Browsing

 It's been about 30 years since I've been in a shop browsing for LPs. Usually in those days I knew what I was going into the shop to buy, having saved up my pocket money for a number of weeks! I'd always have a good browse, but it would drive me mad because I'd have to wait a number of weeks before I'd have enough money to buy another. I'd build up a 'want list' in my head of my future purchases. I'd agonize for weeks about which LP would make it to the top of that list. It was a vicious circle that went on for years!

I forgot how cool it is to go into a record shop and browse away for an hour and see what gems I could find. More often than not, I'd find about 10 Lps I wanted. I'd pick about 3 or 4 of those and hide the rest in the hope they will be there the next time I pay a visit!! Well, that's the romantic way of doing it! Soultrader (the shop below) was the first 2nd hand record shop I found with my new found love for all things round and plastic! I happened upon it when I was visiting the in-laws in Co. Carlow. Unfortunately it has since closed it's doors, but while it was there, it was a joy to visit. The people running it were great too. I'd always spend ages talking to them about what I'd be looking for or get recommendations from them.

You could tell I was a little ring rusty with browsing through records. The people beside me could flick through a stack in seconds.

 I suppose with Ireland being so small, the turnover of records in 2nd hand shops is small, hence, every time you go into the 2nd hand shops the records are the same and not much new stock would have arrived. There are not many to choose from so you could leave for a couple of months before going back.

The first 3 records I bought in this shop were:

1) Slowdive - Holding Our Breath

2) Pale Saints - The Comforts Of Madness

3) Into Paradise - Churchtown.

I'll be honest and say, I knew of all 3 of these bands from back in the day, knew a song or two by them, but that was it, I guess I never got round to them. Slowdive, I'd been listening a lot before getting my hands on the EP. Since that purchase I've become a big fan and bought the other albums and EPs. Was delighted to hear that they'd reformed. It seems my timing was great. They released a new song last week which I highly recommend.

Slowdive - Shine

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As I mentioned, I'd heard of The Pale Saints mainly from their song 'Sight Of You'. I even recognized the sleeve of this brilliant album 'The Comforts Of Madness'. When I bought this album, I took a slight risk, but it was recommended to me by the guy in the shop. I'm glad I did! Remember folks, always listen to the guy in the record shop! They know their shit!

The Pale Saints - Sight Of You

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This is an album I was always curious about. Back in the early 90's, record labels were snapping up Irish bands on the back of the global success of U2. I remember distinctly advertisements of this album on the back of Irish music magazine Hot Press. I'm a sucker for good cover art and I always loved this one. Strangely, like the other albums, I never got to own them. When listening to this, it brings me right back to the early 90's with that distinctive guitar sound. It so happens I grew up about 2 miles away from where the band were from and the title of this album 'Churchtown'. 

Into Paradise - Burns My Skin