Stuff For Sale
(Everything is in stock unless otherwise noted. Ordering
instructions are at the bottom of this page.)
We now accept credit cards through PayPal!
Abridged Perversion
CD - $9
The Shrimper
compilation of Shrimper compilations. Includes tracks by the Extra Glenns,
Franklin Bruno, The Mountain Goats, Nothing Painted Blue, Lou Barlow (of Sebadoh),
Refrigerator, Wckr Spgt, Joey Burns (of Calexico), Bugskull and a slew
of others from the Velvet Underground (er, way underground) of record
labels. 34 tracks in all and well worth it's weight in magnetic tape. Yes,
we know it says "do not pay more than $8.00 dollars for this CD"
on the back, but that was before they raised the price. Still a bargain anyway.
Long live the Inland Empire!
Absolutely Kosher Records
buttons are here! Black logo
on a white background, 1" in diameter.
$1.50.
The NEW Absolutely Kosher goblin
logo t-shirt!
The menacing
new goblin AKR logo as designed by Goblin Cock cover artist Mike Sutfin, black
ink on a demon green 100% cotton pre-shrunk t-shirt. Available in adult small,
medium, large and XL.(All shirts are $14.50 ea. Please confirm that we
have your size in stock before sending payment, BACK IN STOCK!!!.)
The Absolutely Kosher Records
t-shirt!
This lovely
100% cotton garment has the label logo on the front and the slogan "Alter
Kocker Indie Rocker" on the back (white on black). For those of
you who don't speak Yiddish (and I suspect there are a few of you), an "alter
kocker" is a bitter, crotchety old man (literally "old shit"). For those
of you who don't speak Hipster, an "indie rocker" is almost the
same thing. Available in S (baby doll),M, L, XL, & XXL. Special thanks
to Adam Bluming for his design expertise.(All shirts are $14.50 ea. Please
confirm that we have your size in stock before sending payment, BACK IN STOCK!!!.)
Blackout Beach - Light Flows From Putrid Dawn CD - $12
Blackout
Beach is the solo vehicle for Carey Mercer, the head howler and songwriter
for the wonderful and mysterious Frog Eyes. Like his work with Frog Eyes,
these Blackout Beach songs are intense, miniature epics filled with decadent
imagery and dark paths. Some might fence Mercer into the 'new weird folk'
movement, but his songs are filled with more conviction, agitation and true
sonic experimentation than all of those other folkies combined. Light Flows
The Putrid Dawn is an atmospheric song cycle (in fourteen parts) that touches
on a wide range of emotions, and an even wider range of song structure and
arrangements. The album is more filled out and a bit more abstract/spacious
than the recent limited Frog Eyes acoustic album, Ego Scriptor. Awesome
stuff. On the fine Soft Abuse imprint.
Blue Pine - Blue Pine
CD - $12.50
Pre-Frog Eyes
action from this primitive combo. Blue Pine's approach is similar to that
taken by The Pogues, The Bad Seeds, and Vancouver's own Jerk With A Bomb.
But these comparisons don't come close to suggesting the strangeness of this
album (which isn't even lessened by the appearance of Carolyn Mark's familiar
voice on two tracks). Perhaps a better parallel to draw would be with The
Fall - insofar as this record's otherworldliness is a function of its abrasive
vocals and jarring guitar strang. Or maybe I should just mention that they
have a song called "Fur Harness or Let No Beast be Shackled Lest Doom Fall
on All of Us" and leave it at that. On Global Symphonic.
Bottom of the Hudson - The
Omaha Record CD - $12
The knock-your-socks-off
debut by a new combo from Charlottesville, VA. A wonderfully hooky rock record.
Lazy rock crit formula says Hunky Dory-era Bowie and/or Electric
Warrior T. Rex showered with some Moby Grape-ish psych-rock and infused
with slices of Slanted-era Pavement and Perfect-era Built To
Spill. We say this arrived as a mysterious unsolicited demo and we didn't
listen to anything else for a month. A small label signing war ensued and
we came out with our huevos intact, a basket of roses and a wonderfully talented
band to introduce to the world. A perfect record to herald the coming of spring
and kick your ass this and every summer. (AK028)
Boxharp - The
Tailored Soldier CD — $12
The Court and
Spark's singer M.C. Taylor spreads out a bit with this album that carries
the C&S twang into the middle of a wide-open mesa, the landscape on the
journey from the pueblo that was Ventura Whites to the Southwestern
metropolis that is Bless You, the Court and Spark's (forthcoming)
2nd album. Boxharp finds Taylor collaborating with several of his bandmates
and producer/engineer Scott Soulter, as well as Patrick Main of Oranger, Pat
Campbell of the Oranj Symphonette and the inimitable Carrie Bradley on violin.
