Rufus rates Record Store Day

Ello, Long time no see! How time flys...

Anyhoo Record Store (shop) Day came and went and this is what I got.

LCD Soundsystem - Pow Pow

Brilliant! Need I say more. James grumbles dryly over a tightly wound new wave groove; as he always does. This is - was - a ltd one sided 12" which is still available in places. See Rough Trade first me thinks. Got this from Rise in Cheltenham... great shop. Bye bye Badlands.

MGMT - Siberian Breaks

My local record shop in Godalming (Record Corner) also celebrated RSD too. I popped in on Monday with my Daddy and he got this for me, a lovely marbled blue, laser etched B-side 12". Now, I heard their new album was not sposed to be any good BUT I do like this track. 12 or so minutes of Love influenced psyche. I like it.

The Oscillation - Future Echo

Rough Trade tweeted me yesterday bout this one. I don't know much about these chaps but I know there is a DC Recordings link somewhere. Bloody good Krautrock, drone pop. Seek it out as only 300 from here or here..

Answer to last post was... Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem. Who incidently my folks are off to see on Saturday hopefully.

And the winner was....... No-one! (Won't be doing that again will I?)

Rufus Relaxes

New Feature...

Guess the mystery album title using the clues in the picture. Like a quiz innit? I'll award a copy of a fine "Sun Mix" compilation that I ran up earlier to anybody who guesses correctly.

Normal service will resume soon! Wanted Coconut by Archie Bronson Outfit.... Daddy needs to get it first.

Rufus Rates...

Field Music - Measure -Memphis Industries

Hello again. I'm not too well at the mo... got a poorly tummy and botty thing.

So i'll make this quick.

After hearing the new single I was looking forwards to this one. It is a double album in the truest sense of the word as it has 2 cds with 20 tracks all together. Not sure there is a concept or owt, if there is I can't spot it. It has very prog-pop leanings and a 70's ELO production to it. Takes a wee bit of getting used to but isn't as odd as it may sound.

Every listen helps make more sense of the album. Tis akin to going on a pushchair journey to the shops. I didn't know how to get to the local shops at first but each trip out helps me to know what is coming up. Many twist and turns down different roads and avenues etc. The more I go, the more I know about what to expect. There isn't a duffer on here at all! There are many key changes and time signature changes as one would expect, which all helps to keep you (the listener) on your toes.

Go here to hear.

Very English, very literate but won't be very popular. A shame cos it is ace. Highly recommended if you like a good listen as it might not make much sense at first.

the only downside is the packaging (not a prob if you download). My little hands cannot quite the cds out of the digi pack thingy. Nevermind...That's what grown ups are for.

Rufus rates....

Gil Scot Heron: I'm New Here. XL Recordings

Charlie Alex March: In The End. LOaf Recordings

He's says I'm new here...me too, although he looks a little older than me. I was going to rate this a week or so ago but didn't because it came with some listening instructions (and I'm a stickler for doing things properly).

They read:

LISTEN TO IT FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER OPTIMUM CONDITIONS.Not in your car or on a portable player through a headset. (OK..Dad fire up the separates!)

Take it home. (Check)

Get rid of all distractions, (even him or her). (Seems harsh...Mum! Dad! Be Gone!!)

Turn off your cell phone. (I don't have one)

Turn off everything that rings or beeps or rattles or whistles. (MY TOYS!!!!!)

Make yourself comfortable. (Just had a nappy change so should be ok)

Play your CD. (We're off)

LISTEN all the way through.(Done)

Think about what you got. (Here goes...stick with me)

"There Will Be Blood" is a fabulous film, really engrossing, fantastic performances, beautifully shot and realised. Most grown ups love it, my uncle specially. One of the best films I've seen (Although I wasn't allowed to see the scene with the bowling alley...and I love bowling.Ho-Hum...anyhoo...). My point is this. Will I ever watch it again? Probably not. Tis a fantastic example of how to make a great, great film but I've watched "The Gremlins" loads more; and will no doubt again. Back to those instructions.

Think about who would appreciate this investment. (Not sure really, Fans obviously)

Decide if there is someone to share this with.( Nope)

Turn it on again. (OK but I won't change my mind. EDIT:Nope)

Enjoy Yourself. (You are kidding ain't ya?)

I want to recommend this but alas I cannot . It's pretty difficult for me to rate as he is great and his voice sounds awesome. The sparse (Rubin meets Burial) production really suits the generally down beat and world weary feel of the worthwhile messages hidden within. Go to here to buy if you like to buy... And what do I know anyways. I'm only a baby.

