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VINYL VIEWS: WEEK OF 01/11/21

Vinyl Views is our weekly blog where we feature album recommendations from our store team (Shayne and Jaxon), and reveal picks from guest contributors. This week we hear from Andrew Meier and Shayne kicks off 2021 with his new playlist format.  Check it out!

Scroll down to read this week’s album picks or start shopping!  Sign up now to be a part of our Vinyl Views family and be the first to hear about new releases, store events, and exclusive promotions.  Looking for a prior week of Vinyl Views?  If so, CLICK HERE!

Hi everyone, my name is Andrew, I’ve known Shayne for many many many years, and somehow still consider him one of my best friends. A little about me, I’m a nurse, a new dad, and an avid music consumer. I listen to all types of music but hip hop, metal, punk, and deep house are my favorites.

Artist: Earthgang
Album: Mirrorland

My favorite album of the year hands down. Hip hop at its finest, and it’s
just jam-packed with amazing surprises. It may take a listen or two to get into, but when it clicks good job listening to anything else for a few weeks. Quick shout out to Spillage Village here. Their album Spilligion almost feels like the folky after-party for Mirrorland and heavily features Earthgang.

Check out the track Top Down.

 

Artist: The Dinner Party
Song: American Beauty

What happens if you put 4 of hip hop’s best producers and modern
jazz musicians in a room with their friends and serve dinner? A couple of really great and unique jazzy, groovy, and down-right amazing albums. The EP focuses more on the jazz and production and the LP has more features (including snoop doggy as the best dinner party host ever).

Check out the track Sleepless Nights (feat. Phoelix)

 

Artist: Trinidad James and Frye
Album: Black Filter

Trinidad James man. I have always hoped he would put out a song like James Woo Woo, then he put out an album that just blew me away. One part rugged old school soul, one part ultra-confident and smooth rap and one part hardcore mosh pit that doesn’t feel like it’s had an equal since the ante up remix. This album has something for
everyone!

Check out the track UGLY.

Shayne is switching it up in 2021 and bringing us his custom play lists each week.  Check out here or come into the store and listen to them in our Sounderator (tricked out 1940’s refrigerator that you sit in while enjoying a tasty selection of tunes).

Shayne’s playlist this week is titled: PURSE FIRST

I’m excited and having a lot of fun making these.  And when I can bring in my full crew? All the better.  This week’s theme (and many of the selections) is inspired by my Mom.  What do you want playing when you swing open some doors? What’s your entry music?  Special shoutout to Ian for picking what mine is, and the sound of him rescuing me!  (Friend so good he had a soundtrack for hypothetical situations)

Access the Spotify Playlist Here =>   

Bob the Drag Queen 

Song: Purse First.

 

Supergrass 

Song: Alright.

 

Natalie Cole 

Song: Wild Women Do.

 

Lizzo 

Song: Good as Hell.

 

Hot Butter 

Song: Popcorn.

 

Yellow Magic Orchestra 

Song: Rydeen.

 

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince 

Song: Charlie Mack (The First Out The Limo).

 

Artist: Flying Lotus
Album: Cosmogramma

Flying Lotus has one of the most unique sounds in the hip hop scene. It is extremely hard to describe the sounds created on this album, but I’ll give it a try. If I had to explain it to someone who has not listened to it, it sounds like J Dilla took inspiration from Front 242 and chip tune video game soundtracks. Intrigued? The fact that after ten years, there hasn’t been anything else released that sounds similar shows how forward-thinking this masterpiece is.

Check out the track (and amazing video) Zodiac Shit

 

Artist: Lollipop Shoppe
Album: Just Colour

This is a gem. It reminds me of Da Capo era Love, which I love. They formed in Las Vegas in 1966, but their debut and only album was released in 1968. It is a blend of garage and psychedelic and is really quite fantastic.

Check out the track You Must Be a Witch.

 

Artist: The Cure
Album: Standing on a Beach

Usually, I try to stay away from the greatest hits albums. I enjoy the album experience, listening to the album in the artist’s intended order, finding deep cuts I really enjoy. This one is an exception to that rule. It is a collection of early Cure songs and they include some deeper cuts. It is one of the best ways to introduce someone to The Cure. 

Check out the track A Forest.

How Do I Order Music (Or Other Things)?

Val’s is now open again (safely)! Bring a face mask and we will sanitize your hands on the way in.  Social distancing, of course.  Val’s halla has worked hard over this quarantine period to launch its Online Store which has thousands of titles for you to choose from.  We will continue to add inventory everyday, but just let us know what you are looking for!  We are happy to look through our off-line inventory of over 50,000 titles to see what we have for you.  Also, we place orders with our distributor every Monday which means we see them in our store by Tuesday (most of the time).  We sell records (as well as turntables), CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, DVDs and more.  To get started, you can Click Here to access the Online Store, or fill out the form below to let us know what you are looking for.

What About Delivery?

Val’s is offering Curbside Pickup and No-Contact Delivery Service to customers who live within a 5-mile radius of the Oak Park Arts District. Orders can also be shipped to customers outside that radius for a flat fee of $5.  Order as much as you want – still $5 shipping! Stay safe and be well!

What Are You Looking For?