Sleep’s “Leagues Beneath” Is Coming to Vinyl via Third Man Records: For Sleep fans, the big news about the legendary stoner metal band this year was obviously the surprise 4/20 release of their long-awaited fourth album The Sciences. But that wasn’t their only recent new music: in May, they also digitally released a single called “Leagues Beneath,” a behemoth jam that has since become a staple of their live sets. This being Sleep, “Leagues Beneath” is long enough to be an EP unto itself, and now that’s exactly what’s happening: the nearly 17-minute track will be released as a 12″ vinyl single via Jack White’s Third Man Records, the same label that issued The Sciences. The record will be available in both aquamarine and standard black vinyl, both of which will feature “a tentacled aquanaut nightmare etching” on the B-Side.
The National are releasing a rare vinyl of early live tracks for fan club members. The limited edition release is called ‘Cherry Tree Vol. 1’ The National will release a rare vinyl of early live tracks but only their fan club members will be able to get their hands on it. Titled, ‘Cherry Tree Vol. 1’ the release consists of early-era live performances, including ‘All the Wine,’ ‘Lucky You,’ and ‘Murder Me Rachel.’ Sharing the news on their Twitter account, the band added that it would be “shipping later this year to all Cherry Tree members.” See that tweet below, which also shows off the artwork for the release.According to the Cherry Tree website, members of the fan club get Exclusive content, exclusive and limited edition merchandise, priority ticketing and an annual collectible vinyl, which is included in the membership.
Stereolab Announce Switched On Vinyl Reissue Series. Their 1990s compilations have been remastered: Stereolab have announced they are reissuing their Switched On compilation albums. All three collections—1992’s Switched On, 1995’s Refried Ectoplasm [Switched On Volume 2], and 1998’s * Aluminum Tunes [Switched On Volume 3]*—have been remastered and will be released on vinyl and CD, with the LP editions to be pressed on clear vinyl. The CD boxset will feature all three compilations “in individual card wallets plus an insert.” Refried Ectoplasm and Aluminum Tunes will also be released on streaming services for the first time. The reissues arrive September 28 via the band’s Duophonic UHF Disks label.
A comprehensive guide to turntable weights, clamps and stabilisers: As any audiophile will tell you, several factors affect our perception of sound quality during record playback. One of these is the stability of the record. There are a variety of accessories designed to help stabilise records, the most common of which are weights, clamps and, occasionally, periphery rings. While many feel these accessories ‘lift’ the sound, tightening frequencies across the spectrum and subduing any resonance that may occur as the needle tracks the groove of an unsecured record, others feel that they can place unnecessary strain on belts and bearings, producing results too fine to appreciate.
Hero Breaks Car Window to Save Vinyl Records on Hot Day: Local hero and vinyl enthusiast Nate Adams broke a car window in last week’s triple-digit temperatures in order to save some records overheating in the backseat, according to multiple witnesses. Adams allegedly noticed the neglected crate of vinyl in the 2005 Suzuki Aerio after leaving an ice cream shop Saturday afternoon. Knowing the dangers, he quickly took action. “It was, like, 100 degrees,” said Adams. “Vinyl can get warped at, like, 80 degrees, and it will never sound the same again. I knew I had to do something. So, I picked up a rock and threw it through the window. I just did what any other vinyl lover would do.” …Bystanders report Adams stayed with the records until authorities arrived on the scene.