PS. On more positive note daddy tried me on some Charlie Alex March. In particular, a cover of Daniel Jonhston's "True love will find you...". Nice enough. Simply sung with a natty little string arrangement, but the gem is a ditty called "When the clouds clear". Truly special and splendid in equal measure, ambient, woody, home-made, not lo-fi, gorgeous and lovely. This is a fantastic EP and a great taster of what is to follow on his debut (released about now me thinks).

Buy the EP here.

Cannot wait!

Need pocket money...

Shoot! I don't get any!

I MEAN IT!

These New Puritans - Hidden

Well.... Scared me a bit this. All rigid sounding and spooky words. After the soft classical opening of Time Xone it went all Bang bang. I'm only 5 months old and have not heard anything like this before. If Oliver Postgate made a series about a post-apocalyptic Croydon wasteland inhabited by Flumps.... This is the soundtrack.....but the Flumps would have to die. This is bleak doomy stuff which you could dance to only if you were mental. I'm not really making this sound like a recommendation am I? There is lot's of Philip Glass bits,Talk Talk bits, Burial bits, RZA bits bloody hell... now there are scary older children singing...Is this lift music for the Overlook hotel?

HELP DADDY!

If you like the sound of this go here and have a listen. My daddy thinks this is brill (make of that what you will.

Dad put the F#@k Buttons back on cos that was wicked!

Rufus Rates

Subway - Subway 2 - Soul Jazz Records

Good this! Matched my cardigan and everything. Sort of wobbly Kraut, DFA-ish dance stuff. Alright alright...my dad likes this type of thing and I have to say it is not normally my bag but this is different. The music on this disc seemed to have a purpose and direction not usually found on other such stuff like this. My fave track -Simplex- is an analogue fetishists dream (Whoa! what does that mean?) and purveyors of old synths will like to play "Guess the keyboard" while listening.

The only slight downside to this record is the production. As warm and dusty as it is...it's all a bit close together. Now i'm no expert cos i'm only a baby but some distance between the low wobbles and high notes would have been very beneficial and resulted in a more dynamic listen. I also fell asleep by track 5 ..... Not in a bad way! Tis soothing stuff!

Gotta go... I've filled my nappy.

Buy here

Rufus Rates....

And you will know us by the trail of dead - Source Tags & Codes - Interscope

I recently went through some of my dads' old cd's and came across this. I liked the cover. On first listen I was drawn to the buzz and chaotic melodies....not too far removed from Sonic Youth (Whom I also like). On repeated listening however the likes of Nirvana (obviously), The Van Pelt and also classic 70's British Punk came to mind; all done with a more progressive leaning. I really like it. Like a grunge Muse... not a bad thing in my book.

Buy if you find here

Right I'm off.

Until next time....

PEAS!

The XX

The XX - XX (Young Turks)

Quick review...

Sparse, soulful, seductive and very simple. Bloody good.

Enjoy it now before it gets played to death.

The beauty of tapes.

I had a Talk Talk album (Spirit of Eden) recorded on the reverse side of the first Seal album when i was little and the two totally different acts are strangely linked forever more in my mind. Perhaps they should make 2 sided cd's...or not.

Simply because you have to....

Disc 1: “This Disc”

1. Dirty Projectors and David Byrne - “Knotty Pine”
2. The Books ft. Jose Gonzalez - “Cello Song”
3. Feist and Ben Gibbard - “Train Song”…….uh oh, Zooey Deschanel better watch out!
4. Bon Iver - “Brackett WI”
5. Grizzly Bear - “Deep Blue Sea”
6. The National - “So Far Around The Bend”
7. Yeasayer - “Tightrope”
8. My Brightest Diamond - “Feeling Good”
9. Kronos Quarter - “Dark Was The Night”
10. Antony with Bryce Dessner - “I Was Young When I Left Home”
11. Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner - “Big Red Machine”
12. The Decemberists - “Sleepless”
13. Iron & Wine - “Stolen Houses (Die)”
14. Grizzly Bear and Feist - “Service Bell”… Feist sure is getting around these days.
15. Sufjan Stevens - “You Are The Blood”

Disc 2: “That Disc”

1. Spoon - “Well Alright”
2. Arcade Fire - “Lenin”
3. Beirut - “Mimizan”
4. My Morning Jacket - “El Caporal”
5. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - “Inspiration Information”
6. Dave Sitek - “With A Girl Like You”
7. Buck 65 Remix ft. Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti - “Blood Pt. 2″
8. The New Pornographers - “Hey Snow White”
9. Yo La Tengo - “Gentle Hour”
10. Cat Power - “Amazing Grace”
11. Riceboy Sleeps - “Happiness”
12. Stuart Murdoch - “Another Saturday”
13. Andrew Bird - “The Giant of Illinois”
14. Conor Oberst with Gillian Welch - “Lua”
15. Blonde Redhead & Devastations - “When The Road Runs Out”
16. Kevin Drew - “Love vs. Porn”

And it on the fine 4AD label... top!

