Category: Music

Hi Everyone,
Hope all is good out there… Not a great start for the Rebel County in the auld hurling… Dodgy ground now.. Will be tough to come out of Limerick with anything and then have to win the last two to stay alive… Dodgy ground..
Anyway it’s a music blog and not a hurling / sport blog.. Releases today in the siopa include by THE NATIONAL (on a sweat all week with this one… dribs and drabs being invoiced out.. No CD by Wednesday night had shipped.. Biggest summer release maybe and delays all over the shop… 3PM Thursday not one copy of the album in the shop)… But it’s a belter to be fair.. If your format is slightly delayed, fear not they are all on the way… PIAS also have the new INTERPOL EP today… We also have new releases by RAMMSTEIN (delayed..), LEWIS CAPALDI, DAVID BOWIE, POSSESSED, A.A. BONY, a TRAFFIC boxset, WHITESNAKE, and reissues by P!NK

New release video up now here!
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Right so for releases for the 24th of May… Warner have the afore mentioned KATE BUSH picture disc we hawked to ye last week… My price was slightly out of whack but lok we won’t starve like so €23 best price pre-order still stands!!

Slán and thanks
Ray

Hi Everyone,
Hope the form is good with ye..
Releases in the shop this week include the new MOZ 7” single, the new album by MAC DEMARCO, new one also by EMPLOYED TO SERVE, reissues by ROBERT GLASPER, HERBIE HANCOCK, ONCE O.S.T ON Limited Clear Vinyl, BIG COUNTRY’s expanded edition of “The Crossing”, ROBERT CRAY “Collected” on limited coloured vinyl, “Natural Born Killers” OST 25th Anniversary coloured vinyl, MATTHEW SWEET, ALLMAN BROTHERS and PETER GREEN., again all three of them MOV coloured LPs

Video up as always here to watch!
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Moving onto releases for the 17th of May we have a really big release with the 8th studio album from THE NATIONAL.. I have wrote on these pages, numerous times in the past now at this stage, about who are the biggest band born this century… Born now lads I said before ye are on me!.. These boys have to be close to that title surely?.. Other than that I don’t know who.. I personally might edge the title THE NATIONAL’s way.. I have heard this album a couple of times (perks of the job, starting to receive listening links in advance.. nice one!!), and it’s going to be excellent… Plenty of female guests on it and plenty of strings and orchestration… We have hit ye with the formats and prices a few times already but here they are once more.. All up on site now through the title links as well to pre-order online

Sin é for this week,
Go raibh maith agat as do chluas a thabhairt.
Ray
MusicZone.ie

Hi Everyone,
How’s the form this evening??
Summer is here.. Stock take time in the Musiczone.ie Tape and Record Emporium..

Video up here now for the visuals! We also have done our first ever live draw… Winners of the Fontaines D.C. draw done live on video… So give it a watch and see if you’ve won!!
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Right so moving on to releases for Friday the 10th of May… Not a blistering day to be honest but there are some fine releases coming up in the next month or 6 weeks.. But first the 10th of May. Universal have the new MAC DEMARCO record “Here Comes The Cowboy” on CD, standard LP or indies only LP.. His fourth record, and his first distributed by a major… It’s on his own label with a major doing the distro on it..

Sin é for this week
My cap is even getting tired
Go raibh maith agat as do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
musiczone.ie

Hi everyone,

Video up here again this week, give it a watch and share for us!
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Right so moving on to releases for the 3rd of May we have a few nice releases via Sony… First up is the new VAMPIRE WEEKEND album called “Father Of The Bride”.. It’s available as a CD, standard black vinyl, and an indies only coloured LP.. Major label debut… Although they were on Bella Union or someone major enough before this I feel.. Sounds sweet to be fair… Sony also have the album by AMON AMARTH “Berserker” on CD, 2LP or a super duper boxset thingy…

Sin é for this week folks.
Go raibh maith agat as do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
Music Zone 

Hi Everyone,
How’s the form?… Listen i’m going to start with RSD I suppose… Huge huge and sincere thanks to all of ye for celebrating our survival day… Ye’r terrific in fairness. About 5% back on last year but still three solid week’s business in one day (and not a whole pile of stock left over) so overall a great day… I feel the atmosphere is so unique on the day so thanks to each and everyone one of ye who parted with their cash on the day to support what we do… Thank you

Video up this week here for you!
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Moving on to releases for 26th of April.. Sorry CRANBERRIES is out that day.. I may have billed it for the 19th last week.. Head swimming.. It’s the 26th for the final CRANBERRIES album…

So sin é for this week folks
Go raibh maith agat as do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
musiczone.ie

Hi everyone

Hi Everyone,

Hi all,
How’s the form??
This time two weeks it’s RSD Eve and it’s full on from here on in now… I haven’t heard of many more major problems but there will be loads of little one’s in the next fortnight and then Santa arrives and all is good in the world..
The music for the day has been sorted now, so here’s what we have for definite!! This is in no particular order, we’ll be announcing the times and running order for the band’s in next weeks newsletter

So for definite we have THE GRUNTS, a hardened rock n’ roll band with some good tunes and quality riffs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tja1CLMzxsE

We also have lined up THE ALKOVE fronted by Eddie Kelly, another no messing rock n’ roll band with a great frontman. Both of these bands are first timers with us for RSD and we are delighted to welcome them and really look forward to their sets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya2PSnRXXRQ

The next two cars we have lined up I personally have to say are two of my favourite Irish bands… Both bands are RSD veterans with us.. So we are delighted to welcome back IAN WHITTY AND THE EXCHANGE.. As good a wordsmith as there is around, back by three terrific musicians… Personally, can’t wait!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdbprErWRxk

And RSD would hardly be RSD if we didn’t have some form or guise of THE SHAKER HYMN… The lads are quality.. Blue in the face from telling ye… So the lads are back and they are launching a new E.P. on the day also… As Lil Percy would say… Sweet!… Can’t wait..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msLTpzkmvkc

