Tag Archives: albums

The Eternal Horror of Import Shipping Prices

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freelance-taxesI had this brilliant idea of importing Italian vinyl and selling it here on Turntabling.net. There’s so much great stuff on the Right Tempo label, Cinevox, and Cinedelic that I figured I could bring some over, turn people on to the great soundtrack sounds, 70s lounge/psych and other cool stuff.

Except what I didn’t count on was the shipping prices being as much or more than the cost of the vinyl itself.

I could not believe my eyes when I got the price quotes on this stuff! I was set to order an initial collection of 10 titles–double LPs one and all. Too bad the shipping was so high as there is some GREAT stuff in that initial list. It would basically force me to price the vinyl at above $20 per title plus shipping. A real shame–I was hoping to be the renaissance of Easy Tempo sounds on delicious vinyl with those nice gatefold sleeves and all.

I’m still toying with selling vinyl on Turntabling, but I’d need a real incentive to import from Italy. As it stands, there is plenty of great stuff on the ESL label and others, but I was starting out thinking about all those classic 60s and 70s cuts…

Which reminds me–if you are selling used vinyl, get in touch. I’m in full-on collector mode again.

WTF: Truth In Advertising with Krak Attack

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For reasons I shall NEVER understand, some performers are obsessed with toilets and asses on their album covers. I broke out the Ouija board and consulted with Sigmund Freud about this, and according to Freud’s ghost the whole thing boils down to a  subconscious desire to sell music with truthful packaging. This record, no doubt, sounds JUST LIKE ASS.

P.S. I couldn’t bring myself to reproduce this album cover any larger than this size. Ick.

RamaLama Records, Toledo OH

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There are a few shops I haven’t seen in Toledo yet, but of the main choices, (Allied Record Exchange, Culture Clash and RamaLama) this is hands down Toledo, Ohio’s finest purveyor of vinyl, out there CDs and DVDs. Indie rockers take note, RamaLama Records has an upstairs stage for small, intimate in-store performances and a very customer-friendly layout. I ama huge fan of this place, having discovered the hyper-bizarre (read: excellent) comp, Prog Is Not A Four Letter Word, at random while browsing there. You can also find superfreak releases such as a vinyl pressing of Aleister Crowley reciting black mass, and my current favorite, From The Kitchen To The Garage, a compilation of Dutch girl group singles from the 1960s. Great stuff.

They buy, sell and trade and aren’t shy about putting on any freakish thing you want to hear on the overhead. I was treated to The Shaggs, and it was fantastic watching the entire store collectively CRINGE.

If you pass through Toledo, do NOT pass up the chance to shop RamaLama. This store is exactly what an indie shop ought to be. They have vinyl on display above the CD racks, but there’s a large and tasty collection of albums upstairs. Just make sure you get there before the bands start playing to browse…

Stereolab: Chemical Chords

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I have no idea how this one passed me by in June, but the new vinyl by Stereolab, Chemical Chords is being hailed as one of their best. The album, MP3 download or CD, your choice. I’m always a bit skeptical of some new music that is recorded digitally then put on vinyl, but Stereolab has always had great analog textures to their music. Much like Chris Joss–a musician who uses recording techniques firmly rooted in the 21st century but still has a dedication to audio fidelity and actual honest-to-god instruments–Stereolab is always going to sound warm, interesting and perfectly suited for vinyl. I don’t have this one as I’ve just now been hipped to it, but it’s being added to the collection with haste.