army Of Pop Kids” and “Deep Blue Sea”.
135 SEK
THE SMITTENS
CD
The Coolest Thing About Love
Happy Happy Birthday To Me
The Smittens are a five-piece indiepop band from Burlington, Vermont and like to think of themselves as a DIY twee pop explosion. Max Andrucki, Colin Clary, Dana Kaplan, Holly Chagnon, and David Zacharis, with help from the talented Emily Hilliard, switch up instruments, song-writing, and singing to create brilliantly lyrical and hyper-catchy pop songs of all colors, shapes and sizes. Formed on a whim at a party in 2002 by a group of popkids who wanted to make for their friends the kind of music they love, the Smittens have emerged as one of USA’s best-loved underground indiepop quintets, with headlining slots in the past year at the New England, New York, and Athens Popfests. “The Coolest Thing about Love” is the third album by The Smittens and, as always, it’s filled with great pop melodies and excellent boy/girl vocals! Tracklist: “The Interstate”, “Half My Heart Beats”, “11:11”, “C’Mon (When The Grass Grows Tall And Green)”, “Baby, Don’t You Know?”, “Something Sassy”, “Good To Go”, “Magpies And Eccles Cakes”, “One Hundred Roses”, “All The Love In The World”, “It’s A Saturday!”, “H&M (+A)”, “Gumdrops” and “The One For Me”.
125 SEK
SMOKERS DIE YOUNGER
7"
Sketchpads
Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation
”Sketchpads” is the lovely tribute to the 4-track tape recorder by the South Yorkshire skew indiepop/new wave band Smokers Die Younger. The title track has the upbeat pop brilliance a la The Lodger and at the same time the angular and unorthodox melody structure that brings Pavement to mind. Tracklist: “Sketchpads” and “Yer Actual (Ross Orton Remix)”.
45 SEK
SNOWBIRDS
CDEP
Snowbirds
Cosy
Cosy Recordings from Stockholm, Sweden is making a true cultural achievement by releasing their favourite songs by forgotten Welsh indiepop band Snowbirds, formed by Charlotte Thackray and Matthew White in the early 1990’s. Inspired by bands such as Razorcuts (their name is taken from the Razorcuts song “Snowbirds Don’t Fly”), Talulah Gosh and The Pastels they penned some fabulous tweepop songs between 1990 and 1996, released the classic “Motorcycle Baby” 7” flexi and a split single and received a write-up in Melody Maker: “Snowbirds, a wimp-rock boy-girl couple who make The Pooh Sticks sound like Throbbing Gristle”. Tracklist: “Starshine”, “Ever And Always”, “Friends”, “What’s Going On” and “Going Home”.
55 SEK
SOCIALIST LEISURE PARTY
CDS
Mondayland
Edition 59
An excellent three track 3” CDR from the UK indiepop/post punk band Socialist Leisure Party (with two members from Action Painting! who put out singles on Sarah records back in the days). Perfect for fans of Action Painting! and Postcard records. Tracklist: “Mondayland”, “Mondayland (Instrumental)” and “Down With The Kids!”.
60 SEK
THE SOFTIES
CD
The Softies
Slumberland
After wrapping-up the seminal punk-pop group Tiger Trap, Rose Melberg formed a new group with her pal Jen Sbragia. Playing as duo, The Softies took a very different course from Tiger Trap, wrapping twin guitar strums around their plaintive harmonies and sad songs. Playing quietly and putting the focus back on the songs themselves was the goal, and this debut ep shows that they achieved this goal admirably. It would be almost impossible to listen to these lovely songs and not be effected. The stripped-down nature of the recordings (no bass, no drums) lay it bare for you - the emotions are simply on display, allowing a glimpse into Rose and Jen's hearts in the finest folk tradition. Points of comparison might be The Marine Girls or The Carousel, but these dark little gems have a weight and flavor all their own. Perfect pop for a lonely, rainy day. Tracklist: “Snow Like This”, “Selfish”, “All In Good Time”, “Half As Much”, “Sixteen Months”, “Count To Ten”, “Postal Blue” and “Pedestal”.
