CALLAGHAN, JOHN Im Not Comfortable Inside My Mind (Warp) 7" 5.50
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Another indiepop venture for the UK label otherwise known for innovative elctronica releases. This is dark electronics fused with twee pop sentiments, for fans of Broadcast or Smog.

CALLAHAN, BILL Apocalypse (Drag City) cd 14.98
It sometimes seems a bit unfair to review a new Bill Callahan record right when it comes out, as he has made a career, both in his previous incarnation as Smog and solo, out of making deep rooted albums that really reveal themselves and enter your subconscious often only after many repeated listens.
To us, that's always the sign of a special songwriter, never being about the cheap easy route, but instead creating songs that you know will live in your life for so many years to come. With Apocalypse, there is no doubt this is another set of songs from Callahan that will sound as great years from now, as, well, now. With dark and moody undertones coming together with Callahan's strong voice, Apocalypse is an album that requires you to give it your full attention. It also highlights the twang and folk roots Callahan is so great at melding into something that always sounds forward thinking and not just an easy nod to the past.
While Will Oldham still gets more attention and praise as one of the best singer songwriters around, we still think that Callahan's output has maintained a level of excellence throughout the years, and makes him one of our favorite indie rock songwriters today.
MPEG Stream: "Drover"
MPEG Stream: "Baby's Breath"

CALLAHAN, BILL Apocalypse (Drag City) lp 17.98
It sometimes seems a bit unfair to review a new Bill Callahan record right when it comes out, as he has made a career, both in his previous incarnation as Smog and solo, out of making deep rooted albums that really reveal themselves and enter your subconscious often only after many repeated listens.
To us, that's always the sign of a special songwriter, never being about the cheap easy route, but instead creating songs that you know will live in your life for so many years to come. With Apocalypse, there is no doubt this is another set of songs from Callahan that will sound as great years from now, as, well, now. With dark and moody undertones coming together with Callahan's strong voice, Apocalypse is an album that requires you to give it your full attention. It also highlights the twang and folk roots Callahan is so great at melding into something that always sounds forward thinking and not just an easy nod to the past.
While Will Oldham still gets more attention and praise as one of the best singer songwriters around, we still think that Callahan's output has maintained a level of excellence throughout the years, and makes him one of our favorite indie rock songwriters today.
MPEG Stream: "Drover"
MPEG Stream: "Baby's Breath"

CALLAHAN, BILL Rough Travel For A Rare Thing (Sea Note) lp 19.98
There is something so intimate about Bill Callahan's music. Whether recording under his name or his old Smog moniker, his songs evoke ghosts of memories, intense emotions, and such literate insights into the human condition. So a live record from Callahan actually makes a lot of sense. In some ways it seems strange to see him play in a hall full of people, as you want his songs sung directly to you in your own world. Rough Travel For A Rare Thing allows just that, a spot on live performance captured on tape and made for your private listening pleasure, on your turntable alone or with that special someone. Callahan's songs have a way of always cutting to the core, there is no questioning his integrity and singular voice. He's a story teller, a musician, and a force of nature. There is something commanding and immediate about his voice. In many ways he is like this generation's Leonard Cohen, with the ability to create songs that are both sensual, unnerving, sometimes bleak and always raw in their emotion. For this show, he plays songs from his Smog past and from what would be his first record under his own name. Stripped down and to the point, showing that his songs can be stripped down to a sparse statement that can evoke so much feeling. A total must have for Callahan/Smog fans.

CALLAHAN, BILL Sometimes I Wish I Were An Eagle (Drag City) cd 14.98
In a time when so many male singers are going for the falsetto pot of gold, or the whining indie warble, or the muffled too-cool-for-school barley audible mumble, Bill Callahan's deep and clear voice rings so true, with more strength and truth than ever. This is Callahan's second album released under his own name, after dropping the Smog moniker, but no doubt longtime Smog fans will still love these darkly poetic songs.
While his last album featured some of his sunniest and dare we say maybe even happiest moments ever set to tape, Sometimes I Wish... finds Callahan in more of a solemn and subdued mood, but what makes Callahan such a special songwriter is that even when his songs are sad or forlorn, they are never that simply defined. The songs here are lush and subtly epic, soaring with a heightened level of story telling, this is immaculate songcraft, all the various elements woven delicately into Callahan's unique soundworld. The music is at once immediate and intense, the sort of sound that gives you goosebumps, but also abstract and free, allowing the listener to wander freely, freeing your mind, drifting through memories, lingering desires and undying devotion.
MPEG Stream: "My Friend"
MPEG Stream: "Too Many Birds"
MPEG Stream: "Eid Ma Clack Shaw"

CALLAHAN, BILL Sometimes I Wish I Were An Eagle (Drag City) lp 15.98
Also on vinyl (listed cd a couple lists back, but the lps ran out).
In a time when so many male singers are going for the falsetto pot of gold, or the whining indie warble, or the muffled too-cool-for-school barley audible mumble, Bill Callahan's deep and clear voice rings so true, with more strength and truth than ever. This is Callahan's second album released under his own name, after dropping the Smog moniker, but no doubt longtime Smog fans will still love these darkly poetic songs.
While his last album featured some of his sunniest and dare we say maybe even happiest moments ever set to tape, Sometimes I Wish... finds Callahan in more of a solemn and subdued mood, but what makes Callahan such a special songwriter is that even when his songs are sad or forlorn, they are never that simply defined. The songs here are lush and subtly epic, soaring with a heightened level of story telling, this is immaculate songcraft, all the various elements woven delicately into Callahan's unique soundworld. The music is at once immediate and intense, the sort of sound that gives you goosebumps, but also abstract and free, allowing the listener to wander freely, freeing your mind, drifting through memories, lingering desires and undying devotion.
MPEG Stream: "My Friend"
MPEG Stream: "Too Many Birds"
MPEG Stream: "Eid Ma Clack Shaw"

CALLAHAN, BILL Woke On A Whaleheart (Drag City) cd 14.98
After pruning his band name's parentheses on their last album A River Ain't Too Much To Love [(Smog) became Smog], Bill Callahan emerges from the cover of Smog-ness completely with his first album under his own name proper. While not a huge departure from his tried and true, the warm, earthy Woke On A Whaleheart does offer some things a little different from his past releases -- most notably more straightforward pop elements and an overall more welcoming and accessible sound. Plus that's not even talking about the album cover which is a startlingly unexpected candy colored collaged explosion which makes the release an easy victim of mistaken identity with, oh, maybe something by Lightning Bolt, !!! or Black Dice. Yup, that's a little strange. Needless to say, the assault on the eyes makes for a stark contrast with his gentle on the ears, low-key Americana music. The sound of his deep, heartache twinged voice is always a comfort. At times on this album, it dips down into the depths of Howe Gelb territory, but in a far less cryptic manner. Thumbs up.
MPEG Stream: "From The Rivers To The Ocean"
MPEG Stream: "Footprints"