Glitterhouse (who released the album) describes the album as Talk Talk's Mark
Hollis fronting the Flying Burrito Brothers. Listen
to "Church In Calhoun."
Franklin Bruno
- A Cat May Look At A Queen CD - $12
The third solo
album and hands down the best yet from the lyrical juggernaut Franklin Bruno.
The man brought his game to these recordings. Thirteen brand new tracks that
swoon from the gentle Spanish feel of the title track to the dusty, tumbleweed
twang of "Tired of theWest" to the classic wry pop Franklin is known
for on "Love's Got A Ghetto" to a cover of the Jerry Vale standard
"Two Purple Shadows." As always, this man can write and rhyme. The
album was half recorded with Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Mates of State, Handsome
Family) and half with Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Giant Sand, Brokeback).
Guests include members of Calexico, Nothing Painted Blue, Refrigerator and
Jonathan Richman’s band. (AK019)
Franklin Bruno
- Kiss Without Makeup CD — $12
The lead singer
for Nothing Painted Blue returns five years after A Bedroom Community
with his second solo album. The songs here, mostly arranged with just electric
guitar, upright bass and vocals, carry Franklin's trademark wit and knack
for pop hooks. One of the greatest lyricists and songwriters of our time,
Bruno is vigorously loved by his fans and criminally unknown and wildly underrated
by the rest. Kiss Without Makeup includes a jazz trio reworking
of his classic "Clean Needle" (originally from Shrimper's "Abridged
Perversion" comp) and such newer favorites as "Nickname Stuck"
and "Idiots." (AK005) Listen
to "Thin Weak Smile" courtesy of Epitonic.
Franklin Bruno - A Bedroom
Community CD — $12
The stunning
1995 solo debut from Nothing Painted Blue frontman and independent pioneer
Franklin Bruno. This is not the first we heard of Franklin having been 0PB
fans for some time, but this is definitely the one that led us to his doorstep.
Includes the classics "Uninsulated Wall," "For The Firedrill"
and "Death of Vaudeville." On Simple Machines. Listen
to "Cheat."
The Court and Spark - Witch Season CD - $12
The transcendent third album from San Francisco's finest. Witch Season finds the band at its most inspired, stretching its dusty twang to incorporate other rootsy elements (namely folk and blues) and a few surprises (reggae, funk and rock'n'roll). But heck, I can tell you this bus got a brand new paint job, leather seats and a kickin' set of shocks, but nothings as good as actually going for a ride. Stunning, beautiful stuff. (AK040)
The Court and Spark - Dead Diamond River CDEP - $9.50
A brand-spanking new EP of gorgeous songs from San Francisco's lords of dusty distinction. Five new songs, all of which are exclusive to this CD, provide a welcome teaser for the forthcoming Witch Season album. Featuring back-up vocal appearances by folk legend Linda Thompson and the silky-voiced M. Ward. (AK038)
The Court and Spark - Bless
You CD — $12
Second
album from the group that's gotten religion and gotten stoned. Sprawling,
dusty country with lines on its face. An unbelievable achievement. Features
a guest appearance on three tracks by Gene Parsons of The Byrds and The Flying
Burrito Brothers. The LP is limited to 500 copies and looks beautiful. Listen
to "Rooster Mountain" courtesy of Epitonic.
The Court and Spark - Double
Roses CD — $10
This
little gem, eight tracks of mostly acoustic joy, is a collection of live recordings,
covers, and new songs. It's self-released on the band's own Prophecy Connection
imprint and limited to a paltry 400 copies. Think of it as a gentle teaser
to next year's astonishing Witch Season album. Get 'em while they're
hot or, um, here.
