One event that tends to underscore the notion that you really don’t know a person until you’ve rummaged through their record collection was yesterday’s DC Record Fair. From the five diverse individuals who DJ’d, to the hundreds of people who entered and departed with records under their arms, there was no lacking for surprises or unanticipated turns in taste. It’s revealing.
Matthew Sweet’s latest release Modern Art hit store shelves this month and its arrival is as refreshing as it is dense and complex, as the track, “Late Nights With The Power Pop” reveals below. You’d be forgiven to think right off the bat that this would be a succinct three and a half minute nugget, yet it turns out to be a gem of varying hues and tones and breadth. It too, is revealing.
Matthew’s spending the week with TVD for a rummage through his records, and of course we’ll have an opportunity to win a vinyl copy of Modern Art as well as an opportunity to see Matthew live. (More on the latter later.)
For now, the keys to The Vinyl District are all Matthew’s:
Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experienced | A wonderful product of the psychedelic era, Hendrix exploded out of the London scene circa 1967.
I just love Jimi’s playing style and songwriting. He was doing his thing and it was beautiful to behold! The drumming is mind blowing from Mitch Mitchell too.
Matthew Sweet – Late Nights With The Power Pop
Jimi’s trio format, like the band Cream, changed the basic concept of what a rock group could be. Extended jamming, excessive volume, creative use of feedback and distortion: it all helped push the boundaries and usher in a new progressive rock era.
This is the first of three records with the experience, and all are classics. Hendrix massively influenced my friend Richard Lloyd, along with countless other young guitar players.