The 5th act we can confirm for RSD 2019 is another new RSD act for us, and is the brilliant MARC O’ REILLY… We are big big fans of Marc here in the shop, he is a tremendous musician and we are delighted to welcome him… He has made some great music so far and is worth checking out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3X4MvamG8s

The 6th act we will welcome to the siopa on the day is the brilliant songwriter SARA RYAN, a  lovely songwriter with a great voice.. Her first single is out on April 25th and she is also playing Coughlan’s that night. Delighted to welcome her. Debut album due out later in the year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9zJYLCj4ds

And last but definitely not least, the 7th act we will welcome into the siopa on the day.. Someone who has become a bit of a friend of the shop in the last few years.. He was with us back when his first album was launched back in 2016, and we were delighted to be asked to work with him again in Cypress Avenue late last year for the launch of his second studio album “Only Ticket Home”.. He’ll be fresh out of his two sold out Opera House gigs, and we are delighted to have GAVIN JAMES in with us for RSD 2019… Really really thrilled, going to be very exciting!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVMSBPZwzxU

So that’s it for the entertainment for now… Hope to have times for each act announced for next week… Sin sin for now.. We would love if you could get in and support us and the lads playing for us on the day, for a record and a cup of tea!!

Right so, on to releases for the good yacht musiczone.ie today.. BILLIE EILISH‘s album was embargoed so only landed in this afternoon so nobody got it on the sneaky a day or two before release… Embargoes are good.. Makes the work, craft, art all more special… I have tortured over it.. Please Respect it… I fully support that, it’s the way it should be..

Other releases today include the BETH GIBBONS performing Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”. Also out is new releases from WHITE DENIM, STEVE EARLE, JOACHIM KUHN, and reissues by KEITH RICHARDS, COCTEAU TWINS, FRANK ZAPPA, MOTORHEAD, MARVIN GAYE, THE CONGOS, LOVE UNLIMITED, SPARKS, and a new KISS compilation vinyl release.

Video up again for you all here! Be sure to subscribe to keep up with all the comings and goings!
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

So on to releases for the 5th of April, we’ll start with (not exactly a stunning week of releases.. But the week after, the 12th, I’ll need a book.. Savage stuff the day before RSD… Savage.. I suppose people will be in Record shops so get the releases in… It’s cracking on the 12th..) Back to the 5th for now and I suppose the biggest release of the weekend is the DAVID BOWIE “Spying Through A Keyhole”..

With 2019 marking 50 years since David Bowie’s first hit, Space Oddity, Parlophone is set to release a 7″ vinyl singles box set of nine previously unreleased recordings* from the era during which Space Oddity was first conceived.
The title ‘Spying Through A Keyhole’ is a lyric taken from the previously unknown song, Love All Around, and though most of the other titles are known, these versions have never been officially released until late last year (see footnote). Most of the recordings are solo vocal and acoustic home demo performances, unless otherwise stated.
The photography that adorns the box front and the print inside is by Ray Stevenson and was taken in Tony Visconti’s flat in the summer of 1968.
The design of each single label is presented to reflect the way David sent many of his demos to publishers and record companies, featuring his own handwritten song titles on EMIDISC acetate labels. The singles themselves are all mono and play at 45 r.p.m.

Best job pre-order offer of €42 on the Bowie set…

Warner also has new albums by ELUVEITIE and DON FELDER (Eagle) and MIKE AND THE MECHANICS reworking of classics plus three new tracks.. Warner also have reuissues on LP from DAVID GUETTA and from MOTORHEAD again “Hits of Death”, “Motorizer”, “Better Motorhead Than Dead” and the Live 4LP set, “Inferno” and “Hammered”.

Back to RSD for a sec.. Sorry now stuff going on all the time and i’m the bearer of some bad news here.. These price changes occurred after we sent out our price list to ye folks.. Price increases on Green Day, Jeff Tweedy, Madonna (True Blue), Pink Floyd and Van Morrisson and a price decrease on the Sigur Ros releases… my own little Brexit…

Lastly from Warner is the NEW ORDER “Movement” boxset which includes the LP, CD . Bonus CD of 18 completely unreleased tracks, a DVD of live shows + TV Appearances, plus a 48 page hard back book with a lift off lid box.. €100 best price pre-order job on this..

Universal for the 5th of April have a solo record from TYLER RAMSEY lead guitarist and cowriter with BAND OF HORSES… PROFESSOR LONGHAIR “Live On The Queen Mary” gets a CD and LP release.. OUR PLANET OST is also out on CD and LP and there is a reissue and 40th anniversary edition of THE SLIT’s album “Cut”.. Lastly from Uni for the 5th of April are some 3CD essential Jazz sets by WAYNE SHORTER, HERBIE HANCOCK, JOHN COLTRANE and KEITH JARRETT..

PIAS for the 5th of April have the CIRCA WAVES album, their 3rd on CD, standard black vinyl or indies only blue vinyl… They have a 5CD PETE SEEGER set containing 152 tracks, and some RICHARD SWIFT reissues on LP…

Sony for the 5th of April have new albums on CD only by KHALID, SARA BAREILLES and BROOKE + DUNNE..

THE ORCHARD for the 5th of April have the new album by IDLEWILD “Interview Music” on CD, LP and indies only LP and also new albums out by MARTHA, LISSIE, JAWS, LUKE SITAL-SINGH, and EXHUMER…

Music on Vinyl for the 5th of April have reissues of WITHIN TEMPTATION’s “The Silent Force” on 180gm vinyl as well as MATTHEW SWEET’s “Girlfriend” reissue.. We hope to have some of the 1000 pink copies that were pressed on that one…

Start this on a Thursday evening as most are well aware, and it get’s finished in the siopa by the lads on a Friday.. 24 hours since scribbling and unfortunately there’s been a change on there being no problems with RSD.. Unfortunately we have run into some today..
Tá brón orm.. Truly tá brón orm.. but we have been cut on a few bits…. With Sony, the PREFAB SPROUT and BILLY JOEL are very very tight.. We have just enough for the demand.. But could sell out quickly on the morning.. Early worm for those two if you are wanting one.. Sorry..

