Countdown to Christmas - Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher

We're counting down to Christmas...

BIG Thanks to everyone for their orders, we have been busy packing and getting them ready for the post and pick ups. Thanks too for those of you who are popping in the shop, it's great to see you.

The shop is brimming with great stuff so even if you haven't started Christmas shopping yet you are sure to find something good!

At present we are open Monday - Saturday 10.00am to 5.30pm and on Christmas Eve (Thursday) 9.00am to 3.00pm.

If you are ordering by post we advise to order as soon as possible but by Saturday 19th 5.00pm at the latest for Christmas delivery. Hats off to our postal & delivery services who are flat out at the moment and doing a great job. 

NEW RELEASES THIS WEEK

Paul McCartney's McCartney III is out Friday 18th December. We are sold out of limited white vinyl pre-orders but we have a couple of copies earmarked for the shop so do send us a message if you'd like one. We also have the CD version in stock.

Liam Gallagher has released a charity single All Your Dreaming Of for Action For Children which provides invaluable support for vulnerable young people over the festive period. Gallagher says "All You’re Dreaming Of is an instant classic that is perfect for this time of year. Considering the year that we’ve all had, I hope this brings back some much needed love and hope. Bing Crosby would have been proud."

The 12" version has sold out online, more copies are ordered, we do have the 7" version available.

Slow Club's 2009 4 track Christmas EP Christmas, Thanks For Nothing gets a reissue for the first time on vinyl this week. We have a limited coloured version available.

Thundercat's  Fair Chance (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B) gets a Remix on 12" vinyl.

Sean Lennon produced UK psych rock band Temples’ latest single Paraphernalia it's out on neon magenta 7" vinyl with an etched B side.

We have several later additions to the list of Love Record Stores releases from earlier this month celebrating a selection of the albums of the year with exclusive limited edition versions.

London songwriter Kelly Lee Owens' Inner Song is out on double purple vinyl with etched D side.

There is a special edition of Wilma Archer's A Western Circular on white vinyl and Georgia's second album Seeking Thrills on neon orange vinyl both limited to 490 copies.

North London duo Sorry's debut record 925 was co-produced by James Dring (Gorillaz, Jamie T, Nilüfer Yanya) and gets a special release this week on ltd gold vinyl. 

Protomartyr's Ultimate Success Today on limited brick red vinyl.

Gene La Priest limited neon orange vinyl

Shirley Collins' Heart's Ease on dark green vinyl.

And finally a limited Love Record Stores edition of Stephen J Malkmus' Traditional Techniques on creamy white vinyl.

NEW IN

KIllers have a new album, Imploding the Mirage is in stock on double vinyl or on CD.

Sigur Ros' Odin's Raven Magic is an orchestral composition inspired by the 14th century Icelandic poem of the same name. The double heavy weight vinyl and CD both sold out immediately but we will be getting more....watch this space.

Harry Styles' second album Fine Line, was released this autumn and is in stock on double black vinyl, a sort-after gift this Christmas.

Customer Top 3 Albums of the Year

This week we hear from our shop assistant and music student Bex and regular customers Steve and Kempez.

Bex's Top 5 Albums

1. Kate NV - Room for the Moon  
A Russian electronic producer inspired by 1980's Japanese pop. This playful, funky album reminded me why I love electronic music: the tactile soundscape injected some much needed colour into my lockdown!

2. Hayley Williams - Petals for Armor 
One of the loves of my earlier teens finally released her solo album this year. Her first album that feels truly grown-up, Petals for Armor has been praised for dealing candidly with topics like eating disorders, divorce, and grief - but the most exciting thing for me was hearing one of the strongest singers of this generation find her balance. The vocal power displayed here is genuinely exhilarating.

3. Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn - Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn
I don't think traditional Chinese music gets enough attention on the international folk market, and I'm hoping album of bluegrass fusion will bring it the attention it deserves. Wu Fei's voice is gorgeously expressive and the pairing of banjo and guzheng zither feels effortless. 

4. Sam Lee - Old Wow 
An album of reworked traditional folk songs produced by Bernard Butler and featuring Elizabeth Fraser. Sam Lee's earthy voice was made for English folksong, and this time it's elevated with jazzy orchestral arrangements and electric guitar. I love how organic the songs feel, and using them to illustrate the urgency of the climate crisis feels like a natural next step for the tradition rather than a forced addition.

 

5. Burd Ellen - Says The Never Beyond 

Dark, atmospheric carols and winter songs provide an antithesis to the usual Christmas fare. I love that the folk and experimental elements are in perfect harmony, with a beautiful vocal to boot.

Steve's Top 3 Albums of the year

1. Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways 'Moving record for the times.'

2. Frazey Ford - U Kin B The Sun 'Warm and soulful groove'.

3. Nubya Garcia  - Source 'Wonderful Mix of jazz and reggae.'

Kempez' Top Picks of 2020

'Greetings pop pickers here's my yuletide list of fab and groovy records released (mostly) this year.

Reissue of the year: Prince, "Sign O' The Times" ...timeless inspired funk, jazz and weirdness on the 3 disc set and the incredible full 9 disc set. Double yowsa!!

Album of the year: By a country mile for insanely classy prose, tunes and acoustic tinged beat groove...Bob Dylan, "Rough & Rowdy days". If you have drifted from His Bobship's orbit in recent years, come back to the fold with this scorcher.

Live Album of the year: Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets triple disc set...Inspired reinvention of incredible early Pink Floyd material played in a energised, garage band style. Poppy and trippy as hell.

Compilation of the year: Robert Plant, "Digging Deep, Subterranea"; double disc set showcasing the eclectic rock meets world music electronica of his post Zeppelin work. Fab-u-lous darlings. He hasn't just got a huge penis folks!

Notables and also-rans... Pink Floyd's early years reissues (separate volumes) particularly Dev/iation and Obfusc/ation David Byrne's incredible live show on Broadway issued on a double disc set...American Utopia on Broadway Duke Special, "Little revolutions"...if you like witty, erudite and vaudevillian chamber pop get any of his releases.. a killer Irish pianist singer songwriter. Geoff Berner... "Hotel Metropole", latest album from Canadian Klezmer punk accordion player and singer. You tube him and get a blast of his sour, angry and beautiful music.'

Thanks guys! Do keep your Top 3 (or more!) Albums coming, we'll be doing a round up your favourites and ours at the close of the year.

Between Christmas and New Year our opening times are:

and then we'll be back for Saturday 2 January 2021 for what is always an exciting month for albums by brand new / emerging music artists.

Take care, Festive Regards Mark