March 13th: DEEP PURPLE 50th Anniversary set, new NIAMH BURY, last SUM 41 album, METALLICA coloured vinyl, new KHRUANGBIN, T Bone Burnett and ‘Dowtcha Boy!’

Hi folks

Hope all is well!

Didn’t the proud Irishman make us all proud on Sunday night/Monday morning….dowtcha boy!

A right music head to boot, music was the first love i think…still is me thinks…all good all very good.

Right the Record Store Day lists are nearly all sent back to the record companies…a few more companies to get finished by tomorrow and then they are in the lap of the record gods.

Thanks to those of ye who sent in wishlists….its funny every year, the amount of records wishlisted is very similar….like every year….i shall update here over the weeks with any issues etc…..normally 10 or 20 records from the list falls through the cracks for one reason or another…and there will be cuts by the record companies also…anyways i will keep ye in the loop.

The music for the day is taking shape….3 confirmed, very excited for them….i’m waiting on 2 more, hopefully ….if they break for us it will be the best lineup ever i think….again ill update here as soon as i have a clearer picture….again RSD is Saturday the 20th of April.

Righty o….releases for this Friday the 15th of March include…( on nb btw its a long weekend folks so the siopa closes at 6pm on Saturday the 16th and not back till 10AM on Tuesday the 19th of March…so closed Paddys and also Monday the 18th…go raibh maith agaibh.

 

So the 15th releases are by

 

And the 22nd releases include …



 

So tonight is mainly about the 29th of March…and we will have..



 

Here is a lovely tune from the record

Niamh Bury – Budapest

 



 

 

Going to hand ye over to Shane folks now as he takes ye down the road with announcements etc.

Cheers, Ray. Conas atá sibh gach duine?
I had to think for a second who you meant at the start Ray. Cillian of course!
Great stuff alright! A great talent. We have a few Irish Oscar winners now.
Some country for our size.

Before I get to the pre-order stuff. Here’s Adam’s latest Instagram video doing the roundup of what’s new in the siopa:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4DnhUzNFCm/?igsh=cXdkbG1jNWN0NDU0

Sorry I didn’t it include in the last couple of weeks, was up the walls a bit and didn’t get the chance.

Not a huge amount to mention this week but I suppose the biggest metal band around are worth a mention.
METALLICA are back with another run of their albums reissued on coloured vinyl.
An album I listened to alot as a teenager, ‘Garage, Inc.’ is first on the list. It’s getting a 3 LP ‘fade to blue’ coloured pressing. Could be a first timer on vinyl that actually, I’m not sure.
They cover loads of rock bands who influenced them including songs from Black Sabbath, The Misfits and Budgie.
That’s out on April 5th.
If you like your snare drums to sound like a saucepan being hit by a metal pipe, ‘St. Anger’ is coming out on orange coloured vinyl at the end of April.
And those will be followed by ‘Death Magnetic’ in June and ‘Hardwired to Self Destruct’ in July.
No sign of ‘Load’/’Reload’ yet.

T BONE BURNETT has a brand new album coming on April 19th called ‘The Other Side’.
Here’s a bit about it and a track:

‘Grammy and Oscar award winning producer, musician and songwriter T Bone Burnett is back to form with a folk album of 12 tracks featuring artists Lucius, Roseanne Cash and Weyes Blood.

“With this record, I tried to treat myself as kindly as I would try to treat other people,” says Burnett, who likens his producing approach to that of a photographer. “I try to find the person’s best angle and light them so they look the most like themselves or the best version of themselves. And this time, rather than staying in the romantic notion I previously had of myself—of a rebellious artist, a firebrand or whatever I thought I was trying to be—I just tried to be kind to myself.” Ultimately, in looking for “you,” T Bone Burnett found himself on The Other Side.’
https://youtu.be/aGuNH18VH9c?si=YoAJz_h1z-ICa29r

And back to metal, ROB ZOMBIE‘s most recent album ‘Lunar Injection Kool Aid Conspiracy‘ is getting a splatter coloured reissue through Nuclear Blast on May 10th.

Here’s a list of a few other ones that are coming down the line:


That’s my lot, as far as I can see.
Bain taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine! Slán.

Thanks Shane!

 

Last one really for today is Integral for the 5th of April…who have releases by

I was sent a link to listen to this album from the record company and i enjoyed it…heres a tune from it for ye:

Fabiana Palladino – Stay With Me Through The Night

Heres a tune from it! Its class!!

Khruangbin – A Love International (Official Video)

Sin e really for this week folks

Thanks for listening as always

Ray, Shane and young Adam

www.musiczone.ie

March 6th: New NICK CAVE album, bad industry news and rant, new KAMASI WASHINGTON, ST. VINCENT, SIERRA FERRELL, Final call for RSD Wishlists and very Limited SWELL SEASON

Hi Everyone

Hope all is well out there.

Some really bad news for the industry broke on Monday evening with the news that Dublin vinyl ( Ireland’s only pressing plant) is going into liquidation…i didn’t see it coming at all to be honest. Ah bad bad  news…i know one person well who works there and the same lad can’t buy a break…keep going kid… and i have had some dealings with a few more folks down through the years…always good to deal with from my point of view…22 full time jobs gone, a lot of wages to pay every week. Tough industry ours is…from most sides anyway…really tough for the  owners and employees of Dublin vinyl…stressful as it gets.. They are 1.9 million euro in debt and their energy supplier was at the stage of turning off the power over monies owed. I hope things come to an OK conclusion for everyone…I know there are local artists who have paid sizable deposits to have their records cut there in the last few months…I really hope these local artists can get sorted. Ah man, it’s tough from all angles. We only recently got involved with DublinVinyl as a cooperative between artist, pressing plant and record shop….there were releases planned by Hedge schools, THE LOVE BUZZ and HAM SANDWICH to name a few….these releases are shelved for now…hopefully the artists can get the records out themselves at some point…we will issue refunds where applicable.

Business is tricky folks for most small and medium businesses….cost of everything keeps going north…we had 9k less in our bank at the end of jan 24 versus end of jan 23…we wouldn’t have too many 9ks to be losing like folks ( we don’t owe anyone a dime though folks….nb dont owe a dime, the maths still has to work out though)……not been dramatic, just telling ye the truth….things are fine  though( i think , though it needs to be constantly watched)

 We made changes in the final third of last year and that looks like it should settle things…because at end of Aug 2023 , we were looking at losing 13k in 2023…shit it can happen so fast…the cost of running the shop goes up by 10k  or 15k in a year and bang your back minding the baby. I’m lucky in lots of ways, it’s a small business … .a good business i feel, great customers in the main, the odd langer of course, mainly online the langers lurk. But because its small when it goes a little tricky, we can generally fix it… as we have …but in Dublin vinyls case it spiraled and was just uncontrollable then I presume, that amount of  wages to pay must have been so stressful,…i feel for everyone involved.  Dublin vinyl cited Brexit as one the factors in their troubles and i have a major grumble since Brexit …costs everywhere folks…ill list them someday if i’m bored…its endless, domain name for website, 200 bucks a year. Website upkeep 4 k a year, shop insurance 3 k a year…accountant 3 k a year, bank charges 2 k a year, card payment acceptance 2 k a year … .i won’t bore ye the list goes on and on … .ye get my drift. Major gripe since brexit is the courir companies….Brexit has been a windfall for them….its manky what they are doing but they have you by the liathroidi….so we still have suppliers with Brexit issues….Proper. Orchard, shellshock, SRD, Plastichead, Little amber fish, republic of music…so these suppliers have to be checked at customs….because of this the Couriers charge us VAT for the revenue at point of entry in the country ….we can claim back the VAT in vat return then….PAY IT AND THEN CLAIM IT BACK…ridiculous if you ask me but i presume there’s not a better way?? But the stickler is the courir company charges you a fee for charging you the customs fee….for delivering the box basically….the same service they provided before brexit but now they fee you …DHL range anywhere between 5 euro and 30 euro per box…depending on the number of lines on the invoice…they call it a multi line clearance fee…what a load of bollocks….UPS charge 20 euro a business box full stop…dirty dirty….DPD the best at 5 euro plus vat fee…probably what it should be….Brexit has been a windfall for the couriers and youre caught cos you need the stock for customers….its manky and should be addressed, they are robbing people in my opinion. You probably notice it in your personal life … .customs charge at front door with courier but also their fee for doing the same thing they did before brexit … .anyway rant over. 

 

Right releases in the shop for this Friday the 8th of March include

 

And then releases for the 15th of March




Plastichead and Integral RSD 24 price lists are in now also….so Shane will pop them up  now with all the others….NB NB folks i need wishlists by close of business this Friday the 8th of March….a few of the companies don’t need figures till 15th March but safer to get Wishlists  in before this Friday please!!!

PLASTICHEAD – RSD 24 List with Prices

INTEGRAL – RSD 24 List with Prices

And here’s the full lot on the one page (just keep scrolling down):
https://musiczone.ie/category/record-store-day-2024/

Right for the 22nd March we will have

Heres a tune in case you missed this dude…it could easily happen , only one studio album i think…magic

Jackson C. Frank – Mystery

There is a bit of a interest in this record from a few patrons on the siopa floor….so heres a tune from the album:

Sierra Ferrell – Dollar Bill Bar (Official Video)

 

The Waxahatchee vinyl is a bit troublesome but we are getting 3 copies of the indies version ( all spoken for) and 5 copies of non indies one that doesnt have the poster….2 left to sell still.

 

Jumping onto your territory here Shane but there is a SWELL SEASON ( Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova)  reissue of the 2009 album “ strictly joy” and this is what it says about the reissue

“ This release is limited to 150 copies. For 24 hours only, orders are open to Irish stores only “

So if interested please shout , we are good for 15 copies of the release…so first 15 for it.

 

Another interesting release is Don’t Look Down by White Llama ,it’s  a mixture of blues based music sometimes folky, sometimes rocky, pensive and soulful and a bit different.

White Llama are a bit of a Cork supergroup with Christy O Hanlon ( Crow Black Chicken)

Jake O Driscoll ( God Alone) and Jack O Hanlon ( God Alone… Christy’s youngfeller as well) 

Heres a tune from the album…cracking tune in fact

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv3KjONrnic

 

Christy ( Chicken) is going to be one of our musicians for Record Store Day this year … .more on that closer to the time!

Going to hand ye over to Shane now as he takes ye down the road…

Hi all!
Thanks, Ray, good rant earlier. It’s dirty alright. Pity we’re so reliant on the UK companies.
Tough about Dublin Vinyl, hope the staff find something new asap.

Reminded me a little of an article I read a few days ago about the indiustry and the use of Tik Tok, streaming and now AI. The artist James Blake was highlighting all that.
Here’s the article:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/james-blake-music-industry-economics

That Swell Season one would be a nice one for the collection. I remember the film Once, which would have involved the same duo, was good.

Anyway, another biggish one to mention is the new album from KAMASI WASHINGTON, called ‘Fearless Movement’. One of the biggest current Jazz artists. Here’s a track from it:
https://youtu.be/c8cKN1rbJl4?si=CT27wliXKCPRZVhy
Lots of guest appearances on it, including Andre 3000 among others.

An even bigger one, that was only just announced. The new album from NICK CAVE – ‘Wild God’.
It’ll be out in August. Nick is class.
There’ll be a clear vinyl, black vinyl and CD version.

Two Irish coloured vinyl reissues are coming in April. A red vinyl reissue of OXN – CYRM and a clear and green Vinyl 2 LP of Hozier – Wasteland Baby!
We didn’t get the OXN one up but shout if you’d like a copy.

There’s also a brand new album from ST. VINCENT – All Born Screaming coming out at the end of April.
Here’s a new track from it: https://youtu.be/RYJxPg6quL4?si=W8yIw31uuah5zejm

And the list of what else is on the way down the road:

Back to you Ray so bud.

Thanks Shane

 

Last one for this evening folks ( and sorry about my rant earlier….i am feeling better now though!) is Integral for the 29th March…

Right so folks

Sin e for this week

Last 48 hours for RSD wishlists

Thanks for listening as always

Ray, Shane and Young Adam

www.musiczone.ie

Feb’ 28th, 2024: RSD Wishlist Deadlines, More Pricing, a word from KATE BUSH (Exclusive Vinyl), new C.A.S., WELLER and RICHARD HAWLEY

Hi folks

It’s all RSD for the next few weeks….a couple of nb notes to start with this week.

Some orders need to to be back to the record companies by this Friday the 1ST OF MARCH so if you are wishlisting either of these two titles from SRD then i need them by Friday am latest please…here’s the note from label about it

“  The deadline for ordering RSD LIGHT IN THE ATTIC & IRON MOUNTAIN ANALOGUE titles is THIS FRIDAY 1st March.

Latecomers will not be accommodated, I’m afraid.”

Also ROM RSD wishlists need to be back by Friday am also….

Heres the stuff from Republic Of Music ( ROM)  so again wishlist asap if you are hoping for something from this list….

Republic of Music List with Prices

Nb if you don’t send us  a wishlist there is a very good chance you will not  get the record you are hoping for…

Also re RSD as regards the Warner price list, the pricing is not confirmed to us yet, so there is a chance there could be a 10% swing either way ( up or down ) so please bear that in mind folks with Warner!…sorry same applies for Cherry Red  ( Warner do the sales on Cherry red and Proper do distro…crystal clear right)

Also, Integral and Plastichead haven’t sent us pricing yet so they will hopefully be up next week!

I think most if not all of the others are up here now … .Shane will do his thing with them now.

