Category: Ultra Rare Review

Ultra Rare Review

Bill Fay – Time of the Last Persecution

Bill Fay’s introspective, biblically themed 1971 classic was all-but ignored on release – but its reputation and collectability have risen ever since… Bill Fay joined Deram in the late 60s, and released two albums: in 1970 and 1971, respectively. Time Of The Last Persecution was the second of these but did not sell well, resulting in the label dropping the singer-songwriter/pianist. Over the years that followed, the … Continue reading Bill Fay – Time of the Last Persecution

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Ultra Rare Review

The Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

On their epic third album, the Pumpkins evolved their thunderous guitar riffs and psychedelic leanings into a highly ambitious and desirable package… In 1995, The Smashing Pumpkins had the unenviable task of following their iconic second album, Siamese Dream. It had sent them hurtling into the mainstream, and the Chicago band spent a five-month period writing their 28-track opus, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. … Continue reading The Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

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Ultra Rare Review

Asylum Party – Borderline

This album from a French synth band just missed the ‘cold wave’ at the end of the 80s and, as a result, is a fascinating and collectable rarity… The 80s were filled with post-punk and gothic-rock bands, generally catering to a niche market. While several crossed over into mainstream pop, some were destined to stay obscure, garnering only cult status. Some records, unknown to the … Continue reading Asylum Party – Borderline

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Ultra Rare Review

Led Zeppelin – The Song Remains The Same

When Led Zeppelin refused to sanction a white-vinyl version of their 1973 live extravaganza, a rarity was born. And the boxset retains the value… Originally released in 1976, the recordings on The Song Remains The Same capture the band during a three-night stint at New York’s Madison Square Garden in late July, 1973. This audiophile reissue is a half-speed-mastered pressing across four LPs on white … Continue reading Led Zeppelin – The Song Remains The Same

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Ultra Rare Review

The Fix – Vengeance/In This Town, black 7″

An uncompromising single limited to a 200 run, which helped The Fix to establish US hardcore as a force to be reckoned with at the turn of 1980s. Punk may have been born in England during the late 70s, but the early 80s belonged to US hardcore punk. With The Teen Idles, Minor Threat and Black Flag doing the rounds, more and more bands emerged, … Continue reading The Fix – Vengeance/In This Town, black 7″

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Ultra Rare Review

Rowland S. Howard – Teenage Snuff Film

Australian guitarist and songwriter Rowland S. Howard followed stints in The Boys Next Door and The Birthday Party with this solo debut. Having already had a storied career with The Boys Next Door (Shiversis surely one of the greatest songs ever written) and then moved on to The Birthday Party, Rowland S. Howard was regarded as one of the best songwriters of the late 80s/early … Continue reading Rowland S. Howard – Teenage Snuff Film

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Ultra Rare Review

Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown 7″ EP

This debut release from the pioneers of hardcore punk is practically the blueprint for the band’s entire career – and a rare, valuable find. When it comes to hardcore punk, few bands have a legacy quite like Black Flag. Bursting out of the California scene in the late 70s, the band channelled the angst and bitterness of American youth culture to become one of the … Continue reading Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown 7″ EP

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Ultra Rare Review

Ryan Adams – Gold, promo edition

Ryan Adams’ sophomore breakthrough from 2001 remains a masterwork – and this limited-edition vinyl release contains four bonus tracks.  Ryan Adams has had a career of ups and downs, both personally and professionally. Each of his records has been filled with struggle, heartache and hope – and his 2001 album, Gold, is one of the highlights of his career. It has some of Adams’ most … Continue reading Ryan Adams – Gold, promo edition

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Ultra Rare Review

Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

A classic British folk album that was quietly disregarded at the time of its release in 1970 has been reassessed as a buried vinyl treasure… So many records go under-appreciated at the time of their release, before slipping into legend and becoming incredibly collectable. Just Another Diamond Day, the debut album from British folk musician Vashti Bunyan, is one of those records. After a limited … Continue reading Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

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Ultra Rare Review

Sun Kil Moon – Ghosts Of The Great Highway

This slab of essential Americana from the pen of Ohio songwriter Mark Kozelek is made all the rarer by its release on white marbled vinyl. Despite being known for rubbing people up the wrong way these days, Mark Kozelek is among the most intriguing songwriters of the last 20 years. From defining the ‘slowcore’ genre with Red House Painters, to releasing full albums of AC/DC … Continue reading Sun Kil Moon – Ghosts Of The Great Highway

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