HOT PUMPKINS! a bumper crop of bright orange goodness @ Zulu!

DESTROYER
This Night CD/2LP

Transformation! The musicians change like ball players after halftime, rolling up their sleeves as they take the field. And in the stands, the seats above - anticipation, a muted questioning. Hey! Settle down - all's fair! So ... how is it? Maybe a little more rock in the old slow roll that we already love. But what does this mean, exactly, that the headier finesse and filigree is lost and gone for some proper lower-body oomph and punch? Well, somewhat. But nothing is "missing," per se, not really. And besides, difference doesn't need a hierarchy. Maybe it's a little rougher and probably a bit sweatier but it's right and true for here and now. And the words, the coded messages to ponder, can we hear them, are they lost in noise? Please see next year's syllabus: The "inside idiom" of Daniel Bejar. Yes, this is a great record.

Due by October 8. CD 16.98 2LP 19.98

FLAMING LIPS
(finally the punk rockers are taking) Acid 3CD

Sometime in the early '80s in the heartland of the USA, a glowing silver-orange spacecraft was seen repeatedly buzzing close to major city centers, like Oklahoma City. So many people saw this otherworldly craft firsthand that the media and the government had no choice but to investigate with an open mind, if with caution. They discovered many unexplainable occurrences, including plant mutations, human telekinesis, talking animals, melting cars, and sentient buildings. It was stunning, demanding a paradigm shift, a greater recognition of space and nature. Indeed, of all existence. Of course, the evidence was destroyed and the story covered up. At the same time, however, the Flaming Lips formed, starting what has become an amazing trip - and they continue to tell the forbidden truth of those fantastic events! Acid catalogues the Lips' early years on three CDs of ET inspired rock. While supplies last, Acid comes with a "choice tracks" CD handpicked by lead astronaut, Wayne Coyne, including material from Acid and the upcoming Egg collection. Eyes to the sky!

3CD 39.98 19.98

SAINT ETIENNE
Finisterre CD/LP

Zulu has long endorsed the sweet and cool sounds of Saint Etienne. Seems like every recording of theirs has happily received ad-space from us. Here we go again! We really admire their European flair and all-round intelligent self-possession. They consistently do the right thing, as DJs, producers, performers, or whatever. They're always tasteful and tuneful and this is true for Finisterre. Indeed, Uncut magazine has called this their best album since Foxbase Alpha. Now, that's a pretty good record but we admit it's a strong argument. Needless to say, Saint Etienne maintains so many long-term aficionados that we hardly need to say much more than "come and get it." Let the people decide!

Due October 8. CD/LP 16.98

BUTTON-DOWN BEATS
Various Artists CD

BUTTON-DOWN BEATS Various Artists CD When it comes to dance music, some say that Vancouver has a techno and house bias, filling the clubs with waving arms and showers of glitter dust. Probably - and there's nothing wrong with that, of course. However, it seems to us that the slower, groovier and headier stuff is maybe a truer soundtrack for Vancouver nights - if not always in the clubs, definitely at home. Wisely picking up on this always-growing interest, Nordic Trax delivers a great new collection of fine downtempo tunes, featuring Gavin Froome, Morgan Page, Jon Delerious, Scott Findley, Tom Churchill, and the always-terrific Quadra (who played live - and oh so tastefully - at Zulu just last month. Thanks again, guys). CD 16.98

CD 16.98

PORCELAIN
I've got a really important thing to do right now ... CD

Night sky falls on the coast of Normandy and the tides rush silently across the flats. A particular serenity hangs like a desolate phantasm begging to be given a tune. Indeed, the music comes ... Church-like organs blessed by guitar reverberations, deep rumbles and surreal passages of French poetry in translation. Duck down into tall grass and watch this sublime night pass! Introduce yourself to Porcelain, the latest sonic finding from the Zulu research team, who bridge the intercontinental sounds of Low, Mogwai and Sigur Ros! An absorbing listen destined to invite you into obscurity.