Here’s the full lot on the one page:
https://musiczone.ie/category/record-store-day-2024/

And here they are individually:

Universal – RSD 24 List with Prices

Warner and Cherry Red – RSD 24 List with Prices

Sony – RSD 24 List with Prices

Republic of Music – RSD 24 List with Prices

Little Amber Fish – RSD 24 List with Prices

SHELLSHOCK – RSD 24 List with Prices

SRD Record Store Day 2024 List with Prices

The Orchard – Record Store Day 2024 List with Prices

Cargo – Record Store Day 2024 List with Prices

Proper – RSD 2024 List with Prices

Proper (USA Imports) – RSD 2024 List with Prices

Till next week on RSD folks…

Right here’s what’s in the siopa for this Friday the 1st March…

  

And then for the 8th of March we have

 

And for the 15th of March there are releases by



More on RSD folks….Kate Bush will take on the role of 2024 Record Store Day UK Ambassador.

Kate said today:

“What a huge honour to have been asked to be Ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day. It really is a great privilege.

Isn’t it great to see how the resurgence in vinyl has taken the music industry by complete surprise? It had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that!

I know there are many, many artists who are just as excited to see the audience turning the tide.

In the same way that some people like to read a book on Kindle but also want to have a book as a physical object, a lot of people like vinyl and streaming. Both have different appeals.

The added bonus of vinyl is that it encourages people to listen to albums. An art form that I’ve always thought can be treasured in a unique way. An album on vinyl is a beautiful thing, given a strong identity by its large-scale artwork. There’s a much more personal connection with the artist and their work.

It’s been fun putting designs together for some of the previous RSDs. This year’s design echoes the cancelled release of Eat the Music as the first single from the album, The Red Shoes. The image was intended to be on the cover of the single bag and is now on the disc as a UV print.

The title, Eat the Music, is meant to be a playful nod to ‘If music be the food of love, play on,’ from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Each year Record Store Day gathers more attention, more momentum, and attracts more people who cram into indie record stores all over the world to see what’s up. What’s new?

This year, I hope you have a fantastic time at this very important event, and that you get to celebrate music that’s been specially released for you.

Very best wishes,

Kate”

As we would say in Cork…dowtcha Kate girl .

To coincide with the role there is an RSD exclusive version of Kate’s vision for “Eat The Music” that was originally intended to be the lead single from her album “The Red Shoes”

10” white 100g vinyl, with three tracks on side A and a full colour UV printed image on side B. Housed in a top-opening PVC sleeve secured with a transparent sticker and finished with a Fish People / Record Store Day sticker and barcode in the top left corner

Price looks to be about 30 euro … .hopefully i can get some…out via Kate’s own fish people label….i need my order back to them by the 12th of March … .shout if interested folks!

So nearly all pricing will be complete then ( Pias and Plastichead 2 exceptions for now)….Uni need their numbers for orders back to them by noon on the 11th March….so i suppose i better call it….NB NB NB dear patrons, customers, friends and foes of MZ towers…please please have any/all wishlists back to us by close of play Friday the 8th of March (  i thought we might have another week but no as companies looking for them back to them on 11th 12th march type of thing) so NB wishlists by 8th March please….its actually only 9 days away to wishlist deadline.

One piece of bad news for Pearl Jam fans … .from the rep…Regarding ‘Pearl Jam’ 6502613, due to limited stock, each account can only order 1 unit. This refers to the Pearl Jam RSD release….i’m sorry we can’t get more i know there are 6 or 7 of ye out there hoping for this one…as always the earliest bird shall get the worm …sorry.

A couple of thoughts about this year RSD….good list, better pricing i feel ( the cure picture disc is half the price of last years PD) but i sense/know less quantities of stuff….so that’s a good thing and a bad thing….good thing is it keeps the day and the records really fresh and sought after….bad thing is some people will be disappointed….sorry in advance, we do our best and communicate from this tool via this tool to keep ye up to speed with what we know…it is what it is im afraid. I’m sure the customers, patrons and friends of the shop get it …you don’t want to be gnomed now do you?

Wishlists by close of play friday the 8th of March.

Going to hand ye over to Shane now as he takes ye down the road as usual….lots going on kid!

Yeah, Ray. Good busy though isn’t it. Lovely piece by Kate Bush above.
Hi everyone! Hope yere flying it.

I’m going to list everything this week as playing catch up a bit.
I think the highlights this week are the new albums from CIGARETTES AFTER SEX, PAUL WELLER, RICHARD HAWLEY and the NEIL YOUNG/CRAZY HORSE – F##kin’ Up release.
Oh and the PORTISHEAD one. Have a look below.

Also, I went to the new Bob Marley movie. Very good I thought. Authentic feel to it.

Anyway, here’s the list of what’s coming along soon:




That’s all from me. Getting exciting now for RSD.

Back to you Ray so.

Thanks Shane

Right last one for this week is Integral for the 22nd March

Sin e for this week folks

Thanks for listening as always…wish lists by the 8th of March if you are listening!

Ray, Shane and young Adam

www.musiczone.ie

Feb’ 21st: RSD Lists and Lots of Irish Releases

Howdy folks,

So the RSD list dropped last Thursday evening, a day later than our weekly newsletter.

So heres the story for now….

  1. We cant hold back, keep records away, put records away for people.
  2. We hope if your interested in a record or records to “ wishlist” that record from us…email us artist, title…. record label if you know it!…or ring us or call into us with wishlist.
  3.  We hope then ( thanks to wishlists) to secure enough stock to cover demand of our bould patrons.
  4.  Best bet is always to get in on the day…as early as possible !!

 

So shortterm we need the wishlists….we have received pricing for about half the list so far so Shane will get these out to ye tonight as well as the whole list here again:

FULL RSD 2024 EUROPE/UK LIST

Mainly don’t have the pricing from the majors…Uni, Wea, Sony and Integral…have the pricing from most of the others … .will put up what we have and update it every week … .around middle of march we will need wishlists by…i will confirm that date also.

 

On the list ( trust me I know the day has some criticisms but it’s an important day for the shop) I think it is quite good. I thought there might be a Taylor release with the album the day before,,,,but so far doesn’t look likely ( but you never know)

On the list…some lovely stuff i thought …Blur parklife zoetrope vinyl should be beautiful ( if the price is right, it should sell really well on the day) , Bowie “ waiting in the sky” could be an interesting one, David Sylvian & Nine Horses is a first timer on vinyl, Dolores O’Riordan debut solo album was a good album i thought and a nice release, the recording of THE DOORS release is top quality im told, and that gets a cd release as well ( missing tricks galore with the lack of CDS ,,,is there anybody out there…just nod if you can hear me) Electrafixion is an interesting one, they  were an alternative rock band, formed by former Echo & the Bunnymen members Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant in 1994, joined by bass guitarist Leon de Sylva and drummer Tony McGuigan. Burned was their debut and only album, long deleted it will be reissued on black and white vinyl for RSD 2024.

Fleet foxes live 3lp should be lovely, hopefully the price is ok.

Jeff Buckley & Gary Lucas could be interesting.

Other Two, The – side project of Gillian and Stephen from New order.

Prefab Sprout 12”

Queens “ cool cat” super single

Sineads beautiful “ You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart – 30th anniversary” , the Stones, Roger waters, Wilco  and many many more….its a very strong list i think…Hopefully pricing will be ok

Anyways there’s the ones I like the look of! Each to their own !!

Shane will have the price lists we have so far, further down.

Right releases for this Friday the 23rd of Feb…

And then releases for the 1st March…

 

Main week for the corporations ad is for March 8th and we have



 



 

Shane gifted me a JEFF TWEEDY ( Wilco)  book at Christmas….i really enjoyed it….simple idea really…if you are a muso, you will enjoy this book…simple enough idea…” world within a song” it is called….Jeff choses 100 songs that have had an impact on his life….from smoke in the water to dancing queen…yeah yeah ….he ties the songs to emotions at that time ….the simple part of the idea is everyone of us could do this and it would help or make people engage with the songs ( sorry Jeff, i aint belittling it, it was great)….so as you read the book , you off course listen to the song after reading Jeffs take on it….i probably knew well half the songs, another 25% knew a little and probably 25% i didnt know at all….but you definitely have fresh ears after reading what the man said about the song….sometimes it had little effect on me, other times it fully turned me on to something…undertones “ positive touch” album after hearing “ forever paradise” is one example…and i really listened to Randy newmans “ in germany, before the war” properly for the first time after reading the page or two on it….the music does most of the talking in this song.…so so eerie and sad.

Randy Newman – In Germany Before the War – Album Version [HD]

 

One  chapter I am going to paraphrase for ye and quote at the end is about a LEO SAYER song called “ long tall glasses”…..Jeff does congratulate the reader if they haven’t heard it!!  Thank you Jeff I said. Anyway, Mr. Tweedy senior had a very strange connection to this song ….so Jeff as a child  reckons this song was “ played roughly 45 times between 6 and 9pm on weekday evenings and upwards of 70 times a day at weekends “ and the ritual continued for several months….there is a part towards the end of the song where the line “ I CAN DANCE” booms out of the speakers…and his dad ( beer in hand) gets out of the chair, and dances and bellows along to it…I CAN DANCE….” EVERY SINGLE TIME”. Mr Tweedy senior wasn’t a bad man i don’t think, had a few things going on alright by the sounds of it but not a bad man. At the time, Jeff felt “ I was learning about things I would never do and ways that I would never be. As a musician, as a songwriter, as a father , and as a human, i guess”

But here’s the kicker folks…when he plays the song now as an older man who has seen a thing or two..

“ the memories of my father become so vivid, I swear I can smell him. I am with him again. But this time without judgment. Only joy for his joy. Name something else in the world that can do that.”

Thanks for the book Shane, you can tell i got a bit out of it.

Over to you for down the road ones please sir….

Ah, really glad you enjoyed it, Ray. Amazing what music can do for us alright. We’d be lost without it. Randy Newman is class!
Hope all is well with everyone.

I’ll start with the RSD lists with pricing, the ones we have so far anyway.
The prices don’t seem too bad on a lot of stuff, which is nice. Although, I hope I don’t jinx it for the Major label ones. We’ll hopefull have those next week.

Here’s everything we have so far on the one page. Worth a click and a scroll:

https://musiczone.ie/category/record-store-day-2024/

And here are the individual lists, specific to each label:

SRD Record Store Day 2024 List with Prices

The Orchard – Record Store Day 2024 List with Prices

Cargo – Record Store Day 2024 List with Prices

Proper – RSD 2024 List with Prices

Proper (USA Imports) – RSD 2024 List with Prices

Some nice Irish ones that are coming down the road (in a few weeks/months) this week.
First is a repress of MUIREANN BRADLEY – I Kept These Old Blues on green coloured vinyl.
Talented girl. Voice and guitar playing are top notch. And the early blues stuff is class.
We sold out quickly of the first pressing a couple months back. This will be released on March 15th.




Another musician with Donegal roots, OISÍN LEECH of the Lost Brothers is releasing his debut solo album ‘Cold Sea’ on March 8th. It’ll be on CD and ‘Sea Glass’ Green coloured vinyl.
Here’s the single ‘October Sun’ from it, nice video:
https://youtu.be/sFXSh5iwNYE?si=enc8Q2n2CoQRP4_3

And also from up north, KNEECAP are releasing their debut album ‘Fine Art’ in June.
Warning: Stock is very limited of the tri-colour vinyl so be quick.
Here’s an interesting bit about the album. They’ve a movie coming out too soon with Michael Fassbender in it:

When Mo Chara, Moglaí Bap and DJ Provaí – aka Belfast’s finest Kneecap – entered the studio with producer Toddla T in the summer of 2023, they quickly decided to scrap everything they had already prepared for the album they were about to record. Instead, they decided to build a pub together.

Built on a West Belfast side street, The Rutz is a community boozer, in that the entire community uses it. All human life is inside, either thriving, striving or skiving. There’s people just trying to get served at the bar or up on the stage performing; others are slumped in darkened corners or emerging bleary eyed and coke smeared from the toilets. Religious affiliations are irrelevant and the chatter is a intoxicating blur of English and Irish.

Although the pub is currently just a figment of the band’s imagination, all of the action on Kneecap’s exhilarating first album – Fine Art – takes place in The Rutz. Like the band themselves, Fine Art is fiercely intelligent, consistently hilarious and genuinely thought provoking. It’s genius is to immerse you in a world thus far unrepresented in modern music.

Across the record’s twelve tracks and the interconnecting moments between them (recorded by the band and friends including DJ Annie Mac), the pub comes to life vividly, providing the perfect backdrop for the cast of characters that join the dots throughout the album. From the moment the idea was born back in Toddla T’s studio, it was the obvious location to base the world of Kneecap in.”
Sounds class.
Here’s a track from it – https://youtu.be/dDdnqCBPvFQ?si=jerfqOxRnDiNXaZc

Also ag teacht soon:



 

Late addition: Bruce Springsteen – The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle – Mobile Fidelity Ultra Disc Vinyl Pressing or SACD – 28/4/24

Here’s Adam and Ray’s latest video from the shop. ‘Gnomed’ is a new verb!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3dJLz-N7Ic/?igsh=MWR6ZGxvZDZ1eTZnMQ==

Ar ais duit, Ray! Slán!

Thanks Shane

 

Last one for this week so is Integral for the 15th March


Sin e for this week so
Thanks for listening
Ray, Shane and Young Adam

www.musiczone.ie

#3 of ’24: MZ Top 20 Albums List and Prize Announcement, new BRITANNY HOWARD, DEAD SOUTH, LYRA, PILLOW QUEENS, ARAB STRAP, Live PIXIES and bodies down

Hi Everyone

Hope all is well out there.

