LIMITED 300 ONLY TRANSPARENT SKY BLUE LP. HOUSED IN FULL COLOUR SLEEVE WITH POLYLINED INNER BAG & DOWNLOAD CODE
Two fields of existence collide as Nolla (Finnish psych/space rockers) & Mike Vest (Maximalist guitar guru, Bong, Blown Out, Drunk In Hell, Artifacts & Uranium, Modoki, Tomoyuki Trio, Mienakunaru etc) merge their creative visions for the third time.
Creating a steady and surreal exploration through astral planes. Nolla improvised the ground layer in their signature minimal space-rock style and MikeV wrapped everything up in lavish layers of fuzz, phased and U-Wah layered guitars.
Blending octaval tones, around an array of electronics & vocal harmonies. Resulting in a constant trance like psychedelic drone rock.
It's time to join the extraterrestrial communion, beyond the skies, convert into the mode of light and pay homage to his mighty eminence.
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- Helpful Monkey Wallpapers Entire Home
- Texas Man Abducted By Aliens For Outer Space Joy Ride
- National Sports Association Hires Retired English Professor To
- Name New Wrestling Holds
- Dedicated Thespian Has Teeth Pulled To Play Newborn Baby In
- High School Play
- Three-Year-Old Genius Graduates High School At Top Of Her Class
- Embarrassed Teen Accidentally Uses Valuable Rare Postage Stamp
- Principal Punishes Students With Bad Impressions And Tired Jokes
- Retired Grocer Constructs Tiny Mount Rushmore Entirely Of
- Cheese
- X-Ray Reveals Doctor Left Wristwatch Inside Patient
- Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert By Mistake #2
- Retired Woman Starts New Career In Monkey Fashions
- Circus Strongman Runs For Pta President
- High School Shop Class Constructs Bicycle Built For 26
- Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert By Mistake #1
- Ohio Town Saved From Killer Bees By Hungry Vampire Bats
- Nevada Man Invents Piano With 21 Extra Keys
- Clever Chemist Makes Chewing Gum From Soap
- Minnesota Man Claims Monkey Bowled Perfect Game
- Ingenious Scientist Invents Car Of The Future
- Car Gears Stick In Reverse, Daring Driver Crosses Town Backwards
- Shocking Fashion Statement Terrorizes Town
- Feisty Millionaire Fills Potholes With Hundred-Dollar Bills
In den 90ern hatte Jad Fair fünf Lieblingsbands und Songwriter: Daniel Johnston, The Pastels, Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub und Yo La Tengo. Das ist echt eine coole Liste, aber das Besondere daran ist, dass Fair im Laufe von etwa zwölf Jahren mit allen in irgendeiner Form Musik gemacht hat. Jad Fair ist seit einem halben Jahrhundert produktiv, lange bevor das Internet ein simultanes und scheinbar ewiges Archiv von allem schaffen konnte, was jemand mit seinen Vorlieben gemacht hat. Er war an mindestens mehreren hundert Titeln beteiligt, von denen viele bei kleinen Labels erschienen, die es heute nicht mehr gibt, und die vergriffen sind. Tatsächlich ist eine dieser Kollaborationen, die Fair in den 90er Jahren gemacht hat - Strange But True mit Yo La Tengo - schwer zu finden, obwohl sie am 20. Oktober 1998 in den USA bei Matador Records erschienen ist. Jetzt wird das Album zum ersten Mal von Joyful Noise und Bar/None auf Vinyl neu aufgelegt. Als Fair Mitte der 90er Jahre mit Yo La Tengo auf einer Party spielte, waren sie alle Freunde, Fans und Kollaborateure, die gemeinsam an Platten gearbeitet oder diese veröffentlicht hatten. Als Fair vorschlug, gemeinsam ins Studio zu gehen, war das Trio sofort dabei. Das Ergebnis, ,Strange But True", ist so wunderbar, abwechslungsreich und wild wie eine riesige Wiese mit einheimischen Gräsern. Dieses Kollaborationsalbum zeigt die unglaubliche Bandbreite der Künstler und versetzt uns zurück in eine Zeit, in der Indie-Rock noch so seltsam und widerspenstig sein durfte, wie seine Schöpfer es wollten.