120 SEK
SOUVENIR
CDEP
Souvenir
Shelflife
The debut EP from 2001 by Spanish trio Souvenir. Six popsongs sung in French that recalls the heydays of Francoise Hardy, France Gall and Jane Birkin. Tracklist: ”Quand Tu Reviendras”, ”Belles-De-Jour”, ”Ne Dis Pas”, ”Au Bord Du Soleil”, ”Dusty” and ”La Femme Aux Mille Visages”.
55 SEK
SPEEDMARKET AVENUE
LP
Way Better Now
Elefant
It’s hard to imagine a better declaration of principles than the first phrase that you read on the website of the Swedes Speedmarket Avenue; it’s a self-definition which goes as follows “a pop music collective led by a little guy who looks like a cross between Charles Manson and Marc Bolan.” The fact of the matter is that this Swedish band is going to be, without a doubt, one of the musical references of 2008 for all POP lovers in capital letters, with a perfect concept of melody, putting them in the same ballpark as The Aislers Set and The Fairways; jangle-pop with precious wind arrangements, played with freshness and emotion. Their second album, “Way Better Now,” produced by Jari Haapalainen (member of Heikki and The Bear Quartet, but also producer of Ed Harcourt, International Noise Conspiracy, The Concretes and Camera Obscura, with whom these Swedes collaborated on their last album, “Let’s Get Out Of This Country”) is a demonstration of inspiration of a band able to aim in the same way the girl-groups of the 50’s did (The Ronettes in “The State Of Harmony”) and the shoegazers (“Sirens” evokes memories of Slowdive), managing immediately with intelligent melodies, intensity and textures (“Way Better Now”, ”Accident” and “Don’t Fall In Love” are inevitable singles). In conclusion, similar as to how one can read a book over and over again in different ways, the new CD allows the listener to apply his or her own form of listening to the album: the patient way, the urgent, immediate, energetic or melancholic way...This richness is what makes the second album of Speedmarket Avenue so grand. Tracklist: “Sirens”, “Accident”, “Way Better Now”, “Don’t Fall In Love”, “Tell Me No”, “The State Of Harmony”, “Enlightened & Left-Wing Indeed”, “Less Than Ok”, “No Drama” and “Final Wall”.
145 SEK
SPEEDMARKET AVENUE
CD
Way Better Now
Elefant
It’s hard to imagine a better declaration of principles than the first phrase that you read on the website of the Swedes Speedmarket Avenue; it’s a self-definition which goes as follows “a pop music collective led by a little guy who looks like a cross between Charles Manson and Marc Bolan.” The fact of the matter is that this Swedish band is going to be, without a doubt, one of the musical references of 2008 for all POP lovers in capital letters, with a perfect concept of melody, putting them in the same ballpark as The Aislers Set and The Fairways; jangle-pop with precious wind arrangements, played with freshness and emotion. Their second album, “Way Better Now,” produced by Jari Haapalainen (member of Heikki and The Bear Quartet, but also producer of Ed Harcourt, International Noise Conspiracy, The Concretes and Camera Obscura, with whom these Swedes collaborated on their last album, “Let’s Get Out Of This Country”) is a demonstration of inspiration of a band able to aim in the same way the girl-groups of the 50’s did (The Ronettes in “The State Of Harmony”) and the shoegazers (“Sirens” evokes memories of Slowdive), managing immediately with intelligent melodies, intensity and textures (“Way Better Now”, ”Accident” and “Don’t Fall In Love” are inevitable singles). In conclusion, similar as to how one can read a book over and over again in different ways, the new CD allows the listener to apply his or her own form of listening to the album: the patient way, the urgent, immediate, energetic or melancholic way...This richness is what makes the second album of Speedmarket Avenue so grand. Tracklist: “Sirens”, “Accident”, “Way Better Now”, “Don’t Fall In Love”, “Tell Me No”, “The State Of Harmony”, “Enlightened & Left-Wing Indeed”, “Less Than Ok”, “No Drama” and “Final Wall”.
135 SEK
SPORTIQUE
10"
Communiqué No.9
Matinée
“Communiqué No. 9” is the third album by Sportique. Songwriter Gregory Webster, known from jangle-pop masters Razorcuts, and his band of indiepop legends (Amelia Fletcher, Rob Pursey & Sir Mark Flunder) give you explosive art-punk songs with black humour. 8 tracks in 17 minutes 25 seconds!
