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XTC - Black Sea
(Virgin TOCP-65714 Jap-01 175:-)
XTC continue on with the big drum sound of Drums and Wires, adding more polish and an even heavier-hitting approach for Black Sea — their arrangements are fuller and they rock harder than ever before. Where Drums and Wires implied social commentary, Black Sea more directly addresses sociopolitical concerns, handling them not strictly in a theoretical sense, but rather showing a human response to the circumstances. Japanese 14-track Digitally Remastered CD album including bonus tracks: Smokeless Zone, Don't Lose Your Temper and The Somnambulist, in mini-vinyl card picture sleeve with green paper outer sleeve, obi-strip & lyric inserts. | ![]() | XTC - Collector's Edition Box Set
(Virgin TPAK-4 UK-90 275:-)
XTC was one of the smartest - and catchiest - British pop bands to emerge from the punk and new wave explosion of the late '70s. From the tense, jerky riffs of their early singles to the lushly arranged, meticulous pop of their later albums, XTC's music has always been driven by the hook-laden songwriting of guitarist Andy Partridge and bassist Colin Moulding. While popular success has eluded them in both Britain and America, the group has developed a devoted cult following in both countries that remains loyal over two decades after their first records. This 3-CD Box Set includes Go 2, Drums and Wire and Black Sea. | ![]() | XTC - English Settlement
(Virgin TOCP-65715 Jap-01 175:-)
Andy Partridge's discovery of the 12-string guitar set the tone for English Settlement, an album that moved away from the pop gloss of Black Sea in favor of lighter, though still rhythmically heavy, acoustic numbers with more complex and intricate instrumentation. Japanese limited edition 15-track digitally remastered CD album, presented in mini-vinyl card picture sleeve + obi-strip. | ![]() | XTC - Go 2
(Virgin TOCP-65712 Jap-01 175:-)
Recorded in a rush, less than a year after White Music, Go 2 predictably suffered. The album, while slightly more melodic, reprises much of the quirky, high-energy playing of White Music, but the material is considerably weaker this time out. Aside from a couple of standout tracks like "Mechanic Dancing," Go 2 is probably most memorable for its witty, word-heavy cover art. Japanese 13-track digitally remastered CD album including bonus track; in mini-vinyl card picture sleeve with obi-strip, picture insert & lyric insert | ![]() | XTC - Oranges & Lemons
(Virgin TOCP-65719 Jap-01 175:-)
Skylarking was an ambitious yet concise record, one that recalled such graceful concept albums as Pet Sounds and Sgt Pepper, so it wasn't entirely a surprise that XTC embraced psychedelia on its double-album follow-up, Oranges & Lemons, especially if their celebrated Dukes of Stratosphear side project was taken into consideration as well. Oranges & Lemons lacks the singular focus of Skylarking, but at its best, it's just as impressive as its predecessor. Japanese limited edition 15-track digitally remastered CD album, presented in mini-vinyl card picture sleeve + obi-strip. | ![]() | XTC - Skylarkin'
(Virgin TOCP-65718 Jap-01 175:-)
Working with producer Todd Rundgren didn't necessarily bring XTC a sense of sonic cohesion — after all, every record since English Settlement followed its own interior logic — but it did help the group sharpen its focus, making Skylarking its tightest record since Drums and Wires. Ironically, Skylarking had little to do with new wave and everything to do with the lush, post-psychedelic pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Japanese exclusive 15-track CD album [originally released in 1986], includes the bonus recording 'Dear God', presented in mini-LP style card picture sleeve + obi-strip. | ![]() | XTC - The Big Express
(Virgin TOCP-65717 Jap-01 175:-)
XTC took full advantage of their studio-bound status with The Big Express, creating their most painstakingly detailed, multi-layered, sonically dynamic album to date. The more upbeat material and brighter sound recall some of the band's earlier moments, but most of all, The Big Express signals a turning point for the band, setting the blueprint for their later approach — a combination of studio perfection matched with impeccable songcraft that results in a thoroughly consistent and enjoyable album beginning to end. Japanese limited edition 14-track digitally remastered CD album, presented in mini-vinyl card picture sleeve + obi-strip.