Releases in the siopa for this Friday the 26th include….

 

Then releases for the 2nd of Feb include..

Album of the year polls are done and are in….big big thanks to Rick who took all this work off my hands….sound out Rick.

So the results from our poll for best albums of the year voted for by the patrons, shareholders of Musiczone.ie is as follows. ( the winner of the 50 quid voucher is Colm O Bradaigh…we shall be in touch )

 

  1. Lankum – False Lankum
  1. Blur – The Ballad of Darren
3  Sufjan Stevens – Javelin
4.  boygenius – The Record
5. Mick Flannery – good time charlie
6. Wilco – Cousin
7  The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein
8.  The National – Laugh Track
9  .Lana Del Rey – DYKTATUOB
10.  The Murder Capital- Gigis Recovery
11.  Grian Chatten – Chaos For The Fly
12,  Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy
13.  PJ Harvey I Inside the Old Year Dying
14.  Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
15.  Metallica – 72 Seasons
16.  Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
17.  Slowdive – Everything is Alive
18. Olivia Rodrygo – Guts
19. Lisa O’Neill. All of This is Chance
  1. CMAT – crazy mad

 

Then the best Irish albums chart

 

  1. Lankum- False Lankum
2  Mick Flannery – Goodtime Charlie
3   The Murder Capital- Gigis Recovery
4   Grian Chatten – Chaos For the Fly
5  CMAT – Crazymad, for me
6  Lisa O’Neill. All of This is Chance
7  Hozier Unreal Unearth
8  John Blek – Until the Rivers Run Dry
9   John Francis Flynn – Look Over the Wall, See the Sky
10   Muireann Bradley I kept these old blues
11  Bell X1 – Merciful Hour
12  The scratch – mind yourself
13  OXN – CYRM
14  Soda Blonde: Dream Big
15  Ash – Race the Night
16  Ailbhe Reddy -Endless Affair
17  Arborist an endless sequence of dead zeros
18   David Holmes – Blind on a galloping horse
  19  Mary Wallopers ‘Irish Rock n Roll’
20 Therapy – hard cold fire

 

Gigs of year

 

  1. WILCO – Opera house…..what you think of that Mick!!!  Bold of me, i know…bold!
  2. Bruce – RDS
  3. Mick Flannery in an Siopa
  4. Blur – Malahide Castle
  5. Depeche Mode – Malahide Castle

 

So that’s it for another year folks …thanks to those of ye for entering…Lankum doing a clean sweep of it…lovely Irish top 20 i think.

So main week for this week are releases for the 9th of Feb…here they are folks

A tune: https://youtu.be/iV7yWoYlDvg?si=KtrBgU_qu0YWk9ej

 

So above folks are the releases for the 9th feb….we are 2 bodies down today, normally 4 of us work on a weds…newsletter day! ( its the day we get most of the  new links up on the website)  circa 28/30 hours worked most Weds by us….but 2 bodies down today so a good few links missing, if interested in anything we mentioned but didn’t get a link done, old school…just ask us!!

I see Cork artist Lyra announced her debut album in the last few days…nice gold vinyl available and a nice price on the CD also.

Heres a tune from it

LYRA ~ Lose My Mind ~ Official Video

And my song of the week is definitely the new GRUFF song…i suppose we all think we are “ bad friends” at times…great song

Gruff Rhys – Bad Friend (Official Video)

I was accused of been ageist over the christmas, and have suffered quite a lot of abuse,   due to  the whole “ young Adam” debacle…the complaint has been taken seriously and it is going before the board this friday evening in an undisclosed location ( which sells alcohol ) to see whether Young Adam gets a reprieve , an upgrade some might say, well men of a certain age would consider it a downgrade….everyone in attendance has a vote… and i have three votes  ( its in the small print in  the company’s memorandum of association about voting rights, we are not north korea like, you have a say)

So you can await the boards decision in next week’s episode…..and thats a genuine dot dot dot folks

 

Going to hand ye over to Shane now and there are 10 or so decent announcements in the last week i think … .we may not get them all linked, but will get to them in time.

Sound, Ray! A serious boardroom vote so on Friday!

Hiya everyone. Hope all’s well out there.
Yeah, a good few down the lines or DTLs as I call them came at us today.

First up, a new release live album from PIXIES at the BBC. Great band of course!
Here’s ‘Caribou’ from it: https://youtu.be/FQMH6DDM1jQ?si=I5gMY4QwRegKA6IS
2 CD or 3 LP, decent value. Out 0n the 8th of March.

Next is a nice Irish release. A band quite popular in an siopa, PILLOW QUEENS release their 3rd (I think?) album ‘Name Your Sorrow’ on the 19th of April. (Day before RSD maybe?) CD or Vinyl available.
Here’s an amhrán:

https://youtu.be/XYbD9GzcFYU?si=9dbZv3o0ihPoqdO0
Nice grungey guitars!

And a new album from ARAB STRAP – I’m totally fine with it… will be out in May. We’ll be getting limited numbers of the ’emoji’ yellow vinyl of that!

Oh and a brand new one from guitar legend MARK KNOPFLER called One Deep River is out on April 12th. We’ll be getting an indies coloured vinyl of that.

Also DTL:

We’ll try to get a few of the links we missed this week done next week.

A random one before I go, a friend recommended season 1 of True Detective to me, I hadn’t seen it. Finished it last week.
Amazing. We were hooked. Class TV.

Anyway back to you Ray so dude.

Right last one for this week is Integral for the 16th Feb…

Im reading a book Shane gifted by Jeff Tweedy at the moment, very enjoyable…more on it next week but..

Sin e for this week folks

Thanks for listening as always 

Ray, Shane and young Adam

Newsletter 1 of 2024: Back on the treadmill, new NEWDAD, Big VINYL SALE, New JOHN BLEK EP, STROKES red REISSUE, WATERBOYS, Opening Hours and Lots More

Hi Everyone

Happy new year and all that jazzmatazz,  hope ye all had a nice Christmas.

We are all well back on the treadmill now,  I find there is a strange comfort to the routine though.

So we are back at ye for another year of hawking folks…lucky ye!

Trade over the last few months of the year was good, oct and nov the same as the year before and December was up 10% on the previous Christmas so that was great.

We had had a ropey 5 months in the middle of the year so twas really nice to end well…not the be all and end all in life but the yacht needs to stay on course and away from choppy waters and.like every year, we go again …like all of us in our lives, we go again and hope life will go well enough in the year ahead.

 

So there’s a bit to hawk today

So releases for this friday the 12th of Jan include



 

Then for the 19th of Jan we have

 

Our main week for this week is friday Jan 26th but before that a couple of bits of housekeeping stuff.

Opening hours are these going forward unless we flag differently

SUNDAYS – CLOSED

MONDAY 10 TO 5….NB note till 5 please!

Tuesday to Saturday inclusive 10 AM TO 6PM

Closed on bank holiday mondays

 

We hope to get our albums of the year charts out in the next 2 weeks….so please fill in the form….it gives us a much more diverse and interesting chart the more folk that do the form! And a 50 quid voucher up for grabs also!

Heres the form…takes about 90 seconds!! Precious i know…the 90 seconds, not the form.

https://forms.gle/cSxXk6qryLJyHJnG9

 

Anyways, here are the releases for the 26th of Jan folks…

( these folks from Galway are on our radar a good few years….nice to see the debut album come out

Here is a new tune

NewDad – Nightmares (Official Video)

 

We like Sarah here in th shop…well i do anyway…so heres a tune from the new album

Sarah Jarosz – Days Can Turn Around (Official Video)

The Smile – Friend of a Friend



 

 

Im going to jump in here folks…one of our nations folk heroes has a new EP out this Friday ….savage body of work building the man has….JOHN BLEK AND STRINGS is a 6 track ep…plenty CDs in the shop for Friday as John dropped them in yesterday.

Heres a bit more about the release

“In July 2022 Blek was commissioned to write a suite of songs about the city of Dresden by the Saxony Cultural Department. The resulting compositions were then recorded at the beautiful Castle Studios in the countryside just outside Dresden with local musicians Filip Sommer and Moritz Brümmer (The Broken Strings). These recordings form John’s 6 track EP, “Digressions #3 – In Dresden”.

 

These songs document John’s own experiences of the city from its everyday vibrancy to the ghosts of its violent past. Dresden’s beauty sits comfortably beside its history on this record.

 

Digressions #3 – In Dresden will be released on CD & Digital on Friday 12th of January via John’s own label Bigger River Recording Co.”

And here is a beautiful tune from the EP also

https://www.youtube.com/watchvjbzaBUPDIB8

 

Going to hand ye over to Shane now as he will take ye down the road as usual….how ya Shane

How ya, Ray! How ya everyone. Happy new year.
The flying V of Hawks are back on the attack.
Lots to get through today so I won’t ramble on.

Just two points of hawking to note first, THE POGUES – Rum, Sodomy and the LashIf I Should Fall From Grace… and the Best Of are back in stock now with us.

And also, we have a nice vinyl SALE on for January. You can check through everything that’s reduced here: https://musiczone.ie/product-category/big-vinyl-sale/
Some nice stuff there I think at good prices!

So, here’s the list of what’s coming down the road in the next few months with a big few first:

Oh, one that Warner are reissuing for the end of this month, THE SUBWAYS – Young For Eternity


 

That’s all from me folks!

Thanks a mil Shane.

 

I had a bit to say on a subject but i’m going to park it till next week as time kind of against me…the first newsletter of the year is tricky as bits coming at us from all angles since 2nd Jan….our bosses/colleagues/competitors/friends are back…( record companies)

Things will settle next week.

Few nice releases there for the26th isn’t there with THE SMILE ONE, the RICHARD HAWLEY live one, the NEW DAD debut, new FUTURE ISLANDS, the JACK WHITE reissues and a new SARAH JAROSZ….i probably told ye folks this before and ye might notice how the tail end of the month is top heavy with releases…the indie shops get less credit the later in the month something comes in….if we buy something on jan 2 we pay end of feb or if we buy 26th jan, still end of feb…so hence top heavy at the end of every month….better than no credit though! That was the way 23 years ago and i was way less cranky then as well, so ill stop grumbling.

Happy new year folks

Sin e for this week

Thanks for listening as always

Ray, Shane , Young Adam and Mia

musiczone.ie

December 1st: In-store this Saturday at 4, ANTHRAX Splatter vinyl, ART PEPPER box set, EELS Essential, HARVEST MOON finally, new MARY CHAIN and a Christmas plug

Hi Everyone

Hope all is well.

Straight into this week so with releases for this friday the 1st Dec….the 1st of Dec i say…holy moly. So we have…

 

Little gentle reminder kind folks , we have POLLY BARRETT and her guitarist launching Polly’s new LP and CD “ sapling be…” with us this Saturday the 2nd of Dec at 4pm. If you cant make the instore and would like a signed copy of either the vinyl or the cd , please email us and we will sort…really hope to see a few of ye on Saturday…remember 4 bells!!

Here is another tune from the record

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8TsvMSVbs

Next up we have releases for the 8th dec…

 

And the main ramble ( well its a list now ) is for the 15th Dec…( there are only a few newsletters left in the year really at this stage)

Just one thing i keep forgetting to mention is when we put the newsletter out over the past 5 or 6 weeks the site tends to crash from anywhere between 20 to 60 minutes…its a good thing and a bad thing, traffic is making it crash they tell me…thats a good thing i suppose…we do all this work and then when folks click on a link the site gives an error message…a lot will say furck that and not come back..thats a bad thing….we are trying to find a solution , i suppose go back to the newsletter an hour or two after would help us…i know folks cant wait to get at Adams video!

Speaking of videos, we will have the MICK FLANNERY instore one up soon…ah tis very good.

Right anyways here’s the list of justice for Friday the 15th Dec



 



 

 

The list is a bit shorter this week and even less next week … .and then on the 13th Dec we will plug early Jan stuff and then we have  2 or 3 weeks away from the newsletter.

The clear vinyl version of “ harvest moon” is coming before Christmas …it was delayed a number of times. There are hardly any new albums out on the 15th Dec…will be quite a lot in Jan. I felt it was a good year for music, some good albums came out , a very strong year for Irish releases I felt , which is great. We will organize our polls for albums of the year in early Jan….its hard for me to find the time for it until then.

Adam’s latest creation is here ( just want to clarify, Adam is staying , a few of ye picked me up wrong a few weeks ago) on the aul instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0ETj0ZNE94/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

You can just click on the link from here and it should bring you straight there…magic.
Just wait for an hour after the newsletter to do it….not magic.

Unabashed plug time …records , cds, laughs, hifi , vouchers ( in store or digital online ones), pisstakes,  record cleaning service and abuse all available from us …so dont miss out this Christmas!! 

 

Going to hand ye over to Shane as he has a couple of announcements for ye

Sound, Ray, thanks!
How’s it going everyone? Hope yere good!

As Ray said, tis calming down a bit now and not just wishful thinking from me!
But there’s still a few worth a mention for early next year.

