Getting Lossed

As 2014 draws to a close, I have a last look around the usual haunts for anything interesting I may have missed; and it turns out that I did. Run For Cover released a few 7''s that I completely missed the boat on, and so they went on the Christmas list. 

First up we have: 

Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) // Joie De Vivre - Split - Run For Cover Records - 1st Press - Maple /494 

This is kind of a funny one as it technically was a Christmas present, but I managed to sneak it before Christmas. The Mrs, went a bit overboard and so I managed to sneak this one early by buying it from her (along with a Seahaven book that I forgot to photograph). It kind of gave away the whole bunch as I knew she had ordered from RFC in order to grab this, but it's all cool. 

Back Cover // B-Side

This record doesn't really photograph well; it kind of looks orange in this photo and that's really not the case at all as it looks maple in person. Not to worry too much though. 

Errol Hoffman handled all the art for the split, and has recently done a series of artwork that follow a similar theme. Everything that he does from artwork to photography to typography is always worth a look. Although not typical art for this kind of musical coupling, it works a treat. 

On to possibly the coolest design aspect of this record. 

As opposed to a single sheet insert, a booklet is provided where E!E! (IWALE) take up the inside pages and Joie De Vivre take the inside spread. 

After the lyrics, the band discuss the titles and themes of the songs a little. Both songs are references to obscure SNES and NES games respectively. Then there is a little on the recording process, and finally thanks and credits. I don't think I've ever seen a photo of this couple where they are not smiling which is super sweet; particularly when you consider the often sombre tones of their music. 

Joie De Vivre's side of the insert. 

There's a bit less going on this side; after the lyrics there is: band personnel, recording and mastering credits. Then thanks. However, the tracks on this side of the split are up there with some of the best Joie De Vivre songs I have heard. Both bands are completely on top of their game here. 

There's a few to get through in this post, so on to the 'what I actually got for Christmas' section...

Adventures // Pity Sex - Split - Run For Cover Records - 1st Press - Red W/ Blue Colour in Colour /1000

At least that's what I'm assuming it is? Red A-Side, Blue B-Side /500 could be another possibility? None of the specified colours have this murky brown blob listed anywhere. I guess it's not too important either way but it would have been cool to know. 

Back Cover // B-Side 

From the track-listing here you get to see that each band pulls an original song out the bag, and a cover. Adventures cover Behind This Wall by Turning Point and Pity Sex cover Gigantic by Pixies; both very different songs and both covered incredibly well. 

Adventures Insert. 

This is a single sheet two-sided insert. Although both bands get a side each, all thanks and personnel are on this side of the insert. Strangely, the lyrics to the covers are included here as opposed to just writing credits. 

Pity Sex Insert. 

I don't normally call stuff like this, but for me Pity Sex definitely delivered it on this split. Acid Reflex is probably the coolest song by this band, and the artwork suits this song perfectly. 

Speaking of the artwork, Kimi Hanauer from Adventures and Brennan Greaves from Pity Sex teamed up for the art and layout on this one. And to top it all of Will Yip recorded it! 

And finally:

Cloakroom - Lossed Over - Run For Cover - 1st Press - Blue // Yellow /319 

I've been looking forward to something new from Cloakroom for a while and this really did not disappoint. The variant matches the artwork well, and gives a real teaser of what is to come from this band with their new LP 'Further Out' that's up for pre-order through RFC now. 

Back Cover // B-Side 

Lossed Over will appear on the LP, but B-Side Dream Warden is the real reason for grabbing this. Matt Talbot of Hum fame handles all the vocal duties on this track, and to add to it all, this 7'' and the forthcoming LP were recorded and engineered by Matt Talbot at Earth Analog studios. I'm sure I have posted at least one Hum record here, and this strange collaboration is just about as perfect as you can get. 

As this record didn't come with an insert, this is where we end for today! 

Thanks for reading.