Continuous Hit Music – a weekly exploration of vinyl finds in 2012. Read ‘em all here
Artist: The Damnwells
Title: No One Listens to the Band Anymore
Original Release: 2011
Label: Clifton Motel
Store: Clifton Motel Website
Price: $11.99 US
(Original US pressing)
Sometimes the only way to get an album on vinyl is from the band directly. The Damnwells made my favourite album of last year, and it’s not even available on iTunes in Australia. So I coughed up the dough, and bought the last two albums by the Damnwells on vinyl for a bargain $12 Us each, plus postage. Bargain!
Even better, the vinyl is coloured. Sure, it doesn’t really mean anything in terms of sound, but it is occasionally pretty. On the other hand, the cheap cost meant that the package as a whole seems a bit filmsy. The artwork is pretty bare. But hey, the record still sounds pretty good, an the songs are fantastic.
It’s a silly thing, but it’s fun to take an album you’ve known and loved on CD or mp3, and discover where the side 1/side 2 gap. And to own the big artwork. And to get it in the mail or at a shop and just be filled with excitement. Because you love the music on here, but now you have it in your hands, and you’re about to enjoy it all over again.
For the last few years, I’ve always tried my best to at least get my top 10 albums of the year on vinyl. It’s not always easy, but seems to be getting easier with the internet. Just order them. It’s only ever the Australian bands who don’t make vinyl.
I know many won’t care about this band. If you’re eager to have a listen, I suggest Werewolves, the title track, the Great Unknown and … well any of them really.
It’s a few months into 2012 and I still happily spin this record every so often. The songs get better with repeated listens. New snippets of lyrics wash over. New guitar lines stick out. This is such a perfect record, and perfect records live on repeat listens. I’m looking forward to repeat listens for many years to come.