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| van der Graaf Generator - H to He
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(Charisma CAS-1027 UK-76 VG+ 300:-)
Like most 70s progressive rock bands, VDGG thrive on complexity. The arrangements on this particular album are by no means clinical or mathematical, but each song has a somewhat irregular and meandering dramatic arc.
The music is dominated by Peter Hammill's distinct vocals and the sometimes spacey organ of Hugh Banton. The album also features a guest appearance from King Crimson's Robert Fripp.
3rd UK pressing.
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| Van Halen - For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
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(Warner Bros 7599-26594-1 EU-91 VG+ 1000:-)
Van Halen formed in Pasadena, California in 1974 by Dutch brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of the Van Halens (guitar and drums, respectively); vocalist David Lee Roth; and bassist/vocalist Michael Anthony. In 1985, Roth left the band to embark on a solo career and was replaced by former Montrose lead vocalist Sammy Hagar.
"For Unknown Carnal Knowledge" was the third release Sammy Hagar performed on. Fighting against censorship with the "subtle" acronym title, this in-your-face album spawned hits and marks a must-have moment in the lifespan of a great rock band.
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| Watt, Mike - Ball-Hog Or Tugboat?
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(Columbia C2-66464 US-95 VG+ 400:-)
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter - co-founder of the rock bands Minutemen, Dos, and fIREHOSE.
This is a mid-90s classic. Those who are making it nowadays in rock and pop cannot match that eras experimentalism, creativity, quirkiness, humor, freshness. Cynicism, rage, and sensuality have now poisoned the hearts of youth. This is when rock was still fun.
US pressing on BLUE vinyl.
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| White, Tony Joe - Closer to the Truth
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(Remark 511386-1 EU-91 EX 500:-)
Tony Joe White was an American swamp rock singer, songwriter and guitarist. He was best known for his song 'Polk Salad Annie'.
"Closer to the Truth" marked White's return to recording, after years working solely as a songwriter. The songs "Steamy Windows" and "Undercover Agent for the Blues" were originally written for Tina Turner, and were previously recorded by her for her album "Foreign Affair", featuring White on guitar.
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| Who - Sell Out
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(Track 613.002 UK-67 VG+ 1000:-)
An incredible album – and one of the most revolutionary rock albums of the late 60s!
The Who recorded this one as a tribute to mainstream radio at the time – linking together some solid stand alone tunes with shorter, wittier tracks that were recorded as commercials for products that included baked beans, acne cream, and deodorant – as well as cool announcer bits too! The end result is one of the most sonically complex records issued by a mainstream rock act of the time – sort of like The Who said "yeah, everyone's trying to copy Sgt Peppers with big arrangements, but we'll take this concept album thing in a whole new direction!". Brilliant all the way through!
No poster, though...
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| Villagers - Live at the Workman's Club
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(Domino WIGLP273 UK-11 EX 275:-)
Villagers are an Irish indie folk band from Dublin, formed in 2008, after singer Conor O'Brien's break-up of his previous band The Immediate.
Villagers’ night at the Workman’s Club was as much celebration as a gig. Throughout the hour long performance, Conor’s voice ranges from the intimate tones of a friend confiding in you on tracks like ‘27 Strangers’ and ‘The Pact’ to the soaring, almost rapture-like intensity on ‘Pieces’ and ‘Home’.
Exclusive Record Store Day 2011 release.
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| Vincent, Vinnie - All Systems Go
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(Chrysalis OV-41626 US-88 VG+ 275:-)
Vincent John Cusano
played lead guitar in Kiss, from 1982 until mid-1984 during the band's transition out of their 1973–1983 makeup period.
Whereas Vinnie Vincent's Invasions debut album was a full-on guitar shredding assault, "All Systems Go" has a much more restrained feel to it. Sure, it’s big and bombastic and when Vinnie cuts lose the playing is amazing, though here he shows much more variation and finesse than the all-out speed-shredding of the debut album.
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| Wray, Link - Link Wray
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(Polydor 24-4064 US-71 VG+ 800:-)
Recorded in a shaky makeshift chicken shack in rural Maryland, Link Wray’s eponymous 1971 solo album is a compelling and forward-looking piece of honest, handmade Americana.
This album is vastly different from his previous work, foregoing instrumentals entirely. Instead, Wray, left with only one lung following a bout with tuberculosis in 1956, gives us his raw voice, full of spit and vinegar, as he blends elements of country, rock ‘n’ roll, roots, folk and gospel marked with fuzzy guitar and booming percussion.
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