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American Baroque: Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971
 
American Baroque: Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971 Quantity in Basket: None
Price: $16.00
Artist: Various Artists
 
 
Quantity:
 

The heyday of American baroque pop - or chamber pop - ran from 1966 to the turn of the 70’s.  It used string quartets, harpsichords and woodwinds to create a summer-into-autumn melancholy that was quite new, and quite far removed from rock'n'roll as Eddie Cochran would have known it. Baroque pop's musicians often came from a folk background, with an affinity for acoustic instrumentation. Linda Ronstadt's first band the Stone Poneys had introduced the autoharp to their line-up in 1965, while the likes of Bonnie Dobson and Nico experimented with string quartets, searching for different, post-electric Dylan directions.  You can trace it back to the Left Banke who created a sound that was soft but insistently sad - where were the guitars!  Their guitarist Rick Brand claimed their lyrics "were written as rather self-consciously beautiful musical whimsy, as you find in the latter 18th-century Romantic music, pre-Beethoven".  They had a huge hit with “Walk Away Renee” and effectively invented a genre before combusting after just one album.  Splinter group Montage produced a very rare album and singer Steve Martin Caro an equally rare single - both are represented on "American Baroque". Though the baroque sound was quickly forced into a corner by the back-to-basics stance of power trios like Cream and Blue Cheer, many musicians weren't yet ready to ditch cellos and harpsichords.  Some groups like the Blades of Grass aimed their minor key melodies at an early or even pre-teen following.  Others like Emmit Rhodes' Merry-Go-Round, H.P. Lovecraft and Appaloosa simply loved the feel of string quartets and woodwinds and continued to explore orchestral pop further, into the early 70’s.  In doing so, they created this tapestry of delights. There was no single blueprint for the American baroque sound - it could be bordering on the gothic (Russ Giguere of the Association's extraordinary “My Plan”) or as small and precise as a music box (Tom Northcott's “Other Times”).  Here is some of the most deeply atmospheric, original and enduring music of the late 60’s. Incredibly, this is the first compilation of it's kind. It has been compiled by Saint Etienne's Bob Stanley and has a booklet packed with rare photos and ephemera, plus thorough and enlightening sleeve notes.  GREAT!!


 
20th Century Boys
Price: $13.00
Artist: 20th Century Boys
Description:

Ever catch the faintest beat or riff in the distance and immediately recognize the song?  That’s because tucked away in the closet of guilty pleasures in your brain is an archive of catchy choruses, clap-along breaks a ... read more »

Looking At The Stars
Price: $11.00
Artist: Anderson Council
Description:

It had been 6+ years since we’d heard from these Mod/Britpopsters when the Kurt Reil-produced “The Fall Parade was released in late 2012.  ... read more »

The Fall Parade
Price: $11.00
Artist: Anderson Council
Description:

The 2006 release from the foursome who cleverly created its name out of Syd Barrett left-overs (Syd’s band took the front half of bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council’s handles), ... read more »

Americanapé - Hellstranded Live Sessions
Price: $14.00
Artist: Armchair Oracles
Description:

RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!  Armchair Oracles are in a roll!  2024’s “Nothingeveris” appeared on many “Best Of” lists.  They’ve been praised for their catchy harmonies, compact song str ... read more »

On The Brink (Rarities, Remixes and Unreleased)
Price: $14.00
Description:

19 rarities, remixes and unreleased recordings from Brad Marino, hand picked by Brad, re-mixed and re-mastered just for you. "In advance of ‘On The Brink’, the song ‘Not Fooling Me’ was leaked.  The track fe ... read more »

Live At Rockpalast 1975
Price: $18.00
Artist: Brinsley Schwarz
Description:

On March 6, 1975, Brinsley Schwarz played a one-hour set for Rockpalast in Studio L of Cologne, Germany's WDR.  Soon afterward, the fi ... read more »

Get. Switched. On!
Price: $14.00
Artist: Creem Circus
Description:

Philadelphia's electrifying Creem Circus ignites stages with original tunes that transport audiences to the glam-tastic vibes read more »

Consequences + Detours
Price: $14.00
Artist: Crossword Smiles
Description:

