Piccadilly Records End Of Year Review 2009

PICCADILLY RECORDS END OF YEAR REVIEW

It’s already that time of year when I get to round up another 12 months in the life of Piccadilly Records – get your Christmas lists started, it must be the beginning of December (or if you’re really late picking this booklet up, the middle of April).

Heading into 2009 the outlook was very gloomy (for us and everyone else out there), but the last 12 months have proved to be better than expected, so we’re cautiously optimistic about 2010. While the continued switch to downloads for dance music may have reduced 12” single sales, on the other side of the shop there has been a real resurgence in album buying — especially on vinyl. Maybe it was a knock-on effect of Record Store Day (it was the cupcakes wot did it), or perhaps people just want something that distinguishes them from the ubiquitous 5000-track iPod user.

A record collection just says SO much more about you, dontcha know.

In the shop we finally got round to moving the different musical sections into more logical places (DFA between house and disco! Dubstep next to fidget house!

Indie CD singles in with the indie CDs!), and because of the sad and rather sudden closure of Fat City’s shop, we got some nice new CD racks as well. On the website front we’ve had the big redesign that I seem to have been promising for about the last two years at least. We think it looks great, and I think you’ll find it much easier to use — a big thank-you to Ash and also PIN design for coming up with something that’s so unique. Obviously, in true Piccadilly Records end of year booklet style, I’m writing this intro two weeks before the launch of the new site, so maybe we don’t have a new website at all. Fingers crossed. Speaking of design, this years booklet has been created by local graphic designer Mark Brown. Mark designs stuff for Band on the Wall, Contact and loads of other independent Manchester companies, we think it looks ace and hope you do too.

Onto our end of year chart, I reckon it’s one of the best yet – there have been so many great releases this year that we had a real struggle to fit everything we wanted into the top 100. In the top 20 we have something for everyone: Indie (The Phantom Band, The XX, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), rock and psyche (Wilco, Wooden Shjips), soul and boogie (Dam-Funk, Lee Fields), disco-pop and house (Desire, The Juan Maclean, Linkwood), indie-pop (Camera Obscura), Balearic (Meanderthals, Blackbelt Andersen), indie-folk (Grizzly Bear, Speck Mountain) indie noise (Japandroids), tribal voodoo psyche (Sun Araw), dubstep and wonky-hop (Martyn, Bibio).

So, as ever, we send big thanks to all those clever people who’ve made such great records, to everyone who’s advertised in this booklet, to all the distributors who’ve sold us great tunes, and especially to all our customers (both shop and website), who’ve kept buying new music while times are tight.

Here’s to 2010 — it IS a World Cup year after all!

Philippa

PICCADILLY RECORDS ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2009

THE PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE After years of changing their identity with every gig that they performed, this remarkable Glasgow based six piece finally settled on the name of The Phantom Band in 2006. Their debut album “Checkmate Savage” was born, under the expert guidance of producer Paul Savage from the Delgados, from lengthy jam sessions that highlighted not only the band’s experimental side, but also their unique grasp of melodic looseness.

MESMERISING FOLK-MOTORIK SOUNDSCAPES

A PERFECT DEBUT

A FEW WORDS FROM THE PHANTOM BAND 2009 has been the year of the Phantom. I’ve never been a huge traveller, but the band has taken me to at least 18 countries this year and it’s been a big old bag of fun from the outset - swum in the Swiss Rhine and in Norwegian mountain lochs, sat naked around Scandinavian festival fires, lent our guitars to Bjorn Again so they could do an impromptu Metallica cover...but the high point for me is being selected by my favourite record shop as album of the year. I’ve been buying records from Piccadilly since they first started selling records online so it’s a real honour for me.

Riding on a near perfect motorik beat, the songs sway and swoon with a knowing art-rock style, underpinned throughout with an earthy, almost mystical, folky Scottish vocal delivery.

“Checkmate Savage” is otherworldly, and hard to pin down, with a freeform spaciousness that band’s only usually discover on their third or fourth albums, and in that respect The Phantom Band are most certainly way ahead of the game, one can only wonder what their next album will bring.

They’ve been compared to the Beta Band, krautrock legends Neu! and Can, as well as the likes of Nick Cave, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, The Violent Femmes and Captain Beefheart, but The Phantom Band are truly out on their own. A quite fitting, and truly exceptional album of the year.

However, deciding on a chart has been tough.

In true Phantom fashion, indecision and much debate prevailed. I couldn’t narrow it down any further than a top 20ish, and even at that I suggest you disregard the order. I’ve tried to convey the range of things the band and I have been listening to throughout 2009; it’s been a fantastic year for music and it’s all been on the hi-fi in the van, and lots of it on the record decks at the Hot Club.

Thanks to Darryl, Laura and everyone at Piccadilly for all your support in 2009.

See you soon, Andy

THE PHANTOM BAND’S TOP 21 OF 2009 1. ALASDAIR ROBERTS SPOILS 2. SUNN0))) MONOLITHS & DIMENSIONS 3. BEAK BEAK LP 4. THE STRANGE BOYS ...AND GIRLS CLUB 5. BILL CALLAHAN SOMETIMES I WISH WE WERE AN EAGLE 6. ELVIS PERKINS ELVIS PERKINS IN DEARLAND 7. MASTER MUSICIANS OF BUKKAKE TOTEM ONE 8. VON OSWALD TRIO VERTICAL ASCENT 9. GNOD LP01 10. CHAIN AND THE GANG DOWN WITH LIBERTY, UP WITH CHAINS!

11. RM HUBBERT RM HUBBERT LP 12. GANGLIANS GANGLIANS LP 13. LEE PATTERSON SEVEN VIGNETTES 14. WHITE DENIM FITS 15. MILANESE LOCKOUT 16. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILLION 17. MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC 18. SUN ARAW HEAVY DEEDS 19. SHIT & SHINE GIRLS AGAINST SHIT 20. THEE OH SEES HELP 21. FEVER RAY FEVER RAY

ALL TITLES AVAILABLE IN STORE OR ONLINE

THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME

WORKS AS WELL ON THE DANCEFLOOR AS IT DOES ON THE HEADPHONES

Four years on from their debut DFA album “Less Than Human”, John Maclean gathered the Juan Maclean posse (Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, Gerry Fuchs formerly of !!!, and Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel of Holy Ghost!) together again for a brand new long player. This time round Maclean wanted to make a male / female duet album, and took his main inspiration from the Human League. But if you’re now thinking that “The Future Will Come” is a sad Oakey and Co. pastiche, think again, as “Dare” was just the jump-off point.

As well as the title track sounding more “Being Boiled” than “Don’t You Want Me Baby”, we also get taken for a ride along Kraftwerkian motorik rhythms (“The Station”), via uplifting piano house (breakout single “Happy House”), acid house (“No Time”) and electrodisco (previous single “The Simple Life”), with everything sounding superb to these ears. Like label-mates LCD Soundsystem, The Juan Maclean know how to write proper songs that work on both the dancefloor and back at home while you’re doing the ironing.

DÃM-FUNK TOEACHIZOWN

A COSMIC BEING DELIVERED STRAIGHT OUT THE FUNKMOSPHERE

Occasionally an artist releases an album that not only unites shop staff but also encourages customers to buy said album upon hearing it just once in the shop. Like a Cosmic Being delivered straight out the Funkmosphere, Dãm-Funk has arrived to be that artist of 2009. Dubbed LA’s ‘Ambassador of Boogie Funk’, Dãm (pronounced ‘Dame’ as in Damon) has lovingly crafted a musical renaissance rooted in his passion for early-80s Boogie, Modern Soul and Electro-Funk. Containing no less than 24 (!) all original ‘Modern-Funk’ compositions, “Toeachizown” is quite possibly the best debut dance album of the decade. By plugging in his enviable arsenal of vintage synths and drum machines, Dãm channels the intergalactic harmonies of his inspiration into a distinctively warm space‘n’bass boogie. The standard is so thrillingly high that identifying highlights is redundant. And therein lies its unique strength; the sheer consistency demonstrated in his masterful display of a sound that is so unmistakably his own.

THE XX XX

SPARSE, MOODY, SLIGHTLY MENACING AND DROP DEAD COOL

Listening to “XX” is an uncomfortable, obtrusive experience, akin to eavesdropping on two lovers while they whisper and caress. So intimate are the songs contained within that at the very least, you feel you should turn away your face to hide your shame. In fact, it’s impossible to talk about The XX without talking about sex. Like so many bed sheets strewn across the floor, Romy and Oliver’s duets are littered with sexual anxiety, claustrophobia and desire and their take on romance is a particularly urban one, more council high rise and public transport than the Kristal and Gucci version favoured by the R&B they love so much. “XX” is a debut album that’s old beyond its tender years but such is its fragility, it’s only when the final note of “Stars”, the albums closing track has dissolved that we can breathe again, relieved that we’ve made it to the end, safe and in each other’s arms.

BIBIO AMBIVALENCE AVENUE

SUN-DAPPLED, HAZY AND WOOZY, WITH FOLKY BEATIFIC ELECTRONICS

Following a trio of albums on the Mush imprint, Bibio (aka Stephen Wilkinson) now makes his long playing debut for Warp, the totally enchanting “Ambivalence Avenue”. Bibio is a purveyor of wonderfully warm, melodic music that shines like the late summer sun through stained glass windows, refracting beams of shimmering colour across the room.

Unlike many of his contemporaries however, as well as producing lovely, but ultimately superficial soundscapes, Wilkinson has a keen ear for melody and actually knows how to write a good tune. An antidote to the often clinical and soulless nature of current laptop-made music, “Ambivalence Avenue” is an endearingly messy patchwork of sun-dappled west coast style psychedelia, Dilla-esque beatsrumentals, de-tuned woozy pop and electronica, folk whimsy, dreamy madrigals, and intimate acoustic guitar songs — with each song a standout. A permanent fixture on the Piccadilly Records shop stereo, “Ambivalence Avenue” comes highly recommended, and is an essential album of 2009!

YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT’S BLITZ

A SONIC ADRENALIN RUSH OF SYNTHS, GUITARS AND ROCK’S FINEST VOX

Very few things in life compare to the spine tingling, adrenalin rush that comes when you hear a great single for the first time, so I reckon the day the Yeah Yeah Yeahs walked into their record company, demanding that the opening track on “It’s Blitz” should be “Zero” was, in general, a good day at the office for their A&R man. ‘You want the best single of the year so far to be the first track on your album? Erm, yeah, I think we can probably live with that’. “It’s Blitz” is no one hit wonder though. Awash with synths, it’s an album of conflicts that finds Karen O at her most vulnerable while the band, with a sly wink to NYC disco, create what can only be described as an epic soundscape behind her. Yes, the guitars have (no doubt begrudgingly) conceded top billing to Nick Zinners vintage Arp but at its heart, “It’s Blitz” is still a great ROCK record.

DESIRE II

SEDUCTIVE AND UNIQUE WITH COSMIC, POST-PUNK AND ITALO INFLUENCES

Italians Do It Better has become one of those must-have labels here at Piccadilly Records over the past couple of years, so it’s no surprise that this album from Desire totally hits the spot with us. If you’ve not heard the name before, Desire are an IDIB super-group comprised of Johnny Jewell from Glass Candy, Nattie from Chromatics and vocalist Megan from Montreal.

This debut long player features eight tracks that cover all those Italians Do It Better bases we love; cosmic, post-punk and new wave influenced downtempo gear, and Italo-style Euro disco. However, in 2009’s cosmic-Italo disco overload, it’s Desire’s knack of turning all these influences into something original, seductive, charming and unique that really stands out. Check “Mirror Mirror”, “Don’t Call”, “Dans Mes Reves” and the Shangri-las meets Les Disques Du Crepuscule sound of “Under Your Spell” for further evidence of Desire’s brilliance.

PICCADILLYRECORDS.COM

LEE FIELDS MY WORLD

BEAT-HEAVY, HARDEDGED DEEP BALLADS, THIS IS THE REAL SOUL

Members of The Daptones and the Amy Winehouse band team up with raw-voiced old hurter Lee Fields on this, the loveliest of the recent ‘Truth and Soul’ releases. A hard funk veteran, Fields grew up hooked on Otis Redding and James Brown (it shows), before making his name working with the likes of Kool & The Gang and Little Royal in the seventies. Here, with in-house band The Expressions, he plays his deep soul card. ‘My World’ is a beautiful blend of bruised balladry, harder-edged social conscience tracks and mellifluous instrumentals, all of which make the point that so-called ‘soul revivalism’ doesn’t have to be bland pastiche. In fact, it’s the very depth and detail of Truth and Soul’s modern production style set against Fields’ untamable voice that make this record such an arresting listen. That, and bucketfuls of the sweetest melodies imaginable. Try the pleading “Honey Dove” for size.

WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM)

UNABASHEDLY MELODIC POP ARRANGEMENTS WRAPPED IN AN A.O.R BLANKET

It is impossible to discuss “Wilco (The Album)” without acknowledging the record’s nakedly open tribute to George Harrison. Indeed, anthemic centerpiece of the album “You Never Know” gloriously utilizes Harrison’s much-loved trademark slide, the one popularized on “My Sweet Lord”. In fact, without ever sounding derivative, the whole record can be joyously received as a sumptuously streamlined “All Things Must Pass (Part Two)”, effortlessly combining the intimacy of previous album “Sky Blue Sky” with the experimentation of “A Ghost Is Born”. Boasting trademark strong melodies and unabashedly pop arrangements, “Wilco” benefits from that comfy A.O.R sound that Jeff Tweedy et al have grown into, best exemplified by the wondrous harmonies of the dreamlike Feist-collaborated “You And I” and by the message of the fantastically rocking self-referential title track. Acting as the album’s opening mission statement, the band explain their whole raison d’être: lending listeners ‘a sonic shoulder to cry on’ whilst always promising that ‘Wilco will love you baby’.

GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST

MAGICAL, AND LUXURIOUS BLEND OF FOLK, INDIE AND LUSH HARMONIES

Seemingly out of nowhere (ok, it’s their third album, but you know what I mean!) comes a record so unique and exhilarating that Fleet Foxes have already name checked it as ‘the greatest album of the noughties’. Well “Veckatimest” does have a folky feel and the band is big on 4-part harmonies and even choral arrangements, but that is only half of the story. There’s a jazzy, open-ended vibe, gorgeous strings, Disney-ish, Mercury Rev style flights of fancy, and a melancholy Beach Boys love of melody. The band is also big on percussion and meandering diversions, but the song itself never suffers, it just takes a while for the full beauty of this album to unfurl. Named after an uninhabited island off Cape Cod, there’s a real sense of magic and mystery to Grizzly Bear’s sound.

You can tell they were all music students though; there’s nothing obvious here, it’s full of surprises. Lovingly sequenced to be listened to as a whole, as this drifts, grooves, ebbs and flows, you’ll know you’ve been taken on a luxurious ride. Simply stunning.

CYMBALS EAT GUITARS WHY THERE ARE MOUNTAINS

EUPHORIC, ANGULAR AND SPRAWLING MELODIES. INDIE AND PROUD

Wow, this is very special!! Cymbals Eat Guitars, named after a piece of Lou Reed philosophy, are a young and fresh four-piece from Staten Island, New York. “Why There Are Mountains” is their debut album, and probably the most thrilling and fully realised debut that we’ve heard in years. Cymbals Eat Guitars blend the euphoric epicness of Arcade Fire, the sonic maelstrom of Sonic Youth and the angular guitars and effortless cool of Pavement. And in a similar style to Pavement they create an almost endless supply of brilliant melodies and then toss them away amongst their unpredictable song structures, in a seemingly self assured knowledge that they have a million others stored up in their collective minds. The vocals, courtesy of Joseph Ferocious, perfectly complement these sprawling epics, switching from throat shredding yelps to cool understated melodic drawls, that bring to mind the likes of Frank Black and Stephen Malkmus in their young prime. This is the ‘indie’ album of the year.

WOODEN SHJIPS DOS

A THICK PSYCHE STEW OF BASS, ORGAN, DRUMS AND EPIC RIFFS

A rock band for the rave generation? Or a rave band for modern day rockers?

“Dos” single-handedly flew across genres and took us all into the heady world of psychedelia, San Francisco and guitars. Melodies and hooks so beautifully transcendental that they cannot be ignored, whatever musical camp you occupy. Ripley Johnson’s epic riffs cascade with elegance over drummer Omar Ahsanuddin’s rabid, ferocious yet mechanical clattering; organ and bass (Nash Whalen / Dusty Jermier) rumble and stir the thick psych stew while vocals rise and fall like whispering angels. While “Dos” is accessible and welcoming, it’s cross-over potential should not cloud it’s creditability as one fuzz heavy, psychedelic rock masterpiece and while it’s production and style draw from the past, it’s energy, charisma and euphoria lift it well beyond any of it’s contemporaries in 2009. A God-like album for one and all.

MARTYN GREAT LENGTHS

DUB-TECH? TECHSTEP? TECH-DUB? IT’S THE MARTYN SOUND

Originally coming from the drum & bass scene with releases on Marcus Intalex’ Revolve:r imprint, Martyn switched codes to dubstep a while back and has been coming up with essential releases ever since. While many producers use a narrowly-defined dubstep template of neck-snapping breaks and speaker-wobbling basslines, Martyn has always based his tracks on a much wider influenced palette to create his own unique sound. Detroit techno in particular plays a big part in his music, with tracks like “These Words” coming across like long-forgotten offerings from KMS or Transmat. In fact from start to finish “Great Lengths” combines supposedly disparate elements such as beatdown house, the soulful warmth and uplifting atmospherics of Detroit techno and deeper than deep electroid sub bass, but manages to pull these sounds together into one cohesive whole. Dub-tech, tech-step, tech-dub, call it what you want - it’s the ‘Martyn Sound’, and it’s an essential part of your record collection.

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BLACKBELT ANDERSEN BLACKBELT ANDERSEN

WONDERFULLY UPLIFTING DISCO INFLECTED ELECTRONIC HOUSE

Following a series of acclaimed 12” singles (all included here) on Prins Thomas’s Full Pupp label, we finally have the debut long player from card-carrying member of the Nordic Balearic-house society, Daniel ‘Blackbelt’ Andersen. The producer serves up track after track of wonderfully uplifting disco inflected electronic house music that manages to be both deep and floor-filling at the same time. From the slo-mo acid grooves of “Sondag” to the blissful euphoria of “Kuk Av Stal”, the whole LP is shot through with the kind of simple, high quality production most house music makers would chop off their right arms for. An absolute failsafe for that put-a-smile-on-your-face pre-club warm up, Saturday afternoons in the Piccadilly Records shop, or for chasing the winter blues away on lazy Sunday sessions, this self-titled CD is totally strålende (hopefully that’s Norwegian for ‘glorious’!).

SPECK MOUNTAIN SOME SWEET RELIEF

BLISSED-OUT LAYERS OF INTRICACY AND SUBTLE BEAUTY

Piccadilly favourites Speck Mountain follow up their stunning debut “Summer Above” with this gem! The songs here have been filled out with piano, organ, sax, and vintage effects, the mixes booby-trapped all over with headphone-happy detail. Influenced by gospel, 60s soul, and ambient film soundtracks, by combining the strength of Marie-Claire Balabanian’s lungs with the intuitive, spiky rhythms of Karl Briedrick’s guitar, Speck Mountain often suggest a divine marriage between melody and drone. The songs on “Some Sweet Relief” are less immediate than on their debut, instead they gradually work their way into your consciousness like a blissed out brainworm travelling at its own pace. With each listen you pick out another layer of intricacy, another subtle detail, and another piece of beauty. They’ve done it again; another record that’s as perfect for the drowsy early morning as it is in the late night comedown.

