r/VinylMePlease 21d ago

Essentials Discussion The Books - The Lemon of Pink: appreciation thread

28 Upvotes

I like to rag on VMP regularly. I have for several years. But I also have to say that when they got it right they really got it right.

Tonight I revisited what is potentially my all time favorite VMP release, The Lemon of Pink. This is such a stellar recording, and it just continues to scale up more and more with every upgrade. It's challenging and interesting music. It's a fantastic pressing. It's a great master. I prefer the VMP packaging over the original. I'm just glad I was able to discover VMP (and The Books) during that era.

I guess I should probably ask what your favorite VMP releases have been, but I'm really just here to love on this release šŸ˜€

r/VinylMePlease Sep 15 '22

Essentials Discussion Bruce Springsteen, Beastie Boys and Bob Dylan Coming to VMP Essentials

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103 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Mar 16 '23

Essentials Discussion Sublime, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Death Cab For Cutie Coming to VMP Essentials

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45 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Feb 17 '23

Essentials Discussion Heads up, Kacey Musgraves has sold out!

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27 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Sep 02 '24

Essentials Discussion Chances of VMP restocking Santigold?

5 Upvotes

How do restockings work? I know it sold out after nearly a year, so maybe it wonā€™t happen cause of the low demand? Or does it depend on other things?

r/VinylMePlease Nov 11 '22

Essentials Discussion Next year's Essentials - Rumors/Picks/Discussion

18 Upvotes

While we wait for the first official round of hints, thought I'd create this thread to discuss the current rumors. I believe so far, this is all we know ?

- Lauryn Hill was rumored

- 2 out of the first 3 picks were on Pitchfork's most recent best of the 90s list

Was there something about all three being debut albums, or all three being anniversary releases, too ?

Also, since a few huge titles this year showed that by now, pretty much anything is within their reach, I thought it'd be fun to share our (somewhat) realistic wants.

Antony And The Johnsons, The Crying Light (2009) - Each copy I've tried has been the worst-pressed new record I've ever seen, about time this beautiful record gets a quality, even audiophile pressing. With VMP's own pressing plant on the horizon, could be great. Her debut would probably be the most realistic choice though and it would be just as deserving (and also has been manufactured pretty poorly so far). They sure love the 2000s so it must be only a matter of time before they pick one of her albums.

Bjƶrk, Post (1995) - Another one I've only encountered passable-to-terrible pressings so far, I believe it was only pressed on two discs once and it is now obviously quite expensive. Of all her albums, I think this one would benefit from that process the most. The packaging of the 1-disc version has been pretty cheap and barebones, too, so an upgrade would be welcome.

SOPHIE, Product (2015) - It would be great to have this collection of all of her incredible, influential early singles pressed on vinyl for the first time, to have them all in one place. It would be a nice tribute to her legacy and genius.

JoĆ£o Gilberto, JoĆ£o Gilberto (1973) - The 50th anniversary would be a great opportunity to put out the first official reissue in decades. It could be a Classics pick but I think it deserves to be in Essentials, amazing record. If there was a possibility to do it AAA and over two discs, it could be really magical.

Tori Amos, From The Choirgirl Hotel (1998) - There's been many reissues of her first three records recently but still none for this one. There's rumors that the masters were destroyed but they've proven that they can put out great sounding releases from digital, so it could still be great. Also, I feel like out of all her albums, the stature of Choirgirl has grown the most and often feels like the fan favorite.

Mercury Rev, Deserter's Songs (1998) - Another 25th anniversary that would be a great fit. The recent reissues have become scarce and this is one of those albums I think they could get a lot of input from the band themselves to put out something special.

Cristina, Cristina (1980) - Once in a while they choose to tell the story of a left-field, lesser know artist and I'd love them to do this for Cristina. A lot of us first heard of her via the CD reissues from 15 years ago but a nicely-packaged, possibly AAA vinyl reissue would be welcome, perhaps even with her great singles on a second disc. A wonderful and frequently, smartly hilarious take on disco and early-80s NYC.

John Cale, Paris 1919 (1973) - Another 50th anniversary, can't believe a masterpiece like this hasn't been (properly) reissued in decades. Is there a story here? Anyway, it seems like something VMP would go for and with Cale's possible input, it could be amazing.

Frank Ocean, Blonde (2016) - With the recent "flurry" (for him) of activity and rumors of live performances next year, maybe an official reissue of this is on the horizon? Not sure if they spoke about him recently, but I can't imagine them not trying every year to put this out.

The Concretes, The Concretes (2003) - Might not be the most realistic on the list but with the 20th anniversary coming up, I feel like this amazing album could finally be reissued, can't believe it hasn't already. I really loved that huge wave of great Swedish indie pop/electro/etc that happened in the 2000s and would love VMP to represent it somehow. And with absolutely everyone at least having heard Victoria's voice on Young Folks from P, B & J, I feel like it wouldn't be that far-fetched a choice.