Hi folks,

How’s the form? Releases in the shop today include new albums by EB THE YOUNGER, SIGRID, FOALS, and the vinyl pressing of the recent DAMIEN DEMPSEY album.

A nice compilation from legend TOM PETTY.

New reissues are in from THE EAGLES, NEW ORDER and LUCINDA WILLIAMS.

PAUL WELLER has a new live album also out.

Video up for this week again for you, check it out here and be sure to subscribe!
www.musiczone.ie/videos

Moving onto releases for the 15th of March, but first RSD is upon us here so hence it’s upon ye guys out there. Yer help and support are (as always) gratefully appreciated. The UNIVERSAL RSD titles ye are interested in need to go back to me tonight Friday March 8th and all the others need to be back to us by Wednesday the 13th by around lunchtime please!!

I need to get my orders up very soon after…deadline noon or high noon if you prefer on Friday the 15th of March for all companies except Uni which is even earlier!

So if you are interested in something or somethings please email us before deadlines with ARTIST/TITLE/RECORD COMPANY…3 things…the record company bit is a great help to me if you can with ARTIST/TITLE…about 500 titles available to me across 15 record companies so you folks sending record company with ARTIST/TITLE is a huge help and stops me trawling through 15 lists for your wishlist one…I don’t know them all off by heart like…only maybe half them…ARTIST/TITLE/COMPANY.

We/Ye know stock is limited and can be cut…but as always we will do our best but we cannot keep anything or promise anything but we will do our very best…that’s a promise. Sending the wishlist is a huge help to us…Sound!! Class dismissed!!

One last thing on RSD for now…it has flaws…granted…prices, ebayers, pressing plant problems and delays among them but from where we sit it is comfortably our best day of the year…it is a boost to us if the buying is right (hence the wishlist request), it is a celebration of our existence…it’s probably our favourite day of the year on the shop floor…usual scenario this year…goodies in the queue…bit of craic…loads of quality live music…we love it…Sin e for now on it anyway.

Back to releases for the 15th of March so, FRANCIS ROSSI + HANNAH RICHARD have a brand new studio album on CD of county songs. UB40 have a brand new album ‘For the Many’ on CD, 2CD or LP. First new album in five years with all original songs. Both of the above releases are on Universal, as is a new FISHERMAN’S FRIEND CD, a new live album from FOREIGNER on Eagle Rock across a waft of formats and there is a new NAT KING COLE ‘Ultimate’ CD released (LP to follow on 14th June) as well as YG ‘My Krazy Life’ ltd dlp release.

Probably the most interesting one from UNIVERSAL for the 15th of March from their waft of releases…waft…where did that spring from… I must google it…I thought it meant plenty or quantities…but in Cork slang it means ‘there is an unpleasant smell generally ‘off him boy’. So I just googled it…’scent or sound that passes gently through the air’…anyway probably the most interesting release from from Universals copious releases is the new one by LUDOVICO EINAUDI ‘7 Days Walking: Day 1’…CD only for now…you will hear that wafting from the shop next week…give it a rest Ray.

Lastly from Uni are CCR half speed LPs, 50th anniversary remastered of the self titled album as well as ‘Bayou Country’…exspensive, best best I can do is €38 if anyones interested.

SONY for the 15th (it came in today actually) is the vinyl release of the Damien Dempsey album ‘Union’…fine listen and they also have a new HANS ZIMMER ‘World Of’ CD release.

CARGO have a new BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE album for the 15th March.7

Terrible sad news about KEITH FLINT during the week again…how many times have we mentioned young men…famous musicians, who have lost their lives at their own hands…I just find it terribly sad and surely there must be more funding, more research put into it…we all need to try and understand it more…Keith was by nearly all accounts, in fact all accounts was supposed to be an absolute gent, it was about the human being and not who the human being was perceived to be…and to pair with that one of the best frontmen of the last 30 years…RIP Mr. Flint.

WARNER for the 15th March have a new album out by KAREN O + DANGERMOUSE on CD, LP or Indies only LP ‘Lux Prima’ it’s called and it could be an interesting one.

WARNER also have the next in the NEW ORDER 12”s…this time ‘everythings gone green’ as well as a new album by the DROPKICK MURPHYS.’Gang All Here’..LP only on that one…new album also out on the 15th by JACK SAVORETTI as well as a reissue by ALPHAVILLE of the class ‘Forever Young’…what a tune…I have a story but for another day.

The MURDER CAPITAL debut 7 “ was due on 15th March but pushed back now to April 5th…worth checking it out lads…Irish band have a listen here.

I have been offered a few really limited KEITH RICHARDS box sets if anyone is interested…now eh hem best price I can do is €500…no not €50. €500 as in 5 and two zeros…only a few being made and those are  ….here is some more info on it…email back sure if you want one…I need to know by Monday lunchtime…heres the info on it

Released on March 29th, it will be made available on CD, LP, as a Deluxe Box Set and a very impressive D2C Super Deluxe Box Set which will come in a one-of-a-kind exclusive casing, replicating Keith’s favorite Fender Guitar ‘Micawber’ (D2C exclusive). Other additions of the Deluxe and Super Deluxe box set include the following –

Talk Is Cheap’ Deluxe Box Set includes

• 180g LP album &180g LP bonus material
• the 7” Single (Take It So Hard / I Could Have Stood You Up)
• the 7” Single (Make No Mistake / It Means A Lot)
• CD album & CD containing bonus material
• 80 page hardback book featuring Anthony De Curtis essay, new interview with Keith Richards and extensive photos,
• Memorabilia: 1x tour laminate, 2x lyric sheets, original ‘Talk Is Cheap’ playback invite, tour guitar pick and 2x posters
• Housed in a folio pack wrapped in Fender guitar case material

Talk Is Cheap’ (D2C) Super Deluxe box set also includes –

• Limited & Numbered
• All content matches the Deluxe Box set
• Comes with added special feature, a one-of-a-kind exclusive casing replicating Keith’s favourite Fender Guitar ‘Micawber’
• Features hand-reliced ash wood with original Fender guitar elements, handmade at the Fender Custom Shop in California

There’s a joyous swagger to ‘Talk Is Cheap’ that permeates each and every song. It sounds as good today as it did thirty years ago – in Keith’s words “as fresh as the day it was made”. This reissue also includes 6 bonus tracks, four of which feature pianist Johnnie Johnson including Eddie Taylor’s ‘Big Town Playboy’, ‘Blues Jam’, ‘’Slim’ and the kinetic Jimmy Reed cover ‘My Babe’.