Detroit indie pop duo Crossword Smiles (Tom Curless and Chip Saam) are back with their second album, “Consequences & Detours”, the followup to their 2022 debut “Pressed & Ironed”, delivering o ... read more »

Sirens And Hellbinders
Price: $11.00
Artist: Dennis Davison
Description:

A longtime figure in underground music, Dennis Davison first made his mark with United States of Existence and later with the Grammy-nominated Jigsaw Seen.read more »

Presley Trap
Price: $15.00
Artist: Diesel Park West
Description:

We continue our exclusive agreement with Diesel Park West to release their music on CD that either have been download-only releases or only physical product in Europe on their Danville label.  The band could ... read more »

Round Trip
Price: $11.00
Artist: Dominic Lavoie
Description:

Dominic Lavoie is an accomplished Acadian songwriter, musician and producer based in Portland, ... read more »

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
Price: $14.00
Artist: Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
Description:

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera's self-titled debut 1968 masterpiece returns in a definitive CD edition, featuring their underground classic "Flames" alongside perfectl ... read more »

Tonight Tonight
Price: $14.00
Artist: Foxy
Description:

So Cal Orange County female fronted punk band Foxy was originally formed by LP (4-gazm), Greg Antista (Greg Antista & The Lonely Streets, Joyride & The Flock of Goo Goo), John Maurer (formerly ... read more »

Rumble Candy
Price: $11.00
Artist: John Larson and The Silver Fields
Description:

John Larson and The Silver Fields are a rock band hailing from Providence, Rhode Island. Known for their melodic power pop sound, the band is led by singer-songwriter John Larson, who brings a unique blend of hear ... read more »

Evolver
Price: $14.00
Artist: Lunchbox
Description:

Lunchbox's legendary lost album "Evolver" is lost no more! Sparklingly remastered for the album’s twentieth (and a few!) anniversary, this psychedelic masterpiece fills a crucial hole in the band's di ... read more »

What's The Matter, M Ross?
Price: $16.00
Artist: M Ross Perkins
Description:

On the third installment from the idiosyncratic M Ross Perkins, “What's the Matter, M Ross?”, finds our boy on an inward journey, exploring the transcendental and existential with his most lyrically confessional a ... read more »

Translator
Price: $13.00
Artist: Mark Ward
Description:

As a young boy, Mark Ward spent many hours listening to his transistor radio in his room. This collection of covers includes songs that have stuck wit ... read more »

Beat Revolution
Price: $17.00
Artist: Muck and The Mires
Description:

For 25 years, Boston rock ‘n’ roll outfit Muck and The Mires read more »

Natural Gas - Original Master Edition
Price: $18.00
Artist: Natural Gas
Description:

One of rock music's great lost “what could've been” bands, Natural Gas was a supergroup consisting of guitarist/vocalist Joey Molland (Badfinger), d ... read more »

The Face Of 68
Price: $16.00
Artist: Peter Holsapple
Description:

Peter Holsapple has recorded an extraordinary new solo album he’s calling “The Face of 68”.  It reflects on age, humor and hurt, with his usual high-quality wordplay and legendary gifts for melod ... read more »

Songs Of Our Fathers
Price: $8.00
Artist: prattle on, rick.
Description: LIMITED STOCK!!  WOW!! Their sophomore effort seeks to reconcile the wisdom of the past with the ethics of a rapidly changing modern world. prattle on, rick don't feel quite at home in the 21st century. Inspired by the musical spontaneity and impressionist poetry of early ... read more »

Communion Bread
Price: $6.00
Artist: prattle on, rick.
Description: LIMITED STOCK!!  prattle on, rick. is Nashville singer-songwriter and North Carolina native Patrick Rickelton and his revolving door of collaborators. Their 2010 debut deals unapologetically with adulthood, refining the bittersweet sound of man looking back, stranded at a ... read more »

Meant To Say Something
Price: $17.00
Artist: Proper
Description:

Proper formed in London, England in March 2015 with the aim of producing timeless 3 minute pop songs, with a nod to the past pop masters of the mid 60's and the late 70's in particular.  Guitaris ... read more »

Beat That! Live - 45th Anniversary Tour
Price: $20.00
Artist: Purple Hearts
Description:

