🎧 Listen along to this week’s trip! Spotify | Apple
This week we have a loaded 34 song playlist, 2 hours 26 minutes of grooves.
Hello and welcome back to The Wax Museum, the vinyl and vibes curation newsletter, where we dig up grooves from the past, present, and future.
Let’s start with the best thing I heard this week, and that was the catchy-as-hell single “I Thought You’d Change” off Hotline TNT’s upcoming album Cartwheel. Grab the splatter vinyl via Third Man Records, and peep the funny music video starring and directed by comedians Eric Rahill and Jake Bensinger.
The FUTURE Exhibit: New Vinyl Releases
Highlighting notable records coming out this Friday, September 15th.
New Albums
Alan Palomo - World of Hassle | The artist formerly known as Neon Indian is back after an eight-year hiatus.
Corey Taylor - CMF2 | Slipknot frontman and overall renaissance man Corey Taylor releases second solo album CMF2.
Demi Lovato - REVAMPED | Demi Lovato rerecords her earlier work with a more rock-heavy approach.
Explosions in the Sky - End (Yellow Vinyl) | Early reports say End is Explosions in the Sky’s grandest album yet, which is saying something.
GUM - Saturnia | Stealing time between his gigs with Tame Impala and Pond, GUM’s Jay Watson releases his fifth solo album in almost as many years.
K. Flay - MONO (Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl) | 15 new songs from the genre-defying singer-songwriter.
Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We (Robin Egg Vinyl) | Mitski’s seventh record promises to be her most expansive and epic yet.
Nation of Language - Strange Discipline | The indie Brooklyn band returns with their third album, produced by Nick Millhiser (LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost!).
S. Carey & John Raymond - Shadowlands (Clear Vinyl) | Bon Iver’s S. Carey teamed up with trumpeter John Raymond to create indie jazz fusion.
Shakey Graves - Movie of the Week | Shakey Graves, the brainchild of multi-hyphenate Alejandro Rose-Garcia, returns with his fourth album.
Vagabon - Sorry I Haven’t Called | Dance music and effervescent pop from Vagabon, the moniker of Lætitia Tamko. The album is co-produced by the legend Rostam (Vampire Weekend, Haim, Clairo).
New Vinyl
The Beths - Expert in a Dying Field (Baby Blue Vinyl) | The New Zealand band’s guitar-heavy and critically acclaimed third album Expert In A Dying Field gets the deluxe treatment featuring brand new songs.
CAKE - Comfort Eagle (Translucent Green) | My favorite CAKE album is finally being released on vinyl for the first time; also available in standard black.
Call Me By Your Name Soundtrack (Velvet Purple Vinyl) | The 2017 film starring Timothée Chalamet and actual cannibal Armie Hammer gets a colored reissue.
Fireworks - Gospel (Pink with Red Blob) | Fireworks 2011 second album gets a long overdue reissue, also available in standard black. We’re discussing Fireworks’ newest album in the following exhibit.
Goo Goo Dolls - Dizzy Up The Girl (Silver Vinyl) | The only good Goo Goo Dolls album celebrates 25 years with a silver-colored reissue.
Huey Lewis & the News - Sports | The Patrick Bateman-approved album celebrates 40 years.
Jeezy - Thug Motivation: The Collection (Clear Vinyl) | Atlanta rapper Jeezy brought his southern trap sound to his 2005 major label debut; this reissue is pressed on clear vinyl and includes a cover art lithograph.
Killer Mike - MICHAEL (Black Smoke Vinyl) | One of our AOTY candidates is out on appropriately colored vinyl and OBI strip.
Mild High Club - Timeline (White with Pink/Blue/Black Splatter) | Mild High Club’s 2015 debut features updated artwork and a colored vinyl to match.
Ratboys - The Window (Fireworks Splatter Vinyl) | We discussed Ratboys new album in-depth two weeks ago; it’s a banger that I’m excited to hear on the turntable.
Woody Shaw - Blackstone Legacy | Jazz Dispensary has dug up another classic, this time the debut album by trumpeter Woody Shaw.
