Year of Record

I literally took this out of the sleeve and yelled HOLY SHIT. So fun! Up there with the Animal Hospital white vinyl in the glorious surprises department.

While I know there’s a deluxe “experience” edition with a DVD, and an iTunes deluxe edition, and a Japanese deluxe edition, and probably more, the experience of opening up the new Gorillaz record was disappointing to say the least. It’s not even a digipak, but just a cardboard sleeve, but with a full width spine making the covers bow, limp and cheap. The insert is a single double-sided page, no lyrics, no artwork. The CD is just loose in the rear sleeve. The whole thing feels like a promotional CD, included in a late 90s computer gaming magazine.

I know the new record has a message of material waste, so it makes sense, but offer something in return, even if you are a cartoon.

As I mentioned the other day, music site bandcamp launched their “un-label”, bcwax with a release from ukulele songstress Sophie Madeline. Today, it showed up! And jesus christ this thing is pretty. It’s the difference between a hallmark card and something you had letterpressed on heavy stock. It’s something while maybe not hand made, has so much love and taste and thought poured into it that you can love it as an object, regardless of the music. Which is pretty great!

I don’t think I’ve ever held a 200g record before? This thing is incredibly substantial just to hold, and the candy apple red is gorgeous, even on my hideous slipmat.

The art from poster master Dan Stiles is great, and while not necessary, the included print is gorgeous. I’d have maybe liked it without the name for it to be a bit more frame-able, but the quality of the print is incredibly vibrant and magical to look at. The sleeve design, disc labels, and inner sleeve all come together in a great kaleidoscope of Fisher Price wonderment, capturing the simplifying sound of a ukulele and Madeline’s songs perfectly.

The music itself is wonderful. I probably would not have bought it on its own, but it’s almost secondary to this wonderful world its built around it. Which I guess is the point. I may come back to the music itself, but for now, this is taking a proud place in my pile.

I got in relatively early, a few hours after they posted the announcement, but my copy’s already 335/500. Sounds like they’re going to do well with this experiment. I’m paying attention.

There’s big and then there’s big big (shown next to a tiny guitar for awkward reference).

This experiment is about the music, but it’s also about the albums. I got my copy of the Muslim’s (now the Soft Pack) self-titled LP in the mail today (unbeknownst to me, shipped from about 4 blocks away). The album cover is matte white, with three holes in it, going straight through the inside photo of the band and through the back cover. From the 1928 Recordings page on the release:

The first pressing was a 7 song 12″ EP that included a CD version with additional tracks Extinction, Bright Side, and Nightlife, songs that were available on various 7″s at the time. The recordings feature several musicians that helped flesh out material written by founding members Matt Lamkin and Matt McGlouhlin. As the lineup solidified into what is now the Soft Pack and initial pressings sold out, the 7 song EP became a 10 song LP with a digital download compliment. The one physical constant throughout the evolution of the release, each gatefold jacket has been shot with .22 caliber pistol.

I think that about sums up why I’m doing this. To hold an object important enough someone shot with a gun. No amount of embedded album art and iTunes LP liner notes can replicate that experience and physicality.