New Arrivals (Nick Drake, Glen Campbell, Bongripper, Katatonia)

The mailman dropped by a few times this past month and delivered some pretty interesting stuff:

ILPS 9105

Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left
(2013) Universal/Island - ILPS 9105
ImportCD.com $43.09 (New)

Sadly, I just discovered the sublime Nick Drake a couple years ago. He only released three albums during his short career. Until recently, vinyl collectors had to choose between terribly expensive original UK and US pressings, and more-affordable but inferior quality bootlegs. So, it was pretty cool when Universal started a series of high quality but affordable reissues last year. Each album is presented in a nicely packaged box set. The vinyl pressing is superb, and the box set extras are interesting. Five Leaves Left is Drake's first album, and my favorite of the three. Released in 1969, it's a collection of sparse folk compositions that rely heavily on his rather-depressed vocal style. The box includes a restored gatefold jacket, a reprint of the original promotional poster, a couple cool handwritten lyric sheets, a download card, and a curious promotional rolling paper.

ST-103

Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman
(1968) Capitol Records - ST-103
eBay $3.00 (Sealed)

I'm always on the prowl for sealed LPs from the 60's and 70's...especially ones that remind me of growing up in St. Clair Shores. This LP was purchased on eBay as part of a lot of five sealed original Glen Campbell records. I paid $15 plus $4.00 shipping for whole lot. The records came from a music shop that closed back in the late-60's. All are original pressings, all are still sealed, and all still have the cool price stickers on them. The shrink wrap is tight and the corners are sharp. Thankfully, the LP's were packed well enough to insure that they stayed in great shape while the postal system threw them across the country like a football. I have several sealed Glen Campbell LP's which all will be opened eventually. This one is a classic for a great price.

Self-Released

Bongripper - Satan Worshipping Doom
(2013) Self-Released
Bongripper.com $24.00 (New)

I've been filling in my Stoner Rock collection the past six months. One of my favorites is Bongripper. The Chicago-based band specializes in extended down-tuned instrumental numbers, as well as some pretty great occasional Post-Rock. Like many Indie Stoner Rock bands, the vinyl is hard to come by due to the low press runs. The band usually handles the pressings, and they don't press many. Basically, if you don't get in on the presale, you miss out. This version of Satan Worshipping Doom is on heavyweight black vinyl in a beautiful illustrated (but rather R-rated) gatefold jacket. Oddly, the Black vinyl was the most limited version (100 copies), and the only one pressed at 180 gram. I always prefer black vinyl, and really like the 180 gram stuff, so I was happy to be able to score a copy. Download card included.

KScope840

Katatonia - Dethroned and Uncrowned

(2013) KScope Records KSCOPE840
PledgeMusic.com $31.91 (New)

I've done a few Kickstarter-type purchases in the past, and this was another one. Basically, you pledge to purchase a copy of an album with the understanding that if they don't get enough pledges, the pressing is cancelled and you pay nothing. This one funded in a couple days, which is no surprise. Katatonia is a popular Gothic Prog-Metal band that originally started out specializing in Death Metal. They left the growling behind years ago and have released several albums of moody, guitar-heavy Prog. The interesting thing about this release is that it is a re-make of their most recent album, Dead End Kings. On this version the songs have been re imagined, stripping away a lot of the heavy layers and replacing them with more organic keyboards and acoustic guitars. It really works well, and the band is supposed to be doing this to some of their other past albums as well. Included a handy download card, a nice tour program, and a beautiful autographed gatefold jacket.