June

Howdy all, just a couple of weeks out from the shortest day, and the weather has only recently packed a sad - remarkable, really, when you think about it. Still, lots to be getting on with - we have a whole heap of great new posters in stock to brighten up those weary walls. We have a whole heap of our distinctive Slow Boat tees, in trusty black and grey, along with new green and blue. And, naturally - we have a whole heap of the latest and greatest music, new and old, for your listening pleasure. There is the spankingly good new PJ Harvey album "The Hope Six Demolition Project" - not wildly dissimilar to its' brilliant predecessor "Let England Shake", but with a more global perspective; there is the excellent debut album from Minor Victories, featuring Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, Slowdive's Rachel Goswell and The Editors' Justin Lockey - think of a combination of those 3 bands and you'd be on the right track; there is another marvellous set of covers from that wily old fox Bob Dylan, entitled "Fallen Angels" (his singing on it is fantastic!), plus the Bryce and Aaron Dessner (of The National)-curated Grateful Dead tribute album (for the Red Hot charity) "Day Of The Dead", featuring tracks from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Courtney Barnett, The National, Phosphorescent, The War On Drugs, Jenny Lewis etc etc spread out over a hefty 5 discs - a lot to wade through, but some real gems. There is a new set from fine producer/ songwriter James Blake (featuring a cameo from 'local lad made good' Connan Mockasin!) entitled "The Colour In Anything", a new Ladyhawke album called "Wild Things", and Beth Orton's "Kidsticks", plus soon-come tourists The Kills' "Ash & Ice", and some gorgeous 180gm remastered LP reissues of those iconic first four Pink Floyd LPs. Oh, and how about former Shapeshifter-dude Devin Abrams' excellent, soulful electronica set as Pacific Heights, entitled "The Stillness" - quite, quite lovely. And, naturally, RIP the magnificent Prince Rogers Nelson - we have restocked all his classic albums on CD for those needing to remind themselves of his greatness (or to discover it afresh!), and there are remastered LPs to follow before year's end. So many wonderful, wonderful songs, plus, one of the greatest musicians of this, or any era... Oh, and still swags of pre-loved secondhand LPs, CDs and DVDs going out into the store - some really great collections lately. What a fine old time to be had, then - come pay us a visit, drop us a line - we'd love to talk music with you, or find you a new favourite... Peace out, The Slow Boat Crew XX