One more back to RSD…We use a dutch company for our Music On Vinyl stuff all year round…problem for RSD is they can’t ship to us so there is a British company LITTLE AMBER FISH (LAF) who have the rights for the Music On vINYL stuff for RSD but we do not have a strong trading history with them as we use the Dutch lads…found out about them first and they give a good service so I’s a loyal dog like.

We done ok last year with the MOV stuff for RSD via LAF (you’d want to be a code breaker) so hopefully it will be ok again.

It’s 11pm and listening to the Choice awards while writing this…the music has been top notch all night…for the size of the country we punch way above our weight…

Yes boy, Yes boy, Yes boy O Emperor won it…delighted for them. Delighted.

Sin é for this week folks,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,
Hope all is well with ye..

We are hoping to rock on with the forum, so if you could register we would be delighted… Gonna post the newsletter up on it this week.. Feel free to comment!!
Register here! : https://musiczone.ie/my-account/
https://musiczone.ie/forums/forum/newsletter/

PIAS finally for the 15th have by METHYL ETHEL and YANN TIERSEN and a debut album by PIROSHKA, a supergroup made up of members of LUSH, ELASTICA, MOOSE and MODERN ENGLISH.

Ray
Music Zone

Hi everyone,
Hows the form?… Missed a few days earlier in the week with a blast of man-flu.. It’s been a while since i’ve been unable to work… Was a bit croaked for a few days.. Coming back slowly but surely.. I’m sure ye love hearing about my man-flu.. This one way forum (must sort it, the forum that is) allows for no interruptions or back chat.. Ah bliss… In todays world anyway so i’m glad ye got to hear of the worst man-flu ever..

Anyway now that that is nearly off my chest, releases in the good siopa Musiczone.ie today include the aforementioned (numerous aforementioned at this stage) SPRINGSTEEN ON BROADWAY 4LP vinyl set.. 70 Bucks still in place.. Just nod!.. Also new albums by VANGELIS, DANDY WARHOLS, STEVE HACKETT, BRING ME THE HORIZON, BACKSTREET BOYS, RUDIMENTAL, BALTHAZAR, WALER TROUT and NIGHTMARES ON WAX.
Today the 25th also sees vinyl releases of new albums by THE STRUTS and SUN KIL MOON, as well as reissues on LP by UNKLE, DELINES, BUZZCOCKS + BALTHAZAR…

Video up here for this week if ye’d like a look!
www.musiczone.ie/videos

Right so, without further adieu, we shall move onto releases for the 1st of Feb.. Our most exciting release the 1st of February is JOHN BLEK’s new album “Thistle & Thorn”.. As said last week, it is a great, rewarding listen.. Lovely space in it.. Excellent work again in our opinion.. We are agreed (not always the case!!). Signed LPs up for grabs at €20 or signed CDs for €15. Nod our way.. We’d be delighted to sort.. John will be in-store on the 2nd of February at 1PM.. Our Saturday sessions return. Bring the parents, bring the kids, bring the neighbours!!.. Try it!!..

PIAS for the 1st have a few interesting releases.. New album by BEIRUT.. Indies only green vinyl.. New album by WHITE LIES (in Cyprus Avenue soon), on CD Deluxe or Indies only blue vinyl in special packaging…
So two interesting enough ones there from PIAS and another two well worth mentioning are new albums by RUSTIN MAN A.k.a Paul Webb of Talk Talk, who’s last album as Rustin Man was the brilliant collaboration with BETH GIBBONS.. Was available on LP through MOV but now only on CD through Polydor.. Trying to sell things that can’t be sold Raymond.. Not very wise.. Must be the steroids.. Won’t get many yachts that way…
Anyway, anyway.. The new RUSTIN MAN album could be worth a sus. Out as well as this is the new release from EX:RE.. Elena Tonra who is the vocalist, lyricist and guitarist of DAUGHTER.. Solo record out..

Universal for the 1st of February have the new IAN BROWN solo album called ‘Ripples’ on indies only white vinyl.. His sons are involved musically on the album.. Catch tune the lead single in fairness.. You know as i’ve mentioned it before, met Brown a few times.. Fave one was outside at the Fountain in town at about 3 in the morning after a solo gig in Henrys in 97 I reckon, maybe 98.. He unashamedly, completely unashamedly tried to pinch my mates missus to go back to his hotel.. You chose well Viv, Sully has aged well!!!
I remember it so vividly it was such a normal conversation up to the pinching attempt.. This dude was in one of “my” bands as a 15/16 year old.. And here we were within a Rizzla paper of having him back in our rented gaff… Surreal…

Universal also a new, yes I say new, album by THE SPECIALS.. “Encore” it’s called.. First album in 37 years.. Sounds alright too.. Lead single is a bit like “Ghost Town” Part II.. Hall, Golding and Panter still involved and I think Steve Cradock plays on this record also.. WITHIN TEMPTATION also have a new album out on Spinefarm, and Universal are reissuing THE CARDIGANS discography on LP, as well as EMPIRE OF THE SUN‘s album “Walking On A Dream”.. Indies only blood orange vinyl for that one…

Sony for the 1st of Feb have PADDY MCALOON’s, or now credited to PREFAB SPROUT for this 2019 reissue of “I Trawl the Megahertz” where McAloon uses radio clips and various other sounds to make the record.. I know the first three Sprouts records well but don’t know this.. Looking forward to it.. Very different I believe but still looking forward.. Talk of a brand new album this year??? Bueller… Bueller..

