Tag: Indie rock

Vinyl

Vinyl love: Doves “Lost souls”

Post author By jprobichaud
Post date July 4, 2020
3 Comments on Vinyl love: Doves “Lost souls”

(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)

Artist: Doves
Album Title: Lost souls
Year released: 2000
Year reissued: 2019
Details: double LP, grey vinyl, limited edition, numbered 2952

The skinny: Last year gave us the big news that Doves, one of my all-time favourite bands, was re-forming for some live shows. And then came the vinyl reissues of their now classic first three albums. I received them in the mail around this time last year and I immediately posted ecstatic pics of my new copy their sophomore release, “The last broadcast“. These days, we are eagerly awaiting news for their brand new album to drop. (We’ve already heard the first single, “Carousels”, which sounds brilliant.) Until then, here’s another of those limited edition, coloured vinyl, numbered releases. This one, their debut, “Lost souls”, pretty sums it all up for me this week. Those in the know will understand.

Standout track: “The cedar room”

Tags 12", 2000, 2000s, Alternative, British rock, Double LP, Doves, Dream Pop, Grey vinyl, Indie, Indie rock, Limited edition, Numbered, Reissue

Vinyl

Vinyl love: The National “High violet”

Post author By jprobichaud
Post date May 30, 2020
2 Comments on Vinyl love: The National “High violet”

Artist: The National
Album Title: High violet
Year released: 2010
Details: Limited edition, double heavyweight vinyl, violet, gatefold

The skinny: A few weeks ago, “High Violet”, the fifth album by American indie rock band, The National, turned ten years old. To celebrate, their label, 4AD, released an expanded edition anniversary edition of the album, the vinyl version including an additional LP of bonus material and all three discs pressed in a lovely, white and purple marbling. I didn’t pre-order it because I’m not at the point (yet) of buying multiple versions of the same album for my vinyl collection and besides, I’m pretty happy with the limited edition, original pressing on heavyweight, violet vinyl that I found a bunch of years ago. You may debate “High violet” that is not their best work but it built on the exposure gained by The National’s previous record, “Boxer”, and well, I think it’s some pretty fine music (two of the tracks, including the one below, appeared on my Best tunes of 2010 list). The National’s sombre and atmospheric sound is just so great on vinyl and is on full display here. In fact, I remember the first time I listened to this record after purchasing it and, I think my friend Mark will agree with me here, I thought it sounded very different from the version on CD.

Standout track: “Conversation 16”

Tags 12", 2010, 2010s, 4AD, Alternative, Alternative Rock, American rock, Coloured vinyl, Double LP, Heavyweight, Indie, Indie rock, Limited edition, Post-Punk Revival, The National, Violet vinyl

Live music galleries

Live music galleries: Slowdive [2017]

Post author By jprobichaud
Post date May 21, 2020
7 Comments on Live music galleries: Slowdive [2017]

(I got the idea for this series while sifting through the ‘piles’ of digital photos on my laptop. It occurred to me to share some of these great pics from some of my favourite concert sets from time to time. Until I get around to the next one, I invite you to peruse my ever-growing list of concerts page.)

Slowdive live at L’Olympia in Montreal, 2017

Artist: Slowdive
When: May 6th, 2017
Where: L’Olympia, Montreal
Context: Many of you will know by now that I had a thing for early ’90s shoegaze but to be honest, Slowdive wasn’t one of those bands that grabbed me back in the day. It took the discovery of Neil Halstead’s and Rachel Goswell’s second band, Mojave 3, to make me want to take a second look. I love Slowdive now, of course, so I was right there with the rest of them when they announced reunion shows in 2014, subsequent tours over the next few years, and then, a brand new album back in 2017. That self-titled record was so incredible (it was my second favourite album that year), I decided to drag Victoria with me to Montreal, right around this time three years ago, for Slowdive’s stop there. Of course, ever since that time we went to saw James there in 2008 and struggled to stay awake on the drive home afterward, we’ve made weekends out of these concert voyages and took time on each trip to explore the city. Even through all the amazing meals, the trip to the museum, and old Montreal, the highlight for me that weekend was still the concert, just oh so beautiful, “alien and angelic”, and I think even Victoria really enjoyed it.
Point of reference song: “Star roving”