LINKWOOD SYSTEM

A BLEND OF 80S BOOGIE, DETROIT TECHNO, HOUSE AND DEEP SOUL

After gaining high praise for his previous productions on both Firecracker Recordings and Prime Numbers (tracks such as “Miles Away”, “RIP”, “Piece Of Mind” and “Lost Experiment”), Linkwood’s Nick Moore now delivers his debut full length outing, “System”. The album clearly shows the breadth of Linkwood’s influences with a spectrum of styles confidently blended including 80s boogie, Detroit techno, house and deep soul. From start to finish the album is brimming with the drama of integral, subterranean dance music.

The album has been well engineered and produced, giving a distinctly powerful and affecting finish to all the tracks. Collaborating with Linkwood are Fudge Fingas, who features on keys on several tracks, and the singer, comedian and entertainer Reggie Watts, who provides the vocal for “Tears”.

A mightily impressive debut.

CAMERA OBSCURA MY MAUDLIN CAREER

SONGS THAT BREAK YOUR HEART AND TAKE YOU TO THE TOP IN EQUAL MEASURE

You’d be hard-pushed to find an album, this year, with as many well-crafted, supremely catchy pop songs as this. Original yet soothingly familiar, these tunes manage to break your heart and take you to the top in equal measure.

They’re written and sung by Tracyanne Campbell and there can’t be a sweeter, more believable voice in pop right now. It’s like she’s your best friend, singing in your ear, but what she’s singing is the pages of her diary! This is actually Camera Obscura’s 4th album, but the others just led up to this one; this is the one where they’ve distilled their thing. The production’s perfect too: Concrete’s producer Jari Haapalainen perfectly capturing the old-school indie classicist vibe. Every song’s a gem, there’s not one duffer, but the gorgeous slowie “James” and the euphoric, horn-driven “Honey In The Sun” deserve a special mention. Mancunian legend Paul Morley’s a massive fan too: that’s good enough for me!

MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES

AN ORGANIC AND CINEMATIC BLEND OF WARM AND DREAMY BALEARICA

Balearic: Like many musical genres, it has changed shape over the years, slowly filtering out the cheesy Euro-pop, leftfield electronica and cute disco tunes that defined its umbrella-like ‘anything goes’ meaning in the 1980s, becoming for many producers an excuse to create albums of bland musical mush in 2009. All very pleasant, but perhaps just a little bit too soporific for my liking. Thank god for the Idjut Boys and Rune Lindbaek then, working together as Meanderthals, who have created the kind of dreamy Balearic album that actually catches your ear and keeps your attention rather than sending you to sleep. All played live, “Desire Lines” features a warm blend of beautiful Balearic disco, dub, folk, kraut, and 70s west coast style psychedelia all combined in an organic, slanted, and proggy feel. Perfect for setting the mood on your sun-bleached summer holiday isle, but just as good at putting a smile on your face on a grey Sunday afternoon back in Blighty.

SUN ARAW HEAVY DEEDS

VOODOO PSYCHE-FUNK KNEE DEEP IN THE COSMIC MOON DUST

Let Sun Araw take you deep into the cosmos! Voodoo psyche-funk with tribal influences and a decidedly dubby, tropical feel, “Heavy Deeds” is so tripped out you’ll think you’ve fallen face first into a huge puddle of moon dust.

Cameron Stallones (of Magic Lantern) ditches his coastal sounds of previous albums and with “Heavy Deeds” goes inland, literally abusing his grooves with an attack of wah-wah pedals, phase heavy loops and celestial chanting.

Although completely unique sounding, Cameron presents the album and it’s sounds in a way that make you feel you’re discovering a long forgotten species deep inside the cosmic jungle that’s existed forever. The rhythms, hooks and textures are so established and cohesive between tracks that “Heavy Deeds” is like a presentation of a whole new musical life form rather than simply an album. Raw and alien but friendly and reassuring with it, I reckon this is what space gypsies listen to around the Martian campfire.

Pull up a log, light up and join the party!

PICCADILLYRECORDS.COM

JAPANDROIDS POST-NOTHING

RAW FUZZ-PUNK EXUBERANCE THAT SWEEPS YOU OFF YOUR FEET

Vancouver duo Japandroids approach their music with such an unaffected and direct innocence that it’s impossible not to be reeled in by their charm.

There’s not a trace of restraint or polish anywhere on the album; it’s delivered from the gut and the heart, a high velocity no-fi testimony to ineptitude in love that happily manages to broach this potentially sore preoccupation with self deprecating humour, instead of lapsing into an all too common take your toys away misogynist pout. Bashed out riffs, drums less played than assaulted and sometimes gleefully omitted and joyful melodies, that’s all you get. Nothing more than absolutely necessary to make it’s point. “Post Nothing’s” raw fuzz punk exuberance sweeps you off your feet with all the abandon and youthful exuberance of being rolled drunk and sideways down a hill on a summer’s day by a pack of Andrex puppies; if you don’t feel better after listening to this, seek help, please, you need it.

SPECK MOUNTAIN’S TOP 10 OF 2009

BLACKBELT ANDERSEN’S TOP 10 OF 2009

(In no particular order)

1. SMITH & MUDD LE SUIVANT

NEIL YOUNG ARCHIVES: VOL.1 ALL KRAFTWERK REISSUES JIM O’ROURKE THE VISITOR SHARON VAN ETTEN BECAUSE I WAS IN LOVE WHITE RAINBOW NEW CLOUDS BIG STAR KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY V/A: LOCAL CUSTOMS: DOWNRIVER REVIVAL EL PERRO DEL MAR LOVE IS NOT POP VALET FALSE FACE SOCIETY SPIRITUALIZED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE FLOATING IN SPACE (SPECIAL EDITION REISSUE)

BIBIO’S TOP 5 OF 2009 1. CLARK TOTEMS FLARE 2. THE GENTLEMAN LOSERS DUSTLAND

2. THE PARLOR MOB AND YOU WERE A CROW (released 2008 in the U.S, but what the hell...)

3. YTRE RYMDEN DANSSKOLA YTRE RYMDEN DANSSKOLA 4. JAZ I PLAYED SPORTS 5. LINDSTRØM & PRINS THOMAS II 6. MAX ESSA CONTINENTAL DRIFT 7. SORCERER NEON LEON 8. FILIPSSON & LINDBLAD A SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS 9. JOHN DALY SEA & SKY 10. AIR LOVE 2

CYMBALS EAT GUITARS’ TOP 5 OF 2009 1. GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST

3. HUDSON MOHAWKE BUTTER

2. DIRTY PROJECTORS BITTE ORCA

4. BROADCAST & FOCUS GROUP INVESTIGATE WITCH CULTS OF THE RADIO AGE

4. PHOENIX WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX

5. SOLAR BEARS NEON COLONY

3. ATLAS SOUND LOGOS 5. SONIC YOUTH THE ETERNAL

THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART Meet The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, a four-piece from New York who play dreamy, noisy POP with boy/girl vocals, blissful melodies and blistering drums.

Their self-titled debut album is the most infectious slice of pop perfection you will hear all year, a distillation of all the great noise-pop precedents - early MBV, House of Love, JAMC - but with the incredible exuberance and energy that the Pains bring to every song.

FUCK BUTTONS TAROT SPORT The duo’s pioneering sound from their debut album “Street Horrrsing” drew legendary DJ, producer and remixer Andrew Weatherall into the production duties. The results, needless to say, are astounding, taking things to another level with a new-found complexity of sound, through a combination of their own ambitious aims and the application of Weatherall’s clear-sighted, rule-defying precision and attention to sonic detail.

DOOM BORN LIKE THIS DOOM is the world’s most fiendish Super Villain. “Born Into This”, marks a decade of his rule of the hip hop underworld. A decade’s rule maybe, but five years since both his classic solo outing “MM..Food”, and collaboration with Madlib on “Madvillainy”. As ever Dumile has the best samples, looped-up to create the strongest breaks, and his lyricism is as multi-layered, out there and fresh as ever.

THE CRÊPES WHAT ELSE? Dan Lissvik of Piccadilly Swedish Balearic favourites Studio and Fredrik Lindson of Embassy have joined forces as The Crêpes and created “What Else?”, a wonderful album of summery guitar-based pop songs. The album was completed in eight days, which in some lesser songwriters / musicians hands would have resulted in half-baked ideas and poor execution, but with Lissvik and Lindson at the helm comes across as simple and spontaneous.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION Ever the experimentalists, the New York-based indie troupe decamped to Mississippi for this offering, resulting in the usual vaguely-avant indie pop, but with a definite focus and a more accessible vibe. Listening to “Merriweather Post Pavilion” you’ll hear echoes of everything they’ve recorded to date, especially the mesmeric and melodic repetition of Panda Bear’s last solo opus “Person Pitch”.

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LINDSTROM & CHRISTABELLE REAL LIFE IS NO COOL Sultry vocalist Christabelle (aka Solale) and Hans-Peter Lindstrom have come up with an edgy pop album of structured chaos and hypnotic beats - futuristic disco with its roots in the past. Evidence of the duo’s influences runs through the set, with Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis, Quincy Jones era MJ, Italo pianos and Prince all casting an inventive shadow over proceedings. The last essential long player of 2009?

You betcha!

