Rough Trade Club is an album of the month subscription that delivers a new LP (or CD) to your doorstep each month from Rough Trade Records, an independent record label based in London, England. Formed in 1978 it's home to acts such as The Strokes, Jarvis Cocker, Scritti Politti, Sufjan Stevens, Antony and The Johnsons and Arthur Russell. In addition to the label, they also have stores that carry a variety of music from other labels as well.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
This review is for the Rough Trade Club $24.99 LP subscription.
About Rough Trade Club
The Subscription Box: Rough Trade Club
The Cost: $24.99/ month for LP, $14.99/month for CD
The Products: Their Album of the Month (LP or CD), delivered straight to your door. Includes membership perks like priority pre-ordering to limited edition LPs, access to free members-only events and awesome giveaways!
Ships to: US and UK only (order through the separate UK site here)
Good to know: Rest assured, if the choice you receive isn't for you, you can swap it for another of their top 10 albums.
Rough Trade LP Club May 2018 Review
Each month you'll receive a pamphlet that folds out and contains info on the featured Album of the Month. This month I received Daniel Blumberg's Minus.
The other parts of the pamphlet get into membership perks as well as the other available albums of the month that you are able to trade this one in for if it's not your cup of tea.
The first thing I noticed is the "hype sticker" that lets me know this is a limited edition clear vinyl LP and also includes a digital copy of the album so I can listen on the go.
Daniel Blumberg - Minus LP on Limited Edition Clear Vinyl - Retail Value $29.99
I wasn't already familiar with Daniel Blumberg but was immediately grabbed by the slow melancholic title track. The dark piano, violin, and soft drum beat mixed with his soft but powerful voice leave me with a haunting feeling of heartache. As the record continues, the songs get progressively avant-garde and noisy with string instruments arriving in a cluster of calculated confusion. This record is perfect for a rainy day post-breakup cry session that rolls into anger and regret that would make for an intense cinematic soundtrack.
Unlike last month's "coke bottle clear" vinyl, this one is a perfectly transparent clear without any color.
This LP also features a gatefold that opens up to reveal more art.
On the inner sleeve, you'll find the lyrics for the songs and all of the liner notes including everyone who played on and was involved with the album.
The other side of the sleeve features art matching the cover.
Exclusive Bonus CD: Minus Solos
Rough Trade has included a bonus CD like they did last month which is included in the price. It's not a CD version of the album but a supplemental offering that features seven solo tracks from the musicians (Daniel Blumberg, Terry Day, Ute Kanngiesser, Billy Steiger, Tom Wheatley, Jim White and Seymour Wright) who played on the album.
The back has the tracklisting an artist that plays each.
The CD also has a gatefold, like the LP.
Verdict: I love being exposed to new music via Rough Trade Club that I may not find otherwise. I like to keep an open mind and since I am predisposed to sad music that goes out of the realm of normal pop structure, this album from Daniel Blumberg hits the spot. Even though I'm keeping this one, it's nice to know that I can swap it out for another one if it's not my style.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? It doesn't look like it. Sign up today and you may be able to get the June Album of the Month which should be shipping soon.
Value Breakdown: At $24.99 for this subscription I received a limited edition record and bonus CD that is being sold for $5.00 more and has the potential to accrue value with collectors in the future.
Check all of our Rough Trade Club reviews and find more Vinyl Subscription Boxes in our directory.
Rate, review, and follow this subscription on the Rough Trade LP Club profile page.
What do you think of this month's Rough Trade Club album, Minus by Daniel Blumberg?
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