CALLAHAN, BILL Woke On A Whaleheart (Drag City) lp 14.98
After pruning his band name's parentheses on their last album A River Ain't Too Much To Love [(Smog) became Smog], Bill Callahan emerges from the cover of Smog-ness completely with his first album under his own name proper. While not a huge departure from his tried and true, the warm, earthy Woke On A Whaleheart does offer some things a little different from his past releases -- most notably more straightforward pop elements and an overall more welcoming and accessible sound. Plus that's not even talking about the album cover which is a startlingly unexpected candy colored collaged explosion which makes the release an easy victim of mistaken identity with, oh, maybe something by Lightning Bolt, !!! or Black Dice. Yup, that's a little strange. Needless to say, the assault on the eyes makes for a stark contrast with his gentle on the ears, low-key Americana music. The sound of his deep, heartache twinged voice is always a comfort. At times on this album, it dips down into the depths of Howe Gelb territory, but in a far less cryptic manner. Thumbs up.
MPEG Stream: "From The Rivers To The Ocean"
MPEG Stream: "Footprints"

CALLING ALL MONSTERS The Traps That Work Best (Turn) cd 11.98
This new album from Calling All Monsters immediately seemed familiar to us here at AQ, and not just because one of the band members is dear Matthew Troy formerly of the raucous yet sweet Bay Area popsters and AQ pals Trackstar (for whom he was one of the two chief songwriters). Although the album gets things rolling with a surprisingly aggressive number that recalled the fist-pumpin' pop punk of Rancid and NOFX (not a bad thing AT ALL!), that bravado soon gives way to the sounds that seem more characteristic of Troy, leaning more towards early to mid nineties Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth. The Traps That Work Best makes for a logical progression and development from the fuzzy, feisty songs he wrote for Trackstar's last album Lion Destroyed The Whole World (2002). So nice.
MPEG Stream: "We Are: Special Forces"
MPEG Stream: "The Uneasy Life"

CAMBERWELL NOW All's Well (ReR) cd 17.98
After the big This Heat boxset bombshell dropped last year, and made everybody fall in love with that seminal, '70s experimental UK prog-punk band all over again, we expect that there's even more folks now who'll be stoked that this collection of This Heat drummer Charles Hayward's quite excellent '80s output with his band Camberwell Now has been reissued, in a brand new deluxe digipack format. That's right, if you want more This Heatishness beyond the Out Of Cold Storage boxset, you want this!
Recorded circa 1982-1985, the fifteen songs compiled here (from Camberwell Now's three vinyl releases plus a cassette comp track) are pretty darn essential for any fan of This Heat, featuring as they do one of the most important components of the This Heat sound, Hayward's signature drumming style. You'll know it when you hear it. His thin, fragile vocals and poetic, politically-charged lyrics are also a significant part of the picture, with the other members of Camberwell Now also making significant contributions to their sound, which incorporated tapes, field recordings, autoharp, ethnic instruments, kazoo, keyboards, etc. A potent mix of energetic rhythms and dreary melodies. For fans of This Heat (obviously), though this is less hard-hitting and more song-based than some of their work. Fans of '80s Robert Fripp may also feel at home with portions of this. But it also occurs to us that there are some recent artists that seem to share something (just something) with Camberwell Now, like Dean Roberts and, perhaps especially, Richard Youngs.
Not only is this new edition cheaper than the one we had before, it's in nicer packaging, with extra notes and photos and artwork, and has also been remastered by the band. Yay!
MPEG Stream: "Working Nights"
MPEG Stream: "Sitcom"

CAMERA Radiate! (Bureau B) cd 17.98
German band Camera definitely belong on the Bureau B label, who have brought us quite a few killer krautrock reissues over the years (including the recent Record Of The Week by Gunter Schickert). But - this isn't a reissue! Camera are a current krautrock outfit, apparently with predilection for performing impromptu shows in public locations, and this is their debut. A 3-piece based in Berlin, Camera are modern-day upholders of the krautrock aesthetic, heavily influenced by both Neu! and Harmonia especially. And in fact, they've earned the blessing of their heroes, having played live in collaboration with Michael Rother (Neu!, Harmonia, etc.) and Dieter Moebius (Cluster, Harmonia, etc.).
This debut recording features eight tracks of live-in-the-studio, semi-improvised, mostly instrumental jams that indeed "radiate" the classic krautrock vibe. The juggernaut of a first track, "E-Go", leaps out of the gate with an intense pulsating "motorik" beat and heavy waves of distortion, churning forth like something by aQ-faves Circle or Salvatore at their most krautrocky. Shifting moods, that's followed by "Villon", much softer and prettier, like one of Can's quieter moments. Then, on "Ausland", Camera whips up another energetic motorik groove. The next track, "Lynch", is the disc's longest, and finds Camera delving into some spaced-out, kosmiche synth serenity, laced with skittering beats and sinister, wind-swept electronics. But then, after eleven minutes, Camera are back to the amped-up throb with "Utopia Is", another juggernaut (after a bit of a slow-build, that is)...
And so it goes, the rest of the disc following suit, providing more quite authentic tick-tock motorik beats and shwooshing guitar/synth soundscapes like it's 1974 all over again. Krautrock fans will for sure hear echoes of a lot of the greats: Neu!, Can, Cluster, Tangerine Dream, Harmonia, Agitation Free, La Dusseldorf, etc. And anyone into other kraut-loving bands of today, like Circle, Cave, Wooden Shjips, and Hills among 'em, should check this out forthwith. Truly, for any fan of hypno-rock bliss new or old, it's hard to find fault with Camera's worshipful, enthusiastic emulation of their krautrock forebears; if anything, there's something almost a little too perfect about this, in that a krautrock band from back in the day would probably have colored outside the lines a bit more, whereas Camera kinda plays it safer, sticking close to the motorik formula. But, they do it REALLY well and we're definitely digging it!
MPEG Stream: "E-Go"
MPEG Stream: "Villon"
MPEG Stream: "Lynch"