Purple Hearts were absolute legends of the '79 Mod scene.  They weren't just a Mod band as they were Mods themselves who were in a Mod band!  Their roots can be traced back before Mod was even in a full ... read more »

Tethered Together
Price: $13.00
Artist: Push Puppets
Description:

Chicago’s Push Puppets create songs with earworm melodies and shiny production that belie the often bittersweet sentiments in theread more »

Crashing Dream (Deluxe) (2CD)
Price: $22.00
Artist: Rain Parade
Description:

Remastered, deluxe 2CD edition of the classic second album by Rain Parade that now includes a second disc of unreleased bonus material/alternate versionsread more »

NYC Made
Price: $14.00
Artist: Ricky Byrd
Description:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, guitarist /singer-songwriter/producer/recovery advocate Ricky Byrd (inducted in 2015 with Joan Jett and The Blackhea ... read more »

Dream In My Mind: Anthology 1967-1999
Price: $16.00
Artist: Rupert's People
Description:

Rupert's People were part of a massive wave of British psychedelic pop that happened in the late '60s, producing just a few singles before morphing into their next form. The band exi ... read more »

Top Gear
Price: $10.00
Artist: Shake Some Action
Description:

Shake Some Action are back with twelve high-octane tracks, all in one place for the very first time.  “Top Gear” brings together nine fan-favorite songs previo ... read more »

Shindig! Magazine - Issue #164
Price: $13.00
Artist: Shindig! Magazine - Issue #164
Description:

Stereolab are this issue’s cover stars: The original retro-futurists return with their first a ... read more »

Wild & Restless
Price: $14.00
Artist: Slamdinistas
Description:

Slamdinistas have been winning fans with their fervent mix of hard rock and pop hooks, delivered by a tight lineup of veteran musicians.  The group includes singer/guitarist Gabriel Johns (Shelte ... read more »

Little Letters
Price: $14.00
Artist: Smackbeat
Description:

NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL - AVAILABLE JULY 11!  read more »

St Johns Wood Affair 2
Price: $14.00
Artist: St Johns Wood Affair
Description:

Fasten your seatbelts!  St Johns Wood Affair proves the 60’s never ended, just got better!  Born at a 2004 Spanish psych fest with Nirvana (the originals!) and blessed by Patrick ... read more »

Summerhill
Price: $15.00
Artist: Summerhill
Description:

In the golden haze of 1969, when the boundaries between folk, rock, country, and psychedelia blurred into one kaleidoscopic movement, a quartet from Los Angeles quietly released an album that emb ... read more »

The Creation Of Sunlight
Price: $19.00
Artist: Sunlight
Description:

Late 60’s California sunshine psych/acid-rock, “Creation Of Sunlight” by Long Beach, CA band Sunlight was originally released on the Windy label in 1970.  Consisting of Gary Young on lead vocals, Carl Estrell ... read more »

Don't Let Go
Price: $14.00
Artist: The Airport 77s
Description:

Maryland’s The Airport 77s are ready to serve you more power pop on “Don’t Let Go,” their sophomore effort on the JEM label.  The record kicks off with “1999 (Take Me Back),” with lyrics that exp ... read more »

Like The First Time
Price: $14.00
Artist: The Bablers
Description:

Originally issued only in Japan in 1998 by EMI, the album's first hit single “You Are The One For Me” received substantial airplay on Japanese national radio.  Songs from the album were featured in TV commercials for ... read more »

Good To Know: The Beckies Story (2 CD)
Price: $27.00
Artist: The Beckies
Description:

The debut (and only) album from the Michael Brown led project (The Left Banke, Stories).  Contains a bonus disc featuring 13 previous ... read more »

Peach
Price: $12.00
Artist: The Blusterfields
Description:

What do vampires, tea cups, the mind numbing challenges of the privileged, fascist overreach and fossilized footprints have in common?  They’re all themes from the Blusterfields’ breakout fourth album, “Peach”. ... read more »

The Shroud Of Touring - Live In 1985
Price: $15.00
Artist: The Bongos
Description:

Originally recorded in May of 1985 for RCA on a steamy Memorial Day weekend at “The Tradewinds” in Sea Bright on the New Jersey shore, this is The Bongos' only official live album.  “The Shroud of Touring: L ... read more »