The Jesus and Mary Chain have a brand new album coming out called ‘Glasgow Eyes’. There’ll be CD, clear red vinyl and deluxe clear 2 LP of it. Out in March.
Here’s a bit about it and a tune:

“Marking 40 years of The Jesus And Mary Chain, ‘Glasgow Eyes’ was recorded at Mogwai’s
Castle of Doom studio in Glasgow, where Jim and William continued the creative process
that resulted in their previous album, 2017’s ‘Damage and Joy’, becoming their highest
charting album in over twenty years. What emerged is a record that finds one of the UK’s
most influential groups embracing a productive second chapter, their maelstrom of melody,
feedback and controlled chaos now informed more audibly by their love for Suicide and
Kraftwerk and a fresh appreciation of the less disciplined attitudes found in jazz…”

https://youtu.be/x3_NOCiRbII?si=-Kn7DP5McDOXvS0M

British Sea Power are releasing a 15th Anniversary deluxe version of ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ via Rough Trade. It’ll be on 2 CD or Orange vinyl+Picture Disc. That’s out February 9th.

And here’s a few others for next year:

Ray mentioned the album of the year list. I always like doing it. Haven’t decided on a top 5 but my top 3 are Susanne Sundfor – blómi, KNOWER – Knower Forever and King Gizzard – Petro Dragonic Apocalypse.
Others I have in mind are Grian Chatten’s album, Mick Flannery and Sufjan Stevens.
There are always ones you forget then as well and remember are brilliant half-way through next year.

Anyway, that’s all from me folks. Ar ais duitse, Ray.
 

Thanks Shane!

 

Last few bits for tonight so are Integral for the 22nd Dec:

 

Sin e really for this week folks

Thanks for listening as always

Ray, Shane and young Adam.

October 27th: RSD Black Friday requests deadline and pricing, Scéal about the SULTANS agus leanbh Ray, CRAFT JAZZ reissues, new JOHN FRANCIS FLYNN, LOUIS STEWART LP and PEARL JAM Anniversary

(Hey all, Shane here, sorry about the delay in getting this out to ye this week, technical issues with Mailchimp.
Oh and Happy Halloween!)

Hi folks

Hope all is well. Bit of housekeeping to start with, because it’s a bank holiday we are closed both Sunday and Monday coming…so open  10 till 6 thursday , friday and Saturday,  then closed Sunday and Monday and back Tuesday 10 till 6 . I’m working from home over the weekend doing orders including the Black Friday orders…so if you want anything for BLACK FRIDAY,  email us or the likelihood is it won’t be here. Shane has a lot of the pricing done here now so you can have a look…and let us know if there is  anything for you…i need requests in by Sunday please…thanks!

SONY RSD BLack Friday:

CYPRESS HILL – BLACK SUNDAY REMIXES    Vinyl     €  35.00
NAS –   I AM… THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY    Vinyl     €  40.00
SOULS OF MISCHIEF  –  93 ‘TIL INFINITY (THE REMIXES)    Vinyl     €  40.00
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK  –  JUDGEMENT NIGHT – MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTUR    Vinyl     €  40.00
JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS  –  MINDSETS    Vinyl     €  35.00 

ORCHARD:

The Black Angels    Levitation Sessions    2LP/DVD    €50.00
Blxt    Just For Clarity 2 EP    LP    €24.00
Death    Individual Thought Patterns (2023 Remaster)    LP    €33.00
The Knack    Countdown Live 1980    LP    €38.00
The Mamas & The Papas     Live At The Monterey International Pop Festival    LP    €34.00
Missing Persons     Live in New York 81′    LP    €38.00
Sparks    Live at Record Plant 74′    LP    €38.00
Steeler    Steeler    LP    €38.00
The Sweet    Level Headed (Alt. Mixes & Demos)    LP    €48.00

PROPER:

Ultravox    Quartet [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]    CD    18.00
Ultravox    Quartet [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]    LP    38.00
Bob James    Two    LP    49.00
Justin Townes Earle    YUMA    LP    40.00
Charles Mingus    Incarnations    LP    37.00
JD McPherson    The Warm Covers LP    LP    37.00
Chet Baker    Chet’s Choice    LP    50.00
Digital Underground    The Body-Hat Syndrome (30th Anniversary)    LP    37.00
Terry Callier    Speak Your Peace    LP    37.00
Oscar Peterson    Con Alma: The Oscar Peterson Trio – Live in Lugano, 1964    LP    37.00
The Waterboys    This Is The Sea [Fast Version]    10    20.00
De La Soul    3 Feet High and Rising (7 Boxset)    BXSET    145.00
Bill Evans    Tales – Live In Copenhagen (1964)    LP    45.00
Jesus Lizard    Blue    LP    50.00
Meat Puppets    Forbidden Place    LP    49.00
Buckcherry    Time Bomb    LP    49.00
Tantric    Tantric    LP    49.00
Taproot    Blue-Sky Research    LP    49.00
Andrew Scott Bell    Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey (Blood & Honey Split Color Vinyl)    LP    58.00
Dungen    4    LP    50.00
Gram Parsons & the Fallen Angels    The Last Roundup: Live From the Bijou Cafe in Philadelphia, March 1973    LP    66 but 60 best
The Colourfield    The Very Best of    LP    33.00
Various Artists    Punk Goes Christmas    LP    48.00
Napalm Death    From Enslavement To Obliteration    LP    37.00

UNIVERSAL:

Alan Silvestri – Death Becomes Her (OST) – 1LP – Grape – 39 euro

Carter Burwell – Blood Simple (OST) – 1LP – Transparent Red Smoke Marble 38 euro

Chico Hamilton – The Master – 1LP – Purple Marble – 38 euro

John Murphy – The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special (Original Soundtrack)
Splatter – LP – 34 euro

Lil Wayne – I Am Music – Translucent Ruby – 2LP – 48 euro

Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS: the secret tracks -12” single, purple vinyl with 4 tracks on Side A and a butterfly etching on Side B – 29 euro

Post Malone – The Diamond Collection – Clear – 2LP – 45 euro

U2 – Under A Blood Red Sky – 1 LP  – Red Vinyl – 45 euro

Various Artists – The Royal Tenenbaums (OST) – 2LP – Olive Green – 45 euro

Various Artists – Asteroid City – Orange – 2LP – 45 euro

Various Artists – Jazz Dispensary: At The Movies – 1LP -Marble – 39 euro

Various Artists – Written In Their Soul – The Hits: The Stax Songwriter Demos –
1LP – Orange – 40 euro

WARNER:

Artist Title Format price
All Time Low Live At Wembley LP €39.00
Faces Had Me A Real Good Time…With Faces Live In Session At The BBC 1971 – 1973 LP €37.00
Grateful Dead Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA 3/2/1969 5-LP with 10th side etching, 180-gram vinyl, two-piece telescope box €180.00
Jeff Beck Tribute LP €30.00
John Williams World on a String LP €33.00
Joni Mitchell Court and Spark Demos 1LP – 180gram black  €37.00
Lee Scratch Perry & Keith Richards Scratch’d 1LP Red Vinyl €24.00
Leon Russell Hank Wilson Vol. II LP €33.00
Linkin Park Lost Demos 1 LP Sea Blue Vinyl €40.00
Little Feat Live at Manchester Free Trade Hall 1977 3LP 180-gram black €58.00
Los Lobos Kiko (30th Anniversary Edition) LP €58.00
Motley Crue Too Young To Fall In Love – Shout At The Devil 40th EP 12″ Orange & Black Marble Vinyl €22.00
Prince Gett Off  12″ Black Vinyl €23.00
Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Kahn In Concert 1972 2xLP €40.00
Rilo Kiley  Under The Blacklight 1LP Purple Vinyl Album   €39.00
Rob Zombie The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy 1 LP Picture Disc €45.00
Sia Everyday Is Christmas (Snowman EP) 1-LP €43.00
Skid Row B-Side Ourselves EP LP €37.00
Splinter The Place I Love LP €37.00
The Beat  I Just Can’t Stop It [Expanded}  2-LP Crystal Clear Vinyl €55.00
The Doors Live from Bakersfield 2-LP / 140g €47.00
The Doors Live from Bakersfield (2CD) 2CD €23.00
The Flaming Lips  Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots – Live at the Paradise Lounge, Boston Oct. 27, 2002 1LP – Pink Vinyl €37.00
Turnstile & BADBADNOTGOOD New Heart Designs Remix EP 12″ Black Vinyl €39.00
War World Is A Ghetto (50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition) 5-LP / 140g €170.00
Willie Nelson Shotgun Willie (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) 140g 2LP €47.00

 

Releases in the siopa for this friday the 27th October include…

 

 

And then releases in the siopa for 3rd Nov include…

 

So main one for this week is for Friday 10th of November and there will be 

THE SULTANS OF PING – CASUAL SEX COLOURED AND NUMBERED VINYL…i have to say a few words…age does this to you….i went to Sullivans Quay primary school ( it’s a bit of a soulless super pub now)…walked there from what i can remember…although vague memories of Mam taking me to the “ dangerous road” ( the one by Mellas shop for those from the area) when i was small enough but from 7 or 8 walked there myself ( barefooted in the lashing rain and freezing cold…that bits for the young gang …as that’s what our oldies told us)…Bro Cusack was the gaffer there the whole time i was in school there and “ the bro”  set up an “ Irish club” for the kids in the area where at night we would all go down to the school to play soccer, basketball, snooker….it was a hive of activity for a 10 year old….I went to the Irish club from the age of 7 or 8 till i was 13 or 14 and used drop in with my friends as a young adult and the Bro would leave us the keys to the school and we would play snooker and have a few cans…”drop the keys into the taxi rank when yer done lads”

One rule in the irish club…try speak Irish…if you acted the maggot in any way, there was one word for you from the Bro…. ABHAILE….everyone heard Abhaile at some point and you would trunch up the road totally pissed off with missing the fun. I have a point here folks somewhere…as i said a bastion of activity and culture when i look back on it now…load of kids running around playing trying to talk a bit of Irish…English spoken  could well mean ABHAILE…the Cork Male Voice Choir used rehearse above the hall and up in the classrooms on the top floor  2 young Cork bands used according to the Bro be “ up there making a racket” they were off course now some of Corks favourite sons THE FRANKS and of course THE SULTANS….Morty ( drummer) is from the parish as well, (his brother was in my class growing up, a sound sound lad and the smartest guy in the room by a long shot) Not sure how they ending up jamming in the school but i say asked the bro and he said fire away lads and drop the keys into the Taxi rank when yer done….little things that grow into really important things or is it just impending old age!! The Sultans reissue is out on the 10th of November.

Other releases for the 10th include

Heres a tune from the new album

John Francis Flynn – Mole In The Ground

Its only when you look at them do you realize the volume of releases….above is only maybe 20% or 25% of what is sold into us every week….circa 200 records sold a week to us….we might get 40 to 50 uploaded onto the site…a ball of work folks, all for the mighty dollar …sher it is what it is…ill hand ye to the man who does the lions share of the work with those links…Shane youre up kid.

Sorry sidetracked…

This is aimed at no one know lads so dont be getting thick,  sulky or stroppy with us….but a theme on the shop floor is we should be doing this and we should be doing that all the while as we talk to lads…we are proud of the shop, as a business we could probably do more but as a shop we are proud of it…there’s a difference in the two…we are a shop, warts and all…in fairness to young Adam, some head on his young shoulders at times, he made me aware of the difference.

Anyways, away with ya Shane kid…

Sound, Ray. Wise words from young Adam there indeed. We’re not robots like…yet!

Hi all, hope all is good out there with ye, or as good as can be.
I won’t dawdle tonight, playing catch up.

First one to mention is a classic Seattle album, PEARL JAM – Vs. is getting the 30th Anniversary edition. It’ll be reissued on November 17th on clear vinyl and 45rpm 2 LP.
I got this on vinyl off Bobby years ago. Great album.
Here’s number 4 off that: https://youtu.be/CyPMgPa6RbE?si=lvmIROQAAqCimG7w

Santa’s buddy, Neil Young is releasing a career spanning compilation called ‘Before and After’ in December that goes right back to Buffalo Springfield. On CD and vinyl.

And Irish jazz guitar legend LOUIS STEWART is reissuing his ‘masterpiece’ album ‘Out on His Own’ at the end of November on vinyl. And it’s remastered. Enjoy the Jazz Weekend folks! But try and get to some actual jazz!

Some other biggish ones coming too, here’s the list:

 

Back to you Ray so, sound!
Thanks Shane!

Right last one for this week is Integral for the 17th of November

Just on the National , i thought the last album was a right return to form…v good i thought heres a tune from the upcoming record

The National – Dreaming (Official Video)

Sin e for this week folks

Thanks for listening as always and i wasnt giving out earlier…tis all good xx

Ray, Shane and young Adam

Lots of JAZZ reissues, Limited STEELY DAN, new NADINE SHAH, PETER GABRIEL, FISH GO DEEP and J MASCIS, and here’s to a good Christmas

Hi folks

Hope all is well … .for the first time in a long time no little dog at my feet while i write my spiel.  sher that’s the way. First time ever really, does anyone know when I started this newsletter craic? Around 10 years ago id say….10 years of spiel…….funny 15th November was the day we opened in Togher…4 years ago…it seems to have flown…yesterday 2 customers in a row who used visit us in Douglas now and again were in the siopa in Togher for the first time. 

Anyways here are the releases for this Friday the 17th of November

 

An important BTW the SULTANS should be with us tomorrow or Friday latest!!
(we sent an email that it’s here now actually – in case ye missed that – Shane)

releases for the 24th of Nov aside from Black Friday include

Right main point of attack for tonight is the releases for the 1st Dec…so there is…



 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca-cyvU8P04

 



 

 

There are a few interesting ones above for the start of December … .I suppose I am personally really looking forward to the new PETER GABRIEL record, his first in over 20 years and the songs sound great….the songs being released with two completely different mixes is novel enough but it does make the vinyl very expensive…i think a lot of fans may go for one mix and down the road get the other mix.

