Smugglers Way - record store day zine/flexi discs from Domino

Truth be told, I didn't get a whole lot record store day, I knew it was going to be completely insane in Greenpoint.... then after reading Chad's piece on Creative Loafing about some of the frankly...lame releases and co-opting by huge labels, I'm starting to think it's just not for me anymore....I support small record stores all year round. I'm glad it's become something with cool unique releases, but then again a MICHAEL BUBLE/RAY CHARLES single! Now you've gone too far...or another picture disc version of the Clash or Rolling Stones?!! You just want those people who will buy anything to line up.

So 1,2,3,4 Go records posted their stock online and I actually picked some things up without fighting anyone, the Jeff the brotherhood United record and The Cure live... Entreat, what can I say I don't have any of this era Cure on vinyl and I didn't want to pay for just shipping on the Jeff record.
Not much to even report sadly, and then I got an email about this book thingy from Domino which I have to say looks pretty amazing, 5 single sided flexi discs and a book with short stories/photos by the musicians and Bjorn Copeland of Black Dice designed the whole cover.

I've been big time into that Real Estate album, sometimes you're just in the mood for a relaxed summer ride with no big freakouts...it's a bit of a zone out album, simple, but where they go with next to nothing is just perfect...I'd get this just for that track. $20.

Smugglers Way is Domino and Ribbon's first ever limited edition zine made exclusively for Record Store Day (April 21st) featuring FIVE individual, multi-colored flexi discs of unreleased songs from Dirty Projectors, Real Estate, Cass McCombs, John Maus, and Villagers. The zine comprises 24 pages of original art and prose from Domino and Ribbon artists.


Highlights include a short story penned by James Yorkston; a long form poem by Laura Marling; short form pieces by Alex Bleeker (Real Estate), Ade Blackburn (Clinic), and Tom Fleming (Wild Beasts); illustrations from Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Andrea Estella (Twin Sister), Conor O'Brien (Villagers) and Jon Hopkins; photography from Jana Hunter (Lower Dens), and an original arranged score of music by Owen Pallett.


Bjorn Copeland of Black Dice designed the cover and Rob Carmichael at SEEN is responsible for the art direction and layout.


Supplies are limited on this one!

Cass McCombs - That's that

I've just started reading about Cass recently after hearing about his move to Domino, I'm not too familiar with his stuff but it seems very quiet, there's some high harmonies,
He opened for Jose Gonzalez recently, and toured with Ariel Pink, so he's in some great company.
For some reason I'm getting a Vashti feeling here, lots of background singing, but all from a really strong singer songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Kind A laid back Jens Lekman...you're getting the picture.
I missed him at Don Pedro's...that's a shame.
This is actually coming out in a few days on Domino UK:
It's also import only from Domino or the usual guys like roadrecs, and Norman records.


That’s That, released on January 21st 2008, is the beautiful first single taken from Cass McCombs’ forthcoming album, ‘Dropping The Writ’- his first for Domino Records - due out on Monday 4th February.

You might think it funny this song bears the same title as one of Snoop’s. However coincidental, this sort of tragi-comedy that the artist cultivates does not stop here. The story about a past life and directed at a missing girl, is sharply told and almost entirely in non-sequitors. All instruments, besides bass (Luke Top) and drums (Garrett Ray), were played by Cass McCombs, as were most of the songs on the forthcoming album.

A dark and catchy number with elastic background vocals, That’s That appeals to the redheaded stepchild, but with an adult’s sense of humour and subject matter.


and some interesting commentary from Norman:

Cass Mccombs has always been seriously approved here at the towers. Those earlier albums ruled. He's left 4AD and shifted over to megaindie Domino. Funnily enough I had no idea he'd signed to Domino til someone told me they'd seen 7 copies of his new album in a big 2nd hand shop in Manchester. I've been itching to hear the new album. I emailed Domino asking why they sent promos out to folks who obviously weren't interested in the music instead of people who genuinely cared about the music but I got no reply. Ho hum....Probably too busy up in that London snorting dogs or something. Cass is back.The seven inch is called That's That.We like Cass and after a few listens it starts to proper grow on you. It's great to hear people making great timeless sounding music which isn't following any fashion. Both Brian and myself are stumped to give comparisons... always a good sign!! Maybe a bit of the earlier end of Richard Hawley in there? 7" only on hugemegaindie corporation Domino.