The PRESENT Exhibit: Album of the Year Leaderboard
Behold the 2023 Album of the Year Leaderboard. Standings change frequently; three new albums are added each Wednesday.
🎧 Full AOTY 2023 Playlist: Spotify | Apple (85+ Albums and Counting…)
Romy - Mid Air
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs (colored variants)
Debuts at #18 on Leaderboard
In a moment akin to unwrapping a highly anticipated gift on Christmas morning, Romy Madley Croft, the iconic one-third of The xx, has graced us with her long-awaited solo debut. With Mid Air, Romy, with help from producer Fred again.., channels an evocative crying-in-the-club ethos with plenty of emotional 90’s-era trance cuts.
Within the last year, Romy has covered, remixed, and discussed Alice Deejay’s 1999 track “Better Off Alone” and that feels like the perfect benchmark for what Mid Air is trying to achieve: synth-driven bangers with raw vulnerability that have the potential to live on for decades.
This month, we’re giving away a copy of Romy’s Mid Air on exclusive Spotify Fans First Neon Green vinyl. Head to the bottom of this newsletter for more info, or click the subscribe button to enter.
Fireworks - Higher Lonely Power
Get Vinyl: Discogs
Debuts at #39 on Leaderboard
After nearly a decade, Fireworks’ Higher Lower Power marks an electrifying return, dropping an unexpected surprise album on New Year's Day. From the aggressive hardcore opener to the irresistibly warm and catchy "I Want to Start a Religion With You," this album is anything but predictable.
With its shifts in tone, exploration of religious themes, and infectious choruses, it's like Detroit's pop-punk answer to Brand New's The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me" or Arcade Fire's Neon Bible.
Unfortunately, I have some bad news: there are four limited edition vinyl variants and they are all sold out. There’s only one seller on Discogs, and they want $70+, so here’s to hoping for more reissues ASAP.
The Chemical Brothers - For That Beautiful Feeling
Get Vinyl: Black | 3 LP at 45 RPM
Debuts at #51 on Leaderboard
The Chemical Brothers' tenth album For That Beautiful Feeling is a testament to their enduring prowess. Three decades since their debut, the UK duo's ability to craft dancefloor anthems and venture into psychedelic exploration remains as potent as ever.
Lead single “Skipping Like A Stone” featuring Beck will be high on my favorite songs of the year list. The White Lotus-esque beat is a banger, the bass drops are exquisite, and we even get some trademark Brothers guitar sweeps. *chef’s kiss*
The PAST Exhibit: 1997’s Must-Have Vinyl
Each week we look at a year gone by to find ten timeless albums that are must-haves in your record collection. All vinyl are easy to find unless otherwise stated.
Archive: 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998
🎧 Full Essential Vinyl Playlist: Spotify | Apple (260 Records and Counting…)
Radiohead - OK Computer
Get Vinyl: Black | OKNOTOK | Discogs (colored variant)
Obviously, we must start the 1997 Must Have Vinyl list with one of the greatest albums of all time. Thom Yorke's haunting vocals, combined with the band's intricate arrangements and innovative production techniques, resulted in a work that challenged and captivated listeners, reshaping the boundaries of rock music. Released at the cusp of the digital age, OK Computer grapples with the alienation, anxiety, and technological determinism that resonate even more profoundly today.
A 20-year reissue OKNOTOK 1997 2017 was released on limited edition blue and standard black triple vinyl and included three previously unreleased songs: "I Promise,” “Man of War," and "Lift."
Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death
Get Vinyl: Black | 25th Anniversary | Discogs (colored variants)
Released just sixteen days after his tragic murder, the double album, teeming with hits like "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "Hypnotize," served as both a swan song and a testament to Biggie’s lyrical and narrative mastery.
Biggie's versatility was second to none, as he effortlessly shifted between introspective tales, street anthems, and radio-friendly chart-toppers.
Its legacy transcends time, affirming Notorious B.I.G. as one of the most influential figures in the rap genre, with the album itself being a monumental milestone in the evolution of hip-hop music.
Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind
Get Vinyl: Gold | Black | Discogs (colored variants)
Third Eye Blind arrived on the scene fully formed with their self-titled album featuring hit after hit of catchy rock harmonies. It’s a tour de force packed front to back with timeless anthems like “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper,” and “How’s It Going to Be,” all of which soundtracked many a 90’s movie.
Erykah Badu - Baduizm
Get Vinyl: Black | Lemonade | Discogs (colored variant)
Erykah Badu burst on the scene to immediate Billie Holiday comparisons with debut album Baduizm. Badu's unique voice, with its rich timbre and expressive nuances, brought a spiritual and philosophical depth to the lyrics she penned.
Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
My personal favorite Foo album features three bonafide hits that are still live show staples 25+ years later: “Everlong,” “My Hero,” and “Monkey Wrench.”
Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
Get Vinyl: Yellow | Discogs (colored variants)
Yo La Tengo's I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One is a masterclass in musical eclecticism, deftly weaving together a kaleidoscope of genres into a cohesive tapestry that feels both expansive and personal. We have the gentle lull of folk, the raw energy of punk rock, the atmospheric textures of shoegazing, extended instrumental noise jams reminiscent of avant-garde explorations, and the intricate rhythms of electronic music, all within a few songs. A rich, layered album like this rewards repeated listens.
This album also features a classic music video that’s basically a lost Mr. Show sketch starring David Cross and Bob Odenkirk.
The Verve - Urban Hymns
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs (colored variant)
The Verve third and penultimate album is filled with sweeping arrangements and heartbreaking lyrics, exemplified by opener “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” the tear-stained ballad “The Drugs Don’t Work,” and the breezy “Lucky Man.”
Elliott Smith - Either/Or
Get Vinyl: Black | Expanded Edition | Discogs (colored variants)
Elliott Smith's sophomore album stands as a beacon of introspective songwriting in the indie folk landscape. Marked by its hushed vocals and intricate guitar work, Smith delves deeply into the human psyche, offering unflinching narratives on despair, isolation, and vulnerability. Smith's ability to craft both starkly beautiful and harrowingly honest songs has cemented "Either/Or" as a seminal work in the lo-fi genre.
Director Gus Van Sant loved the album so much he incorporated three songs in Good Will Hunting, along with a new song, "Miss Misery,” which was nominated for Best Original Song.
Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club
Get Vinyl: Black | Deluxe | Discogs
Buena Vista Social Club's self-titled album is a collaborative effort between Cuban musicians of the pre-revolution era and American guitarist Ry Cooder. The album revived and celebrated the timeless rhythms of the sones, guajiras, and boleros, introducing them to a global audience unfamiliar with these sounds. Throw this on the turntable and bask in the golden age of Havana’s music scene.
Spiritualized - Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs (colored variants)
Spiritualized's third album and career high point is a genre-shifting magnum opus, merging pace rock, gospel, orchestral arrangements, and ambient noise into a cohesive, transcendental auditory experience.
The Rabbit Hole Exhibit
Take a trip down the pop culture rabbit hole with new recommendations each week.
Searching for Alice Deejay’s “Better Off Alone” music video sent me down a fun rabbit hole this week as I stumbled upon two related videos worth checking out: a killer performance from Matt and Kim at Lollapalooza 2010, and a worthy cover by Purity Ring featuring Megan James’ intense eye contact and authentic choreography.
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Hey thanks for stopping by! If you would like to support The Wax Museum, become a paid subscriber for just $3.33 a month and be entered into our monthly vinyl giveaway. Winner will be announced the last week of September; there’s less than 25 paid subs so your odds will never be better!
This month, I’ll repeat it again: we are giving away Romy’s Mid Air on exclusive Spotify Fans First Neon Green vinyl! You need this vinyl in your life.
Lastly, if you collect vinyl, you would be foolish not to follow the Internet’s #1 vinyl deal finder. I put out about five to ten deal tweets a day; be sure to turn on notifications because some deals go fast!
Leave a comment card on your way out and we’ll see ya next week!
Some good 1997 picks...probably my most-played albums that year were Bowie - Earthling, Dylan - Time Out Of Mind, Cornershop - When I Was Born For The 7th Time, and Bjork - Homogenic.