The Nick Cave & Warren Ellis release of Carnage live from the Sydney Opera House should be interesting, nice Lucinda reissue on coloured vinyl of maybe her most popular record, big Sabbath boxset numbered, and the next one of the STEELY DAN and METALLICA vinyl reissues.

The industry we work in here keeps changing …folks ask me “ what’s the biggest one for Christmas?”….Those days are kind of gone…record companies were banging out best of this and best of that on CD for years and years….well changed now…its more tailored ( overpriced) reissues , good catalog and a good few descent releases ( the Stones, the National etc)….our biggest release for Christmas is probably THE SULTANS reissue and we will be completely sold out of that a month before Santa comes down the chimney. Sher tis limited to 1500 copies across the globe, a nice yellow vinyl and its numbered…it wont see December the copies i have….i think back to 30 years ago with “ carry on up the charts” by the Beautiful South…different world…i like this new world except for the cursed two lettered one number word! 

Anyway begs the question, where do the sales come from?…THE BEATLES was a bit of a mess….as regards the 6 lp set ( there are a few names in the book for this and most if not all of ye should get the box) is anyone else interested in it….i might be able to get some more….let me know if you are….

Nice bit of second hand due to land next week in the shop so that’s one place we should do a bit.

Its across the range of releases you hope to do the sales, ye see by the volume of them every week…but much more obair in that!

We do hope to do a bit of hardware ( turntables etc) so if you know anyone in the market, give us a shot ( did i mention, this is the blatant sales pitch part of the spiel) we only sell dissent stuff though, so the cheapest you get out of jail with us is 300 quid ( Audio technica turntable and good powered speakers)  and we have different little systems ( bluetooth as well) from that basic entry level up to maybe 2 and a half K in stock….a lot of systems from 500 euro to 1200 euro type thing…we do REGA, Audio technica, KEF, Acoustic Energy, Tangent,  EDIFIER amongst a few others…so if you know someone chasing a turntable etc, we be here folks. Any queries, advice, pricing etc give us a shout!

Some sad news, 

Adam is leaving us…. to start his own TIK toking channel … .oh no he’s not….but welcome to the panto that is his latest creation on Instaspam….oh and we have a fine record cleaning machine also ( before it rusts) to clean your records!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzgWQ44N12d/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Going to hand ye to Shane now whose wonderful EP is down to the last few copies so lets get em out the door by Christmas…how ya Shane…

Hey Ray/everyone!
Four years since we moved to Togher, feck! The years fly.
It’s a pity the way it scattered some of the regulars, some don’t drive etc. so a bit awkward to get out to us. We can do online/delivery though!

Thanks for mentioning my EP again Ray, you’re very good. I’m a bit allergic to the promotion thing sometimes.

I think I hit myself with the wishful thinking jinx again this year! Said last week that things were calming down a bit, haha, I think I did that to myself last year too.
Anyway, there’s a rake of em today so here’s a list.
Some exciting new albums in here for early next year though, so pay attention! and a good few Jazz reissues.

And for any Sub Pop fans, J. MASCIS has a new album out on Feb 2nd called ‘What Do We Do Now’ on CD, black vinyl and red vinyl.

Been really getting into the latest SUFJAN STEVENS album ‘Javelin’. It’s brilliant. Took me a few goes to really get into it but well worth it. And even more powerful considering what he has gone through in the last while in his life.
We have some copies of the yellow vinyl left in the shop, it has a really cool art booklet in it too.
Here’s the title track from it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsPhQXrRUu8&list=OLAK5uy_nZqaHLv-UgYV9xwUNiNNBv8r0XSB4AA6g

I’m sure Ray likes it too.

Anyway, sin é from us this week.

Thanks for listening.

Ray, Shane and young Adam.
musiczone.ie

Small delay with the SULTANS, ADAM has gone viral, BOWIE 7inch box set, new BUSTA RHYMES, TRAVIS SCOTT Red vinyl and the grumpy years.

Hi Everyone

Hope all is well with ye.

I hope ye think the new format of the newsletter is ok…less spiel from me, more links.

Anyways releases in the shop for this friday include…

 

Just on the Sultans release…its been done by Music On Vinyl , who are a Dutch company, it is to ship tomorrow from Holland but normally takes 3 to 5 working days so the likelihood is it won’t be with us till mid to late next week…15th or 16th Nov id say…we will email when they are in!!

Sorry!….another few days 

 

So releases for the 17th of November include…



Right re all the Beatles releases …the singles and box sets particularly …they are a bit of a mess….stuff is coming in dribs and drabs to us…we are still awaiting 12” ( sold out anyway) and i was told i was getting more 7”s last thursday but that looks up in the air for now…i told a good few of over last weekend that i would get a single for ye…im not so sure of that now, they were confirmed at the time but now up in the air….the rep is trying to sort it or some of it at least…ill update as soon as i know more….sorry now, its been messy as…

The Beatles – Red Album: 1962-66

The Beatles – Blue Album: 1967-70 (including ‘Now and Then’)


Main week for this week is Friday the 24th of Nov which is Black Friday as well as normal releases on the day…

Shane might pop up a link for the Black Friday releases….thanks!

https://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/black-friday (scroll down a bit to see the list)

Also before we run through the alphabet , Adams masterpieces are taking off on Instagram…here is the latest

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzOjoddNzED/?igshid=aHJxdzBoaTNzZW80

…i said to him last week that he is going to be famous and his quick reply was… as famous as Conor Mcgregor and ill have to start going into bars and kicking the shite out of old fellas…you have been warned. Giving up the demon drink is the safest option for a lot of ye I’d say.

 

Right releases for the 24th of Nov aside from Black Friday include

 

It’s been a sad week in our house, ah very sad week really. Our dog of 16 and a half years is in her last day or 2…probably going to the great gig in the sky tomorrow really, she’s home from the vets since last evening to say her goodbyes really for a day or two….kidney failure in the end…some dog though, some innings, will be a terrible loss to the house…a house dog , a little yorkie Trixie was,  she has always been in the house…came on nearly all our holidays down through the years ( i did moan at times as it made things very limiting) and was my late night companion every night when the house was quiet…we got her when she was just 6 weeks old in May 2007 and she is part of the fabric of the house, sher she had a great life,  Gina adored her and was always so kind to her…she is at my feet this morning in front of the heater like every other weds morning as i write this newsletter…she will be sorely missed. Sher loads of ye have been here, I’d say. As Sufjan says every road has to come to an end. Top dog who had a great life, it’s time.

 

Going to hand ye over to Shane now and he has the job of lightening the mood, no bother to him!!

Ah, really sorry to hear that Ray. You said she was poorly to me earlier in the week.
Keep the heads up as best ye can.

Hi everyone, hope all is ok out there with ye.
Things seem to be calming a bit at we get closer to Christmas. As Ray says, now it’s sell, sell, sell (what we have) time!
Looking forward to the Beatles best of sets. Wasn’t a fan though of how the record company was portioning everything out to suit their needs and claiming things were ‘extremely limited’.
Look, the music is the most important.
Turned 34 last month, the grumpy years must be starting!

Anyway! One of this year’s best rap albums is getting it’s vinyl release on December 1st.
Travis Scott – Utopia will be out on black and red vinyl. Some huge guests on it.
Here’s ‘Modern Jam’, class track: https://youtu.be/g8IvO7OwdaM?si=e4BXLAcKjqws15v6

MOTHER MOTHER have a new album coming in February next year called ‘Grief Chapter’ on CD, black vinyl and coke bottle clear vinyl.
Here’s a single from it: https://musiczone.ie/?s=MOTHER+MOTHER

And 10CC, a band my Dad got me into, are releasing a massive box set at the end of January. Spans their albums from 1972 to 1992 across 14 CDs. Looks sweet!

Also coming out soonish and worth a mention:

That’s my lot of hawking so done for the team!

Slán go fóill!

Thanks a mil Shane.

 

Right so last one for this week then is Integral for the 1st Dec 

 

Sin e for this week folks

Thanks for listening as always

Stay in by the wall.

Ray, Shane and young Adam.

musiczone.ie

July 13th, ’23: OH BOY, a brand new MICK album, WATERBOYS and RIDE reissues, class recent JONI gig, THE DARKNESS 20 years on, LIVE DOORS and Holiday Season

Hi folks

Hope all is well out there.

*I am writing this bit after I wrote everything else on these pages because news broke to us today ( yesterday  to ye but today as ye read it) ….we are delaying sending the weekly newsletter until now( did ye notice!!)  … 10AM Thursday morning … it’s very very  seldom we change the time the newsletter goes out but this week we felt we had to make an exception….cos folks there is a brand new MICK FLANNERY album just announced in the last few minutes…hot off the presses is the news….yep brand new studio album, Micks 8th studio album now….i remember saying to Mick at the launch of album 4 “ by the rule” in the siopa  in  Douglas Court in April 2014 ( if memory serves me right on the date) that he had a nice body of work ( if memory serves me again Ian Richards dropped Mick into town after the instore as he had no car with him, where does the time go) …4 fine albums to that point…agreed folks that he has 7 fine albums to this point…so that exemplary  body of work is growing all the time…class act.  So new album coming “ Goodtime Charlie” on the 15th Sept and it will be on vinyl and CD. Here’s the title track with one of Micks biggest hooks…

(26) Mick Flannery – Goodtime Charlie (Official Music Video) – YouTube

.here is more info on the album …i have had the pleasure of hearing this album in full…one and a half full listens and i think this could be in the masterpiece class…i really mean that, it sounds brilliant to me…anyway heres more about it…the news of signing to John Prines label in the states is magic…two of my own favourite songwriters. Anyways…

 

“Mick Flannery is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed songwriters and singers. The award-winning, double-platinum selling artist has released seven studio albums, three of which have reached No. 1 status.  

On September 15th he will release his eighth studio album ‘Goodtime Charlie’.  Featuring collaborations with Valerie June, Anaïs Mitchell and Tianna Esperanza.  Mick has partnered with John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, which for them will be their first International signing.

Speaking of the signing, Fiona Prine President of Oh Boy said:

“Oh Boy Records continues to be the home label for singer songwriters who are dedicated to their craft. The body of work created by my husband, John Prine, remains our North Star when making decisions about the artists we bring onto our label. Mick Flannery is arguably one of the best songwriters to emerge from Ireland’s long and storied history of writers, poets and musicians.  I couldn’t  be more delighted to welcome Mick, as the first international signing, to our Oh Boy Records family. John was proud to be part of the music community on Ireland’s western coast and I know he would be proud of this new partnership with Mick and his team.”

“Mick Flannery has a voice for the ages, a complete Master of his craft” cited by Clash Magazine, whilst The Sunday Times said he “conjures up exquisite story-telling.”  His last album in 2021 consisted of a collection of duets with up and coming Irish artist Susan O’Neill.  American Songwriter called ‘In The Game’ a “Sorrowful Masterpiece.” The record was nominated for the Choice Music Prize, and won the RTE Radio 1 song of the year two years in a row for tracks ‘Baby Talk’ and ‘Chain Reaction.’ The album was the biggest selling independent record in Ireland in 2021.

Mick Flannery’s songs are fluent in expressing layered aspects of the human condition, its flaws, triumphs, and general uncertainty.   His live shows are renowned for his self-deprecating humor, audience engagement and the ability to bring people on a journey of both heartbreak and joy, often in the same instance. “

Sin e for now on Mick folks…ta an leabhar ar oscailt!

We are coming into holiday season here at Music Zone tape, cd and vinyl emporium and i’m the first to go missing …so i’m finished up this friday lunchtime the 14th July and not back to the coal face until Monday 24th july …a week away from ye really…Adams missing then for a bit and Shane is a bit later on. Shane and Adam will have the reigns next week so catch them on the shop floor,  email shop@musiczone.ie or raymusiczone@gmail.com or give them a bell on 021 4967119 .Open as usual 10 to 6 mon to sat and 11 to 4 on Sunday. The lads will hobble out a newsletter next week as usual ( bit tricker when only 2 folks at it ) …thats it really folks….BYE …no not just yet.

 

So releases for this friday the 14th of July include…

And then for the 21st of July we have…
 

 

Main week for this week is Friday the 28th of July and we are going to start with THE ORCHARD.

Cooking vinyl has The Waterboys: reissues of their 2003 album ‘Universal Hall‘ including Orange Vinyl and 2007 album ‘Book Of Lightning‘ on Sunrise Yellow Vinyl, both of the releases the first time these albums have been available on LP format.

“the Waterboys’ eighth studio album is made available on vinyl for the first time, in ‘Seville’ orange. Originally released in 2003, ‘Universal Hall’ was recorded in the basement studio of the titular hall, a theatre and concert venue in Findhorn, Scotland. It is the most nakedly spiritual of the band’s records, all the more so for having been mostly written and entirely made in the spiritual community at Findhorn. At the time of release, band leader Mike Scott described ‘Universal Hall’ as “a record containing eleven spiritual songs that articulate – to the best of my ability – the vision that drives, challenges, sustains and transforms me.” This vision is explored in now-classic Waterboys numbers such as Peace Of Iona, The Christ In You and Universal Hall itself, One track, the celtic-flavoured I’ve Lived Here Before, was written with Liam O’Maonlai of Hothouse Flowers. The album also saw the return of the band’s fiddler Steve Wickham, his first appearance on a Waterboys’ record since ‘Room To Roam’ in 1990. The vinyl format is 180g Orange vinyl. The CD format is packaged in a jewelcase with 16 page booklet.”

