Staff Picks | Books and Vinyl

Our brilliant staff here at World of Rare Books, have been given the opportunity to review their favourite books and vinyl. Read on below to see their reviews.

The Human League – Dare

This is one of the truly great pop albums of all time, which spawned a multitude of singles and which also gave us “Don’t You Want Me baby”, which should arguably be in everyone’s top ten singles. Forget the Human League as part of the New Romantic movement of the 80’s, concentrate on the tunes which stand the test of time, less so Phil Oakey’s hair style! Pure pop at its best without a filler in site, get your guy-liner out and your man blouses on and go back in time to one of pop musics finest moments.
Les

Raymond Chandler – The Little Sister

Chandler’s fifth novel to feature the laconic sarcasm of private investigator Philip Marlowe set in the seedy underbelly of 1940s tinsel town. For me any book by the king of hard boiled pulp is a must but it’s the intrigue and Hollywood backdrop that sets it apart, reflecting some of Chandler’s personal derision for the show business he had recently become involved with. Packed full of quotable, if a little nihilistic, lines it’s pure enjoyment from start to finish.

Swaz

Cabaret Voltaire – Micro-phonies

Originators of the Sheffield sound Cabaret Voltaire produce a cold hearted electro masterpiece here with dystopian themes a plenty on tracks like spies in the wires, the operative, do right & many more. Fittingly released in 1984, this more accessible album from Cabaret Voltaire’s major label period is a perfect place to start for newcomers.

Mike

J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit

This book demonstrates imagination and word craft to an outstanding quality. The Hobbit started my love for the fantasy genre, and it is hard pushed to be topped! Filled to the brim with humour , wit, adventure and magic; all qualities that stirred my love for reading as a young teen.

Emsal

280 West – Scattered Dreams

The “Boom Chocka Boom mix” is an example of Deep Acid House at its finest. The acid lead peaks and drops against a tough drum workout and the vocal sample is taken from Kraftwerk’s Boing Book Tschak. The result is a relentless groove which would keep any dance floor rockin’. There is also the added bonus of the Kaleidoscope Records label which always looks trippy on the turntable.

Ben

Charles Reade – Autobiography of a Thief

This is a fascinating tale of career criminal in Victorian New York, giving insight into the life of a poor working class man, forced to steal and pick pockets form an early age. A great historical reference to the underworld of a great city, with reference to parts of the city that no longer stand, such as Tombs prison.

Oliver.

All Aboard

This compilation of racially insensitive tracks, songs by disgraced former national treasures and all around novelty goodness was the album that made me the man I am today. I was only inspired by the latter of course, with the terrifying Sparky’s Magic Piano being one of my favourites. The Sonovox vocals were the aural soundscape for my youthful nightmares. It also features ‘Ernie’ by Benny Hill, a track which (along with Milkman by Aphex Twin) helped me formulate a theory that any song that involves Milk or Milkmen is inherently a good song.
Of the trio of potentially politically incorrect tracks that feature on the album, I prefer the Banana Boat Song. Dodgy accents, but a hilarious rendition of a classic. ‘I come through the window’ will never fail to make me laugh to my core. This album is novelty at its finest. It inspires me each and every day, and I can safely say I wouldn’t be the idiot I am today without it. It’s also one of our bestsellers, so grab it before we run out again!

Joe

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