Here

And it's for a good cause.. Yippee!

Info here

Stupid rules.

Check this :-)

Flipping hilarious and infuriating in equal measure.

The white stuff. No...not that silly.

UK has snow shocker! We don't know what to do!

God...we're embarrassing.

At least the cats are used to it now.

R.I.P. Lux Interior

It's alive!

Revived by Clough Jnr, the mighty Derby County rose again. Party like it's going out of fashion.

Quietly though...it's a week night.

Suitable song vis Hype Machine is this.

Pic from Here.

I've been away but now i'm....

Back.

Been in a state of stasis recently whilst journeying through the universe of new sounds...some good; but mostly tres ordinary.

My soundtrack has been...
Dalglish - Ideom (recordlabelrecords)

Monolithic, mental, steam-powered, digitally perverse. polanski-esque, menacing trip switch flicked, mice in a machine, rattling...........
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((System off line))

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.Normal service will resume asap.

How do!

OMD - Dazzle ships

Histrionic singing and glacial synths are my bag. So i got hold of this recently and can't stop playing it.

My dad had a copy on tape when i was little and he really liked it, so i suppose i was a bit put off it due to his approval. It's taken about 25 years for me to finally listen without predjudice (Insert your own Georgfe Michael joke here).

Great electronic melodies with real drums in the mix and some sensitive warbling and radio snippets interspersed (not spelt that before).

Tis like a poppier Kraftwerk.

Or a more mature Fisherspooner.

LCD Soundsystem must have been influenced.

Anyhoo! Have a listen to some other OMD stuff too!

OMD - Electricity

OMD - Messages

Have A Nice Life - Deathconsciousness

"Contextually awe-inspiring, a lo-fi masterpiece" according to sputnikmusic.com

"Bloody brilliant!" according to me!

There is a lot i could say about this but....i won't. The music should do the talking for me.
Anyhoo if you like downbeat MBV, Godspeed style Joy Division-esque doom mongering (like i do) buy this.

I did.

From here.

or here.

If you buy the cd you also get a book written by them and some other chap they know.

Have a Nice Life - Bloodhail
Have a Nice Life - I Don't Love

Myspace

I just asked Justice a question..

on BBC 6 music radio.

"Dear Justice if i had to buy a cd today, what would it be?"

This was there answer

Sparks - Number One Song In Heaven !?

I know it was Moroder produced but.......C'mon

(Actually tis very good)

Let's wrestle - I Won't Lie To You

This is top.

Buy new 6 track cd from HERE

Listen HERE

A Ceratin Ratio Early - Soul Jazz Comp

Worth getting cos they is ace!

From Here!

Fluorescent Grey - Gaseous Opal Orbs

Right let's get this sorted. I'm not much of a fan of anything that presents itself as "science" as this cos what usually occurs is a terrible Future Sound of London-esque stinker so I was not looking forward to this one due to it's flabby Ufo-Orbish sounding title. I won't tell you the track titles as Pink Floyd may sue.

Also it said in the press release that it should be filed under "Strange Electronic Music" (??!!) or "Experimental" (Double ??!!) What isn't nowadays.

So I took a step back from the tie-dye packaging and dodgy wordplay (Like i can talk) and used my ears.

It's really lovely! It is not experimental cos it ain't improvised. The varied sounds are clipped, stretched and manipulated quite beautifully. The production is excellent and has that Kompact sound (The Field, Gui Borratta etc) though obviously not as kraut. The experience reminds me of Pantha Du Prince and the Animal Collective eating sherbert together with the Gescom crew barging in and necking lots of cheap wine. What a party!!

Lot's of sonic pieces all cleverley stitched together to create a warm, intriguing and rewarding listenable listen.

Fluorescent Grey - Gaseous Opal Orbs : Out 29Th Feb on Record Label Records