- Help Me Up
- Competition
- Are You Talkin' To Me?
- Dynamite
- Something Beautiful
- Warm Love
- Betcha Won't Dance
- Fever
- Tear Jerker
Veröffentlicht 1977 auf Led Zeppelins Swan Song Records, zeigte Detective mit ,It Takes One To Know One" eine weitere Steigerung ihres kraftvollen Hardrocks, mit Frontmann Michael Des Barres und dem ehemaligen Yes Keyboarder Tony Kaye an der Spitze. Mit einer Mischung aus kraftvollen Riffs, bluesigen Grooves und einem Hauch von Glam festigte das Album den Ruf der Band als eine der bedeutendsten Neuverpflichtungen von Swan Song Records. Diese limitierte Neuauflage wurde auf lavendelfarbenem Vinyl gepresst, von Dave Gardner neu remastert und mit aktualisiertem Artwork sowie einer ausklappbaren Beilage versehen. Ein lange übersehenes Juwel des 70er-Jahre-Rock, das endlich mit der gebührenden Sorgfalt wiederveröffentlicht wurde.
French artist based in Brussels, Che Vuoi presents her first album Cinecittàx, a nod to the great Italian studio, and a tribute to false dreams.
A theatre at the back of a run-down piano bar, where surreal and intimate scenes unfold; words and stories drawn from disparate sources: Fellini, G. Réal, Diderot... or written by herself, spoken, shouted or barely whispered by an altered voice.
Noises, samples, a drum machine, a brush on a snare drum, a piano spinning round and round until it reaches delirium and its own abolition, leaving us suspended in a constant in-between or a time that never truly existed.
« This voice, gentle, mad, with lightning verve, tells between the lines and the echoes the presence of threatening shadows and ghosts. And it is Che Vuoi, her character, her world of images, that haunts us. It is a strange bewitchment that carries us beyond the words she has freed from "the stationery I stole from Bellavista the other night" ("le papier à lettre que j’ai chipé au Bellavista l’autre soir") into the lair of her universe, as whimsical as it is silky in which we let ourselves slip, as one would slip over the rock of an esoteric river, in the heart of a forest that makes music and has delirious things to tell us. »
- The Serpent
- Contortionist
- Dead Throne
- Rome (Feat. Dal Av)
- One For The Money
- Conquer (Feat. Josh Mowery Of Catch Your Breath)
- Anodyne
- Catalyst
- Plagues
- Evergreen
- Second Sight
Arankai stammt aus Wisconsin im Mittleren Westen der Vereinigten Staaten und trat erstmals 2022 mit einer Reihe von Independent-Veröffentlichungen in Erscheinung. Mit einer Mischung aus Metal, Alternative Rock und empathisch-emotionalen Texten baute er sich mit seinen rauhen Sound und seinee beeindruckende Präsenz in den sozialen Medien schnell eine treue Fangemeinde auf. Im Jahr 2025 veröffentlichte er nun mit "A Portrait of Red" den ersten Teil seiner lang erwarteten Albumtriologie und festigt damit seinen Platz als aufstrebender Act in der Alternative-Metal-Szene. Inklusive der Single "Conquer" mit Josh Mowery von Catch Your Breath. Für Fans von Archers, Bad Omens, Corpse Husband, Motionless In White, Black Veil Brides, I Prevail, Sleep Token, Fit For A King, The Amity Affliction.
- Stone Cold Ten
- The Race Is On
- Scars
- Nightlife
- Shadows
- Turn It Up
- I'm Not In Love
- Hyperion
- Love Comes Easy
- Kamikaze Casanova
Razorbats unleash their fifth studio album, "Anthems of a Lost Century" - a sonic blast that throws you straight into the golden age of rock, while pushing the genre forward with power and attitude. This is not just another record - it's a statement. Recorded at Velvet Recordings in Spydeberg with producer Eiliv Sagrusten, and released by the renowned label Voices of Wonder, "Anthems of a Lost Century" is a tribute to the era 1974-1994 - packed with massive production, unforgettable hooks, and a sound that demands attention.
