Jim –

Coat (1992 Version) –

Alright, a little later in the day this Monday than I would prefer, but here’s this week’s LP!

Ambivalence (2012), The Pin Group. Once again, another band new to me that will probably also be new to you! This time we’re flying to the other side of the world, all the way from Sweden to New Zealand 😀

The Pin Group. A band formed in 1981 Dunedin, New Zealand by Roy Montgomery, Peter Stapleton, and Ross Humphries. They would only release two 7″ singles, an EP, and then a reunion single in ’92. Their first single would be the very first record issued from the indie record label “Flying Nun Records” (with their second single as the third issued record). This would launch the beginning of a genre known as “Dunedin Sound” that would dominate the New Zealand music scene during the 80s. Music from this era was largely “lo-fi” in nature with bands using low quality recording equipment (often emphasized even more by placing microphones on the other side of the room to pickup muddled echos). While punk esthetics are clearly noticeable through the simple, yet fast bass lines and loose drumming, the overall sound differed quite a bit. Because of New Zealand’s seclusion from most of the world, the main punk scene (which was at it’s height at this time) was mostly unknown to New Zealanders. This led the genre to be largely influenced by the early Beatles (in the guitar playing), and most significantly (and surprisingly) by The Velvet Underground. The band R.E.M. (a pioneer of the Alternative Rock genre) would go on to site the “Dunedin Sound” as an important influence on their music style.

While other “Dunedin Sound” acts like The Chills, The Dead C, and The Clean became more successful, The Pin Group’s few, limited releases have proven extremely valuable and important over the years. Their album covers, designed and screen printed by Ronnie van Hout, mimicked and even rivaled that of Andy Warhol (the designer behind The Velvet Underground). Copies of the Coat single were made with 8 different cover variations. Most of their records are now worth hundreds of dollars due to their rarity, stellar visual design, and unique audio quality. This particular album is actually a 2012 limited repressing, and slightly-different-sequenced version of the 1997 CD that collected all their recordings in one place. This album is available for download on their Bandcamp homepage.

I was regretfully torn between literally every song on this solid album when it came to choosing only two songs, but I think I’m satisfied with these two options. Before you ask if there was something wrong with the recording, remember, these are supposed to be “lo-fi” with the vocals often mumbled and placed deep, deep into the mix. “Jim”, the album’s opening tune, was originally the B-side of the Coat 7″ single. It perfectly captures the magic of drone-rock by holding a single chord for just too long to be comfortable. It slowly, constantly builds from the very beginning until reaching a peak before dropping off suddenly and finishing on a softer note. The second tune “Coat”, occasionally title “Coat 2″, is fittingly the album’s closing tune. This version is not the A-side of the 7” single, but instead the A-side for the brief reunion single recorded 11 years later. And while I think I prefer the more raw and faster original version, the added harmonies and subtle changes this version brings make for a great reinterpretation.

So let’s finish this slightly lengthy entry with the back cover of the album. This is actually why I originally picked up the album. While browsing through the record store’s used collection I came across the black matte cover that features glossy black helicopters on the front. I thought it was cool, but I was more intrigue by the high-contrast color pressing of a still shot of Illya and Solo (the main characters from the 60s spy show The Man from U.N.C.L.E.). A show I’m pretty fond of, but still fairly surprised at most mentions of it (even after the recent Guy Ritchie film). Anyways my curiosity at the album’s use of the artwork is what ultimately led me to buy this album. So, in a way, I guess I have that awesome show to thank for introducing me to the amazing world of “Dunedin Sound” and the talented Pin Group xD