Proper for the 1st of Feb have the 70th Birthday Party Concert of ANDY IRVINE at Vicar Street Available on CD or LP.

The Orchard for the 1st of Feb have new albums by NINA NESBITT and also THE NEIL MORSE BAND..

MOV have the Original Soundtrack to “The Hurricane”

Warner for the 1st of Feb have limited runs of the two excellent BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD albums in Mono.. Only 5K of each in the world being pressed.. Now that should help the yacht fund a little bit.. RAMONE’S “Road To Ruin” 140gm Blue Vinyl only 6K in the world..

Warner also have LINAD RONSTADT‘s ‘Live in Hollywood’ release, PHIL COLLIN‘s reissues “Serious Hits…”, “Live and Remastered” on CD or 2LP, as well as “A Hot Night In Paris”..

Thanks again to everyone who voted in our albums of the year.. As promised here are a few blurbs on the albums that charted, and we’ll start with my own..
1) The Good, Bad & The Queen
Late in year release but a lovely listen.. Hardly a day passes when I don’t play it.. Lovely melodies, easy on the ear record.. I’m sure i’ll still enjoy it in 3 or 5 years tome..
2) Hedge Schools
A beautiful listen.. Late night, thought provoking, deeply layered listen.. I love it, simple as for me.. Each to our own folks!!
3) Rolling Blackouts
Indie Rock, some class tunes on this one.. I see it won the top spot.. Jingle Jangly guitars and definitely a couple of the tunes of the year on it.. It’s the Aussie’s debut record..
4) Villagers
Conor’s best outing yet in my opinion.. Fine fine listen..
5) Richard Swift
Late to it also, and a right mix mash of genres and sounds that probably shouldn’t work but repeat listening does reward.. But heh, that’s just my opinion.. That’s what’s great about it.. Each to our own!!

And here’s a couple of words from some of yourselves and what ye thought of some of last year’s finest listens!!

Malcolm’s top 5!
1. Shame – Songs of Praise. It came out in January and I have been listening to it ever since.  I saw them live twice – crazy stuff!  Punk Rock is in safe hands…
2. Richard Swift – The Hex.  What a mix of styles. This guy can get away with anything. This album definitely has the makings of an all-time classic.  It is very sad that he is no longer with us.  Give it a few spins and you will be hooked.
3. Richard Thompson – 13 Rivers.  RT will be 70 next year and he is still producing the goods. While he is definitely one of the guitar greats, he is also much more than that: the songwriting is superb throughout.  If this album was produced by a young fella it would win the Mercury Prize.
4. Suede – The Blue Hour.  This is one that you need to listen to from start to finish. It really hangs together and builds like a movie.  Consistently good throughout; perhaps surprisingly so.
5. John Grant – Love is Magic.  Not nearly as consistent as his first 2 albums (which were complete masterpieces) but the high-points of album #4 are great and they help you to support some of the moments which are just bizarre.  If you can get to see him in the Cork Opera House in 2019 don’t miss the gig!!!

Flor’s Top 5
1. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour (By a distance. One of the best albums for years in my opinion)
2. Natalie Prass – The Future and the Past (A really great pop record)
3. The Villagers – The Art of Pretending to Swim (Really great record, saw them supporting The National in Dublin as well and they were excellent so gave them an extra vote for that)
4. Cat Power – Wanderer (She has an amazing voice. A few cracking tracks, not as complete and even as choice 1 and 2 above)
5. Dave Matthews Band – Come Tomorrow (This guy is so under rated. While this album wasn’t as critically acclaimed as I thought it should it is a great album and showcases what he is best at very well)

Adam’s Top 5
1.  Kurt Vile : Bottle It In
This is by far my album of the year! Absolute magic album…There’s a line in the track ‘One Trick Ponies’ that says ‘…I’ve always had a soft spot for repetition‘ and that sums up the album for me. Listening to this is like a hug from someone you’ve known years….it”s unmistakably Kurt Vile. And all the better for it.
But in saying that he adds more layers, experimental ideas and unique rhythms. Tracks like ‘Bottle It In’ and ‘Bassackwards’, 10 min odysseys that on the 1st listen sound like the same idea repeated over and over but after a few listens (like all good albums) grow into magic epic tracks. Hands down a classic album! 2018…album of the year! There you have it.
2. Foxwarren-Foxwarren
Came across these guys by accident….a ‘recommended’ band from the google box. Had a listen and was blown away by the album. A mix of midlake/Kevin morby type of folk rock group but really good melodies. The track ‘Lost in a Dream’ could have come straight out of the Thom Yorkes piano book. A great album.
3. B.E.D: Baxter Dury, Delilah Holliday, and Étienne de Crécy
Now this is a strange album…the whole album is 19mins long in total!! 19 mins!!
It’s over before you know what’s going on but it’s class. It’s electro-synth pop music with quick snappy upbeat songs that get to the point. Well worth a listen. Baxter has that english sarcastic drowl speaking/singing voice and the Delilah has this lovely melodic voice which works. A very odd album but if you have 19 mins and feel like synthesisers…this is your album. Class!!
4. EELS-The Deconstruction
The main man himself…Mr. E. A legend….a mighty legend. In 4 years he had got married, had a baby and got divorced…..in 4 years!!
And what came out of all that was this album. The (apply named) ‘The Deconstruction’. Knowing what he’s been through adds another layer to this album. It’s classic EELS but that’s always a welcome. Just listen to the opening track ‘The Deconstruction’ and tell me he’s not a genius!?!
5. S. Carey-Hundred Acres
A mellow folk album from one of the Bon Iver boys. I picked this up (from music zone of course) about a week before the mega snow hit us in Feb/March. So as we were all government mandated to stay at home, myself, my wife and daughter hibernated at home listening to this album. A lovely, melodic album with some great songs. It will always remind me of the snow! S. Carey has a great voice..(if you’re into the high/melodic voice stuff ) and great melodies. A fine album.

