I first used a dry anti-static brush. Then I used the disc washer solution and that brush. Then dry brush again. I just kept repeating until it was clean.

I did send one such record back, but it also had a chunk taken out of the edge.

I think that vinyl manufacturing is really at a low point. Probably because demand is exceeding supply at the moment. I'm sure that'll correct itself, especially if they keep trying to charge $40 for one album.

Looks like that one just sat out in the open for a week collecting debris and the slacker who packages them didn't bother to clean it off.

So, I had decided to not bother with it and sent it back to Amazon.

I got my replacement today, and it looks exactly the same.

Aphex Twin: Syro is $18.44 on Amazon right now. Good price.

That's crazy. Who's the label? I got a damaged 4AD album and try to stay away from them now.

Holy shit!

Great album, too, IMO.

Legacy Recordings (Sony Music)

I'm debating if I should send this one back too, or invest in a better cleaner and give that a shot.

The thing about returning it is, I keep thinking that this is a $40 brand new record (which is even being touted as an audiophile edition!) and while I could go through all the trouble of deep cleaning this, I shouldn't have to.

I mean, when I first got into vinyl, my mom dug all her old records out, which she had in a box in our dusty, leaky old shed for 20 years. Those looked better than this album. This is nuts.

I would have a hard time keeping that record even though I have a Spin Clean. Its the principle. I'd return it and buy at a local store.

A local record store here has one of those super expensive cleaner/vacuum things that they charge $3 per minute.

Picked up some obscure hard/blues rock bands from the 70s over the weekend. Went to a garage sale and this guy sure had some ecclectic tastes. Some stuff I've been tracking down for a while. Solid prices too (most < $10).

Juicy Lucy (Lie Back and Enjoy It)
Ram (Where, In Conclusion) -- their only album
Captain Beyond (self titled debut)
Hard Stuff (Bulletproof)
Bloodrock (II & III)

Just got from Amazon:

Coheed - In Keeping Secrets... (a little "dusty", but not the worst I've seen).
Dead Milkmen - Pretty Music for Pretty Special People (wife is a huge fan!).

Finally got my Audio Technica LP120 connected to my Sonos system (via the Connect unit), and spent the day listening to some of the albums I found at Goodwill (Yes, Level 42, and Chuck Mangioni). Good times.

Just got my shipping notice from Mondo on the Shaun of the Dead LP.

Got my five pack of Glacial Pace pressings of the old Modest Mouse stuff in the mail today. Aw yissss.

No press release, but Mondo is apparently dropping Pet Sematary tomorrow. Cover art is gorgeous, and yes, it includes the Ramones track. I just hope it isn't $50.

So I took my 20% member coupons into Barnes and Noble to take advantage of their new vinyl section. I rifle through their token selection and pick Paul's Boutique. Cashier rings it up, scans coupon, and the register tells her the coupon is invalid for the item. Nowhere anywhere on the coupon does it mention anything about vinyl being ineligible. It does have something about it's ineligible on items in the store which are posted as ineligible (which the vinyl section was not). I didn't say a word - I just let the woman flounder around in desperation until she just gave it to me.

I expect to see the vinyl section signed next time I go in.

I was able to snag the Pet Semetary lp today as well as the Shaun Of The Dead Lp.

Almost. It's $35 and with shipping comes to just under $45. The artwork is great but that's more than I want to spend for it.

I just ordered it after waiting all day. Makes it easier to just pick it up.

I'm really trying to quit Mondo. Really!!!!

Pre-ordered the new John Carpenter score(s) vinyl:



http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Themes-Jo...arpenter+music

Just to stay on topic I got the Nelson Riddle Batman reissue soundtrack today...

However, the local vintage store I go to is starting to get in new equipment. The owner got in some modern Chinese tube amps. You guys have seen my Chinese made Dared tube pre. These were a couple of notches below I build quality. BUT they sounded better than a lot of the vintage solid state I've heard in the store. We had Coltrane playing through a 80s dual side playing turntable. Think laserdisc with a drawer and everything. Then into a small phono pre and straight into the amp. Speakers were some kind of vintage Boston Acoustics bookshelfs.

The interesting thing - these amps were between 150 and 200 shipped from the Chinese distributor. They will probably sell In the store for double. Even so it's a nice deal I think. Gateway drug into Tubes.

New Foo Fighters is down to $16.99 at Amazon.

I was going to post that about the new Foo Fighters album in here. My copy already shipped from Amazon so I should get it Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

Mine arrived on SUNDAY! First time that's ever happened with an Amazon delivery (or any other, for that matter) for me!

So is anyone ordering the über Wilco boxset Alpha Mike Foxtrot (not a horror movie soundtrack)]?