CAMERA Radiate! (Bureau B) lp+cd 17.98
Now also in stock on vinyl, which comes with a cd of the album too!
German band Camera definitely belong on the Bureau B label, who have brought us quite a few killer krautrock reissues over the years (including the recent Record Of The Week by Gunter Schickert). But - this isn't a reissue! Camera are a current krautrock outfit, apparently with predilection for performing impromptu shows in public locations, and this is their debut. A 3-piece based in Berlin, Camera are modern-day upholders of the krautrock aesthetic, heavily influenced by both Neu! and Harmonia especially. And in fact, they've earned the blessing of their heroes, having played live in collaboration with Michael Rother (Neu!, Harmonia, etc.) and Dieter Moebius (Cluster, Harmonia, etc.).
This debut recording features eight tracks of live-in-the-studio, semi-improvised, mostly instrumental jams that indeed "radiate" the classic krautrock vibe. The juggernaut of a first track, "E-Go", leaps out of the gate with an intense pulsating "motorik" beat and heavy waves of distortion, churning forth like something by aQ-faves Circle or Salvatore at their most krautrocky. Shifting moods, that's followed by "Villon", much softer and prettier, like one of Can's quieter moments. Then, on "Ausland", Camera whips up another energetic motorik groove. The next track, "Lynch", is the disc's longest, and finds Camera delving into some spaced-out, kosmiche synth serenity, laced with skittering beats and sinister, wind-swept electronics. But then, after eleven minutes, Camera are back to the amped-up throb with "Utopia Is", another juggernaut (after a bit of a slow-build, that is)...
And so it goes, the rest of the disc following suit, providing more quite authentic tick-tock motorik beats and shwooshing guitar/synth soundscapes like it's 1974 all over again. Krautrock fans will for sure hear echoes of a lot of the greats: Neu!, Can, Cluster, Tangerine Dream, Harmonia, Agitation Free, La Dusseldorf, etc. And anyone into other kraut-loving bands of today, like Circle, Cave, Wooden Shjips, and Hills among 'em, should check this out forthwith. Truly, for any fan of hypno-rock bliss new or old, it's hard to find fault with Camera's worshipful, enthusiastic emulation of their krautrock forebears; if anything, there's something almost a little too perfect about this, in that a krautrock band from back in the day would probably have colored outside the lines a bit more, whereas Camera kinda plays it safer, sticking close to the motorik formula. But, they do it REALLY well and we're definitely digging it!
MPEG Stream: "E-Go"
MPEG Stream: "Villon"
MPEG Stream: "Lynch"

CAMERA OBSCURA Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi (Merge) cd 14.98
Having domestically released Camera Obscura's doe-eyed and dreamy sophomore full length Underachievers Try Harder earlier this year, Merge Records further encourage the Scottish popsters' heart-melting campaign to continue by kindly reissuing Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. It's their delicious debut from 2001 which was produced with kid gloves by Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch. Sure to share fans with fellow cuddly, clever Scots such as Belle & Sebastian and Delgados.
MPEG Stream: "Happy New Year"
MPEG Stream: "Swimming Pool"

CAMERA OBSCURA Let's Get Out Of This Country (Merge) cd 13.98
Goodness! Between this new Camera Obscura album and the latest ones by Essex Green and Mojave 3, we're floating up up 'n' away to the dreamy pop heavens. These days these Scots seem to have more of a skip in their step. They're sounding sorta like a frisky kid sister of Broadcast! If we take their album title literally we're going to do so on a magic carpet ride through swirling clouds of warm vintage keyboards and organs graced with the sweetest vanilla custard female vocals. Yum!!!
MPEG Stream: "Tears For Affairs"
MPEG Stream: "The False Contender"

CAMERA OBSCURA Let's Get Out Of This Country (Merge) lp 14.98
Also on vinyl...
Goodness! Between this new Camera Obscura album and the latest ones by Essex Green and Mojave 3, we're floating up up 'n' away to the dreamy pop heavens. These days these Scots seem to have more of a skip in their step. They're sounding sorta like a frisky kid sister of Broadcast! If we take their album title literally we're going to do so on a magic carpet ride through swirling clouds of warm vintage keyboards and organs graced with the sweetest vanilla custard female vocals. Yum!!!
MPEG Stream: "Tears For Affairs"
MPEG Stream: "The False Contender"

CAMERA OBSCURA My Maudlin Career (4AD) cd 13.98
We've always adored Camera Obscura's swirlingly lush, angora-soft, unmistakably Scottish dream pop, and we certainly are quite fond of their latest full length. However, is it possible to have too much of a good thing? At times we sorta found it to be a little heavy-handed with the sumptuous Bacharach/Welk-style string arrangements. Now, obviously we at aQ are all for grandiose orchestral excess (a la E.L.O. and Flaming Lips) and a bit of musical melodrama, but here it doesn't quite always work. For instance on the opening track "French Navy" the string section seems to be sitting at a distance from the rest of the band/song, occasionally overwhelming the delicate vocals and other instrumentation. 'Tis somewhat surprising because Camera Obscura are usually masters of tastefully mannered pop restraint, but maybe this time they went "Fuck it! Let's cut loose!" and that just happens to have been where their bustin' loose manifested. Don't wanna make a mountain out of a molehill though 'cause My Maudlin Career is really a lovely, achingly bittersweet album. Sure to please their fans, and lure over some converts from the camps of Belle & Sebastian, The Delgados, and Peter, Bjorn & John. The hushed slow number "James" is a definite standout as is the '60s girl group sway of the album's title track! Scrumptiously sweet!
MPEG Stream: "French Navy"
MPEG Stream: "James"
MPEG Stream: "My Maudlin Career"

CAMERA OBSCURA My Maudlin Career (Matador) lp 14.98
Now on vinyl!
We've always adored Camera Obscura's swirlingly lush, angora-soft, unmistakably Scottish dream pop, and we certainly are quite fond of their latest full length. However, is it possible to have too much of a good thing? At times we sorta found it to be a little heavy-handed with the sumptuous Bacharach/Welk-style string arrangements. Now, obviously we at aQ are all for grandiose orchestral excess (a la E.L.O. and Flaming Lips) and a bit of musical melodrama, but here it doesn't quite always work. For instance on the opening track "French Navy" the string section seems to be sitting at a distance from the rest of the band/song, occasionally overwhelming the delicate vocals and other instrumentation. 'Tis somewhat surprising because Camera Obscura are usually masters of tastefully mannered pop restraint, but maybe this time they went "Fuck it! Let's cut loose!" and that just happens to have been where their bustin' loose manifested. Don't wanna make a mountain out of a molehill though 'cause My Maudlin Career is really a lovely, achingly bittersweet album. Sure to please their fans, and lure over some converts from the camps of Belle & Sebastian, The Delgados, and Peter, Bjorn & John. The hushed slow number "James" is a definite standout as is the '60s girl group sway of the album's title track! Scrumptiously sweet!
MPEG Stream: "French Navy"
MPEG Stream: "James"
MPEG Stream: "My Maudlin Career"