SORE EROS SECOND CHANTS Woah, this is very special, a cosmic hazy indie-folk gem from the mind of Boston’s Robert Robinson, who is the principle song writer of Sore Eros. “Second Chants” is an album of soulful dream folk from a field in Conneticut, conveying hazy hopefulness reverbed with gleeful experimentation from start to finish, bringing to mind the gentle introverted power of Bon Iver and the experimental-psychedelic leanings of Panda Bear.

MONSTERS OF FOLK MONSTERS OF FOLK Monsters Of Folk began as folklore of sorts, when Jim James, Conor Oberst, M. Ward and Mike Mogis did their first run of shows together in 2004. The songs – some road-worn fables, some intimate and intricate with electronic elements, some woozy and sun-soaked – are everything one expects from these four musical minds collaborating together. The album exudes a warm, organic spaciousness, filled by brilliant choruses, intoxicating harmonies and effortless melodies, as each member brings his own strengths to the table to create one perfect whole.

THE HORRORS PRIMARY COLOURS The Horrors follow-up 2007’s critically acclaimed debut “Strange House” with “Primary Colours”, a record that represents a band striving for musical progression and, in doing so, finding an interesting new direction. While the gothic punk influence of such bands as The Cramps remains, there is now a strong 80s Chameleons / Echo & The Bunnymen style flavour to The Horrors’ sound, resulting in a well-rounded and engaging listen.

NANCY ELIZABETH WROUGHT IRON “Wrought Iron” is the second album by Wigan’s Nancy Elizabeth, following the success of 2007’s “Battle And Victory”. Largely focused on piano-led songs (Nancy’s instrument of choice this time), the album is a more understated affair than the guitar and harp-centred debut. The quality of the songwriting is stronger than ever, with a more personal, emotional edge to this album.

DINOSAUR JR FARM If “Beyond” was Dinosaur Jr’s return to form, “Farm” is proof that this band continues to deliver rock worth cranking up to 11. At times wholly 70’s guitar-epic, at other times perfect for sitting by a babbling brook with Joni and Neil, “Farm” encompasses Dinosaur Jr’s signature palette – soaring and distorted guitar, unshakable hooks, honey-rich melodies, with songs that get into your head and, bouncing around happily, stay there.

HOWLING BELLS RADIO WARS Get ready for the Howling Bells to work their magic on you all over again and go fantastically widescreen with the release of “Radio Wars”. If their debut could easily be the soundtrack for the beautifully haunted world of Twin Peaks, their sophomore effort would be their leap into the blockbuster mainstream. There’s a formidable richness here, a glorious depth and maturity and growth which takes the Howling Bells’ sound into hitherto unexplored terrain.

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a supergroup comprised of a who’s who of the indie rock and underground soul scenes. Members of such diverse bands as TV On The Radio, L’Trimm, Calla, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Mooney Suzuki, and Si Se all contribute their individual talents to the PHB’s debut album, their sound characterised by an anthemic, dancefloor-oriented blend of progressive rock, disco, electro, and 60s soul with sprinklings of hip hop-styled orchestral breakbeats and moody, synth-heavy hooks.

SMITH & MUDD LE SUIVANT Two years on from their “Blue River” debut, Smith & Mudd are back with a second album of delightful Balearic bliss. The soothing sounds of “Genoa” ease us in, slipping nicely into Latino-tinted groover “Little Millie”. Chuggers like “Wem” and “The Delivery Man” will get you off the sofa, but if it’s subtle atmospherics you’re after then the rain-soaked “Annette Road”, Indo-psychedelic “Le Suivant“, gentle acoustic “New Sofa” and pastoral cut “The Waiting” will warm your heart.

ESPERS III The album almost took on the very name “Colony”, due to a sub-textual thought process that touched upon Herzog’s Aguirre, Heart of Darkness, cult groups, deep Amazonian treks, religious nation building, ritualistic drug ceremonies, etc. Taking drugs to take canoe trips to take drugs on. This album’s shift in cover aesthetic mirrors the band’s themes and their desire to reach beyond what might be expected of an Espers album. Welcome to the three-dimensionality and metaphoric imagery of the new Espers aesthetic.

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Q-TIP KAMAAL THE ABSTRACT Q-Tip’s album “Kamaal The Abstract” finally gets to see the light of day. The album was originally scheduled for release in 2001, but it was shelved due to a disagreement between Q-Tip and Arista Records. A personal, unique project compared to “Amplified” (Q-Tip’s solo debut) it fittingly sounds more like a solo album; whereas “Amplified” merely built on the digital soul of the last Tribe Called Quest album, this one is wide-ranging and diverse, a relaxed, loose-limbed date.

EMPIRE OF THE SUN WALKING ON A DREAM “Walking On A Dream” is the debut album offering from Empire Of The Sun – a psychedelic project led by Luke Steele from Perth’s The Sleepy Jackson and Pnau’s Nick Littlemore. Their sound has been likened to a Balearic Fleetwood Mac, prompting one writer to note that if Lindsay Buckingham joined forces with Daft Punk they might produce music as polished and perfect - for the bedroom, for the dancefloor - as this.

JONSI & ALEX RICEBOY SLEEPS Jonsi & Alex is Jon Thor (Jónsi) Birgisson the other-worldly singer in Sigur Rós, and his partner Alex Somers. The record works as a whole, and exists in a contemplative dream-state, unconstrained and mesmeric, seemingly outside time. More active than its apparent antecedents in the ambient output of Brian Eno, and other deliberately low-impact works, “Riceboy Sleeps” is awash with both tension and stimuli, as well as being frequently, and stunningly, beautiful.

RICHARD HAWLEY TRUELOVE’S GUTTER Richard Hawley’s sixth studio album, “Truelove’s Gutter”. Recorded in Hawley’s hometown of Sheffield at Yellow Arch studios, “Truelove’s Gutter” is a testament to his intoxicating song writing talents with eight new classic compositions. The lush but minimal production provides a haunting backdrop to Hawley’s unique voice and allows him plenty of space for some outstandingly beautiful guitar solos.

THE FIELD YESTERDAY AND TODAY On “Yesterday And Today” The Field, aka Kompakt label boss Axel Willner expands his palette, continuing the oblique sampling strategy of 2007’s “From Here We Go Sublime” while building up the rhythmic architecture. The result is a sublime mix of techno, building sonic layers and the kind of ambience previously used by Krautrock outfits like Tangerine Dream - lush blissed out and electrophoric.

BAT FOR LASHES TWO SUNS “Two Suns” is the follow-up to 2007’s highly-acclaimed “Fur And Gold” from Brighton-based indie songstress Bat For Lashes. Having received a Mercury nomination for her first outing, the singer, real name Natasha Khan, returns in blistering form. ‘Two Suns’ builds on the sound that fans have come to know and love, while guest appearances come from Yeasayer and the legendary Scott Walker.

TELEPATHE DANCE MOTHER Killer melodies, trance-inducing loops, drum-machine-driven experimentation, and Melissa and Busy’s haunting vocal interplay are Telepathe’s hallmarks. They began the process of recording “Dance Mother” with TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek.

What were at that point just the beginnings of songs, comprised of analog synths, rudimentary beats, shards of guitars and their trademark off kilter vocal harmonies, soon gestated into the epic, accomplished collection that make up the final album.

M. WARD HOLD TIME M Ward’s rise to international renown has been something of a slow burn. Initially a well-kept secret of his peers in the Portland folk scene, his star has continued to rise with each record’s release to the lofty position he finds himself in today; one of America’s most acclaimed modern musicians. “Hold Time” is an eloquent and startlingly beautiful album, which includes guest performances by Jason Lytle and Lucinda Williams.

GIRLS ALBUM “Album” is a sincere, romantic tribute to the majesty of great pop music and the healing power of rock and roll. It’s a record that perfectly captures the sun-baked outlook of life in their adopted San Francisco hometown, just as The Velvet Underground crackled with New York electricity and The Smiths’ songs came soaked in Manchester drizzle. Described by the band as ‘honest, loose, ethereal, obnoxious and perfect’.

BILL CALLAHAN SOMETIMES I WISH WE WERE AN EAGLE Recording in the big state of Texas has given Bill Callahan a panoramic soundscreen, filled with verdant and sparkling sounds, all of which allow him access to the depths of expression, allowing a gentle and stirring view of that which we call ‘soul’. Singing as personally as ever while still spinning wild yarns and melodic guitar fictions, Bill Callahan’s on an idyll we hope won’t ever end.

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FEVER RAY FEVER RAY Fever Ray is the work of Karin and Olof, the brother-sister duo who are The Knife.

Their self-titled debut is constructed on electronic foundations and embellished with traditional instrumentation (guitar here, congas there). One thing’s for sure – in a country with a wealth of leftfield pop artists, Karin Dreijer Andersson sounds like no one but herself. Constantly inventive, restlessly emotive, Fever Ray swaggers, broods, intrigues and dazzles.

ATLAS SOUND LOGOS Following the release of Deerhunter’s “Microcastle” last year, the Atlanta, Georgia group’s lynchpin Bradford Cox returns to his solo guise, Atlas Sound, for another round of ethereal pop genius with “Logos”. Whilst its predecessor “Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel” was a record of fragile beauty and acute experimentalism in comparison to the often volatile bluster of Deerhunter, “Logos” has a far more rooted pop sensibility.

SONIC YOUTH THE ETERNAL “The Eternal” is a supercharged rocker, recalling aspects of the “Evol”, “Sister” and “Daydream Nation” holy trinity but with cleaner, louder production and more straightforward momentum. With Pavement’s Mark Ibold joining on bass, and producer John Agnello back at the controls, “The Eternal” takes the melodic songwriting of 2006’s “Rather Ripped” and slams down the accelerator pedal.