| ![]() | Yellow Magic Orchestra - Naughty Boys
(Sony MHCL-210/1 Jap-03 300:-)
The trailblazing force behind the emergence of the Japanese techno-pop sound of the late '70s, Yellow Magic Orchestra remains a seminal influence on contemporary electronic music — hugely popular both at home and abroad, their pioneering use of synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines places them second only to Kraftwerk as innovators of today's electronic culture. This issue combines the regular album with the instrumental remixed version. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve. | ![]() | Yes - Time and a Word
(East West AMCY-6281 Jap-01 200:-)
Yes' second album was a transitional effort; the group trying for a more produced and sophisticated sound through the use of an orchestra. Even so, the results weren't conventional, because the group didn't tone down or turn down its sound. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve | ![]() | Young, Jessie Colin - The Highway is for Heroes
(Cypress 661115 US-87 175:-)
Jesse Colin Young returned to record-making after five years with this modestly produced, largely acoustic effort, on which his singing had taken on a breathy expressivenes and his acoustic guitar-playing (doubtless due to years of playing solo shows) had become more dominant and accomplished. Still Sealed in its original Plastic Longbox! | ![]() | Z Z Top - A Taste of the Sixpack
(Warner PRO-CD-2875 US-87 225:-)
This sturdy American blues-rock trio from Texas consists of Billy Gibbons (guitar), Dusty Hlll (bass), and Frank Beard (drums). They were formed in 1970 in and around Houston from rival bands the Moving Sidewalks and American Blues. Their first two albums reflected the strong blues roots and Texas humor of the band. Their third album (Tres Hombres) gained them national attention with the hit "La Grange," a signature riff tune to this day, based on John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillen."
Rare 1987 US 13-track promotional-only CD sampler, custom digipak picture sleeve with discography on the back! | ![]() | Zappa, Frank - Lumpy Gravy
(Ryko VACK-1205 Jap-02 225:-)
Lumpy Gravy, Frank Zappa's first solo album, was released months before the Mothers of Invention's third LP and both were conceptualized and recorded at the same time. We're Only in it for the Money became a song-oriented anti-flower power album with one contemporary/musique concrète/sound collage hybrid piece by way of conclusion. Lumpy Gravy collaged bits of orchestral music, sonic manipulations, spoken words, and occasional pop ditties into two lumps of 16 minutes each. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve. | ![]() | Zappa, Frank - Orchestral Favorites
(Ryko VACK-1237 Jap-02 225:-)
The material on this album originally was intended to be part of a four-record set called Läther, prepared for release in 1977. Then Zappa got into a disagreement with his record company, Warner Bros., and Läther was split up into several different releases as part of a contractual agreement. The results were dumped on the market during 1978 and 1979, while Zappa moved on to his own record label. Orchestral Favorites consists of material recorded on September 17 and 18, 1975, with a 37-piece orchestra, and includes such familiar Zappa themes as "Duke of Prunes" (from Absolutely Free) and "Strictly Genteel" (from 200 Motels); "Bogus Pomp" also consisted largely of 200 Motels music. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve.
| ![]() | Zappa, Frank - The Man from Utopia
(Ryko VACK-1244 Jap-02 225:-)
This album presents a mix of studio tracks and altered live recordings from Frank Zappa's hard rock period. The tone is definitely less rock-oriented than on Them or Us, only "Stick Together" and "Cocaine Decisions" qualifying as such. The most noticeable trend here is the half-spoken half-sung free-form numbers "The Radio Is Broken," "The Dangerous Kitchen," and "The Jazz Discharge Party Hats." They all feature Zappa performing a written text or improvising one on the spot, speech-singing while the band wallops around, reacting to his words. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve.
| ![]() | Zappa, Frank - Weasels Ripped my Flesh
(Ryko VACK-1211 Jap-02 225:-)
From the perplexing Germanic interlude of the opener, "Didja Get Any Onya?" to the complex xylophone changes of "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue," Zappa combines avant garde music, jazz, R&B, novelty elements, and plenty of flippant rock attitude. Interestingly, there are some straight-up rock tracks too, such as the interpretation of Little Richard's "Directly From My Heart To You," and the guitar-led attack of "My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama," balancing highbrow conceptualism with unpretentious directness in Zappa's inimitable fashion. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve. | ![]() | Zappa, Frank - We're only in it for the Money
(Ryko VACK-1206 Jap-02 225:-)
From the beginning, Frank Zappa cultivated a role as voice of the freaks -- imaginative outsiders who didn't fit comfortably into any group. We're only in it for the Money is the ultimate expression of that sensibility, a satirical masterpiece that simultaneously skewered the hippies and the straights as prisoners of the same narrow-minded, superficial phoniness. Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve. | ![]() | Zunou Keisatsu - Tanjyo
(Hayabusa Landings HYCA-4024 Jap-12 225:-)
Communistic duo Zunou Keisatsu (translates from Japanese as Brain Police) formed in 1969. Haruo "Panta" Nakamura played simple two-accordic melodies on acoustic guitar and sang agressively together with Toshi Ishizuka playing on different (also simply) percussions. All songs were full of left ideas. Despite of the band was banned by Japanese officials it was so popular in local public. And due to ban all 5 albums were recorded only live. Tanjyo was their fourth album.
Vinyl Replica Paper Sleeve. | ![]() |
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