Rock — All Formats  

Nick Drake's second album, and a fantastic batch of jazz-tinged folksy tracks that's virtually unlike anything else ever done on this planet! The compositions are amazing, and Drake's execution of the material is masterfully produced by Joe Boyd, who brings out all the rich tonal qualities of the music. Drake's work is impossible to describe adequately, but if you've ever heard him, you probably stopped dead in your tracks the minute you first caught his voice. We still do the same – and it's a pleasure to have this one in stock! Titles include "Fly", "At The Chime Of A City Clock", "Hazy Jane", "Poor Boy", and "One Of These Things First".

A great solo record from Donald Fagen – tightly anchored by the best of his elegant jazz funk tendencies – and one that we're comfortable calling his best since The Nightfly! Shoot, we'll even go one step further and call this the best Steely Dan-related record since Two Against Nature. Sunken Condos is co-produced by frequent latter-day Dan collaborator Michael Leonhart, who put out a terrific record of his own on Truth & Soul a couple years prior, on top of serving as a go-to horn player for team Truth & Soul over the years. It's possible that working with a relatively youthful producer (Leonart was born the year that Pretzel Logic came out) has pushed Donald to raise the bar a bit, or perhaps he's been off the road long enough to take his time and deliver a stronger album in 2012. Whatever the reason – it's great stuff! They've put together a top notch studio band (naturally), and the slick groove sounds natural here, rather than shined to a high gloss, ala most Steely Dan and solo projects from Aja onward. We're so deep "in the tank" when it comes to Steely Dan that we're a pretty easy mark, but honestly, we can set aside our lifelong fandom to objectively tell you how good this one is! Titles include "Slink Thing", "I'm Not The Same Without You", "Memorabilia", "Weather In My Head", "The New Breed", "Out Of The Ghetto", "Miss Marlene", "Good Stuff" and "Planet D'Rhond A".

A wonderful little record – one that's much richer and more compelling than you might expect from ESP Record's billing of Mij as a "Yodeling Astrologer"! The album's very heavy on reverb – used to really wonderful effect to expand and abstract the sounds created by Mij on vocals and guitar – recorded here without any other instrumentation at all, but spilling out wonderfully in the wide space of the studio with a tremendous sort of force. There's a flowing brilliance to the record that recalls the sound of Tim Buckley's music – but with some of the darker elements of Tom Rapp – although in the end, Mij's music sounds nothing like either – but would sit equally well in a collection that included both. Titles include "Little Boy", "Door Keys", "Planet Of A Flower", "Never Be Free", "Look Into The Knight", "Two Stars", "Grok", and "Romeo & Juliet".

A stunner from the Scott Walker – and possibly the most archly-dramatic, unique and alluring work he'd done up to this point! Since Scott Walker albums have become once per decade events, a lot more is at stake with each one, and it's nothing short of amazing that he manages to get more and more exciting with each effort. The Drift finds Scott tackling obscure historical drama, his pop-operatic vibrato as chilling as ever – backed up by his long-relied upon backdrop of string arrangements, guitars, drums and keys – along with (way) off-kilter percussion. But the sounds made with those tried-and-true materials are often unprecedented, either from Scott or anyone else on the planet. The voice wails with authority, the backing is often quiet and subtle until the ever-approaching gail swoops in and carries you away. We could probably write a book about this album (and someone undoubtably will) – so we'll leave you to pick it up and experience it for yourself! Tracks include "Cossacks Are", "Clara", "Jesse", "Jolson And Jones", "Cue","Buzzers", "Psoriatic", "The Escape" and "A Lover Loves".

Weird work from Wicked Witch – tunes that are half funky, half punky – with a mysterious sound that's all their own! At some level, Wicked Witch might be an offshoot of the P-Funk empire – a lost mission to a dark planet way out in the galaxy – trapped out there on their own, and slowly losing touch with the original groove of the Mothership as they mess around with heavy basslines, spacey keyboards, and some very stark rhythms – sometimes played live, sometimes from a drum machine. There's a bit of vocals in the mix, but they're usually second-tier next to the rhythms – which themselves take plenty of weird twists and turns. Billed as "evil psycho machine funk" – which is a pretty accurate description! Titles include "Fancy Dancer", "Erratic Behaviour", "X Rated", "Vera's Back", and "Electric War (inst)". CD features bonus tracks "Fancy Dancer (previously unreleased rmx)", and "Electric War (voc)".