2562 UNBALANCE “Unbalance” sees 2562’s vision of dubstep moving forward into previously unexplored areas. Warmer than its predecessor, innovation and experimentation is still as evident as ever, as the influence of Theo Parrish and Flying Lotus meet with the deep end of Bristol bass music. “Unbalance” is impeccably built, and accessibly disposed: sheer dancefloor carnage is guaranteed. 2562 breaks new ground - in moving away from the dub-techno associations of his earlier works, he creates a whole new world.

SUBWAY SUBWAY II “Subway II” is a startling cosmic marriage of influences – German electronic rock music from the 1970s, 1980s Detroit science fiction techno and a hint of Italian and European disco. The album was recorded at home in east London using a plethora of analog equipment and techniques that enabled the duo to create a sound reflecting cityscapes such as Berlin, Dussseldorf, Detroit and Paris whilst at the same time creating a contemporary musical commentary of London in 2009.

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DARK WAS THE NIGHT Several years since the last compilation benefiting the Red Hot AIDS relief organization, “Dark Was The Night” was compiled by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National and released on the pioneering UK indie 4AD Records. As a result, the 31 exclusive tracks read like a who’s who of the most vital parts of the contemporary indie rock scene. Participants include Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, Arcade Fire, Stuart Murdoch, Yo La Tengo and many others, along with plenty of intriguing duets. It’s an absolute treat from start to finish.

ORIGINALS VOLUME FOUR - MATTHEW BURGESS & JOLYON GREEN Another wonderful CD in Claremont 56’s “Originals” series. Low Life residents Matthew Burgess & Jolyon Green rifle through their collections for those choice Balearic, soft rock, disco and house nuggets, steering clear of ‘obscure for the sake of it’ dullness and coming up with 15 gems.

5 - FIVE YEARS OF HYPERDUB “5” is a 32 track double CD marking Hyperdub’s five years of life as a record label.

Honouring past, present and future in equal measure, “5” is comprised of one disc of prior highlights, and one of freshly-composed material contributed by Hyperdub artists and close friends.

DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS NIGHTDUBBIN’ The early 80s were one of those (many) times when a number of elements all come together at once to change the direction of music. From underground anthems to big pop hits, the emphasis here is on extended beats, dropped-out instrumentation, electroid bass and plenty of space.

DUB ECHOES Soul Jazz Records journey into dub and beyond with a celebration of 40 years of all things dub and related, featuring rare classic and new tracks from the pioneers and futurists of this electronic musical form.

THE STONE ROSES THE STONE ROSES Originally released in May 1989, “The Stone Roses” is often cited as THE greatest album of all time. Twenty years on and original producer John Leckie has returned to the studio for the first time (it’s never been remastered before) with Ian Brown, to produce this anniversary version of the record. The result is a warmer, brighter sound, and it’s finally loud enough too! It seems unnecessary to add what a brilliant album this so obviously is: every tune’s a winner!

THE VASELINES ENTER THE VASELINES DELUXE EDITION The Vaselines have long been celebrated by musicians and indie rock enthusiasts across the globe, while remaining underappreciated by the mainstream. “Enter The Vaselines” is their definitive collection. ‘Kurt Cobain made a lot of mistakes in his life but loving the Vaselines was not one of them’.

PISCES A LOVELY SIGHT A true lost classic from 1969, “A Lovely Sight” combines homespun psychedelic vision and secondhand studio trickery with naive readings of the rock sound of the day, resulting in a diverse, haunted rock headspace few coastal bands ever flew through, let alone over.

THE RAINCOATS THE RAINCOATS – REMASTERED “The Raincoats” is their legendary debut album, originally released on Rough Trade Records in 1979. Widely acclaimed as one of the musical highlights of the post punk period and a breakthrough moment for women in music, “The Raincoats” has been commercially unavailable for the past 10 years.

THE MONKS BLACK MONK TIME They were five American ex-servicemen who met in post-war Germany, and they created the tightest, loudest, heaviest music ever put on record, then or now or ever, most likely. Created in 1966 “Black Monk Time” still sounds like the proto garage / punk record.

As well as producing my two favourite albums this year, The Phantom Band gig at Islington Mill and The Soft Pack (they were still called The Muslims when the album came out) at The Deaf Institute also provided me with two of the live highlights this year.

The the most surreal gig was the Crystal Stilts playing amongst palm trees in a park in Barcelona on a scorching June afternoon and of course Richard Hawley’s gig in the shop was a real treat.

As usual a mixture of too much work and lazyitis meant I missed some bands that I’ll have to catch next year: The XX, Fanfarlo and Papercuts are 3 that spring to mind immediately.

Some new bands provided cracking singles this year too: Young British Artists, The Rayographs, Swanton Bombs, Get Back Guinozzi, The Drums and Little Red all made my ears prick up, as did The Doves superb “Kingdom Of Rust” 7” and more recently the No Age 12” and Kurt Vile’s “He’s Alright” 7”.

I’ve bought more records this year than I have in a long while, I could easily have compiled a top 30 this time around. Lets hope that the good stuff keeps coming in 2010.

This year my chart is made up of 20 not too taxing, easy on the ear albums, from the hooky pop of The Juan Maclean to Bibio’s infectious folk-beat gems. Like my newly found liking for cups of tea, these records lifted my spirits and kept me going through a rather taxing year. My favourite singles include Shit Robot “Simple Things”, 6th Borough Project “Do It To The Max”, House Of House “Rushing To Paradise”, 40 Thieves “Don’t Turn It Off”, Rufdug “Dirty”, The Phenomenal Handclap Band “Baby”, Floating Points “Vacuum”, Silkie “Purple Love”, Altered Natives “Rass Out”, Hot City “Hot City Bass”, Bullion’s remix of Amadou Et Mariam, Lindstrom’s mix of Doves “Jetstream”, Aeroplane’s remix of Lindstrom & Christabelle’s “Baby Can’t Stop”, Parallel Dance Ensemble “Turtle Pizza Cadillac”, Little Boots “New In Town”, La Roux “Bulletproof”, Lily Allen “The Fear”, and Franz Ferdinand “No You Girls”.

My only exciting news (and only exciting to me really) was finally getting an allotment after two years on the waiting list. Yes, I’ve finally become that suburban spinster growing my own tofu and discovering a hundred and one uses for giant courgettes.

1. PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE 2. THE MUSLIMS THE MUSLIMS 3. THE XX THE XX 4. FANFARLO RESERVOIR 5. RICHARD HAWLEY TRUELOVE’S GUTTER 6. DAN AUERBACH KEEP IT HID 7. CYMBALS EAT GUITARS ONCE THERE WERE MOUNTAINS 8. SPECK MOUNTAIN SOME SWEET RELIEF 9. HOWLING BELLS RADIO WARS 10. PAPERCUTS YOU CAN HAVE WHAT YOU WANT 11. DANGERMOUSE, SPARKLEHORSE & DAVID LYNCH DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL 12. THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME 13. BRICOLAGE BRICOLAGE 14. JAPANDROIDS POST NOTHING 15. THE OBITS I BLAME YOU 16. SLOW CLUB YEAH SO 17. LITTLE RED LISTEN TO 18. GIRLS ALBUM 19. PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND 20. TELEPATHE - DANCE MOTHER

1. THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME 2. BLACKBELT ANDERSEN BLACKBELT ANDERSEN 3. BIBIO AMBIVALENCE AVENUE 4. THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND 5. LINKWOOD SYSTEM 6. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES 7. MARTYN GREAT LENGTHS 8. LITTLE DRAGON MACHINE DREAMS 9. DESIRE II 10. YACHT SEE MYSTERY LIGHTS 11. LINDSTROM & CHRISTABELLE REAL LIFE IS NO COOL 12. SUBWAY SUBWAY II 13. THE GLIMMERS PRESENT DISKO DRUNKARDS THE GLIMMERS PRESENT DISKO DRUNKARDS 14. DAM-FUNK TOEACHIZOWN 15. SISTERS OF TRANSISTORS AT THE FERRANTI INSTITUTE 16. PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE 17. KING MIDAS SOUND WAITING FOR YOU 18. ZOMBY ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER 19. BAT FOR LASHES TWO SUNS 20. SMITH & MUDD LE SUIVANT

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Bibio, Desire, Dinosaur Jr, Bill Callahan, The xx, Juan Maclean, The Oh Sees – all released class albums that I’ve absolutely loved this year, but none of them managed to squeeze into my top 20.

I think that says everything about the sheer volume of fantastic releases this year.

My album of the year was debut from Cymbals Eat Guitars, which more than appealed to my Pavement senses. We originally got these direct from the band and sold an absolute cricket score of ‘em, so it was more than rewarding to see the album get snapped up and re-released over here by Memphis Industries. By the time you’re reading this I’ll hopefully saying how good their acoustic instore was in the middle of November!

Live highlights were few and far between this year, mainly my fault (oh those long hours), but I did manage to see the excellent Phantom Band three times, and this year’s Primevera festival again filled in all the gaps with another stunning line-up.

Football wise, FC United continue to amaze and then frustrate on alternate weeks, it’s time for big Ben Deegan to step up and defy his critics (Mark & Mark).

“Toeachizown” has left many here with their jaws on the floor and when Dâm-Funk, PBW, Pants and Mayer Hawthorne rocked the Deaf Institute in March, the Stones Throw collective further cemented their place in my heart! That night was trumped only by seeing Q-Tip live at the Roundhouse. Other gig highlights included Teenage Fanclub and Super Furries in a sunshine-soaked London park, Neil Young (W/ Macca!), Fleet Foxes and Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park and the awesome Kraftwerk at the Velodrome. Add to that list memorable performances from The Lemonheads, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, The 1990s, The Juan Maclean, Girls, Delphic, Passion Pit, The Phantom Band, Extra Golden, Glass Candy+Desire, The Low Anthem, Phoenix and the Warp20 Party in Sheffield and you get an idea of what I’ve done this year. Aside from Common Saturday nights recent addition DisKro Italia, I had a top time playing records at El Diablos & Electrik over the summer. Blowing a fortune on seeing United not turn up in Rome was a bit of a downer but seeing Michael Owen win the derby in the 90th minute went some way to making up for it! Italy holidays, NYC in ‘the fall’ and the news of my being an uncle for the first time at Christmas made 2009 a fantastic year!

