Vicious Sloth Collectables: rare records.

Vicious Sloth Collectables: Rare records
1309 High St, Malvern,
Victoria 3144.
Phone: +61398224992
Email: vsc@bigpond.net.au
www.vicioussloth.com.au

Update:19/9/2014. You know things are alive and well in Mel-bourne when one of our own gets a shout out from J Mascis in a Pitchfork interview, 'I like Vicious Sloth, which is in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It's expensive, but they have everything.' Check out the full interview at http://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/9505-j-mascis/  

New additions.

Yesterday (2013) I visited this V.S.C. for the first time and wow; what a fantastic shop, a definite top three and possible contender for pole position. I was beginning to think that I'd exhausted all the good vinyl shops in Melbourne which was a bit disappointing as I'm only half way through the list. But just when you think you have seen all that Melbourne has to offer a hidden gem pops up to and resets your expectations, even raise the bar.

Despite the unassuming appearances from outside (which I drove past twice trying to find) this shop turned out to be a treasure trove of vinyl goodness and other memorabilia.

The owner Glen was friendly and knowledgeable and happily talked me through the shops layout with the enthusiasm of a proud parent. Having been established for about 15 years and obviously managed by a passionate music lover, every thing about this shop bespoke quality and attention to detail.

Closest to the counter were sections for the early decades 40's, 50's and 60's followed by first wave, second wave and post punk (a favorite of the owner me thinks) then a crate or 2 of experimental John Cage, Killing Joke and the like. Around the corner was an A-Z section with all the usual suspects but I was particularly impressed by about 4 crates worth of Beatles records, one of the most comprehensive I've come across. After this section was the pop and charting section then a Kraut and Prog rock section including the Canterbury scene.
The Aussie section too was well appointed with some stand out pieces such as a T.I.S.M. promo white vinyl copy of '40 years then death' and my personal favorites, The Scientists. All albums were sheathed in a plastic jacket, most with a label describing the album with a few silent points.

Around the walls were the especially tasty standouts of the collection, such the Chocolate Watch Band's second album 'The Inner Mystique'. This was a 1981 Aussie repressing of an epic psychedelic rock album and although it looked in mint condition, but the $400 asking price was just a little steep. Also catching my eye was the 'Short Circuit - Live At The Electric Circus' 10" comp featuring Joy Division, this is a very sexy album and looked in near mint condition.

I ended up picking up a Spanish re-release of the Scientists' live double L.P. 'Rubber Never Sleeps' and the Human League's first album 'Reproduction', I think the 2 album covers work well together!

While chatting to the owner at the counter I was inspired by his knowledge and passion for music and vinyl and reminded of how special these shops and people truly are. This was further brought home to me the next day when I found out that Ritual Music and Books shop which I had visited and blogged about back in March closed down on that very same day. Ritual was a totally unique shop with a special atmosphere all its own and its closure is Melbourne's loss.
(P.S. According to their facebook page Ritual's consignment is being split between Collectors' Corner/Missing Link and Round and Round.)

Some highlights of my trip south of the Yarra.

Bolte bridge

Gutterhype Records

Gutterhype Records has moved to

36 Phoenix St Brunswick, in the Rubix warehouse shared with Tetris studios.

Although a little out of the way and closed the first time I tried to visit it looks like an interesting move.

This really adds to Brunswick being the quality vinyl centre of Melbourne, with Record Paradise around the corner in Union Street, Round and Round Records a short drive away up Sydney road and even Title records close by.
Looking forward to checking out the new setup.

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Gutterhype Records
130 Johnston St,
Collingwood
0409336251

Dropper into this terrific little boutique vinyl shop today which also acts as an animation and graphics studio.
Specialising in dub, techno, drum and bass, jungle, hip hop and house this shop gave off a warm and friendly grungy glow.
The layout was minimal but the service was great and the records available were all quality. There was also a double turntable set up in the corner and I was invited to spin anything I was interested in.
Although there were a heap of great 12" what ended up catching my eye was a double album gate fold from and Zeitgeber
 (a collaboration between Speedy J and Lucy) released on Stroboscopic Artefacts, Lucy's own label. This label is developing into a gas light for a very specialised take on German techno.