A classic set from this massively underrated singer/songwriter! Paul Williams was definitely at the height of his mainstream popularity by the time of this set – with endless appearances on countless TV shows, not to mention work in The Planet Of The Apes films – yet the record's got a nicely personal feel at times – still that fragile intimacy that's always made Paul's recordings of his music so great! A few cuts definitely show a bit more swagger than before – the growing Williams public persona, although not yet at Paradise Phantom level – but it's the gentler tunes that really stand out best, including Paul's own readings of "Rainy Days & Mondays" and "You & Me Against The World". Other titles include "Born To Fly", "You Know Me", "That's What Friends Are For", "Inspiration", "What Would They Say", and "In The Beginning".

Yes, that's right – THE Paul Williams: the short blonde guy who was a bit of a celebrity in the early 70s, showing up on countless variety and talk shows, and even making an appearance in the later Planet Of The Apes movies. Despite Williams' short stature and strange looks, he was actually a heck of a songwriter – and this brilliant album is a soft rock masterpiece that more than proves that fact, put together with some simple smooth LA arrangements, mostly done in small group format, and occasionally handled by jazz musicians Tom Scott and David Spinozza. A number of songs were co-written with the great Roger Nichols – and the album includes Williams' fantastic versions of the hits "We've Only Just Begun" and "An Old Fashioned Love Song" – plus the tracks "Waking Up Alone", "I Never Had It So Good", "That's Enough For Me", and "When I Was All Alone".

A wonderful snapshot of the late 60s/early 70s underground rock scene in Vancouver! The original album was put together as a benefit for the Cool Aid House – a shelter for homeless youth in Vancouver, and no doubt a haven for hippie culture at the time. The album was and is a vital document of the scene – touching on the freedom-seeking vibe of the time in the lyricism, but free of hippie rock cliché –it's great stuff! Sunny and loose harmonies, deft acoustic and electric instrumentation, creative and inviting music from Spring, Route Nine, Mock Duck, Papa Bear's Medicine Show, Black Snake, Mock Duck and others. Includes "Girl Of The Night Suite" by Route Nine, "The Reason" and "Catfish" by Black Snake, "Do Re Me" by Mock Duck, "Gardens And Flowers" by Hydro Electric Streetcar and more. This beautiful joint effort reissue from Light In The Attic and Lion includes a bonus second LP of material! 9 on LP2: "Borrowed Song" by Mock Duck, "Wordplay" by Spring, "Carousel" by Black Snake, "The Planet Man" by Greydon Moore and Leo Jung and more.

Nick Drake's second album, and a fantastic batch of jazz-tinged folksy tracks that's virtually unlike anything else ever done on this planet! The compositions are amazing, and Drake's execution of the material is masterfully produced by Joe Boyd, who brings out all the rich tonal qualities of the music. Drake's work is impossible to describe adequately, but if you've ever heard him, you probably stopped dead in your tracks the minute you first caught his voice. We still do the same – and it's a pleasure to have this one in stock! Titles include "Fly", "At The Chime Of A City Clock", "Hazy Jane", "Poor Boy", and "One Of These Things First".

Devo brings their classic theory of De-Evolution to the Spuds of Seattle in 1981 – right around the time of the group's popular peak! Devo archivist Michael Pilmer (of Devo-Obsesso, ground zero for all things Devo on the web) purportedly found the tapes in a shoebox full of cassettes in Bob No 2’s home some years ago, which he immediately transferred it to DAT – and now we have this terrific document of Devo on the New Traditionalists tour. The set features a good portion of tracks from that album as well as live favorites from their earlier albums that are amazing to this day! Includes "Going Under", "Through Being Cool", "Jerkin' Back N' Forth", "Soft Things", "Planet Earth", "Whip It", "Super Thing", "Mongoloid", "Jocko Homo", "Smart Patrol/Mr DNA", "Girl You Want", "Gut Feeling", "Gates Of Steel", "Beautiful World", "Working In A Coalmine" and more.