Will have more of these for you next week!! Thank you to everyone again…

Sin é for this week folks.
Go raibh maith agar as do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
www.musiczone.ie

Hi Everyone, 
A horse is a beautiful animal, really strong and powerful and beautiful up close.. I have never sat on one so maybe that’s why it’s hard to get back on it.. When you run a small business (i’d imagine it’s similar no matter what you do or don’t do in this life), I find the new year a bit daunting from a work point of view.. Christmas / December is our busiest month.. Albeit worth 3 good months.. (Was 4 months in the in the heady days) so it’s very important. The shop is awash with bodies and there is a buzz.. New Year passes and it really quietens and it is daunting having to drive the business on.. Couple of okay weeks and hopefully all will be okay again..

Here’s to another year folks..
Thanks for the support
Sin é for this week
Go raibh maith agat as do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
Music Zone

Hi Everyone

How’s the form..

I’m a bit tender myself tonight to be honest so not sure how well or unwell this will go… Davey from Rollercoaster was on a bus back to Kilkenny this morning early (yesterday morning now) to open his abode to sell Westlife tickets.. So that does make me feel a bit better…. Not the selling of the Westlife tickets, that’s cool,  the getting up for the bus at 7AM part..

Treated to David Byrne last night in the 3 Arena… Top night out… Good few record shop kids at it… Warner looked after us all splendidly… I promised some of ye I met to throw ye down some prawns from the VIP Bar but alas if ye didn’t get them the birds must have… Top show… Top top show… That’s what it was … A show… Some man for 66 I think…Well able… But the show was superb… Thoroughly engaging from start to finish…. As Ed said during the week, directed from start to finish… 12 on stage most of the night… Barefooted all, bar the lead guitarist as she wore flip flops.. Must have a verruca or something… Not a cable in sight… 6 folks banging all sorts of drums… All around their waists…  A lad on keys around his waist… A bassist… Lead guitar… Two backing singers and prop putter in placers (one of them Gavin James i’d swear..he is a busy boy ) and then the main man himself.

Not a cable in sight… The stage was like an operating theatre… We..the crowd, loved it.. Top top stuff to be fair.. I dropped the ball though… Yep I probably did drop the ball… I was in the company of the record company guys after the gig when they were going down to meet the man himself… Easy for me to say ‘can I gatecrash also?’… I’m sure it would have been no bother… Didn’t open my gob… Decided not to to be honest… Have a pic with Austin Powers from around ‘05 on a work thing which is in the house… His other side gave me a tip or two as ye probably know….. Me : “Hi, nice to meet you..” Austin : “Hi… Where are you from?”… Me : “Ireland”… Austin : Oh, I love Ireland”… Snap photo… Move on.. I love the photo though… Two doctor evils in the one snap… So to cut a short story long… I dropped the ball…?
Got my Microdisney tickets for Cypress Avenue this morning so that did cheers me up… Next.

Ok I have nothing done… Not a morsel sold or even attempted…

Out today we have releases by THOM YORKE, GAVIN JAMES… A nice little one on the Gavin James release… We have limited wristbands with the purchase of the new album… Out today… For an intimate meet and greet with Gavin where he will also perform tracks from his new record in Cypress Avenue next Tuesday evening the 30th at 7PM… All ages album Launch Party with RedFM… We do not have loads so if you or yours like the Gav man… Buy the album… Get into the event… Gavin done an in-store in the old shop for his debut album and it was great and he was such a gent..

Other releases today are THE KINKS boxset and vinyl reissue. Some new releases from JULIA HOLTER, TOM ODELL, YAZOO, NAO, DAVID CROSBY, BRONSKI BEAT, TROJAN : RUDEBOY OST, ARIANNA GRANDE (new album, CD landed a few months back), POST MALONE (same as Arianna!), THE TWILIGHT SAD, B.E.D (BAXTER DURY new supergroup), BARRY ADAMSON, and ROBBEN FORD. Reissues in the siopa today from GRINDERMAN, JOHN FOGERTY, BERT JANSCH, THE BEE GEES, and THE CHARLATANS.

So quite a bit there today.. New release video up here to watch
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Okey dokey, moving on to releases for the 2nd of Nov we have a few heavy hitters… SONY have the Newest BOB DYLAN Bootleg  Series.. Vol. 14 is it… “More Blood On The Tracks”… Arguably “The Dylan Album”… It’s available as a 1CD, 2LP or 6CD/DVD boxset…€14, €25 or €120 (best price on the box)…

The latest chapter in Columbia/Legacy’s highly acclaimed Bob Dylan Bootleg Series makes available the pivotal studio recordings made by Bob Dylan during six extraordinary sessions in 1974–four in New York (September 16, 17, 18, 19) and two in Minneapolis (December 27, 30)–that resulted in the artist’s 1975 masterpiece, Blood On The Tracks. One of the top-selling albums of Dylan’s career, Blood On The Tracks redefined the boundaries and structures of modern pop songwriting (a genre Dylan had virtually invented a decade prior), reached #1 on the Billboard 200, achieved RIAA 2x Platinum status and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
The single disc / 2LP configuration of More Blood, More Tracks assembles 10 of the most emotionally resonant alternate takes of each of the 10 songs appearing the original Blood On The Tracks plus a previously unreleased version of “Up to Me”. The 6CD full-length deluxe version of Bob Dylan – More Blood, More Tracks – The Bootleg Series Vol. 14 includes the complete New York sessions in chronological order including outtakes, false starts and studio banter. The album’s producers have worked from best sources available, in most cases utilizing the original multi-track session tapes.

Sony also have the new TENACIOUS D album called “Post Apocaltyo” on CD , LP or indies only green vinyl… Mr. Dave Grohl is on drums on this record… BTW… Saw Goosebumps with the kids for movie night last sunday evening… Very enjoyable… Nice actor Mr. Black.. Nice musician also.