CAMERA OBSCURA Under Achievers Please Try Harder (Merge) cd 14.98
If you should happen to find yourself one lazy-daisy spring day paddling your rowboat across the glistening ripples of a hideaway lake, be sure to have this album close at hand. Gentler than gentle, misty eyed pop with crisp wood block percussion, sunny horns, shimmery strings and chimes, hushed guitars and the centerpiece of each song... those oh so angelic female (and occasional male) vocals much like Marine Girls, Adventures In Stereo (very 60's Brill Building girl group!) or fellow Scots Belle & Sebastian (actually Stuart Murdoch has lent Camera Obscura a helping hand in the production and photography departments). Positively dreamy and -- gasp! dare we say? -- right up there on par with Belle & Sebastian! Achingly earnest and sweet. Check it out!
MPEG Stream: "Teenager"
MPEG Stream: "Books Written For Girls"

CAMINITI, EVAN When California Falls Into The Sea (Hand Made Birds) lp 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Latest solo record from Barn Owl and Higuma member Evan Caminiti, and one of the first releases on Handmade Birds, a new label launched by R. Loren of Pyramids, White Moth and Sailors With Wax Wings. When California Falls Into The Sea finds Caminiti ditching the billowing brooding drones of recent Barn Owl records, and the humid dronedrift twang of past solo efforts, and instead, stripping his sound way down, crafting something much more intimate and contemplative, abstract and atmospheric, as rife with space and drift as notes and chords, the tone is still dark, and the sound lush, and there is a bit of abstract twang, bit these tracks are more like smoldering folk flecked ragas, smoldering swells of crumbling melody, spare serene stretches of hushed shimmer, hazy sprawls of hushed melancholia, spidery guitars underpinned by distant swells, streaks of fragmented melody, all wreathed in delicate echo, swaddled in spacey reverb, the sound soft, and soft focus, crystalline and fragile, but infused with a dark energy, a subtle power, that transforms muted minimal thrum into a sort of blackened blues. The various sounds shot through with serpentine tendrils, the chords drifting apart, into blurred and smeared expanses of dark moonlit sound.
A fantastic collection of introspective electric guitar meditations, each a hushed and haunting, otherworldly and tranquil, meditative and mesmerizing blackened spectral emanation. And every one spectacularly lovely.

CAMPBELL, GLEN Meet Glen Campbell (Capitol) cd 17.98
It's tempting with this new Glen Campbell record to assume it must have been produced by Rick Rubin, since at first glance, it does seem like Campbell is pulling a Johnny Cash, revitalizing his career by taking on some unlikely covers (Travis, Velvet Underground, etc.). But just like in the case of Cash, who while very likely got some new fans out of the deal, hardly needed a reinvention, as he was about as bad ass as they come. Well damn it if the same isn't true of Campbell. C'mon. "Wichita Lineman", Rhinestone Cowboy", "Galveston", he's been recording nonstop since the early sixties, and while he wasn't quite as much of a bad ass as the man in black, you just can't fuck with Campbell. And this new disc just drives that point home.
Some strange song choices, but some incredible arrangements, some amazing playing, and Campbell's voice sounds amazing nearly 50 years on. The opener, a cover of "Sing" by the band Travis, who we had never really paid too much attention to, is just gorgeous, exultant, soaring and triumphant. So much so that it almost has us reconsidering our inadvertent Travis boycott.
The other stone cold classic is Campbell's reinterpretation of The Velvet Underground's "Jesus", with its simple acoustic guitar, soaring strings, and sweet angelic female background vocals. His cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days" is also gorgeous, heartfelt and bittersweet. Paul Westerburg's "Sadly Beautiful" is so good, so pretty, and weirdly timeless. The whole production is very sixties / seventies soft pop, all warm and fuzzy and dreamy, string wrapped around subtle orchestrations, stripped down when it suits the song, lush and over the top when it doesn't, perhaps due in no small part to the fact that Campbell's band features Robin Zander of Cheap Trick as well as 2/3 of Jellyfish! The two Tom Petty covers are obscure enough to sound like they could be Campbell originals. There's a U2 cover which is pretty nice too. The weirdest covers are probably "Times Like These" by the Foo Fighters, which to be fair gets a pretty appropriately Campbell-y makeover, and Green Day's "Good Riddance", which while it does sound pretty good sung by Campbell, it's probably too familiar to remind you of anything but the original.
But small complaints really. A gorgeous disc of classic soaring lush countrified orchestral pop from one of the best performers of the last 5 decades.
MPEG Stream: "Sing"
MPEG Stream: "Jesus"
MPEG Stream: "These Days"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL Amorino (Instinct) cd 14.98
A new solo album from this Belle And Sebastian sweetie pie. What to expect? Well, for the most part it's her breathy soft vocals drifting over candy-coated Burt Bacharach-esque orchestrations -- ever so swirling, grand and lovely -- but every so often she dips her toe into another limpid blue pool. Such is the case with one of the highlights of the album, the super fun ragtime flapper tune "Cat's Pyjamas". Amorino is sure to please B&S's most sweet-toothed fans as well as anyone seeking pure orchestral pop prettiness. Very very nice!
MPEG Stream: "Cat's Pyjamas"
MPEG Stream: "Love For Tomorrow"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL Milk White Sheets (V2) cd 13.98
Since her departure from Belle & Sebastian, Isobel Campbell has been busy busy busy. Whether making country tinged records with Mark Lanegan, or doing Billie Holiday covers with Bill Wells it seems that she's been searching for her voice for a while now, which in no way has kept her from producing some super pleasant music. But the release of Milk White Sheets finds Campbell feeling more at home than ever. Dreamy, breezy and basking in pastoral beauty. Offering up her own versions of a handful of traditional songs, including an absolutely stunning cover of "Willow's Song" from the original Wicker Man soundtrack, this is the Isobel Campbell we can never get enough of. You can practically feel the dew on the green grass, the air blowing through the open window, eyes gazing out into the distance. Along with her flawless voice the rich arrangements and instrumentation are really what make it one of her best outings yet. Recalls the elegance of Vashti Bunyan and Bridget St. John as well as the glazed daydreaminess of Mazzy Star and Neil Halstead. Milk White Sheets evokes such pastoral beauty, yet does it with such ease, bathing your ears in the soft breeze. Absolutely charming!
MPEG Stream: "Willow's Song"
MPEG Stream: "James"
MPEG Stream: "Thursday's Child"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL Time Is Just The Same (Snowstorm) cd ep 14.98
Very few voices are as sweet and sultry as the one Isobel Campbell possesses. She can use it to create the breeziest pop gems or as of late for much more dazed and glazed sweetness. Her last solo outing Milkwhite Sheets was a total stunner filled with an expansive beauty that contains some of her best recorded moments. Sadly it came out on V2 just as the label was about to fold so it never got the attention and praise it so rightfully deserved. This ep is actually a 2004 recording that for some reason was never released. It features a beautiful duet with Vaselines / Eugenius mastermind Eugene Kelly, an Ennio Morricone cover and a totally smoking version of the Sonny Bono penned and Nancy Sinatra sung classic "Bang Bang."
MPEG Stream: "This Is Just The Same"
MPEG Stream: "Bang Bang"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL & MARK LANEGAN Ballad Of The Broken Seas (V2) cd 14.98
After the little teaser ep came out a few months back with these two AQ fave's we were very anxious to get the full meal..and we're happy to report that the full serving is just as tasty and satisfying as we had hoped. Isobel Campbell, formely of Belle & Sebastian and Gentle Waves fame uses her oh so pretty voice next to Lanegan's (Screaming Trees) tough guy with a heart of gold stylings. While the ep felt like a very Lee & Nancy sort of affair, that sentiment is still felt on the full length but with more of their own unique stylings coming through. And while the ep also kind of felt like Isobel was playing the back up lady part, the full length feels like much more of her vision, as she produced it, wrote all but one of the songs and besides her trademark vocals she also plays everyting from cello, harp, piano, harpsichord, glokenspiel and tubular bells on the album. The artwork inside features a slew of interior photos inside a could be anywhere motel room on a lazy sunny day-after. And that's just the kind of record Campbell & Lanegan have made together.
MPEG Stream: "Black Mountain"
MPEG Stream: "Saturday's Gone"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL & MARK LANEGAN Hawk (Vanguard) cd 15.98