Quite possibly the greatest moment of genius ever from Black Sabbath – and a genre-changing record that influenced generations! The group are at their lean, raw best here – free from any cliches at all, and working in an incredibly heady brew of fuzzy guitar, romping bass, and dark drums – all topped by the instantly recognizeable screech of the young Ozzy Osborne! Guitarist Tony Iommi virtually redefines rock use of the guitar with this record alone – and the Oz follows suit with some of the creepiest vocals set to record ever. Titles include the classics "Paranoid" and "Iron Man", plus "War Pigs", "Planet Caravan", "Electric Funeral", "Hand Of Doom", and "Rat Salad".

The early 70s glam masterpiece from T Rex – setting the standard for the sounds to come – and pop landmark status aside, it's probably the best album Bolan, Mickey Finn and the group ever cut! On Electric Warrior, T Rex resurrects the primitive spirit of the seediest rock of their predecessors, with a sound that's loud and anthemic. They hide sax, fluegelhorn and classical-styled strings under loud guitars, making this some of prettiest sleaze of the 70s! Classic! This limited 6X7 inch box set version essentially turns this classic album into a jukebox – and features the B-Side bonus track "Raw Rump". Includes the classics "Jeepster", "Bang A Gong (Get It On)", "Life's A Gas", "Monolith", "Planet Queen, "Girl" and more.

Weird work from Wicked Witch – tunes that are half funky, half punky – with a mysterious sound that's all their own! At some level, Wicked Witch might be an offshoot of the P-Funk empire – a lost mission to a dark planet way out in the galaxy – trapped out there on their own, and slowly losing touch with the original groove of the Mothership as they mess around with heavy basslines, spacey keyboards, and some very stark rhythms – sometimes played live, sometimes from a drum machine. There's a bit of vocals in the mix, but they're usually second-tier next to the rhythms – which themselves take plenty of weird twists and turns. Billed as "evil psycho machine funk" – which is a pretty accurate description! Titles include "Under Your Spell", "Fancy Dancer", "Erratic Behaviour", "X Rated", "Vera's Back", and "Electric War (inst)".

An amazing rare chapter of the late 60s Tropicalia saga – from the genius composer responsible for some of the most pivotal arrangements of the era! Rogerio Duprat's talent grew as a cellist with some of the most respected symphony orchestras of Brazil before he went into soundtrack work – eventually meeting Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. He did some arranging for Gilberto, leading to his arrangements on the landmark 1967 Tropicalia album featuring the giants of the era. This rare and incredible album followed in '68 – an adventurous batch of tunes with deep, profound love for sunshine/easy psychedelia! It's as gorgeously arranged as work by Van Dyke Parks, Brian Wilson and just about anyone else from any continent on the planet at the time! Os Mutantes contribute vocals to several tracks – and the set list harmoniously melds tunes popularized by the Beatles, the Cowsills, Jobim, Veloso and Gil – in a way that really follows in the spirit of the Tropicalia anthem "Baby", in the way that it recasts American and English late 60s pop ideals with a strange reconstructed Brazilian twist! Tracks include "Judy In Disguise", "Honey/Summer Rain", "Cancao Para Ingles Ver B Chiquita Bacana", "Canto Chorado/Bom Tempo/Lapinha", "Chega De Saudade", "Baby", "Cinderella Rockefella", "Lady Madonna", and "The Rain The Park & Other Things".

What can we say? This is one of the greatest albums of all time! The record's got a sound that's completely unique – as crack LA garage punk rock meets Hollywood baroque production, and the result is an amazing bit of loud guitar noise backed by strings and horns, all graced by the godlike vocals of the great Arthur Lee. Forever Changes is a milestone in rock – an incredibly bleak document about insanity, escape, and the coming revolution that never happened. Think of all the best moments of Wild In The Streets, Zabriske Point, and Invocation of My Demon Brother rolled into one – and you'll only have a tiny slice of the picture! A record that will haunt us until the day we die – filled with incredible songs like "Alone Again Or", "Old Man", "Daily Planet", "Red Telephone", and "Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark & Hilldale".