The Court and Spark - Ventura
Whites CD — $12
First album
by San Francisco's purveyors of the smokey twang. Includes "Ghost of
Sigma 14B" and "A Joyful Dispel." Originally released by Tumult,
the U.S. edition has sold out and is available here as an import from Germany's
Glitterhouse label. Listen
to "Sugar Pie In Bed"
We
have very limited quantities of The Court and Spark's Bless You
posters made by the world-famous Hatch Show Print in Nashville, TN. $12
gets you a poster plus shipping. Order additional copies for $9 ea. The text
says: "Absolutely Kosher Records Presents A New Album By: The Court &
Spark "Bless You" Available on Popular Long Play And Compact Disc
Formats". Here's a composite scan (the real image is much nicer):
Rob Crow - My Room Is A Mess
CD - $12
The songwriting
genius and cottage industry (Pinback, Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, Optiganally
Yours, Goblin Cock, etc) returns with his first solo album since 1996's Lactose
Adept. Eighteen brand new songs that range from bubblegum boy-band tenderness
to death-metal brutality to the even-tempoed minimal and off-kilter pop for
which he's become known. Wonderful stuff. (AK029)
Rob Crow - Living Well
CD - $12.50
The most focused of Rob Crow's solo releases to date, Living Well will please Rob Crow fans of all persuasions, even those who only know him through Pinback. On Temporary Residence
Rob Crow/Lesser - split
CD - $12
The very hard-to-find
showdown of fuckery is now available again!!! In one corner, the man of one
million bands (including Pinback, Optiganally Yours, Heavy Vegetable, Thingy
and Goblin Cock) shows up wielding his Fantasy Mission Force to face-off with
Tigerbeat6 cover boy (J)Lesser. Only Vinyl Communication, a label clearly
ahead of its time, could release such a monster way back in 1995.
Rob Crow - Lactose Adept
CD — $12
4-track recordings all over the map from the frontman and creative giant behind (or a part of) Heavy Vegetable, Thingy, Optiganally Yours, Pinback, Fantasy Mission Force, Physics, Snotnose, Advertising, Goblin Cock and the Army of Fig-Loving Cats & Mice. 29 songs in all. On Earth Music/Cargo.
The Dead Science - Frost Giant CD - $12.00
The 2005 album from our favorite avant-popsters. Recorded with dark pop uber-producer Ryan Hadlock (Black Heart Procession, Blonde Redhead, Stephen Malkmus, etc.), Frost Giant is a 9 song litany of invisible crushing forces, sexual longing, and the well of misery. Combining the hyper-active looseness of improvised music with the economical arrangements of classic pop, The Dead Science have achieved a new and strange model of the "power trio," which owes equal debts to Prince, Einsturzende Neubauten, and John Coltrane.
The Dead Science - Crepuscule with The Dead Science - on Slender Means Society CDEP - $8.50
This 2006 ep was released by our friends at Slender Means Society, who write, "Crepuscule is a powerfully understated collection of twilight ballads that finds the Dead Science yet again challenging their own ever-refining palette. The staggering drama of Frost Giant has scarcely quelled, but here seeps in with unexpectedly cinematic restraint." It's good stuff and we're happy to offer it for sale here.
The Dead Science - Bird Bones in the Bughouse CDEP - $9.50
The second release from Seattle's noir-soaked mystery men. With roots in jazz, art/experimental and the more accessible side of post-rock, The Dead Science create an enigmatic, yet compellingly unique sound which showcases vocalist Sam Micken’s breathtaking tenor over the groups gritty guitar-drums-upright bass arrangements. In addition to four tremendously strong originals (including the infectious toe-tapper “Cuz She’s Me”) recorded by the band in their new home studio, the EP also features the beautiful, unsettling and perhaps unlikely cover of Terrence Trent D’Arby’s “Sign Your Name.”
The Dead Science - Submariner
CD - $12, LP - $11
The debut full length from this incredible Seattle trio. A ghostly and compelling tenor (like Jimmy Scott, Roy Orbison and Thom Yorke singing together from the Phantom Zone) plummets through imaginative guitar/contrabass/drums arrangements where jazz bites post-rock back and modern classical has itself a seizure. Includes the thundering "White Train." Includes sometime members of Xiu Xiu, Degenerate Art Ensemble and others. Limited edition colored vinyl LP on Woodson Lateral.(AK033)
Dilute/Hella
- split live 2xCD
- $14
The
East Bay sonic scientists meet the Sacramento destroyers for two incredible
live sets. This show really captures what makes Dilute special. Hella, of
course, are in the business of ass-kicking. On Sickroom Records.
Dilute
- Grape Blueprints Pour Spinach Olive Grape
CD - $12.50
The stunning
second album by the Bay Area's Dilute featuring our own Marty Anderson. The
group's bizarre dichotomy brings the spastic energy and pioneering spirit
of experimental noise and fuses it to the rigid forms of math rock with gasps
and rumors of pop hidden under the foundation. Marty's voice is an otherworldy
croaking, both unique and enthralling. This sounds like an old issue of a
Dr. Strange comic book might look. Mind-blowing and heavily underrated. On
54-40 or Fight.
Dilute
- The Gypsy Valentine Curve
CD - $12.50
The first
album by the Bay Area's Dilute featuring our own Marty Anderson. The band
is just getting started here as they haven't yet tamed the chaos that later
works so well for them. Frantic notes cling together in strange chord progressions
like a senate of lunatics, interrupted by bursts of sonic nastiness. An impressive
indication of things to come. On 54-40 or Fight.