90 SEK
SPORTIQUE
7"
Don´t Believe A Word I Say
Matinée
This single released 2000 features “Don’t Believe A Word I Say” and “A Nation Of Soul”, two exclusive non-album tracks from English punkpop band Sportique, including former members of legendary groups Razorcuts, Heavenly, Television Personalities and Talulah Gosh.
40 SEK
ST CHRISTOPHER
CD
Lost At Sea
Plastilina
At last! The long awaited retrospective album from St. Christopher is out! It includes all the recordings they made for the legendary Sarah Records. Includes liner notes by Mateo Guiscafré from Siesta Records! Tracklist: ”You Deserve More Than A Maybe”, “The Kind Of Girl”, “The Summer You Love”, “All Of A Tremble”, “My Fortune”, “The Hummingbird”, “Antoinette”, “Salvation”, “Say Yes To Everything”, “It's Snowing On The Moon”, “A Prayer For The Sea”, “The Thrill Of The New”, “And I Wonder”, “Almost December”, “She Can Wait Forever”, “Who's Next On Cupid's Hit-List”, “The Love Of A Sister” and “Gabriel”. Highly recommended!
140 SEK
ST CHRISTOPHER
7"
Radio France Sessions EP
Slumberland
Four track 7” EP from these kings of of passionate, painful pop who put out very impressive recordings on Sarah and Vinyl Japan. Their classic pop with its charachteristic reverberated production can be described as “The Walker Brothers on Sarah records”. These songs were recorded live in the studio for French radio. Tracklist: “Cathedral High”, “Stab”, “Here Comes The Past” and “Bewitched”.
40 SEK
ST CHRISTOPHER
CD
The Stars Belong To Me
St Christopher
“The Stars Belong To Me” is the third and self-released St. Christopher compilation, following 1994’s “Dig Deep, Brother” on Vinyl Japan and the 2008 “Lost At Sea” album on Plastilina. A compilation of 25 remastered tracks from 1992 - 2001, taken from the St. Christopher releases on Vinyl Japan, Parasol & Elefant Records. The singles compilation on Plastilina covered the Sarah years, and now we have the spoils from the following decade. Tracklist: “Away (live)”, “Kerrie”, “Cathedral High”, “Utopian”, “With Her In Mind”, “Antoinette (live)”, “Majestic”, “Crush”, “She Looks Like You”, “Liberty”, “The Devil From Nowhere”, “A Man Bewitched”, “Wildest Dreams”, “Young Nun”, “Northwind”, “Where You Are, Everything Is”, “The Ladder”, “The Last Laugh”, “Low”, “Old And In The Way”, “Tranquility”, “The First Or The Last”, “A Conflict To Believe In”, “You Deserve More Than A Maybe (live)” and “The Stars Belong To Me (live)”.
130 SEK
STARLET
CD
When Sun Falls On My Feet
Labrador
Released back in 2002, this third album is the latest release from this lovely and underrated Swedish pop group that make songs of heartache accompanied with jangly guitars and elegantly arranged melodies. Tracklist: “Malmö”, “With Sand In My Eyes”, “When Sun Falls On My Feet”, “Make That Stone Beat Like A Heart Again”, “Not Alone”, “Sunshine”, “To Sleep This Evil Day Away”, “And How It Breaks”, “Christine” and “Stop And Let It Go”. Highly recommended!
