On Monday night riots swept through the British capital, causing violence and destruction across the city. Many buildings were damaged, and one of the biggest losses was the PIAS/Sony stock warehouse in Enfield. The three storey, 20,000 square foot building was burnt to the ground, with all stock inside being irrevocably damaged. Over 150 labels who have distribution deals with PIAS are going to be affected by this catastrophe, so we thought we’d point out a few ways you can help, and get yourself some new music in the meantime. It’s a win win situation!
Here are a dozen labels we highly recommend, and one highlighted album from each. The full story and list of record labels affected can be found at The Guardian.
DM Stith – Heavy Ghost [Asthmatic Kitty: 2009]
Best known for being “Sufjan’s Label,” Asthmatic Kitty houses some pretty amazing releases. And few, if any, are as breathtaking as 2009’s Heavy Ghost. DM Stith’s intense and surreal movements create an overwhelming world built on piano key slams and tense string arrangements. Heavy Ghost is the most brilliant and daring release on Asthmatic Kitty, and one worth working into your rotation two years later.
King Geedorah – Take Me To Your Leader [Big Dada: 2003]
Yet another MF DOOM project, King Geedorah might be the lesser known of all the villain’s side projects, but it’s also one of his best. Produced by DOOM, Take Me To Your Leader is chalk full of crazy samples, ranging from tires on pavement to Japanese monster film monologues, the album is left field rap at its finest. The speed-it-up, slow-it-down flow of “No Snakes Alive” houses some of DOOM’s finest freestyles, and “Krazy World” might the villain’s most serious work. You’re doing yourself a disservice if eight years after the release you still haven’t heard Take Me To Your Leader.
Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight [FatCat: 2008]
The Midnight Organ Fight is Scottish rockers Frightened Rabbit’s sophomore album, and beneath its frosty exterior it beholds a warm and tender core of heartfelt songs. It’s not exactly the kind of thing you listen to in the height of summer, but if you buy it now and stash it for a while, you’ll remember it around winter; the perfect time to listen.
School of Seven Bells – Disconnect From Desire [Full Time Hobby: 2010]
This New York band found a home on friendly English label Full Time Hobby who have released both of their first two albums. As excellent as their debut, Alpinisms, was, Disconnect From Desire took the pagan-influenced, electronically-flecked dream pop to a whole new level.
Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer [Jagjaguwar: 2009]
While there’s plenty of Spencer Krug to be had on JagJaguwar, Sunset Rubdown’s Dragonslayer might just be the best. The album’s energy and cohesiveness is unmatched, and here are points on “Black Lace” and “Idiot Heart” that sound nearly orchestral. Perfect? No, but Dragonslayer is a rare album that’s vibrant and inviting. Treat yourself to vinyl.
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Lenses Alien [Memphis Industries: 2011]
No, this album isn’t out yet, but the European release on Memphis Industries in a few weeks will now be a lot more difficult due to this fire, but that doesn’t stop you from grabbing the digital files. If you’re not into that, then look into Memphis Industries’ interesting back catalogue which features underrated releases from Tokyo Police Club, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Field Music and many more.
Active Child – Curtis Lane EP [Merok: 2010]
Short on cash? Why not just buy an EP then? Active Child’s first proper release was put out by London-based label Merok Records in the UK. Although Active Child has now departed to release his debut album on Vagrant (who were also affected) Merok would appreciate the help we’re sure. Plus, listening to this EP will get you set up to hear one of the best debut full-lengths of the year when it’s released in a couple of weeks.
Björk – Vespertine [One Little Indian: 2001]
While Björk’s music has been released by an array of labels, the one whom she has stayed most loyal to is One Little Indian who have released all of her albums in Europe. I could recommend you pick up any of her albums since the high-level of quality is unwavering throughout, but I thought I’d highlight Vespertine since in my eyes that one has always been a little underrated. If you already have all of Björk’s past albums, why not buy one of the digital singles or apps from her upcoming album Biophilia?
Little Dragon – Ritual Union [Peacefrog Records: 2011]
One of our most recently recommended records, Little Dragon’s third album Ritual Union takes the Swedish band from its most accessible to its most abstract. The album was only just released and a lot of the stock was probably lost in the fire, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t buy it digitally.
Errors – It’s Not Like Something But It Is Like Whatever [Rock Action: 2008]
Electro-punk band Errors quickly found a home on the label of their fellow countrymen Mogwai’s label Rock Action. Their debut single and EP were released on the label, but their first full-length album is where Errors showed their true potential, a base upon which they’ve grown and cemented themselves as a creative and domineering live band.
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85-92 [Warp: 1992]
Aphex Twin is one of those artists you’ve “always meant to check out,” right? Well, in a catalogue as convoluted and beguiling as Aphex Twin’s it can be difficult to know where to begin, so why not go back right to the start? This collection of ambient works features pieces both soothing and arresting, and you can dive right in. It has seen reissue in both analogue and stereo formats in recent years so shouldn’t be difficult to find.
The Prodigy – The Fat of the Land [XL: 1997]
The 90s were a strange time for electronic music, especially in the US. The new wave buzz had subsided, and future worldwide sensations like Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers were still gaining momentum. Fat of the Land appeared at just the right time, visceral and abrasive, parlaying the extreme and hyperactive nature of the nineties media. “Firestarter” and “Smack My Bitch Up” are classics, products of their generation as they might be, but this album propelled XL to seminal fame.