Domestic 4 - Bungalow Ranch
Style CD - $3 - BLOWOUT PRICE!!!
The first gem
from our newfound alliance with the Liquefaction Empire label from England.
A four piece, surprisingly enough, from Preston via Brighton who also record
as Formula One for the Kooky imprint, Domestic4 live, eat, write and record
within the confines of their little seafront house 'Shaker Heights'...which
must be mighty cluttered for all the steel drums, sythns, games consoles and
huge array of instrumentation that have all been used and abused in the making
of this album. Boards Of Canada effortlessly took our hearts and minds back
to those hazy sepia tinted days walking along riverbanks, playing in trees
and kicking a football around around after dark - Domestic4 do the same but
wrap up their heady nostalgia in a whole host of percussion, creamy melodies
and antiquated sci-fi clutter. Bending their own unique brand of Anglicized
psychedelic pop around the bones of Neil Young and the Beach Boys and dressing
it up with more contemporary influences such as the Flaming Lips, later period
Pastels and Stereolab, 'Bungalow Ranch Style!' is a record that's full to
the brim with creativity, ideas and at times, startling genius. The click
and plod, cut and paste of harmony drenched 'Digital Tippex' displays Domestic4's
simplistic yet effective approach to stylish catchy pop as does the hypnotic
Brummie electronica of some peoples 2000 summer holiday soundtrack, 'Sounds
of the Summer'. On Liquefaction Empire. Listen
to "White Light Bright Room" courtesy of Epitonic
The Dudley Corporation - In Love With CD - $12
The sophomore album from Dublin's finest marks a quantum leap forward in true romance and dizzying pop dynamics. Recorded at the Chemikal Underground Studio in Glasgow with help from members of the Delgados. In Love With The Dudley Corporation is a spastic love affair, a charming splendor of a record that surprises with every track. For fans of the wistful and the warm, the Smiths, the Wedding Present, Thingy, Heavy Vegetable & Pinback, who're taking the boys on the road.
The
Dudley Corporation - The Lonely World CD - $12
Their debut full length album, recorded by Andy Miller at the Chemikal Underground
Studio in Glasgow and released in late 2002 on Chicago's Flameshovel Records
after being released in the UK by Scientific Laboratories Records. The album
starts with a hailstorm of bright guitar chords changing directions over posh
vocal melodies and ricocheting drum swells and accents. As time progresses
The Lonely World of... disapates into a section of lovely ballads. Its most
endearing moments plow back into more mapped herks and jerks.
Eltro - Past and Present
Futurists CD - $12
Brand spanking
new and not yet in stores. It's been over two years since the last Eltro album
and this long-awaited third effort delivers in spades. They're still icons
of air and water, elementals even, but now they've added another vocalist
and layers upon layers of easy groove that just won't quit. The album is gorgeous.
It includes the soon-to-be smash "Motorboat" as well as a Quicktime
video of the song viewable on your computer plus the excellent "On One"
and seven other gems. Far and away the best record yet from an already great
band. (AK026)
Eltro - Information Changer
CD - $12
The reissue of
the stunning debut that brought us to this Philly combo's doorstep. Far spacier
and dronier than it's follow-up Velodrome, Information Changer
hints at the grooves to come in later recordings while delivering the listener
a platter of textured, atmospheric bliss. Includes the snappy "long.flat.red"
and the heavenly "Orangina." (AK014)
Eltro - Velodrome
CD — $12
Philadelphia's
mesmerizing quartet blends no wave's rhythms, new wave's cool sultriness and
space rock's atmospherics into one enthralling whole on Velodrome,
their second album. Spouses Diana Nicoletti (bass) and Jorge Sandrini (guitar,
sampler) blend easy groove harmonies while Rick Henderson (keyboards) mists
the inside of your head and Ted Johnson (drums) keeps your feet moving. Even-tempoed
and sexy as all hell. An instant favorite. Includes "Some Vital Function"
and "Vera Wang." (AK015) Listen
to the beautiful "Niagra" courtesy of Epitonic.