To mark the 50th Anniversary of Punk and The Sex Pistols we have relaunched one of the original books on The Sex Pistols. The book details the groups worldwide releases with over 200 colour and black and white illustrations. A detailed timeline of the bands history and list of gigs and appearances up to their initial demise in 1978. The story has not changed since this books first release. The Sex Pistols are the last great Rock `n’ Roll band that signified change. Never before or since has music, art, youth and social statement peaked at the same time. The Sex Pistols were very much a vinyl orientated phenomenon that consisted great artwork. So sit back and enjoy their story through their releases around the world. 96 pages Over 200 pictures of rare and deleted releases throughout the world Plus history of the band and list of gigs and appearances.
- Gemstones
- Down On The Street
- He's The Brat
- Over The Sunrise
- Crackhouse Blues
- Before My Bedtime
- Carolina
- Emily
- Who's Your Boyfriend
- Country Road
- Choke On A Cock
- Bible Club
- Chubby Princess
- Losing On A Tuesday
- Teddy Boys
YELLOW COLOURED DELUXE VINYL[26,68 €]
Adam Greens Musik ist so untrennbar mit dem Wesen New Yorks verbunden wie das Rumpeln der U-Bahn, der Schmutz der Lower East Side oder der barocke Glanz der Midtown-Blocks, in denen einst die Geisterjäger ihre Runden drehten. Seine Songs spiegeln die Stadt in ihrer zeitlosen Mischung aus Chaos, Energie und Sehnsucht wider. Sie durchdringen die dunklen Geschichten Manhattans ebenso wie die von Gentrifizierung gereinigten Straßen und fangen die widersprüchliche Erfahrung des Großstadtlebens ein - die Gleichzeitigkeit von Nähe und Einsamkeit, Abenteuer und Entfremdung, Gesellschaft und Isolation. Sein 2005 erschienenes Soloalbum Gemstones ist tief in dieser Welt verwurzelt - eine musikalische Antwort auf Bright Lights, Big City. Die rockabilly-getriebenen Rhythmen rütteln wie die L-Train, die Melodien wehen wie ein Windstoß zwischen den Häuserschluchten. Doch auch wer New York nie betreten hat, findet in diesen Stücken den universellen Nerv des Alleinseins inmitten der Menge. Getragen von Greens markanter Baritonstimme entfaltet sich Gemstones als bunte Klangreise: vom drehenden, von einer Wurlitzer angetriebenen Titelsong über das orgelnde Over The Sunrise und das unwiderstehliche Rock"n"Roll-Stück Emily bis hin zur bittersüßen Ballade Losing On A Tuesday. Fantasievolle Bilder, surreale Sprachspiele und charmante Melodien schaffen eine Welt. Doch unter all dem Witz und der Verspieltheit schlägt ein echtes, warmes Herz voller Gefühl. Gemstones ist zugleich berauschend und tröstlich - ein Album, das Leichtigkeit mit Tiefgang verbindet. Nach seiner Veröffentlichung machte es Adam Green vor allem in Deutschland zum Star: Das Publikum erkannte in diesem modernen "Two Cent Opera" die Schönheit kleiner Geschichten und großer Melodien. Zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum erscheint Gemstones nun neu auf Vinyl - ein perfekter Anlass, diesen musikalischen Edelstein erneut funkeln zu lassen.
ROMÉO ELVIS & OSCAR AND THE WOLF
JARDIN
- 1: Lose My Baby
- 2: Chargé
- 3: Bon Sens
- 4: M'en Ballec
- 5: Fading Into You
- 6: Ceiling
- 7: Closer (Monet)
- 8: Crocodilla
Sometimes, the most beautiful stories begin simply between friends, over laughter, late nights and shared music. That’s how the collaboration between Oscar and the Wolf and Roméo Elvis was born. What started as an unexpected jam session after dinner soon evolved into something much greater: a modern-day Romeo and Juliet where two distinct worlds, North and South, pop and rap, light and shadow, meet and merge effortlessly.
Their first collaboration, “Ceiling”, captures that magic: the perfect balance between intimacy and grandeur, where contrast becomes harmony. Premiered live before 100,000 people during Belgium’s National Day celebrations, the single immediately resonated, becoming a radio hit and surpassing one million streams within weeks.
