It’s Back to School New Vinyl Thursday! Check out all the new vinyl arrivals:
AC/DC – Back in Black (Remastered)
Amy Winehouse – Frank (2PC)
Bad Religion – New America
BadBadNotGood – IV (Digital Download Card, 2PC)
The Beatles – Beatles (The White Album) (Mono Sound, 2PC)
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels – Vanished Gardens (Feat. Lucinda Williams) (180 Gram Vinyl, 2PC)
Chris Stapleton – Traveller (2PC)
Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (Colored Vinyl, Blue, Indie Exclusive)
Death Cab for Cutie – Thank You For Today (Indie Exclusive)
Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War (2PC)
Gorillaz – The Now Now (Digital Download Card)
J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive (Download Insert, 2PC)
James – Living In Extraordinary Times (2PC)
Jimi Hendrix – Axis: Bold As Love (180 Gram Vinyl)
Jimi Hendrix – Both Sides of the Sky (Gatefold LP Jacket, 180 Gram Vinyl, 2PC)
John Coltrane – Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album (Deluxe Edition, 2PC)
Joshua Hedley – Mr.jukebox
The Internet – Hive Mind (140 Gram Vinyl, Gatefold LP Jacket, Download Insert, 2PC)
Lauryn Hill – Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (2PC)
The Litter – Wretch
Mark Kozelek – Mark Kozelek (Gatefold LP Jacket, 2PC)
Nas – Nastradamus (140 Gram Vinyl, Download Insert, 2PC)
Nirvana – Nevermind
Omer Coleman Jr – Lovin Babe Sure Is Fun
Opeth – Watershed (2008/2018, 180 Gram Vinyl, 2PC)
Taking chances. Challenging one’s own comfort zone. Forging ahead into new musical terrain. Discovering the prog-metal band Opeth was a watershed moment for this die-hard metal fan, and ironically it was the discovery of their 9th studio album entitled “Watershed” that challenged my heavy metal conceptions like a monsoon!
At the time of release, it was only available on CD and not vinyl. Originally released in 2008, this album opened a new chamber of emotions and knowledge for this listener in regards to the genre of metal. I knew – and at the same time, DIDN’T know – what I was getting myself into. The term, “cookie-monster vocals” was a warning shot, yet this album was garnering major critical acclaim in all the music magazines and on the internet…I just HAD to check it out.
A false sense of security is provided by album opener, “Coil”, full of beautiful acoustic guitar phrases, a melodic lilting vocal delivered by lead singer/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt, then a verse by a guest female vocal from new drummer, Martin Axenrot’s girlfriend, Nathalie Lorichs. So far, so good . . . then “Heir Apparent” hits you with a massive wall of guitar, interrupted briefly by a beautiful piano interlude, and then – there it is – full throated “cookie monster” belting out the lyrics over blast-beats. “Can I handle this?!” – I actually said this to myself on 1st listen. The underlying music was yelling at me, “yes you can!” . . . and I listened . . . and listened . . . each time immersing myself deeper into each song. “The Lotus Eater” twisting & turning between my ears, followed by the lead single, “Burden”, which contains no growls at all. “Porcelain Heart”, “Hessian Peel”, “Hex Omega” flowing seamlessly together – WAIT – is this a concept album? It somewhat has the feel of a concept album, yet the songs are all stand alone tracks, averaging 7 to 8 minutes in length, and are by no means laborious to listen to or appreciate.
The story here is yes, I am happy to say I could handle it…all the ups & downs, light and shade, straight vocals and growls. Whatever preconceptions I may have had to support the dismissal of this album as just noise were washed away by the sheer talent and musicianship this band displays. My thirst for more Opeth was quenched, and I have earnestly obtained most of their discography.
So, now in 2018, we get a 10 year anniversary 2LP vinyl release that includes a bonus track entitled, “Derelict Herds”. This song was included in the deluxe CD edition, and is a welcome addition here. Without a doubt, this album is a perfect entry-level milestone for anyone interested in navigating the musical waves of Opeth.
m/DAVIDm/
Pharoah Sanders – Tauhid (Limited Edition)
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon (180 Gram Vinyl)
Pink Floyd – The Wall (180 Gram Vinyl, Gatefold LP Jacket, 2PC)
Rivers of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Join Hands
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Juju (180 Gram Vinyl)
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Through The Looking Glass (180 Gram Vinyl)
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Tinderbox (180 Gram Vinyl)
Sublime – 40oz. To Freedom (Gatefold LP Jacket, 2PC)
T. Hardy Morris – Audition Tapes
Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque (Remastered)
The Time – Ice Cream Castle (back To The 80’s Exclusive) (Indie Exclusive)
The Waterboys – This Is the Sea (180 Gram Vinyl)
Tom Waits – Blue Valentine (180 Gram Vinyl, Colored Vinyl, Blue, Indie Exclusive, Remastered)
Tom Waits – Foreign Affairs (Indie Exclusive, Remastered)
Van Morrison – Moondance (180 Gram Vinyl)
Back to School New Vinyl Thursday has it all! Come get some new music. We are open until 9 pm.
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Thanks for reading this week’s Back to School New Vinyl Thursday blog post. Mention you read it before you check out and we will give you 20% off ANY one item. Offer good through 8/22/18. We love ya!
Enjoy the music and we will see you soon. Your loving Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven staff,
Sherman, Gordon, Daniel, Dylan, David, Jonathan, and Dionna.
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