CD 16.98

LOW
Trust CD/2LP

How can something become better and better by being worse and worse. Ask Low. They never cheer up and we admire them for it. Our admiration and thanks is something other than cheap catharsis, however. It's closer to submitting to the sublime - a capitulation to something greater, something fully beautiful. And here maybe Low recognize something that most people don't or maybe they just bother to believe. In any case, they've tapped into something completely and utterly emotionally right, even transcendent. Frankly, it's amazing. Ambience doesn't describe the stripped-down and haunting spaciousness of their music. And once Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker start singing and harmonizing ... oh my, oh yes. Please buy this record and then buy it for everyone you know and love.

CD 16.98 2LP 20.98

THIEVERY CORPORATION
The Richest Man in Babylon CD/2LP

When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally recognizes "downtempo" as a fully legitimate genre, and they're eventually going to have to, then the Thievery Corporation should - no, must - receive a special tribute or monument of some kind. It better be huge and colourful. Anyway, what can we say - y'all love these guys! The carpet is already worn out near the bin where their section is kept (with the "electronic" music, eh). And we all have blisters on our fingers from handling so many Thievery Corporation CDs and records. Man, it's tough work. But we understand and we're here for you. So here it is - another great and worldly recording from these Washington DC-based downtempo giants. Everything you know and love, all dressed up real nice and new. And with Christmas just around the corner ... Ah, hell - buy it now!

CD/2LP 18.98

CEX
Tall, Dark & Handcuffed CD

You know how there's always that one crazy kid who'll eat anything? Well, this is like the soundtrack pumping through that kid's head as they shove the most upsetting stuff into their mouth without caution. Man, that's hardcore - hardcore Cex! For those who love him already, you know the score. For everyone else, check this shit out. Tigerbeat6 is the key label in the growing American new digital underground and Cex is right up front shaking hands. Like label-mate and label-boss Kid606, Cex makes some unconventional stuff: sometimes fast and messed up, sometimes nice and sweetly melodic. And what a sense of humour this kid's got. Damn! And since he's stepped up to the mic, he's made his digital tomfoolery that much more human and approachable. Mixing pop, hip-hop and way-out experimentation, Cex will turn you on.

CD 18.98

GUIDED BY VOICES
The Pipe Dreams of Instant Prince Whippet CD

These rock-pop aces turn on and then turn up their amps for another rousing session of classic rock music making. Well, actually it's a ten-track compilation of Universal Truths and Cycles and Isolation Drills-era b-sides. But, trainspotting aside, the end result is the same for those of us who love GBV but don't have the pocketbook endurance to keep up with all the collectible bits and bobs they release on 7", or however. In any case, all you need to know is that this is a fine collection of mannish and literate rock for smokers and drinkers and the people who love them. GBV, truly a cult phenomenon - like the David Korsehes of alterna-rock.

CD 16.98

BUCK 65
Square CD

Boy, we sure enjoyed Man Overboard round here. Seems like we listened to it twice a day for months. Still fresh and good each time, though, which is remarkable. Thing is, it's nice to hear some hip-hop that tries to be its own thing, that doesn't just copy the latest U.S. trend, or whatever. Good idea - make your own trends. Look, it paid off for Buck 65. He's on a major now, somehow without a mainstream "suck-up" yet, and the major's even re-releasing his entire back catalogue, as well. What the fuck? Maybe they're thinking Beck size bucks, a real cash in. Hell, whatever ... Whiteness aside, there's not much to compare. Okay, so maybe he's a little bit kooky sometime but he's the real deal. Good for you, Buck 65. glad you put down the b-ball and became a b-boy instead. Good for us, too.

Due October 8. CD 16.98

20 YEARS OF DISCHORD
Various Artists 3CD

The good times and the bad times - that's what history is. For those of us of a certain age and with a long connection to punk, this anniversary collection is somewhat intense. Wow, 1980 to 2000. However, with 73 songs, one from every Dischord artist ever, plus lots of unreleased material, this is a pretty sweet compensation for so much passed time. Listening back, it still sounds awfully good and still hard: rousing anthems, boiling emotions and full-on Dischord style punchy pop punk. And the deluxe, 134 page booklet helps make this, um, "mosh down memory lane" that much more vivid and informative. But you know, history doesn't stop - just like the venerable Dischord label. This set is also a great introduction to newer Dischord artists, too. Looking back, looking forward, always rocking out.

