Pinback - Some Offcell Voices LP - Green/Blue Splatter Vinyl

Temporary Residence (2017)

This LP is the first vinyl pressing for two older Pinback CDEPs.  Some Voices was originally released on Absolutely Kosher back in 2000 while Offcell was put out in 2003 by the same label.  Stuck next to each other on wax, this ends up being a surprisingly cohesive album.

I will say this about the songs on this LP, if you've never really been into Pinback before, there likely isn't going to be anything on here that's going to change your opinion about the band.  Luckily, I happen to adore this band and to me, Pinback never disappoint.  While I do have all of Pinback's full length, I never went out and tracked down all of their various EPs, so a lot of these are brand new songs to my ears.  As you might expect, they are full of the type of soaring vocals and staccato guitar plucking that I just love.

If nothing else, it's a nice little slab of vinyl to keep me satiated until the next Pinback full length.  I haven't heard too much about one of those; but I am hopeful it'll arrive sooner than later.

Pinback - Some Offcell Voices:

https://pinback.bandcamp.com/album/some-offcell-voices

Rob Crow's Gloomy Place - You're Doomed. Be Nice. LP - Orange w/ Splatter Vinyl (/300)

Temporary Residence (2016)

I don't remember exactly how long ago it was that Rob Crow had said he was done with music.  While I applaud someone for trying to take the necessary steps to get their life on track, I was selfishly sad that the world might not get more music from him.  Luckily, it seems that Rob has managed to do both; overcome some demons and continue to put out records.  I hope he's always able to balance the two.

You're Doomed. Be Nice. is the first album Rob has made along with a new backing band he's started called Gloomy Place.  In the past Rob Crow solo records tended to be just that, with Rob controlling most if not all aspects of the record.  I'm not sure how the dynamic of having this backing band has changed his songwriting process, but this album is easily my favorite non-Pinback record Rob Crow has ever released.  In fact, it gives a couple Pinback albums a run for their money as well.

What really stands out about this album is how effortlessly the songs are able to incorporate Rob's trademark guitar plucking into extremely catchy hooks and choruses.  This is definitely one of the poppiest albums that Rob has been involved in, so it's probably no surprise that I dig it as much as I do.  For me, you're just not going to get much better than the "whoa whoa's" in the chorus of "Business Interruptus."  But that is just one song that is somehow, amazingly topped by the very next track "Paper Doll Parts."  Top to bottom it's a fantastic record.

If you have even a passing interest in Rob Crow or Pinback, this is absolutely an album you should check out.  I hope it's the first of many more albums from Rob and/or Pinback.  

Rob Crow's Gloomy Place - You're Doomed. Be Nice.:

https://robcrow.bandcamp.com/album/you-re-doomed-be-nice

Record Store Day Haul #2: Pinback - S/T LP - Clear Vinyl (/2000)

Ace Fu (2014, Reissue)

To me, this symbolizes what Record Store Day should be all about (Aside from my local store doing a bit of price gouging and selling this for $4 more than anywhere else I saw it being sold).  There is an actual point to this reissue.  This is not some record from the 70's littering used bins everywhere; it's a record that never came out on vinyl.  It's about time too.

I have to admit, prior to getting this reissue, I'd never heard this Pinback record.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a really big fan and have been for years.  I've been on board since Blue Screen Life, but for some reason I never went backwards and picked up their first full length.  Well shame on me because this record is every bit as good as the rest.

Pinback songs have a way of chugging along at the type of slower pace that would typically bore me if other bands were doing it.  But the way they layer the gentle plucking of the guitars and the absolutely stellar backing vocals and melodies make the songs just bristle with energy, despite their somewhat slow pace.  This record is just full of great songs like that.  Pinback seems to be one of those bands that just emerged perfect.  There was no tinkering with the formula necessary, they were just ready to go.  Thrilled to have this in the collection finally.

Pinback - Tripoli:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krTzn0kk3ss

Pinback - Information Retrieved LP - Smokey Blue Vinyl

Pinback - Information Retrieved LP - Smokey Blue Vinyl, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Temporary Residence (2012)

Pinback is a band that I can always count on. Every few years they get together, record a batch of fantastic songs and release them out into the wild. 2012 is one of those years and Information Retrieved is one of the very best records they've released to date. Unlike a lot of the bands that I tend to gravitate towards, Pinback doesn't subscribe to the louder is better theory. They craft mellow, intricate songs with some of the most unique guitar work you'll hear in my record collection.

But, let's not forget they're from San Diego, so you'll still hear echoes of the scene that inspired some of my very favorites like No Knife, Jehu & others. The vinyl itself sounds amazing. The artwork & packaging is incredible. And although not immediately apparent, the vinyl is pretty cool looking too. You can't really see it when I take my normal picture, but I've included a 2nd shot where I hold it up to the light. Pretty neat stuff. Go buy this. Top 10 of the year for sure.

Pinback - Information Retrieved (full album stream):
soundcheck.wnyc.org/blogs/soundcheck-blog/2012/oct/09/che...