Stuart Marson - Night Falls On The Orchestra

Nigh Falls On The Orchestra was the first release from U.K. folk guitarist and singer Stuart Marson.  Not much is documented online of him,  I do know that he worked as a schoolteacher for some time, but has retired.  He once maintained the website stuartmarson.com, but the link is down and without archive.  There is also a CD listed on his discogs page, added recently which leads me to assume that between 1974 and 2013 he would have recorded and self-released more material that has yet to surface online.  Here's to hoping it one day does.  There are a few recordings he's posted on his youtube channel to watch as well, very nice stuff.

The music on the LP is very melancholic folk; lyrics of the city and its restlessness, gardens, quays and Marilyn (Monroe?).  Beautiful guitarwork from himself as well as Derek Smith who accompanies him on each song.  I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of these songs, the guitars work together wonderfully and Marson's poetry is both beautiful and devastating.

Download the LP here.

(included are pictures taken of the front, back, and labels with a camera, unfortunately my scanner is not big enough for LPs, also included is a .txt containing all of the writing on the back cover: lyrics recording info, etc.)

Toast - Beatriz 7"

Toast was a New Hampshire an indie rock band who put out a handful of 7" eps and a 5" split single between 1993 and '94.  I got my copy of this 7" for free when I ordered a Heatmiser LP on discogs a few years ago and thought the songs were pretty good, haven't listened to the other releases.  It would seem to me that the guys in this band were fans of The Hated, the song Lantern Man on here reminds me a lot of the music on the Three Shades of Dirty tape.

Download the Beatriz 7" here.

Far Apart - Hazel 7" and John Doe Band split 7"

Far Apart, another short lived band (but aren't they all?) from Sweden, is a great example of Swedish emo in its stride.  Their Hazel 7" is well loved by those who know it, and the split they did the following year is also some very good tunes.  The band also has a demo tape, which has not surfaced online as far as I know, and if anyone has it/know where it may be PLEASE contact me!

Download the Hazel 7" here.

Download the John Doe Band split 7" here.

Compound Red - Mr. Microcosm

Mr. Microcosm was the first CD put out by Milwaukee, WI band Compound Red in 1993 following four self released cassettes and one 7".  One of only two full-length albums the band would ever release, Mr. Microcosm is much heavier then its predecessor, which would follow 5 years later after a change in vocalist.  Between the two albums the band put out a handful of 7" splits and singles.

Personally, I prefer John Lyman's vocals (the singer on this CD) to those of Greg Steffke who would sing on the bands final split 7" and album.  Not to discredit Steffke, I still sincerely enjoy the band's final effort, but nothing matches Lyman's wailing (timestamped to my favorite part) on the Peter Pan's Shadow B/W 20 Miles Up There Is No Air 7".

Download the Mr. Microcosm CD here.

(you can click the images to zoom in and see the full resolution scan)

Welch - Storecookies, Sugar And Videotapes On Stock

Storecookies, Sugar and Videotapes On Stock was the only full album released by Italian emo band Welch.  Released on CD in 2001 I think this album is a pretty special piece but there's nearly no info (that I, an American, can find online) on the band, so this write up is a little brief.  You can download the CD here.

The Western Expanse - Hollywood Nights B/W Featherweight Crown

Hollywood Nights B/W Featherweight Crown was the first release from Los Angeles band The Western Expanse.  The band formed from the ashes (to put it poetically, for my own entertainment) of the emo band Emery.  The band at one point also distributed a 5 track CD that contained re-recordings of the songs on the 7" with a different bassist and without the glockenspiel.  Sadly I have no info on the CD other than knowledge of its existence and the tracks it had on it, as told me by Eric Feezell (the bassist on the 7"): 

"It's the other versions of Hollywood Nights and Featherweight Crown where Chris sings up an octave, as well as Dirty Face and I think Asterisk and Lightning Scissors? Don't quote me on the last two but 99% sure Dirty Face is one of the five."

Download the 7" here.

P.S. If any of you Western Expanse fellas see this post and still have a copy of that CD please reach out to me!! I'd seriously appreciate it.

The Vehicle Birth - Tragedy

 

Tragedy was the first and last full length album released by another Boston band (though, originally formed in North Virginia) The Vehicle Birth.  First self-released on vinyl in 1996; it was repressed in 1998 by Crank! records on both CD, which my rip is sourced from, and vinyl.  The band didn't release much, just this album and two self released 7"s as well as a split with The Wicked Farleys in 1999.  No scans of mine for this since it's a digipack (annoying to scan) and there were some decent ones up on discogs already.  

Download the CD here.

The Wicked Farleys - Ken Theory 7"

 

Ken Theory was the first release from Boston, MA rock band The Wicked Farleys.  Featuring only two tracks: You, avatar. (who's studio recording would only see release on this 7"), and Fitchburg, MA (which would be rereleased two years later on their 1999 EP as well as included in a compilation).  The Wicked Farleys would go on to release 2 full length albums, the previously mentioned EP, and 2 split singles.  Download Ken Theory here.

Links of interest

Long ago when I began ripping and scanning my collection I created a discord server to send everything I did into, so feel free to join it and take what you will, as of right now its pretty unregulated so I hope that the people who may read this don't come in and ruin the place..haha

Here's the link: https://discord.gg/YrTH9jDCxD

Other places you can find me on the net:

YouTube where I post songs that aren't already on there/better quality audio then songs that may be

Discogs where I catalogue my collection/obsessively hunt for records and information

Bandcamp where I give money to those who most deserve it

Last.fm where the music I listen to on my phone and computer is nicely organized and charted

Starting things out: Various Artists - Summer Ninety Six

 

Hello and welcome to my new blog for posting my vinyl, CD, and occasionally cassette digital rips/scans!  This first post will be my most recent rip, but I have many more older rips that I will be putting up on this site in time.

Summer Ninety Six was a 3-way split compilation organized by Palatka members Kurt Burja and Jason Teisinger on their label.  It included Florida bands Moonraker, Hope Springs Eternal, and Don Martin Three.  Each band contributed 1 track.  To those knowledgeable of the Gainsville emo scene, this release all but unknown with each track being legendary in it's own right.  Moonraker's "White Christmas" is unforgettable, as is Don Martin Three's "Transistor".  I've uploaded the full split to youtube for easy listening to those who tend not to obsessively download gigabytes on gigabytes of music (like I do..).  

Download the 7" here.

(I did not scan the full booklet, or 7" label as those are easy enough to look at on the discogs pages for the record, I just scanned the cover and 3 pieces of the booklet that I wanted to have on-hand...forgive me)