Now, the duo present JARDIN, an eight-track EP arriving this December. Here, Oscar and the Wolf and Roméo Elvis push each other beyond their comfort zones, exploring new sonic landscapes and blending their unique identities into one sound. From the pulsating energy of “Crocodila” and “Je M’en Balec”, to the tender alternative rock ballad “Lose My Baby”, and the groove-driven “Chargé (Monet)” or the club-ready “Bon Sense”, JARDIN unfolds like a living garden, a vibrant space where every track blossoms into something new.
To celebrate the release, the duo will perform together for the first time on December 15 and 16 at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels. Both shows sold out within hours, a testament to the excitement surrounding this groundbreaking collaboration.
With JARDIN, Oscar and the Wolf and Roméo Elvis don’t just unite genres and languages; they build a bridge between regions, emotions and artistic worlds, a celebration of sound, connection and friendship.
- 1: Intro
- 2: Juno
- 3: Burnout Days
- 4: Inner Wave
- 5: Sad Disco
- 6: Glistening
- 7: Rodeo Clown
- 8: Whales
- 9: Moon Rocks
- 10: Reason To Pretend
- 11: Sunlight
- 12: Tides
- 13: August
- 14: Right?
- 15: Window
- 16: Swim Between Trees
- 17: If It Is
- 18: Savannah
- 19: Playground
- 20: Space Cowboy
- 21: Churches
- 22: Nickel
flipturn started the year strong national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live and seemingly didn't stop. Their Spring tour dates across the United States saw them play their largest headline show to date and sell out iconic venues like Chicago's Salt Shed and New York's Terminal 5. Ultimately, the band's 2025 tour dates have seen them increase their venue sizes seven-fold or more in most cities across the country, since touring their 2022 debut album Shadowglow
- 1: Lady Of Lavender
- 2: It's Taking So Long
- 3: Rock & Roll Star
- 4: Willie
- 5: Fly Off With The Wind
- 6: For Emile (Demo Version)
- 7: Seven Virgins
- 8: For Emile
- 9: Travel In A Circle
- 10: Blessed Be The People
- 11: Hang On To A Dream
Highlighted by Kathy's own exquisite compositions like 'Fly off with the Wind' and 'For Emile', it also includes her unique interpretations of songs by Jimmie Spheeris and Jackson Browne. This is the first official reissue - 180g vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.
Her superlative voice is supported by a team of heavyweight studio musicians, among them Jan Hammer, Warren Bernhardt, Tony Levin, Jerry Jemmott, Don Alias and Jeremy Steig. Remastered from the original analogue tapes, this edition includes two exceptional previously unreleased bonus tracks - 'For Emile' (demo version), and 'Hang On To A Dream'. Smith emerged from the same Orange County, Californian milieu as Tim Buckley and Jackson Browne. Championed by singer- songwriter- guitarist Richie Havens, Kathy recorded two hauntingly beautiful albums, 'Some Songs I've Saved' and 'Kathy Smith 2', for his Stormy Forest label, and then quietly disappeared from the scene. 'Kathy Smith 2', presented here, is the first authorised reissue of the LP
- 1: Santa Monica
- 2: Robert Redford
- 3: Tidal Wave
- 4: A Little Mark
- 5: Laugh At Death
- 6: Kids
- 7: Vampire Weekend
- 8: For The Roses
- 9: Sapphire Days
- 10: Some Boys
- 11: Barbara?S Ocean
Kurt Vile once sang that he had a freeway in mind, but Matt Kivel (Vile’s former Woodsist labelmate) literally has a freeway mind. Kivel grew up in Santa Monica, California, getting shuttled up and down the 10, the 101, PCH, and all the other freeways Angelenos lovingly affix definite articles to. He started out in music as part of the buzzy, Eagle Rock-based indie band Princeton, toured the country relentlessly, burned out, and then resurfaced with a series of bleak, hauntingly spare solo albums that garnered widespread critical acclaim.
