NOVEMBER

November, already - how in the hell did THAT happen?!

Now that we are through the Rugby World Cup (bit disappointing on the All Blacks front, but way to go, Springboks!!), our attentions are fully focused on bringing you the very, very best of what the musical landscape of 2019 has to offer. There have been landmark new releases from NZ's own Aldous Harding (her third album, "Designer" - SO MUCH FUN!!), Lizzo's "Cuz I Love You", Slowthai's "Nothing Great About Britain", Jenny Lewis's "On The Line", Thom Yorke's breathtaking 'Anima", young Dubliners Fontaines D.C.'s "Dogrel", Big Thief's "UFOF" and "Two Hands", Purple Mountains' wonderful, heartrending self-titled debut (RIP, David Berman),while this week also sees the release of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' astonishing, heartbreaking "Ghosteen" - a huge year for music that has been diverse and fascinating.

There has also been a veritable cavalcade of bumper reissues - The Beatles "Abbey Road" gets the deluxe remix treatment for its' 50th, alongside similarly fancy version of brilliant records like The Kinks "Arthur", Gene Clark's "No Other", and R.E.M.'s much maligned 'Monster", which has actually aged remarkably well.

We have also just taken delivery of a big ol' swag of new Slow Boat branded tote bags in which to transport your vinyl back to your listening nook. It folds up into your pocket, should you fancy a spot of impromptu record shopping, and is guaranteed to be the envy of your friends and enemies... and at just $5, you are both saving the planet and looking effortlessly chic...

Some blistering shows headed our way before Xmas, too - 'Boat faves The Beths return from their globetrotting to play two sold out shows at San Fran this week, Japanese popsters Shonen Knife play San Fran on the 12th, the night before post-punk survivors Gang Of Four, Saturday the 15th sees a rare solo show from one of the stars of this year's Record Store Day extravaganza, Senor Lawrence Arabia, while the great Lloyd Cole visits our shores again later this month. Hoo ha!!

And then it'll be Xmas - I would suggest if there is something special you are wanting for someone's special niche need for a Xmas pressie, you let us know sooner rather than later so we can give you the best shot at Xmas Day VICTORY!! Or you could give someone the VERY VERY DESIRABLE Slow Boat voucher, or a tee shirt, or a poster, or... or...

So many options, and we'd love to be of assistance in getting it JUST RIGHT!!! So drop us a line, or swing by and we'll make it happen for you...

Meantime - take care of yourself, enjoy this temperate Spring weather, and we'll be seein' ya...

XX The Slow Boat Crew XX