1. CYMBALS EAT GUITARS WHY THERE ARE MOUNTAINS 2. THE PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE 3. JAPANDROIDS POST-NOTHING 4. SORE EROS SECOND CHANTS 5. YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT’S BLITZ 6. TELEPATHE DANCE MOTHER 7. GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST 8. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION 9. SONIC YOUTH THE ETERNAL 10. SUN ARAW HEAVY DEEDS 11. SPECK MOUNTAIN SOME SWEET RELIEF 12. THE MUSLIMS THE MUSLIMS 13. WOODEN SHJIPS DOS 14. EMERALDS WHAT HAPPENED 15. PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART 16. THE HORRORS PRIMARY COLOURS 17. HOPE SANDOVAL AND THE WARM INVENTIONS THROUGH THE DEVIL SOFTLY 18. PAPERCUTS YOU CAN HAVE WHAT YOU WANT 19. GANGLIANS MONSTER HEAD ROOM 20. MOLINA & JOHNSON MOLINA & JOHNSON

1. DAM-FUNK TOEACHIZOWN 2. BIBIO AMBIVALENCE AVENUE 3. WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) 4. THE CREPES WHAT ELSE? 5. MONSTERS OF FOLK MONSTERS OF FOLK 6. THE XX XX 7. DESIRE II 8. PHOENIX WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX 9. Q-TIP KAMAAL THE ABSTRACT 10. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION 11. LEE FIELDS MY WORLD 12. THE LOW ANTHEM OH MY GOD, CHARLIE DARWIN 13. DINOSAUR JR FARM 14. ATLAS SOUND LOGOS 15. 1990S KICKS 16. TAKEN BY TREES EAST OF EDEN 17. THE LEMONHEADS VARSHONS 18. MAYER HAWTHORNE A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT 19. SORE EROS SECOND CHANTS 20. EMPIRE OF THE SUN WALKING ON A DREAM

2009: It was the best of times...My girlfriend Lou moved in with me.

The Juan Maclean, Phantom Band, Glass Candy and Desire made going out on a school night worth the (not inconsiderable, believe me) effort. The xx, Rufdug, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear and Empire Of The Sun released singles so sublime that I (almost) prayed. I had two GREAT holidays, Darren Bent scored more goals than Tevez and Adebayor could manage between them and I saw my brother for the first time since his wedding...in 1990.

2009: It was the worst of times...My girlfriend Lou lost her job, twice. I hadn’t seen my brother in so long that I didn’t actually recognise him until he spoke to me and a freak storm cleared the beach bar at Electrik Elephant of, well everyone, while I DJ’ed, sending me into (a not very) early retirement.

2009 has been a great year in so many ways but...I’ll be glad when it’s over.

For me at least, 2009, musically and otherwise, felt like a transitional year, with no clear bearing or identity of it’s own, poised on the verge of something else. That doesn’t imply a lack of worth, in fact the absence of a directing fad has maybe been it’s strength, allowing for greater creative room to breathe and variety; something that appears to be borne out when I look back over my own favourite music for the year, which takes in everything from the joyful, hardcore infected din of the Japandroids through Health’s seductive clanging and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s unrestrained high energy indie pop exuberance (is there a better front person on the planet than Karen O?) to Richard Hawley’s aching croonery, Sun Araw’s eerie tribal psyche funk, and… …well, my very own personal pick of 2009 (but only just!), Jonsi & Alex’ soaring ‘Riceboy Sleeps’, a deeply evocative album entirely and exquisitely picked out on acoustic instruments (tenderly wielded for the most part by Amiina) which manages the not inconsiderable feat of taking the best of Brian Eno’s output and imbuing it with maybe the one thing it lacked - emotion. A thing of rare, touching beauty.

1. THE XX THE XX 2. DESIRE II 3. YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT’S BLITZ 4. AU REVOIR SIMONE STILL NIGHT, STILL LIGHT 5. EMPIRE OF THE SUN WALKING ON A DREAM 6. NANCY ELISABETH WROUGHT IRON 7. THE RAVONETTES IN AND OUT OF CONTROL 8. Q TIP KAMAAL THE ABSTRACT 9. GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST 10. THE PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE 11. DINOSAUR JR FARM 12. WILCO THE ALBUM 13. THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME 14. SMITH & MUDD LE SUIVANT 15. ESPERS III 16. SPECK MOUNTAIN SOME SWEET RELIEF 17. DANGERMOUSE AND SPARKLEHORSE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL 18. DAM FUNK TOEACHIZOWN 19. ATLAS SOUND LOGOS 20. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES

1. JONSI & ALEX RICEBOY SLEEPS 2. SUN ARAW HEAVY DEEDS 3. HEALTH GET COLOR 4. DESIRE II 5. YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT’S BLITZ 6. FIELD YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW 7. BAT FOR LASHES TWO SUNS 8. ESPERS III 9. GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST 10. HORRORS PRIMARY COLOURS 11. WOODEN SHJIPS DOS 12. BIBIO AMBIVALENCE AVENUE 13. GIRLS ALBUM 14. WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) 15. SOLID GOLD BODIES OF WATER 16. EMPIRE OF THE SUN WALKING ON A DREAM 17. HOWLING BELLS RADIO WARS 18. BILL CALLAHAN SOMETIMES I WISH WE WERE AN EAGLE’ 19. RICHARD HAWLEY TRUELOVE’S GUTTER 20. JAPANDROIDS POST NOTHING

I’m now at the stage, because of children and old age (I hope!) of not really being able to recall too much specific stuff from this or any recent year! Or maybe that’s because I don’t actually do too much? Apart from Family, it’s Music, I’m beyond wondering whether that’s healthy or not, ‘cause like Van Morrisson, it’s too late to stop now! But when I’ve got albums as extraordinary as Grizzly Bear’s “Veckatimest” by my side, then I know I’m on if not the right path, (bit of angst here!) then at least the only path for me! In my head this record is the number 1 album of the year, but when did the head ever rule the heart as far as music’s concerned? “Veckatimest” is unbelievably beautiful. It’s got brilliant songs, movingly sung, and the playing is delicate and measured one minute, roaming and dramatic the next. It’s a record that’s full of surprises, but one (after quite a few listens: there’s a lot going on!) you can hum as well. If you get two albums from my list, please get this and Camera Obscura; they’re both superb, but in very different ways. There’s something in both for everyone.

The start of every year sees a little lull in music with few releases and musicians who seem to take the whole month off. This year was no different until Grace Jones graced the Roundhouse stage, Camden and kicked off another great year.

Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac at the MEN Arena, U2, Dublin and the Durutti Column showed they still have it! I was lucky enough to visit Berlin twice, the second coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the wall.

A DJing high light was supporting Norman Jay in Ireland for External Sounds, thanks to Andrew and Co for that. An unexpected 40 yard flat move happened with help from my flat mate Sooz. Festival season took me to Glastonbury and Bestival. Closer to home, Manchester festivals Futuresonic and In The City where the gigs a plenty but Manchester International Festival stole the show bringing Kraftwerk, Elbow, Anthony And The Johnsons, Prima Donna and the mysterious “It Felt Like A Kiss.” All fantastic shows!

I seriously hope watching Oasis in Heaton Park wasn’t the last time?! Unsigned bands which won my heart include Dutch Uncles, Everything Everything and Air Ship. Meeting Nick Cave. Jako & Jerry Fuchs (Juan Maclean / !!!) R.I.P.

1. CAMERA OBSCURA MY MAUDLIN CAREER 2. GRIZZLY BEAR VECKATIMEST 3. JULIAN CASABLANCAS PHRAZES FOR THE YOUNG 4. M.WARD HOLD TIME 5. MONSTERS OF FOLK MONSTERS OF FOLK 6. YEAH YEAH YEAHS IT’S BLITZ 7. JASON LYTLE YOURS TRULY, THE COMMUTER 8. SPECK MOUNTAIN SOME SWEET RELIEF 9. RAVEONETTES IN AND OUT OF CONTROL 10. THE XX XX 11. HOWLING BELLS RADIO WARS 12. ESPERS III 13. PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE 14. WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) 15. THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME 16. THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND 17. ATLAS SOUND LOGOS 18. EMPIRE OF THE SUN WALKING ON A DREAM 19. AU REVOIR SIMONE STILL NIGHT, STILL LIGHT 20. THE BIG PINK A BRIEF HISTORY OF LOVE

1. BIBIO AMBIVALENCE AVENUE 2. THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME 3. QUANTIC & HIS COMBO BARBARO TRADITION IN TRANSLATION 4. LEE FIELDS MY WORLD 5. THE PHANTOM BAND CHECKMATE SAVAGE 6. MARYTN GREAT LENGTHS 7. NANCY ELIZABETH WROUGHT IRON 8. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES 9. SOULSAVERS BROKEN 10. PHENOMENAL HAND CLAP BAND PHENOMENAL HAND CLAP BAND 11. VOLCANO CHOIR UNMAP 12. JIMI TENOR & TONY ALLEN INSPIRATION INFORMATION 13. THE FIELD FROM HERE WE GO SUBLIME 14. MIIKE SNOW MIIKE SNOW 15. A MOUNTAIN OF ONE INSTITUTE OF JOY 16. DANGER MOUSE, SPARKLEHORSE & DAVID LYNCH DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL 17. PHOENIX WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX 18. WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) 19. ANTHONY & THE JOHNSONS THE CRYING LIGHT 20. THE XX XX

How quickly has this year gone? It seems like only last month that I was dancing manically down at Islington Mill, in awe of Ripley’s God-like presence. And it’s surely only a couple of months since we all lost it with the locals up in “That Amazing...” Appleby (thanks Francis). And what about the Chumps Cheeseburger Picnics, the only real rays of sunshine this Summer apart from when we all jumped ship and went completely cosmic in Croatia.