  • Lauv: 5th Anniversary Double Vinyl of his 2018 compilation album ‘I Met You When I Was 18’ including the worldwide hit “I Like Me Better”.
  • Darlingside: fourth album ‘Everything Is Alive’ departs somewhat from the Boston-based quartet’s “exquisite literary minded, baroque folk- pop.”

Lastly Orchard has a reissue of Art Pepper “ ARTWORKS” ON Vinyl.

Sony for the 28th of July has a good hip hop compilation Raised By Rap: 50 Years of Hip-Hop on double LP with 25 tracks.

Warner for the 28th have some big name releases with for starters NEIL YOUNG “ Official Release Series Discs Disc 22, 23+, 24, 25” (Volume 5) via REPRISE as a 6CD set or a 9LP SET. Neil Young’s Official Release Series Volume 5 is a stunning collection of four albums that begins with the exciting renaissance that came with the release of Freedom in 1989, and continues on the unequalled exploration of collections Ragged Glory (1990), Weld (1991) and Arc (1991). In many ways, it is a musical travelogue of how Young saw the future and opened up creative worlds for the use of sound and originality which had not been used before. The Official Release Series Volume 5 is available as a vinyl box set of the original four albums on 9 vinyl LPs and the CD version is now issued on 6 CDs. Like all the reissues in this series, the albums are remastered from the best source available – original analog tape in most cases. For the four albums in the series, this is the first time they have been remastered. In addition on Ragged Glory, the 10-song original album is expanded for this re-issue with 4 rare tracks. “Interstate” and “Don’t Spook The Horse” were both B-sides to singles. “Box Car” and the 12 minute “Born To Run” are both previously unreleased versions.

Look the price thing rears its head a bit again…i suspect cd will out sell lp sets here…

Out via Rhino (Pure) also on the 28th is the brilliant Joni Mitchell At Newport on 2LP or cd.

Astonishing lady, astonishing artist…this is such an emotional , amazing musical document when Joni returned to Newport just last year….hard to not feel emotional watching this…beautiful 

(25) Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now (Live at the Newport Folk Festival 2022) [Official Video] – YouTube

Warner Black Music has three PRINCE VINYL reissues with “ come” “ for you” and “ love sexy”.

 

PLG UK Catalog has the reissue of RICHARD WRIGHTs “ wet dream” on CD….Bluray and LP formats to follow in August.

 

Rhino Atlantic has STEVIE NICKS “ Complete Studio Albums & Rarities” 10 CD boxset.

 

RBDO 2171 label  has Grateful Dead “ RFK Stadium, Washington, DC 6/” on 8 LPs.

 

East West Records UK Ltd has a new album by ANNE – MARIE “ unhealthy”.

 

Cargo has a few for the 28th July with the new The Budos Band – Frontier’s Edge   on Opaque Lime  vinyl via Diamond West Records.

Cargo also has two JOHN FOXX reissues “ the golden section” on GateFold clear vinyl and “ annexe” on GF red vinyl via Metamatic Records.

 

CHRYSALIS RECORDS has PAUL HARDCASTLE “ Nineteen And Beyond: Paul Hardcastle 1984-1988” as a 4CD Clamshell box collating both studio albums, B sides and various international mixes and a 24-page book.

RUF RECORDS has the new Eric Johanson album “ The Deep And The Dirty” vinyl.

Propers own label has John & Beverley Martyn vinyl reissues of “ Stormbringer!” with Levon Helm playing a bit of drums and also “ road to ruin”.

(26) Sweet Honesty – YouTube

 

YEP ROC has NICK LOWE “ Dig My Mood (25th Anniversary)” on Limited blue vinyl

TOMMY BOY RECORDS has Naughty By Nature “ 19 Naughty III (30th Anniversary)” on 2LP or CD.

WIENERWORLD has a brand new Nils Lofgren album “ Mountains” on CD or LP. It’s been a busy couple of years for rocker Nils Lofgren: between recording albums for Neil Young alongside Rick Rubin, and finishing his own new effort ‘Mountains’ Nils recently joined Bruce Springsteen and the E Street on an extensive world tour. While his own tour to promote Mountains has been put on hold, fans won’t have to wait long to hear the new album. On Mountains, Nils moves seamlessly between bluesy and straight-ahead rockers and tender ballads as only he can, all treated with his trademark attention to sonic detail, and unmistakable vocals and guitar. Mountains contains Nils’ adept story telling at its fnest, with 9 brand new originals and a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Back In Your Arms. The star- studded line- up of guests on the new album include Ringo Starr, Neil Young, David Crosby, Cindy Mizelle, the Howard Gospel Choir, and Ron Carter. 

Heres a tune

(26) Ain’t The Truth Enough – YouTube

 

EPITAPH has BAD RELIGION “ Recipe For Hate” LP 30th Anniversary – Red w/ Black Smoke coloured LP.

 

MIG MUSIC has Gil Scott-Heron & His Amnesia Express “Legend In His Own Mind”.

“Live album of the unforgettable American soul/jazz singer, poet and civil rights activist Gil Scott-Heron (* April 1, 1949 in Chicago, + May 27, 2011 in New York), celebrated by the New York Times as “Godfather Of Rap”. 112 minutes of exciting live atmosphere, captured by Radio Bremen in 1983, sonically refined by the mastering of Johannes Scheibenreif also available on 2LP and ltd. 2LP (trans. green) “

MR BONGO has Mr Bongo Record Club Volume Six Red Vinyl,

Last but not least then on Propers own label is the fab soundtrack to Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels – OST on 2LP Red Vinyl…great soundtrack…heres a  seriously class tune from it

(26) Zorba The Greek – John Murphy & David Hughes – YouTube

 

Universal for the 28th of July has the new Post Malone 17 track album on Island called “ Austin” on CD , 2LP Green or Indies Exc Light Blue 2LP Set.

CLaddagh records has the second album by Ronan O Snodaigh + Myles O Reilly “ The Beautiful Road” on cd or LP. 

Having written and developed new songs while touring, the duo decamped to a log cabin in Roscommon and a farmhouse in remote West Cork. Recording one song every day, surrounded by countryside and inspired by nature the pair set out to create a soothing listening experience by focusing on higher frequencies, inspired by the calming effects of bird song, wind, rain, and sea. They also sought to counter the increased levels of intrusive ambient “white noise” caused by traffic, machinery, and other unpredictable sounds arising from the worlds post pandemic return to frenzied norms. Noises that so often overwhelm our ears and inner filters. The result is a collection of songs that experiment with a variety of comforting sonic elements, including bells, breaths, brush-stroked rhythms, halftime beats, and ambient melodies, to create a sonic massage that relaxes the ears and settles the soul.

 

 Heres a tune from it

(26) Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Myles O’Reilly :: Níl Aon Easpa Orm – YouTube

 

MERCURY CLASSICS SOUNDTRACK & SCORE has LORNE BALFE “ DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES OST” on 2LP (PINK SPLATTER). 

UMR/Polydor has the next in the STEELY DAN LP reissues with “ Pretzel Logic”.

 

UMR/ABKO has The Rolling Stones “ Forty Licks” as a limited 4lp set.

“Originally released in 2002 to commemorate their 40th anniversary as a band, Forty Licks was a huge commercial success selling over 7 million copies round the world. Widely regarded as their definitive career spanning best of compilation Forty Licks is released on limited 4 x 180g black vinyl housed in a wide spined gatefold sleeve.”

Verve for the 28th July has CANNONBALL ADDERLEY “ CANNONBALL ADDERLEY QUINTET IN CHICAGO” as 1LP Verve Acoustic Sounds release.

 

Craft Recordings Mal Waldron Sextet “ mal 2” as 1LP, 180g black vinyl in tip-on jacket.

Integral for the 28th of July

 

Going to hand you to Shane now amd ill be dropping in with special news in a while….in my real time a while but in your real time you have read it already…could be a harry potter book.

Anyway Shane off you go kid…

Sound, Ray, sweet news that! Adam played me the single/track off it the other week. High quality as usual.
Hows it going all? Hope yere good.

Some nice ones to mention this week.
Before I do, just want to link a song from a band that I discovered yesterday. One of the lads (Peter L) pre-ordered it so I checked it out. Feckin class! Going to be in my top 10 for the year I’d say. Or maybe I was just in a good mood.
The band are Water From Your Eyes and this is the fitting last track from their new album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqCLosZYLiI&list=PLvsYXqtYjMYd7smmLqwE23TL4kGaeJvgX&index=10

If ye want to buy their product we can order in!

First one of the down the lines to mention today is coming at the start of October. A band I love. The Darkness are doing a special 20th Anniversary edition of their debut album ‘Permission to Land…Again’.

One of the best rock albums of this century in my opinion. Every track is a banger. Brilliant Gibson/Marshall sound too. There is a load of rare b-sides and outtakes, plus live stuff included on either a 5 LP set or 4 CD/DVD set. And there’s a limited indies marble blue version of just the album.
I saw them with my family in the Point in around 04, and then myself, Noelle and Bobby saw them in Cyprus avenue about 5 or 6 years ago. Some turnaround.
Bobby and his friend got Justin a birthday cake and it also happened to be Paddy’s Day. But Justin is vegan so he couldn’t eat it! But twas the thought that counted! Oh and Noelle and I had our wedding dance thingy to ‘Love is Only a Feeling’ !
Anyway, I’ll keep going or I’ll run out of time.

Theres a nice looking DOORS release coming in September. ‘Live at the Matrix 1967’ on 3 CD or 5 LP+7 inch set.

UK Rap/Grime legend Dizze Rascal will be reissuing his debut album ‘Boy in da Corner’ as a special 20th anniversary edition through XL Recordings on yellow, black and white 3 LP at the start of November. He was only 19 when it came out and it won a Mercury Prize. Here’s ‘Fix Up Look Sharp’

Also coming soon:

Shoegaze band LUSH have reissues coming soon too. If interested let us know.
Before I go, just want to let ye know that the upcoming BOWIE release of Ziggy Stardust the Motion Picture Soundtrack on gold vinyl is only 38 euro with us. Amazon and a few other places have it for over 50 so a good saving if interested.

Back to you Ray so bud. Cheers.

Right thanks Shane….lots going on today!

 

Right last one for today is Integral for the 4th August…

All Saints Records has a reissue of JOHN CALE “ Words For The Dying” ON CLEAR VINYL.

Wichita Recordings has the RIDE reissues on cd and coloured vinyl of “ Carnival of Light” and “ Tarantula” …we are allocated 10 copies of each coloured vinyl and as i write this we have 7 copies of each left to sell….just giving ye the info folks…

Last one from Domino Records is the reissue of PANDA BEAR 2011 album “ tomboy” .

Right thats it back to front news, great news on the new Mick album.

Ill talk to ye on the flipside off the hols all going well folks!

Sin e for this week really folks

Thanks for listening as usual!

Ray, Shane and young Adam 

MUSICZONE.IE

Zeppelin.. Jack White.. And FLIPPIN’ Hell!!!

Hi Everyone,
Hope your all well..
Man it’s been a long day (Thursday) but i’m sure ye have about as much interest in listening to it as I have in telling it…

Right so releases for today include brand new albums by THE DECEMBERISTS, YO LA TENGO, JOAN BAEZ, THE STUNNING, and JOHN WILLIAMS’ New score to The Last Jedi Star Wars film..

Reissues in the Music Zone Emporium Of Fine Things today include remastered versions of the RORY GALLAGHER catalogue…15 titles on LP… Sweet… Loads of “Rorys” around my age… The boy made an impact in more ways than one.. I know a lot of ye have wish listed to us the RORY Live in France RSD release… It will probably be the biggest RSD release the shop has ever had… I am mildly confident we will get a fairly decent fill on it but only 750 copies in the UK and here… Not a lot….. The Cork card will work in our favour I hope… But there will be big big demand for this so look all i’m saying is we can only do what we can do… Set your alarms now i’d say and no shouting at us please.. Life’s too short

As im on the RSD thing, there is a faller at the first… Disappointing one for a few JOY DIVISION fans i’d say but the WARSAW album is a goner… Got an email a few days back… Not happening, no real explanation..
“The WARSAW / WARSAW title has been CANCELLED and will not be available as part of our RSD offers. Please advise any of your customers that this release is on hold for the time being.”

Bron orm aris folks… Anyway other reissues today include an expensive import of THE CRANBERRIES Debut album, reworking / remix of THUNDERCAT album “Drank”, some lovely COCTEAU TWINS reissues, PARADISE LOST and KEANE reissues..

Video up here.. Give it a thumbs up on YouTube and be sure to subscribe
https://musiczone.ie/videos/

Moving on so to releases for the 23rd of March Warner have the LED ZEPPELIN “How the West Was Won” remastered album on 4LP or 3CD or super douper deluxey boxset thingy ma job… Oh there is a Bluray audio format also…

Warner also has the new single from the MOZ man (heard rather mixed reviews of the gig lately in Dublin… Treading dangerous ground here Raymond boy better back off… Sorry didn’t hear anything actually) on 7” “My Love, I’d Do Anything For You” any truth that the Moz man didn’t write this and that it was a bunch of superfans??…
Speaking off superfans… We had a JACK WHITE Superfan in the shop last week, all the way from Canada… Was in Ireland on holiday, heard of the listening party, sought us out and won the second prize of the JW Tote bag… Superfan, superfan.. Knows JW from all the gigs he has been to… Follows him around on tour.. Gets his plecs.. Spends all his money on seeing Jack White… You get my drift… He didn’t want second prize though… This dude queued for 22 hours to get that RSD single (you know the one…the fastest single recorded, pressed and sold ever…3hours 55 minutes… I think, around there anyway…) by JACK WHITE a few years back, only 300 of them pressed… So our Canadian friend (and he was sound as a bell to be fair to him, I liked him) drew one of our regulars out of the hat to win the bespoke 7” which was to be draw in each participating store… Again around 300 i’d say.

