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Physical Format-20190529

  • Published in Columns

So I've finally gone and done it. The email to cancel my Flying Vinyl subscription has gone in. Originally the intention was to do it after having reviewed all of the releases I have but, given the chances of me suddenly finding I want to keep all 50 of the discs remaining to be written up are slim, it felt right to pull the plug now. The label's 50th box was waiting for me when I got back from holiday in the first week of this month (when this is being written) and the contents were visually unappealing and the assumption is that the music will be too. The box also had some rubbish on it about your music collection resembling your coffee collection. Who collects coffee?

Everything's being got rid of one way or the other after being played for review purposes too. The chances of future plays are near zero for any of those I've kept hold of up to now (the Pip Blom disc is the only one I can think of which could well get that, or the Theo Verney one) and I need the space for the numerous good singles from my youth that I want to keep. Those won't get may more plays over the years either but that's beside the point.

Which fate then awaits the releases from August 2018? Discogs or the fleamarket for someone to take a 50p punt on?

That month found the orange vinyl going to Bad Sounds with 'Couldn't Give It Away' and 'Honestly'. Poppy and upbeat though it is the first track has no depth and is totally disposable. 'Honestly' sounds a bit like De La Soul round about when they first started. Amusing but not really funny so clearly one for folk already into that sort of thing rather than me. The duo's site shows they have an album out but no upcoming live shows.

Fur (a band probably destined to be hard to find online) get the clear vinyl this time around. 'If You Know That I'm Lonely' has a pleasing indie jangle and pacing to it, bringing to mind more the likes of Peter & Gordon rather than The Beach Boys, if we're sticking with the booklet '60s comparisons. B side 'What Would I Do' has a definite 'last dance' thing going on. It's even better than the first track (apart from the sudden ending) and I'd keep it in a flash but it seems to command good money on Discogs so on it goes. Facebook shows the band will be on tour in the UK in the autumn.
 
Citrus Heights first track is called 'Vanilla' and it's a wholly apt name. Limp and weak as piss. 'Lovers' seems like wishful thinking on the band's part. Wedding band material. Facebook shows the band have a new song out and will have played a show by the time this column is published.
 
Sports (another bunch it may be hard to search for on the web) start things off on 'Shiggy' with a meaty bit of synth. They and the previous band share a bit of '80s smoothness but there's more conviction here and the American trio would steal Citrus Heights' dates with barely any effort. 'Don't Tell Me' is a pacier, funkier affair and less to my taste in this genre but it's still obviously an accomplished track which would fill the dancefloor. The ending's a bit weak though. The band are still active online although not much in the past couple of months.
 
Last up this time around are Yassassin with 'Wreckless' and 'Sinner'. Imagine Elastica's comeback and you're in the same room as this lot. Except they seem to be doing it at half speed. 'Sinner's a bit quicker but still a mite ploddy. Not the sort of thing that would encourage me to seek them out live, on the off chance that they liven up when on stage. By the time you read this the band will have played at The Great Escape & maybe have some other new information on social media.
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First Listen : Bad Sounds - Avalanche

First Listen is the part of Musos' Guide where we tempt you in with lesser played tracks from the recent past or this very minute. Enjoy.

Live Dates:-

12 June - Field Day, London 
15 June - The Nest, Bath
17 June - Start The Bus, Bristol 
24 June - Glastonbury (BBC Introducing Stage)
2 September - Festival No. 6, Portmeirion

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