Since the closure of Vinyl Warning (the vinyl distribution component of Store DJ) and the more recent closure of DMC Records in South Yarra there has been a real gap in Melbourne's electronic vinyl suppliers, aside from Ally Tunes in Hawthorn most every other shop only had a token electronic offering if any at all. This is a real shame because electronic music from techno to house, dub to IDM has contributed more to vinyl's resurgence than any other genre.





Also tried to drop into the 'This is it-Hip Hop Shop', looks like its been closed for a while:(

Clarity Records

Clarity Records
60 Pulteney St.
Adelaide, SA. 5000.
Www.clarityrecords.net
(08)82271421

Clarity, what a great name for a hard core record shop. But they stock a lot more than just core, with a solid collection of metal and indi albums also avaliable. The majority of the vinyl was new with a small 2nd hand range.

I ended up picking up a sweet Ltd repressing of God's mega 12" 'My Pal', a purple copy of This will destroy you's epic 'Young mountain' lp, Savages' 'Silence yourself' and Russian Circles' 'Memorial' who's titular track has vocals by gothic princess Chelsea Wolfe.

Mojo records, Launceston, Tasmania

81 Brisbane St.
Launceston,
Tas, 7250.
Ph: 03 6334 5677

Ok looking shop with a small amount of vinyl available. Looks like it has recently undergone refurbishment to include a cafe +/- bar with a mixing desk set up in the middle of the room, trying to avoid going the way of the Tasmanian tiger I suppose.