Due October 7. 3CD 34.98

SQUAREPUSHER
Do You Know Squarepusher 2CD/LP

You know, it's hard to break new aesthetic ground. Fresh sounds and styles are tough to come by. Deep formal invention is especially difficult to accomplish. No wonder so much pop culture is often mainly the continual reorganization of already recognized stuff. Paradoxically, sometimes a focused program can help push change from the inside out. For example, Squarepusher somehow manages to make exciting new music by being doggedly persistent, even oddly traditionalist. His left-field explorations into drum and bass reveal a new path from old signs. The quality of his programming is breathtaking, crossing drum and bass intensity with musique concrete inventiveness. Still, no matter how far out Squarepusher gets, and he goes pretty far, he's always musical, even funky. And check the Joy Division cover! This 2CD set also comes with a live set of Squarepusher in Japan.

2CD/LP 18.98


BLACK HEART PROCESSION
Amore Del Tropico CD/LP

Black Heart Procession has developed a uniquely dark and theatrical Americana, a singular mixture of Calexico, Palace, Tindersticks, Angelo Badlamenti and then some. It's a bit scary but totally enticing. Like a David Lynch film, there seems to be a narrative, a sense of purpose but it's obscured and shadowy, slowly revealing itself in pieces and oblique gestures, as if atmosphere alone constitutes plot. To be sure, they've been at this for some time; they know what they're doing. But this is a new level, a real achievement, with occasional moody strings and a sweet chorus of fallen angels embellishing the tried and true Black Heart approach. From odd tropicalia to ruined country, Amore Del Tropico is a noir masterpiece.

Due October 10. CD/LP 16.98

AMON TOBIN
Out From Where CD/2LP

Vancouver loves Amon Tobin. His brand of big beat-Ninja Tune-Latin flavored-drum and bass-downtempo music is as right as rain on a weekend - something so typically and suitably Vancouver that it could be spun into a sales angle for the BC tourism industry. Also like rain, Tobin's massively dance-friendly music gets people, ahem, wet. Wet from excitement or exertion, and usually both, depending on the circumstances (and innocently enough we mean because of DANCING, you little perverts). In a way, this is also something true about Vancouver: all things considered we possess a fairly liberal, "goodtime" attitude, city councils and provincial politics aside. Basically, we just wanna have fun, is all. Hey Vancouver, here's some more goodtime music to help blow away the weekend clouds. And hey again, isn't he playing here soon?

Due October 10. CD/2LP 16.98

Other Seasonal Squashes and Tubers:

DJ Vadim - U.S.S.R: The Art of Listening
ESG - Step Off
Fatboy Slim - Big Beach Boutique II
mecca normal - The Family Swan
Negativeland - Death Sentences ... Book & CD
Peaches - Teaches of Peaches 2CD Re-issue
Sahara Hotnights - Jennie Bomb
Soft Boys - Nextdoorland
Sutekh - Incest
Themselves - The No Music
Various Artists - French Girls
Various Artists - Morr Music: Blue Skied an' Clear

Music in the Afternoon:

This month's Sunday in-store performances ...

A fresh face but an old soul, Vancouver's remarkable Jon-Rae Fletcher plays some mighty fine old-time music.

Sunday, October 20 at 4:00 pm.

Let the flock gather, hear the good word. The first annual Zulu Laptop Derby! Hey laptop jockey, you want to play at Zulu? Okay, let's do it. You bring your laptop and we'll plug you in. That's right, BYOL! Yes indeed, it's as easy as that - almost: ask for details in the store!

Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 (please note the earlier time!).

Zulu Records 1972 W 4th @ Maple | 604.738.3232 | info@zulurecords.com

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