Every now and then something comes along in the vinyl community that warms your heart a little. The last great example of this for me was the Soft Speak Records 'Fall Split 7'' Series' Box Set; compiling 8 bands over 4 split 7''s. The 7''s were available to everyone, but an exclusive limited variant was made for the box set and came in exclusive packaging. As for the heartwarming part, 5 charities were represented across these splits, and proceeds went to the charities. I was interested in a good proportion of the bands, I'm a sucker for limited variants and as I mentioned, it's all for a good cause so I grabbed in early for this. It also came in at a pretty good price too which is always a bonus.
As this was a Fall Series set, it was released one 7'' a month (the box set obviously arrived after all the 7''s had been released). So we'll start off with September:
Sorority Noise // Radiator Hospital - September Split - Soft Speak Records - 1st Press - Coke Bottle Clear /100 (Box Set Exclusive)
Back Cover // B-Side
Two tracks. Two covers. Both pretty cool. I'm definitely more familiar with Sorority Noise than I am with Radiator Hospital. Although, I would really like the 'I Want To Believe' 7'' by Radiator Hospital, as any record with Agent Scully on the cover is bound to be dead good right? No insert on this one.
Frameworks // The Saddest Landscape - October Split Soft Speak Records - 1st Press - Coke Bottle Clear /100 (Box Set Exclusive)
Back Cover // B-Side
Again, I am far more familiar with The Saddest Landscape than I am Frameworks. Also, both bands offer up a cover. However, as opposed to the September Split, this is housed in a gate-fold sleeve and comes with an insert.
Frameworks cover 'Fell In Love With A Girl' originally by The White Stripes; and the cover art on this left hand panel is taken straight from the original artwork, with the amendment to the band name.
The right hand panel is a live TSL photo, based on No Spiritual Surrender . I missed them on their latest UK run, and I've been kicking myself about it.
Insert
Another TSL live shot. Apparently it's from a private show played for Frameworks.
Insert.
TSL write about the charity they support on this split (To Write Love On Her Arms) along with a few thanks and a little explanation on the record. Frameworks support AccesSportAmerica, and their paragraph explains the work that the charity does.
Pet Symmetry // Slingshot Dakota - November Split - Soft Speak Records - 1st Press - Coke Bottle Clear /100 (Box Set Exclusive)
Back Cover // B-Side
Again, Pet Symmetry are a band that I am quite familiar with. Slingshot Dakota not so much. Potted Plant Meets Vintage Amp: A Katherine Grube Love Story is my favourite song this band has come out with so far. Slingshot cover a Rainer Maria track and it's definitely cool. This is the only 7'' in the set that requires a 45 adapter. At first I thought the slight change in colour between the records and the one 'big hole' was a little strange, as a box set should be a little more uniform right? But as I look at it more and more, I really like the little individual quirks of each release.
Pet Symmetry Side of the Insert.
Lyrics Credits and Thanks.
Out of the four 7''s, two come with these small inserts. Over the past 6 months or so I've seen more and more smaller inserts cropping up. They're definitely easier to pop in a sleeve but it doesn't make a world of difference either way.
Slingshot Dakota Side of the Insert.
A pretty similar pattern follows this side of the insert, with additional thanks to Rainer Maria.
Free Throw // Oso Oso - December Split - Soft Speak Records - 1st Press - Coke Bottle Clear /100 (Box Set Exclusive)
Back Cover // B-Side
Free Throw offer up a pretty cool new song, and Oso Oso knock out a Christmas classic. Oso Oso is the new forming of State Lines, with a member change round or two possibly? Although all these variants are exclusive to this 7''; this is the only 7'' of the bunch that is completely sold out. The proceeds from this record went to Toys for Tots.
The sleeve of this 7'' opens up to a snowflake design, which adds a bit of Christmas spirit to proceedings right?
Box
Although the records came with the sleeves, they records themselves came housed in this DIY box set. The box only accommodates the records, not the sleeves which is a little odd but not really an issue. Corey Purvis handled all the design and layout for the records, and with them all being pretty similar in style I'm sure I'll find a use for the sleeves. The box is exclusive to the pre-order, and I'm a sucker for a box set so it seems a shame not to use it right?
Back Of The Box
There was also a note inside the box explaining the who sleeves and box set deal. More importantly, it lists the charities helped out through the sale of this thing.
Finally. Money shot.
I know this has been a little longer than normal, but there was a fair amount of effort gone into this box set, and a good few records to cover. Definitely glad I picked this one up, and hopefully something similar might happen again next year?
Cheers!
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