Rough Trade Album Club: March 2017 Pack

So this is my second pack from the new Rough Trade Club. As I said before subscribers receive one album and it's up to us to choose the rest. I am stick with the three cd format as it is perfect for my budget. I am noticing that the main cds chosen are growers and March's was no exception. This time it was Holly Macve's Golden Eagle,, Macve is a country musician in a the grand old tradition of Dolly Parton or Loretta Lynn.She has the minimalist approach with the yowly voice. Personally it took a while for me to get used to the record but once it clicked, it was on constant rotation. Personally what I liked were the deft touches - despite the minimal approach, there is orchestration but used sparingly and it works well. A solid album 8/10. The bonus disc of covers was a nice accompaniment. The other album was Sleaford Mods, English Tapas. This is totally in my comfort zone as I'm a big fan of the band and the move to Rough Trade Records suited them. I like the way they mix beats with spoken word, although frontman Jason Williams does sing on a couple of tracks. Although they have not compromised their sound, you do feel that there are ambitions to push the sound further. The music is more energetic and clubby. I feel that English tapas may be a turning point for the band. It's also a great introduction to Sleaford Mods if you've never heard them before. 8.5/10. The last album is Grandaddy's Last Place. Again I was in my comfort zone. I'm a huge fan of that sort of orchestral pop in That sort of Sparklehorse/Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev vein and Grandaddy forms part f that clique. This new album is not a return to form, rather a very good, strong album that Grandaddy fans will like a lot. Lyrically the band were always strong but the lyrics in last place are superb. Musically ti is good but the band have done better. 7.5/10. Upcoming: April - Big Moon??? May - Mac DeMarco?? June - Goldie?? London Grammer???

Rough Trade Club: February 2017 Pack

So as stated last month, I will not be receiving three cds chosen by the club. I will just receive one core cd and then I can choose as many as I like. As it takes me forever to soak in an album, I will stick to buying an extra two as that was good for me and is still within my budget. The core album was a reissue - Lift to Experience's The Texas Jerusalem Crossroads. At first I was a bit wary as it is a double album with seven minute songs but after a bit I grew from ambivalence to playing it every day! The album came with an ep of LTE songs done acoustically by lead sing Josh T. Pearson. It is indeed a classic and, although not an easy listen it is very satisfying and something outside of my comfort zone. 9/10 The other two cds I bought were: Horse Thief - Trials and Truths 8/10. This is totally within my comfort zone. A short snappy collection of catchy, slightly country-ish indie. A pleasant listen and it's a good way to pass a bus trip. 8/10 Sampha - Process. I had high hopes for this one as I kept reading great reviews, however the current pair of headphones I have distort electronic beats so I have to turn off the bass on my discman, which makes everything sound flat. I haven't heard this on a good stereo yet so I'm not sold, I just need better listening gear and the lushness will overtake me. I like the melodies though. 7/10, but could be an 8 later on. One thing I do like about this new system as that it is now difficult to predict the next month's batch. Here's my guess March - The Big Moon April - Here Lies Man May - Mac DeMarco

Rough Trade Album of the Month Club January 2017 Pack

Ah so it's the last 3 cd pack i'll get from the club. From now on we'll receive one cd. A bit sad and this month' selection was a bit weak. Core album: Elinor Rose Dougall - Stellular + Bonus cd. 7/10. It's a solid pop record. Nadine Khouri - The Slated Air. 7/10. It's ok. Singer/songwriter Big Fresh - Life Dollars. 7.5/10. Pleasant west coast style pop. Next up: February: Lift to Experience March: The Big Moon

Rough Trade Album of the Month Club December 2016

So there are big changes for the club. As form February I will not be receiving 3 cds, rather 1 cd and the magazine. I am a bit bummed but it also means that I get a bit more freedom when choosing some more albums from the 10 monthly cds. So I admit I did not have enough time to absorb this month's pack due to my busy schedule and being sick did not help either. Core album Thee Oh Sees - An Odd Entrances + bonus cd. 7/10 Proggy garage. It's ok but this years A Weird Exits was better. Slowcoaches - Nothing Gives 7/10 - fuzzed up indie pop - yay!! Angelina - Vagabond Saint - 8/10. My fave of the month. Groovy country.

Rough Trade Album of the Month - November 2016 Pack

A superb month! Core Album: Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - Until the Hunter + Bonus Disc. 8/10. Dream Pop amplified with added Kurt Vile and Marie Sioux. The Rest: Honeyblood - Babes Never Die. 10/10. Excellent 90's alt. Great choruses, great energy, a fantastic album. Palace - So Long Forever. Great heart tugging tunes. 8/10. December: Thee Oh Sees? January: Rose Elinor Dougall February: No Idea March: No idea April: The Big Moon

Rough Trade Album of the Month Club - October 2016 batch

Since I received my pack in the last week of October, I still haven't gotten 100% used to them. Anyway: Core album: D.D. Dumbo - Utopia Defeated + Bonus Disc. 8/10 feel good guitar pop. Douglas Dare - Aforger + Bonus DIsc. Intricate pop. Still need to get used to it. 7/10 Vanishing Twin - Choose your own Adventure. 8/10. Fun Stereolabesque tunes. Next Up November: Hope Sandoval (I found out today) December: ??? January: Rose Elinor Dougall

Rough Trade Album of the Month Club: September 2016 Pack

A sterling month! Sore Album: Angel Olsen - My Woman + Bonus CD. 10/10. Best I've heard this year! The Rest: The Allah-La's - Calico Review - 8/10. I received their debut two years ago. Laid back VU grooves. Factory Floor - 25 25. 8/10 Their debut was album of the month in 2014. This new one is more or less the same, but I don't mind. Next Up The Website has undergone changes so it will be difficult to predict next month's core album (good!): October: D.D. Dumbo? Douglas Dare?? November: Hope Sandoval?? December: Slowcoaches???