MPEG Stream: "We Die And See Beauty Reign"
MPEG Stream: "Come Undone"
MPEG Stream: "Sunrise"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL & MARK LANEGAN Hawk (Vanguard) lp 16.98

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL & MARK LANEGAN Ramblin' Man (V2) cd ep 4.98
Not exactly Lee & Nancy but the aim seems somewhat near that legendary combination. Mark Lanegan (ex-Screaming Trees) and Isobel Campbell (ex-Belle & Sebastian) both have put out very nice solo records in the last few years. We dig 'em as well as their former bands. Ramblin' Man teams up the two for four nice, sweet & tender tracks. Alas, no word yet of a full length outing, but we're hoping this cdep is just a teaser (rather than a one-off), because the handful of songs are over before you're even able to get in the swing of it. More please!
MPEG Stream: "Ramblin' Man"
MPEG Stream: "Do You Wanna Come Walk With Me?"

CAMPBELL, ISOBEL & MARK LANEGAN Sunday At Devil Dirt (Fontana) cd 15.98
Isobel and Mark are together again for another smokey affair, conjuring up songs that play like a country tinged film noir soundtrack. Evoking stark and rich emotion, their voices almost like devil (Lanegan) and angel (Campbell). As always when these two get together they create songs that feel very pensive and solitary. Much of this record seems less forced and more natural than some of the moments on their previous outings, where it seemed like they were trying a bit too hard to be a modern day Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra. While we still can't help but love these two more on their own (Campbell in Belle And Sebastian and solo, Lanegan solo and in the Gutter Twins and of course Screaming Trees!), we can't deny they are capable of making some magical music together.
MPEG Stream: "The Raven"
MPEG Stream: "Back Burner"
MPEG Stream: "Who Built The Road"

CAMPBELL, NEIL / RICHARD YOUNGS How The Garden Is (Harpenden) lp 12.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Flutes. For Andee that seems to be all that really matters for a record to be incredible. But for the rest of us who need a little more than flutes to convince of a piece of music's merits, we're quite pleased that Neil Campbell and Richard Youngs seemed to have used a hell of a lot more than flutes for their exceptional new collaboration "How The Garden Is." Both Campbell and Youngs are veterans of the psych-infused UK free noise scene that counts as members, Skullflower, Total, and Ax, as well as Campbell's project The Vibracathedral and Matthew Bower's Sunroof , and all of the Richard Youngs/Simon Wickham-Smith collaborations. Violin skree, the clattering of bells, the gentle metallic hammering of guitar strings, Youngs' distinctive British Isles wail, clunky Casiotone electronics, and those flutes are all woven together into a swirling mass of trebly sound and structural effervesence. Limited 500 copies.
RealAudio clip: "Holly Bush Lane"
RealAudio clip: "Soil"

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN Camper Vantiquities (Spin Art) cd 13.98
All the old favorites have been receiving their welcome, much-deserved reissues in the few years. Hurrah for Blue Oyster Cult, Venom, Fleetwood Mac, and Heldon among many others! And what d'ya know, Camper Van Beethoven are the next up to bat. Marking the 20th anniversary of Camper Van Beethoven's formation, the folks at SpinArt Records have kindly re-released (with bountiful bonus tracks) this, their collection of rarities and oddities called Camper Vantiquities as well as their debut Telephone Free Landslide Victory, II & III, and their self-titled third album. Wow! These albums are true '80s college radio indie rock classics -- easygoing, familiar and slightly dishevelled. This band had a particular knack for writing infectious, endearingly off-kilter songs that fused tweaked bits'n'pieces from a grab bag of musical styles and whose lyrics were often stories based on seemingly random subject matter revolving around halfbaked musings.
The long out of print B-Sides and rarities collection finally sees the light of day. Lots of weird, cool stuff, some so good you wonder why they were relegated to b-side status, others you won't wonder about at all. Bonus tracks include a bunch of dramatically different demo versions destined to be future CVB classics.
MPEG Stream: "Seven Languages"
MPEG Stream: "I'm Not Like Everybody Else"

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN II & III (Spin Art) cd 13.98
All the old favorites have been receiving their welcome, much-deserved reissues in the few years. Hurrah for Blue Oyster Cult, Venom, Fleetwood Mac, and Heldon among many others! And what d'ya know, Camper Van Beethoven are the next up to bat. Marking the 20th anniversary of Camper Van Beethoven's formation, the folks at SpinArt Records have kindly re-released (with bountiful bonus tracks and tons of liner notes) this, their debut Telephone Free Landslide Victory, as well as their collection of rarities and oddities called Camper Vantiquities, II & III, and their self-titled third album. Wow! These albums are true '80s college radio indie rock classics -- easygoing, familiar and slightly dishevelled. This band had a particular knack for writing infectious, endearingly off-kilter songs that fused tweaked bits'n'pieces from a grab bag of musical styles and whose lyrics were often stories based on seemingly random subject matter revolving around halfbaked musings.
Album number two (mysteriously titled II & III) finds CVB crafting more of their unique folk punk, wildy goofy and weirdly catchy, with some of our favorite Camper moments, "ZZ Top Goes To Egypt", "Cowboys From Hollywood", "No Krugerrands For David", "(Don't You Go To) Goleta" and the original vinyl version of "(We're A) Bad Trip".
MPEG Stream: "(Don't You Go To) Goleta"
MPEG Stream: "No Krugerrands For David"