Over the ensuing decade, Kivel collaborated closely with a growing set of brilliant, and varied musicians from across the globe, including Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Alasdair Roberts, Madi Diaz, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, Jana Horn, and Satomimagae. He moved to Austin, Texas then left for New York City for a spell and then returned to Austin where he settled down. In 2017, he started writing the songs for what would become his eighth solo album, Escape From L.A. Escape From L.A. is an autobiographical song cycle that chronicles the first thirty-three years of Kivel’s life in the City of Angels. The material was labored over, rewritten, rearranged, and rerecorded numerous times, between LA, New York, and Austin. Kivel self-effacingly refers to it as his “bootleg as hell Blood On The Tracks” with myriad alternate sequences, tempos and arrangements that will never see the light of day. It involved over twenty collaborators, a string section, pedal steel guitars, and a renewed lyrical and vocal clarity that allows the narrative vignettes to unspool in vivid detail. It’s a beautiful, grounded statement and one of Kivel’s best.
- 1: Moony Cat
- 2: Molasses
- 3: Schiefe Bahn
- 4: Whiffs Of Smoke
- 5: The Figurine
- 6: The Demon
- 7: Stereometrie
- 8: Triple Moon Ride
- 9: Secret Of The Ooze
- 10: Pferdchen, Bis Bald !
The post-punk-ish Leipzig garage rockers Onyon put out their last album, 2023’s Last Days On Earth, on Chicago’s revered Trouble In Mind label. Now that Trouble In Mind has ceased operations, they’ll release their forthcoming Pale Horses through the Swish Swash and Mangel labels.
- 1: Prophecy
- 2: Spell Of Seven
- 3: Moths Of The British Isles
- 4: The Atavist
- 5: Unity Of Light
- 6: Harpies
- 7: Doperider
- 1: Drugdealer Feat. Weyes Blood - Real Thing
- 2: Drugdealer - The News
Over two years in the making, and many more in the two musician’s shared dream, ‘Real Thing’ unites longtime collaborators Michael Collins (Drugdealer) and Natalie Mering (Weyes Blood). Recorded across continents, ‘Real Thing’ is a return, a refinement and a reminder of the deep connection that has bound these two titans of song over multiple collaborations. The journey of ‘Real Thing’ began when Collins, while on a European sojourn, crossed paths with Parisian producer Max Baby. As one does while in Paris, they found themselves in a studio owned by a member of the 1970s French prog rock band Magma. There, a chord progression long-gestating in Collins’ brain blossomed into a bonafide demo.
Collins recalls, “I realized immediately that it was the perfect thing to show Nat, who I had been wanting to collaborate with again for years.” The connection and musical camaraderie between Collins and Mering dates back to 2014 in Oakland, where a chance meeting and studio session marked the genesis of their enduring partnership. Collins reflects, “Since then, I’ve felt like she’s my musical family. I can’t really ask for more in terms of someone who inspired me to even get to this place in my songwriting.” On the B-side is ‘The News’, Drugdealer’s first collaboration with Robbie Chemical. What began as a simple harmony grew into a panoramic partnership, the musician’s voices effortlessly entwined, and a pop paragon envisioned. Inspired by generational conversations on chaos, change and connection, the track opens a new chapter - topical, personal and unmistakably Drugdealer. As Drugdealer, Michael Collins has crafted a career that blends introspective songwriting with a reverence for classic pop and R&B. A native of the East Coast, Collins’ musical adventure began with the experimental pop collages of Run DMT and Salvia Plath before evolving into the more melodic, refined songwriting heard in Drugdealer’s acclaimed albums ‘Raw Honey’ and ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’. Natalie Mering, better known as Weyes Blood, has similarly forged a path of emotive, transcendental folk-pop that delves into themes of myth, love and existential longing.
Known for her ethereal voice and evocative lyrics, Mering’s latest works, ‘Titanic Rising’ and ‘And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow’, are nothing short of modern classics, though also feel like just the start of this artist’s undeniable ascent. “For both artists, this is their first song since their respective 2022 albums, and what a way to come back. ‘Real Thing’ feels like uncovering a forgotten ’70s disco duet” - PASTE “A lush and insistent folk-pop jam” - Stereogum For fans of Mac Demarco, Kate Bollinger, Men I Trust, Toro y Moi, TOPS, Alice Phoebe Lou, Tame Impala, Thee Sacred Souls, Vacations, Allah-Las, Kurt Vile, Beach Fossils, Slow Pulp, Foxygen, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Hand Habits, Father John Misty, Oracle Sisters, Whitney, The Lemon Twigs, Mild High Club, Khruangbin, Angel Olsen.