Comp is over and our Canadian friend offers to buy the 7” from our guy, (our guy is sound as a bell also) our guy quickly glances my way… Shit, what do I do he is probably thinking, what will Ray think if I flip it here in front of him like… I aint flipping no way… “No your grand bud, sorry”

What was Ray thinking..?

Not a fan of flipping or people who flip to be blunt and honest… Mainly because it is done by someone who has no interest to ultimately catch someone who has loads of interest… Ye know the deal, it’s a tout basically… But here is a greyer area in the world of flippin… our guy likes JW a lot, turned up for the listening party sure, likes music a lot, supports the shop,  supports the local scene… All good… Our Canadian friend is a superfan who really really wants the 7” record… Is it really flippin if they cut a deal…?

I didn’t give a flying hoot to be honest is what I was thinking in this example… I had to leg it from the shop soon after and our two main characters in our soap opera were still shooting the breeze (I think our Canadian friend was trying to prove his superfan wordiness by telling JW stories).

It ended with an offer of 200 euro for the one track 7”… A declined offer… He went back to Canada with an empty tote bag and a heartful of dreams…. Take your time me young bucko…. Man, our guy must have been tempted… 200 bucks… I’ll see him soon and find out,  if he hasn’t flipped it on ebay for 500 and taken a holiday to Canada with other JW singles…

You swear I had time to one finger type that tale… Well I didn’t.

Lastly from Warners for next week are the first seven TOM WAITS Albums remastered on CD.

Pias have the new JACK  WHITE album for the 23rd (oh no, not again!!) “Boarding House Reach” on XL in conjunction with Third Man Records (lovely, nutty note in shop from third mans Ben Blackwell up on the wall now).. Available on LP and CD… Diverse but interesting listen (one full listen at our parteee).. I have a few posters and button badges to give away to those who preorder the album with us… So let us know if interested folks…

PIAS also have the reissue of “Cease To Begin” by BAND OF HORSES on gold vinyl as well as debut “Everything All The Time” on red vinyl. Nice little album out via PIAS also next friday the 23rd, JOSIENNE CLARKE & BEN WALKER have a new album..
Track here “Chicago” from it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVyOmZfvKu8
The LP format of this album contains a Bonus CD featuring 3 unreleased tracks available to indie retailers only.

PIAS also have the new PREOCCUPATIONS album as well as a blast of reissues by SHINS “Chutes Too Narrow”, “Wincing The Night”, “Oh Inverted World” all on different coloured vinyl with codes via Sub Pop..

MOV for the 23rd have a press of JJ CALE “COLLECTED” on 3LP… I hope individually numbered gold vinyl… 3K of them.

UNIVERSAL for the 23rd of March have the the new NOW Compilation 99.. New albums by RICK PARFITT (only solo album in fact) DON MCLEAN, TONI BRAXTON, as well as a Live album by THUNDER across 5 formats, MARILLON live reissues, ZAPPA “The Roxy Performances” across 7 CDs and the new SLOW RIOT single on 7” orange vinyl (good new band…tune here)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyoUnpG_Sbs

SONY for the 23rd have the new GEORGE EZRA album “Staying at Tamaras” on CD and indies only white vinyl as well as MILES & COLTRANE “The Final Tour” Bootleg Series Volume 6…. CD only i’d say.

THE ORCHARD have the new HUDSON TAYLOR EP on the 23rd.

PROPER have a sadly timely release of PLANXTY “One Night in Bremen” live album… The sad passing of LIAM O FLYNN during the week… I think it is fair to say one of Ireland’s greatest ever musicians.

Sin e for this week’s episode folks
Thanks for listening
Ray
musiczone.ie

Delighted To Welcome Wyvern Lingo For A Live In-Store, Dealing Direct and The Quality of Vinyl

Hey Everyone,
Hope the form is good..

Bits and pieces in the Musiczone.ie emporium for today include new albums by BRIAN FALLON (GASLIGHT ANTHEM), MAX RICHTER, MGMT, TOTO,  FRANZ FERDINAND, JOAN AS POLICEWOMAN, EZRA FURMAN  and JONNY GREENWOOD as well as reissues by NINA SIMONE and ELLA FITZGERALD and a live DVD by ROBERT PLANT.
We got copies of the SHAME album back in… Good auld old fashioned punk rock n’ roll… Refreshing to hear it to be honest…. Bit of bite and venom in it… We do like it in the siopa… Sky Blue vinyl still left.

We should have the new LOST BROTHERS LP and CD ‘Half Way Towards Healing’ here today as well I hope… Direct from band… No record company or distribution company involved… Sweet to deal with it from our end though… No bother (i’d like to think we are the same)… I suppose lots of bands like THE LOST BROTHERS, HAM SANDWICH,  who could be signed and would have no bother getting distribution from numerous distributors…  Decide to paddle their own canoe… If it’s just distribution on offer… Why would they bother… The band press the record/cd…. Sell it to distribution company who take their 25/30% and sell to the retailer who does the same… I suppose i’d argue that we as front line retailers give the record visibility, play it and talk about it… Distribution only does what it says on the tin… So why use it… Now the cloat of a big record company is probably different as you will get media exposure and radio plays… But just distribution?…a band can use its website and retail shops  direct….you would be amazed though how many bands/artists are slow to deal direct though… Feel they will sell more off own their website and see no need to have bricks and mortar visibility… Again I would argue gently that we can offer something more… ButIi would I suppose.

Anyway i suppose…. Changing times all the time…. Not a whole pile happening so far this year on the release front, aside from CALEXICO and to a lesser extent NILS FRAHM and GLEN HANSARD... The shop has felt it…  But till bounce back later in the year id say… March looks decent enough on the release front and I know off a few beauts RSD wise coming our way on APRIL 21…  Come on, cut me some slack it’s been quiet, im allowed mention RSD.

Right so releases for the 16th of Feb… WARNER have the REJJIE SNOW CD… LP later… End of march I think, as well as new albums by THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT (Indies only orange vinyl on this one) and LAURIE ANDERSON and the KRONOS QUARTET “Landfall” on CD and LP.

PIAS for the 16th of Feb have the third installment of the BELLE & SEBASTIAN EP Trilogy as well as a CD release of the Three EPs combined and a 3EP Boxset also… One of my fave bands.

PIAS also have new albums by CAR SEAT HEADREST and MARLON WILLIAMS, a reissue of ELLA & LOUIS “Porgy & Bess” , a reissue on DLP of SUN KIL MOON’s “Ghost of the Great Highway” on Rough Trade, the new EP by RIDE and lastly WILD BEASTS “Best Of” type compilation… Indies only double coloured LP.

The Orchard have a new album by NEAL MORSE “Life and Times”, more acoustic based I think, a reissue on vinyl for the 10th anniversary of FRIGHTENED RABBITS “Midnight Organ Fight”  and lastly an ARCH ENEMY 12LP box set … 200 bucks or three for 600 bucks if ya want three…1500 in the world pressed.

Music on Vinyl have a reissue (I think or is it a first timer) of the NEW YORK DOLLS “Live from Royal Festival Hall 2004” on hopefully pink vinyl… Supposed to be in fine form the band were on the night.

Finally got in from MUSIC ON VINYL the THIN LIZZY “Collected” DLP… It looks great to be fair…. Order got cut but have 4 still left to sell… 2500 pressed on silver vinyl… Should be plenty around on the black vinyl going forward if interested… MOV do their stuff really really well to be honest… Well pressed (old EMI pressing plant in Holland), well presented and price is ok for what you get I feel, and their distributor has the best system I deal with for ordering… Simple simple simple…. With all the majors if something is out of stock you have to reorder it… I.e Inxs “Kick” is out of stock… Every week after I must think and do another order for it… Crazy… For feeling so blue… Every week until its back in stock… MOV have a live programme for stock where you can attach customers names to it, do whatever you want and all very simple… Never have to think about ordering it again… Once its back in stock.. Notification… It’s back in stock… Will be with your next order… Bada bing…

Anyway again… UNIVERSAL have the second album by BORNS called “Blue Madonna”,, a VAN MORRISON Live DVD on Eagle Rock filmed at the BBC Radio Theatre, an LP reissue of KENDRICK LAMAR’s “Damn” on limited clear vinyl this time, and a reissue of 2PAC’s second album “Strictly For my N.i.g.g.a.z”… Never ignorant getting goals achieved.

Ok so the debut album by WYVERN LINGO is going to be with us on the 23rd of FEB… On your radar…???… I got an email from Shane about two years ago i’d say, sending me a link to these girls from Bray… Shane probably has the best ear in the shop (sorry Bob!) and he was mightily impressed with this band… Roll on two years and the self titled debut album is about to be released via Rubyworks and WYVERN LINGO are going to grace our little stage on Monday the 26th of Feb at 5PM…. Time isn’t great I know but this band is Quality with a capital Q, and it’s a fine coup for us to get them in…. So we would really love not to have egg on our faces at 5.30 on Monday the 26th… If you get me drift like… Really looking forward to it… Funky, soulful tunes with blissful harmonies… Proper musicians with proper tunes… It should be a good one.

Well sin é for this week folks,

Thanks for listening

Ray
musiczone.ie

The Musiczone.ie Corporations Top 20 Album List,  The Voucher Winner, and the Passing Of Another (Legend)

Hi Everyone,
Hope ye’r all doing ok..
Dolores buried this past week… Ah very sad for her.In fairness to the family… Allowing people i.e. joe public to show their respects… I’d say the mother is quality.. Terrible unimaginable thing to have to bury a child (at any age)..
Mark E Smith then this week… Maybe i’ll start looking for work as an obituary writer.. It seems like it’s going that way…
What would you say about Mark E…!
One of many many stories i’m sure, but one I read was via a record company when he was asked could they use a bit from an interview of him as an intro for a song for a new band… Mark E didn’t do email so the girl looking for the clip wrote to him and asked him… “Can’t use it”  was the reply..  “Use anything else but not that”… Included in Mark E’s reply was a cassette tape… The girl, hoping for some incredible moment on the tape dashed to get a player somewhere…. C90 tape was blank, empty, zilch…. Nothing on it…. Brilliant brilliant brilliant Markie boy!
I must admit THE FALL stuff kind of passed me by to be honest… Must dig into a bit of it…I know there are 5 or 6 of ye who kind of swear by Mark E and I would trust ye’r judgements so will go digging… Interesting dude by all accounts!!

Right so I suppose.. Releases in the musiczone.ie plaza today include new (and old.. What’s The Story back in on vinyl after a long absence..) albums by CALEXICO (sounds bloody great by the way… Very impressed), NILS FRAHMS, MACHINE HEAD, BETH HART & JOE BONAMASSA, DJANGO DJANGO and NIGHTMARE ON WAX, as well as reissues by THE KILLERS, ASLAN, FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON, BEAUTIFUL SOUTH, THE HOUSEMARTINS (maybe put back a week), JEFF WAYNE’S WAR OF THE WORLDS, SINCERELY L COHEN and SANTANA.

So a nice little roster of releases for today to be fair. All can be viewed in this week’s video here :

Before we move on to releases for the 2nd Feb (spring is in the air) there is something a need to address… We have received numerous emails in December from various organisations… Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NME to name a few… All asking the same question.. When is the Musiczone.ie Top 20 albums of 2017, decided upon by the Musiczone.ie corporations shareholders and customers, going to be released into the public domain?
When, when, when…?
Not saying outright that these organisations were trying to get a feel from the corporations customers about what was good or not… But we were hounded..
Is that smoke ye feel blowing up towards ye’r bellies by now… Oh yes it is…
Anyway without further ado…

Here ‘tis like :

20. MAGNETIC FIELDS
19. LIAM GALLAGHER
18. RANDY NEWMAN
17. MOUNT EERIE
16. ARCADE FIRE
15. PARAMORE
14. ROGER WATERS
13. SLOWDIVE
12. ROBERT PLANT
11. BONOBO
10. TALOS
9. JOHN BLEK
8. PROTOMARTYR
7. SUSANN SUNDFOR
6. RYAN ADAMS
5. PHOEBE BRIDGES
4. LAURA MARLING
3. FLEET FOXES
2. WAR ON DRUGS
1. THE NATIONAL

The National won handy enough to be honest in the polls… The top 3 appeared quite a bit… More spread out after that…. And the winner of the 50 Euro voucher is… Drum roll please…
Dave From Cork!! (How many Dave’s are there in Cork? We’ve got great nick names for all our customers don’t we?)

Right so on to the 2nd of FEB Warner have new studio albums by SIMPLE MINDS (indes only coloured vinyl with an etching on side 4… The 20th album by the lads).. SAXON “Thunderbolt” on MC, CD, RED INDIES LP and a Box containing the lot, the RAE MORRIS new album and lastly the new CORROSION OF CONFORMITY on LP.

PIAS have the new FIELD MUSIC album for the 2nd of Feb again as an indies only coloured vinyl on pre-orders only, as well as some old rock n’ roll LP reissues from the likes of CHUCK BERRY, EDDIE COCHRAN, ELVIS and also JACQUES BREL and JOHN COLTRANE.

THE ORCHARD for the 2nd have  new albums by AWOLNATION and JOHN OATES (HALL & OATES)

ROM have the repress of THE LEVELLERS 3 LP greatest hits.

SONY have new album by JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE called “Man Of The Woods”… The title does not instill confidence in me… Book by cover Raymond please.. Now now.