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN New Roman Times (Pitch-A-Tent) cd 14.98
Hey Camper Van Beethoven fans! We know you were all geeked when the band got back together a couple of years ago for a big ol' tour, and we know you were equally giddy when their catalog got reissued on cd earlier this year. Well, let's hear a big hoot and holler from y'all 'cause they've returned with their first studio album since 1989's Key Lime Pie (not counting their 1987 rendition of Fleetwood Mac's Tusk which came out in 2002), and their most politically focused work to date. Throughout New Roman Times' twenty songs, CVB continue to dodge musical formulas and genre boundaries -- roaming the musical landscape as they please. Along the way, they toss in sombre seafaring violins, psychedelic noodlings, rootsy folk guitars, and as Andee aptly tagged it, a funky breakdown on the second to last song. Indeed after all these years although some of their quirkiness has certainly been reined in and the chosen subject matter is sobering, but at the heart CVB's beloved eccentricities remain intact.
MPEG Stream: "51-7"
MPEG Stream: "The Poppies Of Balmorhea"

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN s/t (Spin Art) cd 13.98
All the old favorites have been receiving their welcome, much-deserved reissues in the few years. Hurrah for Blue Oyster Cult, Venom, Fleetwood Mac, and Heldon among many others! And what d'ya know, Camper Van Beethoven are the next up to bat. Marking the 20th anniversary of Camper Van Beethoven's formation, the folks at SpinArt Records have kindly re-released (with bountiful bonus tracks and tons of liner notes) this, their self-titled third album as well as their debut Telephone Free Landslide Victory, II & III, and their collection of rarities and oddities calledCamper Vantiquities. Wow! These albums are true '80s college radio indie rock classics -- easygoing, familiar and slightly dishevelled. This band had a particular knack for writing infectious, endearingly off-kilter songs that fused tweaked bits'n'pieces from a grab bag of musical styles and whose lyrics were often stories based on seemingly random subject matter revolving around halfbaked musings.
Album number three and still ramshackle and lo-fi, infectiously cheeky and really fucking fun! Loads of bonus tracks including a demo version of their future 'hit' "Pictures of Matchstick Men."
MPEG Stream: "The History Of Utah"
MPEG Stream: "Peace & Love"

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN Telephone Free Landslide Victory (Spin Art) cd 13.98
All the old favorites have been receiving their welcome, much-deserved reissues in the few years. Hurrah for Blue Oyster Cult, Venom, Fleetwood Mac, and Heldon among many others! And what d'ya know, Camper Van Beethoven are the next up to bat. Marking the 20th anniversary of Camper Van Beethoven's formation, the folks at SpinArt Records have kindly re-released (with bountiful bonus tracks) this, their debut Telephone Free Landslide Victory, as well as their collection of rarities and oddities called Camper Vantiquities, II & III, and their self-titled third album. Wow! These albums are true '80s college radio indie rock classics -- easygoing, familiar and slightly dishevelled. This band had a particular knack for writing infectious, endearingly off-kilter songs that fused tweaked bits'n'pieces from a grab bag of musical styles and whose lyrics were often stories based on seemingly random subject matter revolving around halfbaked musings.
The record that started it all. This sure does bring us back. 1985. We were in high school, maybe you were in college, or even junior high, but this record was IT. Everyone loved this record, and rightfully so, silly and sloppy, rocking and totally original. Features loads of songs you'll probably remember the second you hear them. "Take The Skinheads Bowling", "The Day That Lassie Went To The Moon", "Where The Hell Is Bill?", "Vladivostock" and loads more. Also includes songs from the long out of print "Take The Skinheads Bowling" EP!
MPEG Stream: "Take The Skinheads Bowling"
MPEG Stream: "Where The Hell Is Bill?"

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN Tusk (Pitch A Tent) 2cd 19.98
Yes, this is exactly what you think it is. That is, if you're thinking this is Camper Van Beethoven's complete song for song remake of Fleetwood Mac's classic album Tusk. And not surprisingly, it's already received extreme positive and negative response when played in the store, and some of the frowns did come from CVB fans. Sounded like some fond memories were sullied by this release. Doesn't it seem like a strange thing to do? But the outcome is actually pretty unremarkable... rather docile and ho-hum at times ("Save Me A Place"), and at others, it seems to be stuck in the trying-real-hard-to-be-different'n'weird trap (for example:"Sara", "Brown Eyes" and the title track). The initial recordings took place back in '87, but additional work was done in 2001 to bring it to its present state. After thirteen years, whose idea was it to dust off those old tapes anyways? Their versions of "That's Enough For Me" and "Think About Me" made me think about what it'd be like if Wilco took a turn at it instead. Now, that's a pretty neat thought! Perhaps highlighting their own influence on later bands, their take on "That's All For Everyone" would not be at all out of place on the recent Ugly Casanova record with its ramshackle percussion and hollered Isaac Brock-y vocals. After listening to it, all I'm left with is the thought that... gee, this must've been really fun to record. While it could be something truly inspired, it just sounds like a late '80s / early '90s college radio band doin' something wacky, and doesn't really do the original justice. Me, I found it to be somewhat annoying. Of course, you might feel altogether differently about this subject, so give 'er a listen.
RealAudio clip: "Think About Me"
RealAudio clip: "Sara"
RealAudio clip: "That's All For Everyone"
RealAudio clip: "I Know I'm Not Wrong"
RealAudio clip: "Tusk"

