This year's library sale

As some of you remember, my local library system (which is awesome) holds a sale every year, reducing stock of things not circulating well. There are literally 100k+ books available at the start of the 3 day event. In addition to books, they have music cds, dvd movies, audio books (on tape and cd), and even LPs. Due to my work schedule I can only ever go on the last day, so things are pretty well picked over, but I still manage to find some gems.

Here is a link to an old thread on Changstar with more description and some highlights: http://static.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1463.0.html

It will take some time to go through all the albums and post about the ones I liked, but here is a teaser showing the entire haul, that cost me about $30. Retail value of all these cds and audiobooks is probably around $1000. Most of the audio books are untouched, mint condition, even the cassettes. One of the audio books had a retail price of $79.99, but I paid $2 for it. Such a steal.

Sorry for low light/bad res, but with the plastic on the audio books the light above the table was giving me bad glare.



So, since I bought several cassette based audio books, I pulled out my trusty vintage Panasonic RQ-339 Walkman clone.



Really pleased with the audio books I picked up. Got 2 from the Wheel of Time (Book 4&9) that I will eventually start, book 10 from the Honor Harrington series which I will also eventually start, book 21 of the Harry Bosch series (I've read the first 5), another one from the same author, an Isaac Asimov classic I haven't read, the Ender's Game pre-quel, a starship book I'd never seen before (Hull Zero Three), a Robert Ludlum covert ops I haven't read, and a CIA thriller on device thing that looks cool (Half World). You just put a battery in it, and plug in phones and press play, it's stored in a ROM, I suppose.

 

So I've had a few weeks to sort through most of these and I've come up with some picks to share:



Snowmine - Dialects

Relaxed indie pop/rock album that is an easy listen. Decently recorded. Favorite song is Silver Sieve. Look to their first album for something more aggressive.



Mr. Little Jeans - Pocketknife

Synth pop that sounds good, but can be too long at times (a few songs could be shorter). There's a good mix of tempos and styles. Favorite song is Good Mistake.



2:54 - 2:54

Self titled indie rock/dream pop album that will probably be a love it or hate it. Many of the songs are similar in tempo and feel, so it feels like one long album. The style and album's lack of diversity reminds me of Love Spirals Downwards - Flux (which I like more). 2:54 is a bit less dreamy than Flux. It is well recorded, so give it a try. Favorite song - Easy Undercover.



Sara Watkins - Sun Midnight Sun

Folk album by the female member of the Nickle Creek trio, a group I like very much. Grabbed this based on the name alone. Pretty good album that suffers from questionable recording decisions and some poor overall recording quality. Favorite song - You and Me.



Fireworks - Oh, Common Life

Finishing this set with by far my favorite pick up this year. Absolutely love this album. Punk rock with a dark tint. Lead vocals take a few listens to get used to, and its never great, but it works. I can't find a favorite song because I'd pick every song. Top to bottom extremely solid album. Must-listen if you like punk style. It has been a VERY long time since I've found an album with at least 11 songs that I like equally well. Just excellent.



More to come.

 

Shostakovich Symphony #13 from the Decca set pictured above - Bernard Haitink leading London Phil

Excellent recording of a dark and dramatic piece. Extremely well played and sung of course, as expected from London. If the rest of this set at the same level, it might be my Shostakovich symphony standard. Beats the others I've heard to date. There is so much classical at the library sales, but most of it is compilation crap I don't care to hear. These gems are great.



Lower Dens - Nootropics

Progressive rock album that reminds me a lot of In Rainbows (not at all my favorite RH album, but not bad). A calm smooth ride through an expansive soundscape - or that's how I'd describe it if I were writing for a magazine. Very well recorded and performed. Like In Rainbows, I find it hard to be critical of the album, but at the same time not really enjoy any of the songs. It's just good sound. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Propogation, though even that one kinda drags.



Animals as Leaders - Weightless

Metal album with sort of a jazzy sound. Pretty cool, I think, however there are a lot of critical reviews. There are a couple clunkers, but the rest of it makes up for them. Favorite song - Cylindrical Sea



Pinback - Information Retrieved

Indie rock album by a group some of you left-coasters might recognize. Interesting album that flows very well throughout. Addictive to listen to, though ultimately not too memorable. While typing this up I ended up listening to the entire album by accident. Very well recorded and performed. Give it a try.


more to come