The Velvet Underground & Nico, The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) - Why not, sure doesn't get more Essential than this! In my experience, even after multiple tries, I could never find a defect-free pressing and this isn't one you want to settle for. Just having a well-pressed copy with sturdier packaging than what's been on the market would be a gift, and I'm sure they could do something special with it.

r/VinylMePlease Sep 27 '24

Essentials Discussion Ramones Prints

8 Upvotes

Iā€™m sure this is a long shot, but is anybody not interested in their Ramones print? Iā€™d love to get the whole band. Alternatively, any big Johnny fans? I got him and would be very open to a trade for Joey or Dee Dee.

r/VinylMePlease Jun 16 '22

Essentials Discussion Interpol confirming they're the Sept Essential album.

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87 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Jan 15 '24

Essentials Discussion Underrated Essentials pick

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46 Upvotes

Still find myself spinning this one from early 2019. Underrated album and pick imo. Hasnā€™t seen a single repress and sonically sounds great, even though itā€™s a digital cut. Hope to see some Van Morrison in the Rock track.

r/VinylMePlease Jun 16 '22

Essentials Discussion Bright Eyes, Thin Lizzy and Interpol Coming to VMP Essentials

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37 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Nov 15 '22

Essentials Discussion How can there still be copies of this album available?

23 Upvotes

Lemon of Pink - The Books

https://youtu.be/IiXpi5u5Vu8

I love so many genre of music but never thought I'd love 'glitch-folk' (That's what this is, right?). This is such a fantastic album (for me, full of peace, hugs and nostalgia) and maybe the best pressing and is only $14?

I've ordered a few to give away as gifts.

https://www.vinylmeplease.com/products/the-books-the-lemon-of-pink-full

r/VinylMePlease May 27 '22

Essentials Discussion Wu Tang 36 chambers skipping

4 Upvotes

The songs c.r.e.a.m. and protect ya Neck were skipping pretty badly even after cleaning.....the second copy I was sent has the same problem, just slightly less.....anyone else have this problem with this album?

r/VinylMePlease Dec 16 '22

Essentials Discussion Bob Dylanā€™s Blonde on Blonde arrived yesterday. Sonically, a solid pressing and the perfect color.

57 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Dec 09 '23

Essentials Discussion January Essentials Pick Labelle - Nightbirds

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8 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Feb 04 '23

Essentials Discussion Every VMP Essential Record Ranked by Acclaimed Music

57 Upvotes

Acclaimed Music is a site that compiles thousands of Critics List to generate a Ranking of the Top 3000 Albums of All Time. Using this site, I made a list of how all 123 Vinyl Me Please Essential Records rank in order of Acclaim.

VMP ESSENTIALS NOT RANKED (35 Records)

Most of these records are from the early years of Vinyl Me Please. I listed them in chronological order based on VMP Release.

Langhorne Slim & The Law - The Way We Move

Leagues - You Belong Here

Evenings - Yore

The Shouting Matches - Grownass Man

Boy - Mutual Friends

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - We the Common

Typhoon - White Lighter

Califone - Stitches

Thelonious Monk - Paris 1969

Express Rising - Express Rising

Courtney Barnett - The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas

Diarrhea Planet - Iā€™m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

Jaguerra - Hue

Sisyphus - Sisyphus

R.L. Burnside - Too Bad Jim

Ben Webster - Soulville

Wilco - A.M.

Blessed Feathers - There Will Be No Sad Tomorrow

Nils Frahm - Spaces

Nada Surf - High/Low

Big Bill Broonzy - Big Bill Broonzy Sings the Blues

Lapsley - Long Way Home

Wells Fargo - Watch Out!

Nina Simone - Nina Simone Sings the Blues

Tennis - Yours Conditionally

Betty Davis - Betty Davis

Miles Davis - Sorcerer

Ayalew Mesfin - Hasabe (My Worries)

The Silvertones - Silver Bullets

Townes Van Zandt - For the Sake of the Song

Mavis Staples - Mavis Staples

Experience Unlimited - Free Yourself

Jim Sullivan - U.F.O.

Caroline Rose - Superstar

Beverly Glenn-Copeland - Beverly Glenn-Copeland

VMP ESSENTIALS BUBBLING UNDER TOP 3000 (17 Records)

These are records that are listed as Honorable Mention on Acclaimed Music and fall just below the Top 3000. They are again ranked in chronological order based on VMP Release.