CAMPFIRE SONGS s/t (Catsup Plate) cd 13.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
This came out originally back in 2003... apparently it went out of print, but now Catsup Plate has repressed 'em. A good thing too, since it's a pretty cool record. Also a smart thing, since the Animal Collective is soooooo popular these days, and Campfire Songs is just another incarnation of that group! In fact, one of our suppliers has taken to offering this cd as an Animal Collective album entitled "Campfire Songs". And it may as well be, even if that wasn't how it was billed when it first came out. Here's what we wrote about it way back on list #160:
A really nice surprise from the mysteriously monickered Campfire Songs. Featuring members of Avey Tare And Panda Bear and the Animal Collective to which they apparently belong. Unlike the fractured electronic glitchery and damaged pop of Avey Tare and the costume rock buffoonery of many of their contemporaries, Campfire Songs is more akin to the murky Fahey-on-qualudes of World (Of Dreams) reviewed way back on list #81, or the dreamy, strummy ambient blur of Scott Tuma, but with a way more washed out, late night free-folk feel. Which makes sense since this was recorded late at night, live to three minidiscs, on a screened in porch in rural Maryland. Very repetitive and hypnotic, with lots of Sunroof!-ish shimmer and plaintive vocals, rhythmic strumming, and field recordings of the surrounding forest. Equal parts sixties hippy folk, nineties ambient free noise and deconstructed indie rock twang. Good stuff.
MPEG Stream: "Doggy"

CAMPFIRES s/t (Mexican Summer) 7" 4.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
You think folks would get tired of all the lo-fi trippy home-brewed psychedelic pop that seems to show no sign of letting up, but with bands like Campfires creating 7"s like this, can't see that happening anytime soon. This one man band from Chicago, takes the fuzzy Beach Boys psych bliss of the Elephant Six label and crams it through the cracked aesthetic of the current crop of lysergic pop deconstructionists, resulting in three short sharp jams that manage to be lush and ebullient, but also fuzzy and filthy and raw, rich with hooks and killer riffs, a sound warm and blown out, "She Was Down" could be the lo-fi pop jam of the year, with its ultra distorted drums, buried lilting vocals, crunchy main riff, and a hook that will stay lodged in your head for ages. "Stormy Late Fall" sounds like Big Star and Redd Kross recorded onto a Dictaphone, woozy, warped, and so catchy, with some seriously unforgettable melodies, and some bad ass guitar wrangling.
The closer is a little more stripped down, brittle and crunchy, but continues on in the same vein, with sweetly melancholic melodies wrapped around shambling drums and warbly guitar jangle.
Barely more than 5 minutes, but in this case it's definitely quality over quantity, can't wait for the 'full length', even if it ends up being less than 20 minutes long...
LIMITED TO 500 COPIES, every one hand numbered, includes a code so you can download the mp3 versions for your iPod...

CAN Can Box (Mute) 2cd+video+book 59.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The Can box set actually managed to come out on its intended release date! 2 cds of live & unreleased performances from 1972 - 1977 (culled and remastered from audience tapes with recordings of "Dizzy Dizzy", "Vernal Equinox", "Yoo Doo Right", "Spoon", and "Cascade Waltz" as well as spontaneous improvisations given the titles "Jynx", "Fizz", "Colchester Finale", and "Kata Kong"), an opulent 500 page book of interviews, reviews, histories, and photos (with full text in English, German, and French!), and a two-hour video (including a rather artful documentary compiled by Rudi Dolezal & Hannes Rossacher and the concert footage of the Can-Free-Concert from 1972). Nits can be picked, but all in all this box is completely essential to any true Can fan(atic).

CAN CAN DVD (Spoon) 2dvd + 1cd 56.00
Fans of Krautrock listen up! The Can DVD is upon us. Now, if you already have the Can Box released a few years back, with the Can Video, you've got a portion of what's on here, but of course in a less high-tech, analog format. The Can DVD is actually two dvds, between them featuring the amazing 51 minute Can-Free-Concert film (circa Ege Bamyasi, 1972) and the 86 minute Can Documentary that were found on the Can Video. But it's also got a short Can tribute film (1 minute) by Brian Eno, biographies of Can members, a discography, and a brand new 81-minute Can documentary entitled Can Notes. There's also some stuff you can do with your PC which we haven't checked out, and MORE. A lot of it seems to focus on what the Can guys are up to these days, which is interesting but when you view the discography you'll be reminded that all their best albums were prior to 1974, so...
Plus, there's a third disc, a cd, compiling audio from Can solo projects: Michael Karoli & Sofortontakt!, Irmin Schmidt & Kumo, Jaki Liebezeit with Drums Off Chaos and Burnt Friedman, and Holger Czukay & U-She -- much of it live from a 1999 tour, with a few tracks taken from previously released albums. And there's more new music on dvd number 1, which includes five 5.1 surround sound remixes of old Can songs. You even get documentary footage about "The Making Of The 5.1 Remixes"! So, they certainly did stuff a lot into this package. Dedicated Can fans will eat it all up, casual Can fans might not care -- but either way, if you haven't seen the Can-Free-Concert, it's worth it for that alone! And not 'cause there's a juggler, but because of the freakin' music. Wow.

CAN Delay (Spoon / Mute) cd 16.98
By this point a history lesson on Can is probably not needed as their importance to the last 25 years of underground and not so underground music and their incredible musical legacy has been quite well documented. And we're pretty excited about the recent renewed interest in Can resulting in the remastering and re-releasing of much of their back catalog. The aptly titled Delay was recorded in the late '60s with Malcom Mooney on vocals. This is a way more stripped down, raw, proto-punk Can then maybe most folks are used to. Recorded around the same time as White Light/White Heat this shares the same blistering spirit that The Velvet Underground were exploring across the sea. We've no doubt mentioned Can as a huge influence on so many AQ favorites: Circle, No Neck Blues Band, Nurse With Wound, Throbbing Gristle, Radiohead, Tortoise, on and on and on.... but listening to Delay you begin to think that Can may just out-rock them all. A year or so before The Stooges would hit the scene, Can were already displaying such raw emotion and all out rock exuberance, that the world couldn't help but be awed (if they'd heard it). Delay once again demonstrates that no matter what kind of sounds Can were working with they always managed to find the emotional core, and let it seep into every bit of music they made.
MPEG Stream: "Uphill"
MPEG Stream: "Butterfly"

CAN Ege Bamyasi (Spoon/Mute) cd 12.98
These two essential krautrock classics from Can (Tago Mago and Ege Bamyasi) have been reissued yet again, nothin' different except they're a little cheaper, always a good thing. Though, whatever you'd pay for 'em (even if they were twice this price!) would be money well spent, these are so good.
Here's our review: Ege Bamyasi! Can's fourth album features their second and most fantastical vocalist, Damo Suzuki. Ege is one of our faves from Can, especially of Allan's, though we think he just envies Suzuki's amazing hair! Let us just say that if you don't own this already, what are you waiting for?? The reissues contain extra liner notes and candid photos that some earlier cd editions lacked. But unless you're totally obsessed with the band and are certain of your ability to appreciate the remastering note-for-note, there's not too much else about these reissues that would require buying 'em again. If you've happy with your older copies, you'd probably do well to just keep them and sleep soundly at night.
But if you don't have a copy of this record at all... well let's say once more, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Can's Ege Bamyasi is absolutely brilliant. Can of course were one of the most important 'krautrock' bands, along with Amon Duul II, Kraftwerk, Cluster, Faust and a few others. With Japanese singer Damo Suzuki at the mic on this he sings some of their best songs, like "Sing Swan Song" and "Vitamin C" and "I'm So Green". Actually EVERY song on here is wonderful. Languid and laidback, yet rhythmically insistent. Mellow and gorgeous and deep. Right on. Fans already know how good this is, everybody else should trust us and pick up one of these, you won't be sorry!
MPEG Stream: "Sing Swan Song"
MPEG Stream: "Vitamin C"