All these months, all these parties, inevitably blend into one towards this time of the year. It was nice to compile this listed soundtrack to the highs, lows and dreamy days gone by. Look out for more Detroit Public Radio shenanigans in the run up to the new year, another steaming Loft Party (props Craig!) in January and expect big things by local galactic funksters, John Sports. Big up to all merry customers for keeping us on our toes, on our arses, entertained, strained and out the rain and most importantly in respectable employment during these dark times! Keep warm and be nice to your fellow Martians this festive period. x

Plenty of boozed-up highlights this year. First came the immense Stone’s Throw tour event at the Deaf Institute way back in March. My ‘Man of the year’, Dam-Funk cracked out the heavy funk-boogie blast-off to end all heavy funk-boogie blast-offs. That one will live long in the memory. My only regret is that I didn’t cough up for a snazzy souvenir t-shirt.

Big props to Francis Wooff and co. for putting on another superb ‘That Amazing Thing’ camping trip in the lovely Cumbrian countryside. The much loved Salutation pub gets a mention for playing host to the now infamous ‘Chump’s Cheeseburger Picnic’ nights. Also, Detroit Public Radio’s barn-storming takeover of El Diablo’s social club on 4th July.

Showing the Yanks how it’s done.

Big football vibes too. Manchester Villa F.C have made a great start to the 09/10 season. Unbeaten in nine, winning seven and drawing two at the time of this writing. At this rate we’re a certainty for promotion to the Manchester accountants football league Premier division. Looking forward to 2010 and even 2011 now. Lots of stuff to squeeze in before the cosmic transformative events scheduled for 2012.

1. WOODEN SHJIPS DOS 2. HIEROGLYPHIC BEING SO MUCH NOISE 2 BE HEARD 3. MORITZ VON OSWALD TRIO VERTICAL ASSENT 4. SUN ARAW HEAVY DEEDS 5. DAM FUNK TOEACHIZOWN 6. JAMES FERRARO DISCOVERY 7. SMITH AND MUDD LE SUIVANT 8. LINKWOOD SYSTEM 9. DOOM BORN LIKE THIS 10. DEMDIKE STARE SYMBIOSIS 11. JAPANDROIDS POST NOTHING 12. DUCKTAILS DUCKTAILS 13. J DILLA JAY STAY PAID 14. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES 15. THE MUSLIMS THE MUSLIMS 16. GNOD LP1 17. CROWHEAD BEST KEPT SECRET 18. ANDRES II 19. HORRORS PRIMARY COLOURS 20. EMPIRE OF THE SUN WALKING ON A DREAM

1. DAM-FUNK TOEACHIZOWN 2. EL MICHELS AFFAIR ENTER THE 37TH CHAMBER 3. DOOM BORN LIKE THIS 4. ANDRES ANDRES II 5. 9DW 9DW 6. J-DILLA JAY STAY PAID 7. BIG PIMP JONES BAD BAD JIMMY RUCKUS 8. DINOSAUR JR FARM 9. HIEROGLYPHIC BEING SO MUCH NOISE 2 BE HEARD 10. LEE FIELDS MY WORLD 11. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES 12. JIMI TENOR & KABU KABU 4TH DIMENSION 13. WILCO WILCO (THE ALBUM) 14. WOODEN SHJIPS DOS 15. GNOD LP1 16. MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC 17. LINKWOOD SYSTEM 18. DALEK GUTTER TACTICS 19. CROWHEAD BORN WITH TEETH 20. WHITEST BOY ALIVE RULES

New albums aside, 2009 has been a great year for compilations.

I haven’t stopped listening to ‘Roll Your Moneymaker’ – a red-hot set of rockers from the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bill Davis Trio and Bo Diddley. A lot of bad dancing has gone on in my bedroom to “Nightdubbin” - the Idjut Boys’ flawless mix of 80s disco dubs. I’ve also had to ban myself from playing the recent Junior Boy’s Own retrospective in the shop due to bouts of extreme giddiness. In terms of individual tracks, I have spent many moments lost in M Ward’s “Outro (I’m a Fool To Want You)”. It contains some of the most emotional guitar playing I’ve heard for a while and has the strangest effect on my knees! Gigs-wise, I was very privileged to see Kraftwerk at the Velodrome - perhaps the most jaw-dropping show I’ve witnessed since Michael Jackson at Wembley in 1992. It was strange to hear the news of MJ’s death drifting into my tent at Glastonbury. I thought immediately of that gig, and how he left the stage by strapping on a jet pack and flying off above the stadium into the night. See you later, Mikey.

1. CAMERA OBSCURA MY MAUDLIN CAREER 2. LEE FIELDS MY WORLD 3. HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE 4. THE CREPES WHAT ELSE? 5. JIMI TENOR & KABU KABU 4TH DIMENSION 6. BILL CALLAHAN SOMETIMES I WISH WE WERE AN EAGLE 7. CASS MCCOMBS CATACOMBS 8. JIM O’ROURKE THE VISITOR 9. REDSHAPE THE DANCE PARADOX 10. THE JUAN MACLEAN THE FUTURE WILL COME 11. EXTRA GOLDEN THANK YOU VERY QUICKLY 12. SISTERS OF TRANSISTORS AT THE FERRANTI INSTITUTE 13. AIR LOVE 2 14. HELL TEUFELSWERK 15. DAM-FUNK TOEACHIZOWN VOL.1 - LATRIK 16. BAT FOR LASHES TWO SUNS 17. M WARD HOLD TIME 18. YO LA TENGO POPULAR SONGS 19. LINKWOOD SYSTEM 20. PHOENIX WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX

Toko Distribution

would like to thank Piccadilly for its continued support Toko Distribution is • An exclusive distributor of more than 20 of the U.K’s finest underground labels and the U.K’s one-stop solution for all U.S and European imports • The choice distributor for all the leading tastemaking indies in the U.K LINKWOOD: SYSTEM 3xLP/CD

“LINKWOOD’s debut album, and the first for Trus’me’s Prime Numbers imprint is a seriously special record. Everyone we know who’s heard the previous LINKWOOD releases for Firecracker and Prime Numbers has fallen instantly under their spell and “System” will only mean yet more converts”

V/A: TRY TO FIND ME VOL.2 CD

“We’ve heard a few of these over the years folks, and trust us...this is like an excerpt from the best club night you’ve never been to - just under an hour of mind-melting Discoid bliss, Funk, outsider Soul & raw House genius plus all manner of swerveballs thrown in”

for more information contact

alec@tokodistribution.com +44(0) 7977 421 440

J MASCIS

LINDSTROM’S 10 FROM 09

1. CARLTON MELTON PASS IT ON 2. BILL CALLAHAN SOMETIMES I WISH WE WERE AN EAGLE 3. WOODEN SHJIPS DOS 4. KURT VILE CHILDISH PRODIGY 5. DUCHESS AND DUKE SUNSET/ SUNRISE 6. SONIC YOUTH THE ETERNAL 7. MV/EE BARN NOVA 8. HUSH ARBORS YANKEE REALITY 9. PINK MOUNTAINTOPS OUTSIDE LOVE 10. BUILT TO SPILL THERE IS NO ENEMY

1. DIRTY PROJECTORS BITTE ORCA 2. PREFAB SPROUT LET´S CHANGE THE WORLD WITH MUSIC 3. NITE JEWEL GOOD EVENING 4. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION 5. AKRON/FAMILY SET ´EM WILD / SET ´EM FREE 6. THE FLAMING LIPS EMBRYONIC 7. PASSION PIT MANNERS 8. I WAS A KING I WAS A KING 9. VOLCANO CHOIR UNMAP 10. V/A DARK WAS THE NIGHT (RED HOT COMPILATION)

BALEARIC MIKE 1. MUDD & AHMED FAKROUN DRAGO (BRENNAN GREEN REMIX) 2. SMITH & MUDD HVALA / ENOS 3. SMITH & MUDD LE SUIVANT 4. RADIOHEAD RECKONER (JONNY MILLER REMIX) 5. THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND BABY 6. HOLGER CZUKAY ODE TO PERFUME / FRAGRANCE 7. TAKEN BY TREES EAST OF EDEN 8. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES 9. MENDES & ALCADA COASTER 10. MARK SEVEN ORIGINALS VOLUME 2 11. MATTHEW & JOLYON ORIGINALS VOLUME 4 12. BLACK RIO VOLUME 2 13. GOLF CHANNEL RECORDINGS LIZA / PENNY 14. ELEVATOR PEOPLE MOAI SUNSET / KUMPO 15. HOUSE OF HOUSE THE ROUGH HALF (DON’T STOP) 16. A MOUNTAIN OF ONE SKY IS FOLDING 17. THE BOOKS FEATURING JOSE GONZALEZ CELLO SONG 18. JOHANNA BILLING THIS IS HOW WE WALK ON THE MOON 19. MONSTERS OF FOLK DEAR GOD 20. DJ KAOS LOVE THE NIGHT AWAY (TIEDYE REMIX) I think it’s safe to say that Claremont 56 is my label of the year. Had to actually leave a release out.