125 SEK
STILL FLYIN´
LP
Time Wrinkle EJ
Antenna Farm
The San Francisco-based supergroup Still Flyin' was assembled in late 2004 by singer/songwriter Sean Rawls. By the time he arrived on the West Coast he was already a veteran of various Athens, GA bands, including Masters of the Hemisphere and Je Suis France. For the latter band, Rawls wrote a reggae song, "Never Gonna Touch The Ground". The song quickly became a live show staple and crowd favorite. After relocating to San Francisco, the song seemed to have a life of its own and demanded to be jammed. Rawls decided he needed to form a band based on that song and the dream of Still Flyin' was born. He asked virtually everyone he knew in his new city to join the reggae-inspired project, and to everyone's surprise the first practice had fifteen people at it. What might have begun as a lighthearted nod to good times soon became a juggernaut that no one in the band expected, and before long the group had become a San Francisco phenomenon. It didn’t hurt that this nascent supergroup counts members of bands such as Track Star, The Aislers Set, Ladybug Transistor, Love Is All, Maserati, and Red Pony Clock amongst it’s rotating collective. This debut EJ (not an EP, not an album, EJ stands for Extra Jamtime) captures the chaotic energy of the Still Flyin’ experience. Like their legendary live performances, this cd is a rocksteady explosion with the kind of unstoppable jams that it takes 15 people to make. Tracklist: “M'ystery Tent”, ”Rope Burn”, ”Statistics”, ”Big Lord”, ”Coupla Smokies”, “Buffet Lord”, ”Broken Rake Burn”, ”Criminal Tent”, ”More Coupla More Smokies”, ”End Burn” and ”Big Lock”.
125 SEK
STILL FLYIN´
CD
Time Wrinkle EJ
Antenna Farm
The San Francisco-based supergroup Still Flyin' was assembled in late 2004 by singer/songwriter Sean Rawls. By the time he arrived on the West Coast he was already a veteran of various Athens, GA bands, including Masters of the Hemisphere and Je Suis France. For the latter band, Rawls wrote a reggae song, "Never Gonna Touch The Ground". The song quickly became a live show staple and crowd favorite. After relocating to San Francisco, the song seemed to have a life of its own and demanded to be jammed. Rawls decided he needed to form a band based on that song and the dream of Still Flyin' was born. He asked virtually everyone he knew in his new city to join the reggae-inspired project, and to everyone's surprise the first practice had fifteen people at it. What might have begun as a lighthearted nod to good times soon became a juggernaut that no one in the band expected, and before long the group had become a San Francisco phenomenon. It didn’t hurt that this nascent supergroup counts members of bands such as Track Star, The Aislers Set, Ladybug Transistor, Love Is All, Maserati, and Red Pony Clock amongst it’s rotating collective. This debut EJ (not an EP, not an album, EJ stands for Extra Jamtime) captures the chaotic energy of the Still Flyin’ experience. Like their legendary live performances, this cd is a rocksteady explosion with the kind of unstoppable jams that it takes 15 people to make. Tracklist: “M'ystery Tent”, ”Rope Burn”, ”Statistics”, ”Big Lord”, ”Coupla Smokies” and ”Coupla More Smokies”.
125 SEK
STOCKHOLM MONSTERS
CD
All At Once (Singles 1981 - 1987)
LTM
Manchester´s Stockholm Monsters have remained one of the hidden treasures of Factory for many many years, despite supporting both The Smiths and New Order on tours in the mid-80’s. Thanks to LTM’s excellent conservation program all their recorded material is now available for adoration. “All At Once” collects all of the Stockholm Monsters’ single sides for Factory, Factory Benelux and MASO in chronological order, including “Happy Ever After”, “All At Once”, “National Pastime”, “How Corrupt Is Rough Trade?” and “Partyline” to name but a few. When hearing their energetic and soulful pop laced with bass lines à la New Order, icy keybords, trumpets and Tony France’s voice of empathy one wonders how they could have been so highly ignored at the time.
125 SEK
STOCKHOLM MONSTERS
CD
Alma Mater Plus
LTM
Info on this item coming soon
125 SEK
STOCKHOLM MONSTERS
CD
The Last One Back
LTM
This compilation of Stockholm Monsters’ own archives contains 20 mainly unheard songs. Included are the five excellent songs from their last studio demo, recorded in 1987, another five tracks from early studio demos 1980-1981 and the demo mixes of “How Corrupt Is Rough Trade?” and “Kan Kill!” (originally released on a Factory Benelux tape in 1985). Also included are seven live tracks and “Partyline” performed live on Granada TV in 1987.