Sony also have a new BARBRA STREISAND album, and the debut ARCADE FIRE E.P. gets a reissue.. Lastly Sony have a reissue, first issue i’d say on LP of the excellent PADDY CASEY album “Living”.. One of the biggest selling albums of 2004 in this country… Cracking album in my opinion.

Universal for the 2nd of Nov have the next in the series of METALLICA box sets… This time its fourth album “…And Justice For All” on LTD Deluxe Box or 3CD or 2LP or 1CD or cassette..

Metallica commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of their breakthrough fourth album …And Justice For All with the announcement of its definitive reissue, out November 2nd via UMC and the band’s own Blackened Recordings.

The re-release of …And Justice For All has been remastered for the most advanced sound quality, as overseen by Greg Fidelman, and will be available in multiple physical configurations. The …And Justice For All reissue will be available physically as a Standard Double 180 gram LP, Standard CD, 3 CD Expanded Edition, Cassette and a Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set. The Expanded Edition will include previously unreleased demos, rough mixes, previously unreleased live tracks, and an expanded booklet of never-before-seen Ross Halfin photos. The one-pressing-only Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set will include the remastered double 180g LP, a “One” picture disc, 3 LPs featuring their iconic performance from Seattle in 1989 remixed by Greg Fidelman, 11 CDs, 4 DVDs, a set of four patches, a Pushead print, a tour laminate, lyric sheets, a download card for all material in the set, and a deluxe 120-page book with never-before-seen photos and never-before-told stories from the people who were there.

Next up on my notes is CHRISTIE HENNESSY with the RTE Concert Orchestra called “The Last Goodbye”… Supposed to be out on the 2nd… Moved to the 16th now I think… I’m partial to Christie if im to be honest.

Universal also have a live album on DVD OR BLURAY or 2CD/DVD or 2CD/BLU from the most successful British musician most people never heard off…. Mr STEVEN WILSON… “Home Invasion : Live From the Royal Albert Hall”

Uni also have MOODY BLUES reissue of “In Search of the Lost Chord”… 50th ann… They also have an AMY WINEHOUSE DVD documentary on the making of “Back to Black”, which includes an intimate show never seen before (ala Gavin James..), and a new ROSANNE CASH album “She Remembers Everything” on CD or LP ….There are also some reissues of the first four OMD records, half speed abbey road masters, RICHARD ASHCROFT “Alone With Everyone” reissue and the KID CUDI/KANYE WEST “Kiss The Ghosts “ gets an LP release.

Do you know the way I missed an open goal with Mr Byrne… Two different lads were in the shop this week who scored… I’ve loads of these type stories but these two are fresh in my head as they say.. First up… Our lad was working in a hotel in London many years ago and was going down stairs with a combi cage to get some meat from the fridge/freezer near the employee entrance… He swept through the door  and jammed someone against the wall with his cage… That person within a nano second raised their hands in the air and wriggled there fingers in a ghostlike fashion (made the face also)… Grey T-Shirt, jeans, no makeup on and loads of hair… That person was Robert Smith… My guy recognised him straight away and just apologised and moved the cage… Mr Smith just said “no problem at all” and moved on… Class story I thought, I laughed hard.
 

WARNER for the 2nd of Nov have a great EAGLES ‘Legacy’ Boxset… 15LP set or 12 CD/Bluray…

The CD version has 12 CDs and includes all seven of the band’s studio albums, three live albums, and a compilation of singles and b-sides. It also includes two concert videos: Hell Freezes Over (DVD) and Farewell Tour: Live From Melbourne (Blu-ray). The vinyl version of LEGACY has all the music from the CDs on 15 LPs, but none of the videos. Both sets are housed in handsome slipcases and accompanied by a 54-page hardbound book that’s filled with rare and unseen photos, memorabilia, and artwork that encompasses the band’s entire career.

There is an ART OF NOISE 2CD version of In No Sense! Nonsense!… WARNER also have a new MARIANNE FAITHFULL album on BMG on LP… Ltd to 1k… LP and Deluxe CD boxset available also… 200 of them available only…MATT CORBY new album also.. NICK CAVE and Warren Ellis “The Proposition” LP O.S.T… Ltd to 1500 units… New ALBUMS also by OPETH ‘Live From Red Rocks’, and PRODIGY next week through Warner.. Opeth on ltd orange vinyl 2LP only 220 copies available. Prodigy also indies only vinyl..
 

Sin é for this week folks i’d say folks..
Go raibh maith agat as do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
musiczone.ie

Hi Everyone,

How’s the form with ye… Hope all is alright.

Last Saturday was National Record Day across the pond… I meant to mention it last week…. It was the first one held.. A good success by all accounts.. We are our own nation as ye know hence we weren’t involved… We have had plenty of fine records ourselves down through the years so maybe IMRO or someone will look at something like it for here… I suppose from where I sit (self servingly sit Raymond, old chap) anything that will enthuse people to buy physical music i’m all for obviously… The album is 70 years old this year… 1948… Look at the joy it’s brung.
If the physical music industry has a chance to live for anywhere near that length of time again, then the industry as a whole has to embrace and advertise and promote the physicality thing… That, along with sound are two big selling points.. Process, warmth, wholeness amongst others but i’m slipping from my point.

The physical industry has got to get kids and young adults to embrace the physical… A good example of how it worked well recently… 21 Pilots new album… Warner/Atlantic gave us some tees/wristbands/balloons (all 21 Pilot branded stuff) to give away to customers (kids and young adults) … The first few girls left with a tee, wristband, balloon and CD .. All for 13 Euro… You won’t get that on a streaming platform folks… The girls were gobsmacked.. I’m sure they will have told everyone in their respective classes when they got back… That makes a difference.

Video up here for this week! 
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Right so onto without further adieu and no little haste (after my rant, speech) are releases for October the 26th.

Warner also have THE KINKS cracker jack of an album “The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society” on Boxset, CD, 2CD, and 1LP.. More info on the boxset here.