The Extra Glenns - Martial
Arts Weekend CD - $12
John Darnielle
(The Mountain Goats) and Franklin Bruno (Nothing Painted Blue) reunite to
create one of the greatest albums of two long and prestigious careers. Fans
of both artists will be delighted and new fans won't believe they've been
kept in the dark for so long. Twelve tracks in all including the futuristic
"Ultra Violet," the rousing "Going To Marrakesh" and a
cover of Leonard Cohen's "Memories." (AK017)
Frog Eyes - The Folded Palm CD - $12
The incredible third album from Victoria, BC's knockdown dragout. Every Frog Eyes album is an exercise in entropy, disintegrating as it overwhelms you with its size, but The Folded Palm is positively shattering in its decay and titanic in its stature. Frog Eyes is like no band you ever heard, but there's a good chance that if you like Xiu Xiu, old Bowie or Captain Beefheart, you won't be disappointed. Absolutely stunning. (AK043)
Frog Eyes - Ego Scriptor
CD - $12
The eleven song Ego Scriptor (which is Latin for "I am the writer") CD will feature Frog Eyes frontman Carey Mercer performing solo acoustic versions of songs off of the band's two previous albums, The Golden River and The Bloody Hand, as well as a few from the band's forthcoming album, The Folded Palm (tentatively slated for release on September 14, 2004). The Ego Scriptor CD will be limited to 1000 copies and is available direct from the Absolutely Kosher website as well as from Frog Eyes-friendly retailers who will be buying it direct (interested stores should contact the label). (AK035)
Frog Eyes - The Golden River
CD - $12
The incredible
second album by one of our newest signings, Victoria, BC's Frog Eyes. Compelling,
dark cabaret with a little glam and a lot of innovation. Imagine the 1980's
as an agrarian society. Imagine the spirits of Bald Mountain forming a rock
band. Pitchfork gave it a 9.1 and said "a record every bit as stunning
and imaginative as it is memorable and affecting, and one of the most unique
and interesting I've heard in ages." A keeper. Originally on Animal World/Global
Symphonic, Absolutely Kosher has re-released this masterpiece with extra tracks.
Frog Eyes - The Bloody Hand
CD - $12
The wonderful
first album by Victoria, BC's Frog Eyes. Global Symphonic says "like
a mad man howling beast at in a reverb-drenched rock n' roll cabaret... or
something like that. Noisy, distant, crashing drums; distorted organs; guitar
shards; cooing and howling. Treading in the same drowning waters as Nick Cave,
Crime And The City Solution, and Tom Waits or even The Rock*a*teens, "The
Bloody Hand"s gritty lo-fi treatment of desperate, miserable love songs will
win over an jaded heart." We agree. Awesome stuff. Originally
on Global Symphonic, Absolutely Kosher re-released this masterpiece with extra
tracks.
Frog Eyes - Emboldened Navigator
7" - $4.00
From the Soft
Abuse site: "Sounding like a frantic mix of Tom Waits, The Rock*A*Teens,
The Birthday Party and perhaps The Fall, Frog Eyes are one of the most interesting
bands around (both live and recorded). The songs on "Emboldened Navigator"
are the amongst the band's earliest and most raw, and were recorded live to
tape without overdubs. The group formed from the ashes of Blue Pine, who were
promising but ill-fated, and have released two essential albums thus far -
2002's amazing and critically acclaimed The Bloody Hand, and this year's brilliant
The Golden River." On Soft Abuse and very limited at that.
Frog Eyes - red writing T-shirt - $14.50
Frog Eyes - Demons In The Water T-Shirt - $14.50
Two dashing garments with lovely images of our favorite Victoria, BC outfit, the up-and-coming Frog Eyes. The first shirt has the band name written in a Sleepy Hollow-style cursive in red ink on a white shirt. The second style has a Creature from the Black Lagoon-as-done-by-Jack-Kirby monster on the front with the band name and the tag "Demons in the Water!" in black ink on a white shirt. S (baby doll),M, L, & XL. (NEW!!) (All shirts are $14.50 ea. Sorry, temporarily out of stock of small and large "red writing" shirts. Also, we only have one "Demons in the Water" left and it's an XL.)
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The most convenient way to pay for orders (especially if you are outside the U.S.) is through PayPal. It's really easy. Just select the shipping method and click Add to Cart. Before processing your order, you will be asked to sign into your Paypal account or create one for free. We ship via media mail so all shipping inside the U.S. is free (t-shirts and LP's not included). If you'd like to be shipped first class postage, please add $3.50 per LP or t-shirt, $2.00 per 7" and/or $1 per CD. Please add $3/item ($6 for 12"s/LP's and t-shirts) for shipping abroad. Be sure to include your mailing address with your order.
You can also pay by check or money order payable to Cory Brown at the below address.
ABSOLUTELY
KOSHER RECORDS
1412 10th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710-1512
Absolutely Kosher Records fully supports independent retailers, both online and off. If you can't find our records at your local store or you work at a store, please e-mail us and tell us where you like to shop.