[EMOTIONAL FLASHBACK!] Summer 2011 - The Kinks - The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (otherwise known as the greatest album ever made)

Some albums have a strong capacity for emotional connection. You won't notice the bond is forming as you listen in the past. It's only once you reach the future you hear the album as a little time capsule, one that encapsulates a feeling like no other medium can.

The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society is often described a Ray Davies capsule of a long gone English way of life, however to say this is to not fully appreciate it's resonance. The album is more like a box in which you can place your own version of the past. Tracks like "Do You Remember Walter", "Picture Book" and "People Take Pictures of Each Other" have a spaciousness in which the listener can store their own recollections and emotions. The album stores memory in a way that nothing else does. Playing it is like opening a picture book. Whilst the past seems intangible, it's as vivid as any print. It's in your head.

Village Green is rather like the key and the instructions to open up a memory. Go down the hall, take the second left and it's the third draw down. Yeah the one labelled "blissful memories". Davies even makes the comparison, the song "People Take Pictures of each Other" takes the whole purpose of the album and runs with it. Actual physical objects are proof, but not the feeling. For me, this album holds inside it the summer of 2011, and a lot that preceded it. Revisiting it is like looking into a personal picture book.

All of this talk barely scratches the surface of the album itself, and the differing interpretations. But that quickly gets boring. Life is a lot simpler when it's kept simple. We haven't even without discussing the fact that the album is a thoroughly enjoyable listen; one could easily get lost inside it. The middle of side two, containing some of the most interesting cuts on the album, provides the feeling that only a good book can match.

My copy of the vinyl is fittingly awesome. It's a gate-fold that features both the mono and stereo mix on disc one and two respectively. It's on translucent green splattered vinyl, that when held up to the sun, mimics an art of the sun shining through summer trees. It's quite something, and is limited to 1000 copies (mine is number 166). However, this does mean that it has now sold out, and so the used route is the way to go. As ever, condition is of the utmost priority given the nature of the pressing. A note as to whether digital masters were used, I have no idea. The sleeve states that contained is the original mono vinyl and the original stereo album, which suggests it's as close as you can get. It's sounds great to my ears. I'm fairly discerning.

Which is better, mono or stereo? I find the mono brings the best out of many of the tracks, in particular "Wicked Annabella" which packs far more punch. However, I often find myself playing the stereo edition, which is relatively softer and spacious. Given the quality of most stereo 1968 albums, it holds up well.

The original mono pressing will find you reaching far into your pockets (the depth of £300.00 to be precise). You'll probably find the stereo goes even higher. I find cheaper copies of this album in the UK are notoriously difficult to get hold of, but I would recommend avoiding paying £25.00 plus for a none limited/early press copy. Trawling eBay may be your best bet.

And there you have it. Have a great day.

"DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUUUUUHHHH"

3 points for that. It's an little easier.

New Year 2011 - Radiohead - The Bends

If you've ever played a 45 followed by a 33, I guarantee you have at either stage (or both) forgotten to set the speed. And as someone who played Beggars Banquet by the Rolling Stones all the way through 13.6% faster than it was designed to play, I can tell you it's kind of infuriating.

Whilst I can't link the previous rant to New Year or Radiohead, I will continue regardless. The Bends is distinctly personal album - to Thom Yorke maybe - but actually to the listener. It's therefore one that I, although have moved on from, as often happens, will always have a spot for and will often return to. It's also got brilliant acoustics going on inside, so best of both worlds if you like.
Personal comfort zone and high fidelity. What more is there?

(P.S. don't say "OK Computer").

If you are interested in whether The Bends is an all analog release (recorded, mastered and pressed to vinyl) you will probably not be pleased to know that I haven't got a clue. It certainly is has a warm, acoustic-cy vibe going on. That's all that matters really. I've assumed it was recorded to tape and that's done me well so far.

As happens with beginning a record collection, there is always a period of crossover. You have CD's, or even MP3's from a previous existence, some you may want to renew in flat black disk format, some can wait. Maybe you want to start afresh. Having begun some kind of music journey prior to my turntable, there were plenty of albums I wanted own in vinyl. The Bends represented an album I was really into around this time, and it was quite possibly the first album I ordered online. It was the first album I received in the post, and at the cost of about £13.00 I had it in my hands New Years eve.

My pressing is the 2008 Parlophone reissue which can be got hold of new for about £15.00. The first press has minor distinctions (Parlophone "£" on the record label for example), and can be obtained for about £25.00. Potentially this is not a bad investment, although I cannot verify whether the sound quality or pressing quality is any different. Records are sold in such few numbers nowadays (since the CD) that there is very little degradation in quality over continued issues, as is often claimed of Beatles albums for example. However, there is a minor distinction between the CD issue and the vinyl in terms of loudness, suggesting a different mastering technique and therefore making the vinyl a desirable acquisition. Check the DR Database for more information regarding this :http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/index.php?search_artist=radiohead&search_album=the+bends .

The other question is the latest Capitol issues. I have owned the Capitol repress of OK Computer, and I can verify that it sounds very similar to the Parlophone issue with a slightly different label and matrix gubbins. Thicker vinyl may make that issue more your thing but I wouldn't get caught up the 180 g debate. I am fully unable to discern the difference: my favorite pressings were pressed in the 1960's not on 180 g vinyl. Some say it is more sustainable in terms of wear and tear. Other people say Paul McCartney died in 1966. Who knows? However, word of mouth (and forum) often regards the Capitol issues in poorly (a Google search could verify this). Your best bet is the UK Parlophone 2008 reissue that sounds awesome and is nicely packaged - it has a proper picture inner sleeve for example (VG+ is fairly easy to obtain). Unless obviously you go for the first press, and you can't go wrong. But stick to EX or above with this one, being collectible is it's major selling point.

And there you have it. Have a nice day.

[*faaaaadddeee oouuutttt* du dud dud udh du dahhh dahhh dahh dehhh daahh deh daah dahhh ....]

[1 point for that one. It's quite easy]

P.S.S. I actually love OK Computer. It was a top five album for a period.
P.S.S.S. I know Paul McCartney wasn't killed in a car accident. He was hired by the FBI to fight intergalactic space wars in a double team with a notable US historical-political figure. New Paul McCartney is actually a daytime television personality who is Paul in his spare time.