Album of the year

2013 AOTY

My Bloody Valentine: MBV This album was always going to be number one in the year that it hit. Any album that takes 25 years gestation cannot but achieve mythical status and shoegazie perfection, 'stand aside kiddies and let the adults show you how it's really done'! Holden: The inheritors This album really grows on you and was one of my top played albums for the year. The frequency play, the pulsating rhythms and looped samples all work to give the feel of an archaeological dig, gradually unearthing some huge prehistoric mammoth. Zomby: With Love. A pretty unusual follow up from his 2011 Dedication album, this is what a double decker bus tour around London’s secret underground might be like. With over 30 tracks the album covers a lot of ground but leaves you wanting to explore a little more. My Panda Shall Fly: Tape Tekkno What a beautiful album, everything that My Panda (not to be confused with Gold Panda or Panda Bear who plays with the Animal Collective) touches turns to gold. Working more in the middle to high frequency range, obscured 4/4 + beats and mixing some found sounds. Laurel Halo: Chance of rain For all Laurel’s classical training and art sensibility there’s a dammed good reason why she is released through Hyperdub, and that’s primarily because she rocks. A chance of rain might have synth sophistication and beat nuance but overall it is singularly dance worthy, play loud. Disappears: Era This album is solid. Although from Chicago there are strong hints of UK post punk acts such as The Fall and more recently The Horrors, great staff. KVB: Immaterial Visions What a blast! Similar to a few other albums on this list (MBV and Daft Punk) in that the sound pays homage bands of the past. But there is nothing derivative about this album, just a celebration of sound which leaves you wanting more. Floorplan: Paradise Who else can resurrect a 1996 alias and be instantly relevant. The godfather on minimal returns to the floor, respect! Gardland: Syndrome syndrome Aussie, aussie, aussie… taking it to the rest of the world no less. Bringing breathtaking freshness and innovationto classic 303 and other analogue sounds reminiscent of the motor city, Nebulo: Castles Nebulo (which incidentally is also the name of a Marvel comic character who first appeared in an Incredible Hulk special edition in October 1968) has released 6 albums with Castles his most recent through Hymen Records. Specialising in ‘rough technoïd & ambient music’ this release is an infectious organic sonic exploration filled with warm addictive bass and sparkling synthetic nuance. Tim Hecker: Virgins Piano excursions and layered atmospheres with moments of Reich like phasing; Hecker’s follow up to his 2011 album Ravedeath is an altogether lighter affair but nonetheless deeply absorbing listening experience. Think of Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians with an industrial edge. Boards of Canada: Tomorrow’s Harvest I keep on waiting for the Sesame Street audio samples to pop their head out from under the covers. More ambient brilliance from these pour-voyeurs of all things soft focus and subliminal. Kniφe: Shaking the Habitual Remarkably weird; Karin Dreijer Andersson was once asked how she managers the long Swedish winters, to which she replied that she watches re-runs of Miami Vice. This perfectly explains this album and I blame Don Johnson. Forest Swords: Engravings Forest Sword’s albums are like an exotic oriental travel journal, complete with cherry blossom gardens, geisha girls and jade dragons. Drop the needle, sit back and relax as opium smoke and incense issue forth from the speakers, slowing time and transporting the listener. Chelsea Light Moving:  Chelsea Light Moving Chelsea Light Moving was the name of Philip Glass’s furniture removal company and is now the name for Thurston Moore’s side/main band project. This album spent quite some time in gestation to eventually show itself as a sophisticated piece of pop rock. Flaming Lips: The Terror This album is a ‘Heart of darkness’ style exploration of creativity out of adversity. Everyone works their shit out in different ways; and Flaming Lips are true alchemists using heart and soul to turn darkness into light. M83: Oblivion OST Joseph Kosinski directs musicians as well as movies and the 2 go hand in hand, check out Tron’s OST by Daft Punk (also a Kosinski collaboration). The Mondo Records pressing on clear vinyl and fully reworked gatefold graphics adds a nice 2000ad sci-fi feel to this future artifact. Daft Punk: Random Access Memories The maestros of disco perfection, or is that infection return. Everything about this album has been tweaked to perfection, the analogue synths, the arrangements, accompanying musicians and although there is a little self indulgence you you still have to love their work. ‘Everyone calls me Giorgio…’ Basic House: Caim in Bird Form ‘Came from out of the blue’ might be an alternative name for this fantastic piece of electronica which snuck up on me from completely out of left field.  Pushing the time stretched envelope of dub to breaking point and beyond, the best tracks hit toward the end. Gold Panda: Half of Where You Live The good old sophomore album; ‘Lucky Shiner’ is a tuff act to follow but Derwin is the animal for the job. I think the guy must be synesthetic because the album cover describes the music better than I could, stand out track is Brazil. All India Radio: Red Shadow Landing Local musos extraordinary drop this exceptional piece of red wax.  Sort of like Ennio Morricone meets Mogwai in a bar and have a beer on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Mika Viano: Kilo Solid stuff; like cement setting around your feet and ankles, but rather than being afraid as you sink you become mesmerized by primeval whale song and ancient titanic wreckages. Heavy devy square wave generator. Actress: Silver Cloud EP Although only an EP, these 3 tracks are worth 12 from many other producers and is just too good a release not to include. Skyscraper tall textures and slow burn percussive builds… now you’re in the heart of the machine. Kylesa: Ultraviolet Female deathmetal with seamless cross genera excursions through progressive, sludge and deathmetal to almost glam. Rock and rolllllll! Patten: Eolian Instate 12” Having just moved to the Warp label this EP gets all the love with a picture disc release, sweet as. Screen Vinyl Image: 51:21 Synth pop shoegaze duo extraordinaire. Keeping it real with tape distribution through bandcamp, go to the source! The sage tea drinkers of the golden oak also agree, two thumbs up. Laurie Spiegel: Expanding Universe Although initially released in 1980 the album was lovingly remastered and re-released earlier this year, bringing this seminal work to a whole new generation. Just as fresh and exciting today as it was 33 years ago. Zeahourse: Pools Late but worthy inclusion, Sydney garage rock group.