{"title":"Unspun Heroes","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"chance-and-time","title":"Chance and Time","description":"\u003cp\u003eSuffolk-based singer songwriter \u003cstrong\u003eJames Varda\u003c\/strong\u003e's fourth and final album before his death from a long battle with cancer in 2015, \u003cem\u003eChance And Time\u003c\/em\u003e, is set for a vinyl only reissue on Unspun Heroes. It is an astonishing aural document of a creative, forward-thinking musician coming to terms with a life slowly evaporating away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is hubris, melancholy, and an undeniable weight of sadness in these ten songs but, miraculously, there is also a stoic realization and acceptance from Varda that is both heart-wrenching and deeply affecting. On \u003cem\u003eChance And Time\u003c\/em\u003e, Varda reconnects the human spirit to the land, a heavy, fearful heart to an optimistic soul, and in a beautiful poetic flourish gives a real tangible sense of loving and hope to his family and friends offering genuine reassurance and even, at times, a green light for celebration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarrying a certain air of mystique, that same sense of 'other worldliness' of say a Karen Dalton or a Jeff Buckley, Varda's delivery and tone carries huge emotional weight here and a unique ability to add an honest perspective and warmth to the starkest of realities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe hard-hitting impact of the opening tracks is blunt and sharply defined. There is pain, hardship, and fear wrapped in these tales - \"\u003cem\u003eThe Doctor Spoke, Two Hearts Broke\u003c\/em\u003e\" - made all the more hitting as this is a real-life journey in the here and now being catalogued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs we move towards the second half of the record, there is something even deeper and truly incredible at play. Varda's whole demeanor is one of understanding and acceptance - hear the celebratory shamanic vibe of the extraordinary \"\u003cem\u003ePass It On\u003c\/em\u003e\" and the poignantly reflective, chokingly sad finale \"\u003cem\u003eWe Won't Dream\u003c\/em\u003e\" - bringing to an end a record that will leave a mark on everyone who hears it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReal art is both timeless and omnipresent, these songs from \u003cstrong\u003eJames Varda\u003c\/strong\u003e will hang in the air forever and be there for those who look to find understanding, joy, and a sense of hope. \u003cem\u003eChance And Time\u003c\/em\u003e is both an extraordinary record and poignant study of life and living, of death and what comes after.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unspun Heroes","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50389757755723,"sku":"2174804","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Chance_and_Time_2fff8963_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726370890"},{"product_id":"friendship-is-deep","title":"Friendship Is Deep","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFriendship Is Deep\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGolden Shoulders\u003c\/strong\u003e’ second album, is a collection of smartly observed, witty indie pop songs on Unspun Heroes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2004, California-based indie band \u003cstrong\u003eGolden Shoulders\u003c\/strong\u003e followed up their highly acclaimed debut with their second album, \u003cem\u003eFriendship Is Deep\u003c\/em\u003e. Now, on the twentieth anniversary of its release, the album most requested by their fans for a vinyl release is finally set for one on Unspun Heroes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDescribed as “one of the great semi-lost albums of the 21st Century”, the album showcases singer, songwriter, and band mainstay, Adam Kline’s knack for lyrical hooks and penchant for catchy melodies. But, like friendship, this is deeper than its pop sensibilities might suggest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the moment the opening track \"\u003cem\u003eI Will Light You On Fire\u003c\/em\u003e\" opens with its simple piano refrain and vocal harmonies you know you’re listening to something worthy of further exploration. From this building of tension between its temporary aural chaos and the beauty that ultimately emerges, you’ll be hooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find this is an album that carries with it a political, pro-peace, and pro-humanity message, albeit somewhat more satirical than you might expect of a band hailing from America’s West Coast. This is particularly notable on tracks such as \"\u003cem\u003eGolden Soldiers\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003ethe Committee\u003c\/em\u003e\", where Kline’s turn of phrase and wit shines through, cleverly weaving words so they create detailed poetic mosaics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGolden Shoulders\u003c\/strong\u003e is a loose and ever-changing lineup of international talent, with Kline as the kingpin and sole songwriter. Given the pedigree of those whose talents grace the album – among them, Todd Roper and Greg Brown (Cake), Josh Klinghoffer (PJ Harvey, RHCP, Pearl Jam), Neal Morgan (Joanna Newsom, Fleet Foxes), and Dan Elkan (Broken Bells) – it’s no surprise the compositions and attention to detail present in each and every one of the 14 songs is top notch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s this pleasing mix of accomplished individuals, and their mishmash of influences, which lend a pinball effect to the set of stylistically diverse songs on \u003cem\u003eFriendship Is Deep\u003c\/em\u003e. Collectively though, the music you’ll hear has a focus, one that channels late 90’s Brendan Benson, the poppier side of 80’s Violent Femmes, and even the mid-60’s flair of the Beatles’ Rubber Soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unspun Heroes","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50507236639051,"sku":"2207137","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Friendship_Is_Deep_181c6fc4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727843583"},{"product_id":"drink-ring-jesus","title":"Drink Ring Jesus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDrink Ring Jesus\u003c\/i\u003e, the second album from Nashville based singer-songwriter Simmons was originally released in 2006 during a period of vast political and social change in America. Post 9\/11 the age-old battle between good and evil, God versus Satan if you want to get personal, once again eased into view agitating hearts and minds. Like all songwriters with just their art to carve themselves a foothold in a world becoming less identifiable, Simmons produced an album that is both intimate and deeply inquisitive yet, like all the great folk records, its universal themes of hope, redemption, pain and despair will resonate with all who hear it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNearly twenty years on from its initial release Drink Ring Jesus feels as relevant now as it did then. From the opening lines of the title track Simmons is clearly caught in a time of intense personal reflection. It’s not an unusual pathway to tread for songwriters and artists alike, indeed many have fell by its wayside over the years, yet here our narrator is both looking for a way through and calling on something deeper than just instinct for guidance. We are right on the frontline, characters battling on the very precipice of sanctuary or sacrifice on the likes Time To Pay and Devil’s Work Is Never Done, before literally scavenging a ticket to Hope Station on the evocative Next Stop Redemption.  There isn’t a moment where you feel Simmons is taking the easy way out or shying from titanic confrontation. Anything but. It’s in the no-mans land where these songs impact the most, at the very alchemy where despair turns to optimism or defeat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unspun Heroes","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50914875801931,"sku":"2234742","price":33.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/UNSPLP003_6093eedb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733001319"},{"product_id":"living-and-growing-xr","title":"Living and Growing","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst time on vinyl reissue of this indiepop classic, 15 years after its original release.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unspun Heroes","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53377529217355,"sku":"R7446-4241","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/UNSPLP005.jpg?v=1757767957"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/unspun-heroes.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}