CAN Ege Bamyasi (Spoon) lp 16.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Oooh. Nice new vinyl reissues of several classic Can albums have just been released. Their fourth LP "Ege Bamyasi" was originally released in 1972 and is Allan's favorite Can album ever (although, it IS hard to choose). Can of course were one of the most important 'krautrock' bands, along with Amon Duul II, Kraftwerk, Cluster, Faust and a few others. "Ege Bamyasi" has Japanese singer Damo Suzuki at the mic, and on this he sings some of their best songs, like "Sing Swan Song" and "Vitamin C" and "I'm So Green". Actually EVERY song on here is wonderful. Languid and laidback, yet rhythmically insistent. Mellow and gorgeous and deep. Right on.
Enough. You know the score. Fans already know how good this is, everybody else should trust us and pick up one of these reissued LPs or the cd versions that we also have in stock, you won't be sorry!

CAN Future Days (Remastered) (Spoon) cd 12.98
This is Krautrock at its absolute dreamiest. Next to Ege Bamyasi, this is one of our most favorite Can albums. A regulation-size track, "Moonshake" is surrounded by three long ones to create a lush, lifting journey. Suzuki's vocals just merely whisper in and out of the scene as the percussion and organ work itself into a transfixed polyrhythmic atmosphere and becomes balanced again through use of some contant and pulsating bass. "Moonshake" is a Can-brand pop track, barely truly "pop-ish" but as much in that vein as they ever reached. Then the album ends in pure elegance and glory. We're still hard pressed to see a huge difference in these remasterings vs. their cd predecessors, but happy they're here and sooooo available, the classic Krautrock albums that they are.
MPEG Stream: "Future Days"
MPEG Stream: "Moonshake"

CAN Landed (Remastered) (Spoon) cd 16.98

CAN Live (1971 - 1977) (Mute / Spoon) 2cd 17.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
2 cds of live & unreleased performances from 1972 - 1977 (culled and remastered from audience tapes with recordings of "Dizzy Dizzy", "Vernal Equinox", "Yoo Doo Right", "Spoon", and "Cascade Waltz" as well as spontaneous improvisations given the titles "Jynx", "Fizz", "Colchester Finale", and "Kata Kong"). This double cd was the musical chapter of the Can Box (which also featured a video and book, currently out of print).

CAN Monster Movie (Spoon / Mute) cd 15.98
1969 debut from "The Can" (as it says on the cover) with Malcolm Mooney singing. Culminates in the 20 minute-plus "Yoo Doo Right".

CAN Monster Movie (Spoon) lp 16.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Oooh. Nice new vinyl reissues of several classic Can albums have just been released. "Monster Movie" was the 1969 debut LP from The Can, that band of kraut-rockin', Stockhausen-studyin', JB's-lovin, beat-poetry-recitin' hippy freaks. This album features the unique vocals of black American singer Malcolm Mooney, and establishes Can's signature style of relentless rhythmic psychedelia with songs such as the 20-minute"Yoo Doo Right". Along with the Velvets and the Stooges, Can were one of the most 'advanced' groups of the era, and certainly one of the best Krautrock bands. We needn't say more, 'cause most probably if you're at all interested in this new vinyl version, you already are familar with the album (which we also stock on cd, of course) anyway. But if you've yet to explore the world of Can, you could do a lot worse than starting here.

CAN Monster Movie (remastered) (Mute / Spoon) cd 16.98
Monster Movie! Can's first album and the first in a series of re-mastered re-issues features their original vocalist, Malcolm Mooney. Let us just say that if you don't own this already, here's a good chance to buy, not only this reissue, but a whole bunch of the best early Can on cd. The reissues contain extra liner notes and candid photos. But unless you're totally obsessed with the band and are certain of your ability to appreciate the remastering note-for-note, there's not too much else about these that's too terribly special. If you've happy with your older copies, you'd probably do well to just keep them and sleep soundly at night knowing that by not buying these reissues, you're not missing too much. If however, you'd like to spread some holiday cheer, here's what we said about this when the vinyl was reissued some time ago: Monster Movie was the 1969 debut LP from The Can, that band of kraut-rockin', Stockhausen-studyin', JB's-lovin, beat-poetry-recitin' hippy freaks. This album features the unique vocals of black American singer Malcolm Mooney, and establishes Can's signature style of relentless rhythmic psychedelia with songs such as the 20-minute"Yoo Doo Right". Along with the Velvets and the Stooges, Can were one of the most 'advanced' groups of the era, and certainly one of the best Krautrock bands. If you've yet to explore the world of Can, you could do a lot worse than starting here.
MPEG Stream: "Mary, Mary So Contrary"
MPEG Stream: "Outside My Door"

CAN Prehistoric Future (Tago Mago) lp 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Vinyl-only reissue of the "Prehistoric Future" cassette, documenting krautrock legends Can in their early days, June 1968 to be precise. Live ("spontaneously composed") stuff from their laboratory at Schloss Norvenich, taped edited and mastered by Holger Czukay. Mono. Sounds like a practice jam to us, very loose and stoned. But of course it's wonderful stuff for Can fans! It says something on the cover about it being "the very first session" but we don't know what that really means...

CAN Radio Waves (Sonic Platten) cd 17.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Not-to-be-missed rarities from these krautrock masters, beginning with 1972's 35-minute live jam "Up The Bakerloo" (Damo on vocals)--we once had a Can BBC Sessions cd that featured this (under the fuller title "Up The Bakerloo Line With Anne") but the rest of the disc consisted of later (circa '74) BBC recordings of lesser interest. Not so w/ this disc, which follows "Bakerloo" with a great version of "Paperhouse" from the 1971 German Beat Club TV broadcast, another live track from 1970, and an alternate version of "Little Star of Bethlehem" from the Delay 1968 album--PLUS the non-album B-sides of Tago Mago and Ege Bamyasi-era singles ("Turtles Have Short Legs" and "Shikaku Maru Ten", both of course great).