Philippe’s Rat Records Blog

God it’s cold out there today !!! When I came over from the French Alps 13 years ago, I am not sure exactly what it was that I was thinking, but I clearly did not expect it to be that cold, and neither did I expect to still be here today, writing one my last weekly update of the year and ultimately, the decade…

Oh yeah, the noughties! What did you guys make of it ?
For me it all started with one of those millennium’s fiascos, a booking to entertain a Camden club that ended only a third full (like most of them that night) and fighting teeth and nails for my cash at 6am with the promoter…. thankfully it got better from then on…now I wonder how it’s going to end!

Of course, of all the lovely events that occurred in ten years, finding this job was possibly the highlight, and since it is Thanksgiving, let me tell you, I am extremely grateful to all those who had a hand in opening the way for me.

But let’s talk about the music. I have taken the liberty to compile a list of 20 of the albums and 20 of the songs that really have left a trace on me, from the top of my head really, although with some of them I had to research the titles…. it is by no means implying that these are the best of the past ten years, just the ones that seem to have made their mark enough that listening to them still has a special effect. Make of it what you will.

You will find the list at the bottom of this message.

As for the shop, well, our stock for Saturday is as good as ever, with some absolute classics of the history of music in virtually new condition : Hendrix, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur JR, The Cure, Portishead, 2tone super rare live lp with poster, Snoop dogg, Wu tang, Cameo, Steel Pulse, Beatles, Clash…that is just to name the best known (for once).

We are still putting out the same collection of rare Funk/Disco/Reggae that has been the delight of our regulars and also have bought an amazing collection of rare Punk Rock/Indus/Metal/Alternative rock and Electronica on CD’s that you’re unlikely to ever find at the ridiculous £6.00 a piece we’re putting it out at.

So I know it’s a trek to Camberwell, but if you’re looking to stock some physical music for the winter, then don’t look anywhere else!

I live you with my list-please don’t send me any abuse because I omitted Amy Winehouse and Pete Libertines or whoever else you believe is the best-but feel free to send me compliments and your own list of records that just seem to have been tattooed to your soul.

All the best.

Philippe at Rat Record.

ALBUMS :

CW STONEKING : KING HOKUM and JUNGLE BLUES (2 albums)

PANDA BEAR : PERSON PITCH

ALI FARKA TORE : TOUMANI DIABATE

RICARDO VILLALOBOS : ALCACHOFA

TBA : ANNULE

AMIINA : KURR

THE CARETAKER : PERSISTENT REPETITION OF PHRASES

STARS OF THE LID : AND THEIR REFINEMENT OF THE DECLINE

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL : PEACE, LOVE, DEATH METAL

ALELA DIANE : THE PIRATE GOSPEL

BJORK – VESPERTINE

JOANNA NEWSOM : THE MILK EYE MENDER

SEBASTIEN TELLIER : SESSIONS

MELT BANANA : BAMBI’S DILEMMA

ROGER ALAN WADE : ALL LIKKERED UP

MIRACLE FORTRESS : MIRACLE FORTRESS

SUFJAN STEVENS : COME ON FEEL THE ILLINOISE

ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI : THE DOLDRUMS

CASSETTE BOY : THE PARKER’S TAPES

FANTOMAS : THE DIRECTOR’S CUT

HOPE SANDOVAL : BAVARIAN FRUIT BREAD

JEFFREY LEWIS ; 12 CRASS SONGS

SEXSMITH AND KERR : DESTINATION UNKNOWN

SEASICK STEVE : DOG HOUSE MUSIC

ABFAHRT HINWIL : LINKS BERGE RECHTS SEEN

SONGS :

GNARLS BARKLEY : CRAZY

WILD BILLY CHILDISH : JOE STRUMMER’S GRAVE

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE : MY GIRLS

SEXY SUSHY : PRINCESSE VOITURE

GREEN VELVET : LA LA LAND

WHITEY : MADE OF NIGHT

TUNNG : SURPRISE ME 44

HONKEY FINGERS : GOT THIS RAGE

YO LA TENGO : NUCLEAR WAR

QUINTRON : PLACE UNKNOWN

M I A : GALANG

M WARD : CHINESE TRANSLATIONS

TANYA STEPHENS : IT’S A PITY

MATHEW JONSON : TYPEROPE

CIBELLE : GREEN GRASS

PAN SONIC : LAHETYS

PENDULUM : ANOTHER PLANET

CULTURE CRUNCHER : I GET STUPID

3D!T : BLASPHEGMY

DIPLO : GOLDDIGGER