125 SEK
STRAWBERRY FAIR
CDEP
Sings I Can´t Do Anything
Alltid Hela Tiden
The first release from Jenny Franzén a k a Strawberry Fair since that fine cover of The Toys “Attack!” on “This Is My Secret Garden”, a compilation released 2005 by the My Secret Garden label... and here, three years later, are the logical followers in these four songs where Franzén perfectly captures the joy and elegance of Phil Spector’s girl group sound, ye-ye, The Shangri-La’s and Holland-Dozier-Holland. Sweet! Tracklist: “I Can’t Do Anything”, “Why Won’t He Answer”, “Kristoffer” and “Give Up”.
40 SEK
STRAWBERRY WHIPLASH
CDEP
Who´s In Your Dreams EP
Matinée
Great debut EP from Glaswegians Sandra and Laz (Bubblegum Lemonade), a k a Strawberry Whiplash. These four songs of feeback, jangly guitars, female vocals and gorgeous pop melodies recalls old time favourites such as The Shop Assistants, Talulah Gosh and The Darling Buds - another great new band and another lovely EP from Matinée! Tracklist: “Who's In Your Dreams”, “It Rains On Other Planets”, “My Day Today” and “Factory Girl”. Highly recommended!
45 SEK
SUMMER CATS
7"
Lonely Planet
Cloudberry
The third 7” release from Cloudberry presents Australian guitar pop quintet Summer Cats. “Lonely Planet” is lovely, upbeat pop with a droning keyboard. Tracklist: ”Lonely Planet” and ”Lazy Susan”.
55 SEK
SUMMER CATS
CD
Songs For Tuesdays
Slumberland
Summer Cats play upbeat pop songs in a Stereolab-meets-Go-Betweens style, replete with distorted keyboards, feedback guitars and hook-laden basslines and all accompanied by Scott Stevens' distinctive vocals. They are best played loud, in your bedroom, while your parents are out. The Melbourne five-piece not only know how to write addictive pop songs with just a hint of ‘60s garage edge--catchy numbers like “Super” and “Lonely Planet” - they also know their indie pop history. They have already shared sides of wax with similar modern day pop groups like Eux Autres and labelmates The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, and are set to keep the momentum going with the upbeat, danceable 33 minutes of fun that is Songs for Tuesdays. Tracklist: “Let’s Go!”, “Hey You”, “Super”, “Fulton Gurls”, “In June”, “Wild Rice”, “Christopher Wren”, “Maybe Pile”, “Lonely Planet”, “Camel Cords”, “Waking Up”, “St. Tropez” and “Paperweight”.
135 SEK
SUMMER CATS
7"
Your Timetable
Slumberland
Your Timetable is a well-honed slice of noise-pop, full of fuzz guitar, romping organ and a chorus to die for. Augmented by new second guitarist Jeremy Cole, Summer Cats turn Your Timetable into a glorious racket of barely-contained guitar squall and crashing drums. On the flip we have live favorite TV Guide finally given the studio treatment. TV Guide is an organ-driven bopper featuring excellent vocals from Scott Stevens, restrained guitar jangle 'n' strum, and yet another indelibly catchy melody and chorus. Tracklist: “Your Timetable” and “TV Guide”.
45 SEK
SWEET WILLIAM
7"
Fedora
Library
Third single by Australian three-piece Sweet William released in 1998 on Bart Cummings’ (The Cats’s Miaow, Bart & Friends) Library records. Featuring “Fedora” and “He’s Leaving Tomorrow”, this single is a bit different compared to Sweet William’s other releases, slower, more atmospheric and featuring Louey instead of Jason on lead vocals. Still, all the Sweet William ingredients are there, including their lovingly and The Field Mice-scenting drum machine Dr. Rhythm.
35 SEK
SWEET WILLIAM
7"
Lovely Norman
Matinée
Beloved Australian group's final single features mixed male and female vocals and timeless jangle pop sure to solidify support of Smiths and Sarah fans worldwide. These three engaging tracks from early in the band's career mix elegance, idealism and sincerity. Tracklist: “Lovely Norman”, “Not Actual, Not Lasting” and “Run For Your Life”.
40 SEK
SWEET WILLIAM
CD
World Of Books
Shelflife
The one and only album by Australian three-piece, featuring Jason Sweeney from Simpático and Other People’s Children. Following single releases on Matinée, Twee Kitten and Library these eight tracks mix the sound of early The Field Mice and Stereolab into a lovely swan song for Sweet William.
110 SEK