- A1: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- A2: Frosty The Snowman
- A3: We Three Kings
- A4: Dark Christmas
- A5: Pie Jesu
- A6: Jingle Bells
- A7: The First Noel
- A8: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- A9: White Christmas
- A10: What Child Is This
- A11: O Holy Night
- A12: Angels We Have Heard On High
- B1: O Tannenbaum
- B2: Feliz Navidad
- B3: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- B4: Together
- B5: Jingle Bell Rock
- B6: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
- B7: Amazing Grace
- B8: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
- B9: Deck The Halls
- B10: Wonderful Christmastime
- B11: Last Christmas
- B12: All I Want For Christmas Is You
Introversion delivers a powerful five-tracker on FJAAK's CROWD with 'Ghost Rockets', pushing his signature blend of gritty textures, stripped-down rhythms and emotional weight even further. Known for fusing 90s-rooted techno with contemporary clarity, Introversion opens the EP with 'Lights', a track that rides a relentless hardgroove rhythm before lifting off into an epic, melodic climax made for big rooms and peak-time moments. The title track 'Ghost Rockets' follows with the unmistakable CROWD signature: rolling, minimalistic grooves anchored by Detroit-inspired synth stabs and tense, driving percussion. On the B-side, 'Visitors' starts deep and atmospheric, slowly morphing into a propulsive, forward-pushing roller that balances subtlety and pressure. On 'Hessdalen' things take a darker turn: A menacing groove emerges, led by evil synth stabs that march with precision through a hypnotic, unrelenting beat. The EP closes with 'Wow-Signal', a digital-only track that begins with a long robotic intro, building tension before unfolding into a groovy, nerdy banger loaded with synthetic detail and energy. Introversion's 'Ghost Rockets' EP is a high-impact release that balances floor power with intricate design, being a perfect fit for both deep club nights and peak festival moments. The Berliner will present the release as part of the CROWD Showcase along with label-heads FJAAK on November 29th at Gew?lbe in Cologne - make sure to be there in the first row!
- 1: Dangerous Times
- 2: What A Mess
- 3: Traces
- 4: Secret Place
- 5: Get Out Of My Way
- 6: Let's Go Rocking (Short Version)
- 7: Never Look Back
- 8: Living Day By Day
- 9: Love Peace Rock' N’ Roll
- 10: Boogie Man, Rock And Roll Singer
15th Anniversary Edition. Black Vinyl. When Dinosaur Jr. reunited, more than 20 years after their formation and legendary dissolution, the worry was that these guys were just flogging the back catalog, taking the old show on the road as a marketing gimmick. But the 2007 release of Beyond gave a hearty Marshall-driven "F**K YOU!" answer to those inquiring ears. Restoring the sound established by the unassailable hat-trick gambit of their first three albums -- Dinosaur, You're Living All Over Me, and Bug -- Beyond continued the band's march into rock greatness by making old ears smile and new ears bleed afresh. And then came Farm, the 9th full length record by the original line-up: J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph. If Beyond was Dinosaur Jr.'s return to form, Farm is proof that Dinosaur Jr. could (and still do, to this day!) deliver timeless, exhilarating rock music. Farm encompasses Dinosaur Jr.'s signature palette: soaring and distorted guitar, unshakable hooks, honey-rich melodies. At times wholly 70's guitar-epic, at times perfect for sitting by a babbling brook with Joni and Neil, these songs get into your head and stay there, bouncing happily around. The ear-catching "Plans" is nearly seven minutes of classic whipped-topping rock dessert, while "I Don't Wanna Go There" is a meat-and-potatoes main dish, mixing unapologetic lead guitar with straight-ahead delivery a la James Gang or Humble Pie. This expanded deluxe edition of Farm features four songs never pressed to vinyl and never given worldwide release:"Houses", "Whenever You're Ready" (The Zombies Cover), "Creepies" (Instrumental), and "Show". "Whenever You're Ready", a cover of classic pop-rockers The Zombies, is impossibly good for a hidden gem; Murph stomps in with a sledgehammer to the kit, J and Lou layer low-end and fuzz like two halves of one brain, and right when things feel biggest, airy and colossal, there's J with a lightning bolt of a guitar solo. Pure electricity and melody like only he can make. Recorded in J Mascis' Bisquiteen studio in Amherst, Massachusetts, Farm was produced by Mascis himself, and delivers the singular, unique energy of one of America's greatest living rock bands.