The Chris White Experience Volume Seven
Price: $16.00
Artist: The Chris White Experience
Description:

Chris White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 ... read more »

Anthology
Price: $20.00
Artist: The Circles
Description:

The Circles, one of the defining bands of the mod revival movementread more »

Like Cartoon Vampires
Price: $16.00
Artist: The Convenience
Description:

For New Orleans duo The Convenience, it's all about the search for a new level of raw expression.  With their second release, “Like Cartoon Vampires”, that mea ... read more »

3
Price: $14.00
Artist: The Genuine Fakes
Description:

RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!  read more »

A Deeper Scar
Price: $14.00
Artist: The Greek Theatre
Description:

RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!  Every Greek Theatre is a response or reaction to its predecessor; what can ... read more »

Soul Bender
Price: $16.00
Artist: The Grip Weeds
Description:

Has your soul been hacked by the modern world? If so, the new Grip Weeds album “Soul Bender” is just the salve read more »

It’s A Crime: The Complete Recordings
Price: $14.00
Artist: The Kirkbys
Description:

The Kirkbys were a Liverpool quintet, originally called The Tuxedos, formed and led by guitarist Jimmy Campbellread more »

Kickless Kids
Price: $15.00
Artist: The Mayflies USA
Description:

The Mayflies USA make a triumphant return after a 20+ year hiatus with “Kickless Kids”.  read more »

Oar On, Penelope!
Price: $16.00
Artist: The Minus 5
Description:

Over a four-decade career, indie rock cult hero Scott McCaughey has been a member of many bands, including R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows, Baseball Project, Filthy Friends, and Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3, t ... read more »

Stars Of Stage and Screen
Price: $10.00
Artist: The Pop Project
Description: LIMITED STOCK!  2008 RELEASE!  Fans of Squeeze (and intelligent pop in general) take note!  The reviews are in, and the comparisons to the lads from Deptford are indeed warranted! "I have been a long time fan of Squeeze (Tilbrook and Difford are my Lennon and McCartney ... read more »

A Change Of Weather
Price: $17.00
Artist: Theatre Royal
Description:

“With moving lyrics and stirring melodies, this recording will have you sighing with sad memories even as your feet start tapping.  Lead single ‘Welsh Coastal Towns’ sure had me thinking, as I of ... read more »

Shapeshifter
Price: $16.00
Artist: Triptides
Description:

6/27 RELEASE!  “Shapeshifter”, the new long-player from cosmic LA rockers Triptides, unfolds like a gol ... read more »

The Lonely Avenue
Price: $14.00
Artist: Tristan Armstrong
Description:

RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!  read more »

New Rays From An Old Sun
Price: $13.00
Artist: Turn Turn Turn
Description:

HONEYDOGS ALERT!!read more »

Can't Go Back
Price: $13.00
Artist: Turn Turn Turn
Description:

HONEYDOGS ALERT!!read more »

Times Of Strange Days Past: Blue Men On White Bicycles (1967-1970)
Price: $23.00
Artist: Various Artists
Description:

Top Sounds Records’ first release of 2025 is something of an almost extinct beast these days, a compilation of late 60’s British psychedelia of which the majority has never ... read more »

POP AID 3: A Pop Compilation To Benefit Those Affected By The California Wildfires (2CD)
Price: $28.00
Artist: Various Artists
Description:

NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL - AVAILABLE JULY 18!  read more »

Second By Second By Minute By Minute: The Songs of Rick Springfield
Price: $16.00
Artist: Various Artists
Description:

“Second By Second By Minute By Minute” is a tribute to the six decade career of Rick Springfield  “Like a lot of people, I fir ... read more »

Ride A Hustler's Dream
Price: $14.00
Artist: Velvet Opera
Description:

When Elmer Gantry split, read more »

Long After The Fire
Price: $16.00
Artist: Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill
Description:

Vicki Peterson of The Bangles has teamed up with John Cowsill, drummer/vocalist for The Beach Boys for over 23 years and original member of ... read more »

sorted.
Price: $15.00
Artist: Wyldlife
Description:

For over 15 years, Wyldlife have been one ... read more »