Uni have a couple of MAGAZINE LP reissues, MUDDY WATERS – Best Of LP in mono, METALLICA “And Justice For All” LP reissues, as well as new albums by POPPY ACKROYD CD and LP, IAMX “Alive In New Light” and JOHANN JOHANNSSON “The Mercy” OST on CD only. Lastly from Universal we have a super douper deluxe boxset thingy of the first ROXY MUSIC album as well as a BEE GEES live DVD and Bluray “One For All Tour In Australia”

Just on the whole albums of the year thingy… Game of opinions I think we said in the past once or twice.. Here’s my choices..

6. Happy Abandon – Facepaint : I  really liked it, still do… Great orchestral feel to a lot of it, played it a load all year… Really like it

5. Mount Eerie –  A Crow Looked At Me : A sparse album about death, pain and loss basically… No cheerios with warm milk in this one….. But if you can take it it’s really worth the listen if only for a reality check… Phil Elverum wrote this album about the cancer that came into his family’s life and ultimately took his wife… Maybe if you have suffered loss in recent times you may get something out of it… It’s a bloody harrowing listen… Opening line

“Death is real, someone is there and then their not”

I came very close to buying the records in for the shop direct from the record label in the states but I had to buy 20 to get them shipped and just was a bridge too far I thought…. Harrowing but recommended.

4. THE NATIONAL –  Sleep Well Beast : A fine album… Plenty and plenty of good songs… ‘Nuff said

3. TALOS – Wild Alee : A gorgeous listen in my opinion… Just gorgeous… Outside money for the Choice Award

2. JOHN BLEK –  Catharsis Vol. 1 : Seriously underated dude… Beautiful songs and guitar work… Excellent

1. LAURA MARLING – Semper Femina : Top class record start to finish, vocals melodies the whole shooting gallery spot on… Highly recommended.

Opinions opinions opinions….

Heres a few more from ye’rselves with some top 5s.. A nice few reviews left by ye so thank you.. Just to note from Bob-Man, this email may cut because of the reviews taking up a bit of space.. If it does, down the bottom of the page there should be a ‘view full email option’. Not sure if it will, but just in case!

1. The National: Sleep Well Beast
This one caught me by surprise. Was always aware of The National but I never really gave them a listen, always meant to but always forgot. Pure luck I was looking for something new to check out and put on the first track ‘Nobody Else Will Be There’ and it knocked me for six. Kept listening to it….definitely one of the tracks of the year for me. The album itself is a real slow burner….like all great albums, it’s a grower. Each listen keeps getting better. Songs like ‘Guilty Party’ and ‘I’ll Destroy You’ are incredible examples of this. Beautiful melodies that built and built. You hear something new every listen…when the drums kick in on the 1min 20s mark on ‘Guilty Party’….doesn’t get better than that. The only track I’m not fussed about really is ‘Day I Die’..1 out of 12 though, not bad. This album was a nice surprise for me and has been on steady rotation.

2. Feist: Pleasure
A close second. I’m a big fan of Feist. Her 2011 album ‘Metals’ was my album of the year back then so I was really looking forward to this and it didn’t disappoint. It’s essentially a Lo-fi break-up album. The sound she’s able to get out of an acoustic guitar is amazing…almost growls. Really beautiful songs. Again, takes a couple of listens but with songs like ‘Lost Dreams’ and ‘Century’ you can’t go wrong.

3. Bonobo: Migration
Another favorite artist of mine….if you’re into electronic music. Bonobo has released some amazing albums, 2013’s ‘North Borders’ is a highlight. Migration came out in January 2017 so really early on and initially I wasn’t that blown away…guess I wasn’t in the mood. But I rediscovered the album later on in the year and it just clicked. This album warrants headphones, beer/wine/coffee (whatever you tipple) and to be listened to in 1 sitting. Some lovely slow building songs here. Song’s like ‘Break Apart’,  ‘Outliers’ and ‘Kerala’ really set the scene….he’s a master at creating beats (yes I said beats) and melodies.

4. LCD Soundsystem: American Dream
Another group (man?) that I’ve always heard about but never checked out. Something in my brainbox told me this year to check out their new one and it was awesome. It starts off so well…’oh baby’ a slow building synth masterpiece. And when the bass comes in on the second number ‘other voices’..wow…seriously stick on this song and at the 0:15s mark hear that bass and try not to move….holy shit!!! Very clear Talking Heads and Bowie influences here..so much so that friends have gone ‘Is that David Byrne?’. But it’s a solid album…the drumming and bass playing is top notch.

5. Four Tet: New Energy
One for the electronic heads out there. Big fan of Four Tet…his album ‘Rounds’ should be mandatory listening for everyone thinking of getting into electronic music (or just everyone)! His last few albums/releases have been very ‘house/techno’ heavy which isn’t really my cup of tea..a bit too 90s for my blood. So I was very pleasantly surprised when he dropped the first track from this album ‘Two Thousand and Seventeen’. An ambient style slow drum beat with a beautiful melody. He’s gone for more of an ambient style on this album and I can’t recommend it enough. Songs like ‘LA Trance’ are amazing in the headphones..when the drums drop..holy shit!!
—-

1. Cigarettes After Sex – Cigarettes After Sex
A really strong debut from a band that have taken a while to release their first full length. Dreamy, sensual noir pop which couples sweet echoey guitar tones with soft, breathy vocals. One album in and they already have a perfectly defined sound. My favourite album of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-rbSNzU_b8

2.  Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger in the Alps
A sombre collection of songs from an LA singer-songwriter. Very direct and personal, but tender and ethereal without sounding self indulgent. ‘Ghostly’ is the word I think describes it best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sfYpolGCu8

3. James Vincent McMorrow – True Care
A surprise release that caught most people unaware’s, JVM’s fourth album has some of his best work on it. It’s raw and imperfect but somehow pushes his sound even further forward, sliding between balladry and electro-soul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXo8zIoTGIw

4. Slowdive – Slowdive
A fantastic comeback for the shoegaze maestros after 22 years without having recorded together. Ethereal, hazy and shimmering, it’s everything you’d want from a shoegaze record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kB2ot1PWy8

5. Lil Peep – Come Over When You’re Sober P1 
Pennsylvania artist Lil Peep’s genre-mashing of emo/alt rock and hip hop makes for a strikingly dark record, his vacant delivery echoing the depression and frustration in the lyrics, where he discusses drug use, the rock ‘n’ roll life and his mental health. A tragic listen given his death in August aged just 21, cutting short a career that no doubt had a lot more to give.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAMgQQMZ9Lk

Honourable mentions go to albums by: St Vincent, Wolf Alice, Liam Gallagher, Fionn Regan, SZA, The War on Drugs, London Grammar, And So I Watch You From Afar, Harry Styles, Gorillaz and Marlene Enright.

Just before I go i’d like to thank ANNA MITCHELL AND BAND and THE ACADEMIC for two memorable in-stores last week

Sin é for this week folks
Thanks for listening,
Ray
musiczone.ie

 

A Sad Week For Irish Music, A Game of Opinions, and Anna Mitchell + Full Band Live In-Store Tomorrow at 1PM

Hey everyone,
Hope ye’r all well…
After quite a bit of tumbleweed chasing the last two weeks we finally have a fine new bits to sell for today.

New albums in the musiczone.ie corporation today by ANNA MITCHELL, FALL OUT BOY, GLEN HANSARD, FIRST AID KIT, WHITESNAKE, STRANGER THINGS OST, GHOST, and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY as well as EPs by BELLE & SEBASTIAN, THE XX and GAVIN JAMES and some reissues by THE SULTANS OF PING, THE PHARCYDE, FLEETWOOD MAC and THE SPECIALS.

Video is back up and running this week.. Bob-Man is on duty today. Check it out here!

https://musiczone.ie/videos/

 

Sad sad week for the music world again… Another unexpected death of a 40-something Rock Star…. And this time one of our own.
Man, I was fond of Dolores and played those first two Cranberries CDs to death… She was a couple of years older than me and maybe I had a thing for her… Couple of years older, couple of miles up the road.. A rock star at what 21… “Leave me alone ‘cos Ii found it all, 21, 21, 21 today”.
She then soon goes on to sing about being “Empty”…
I remember playing those albums in my bedroom the day of my own 21st… Trying to get a power nap before the night ahead… Excitement beat the sleep.. But I can remember as if it was yesterday listening to those two albums on my discman in the bedroom… That’s what music can do for you… It’s like a time capsule tablet in lots of ways… I remember what I was thinking that afternoon listening to those songs… That voice was just spectacular… The songs were well crafted and well wrote… Haven’t played them in a good few years but dusted them off this week and still sound great… Ah sure it’s terrible.
There’s a customer who comes into me who has met Dolores 4 or 5 times, as one of his best mates has done a lot of work with her down through the years… He spoke so highly of her…a A complete lady he said, gentle, kind, caring, quiet and unassuming, the papers may down through the years have painted a rougher edge on her and granted she made mistakes from time to time but I would believe my guy to be honest… His mate (who is fierce well known also) is devastated by it…
When you are catapulted into stardom like that… A slip of a thing from Ballybricken… Quiet, kind, gentle by nature, then this world, this industry can eat you up and spit you out… She suffered for her stardom I think like, so many more, and she was raised to see life as fun and take it if she could.. I really hope it didn’t wear you down Dolores. Rest in Peace.

 

Right so plenty of releases for next week the 26th and a few good ones also to be fair.

Really delighted to have the release of the new NILS FRAHM album on the Erased Tapes label… “All Melody” is the title… He is German (and arguably the best at what he does) so it probably does what it says on the tin… Thanks to Sparrow for the tip towards Nils a couple of years ago… Plenty piano, synths and pipe organ… Available on 2LP or CD…

See what ye think here…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PTj1qIqcWM

Another nice one for the 26th out via City Slang is the new CALEXICO album …Their 9th studio album… Fine band… “The Thread That Keeps Us” sounds A-Okay from the few bits I heard… Available to indies as a limited 2CD or 2LP deluxe editions, each with 7 bonus tracks.

Another cracker… This time a reissue from Sony is the legendary JEFF WAYNE’S WAR OF THE WORLDS 40TH Anniversary Replica double gatefold sleeve with lyrics booklet… The JOE SATRIANI new LP is out next friday also the 26th.

SONY also have nice reissues also including COHEN’s “Live In London”… Quality… COHEN’s “Greatest Hits” and SANTANA’s “Greatest Hits”..

Pias have a new NIGHTMARES ON WAX album for the 26th called “Shape The Future”.

Warner for the 26th have the new album from BETH HART and JOE BONAMASSA on Provogue on CD and Indies only 2LP Red Vinyl with codes and a bonus track with the vinyl… You probably know what your getting with it but always of high quality.

Warner now have distribution of the Nuclear Blast Label, and Universal have the Because Label… Big changes in the January transfer window… So via Warner/Nuclear Blast comes the new MACHINE HEAD album “Catharsis”. their ninth studio album on 2LP LTD 180g gatefold and CD with bonus DVD Ltd Digi, or 2lp picture disc or standard CD… New MARMOZETS album on the 26th also… Ltd blue vinyl… PHIL CAMPBELL (MOTORHEAD) has a new album, TESTAMENT reissues on Nuclear blast and lastly reissue of ALICE COOPER’s “Killer” on red and black swirl vinyl.

UNIVERSAL for the 26th have some KILLERS LP reissues…. “Sawdust”, “Day and Age”, “Sams Town” and “Direct Hits”.

Universal have the new DJANGO DJANGO album “Marble Skies” on CD and indies only coloured vinyl as well as BOB SEGER’s new album on LP.

More reissues from Universal include FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON “LIFEFORMS”, BEAUTIFUL SOUTH “WELCOME TO”  and THE HOUSEMARTINS “LONDON 0 HULL 4” in your best soccer score readers voice… You know the one.

Here’s my own top ⅚ albums of the year..will elaborate a bit next week… Time can be my enemy.. Time is a funny thing… For another day though as well.

5. MOUNT EERIE – A CROW LOOKED AT ME

5. THE NATIONAL – SLEEP WELL BEAST

4. HAPPY ABANDON – FACEPAINT

3. TALOS – WILD ALEE

2. JOHN BLEK – CATHARSIS VOL 1

1. LAURA MARLING – SEMPER FEMINA 

I must tot up the results folks… Will get out soon… That time thing again
Other really notables for me were

SEAMUS FOGERTY
NADINE SHAH
JASON ISBELL
MARK EITHEL
MARLENE ENRIGHT
QOTSA

It’s a game of opinions folks… Makes the world go round.

Proper for the 26th have a JOHNNY DUHAN “Best Of”, and MUDDY WATERS “Live at Rockpalast” CD/DVD…

THE ORCHARD have new releases from TURIN BRAKES, MARY GAUTHIER and ALESTORM, as well as “Live in Birmingham” from STEVE HACKETT 2CD/DVD job..

MUSIC ON VINYL have some nice ones coming… STATUS QUO – Collected, TINDERSTICKS –  SIMPLE PLEASURES EXPANDED EDITION with 12 bonus tracks… Nice.. BETH HART Reissues of “Leave the Lights On” and “37 Days”.

Speaking of cracking albums… ANNA MITCHELL’S album is a beaut… She is with us tomorrow for an instore Saturday at 1PM with full band… Magic!… Some great songs with some fine musicians… And do you know what, our saturday sessions are free…. Give it a shot, lights are low… Normally a cracking atmosphere…. Hope to see ye there folks… Really really do… Even if it’s to mind one of my kids.. No problem!

So sin é folks

Thanks for listening

Ray
musiczone.ie