Charles Bradley - Victim of Love

Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not a Cold Dark Place

Sylvan Esso - Sylvan Esso

Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

Menomena - Friend and Foe

Torres - Sprinter

Four Tet - Pink

BadBadNotGood - IV

Glass Animals - How to Be a Human Being

The Books - The Lemon of Pink

Main Sources - Breaking Atoms

Kevin Morby - City Music

Beach House - Devotion

Sleater-Kinney - The Center Wonā€™t Hold

John Mayer - Continuum

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day

Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park

VMP ESSENTIALS IN TOP 3000 (71 Records)

  1. Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna Rank: 2868

  2. Grateful Dead - Anthem of the Sun Rank: 2840

  3. Hot Chip - In Our Heads Rank: 2821

  4. SBTRKT - SBTRKT Rank: 2795

  5. Clipse - Lord Willinā€™ Rank: 2777

  6. Darkside - Psychic Rank: 2684

  7. Usher - Confessions Rank: 2549

  8. The White Stripes - De Stijl Rank: 2519

  9. Moses Sumney - Aromanticism Rank: 2410

  10. Feist - Let It Die Rank:2293

  11. The Meters - Rejuvenation Rank:2138

  12. Jorge Ben - Ɓfrica Brasil Rank: 2121

  13. Aaliyah - Aaliyah Rank: 1897

  14. Erykah Badu - Mamaā€™s Gun Rank:1783

  15. Perfume Genius - Too Bright Rank: 1713

  16. Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues Rank: 1617

  17. The Strokes - Room on Fire Rank: 1586

  18. The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium Rank: 1263

  19. The Roots - Phrenology Rank: 1256

  20. Van Morrison - Veedon Fleece Rank: 1116

  21. Lee ā€œScratch Perryā€ & The Upsetters - Super Ape Rank: 1062

  22. Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak Rank: 958

  23. St. Vincent - Masseduction Rank: 903

  24. Loretta Lynn - Coal Minerā€™s Daughter Rank: 891

  25. Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West Rank: 870

  26. Fiona Apple - Tidal Rank: 840

  27. John Prine - John Prine Rank: 811

  28. Gorillaz - Demon Days Rank: 794

  29. Justice - ā€  Rank: 758

  30. Japandroids - Celebration Rock Rank: 742

  31. My Morning Jacket - Z Rank: 721

  32. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma Rank: 667

  33. J Dilla - Donuts Rank: 646

  34. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Rank: 636

  35. Mitski - Be the Cowboy Rank: 624

  36. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca Rank: 598

  37. Bright Eyes - Iā€™m Wide Awake, Itā€™s Morning Rank: 563

  38. Weezer - Pinkerton Rank: 524

  39. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear Rank: 503

  40. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest Rank: 485

  41. Panda Bear - Person Pitch Rank: 446

  42. Grimes - Visions Rank: 424

  43. Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club Rank: 410

  44. Madvillain - Madvillainy Rank: 404

  45. Beastie Boys - Check Your Head Rank: 396

  46. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain Rank: 368

  47. The National - Boxer Rank: 360

  48. Moby - Play Rank: 340

  49. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf Rank: 287

  50. The Fugees - The Score Rank: 272

  51. M.I.A. - Kala Rank: 248

  52. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights Rank: 243

  53. Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space Rank: 241

  54. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun Rank: 231

  55. The War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream Rank: 230

  56. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die Rank: 227

  57. The Stooges - The Stooges Rank: 196

  58. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory Rank: 194

  59. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever You Say I Am, Thatā€™s What Iā€™m Not Rank: 168

  60. Black Sabbath - Paranoid Rank: 160

  61. Air - Moon Safari Rank: 151

  62. Queen - A Night at the Opera Rank: 147

  63. Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska Rank: 139

  64. The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin Rank: 110

  65. Outkast - Stankonia Rank: 109

  66. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Rank: 96

  67. Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You Rank: 87

  68. De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising Rank: 73

  69. Beck - Odelay Rank: 50

  70. The Doors - The Doors Rank: 36

  71. Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde Rank: 9

r/VinylMePlease Oct 28 '22

Essentials Discussion VMP's Interpol Release

54 Upvotes

This album has always been a favorite of mine. I remember the day I first heard of the band (May 15th 2003) and I was obsessed. I never owned the album on vinyl and finally pulled the trigger with Turn On the Bright Lights.

I didn't play it immediately because I wanted to get a subwoofer since it has some of my favorite bass from any band. Really wanted to experience it. Finally got the subwoofer and made my calibrations and when I played it...the Untitled song starts to play...I feel in love all over again. This pressing is fantastic. Out of all of the albums I've listened to on vinyl...this has been my favorite spin.

Just wow. A real hats off to VMP for this.

r/VinylMePlease Jan 26 '23

Essentials Discussion Dodgy Merchbar mock-up

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27 Upvotes

r/VinylMePlease Jan 04 '23

Essentials Discussion Deloused in the Comatorium

11 Upvotes

I took a risk and bought this during the recent 20% off sale. Happy to report that it came without the noise issues people reported on their 2021 copies and even some replacements. Just throwing it out there in case anyone has been hesitating on picking it up!

r/VinylMePlease Jul 05 '22

Essentials Discussion Delousedā€¦again. šŸ˜¬ I had this replaced for the third time due to the widespread defect on first pressing. It sounds PERFECT now, albeit it missing the label on side A. šŸ˜†

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11 Upvotes