The first in a series of Dead C reissue collaborations between Jagjaguwar and Ba Da Bing, DR503 has been pressed on vinyl for the first time in years, along with the Sun Stabbed EP as a bonus record. Originally released in 1987 (and not to be confused with the releases DR503b or DR503c, which are completely different recordings), DR503 sounded like nothing that came before--a furious pastiche of unrelenting drones, noise and menace. It didn't fit in with the other bands New Zealand's venerable Flying Nun was releasing, and it immediately staked a fork in the road, dividing the "New Zealand Pop Sound" from its black sheep brother, "New Zealand Noise." Today, the record still sounds as vicious and vital as when it first went to vinyl, except now perhaps there will be more people ready to appreciate the innovative approach the band took some 21 years ago. This reissue also contains a bonus record of the rare Sun Stabbed EP from the same recording period. With bonus tracks not on the original 7-inch, the recordings from the Sun Stabbed sessions are being released for the first time in their entirety.
2XLP $20.25
10/28/2008
The second in a series of Dead C reissue collaborations between Jagjaguwar and Ba Da Bing, Eusa Kills has been pressed on vinyl for the first time in years, along with the Helen Said This 12-inch as a bonus record. Eusa Kills is The Dead C's second album from 1989, released by Flying Nun, the arbiter of the time for all that mattered in New Zealand rock. Considered by many to be their "songs" record, Eusa Kills adds ominous aggression to the abstract sounds of their time--those being created by such luminaries as Dustdevils, This Kind of Punishment, and Dadamah. Sneering vocals drift over improvised melodies and unstructured rock songs. One can hear the direct influence The Dead C had on Sonic Youth at the time--mining deep into the underbelly of music to yield a truly intense and unparalleled sound. This reissue also contains as a bonus record the rare Helen Said This 12-inch from the same recording period. Originally released by Siltbreeze at 33 rpm, this is the first vinyl reprint, and will display improved sound quality at 45 rpm.
2XLP $20.25
10/28/2008