US Black Friday 2025 Release. There are very few albums in the psych/punk/hard rock/private presses strata that garner the sort of universal awe and accolades that Fraction’s almighty Moonblood LP does, and even fewer records in the world that could be dubbed ‘Christian Rock’ incur such fierce devotion. Indeed some records just meteorically lift themselves out any genre tag with brilliance and sheer defiance--and Moonblood is surely one of them. Based in LA, Fraction was a ragged collection of working-class musicians--the line-up was ringleader Jim Beach--vocals; Don Swanson--lead guitar, Curt Swanson--drums, Victor Hemme--bass, and Robert Meinel--rhythm guitar. Beach himself describes those early days: “The guys met through various acquaintances that we had in LA. All of us had been in bands before, but were seeking something with more teeth. We had a small studio in an industrial complex in North Hollywood and started practicing sometimes as early as 4:30 AM. We all had day jobs, so we did what we could.”
Amazingly the recording sessions for the album were recorded similarly on the fly, as Beach further states: “The Moonblood recording took place at Whitney’s Studio in Glendale, CA, early in 1971. On a strict budget, these songs were recorded in less than three hours—all of them “one takes.” We played, all 5 of us, simultaneously-- there were no studio effects, no overdubbing or any additional sound effects added. Basically what you hear is considered ‘old school’ recording.”
This workmanlike description in no way prepares one for the pure tortured genius the session wrought. Particularly noteworthy is Beach’s vocals—as commonly stated, the spirit of Jim Morrison is conjured in his deep baritone, which gives way to unparalleled pained howls, at times bathed in delay which trails into the abyss. Fascinatingly enough, Beach cites the much punker Love as his fave LA band over the Doors, and also gives influence-nods to proto-everything rockers The Yardbirds and to Dylan, whose dark word tapestries surely inspired Beach’s lyrics (though lines from The Doors’ “L’America” pop up on the LP) Whatever the case, the man clearly has a vision, as even the stark sleeve concept is Beach’s own. Equally as integral to the Fraction sound is lead guitarist Don Swanson—his blown-out fuzz riffs set a template for what is now commonly known as “stoner rock” or “acid punk,” and his solos consist of jagged, wah-wah-ed shards of notes, with his amplifier clearly pushed to the limit.
Beach says: “Don’s guitar was always my driving force and he did everything he could to keep it over the top. You’d never know that (his sound) was coming from an old, broken down Esquire. Don kept it alive!” The other members contributions shouldn’t be underappreciated though-- drummer Curt Swanson keeps things at a constant simmer, and then boils over when the whole band launches into snarling glory. The band and LP as a whole equals something indescribably intense from start to finish—comparisons to the Detroit late 60s high-energy bands like The Stooges and MC5 abound, as well as the sort of late 60s damaged spirit lurking in biker clubs and disgruntled Vietnam vets. The song cycle on side 1 of the LP in particular cuts to the emotional core, with severely charged dark lyrics like “Extend your thumbs and burn the darkness out of her.” Which brings us to the Christian aspect--it often can confuse listeners. The Fraction/Beach world of religion is complex and perhaps a bit pagan/sinister than most---fire and brimstone, temptation, and the truth-seeker being burned by this hell on earth—or perhaps as Beach himself best put it: “Speaking for myself, as a believer, it’s been a progressive experience since my childhood.
I think we’re all basically driven to live more than religion.” The album was pressed in a run of but a few hundred to little attention in the day, but now inferior bootlegs flood the marketplace, and originals of Moonblood command thousands of dollars. So enjoy this all-inclusive reissue, which also features for the first time on vinyl, 3 lost tracks-- like the more acoustic-minded “prisms” and “dawning light,” as well as the proto-metal choogle of “Intercessor’s Blues.”




















