By this point, I’ve been a fan of Spoon for a solid two decades at least. The band itself has been around nearly three, having originally formed in 1993. Their new album, Lucifer on the Sofa is their tenth and, in my opinion, most cohesively well-put-together album yet! Before we jump into a deeper dive…
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators: Crate Digger Gold
So this is a bit awkward. I sat down to write a review of The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators by The 13th Floor Elevators, and I realized that 1) I’m not sure I’m qualified to properly review an album that predates my existence by well over a decade, and 2) everything has…
The 13th Floor Elevators: Easter Everywhere (2022 Reissue)
I just couldn’t pass up grabbing a copy of the latest reissue of Easter Everywhere by The 13th Floor Elevators. The OG psychedelic rock band’s second LP, originally released in 1967, is often seen as the band’s pinnacle before Roky Erickson and company fell into a spiral of drugs and mental health issues. The album…
My U-Turn Audio Orbit Custom Turntable + Record Room Set Up
I’ve had some folks ask about my turntable and the setup, so I figured I’d put together an article covering the full system. I’ve had my U-Turn Audio Orbit Custom for about 5 years now, and I absolutely love it! In this post, though, I’m going to go beyond that to share all the components…
Sleep Party People 10th Anniversary Reissue on Pale Gold Vinyl
Yes, despite just recently entering my collection, technically this LP is now two years old. The 10th Anniversary of Sleep Party People took place in 2020. It’s wild to think that this album has reached ten, let alone a dozen years! Likewise, it’s hard to believe that the band has a handful of releases under…
Microphones In 2020 + There’s No End Documentary
Phil Elverum quietly dropped a new short film on YouTube last week titled There’s No End, so I figured it would be prudent to take a look back at Microphones’ fifth and final studio album, Microphones in 2020. It’s no secret that Elverum’s Mount Eerie project is among my favorites in the past several years….
10 Ridiculously Silly Band Names You Need in Your Collection
Going through my collection the other day, I pulled out a record by one of the artists below. What a ridiculous band name, I thought. But damn if I didn’t absolutely love their music! And that gave me an idea: what ridiculous band names should be in your collection? Arab Strap Why is it ridiculous?…
Saint Etienne: I’ve Been Trying to Tell You (Rough Trade Exclusive)
Last fall, Saint Etienne, the longtime purveyor of electronic-influenced euro pop dating back to the early 1990s, gave us their tenth studio album, I’ve Been Trying to Tell You. I picked up the Rough Trade Exclusive on powder blue wax. Let’s take a look inside. Unboxing the Rough Trade Exclusive There are a few distinct…
Bright Eyes: Vinyl Box Set (2003) + Companion EPs (2022)
My affinity for the work of Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst dates back to the early 2000s and my college days. Back to when my obsession with independent music overtook me with a fervor. Albums like Fevers & Mirrors (2000, Saddle Creek) pulled at my heartstrings and made the intensely shy hopeless romantic in me…
8 More Quirky Songs that Make Me Immensely Happy
My original 5 Quirky Songs that Make Me Immensely Happy post is closing in on a decade old, so I it’s time for a refresh and reboot. I dug deep for 8 more quirky songs that bring me joy, this time exclusively pulling tracks from my record collection. Within this list, you’ll find 5 songs…