THE CRÊPES 10 1. THE XX INTRO 2. RADIO DEPT DAVID 3. WASHED OUT BELONG 4. PET SHOP BOYS LOVE ETC 5. JOY ORBISON HYPH MNGO 6. DRAKE LUST FOR LIFE 7. WIZZARD SLEEVE NO MONGO 8. ESSER WORK IT OUT 9. LAKE HEARTBEAT BUILD THE WALL UP 10. M WARD HOLD TIME What else? Well, when it comes to The Crêpes we didn’t do too much. Two weeks of recording, 50 weeks of talking and drinking coffee. Celebrated the Swedish feasts midsommarafton and kräftskiva together of course.

Otherwise - Barney Hoskyns “Hotel California”, football in bad weather, Gus Van Sant films, family by the sea, St Etienne at Bloomsbury Ballroom, the new local pub. //Fredrik lindson, the crêpes

GIRLS (top ten from Chris from Girls) 1. GIRLS ALBUM 2. PET SHOP BOYS YES 3. CASS MCCOMBS CATACOMBS 4. THE SMITH WESTERNS THE SMITH WESTERNS 5. JAY Z THE BLUEPRINT 3 6. SHAKIRA SHE WOLF 7. AIR LOVE 2 8. TIM MCGRAW SOUTHERN VOICE 9. MARIAH CAREY MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL 10. STUART MURDOCH GOD HELP THE GIRL

PAUL ‘SMITH & MUDD’ MURPHY’S TOP 19 1. HOLGER CZUKAY ODE TO PERFUME 2. SHIT ROBOT SIMPLE THINGS (WORK IT OUT) (TODD TERJE REMIX) 3. SMITH & MUDD HVALA/ENOS 4. BON IVER FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO 5. 40 THIEVES DON’T TURN IT OFF 6. JOANNA BILLING HOW WE WALK ON THE MOON 7. MEANDERTHALS DESIRE LINES 8. MUDD & AHMED FAKROUN DRAGO 9. 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT DO IT TO THE MAX 10. TENSNAKE IN THE END I WANT TO CRY 11. CAPRACARA KING OF THE WITCHES (RUB N’ TUG REMIX) 12. JAZ I PLAYED SPORTS 13. AMADOU ET. MARIAM BARA 14. VARIOUS ORIGINALS VOLUME 2 – MARK SEVEN 15. FOOD OF THE GODS BOY FROM BRAZIL 16. FIST OF FACTS WAH-WAH EP 17. SMITH & MUDD LE SUIVANT 18. WALTER JONES LIVING WITHOUT YOUR LOVE 19. AMAZIAH SLOWLY

NEIL ‘EL DIABLO’ SCOTT’S TOP 20 12”S OF 2009 1. BOTTIN NO STATIC 2. TENSNAKE HOLDING BACK MY LOVE 3. LINDSTROM BABY CAN’T STOP (AEROPLANE REMIX) 4. SHIT ROBOT SIMPLE THINGS (WORK IT OUT) (TODD TERJE VERSION) 5. 40 THIEVES DON’T TURN IT OFF (BRENNAN GREEN REMIX) 6. TOBY TOBIAS IN YOUR EYES (TENSNAKE REMIX) 7. HOUSE OF HOUSE RUSHING TO PARADISE (WALKIN THESE STREETS) 8. NEUROTIC DRUM BAND ROBOTIC HYPNOTIC ADVENTURE 9. CRAZY P STOP SPACE RETURN (UNABOMBERS REMIX) 10. TRY TO FIND ME VOL. 1 11. TUCCILLO PANORAMA / THIS TIME 12. RADIOHEAD RECKONER (JONNY MILLER REMIX) 13. 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT DO IT TO THE MAX / JUST A MEMORY 14. ILIJA RUDMAN DANCE DISORDER (FAZE ACTION REMIX) 15. CAPRACARA KING OF THE WITCHES (RUB N TUG REMIX) 16. RUFDUG DIRTY 17. DISCO DEVIANCE PRESENTS GW EDITS 18. COSMIC BOOGIE OOH CHILD / SPACE MACHINE 19. STILL GOING SPAGHETTI CIRCUS / UNTITLED LOVE 20. TBD WHAT IS THIS?

KRAFTWERK THE CATALOGUE Electro Pioneers, living legends and globally revered masters of electronic sound, celebrate the 35th anniversary of their landmark 1974 hit “Autobahn” by releasing digitally remastered versions of eight astounding albums. In 2009 Kraftwerk upgraded their Kling Klang masters with the latest studio technology and these magnificent recordings still sound like nothing else in the history of music. Kraftwerk are unique, pristine, profound and beautiful.

Decades may pass, but their streamlined synthetic symphonies stand outside time, as fresh as tomorrow, transcendent and sublime. This beautiful 12”x12” CD Box Set contains all of the eight 2009 digital remasters in ‘mini-vinyl’ card wallet packaging, plus individual large booklets with expanded artwork.

2. THE VELVET UNDERGROUND SINGLES 1966–69 - 7” BOX SET 3. THE STONE ROSES THE STONE ROSES - 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTORS EDITION (3CD/3LP/DVD/ 2GB USB/ 1 BOOK /6 ART PRINTS) / THE 7” SINGLES COLLECTION - COMPLETE BOXSET 4. FRANZ FERDINAND TONIGHT: FRANZ FERDINAND - 7” BOX SET 5. VARIOUS ARTISTS WHERE THE ACTION IS! L.A. NUGGETS 1965-1968 6. DURUTTI COLUMN 2001-2009 / FOUR FACTORY RECORDS 7. BIG STAR KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY 8. RJD2 2002-2010 9. VARIOUS ARTISTS TOPIC RECORDS BOX SET: THREE SCORE & TEN: A VOICE TO THE PEOPLE 10. FANFARLO RESERVOIR - SPECIAL EDITION 2CD BOX SET 11. VARIOUS ARTISTS CATHEDRAL CLASSICS VOLUME ONE 12. THE SMITHS SINGLES BOX (CD) 13. VARIOUS ARTISTS OUT COME THE FREAKS - ISLAND RECORDS POST PUNK BOX SET 14. VARIOUS ARTISTS MEET ON THE LEDGE - ISLAND RECORDS FOLK BOX SET 15. VARIOUS ARTISTS STRANGELY STRANGE BUT ODDLY NORMAL - AN ISLAND RECORDS ANTHOLOGY 2009

1 TOP CLASS MANAGER - ROB GRETTON THE NOTEBOOKS OF JOY DIVISION’S MANAGER 1978-1980 Rob Gretton remains one of Manchester music’s most influential, yet elusive, characters. “1 Top Class Manager” allows us a glimpse of his thought processes and working methods during the Joy Division period. It gives us a new perspective on post-punk Manchester and the birth of Factory Records, and retells the Joy Division story through a collage of band manifestos, ‘to do’ lists, studio notes, and scribbled ideas.

2. GRAHAM JONES LAST SHOP STANDING - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO RECORD SHOPS? 3. VINCE ALETTI THE DISCO FILES 1973-78 NEW YORK UNDERGROUND WEEK BY WEEK 4. BOY’S OWN THE COMPLETE FANZINES 1986-92 5. TIM LAWRENCE HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAMS: ARTHUR RUSSELL AND THE DOWNTOWN MUSIC SCENE, 1973-92 6. DAG ERIK ASBJORNSEN COSMIC DREAMS AT PLAY 7. GILLES PETERSON & STUART BAKER FREEDOM, RHYTHM & SOUND - REVOLUTIONARY JAZZ IN THE USA 1965-80 8. NEVILLE & GAVIN WATSON RAVING ‘89 9. VARIOUS ARTISTS LIGHT - ON THE SOUTH SIDE / PEPPER’S JUKEBOX 10. DICKIE FELTON THE DAY I MET MORRISSEY - A COLLECTION OF MEETINGS WITH MORRISSEY

THROBBING GRISTLE : GRISTLEISM / BUDDHA MACHINE Bastard offspring of now-famous ambient loop player the Buddha Machine, Gristleism is part Industrial sound machine, part noise instrument. Featuring thirteen original and uncompromising loops, Gristleism delivers a mix of signature Throbbing Gristle experimental noise, industrial drone, and classic melodies and rhythms. Available in three colours - Black, Chrome and Red - the palm-sized unit features a built-in speaker, volume control, pitch-shift control and loop selector switch.

Gristleism features more loops and almost twice the frequency range of the Buddha Machine. Gristleism is powered by two AA batteries and is the world’s first and only portable TG aural exciter!

Gristleism was born from a collaboration between Industrial Records, Throbbing Gristle and Christiaan Virant, the creator of the original FM3 Buddha Machines. Packaged in a exquisite ‘chinese paper-cut’ wrapping, featuring a repeating TG logo pattern, foil embossing and UV ink.

CHILL PILL : MOBILE SPEAKERS With a big sound and rugged, compact case these Chill Pill mobile speakers are an essential part of your digital travelling kit. These mini speakers look and sound great attached to a laptop, PSP, MP3 player, iPod, iPhone or desktop computer (anything with a 3.5mm headphone port). The Chill Pill speaker system consists of a pocket-sized, self-contained capsule that transforms into two powered stereo speakers. Enclosed in a rugged matt deep red case that protects the speakers, batteries and retractable cables, the Chill Pill pods magnetically click together for easy transportation.

When stowed in travel mode, the speakers measure only 2” x 4”.

The two speakers are powered by a self-contained rechargeable lithium ion battery which has eight hours of playing time. The Chill Pill speakers will provide you with a seriously good sound and plenty of bass - unwind the tops for an even more resonant sound.

Available in black, red and silver.

PETE MCKEE – GREAT MOMENTS IN MANCHESTER MUSIC – OPEN EDITION PRINTS Artist Pete McKee has come up with 11 works of art featuring various Mancunian music legends and moments in time. These open edition prints are 60cm x 60cm and each one is accompanied by a story printed along the bottom.

BOOKLET DESIGN: WWW.MARKBROWNSTUDIO.CO.UK