The boxset contains remastered original LPs, CDs of the remastered original albums plus a wealth of rare and unreleased bonus material, reproduced 7" singles, deluxe hardback photo book with comprehensive notes and new band interviews, and reproduced original memorabilia.

Contents:

Gatefold 2LP – Original album 2018 stereo & mono remasters, 180g heavyweight vinyl, carefully restored original artwork.

1LP – Original Swedish 12 track LP, 2018 stereo remaster, 180g heavyweight vinyl, carefully restored original artwork.

5 x CDs in bespoke accessories holder:
CD1 – Original album, 2018 stereo remaster + bonus tracks; CD2 – The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, 2018 mono remaster bonus tracks; CD3 – Village Green sessions, containing demos and alternative versions / mixes from the original mid-sixties recordings sessions; CD4 – Village Green At The BBC, track audio and band interviews; CD5 – Preservation, Live & Demos, including previously unreleased home demos, Ray Davies live in Denmark 2010 and unreleased track ‘Time Song’.

7” singles (Reproduced original picture sleeves):
Days / She’s Got Everything (Italian picture sleeve, 1968)

Starstruck / Picture Book (Continental Europe, 1968);

The Village Green Preservation Society / Do You Remember Walter? (U.S., 1969)

Book:
Beautifully produced, linen covered, 12” x 12”,52-page hardback book containing: Extensive sleeve notes by acclaimed writer Andy Neill, with new Ray Davies interviews and new quotes from Dave Davies and Mick Avory; essays by Pete Townshend, Robert Ryan and Kate Mossman; rare and unseen Kinks Village Green related photos and imagery

Reproduced original memorabilia:
Poster of Village Green LP inner gatefold; Empire

Liverpool April 1968 tour poster; 5 glossy 10” x 8” photos from Hampstead Heath

1968 photoshoot; colour press photo with reproduced band signatures; Bournemouth April 1968 gig ticket; 2-sided PYE Records promo card; ‘Days’ 4 page sheet music

Warner also has new albums by BOY GEORGE & CULTURE CLUB… First in 20 years “Life” it is called and there is an indies only vinyl version l*****d to just 1000 copies. New ones as well from LUKAS GRAHAM and DAVID CROSBY as well as reissues by on CD and LP by JOHN FOGERTY, BERT JANSCH, BLACKBERRY SMOKE and BRONSKI BEAT.

Warner also have DR. FEELGOOD “Live at the BBC” CD, YAZOO “Four Pieces” LP box set, and the soundtrack to RUDEBOY. A movie about the TROJAN Record Label. Lastly from Warner for next week the 26th of October is a reissue of the first GRINDERMAN album… L*****d to 1500 this one on green indies only.

SONY for the 26th of OCT have new albums by TOM ODELL, NAO, JOHN LEGEND, a Christmas album, and last but not least ROGER WATERS “A Soldier’s Tale”..  Stravinsky’s Work narrated by ROGER WATERS… I hear its excellent… I dunno… Will give it a listen.

PIAS have some nice releases for the 26th October to be fair… First up is THOM YORKE with the soundtrack to “Suspiria” from the Luca Guadagnino film (you’d want to be an impressive dude to get Thom Yorke to do your film music for ya i’d say).. I heard one track from this and absolutely loved it… It’s on 2CD or 2LP indies only pink vinyl… My notes tell me it was the title track I loved… Thank you dear notes from a few weeks back… Other than the title track there are 24 other compositions, written by Yorke… Some traditional song
structures, some interludes, some instrumentals.

PIAS also have the reissues of the THIS MORTAL COIL Records…. For those of ye who don’t know (apologies to those of ye that do) THIS MORTAL COIL was a music collective of the 4AD record label under the stewardship of IVO WATTS-RUSSELL, with guests from DEAD CAN DANCE, COCTEAU TWINS, PIXIES to name but a few… Some beautiful records… So the three are getting reissued on CD or 2LP… “It’ll  End In Tears” “Blood” and “Filigree & Shadow”.

PIAS also have the new PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING 4 Track EP “The White Liner” based on the Titanic, as well as the new album from JULIA HOLTER (her last album made our customers top 10 the year it was out… 2016 was it?) It’s called “Aviary” on Domino records.

PIAS for the 26th also have new albums by KYLE DIXON & MICHAEL STEIN “Stranger Things – Halloween Sounds From The Upside Down” on CD and Purple Orange vinyl… Out on Invada records as well as debut record by B.E.D..  A collective of Baxter Dury, Etienne De Grecy and Delilah Holiday.

Last few bits from PIAS for the 26th are the BAUHAUS LP reissues on coloured lp of “Mask” and “In A Flat Field” and the Bad Seed BARRY ADAMSON has an Anthology released on Mute on CD and indies only coloured LP.

Oh TWILIGHT SAD brand new 10” also.. Told yeah there was a few and they were nice.

On the vinyl record front from Universal there is a BEE GEES “All Time Greatest Hits” LP, POST MALONE “Beerbongs and Bentleys” gets its LP release on ltd clear vinyl, a couple of CHARLATANS reissues including “Up At The Lake” and “Wonderland”, and the new ARIANA GRANDE album “Sweetener” gets it’s vinyl releaseL lastly is BLONDIE’s “Heart of Glass” EP reissue.

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC have some LEVELLERS reissues on coloured vinyl “Letters From The Underground”, and “Static on the Airwaves”, a new album from LAURA GIBSON on City Slang and John Carpenter’s “Halloween” LP reissue.

PROPER for the 26th have a new compilation by ANATHEMA and new albums by RAZORLIGHT, LISA O NEILL and ANDY IRVINE/RENS VAN DER ZALM.

Final note, s friend of the shop has a spare ticket for The Chemical Brothers (Oct 29) for sale for 50 EUR if anyone is interested.. (face value 66 on ticket).. Pop us a mail if interested and we’ll put you in touch.

Sin e for this week folks,
Go raibh maith agat do chluas a thabhairt
Ray
Musiczone.ie