Month: September 2016

I was working on some stuff at home a couple weeks ago and got stuck in a Soundcloud back hole. Sometimes the yield of that scenario is decent or at least good for background music without effort, but that night I stumbled on something that really made me stop and listen. I’m a sucker for old old old gospel music, which is something you don’t just stumble upon on Soundcloud. And Eola was no exception – because it’s not old old old gospel, it’s some old gospel and some new “gospel” done with just vocals and looping, and it’s freakin’ gorgeous. Reading the details revealed it came from Leaving Records, to which I loudly exclaimed “of course!” Leaving can pretty much do no wrong in my book, but that’s a rant for another time. Even you’re not a fan of gospel, it doesn’t matter – Eola is doing something with these songs that transcend traditional formats. Think a-capella Sung Tongs-era Animal Collective, but less wacky. There are three tracks below, so you can judge for yourself. There is also an insane in-stock list this week, so don’t forget to check that out as well! -MLE

Eola – Dang LP
Listen: Various tracks
“Edwin Mathis White (from the band Tonstartssbandht) creates a capella DIY gospel as Eola using loop stations and vocal processing effects pedals recorded to tape. On stage or on tape, Ed’s performance is dang spiritual. Edwin currently lives and grew up in Downtown Orlando, Florida but has spent the past 11 years living mostly in NYC, and sometimes in Montreal & Baltimore.” -Leaving Records

Dang! Look at all these new releases, reissues and restocks!!!

Read moreThis Just In: Dang!

Q: How can you tell if someone is a true Pink Floyd fan? A: When you ask them their favorite Floyd album, they say Meddle. Check amongst yourselves. Not to say that if Meddle’s not your favorite, you’re not a fan, but if it is, you’ve definitely spent some significant time in the back catalog (maybe not entirely sober) and listened to “Echoes” so much that you know every single note (even the non-notes). Well, Meddlers rejoice! Today marks the reissue of our favorite Floyd album, stereo remastered from the original analog tapes, pressed to 180g vinyl, with enhanced cover artwork! Obscured By Clouds and Atom Heart Mother also got the reissue treatment today, bringing this year’s Floyd reissue count to seven, BUT still begging the question, where is Animals? I know it’s “coming soon,” but that’s relative. For now just chill out on a pillow of winds and don’t forget to scope this week’s in-stock list! -MLE

Pink Floyd – Meddle LP
Listen: “Echoes”
“Meddle is the sixth studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd, released on 31 October 1971 by Harvest Records. It was produced between the band’s touring commitments, from January to August 1971. The album was recorded at a series of locations around London, including Abbey Road Studios and Morgan Studios.

With no material to work with and no clear idea of the album’s direction, the group devised a series of novel experiments which eventually inspired the album’s signature track, “Echoes”. Although many of the band’s later albums would be unified by a central theme with lyrics written mainly by Roger Waters, Meddle was a group effort with lyrical contributions from each member, and is considered a transitional album between the Syd Barrett-influenced group of the late 1960s and the emerging Pink Floyd. The cover, incorporating a close-up shot of an ear underwater was, as with several previous albums, designed by Hipgnosis, though Storm Thorgerson was unhappy with the final result.

The album was well received by music critics upon its release. However, despite being commercially successful in the United Kingdom, lackluster publicity on the part of their United States-based label led to poor sales there upon initial release.” -Wiki

Meddlin’ – new releases, reissues & restocks…

Read moreThis Just In: Meddle

Sometimes there’s a release date with so many “big” titles, it’s hard to just write about one. This is definitely one of those days. We’ve got new releases from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Wilco, Angelo Badalamenti, Jack White and more, PLUS incredible reissues from Neil Young, Faith No More, The Verve, X-Ray Spex and Godflesh, just to name a few. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of you over the weekend as you dig for fire! -MLE

Elemental – new releases, reissues & restocks…

Read moreThis Just In: Friday Fire!

There’s a running joke amongst some members of Team Sweat about Bibio. The dude’s made so much different-sounding stuff that he’s hard to pinpoint (unless you’re a super fan). There have been about a dozen instances where a Bibio song’s played in the wild and the exclamation/inquiry “Damn, this is GOOD – who is it?” arises. The answer, invariably, is Bibio. After writing that I realize it’s harder to explain inside jokes that I initially thought. Regardless, what’s not hard to explain is how freakin’ good the new Bibio EP is. And, in typical fashion, it’s stylistically different-enough that previous offerings that I’m sure we’ll be out one night, hear a great song and as wonder who it is. The Serious EP is Bibio’s collaborative effort with singer Oliver St. Louis and touches on funk, freestyle, new jack swing, r&b, and glitch – so ya know, a perfect-sounding mix for late and later MIAMI nights. I know you trust me completely, but in case you need further convincing, take a listen the The Serious sampler below for a taste. Gobs of in-stocks this week for you to devour as well!!! -MLE

Bibio – The Serious EP 12”
Listen: “The Serious EP Sampler”
“His first music since the release of his 7th album, Bibio hooks up with collaborator, Olivier St. Louis (Olivier Daysoul) for an EP brim filled with discoed delights and funky flecked rhythms. The title is tongue in cheek of sorts, with the lyrical content covering confused loves, blurred lines, unnecessary stresses and lonely nights. Serious only in the feat of love. The terrifically groovy guitar playing is the highlight of ‘Why So Serious’ though it is almost equally matched by St. Louis’ excellent vocal delivery, which glides from a pained whisper to a wailing chanteuse in seconds.” -Bleep

Serious new releases, reissues & restocks…

Read moreThis Just In: Serious