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Paladin Vinyl is a monthly vinyl record subscription box aimed at helping budding record collectors and audiophiles alike build their library and discover new artists. You choose the genre that speaks to you, and Paladin Vinyl will send you two high quality, curated LPs each month. Genres include:
- Rock/Classic Rock: Current presses of Rock and Classic Rock from the 1960s to today. May include Psych, New Wave, Progressive, Alternative and Punk.
- Jazz/Blues/Soul/Funk: Current presses of Jazz, Soul, Funk and Blues from the 1950s to today. May include bands, quartets, symphonies, solo artists, brass, strings, crooners, and more.
- Rap/Hip-Hop: Current presses of music from the 1980s to today.
- Pop/Dance/Electronic: Current presses of music from the 1960s to today.
- Various Discount Bundle: Paladin Vinyl will curate your monthly box from any genre we stock in our store. Current presses of rock, classic rock, pop, dance, electronic, jazz, blues, soul, funk, rap, hip-hop and even soundtracks. May include vinyl with minor corner bumps or other slight imperfections.
Since their library is always expanding, Paladin Vinyl will never send you duplicates, though sometimes, they may send you a 3-4 LP box set instead of two individual pressings.
Today I’m unboxing the Paladin Vinyl Curated Vinyl Record Box, specifically, the Various Discount Bundle.
The Cost: $39.95 per box for 1 month, $37.95 for 3, $35.95 for 6, or $32.95 for 12.
Shipping: Free!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
First Impressions
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My vinyls arrived promptly in a sturdy LP shipping parcel. The records inside were wrapped in their own sleek, plastic sleeve over shrink wrap.
There weren’t a lot of bells and whistles aside from the brightly stamped Paladin Vinyl logo and a “thank you” card, but I actually found that comforting. LPs are delicate and easily damaged during shipping, so I’m already thrilled Paladin Vinyl values function over form. There is nothing sadder than sitting down to listen to a new record and realizing it’s too warped to play.
Words & Music, May 1965 by Lou Reed
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When I took this one out of its sleeve, I was a little confused. I had no idea Lou Reed had ever recorded anything alone in the 60’s. Turns out, I totally missed the memo in 2022.
Words & Music, May 1965 is a previously unreleased compilation of early, lo-fi Lou Reed (and future bandmate, John Cale!) recordings pre-Velvet Underground. It has a really folky, Bob Dylan feel—just vocals, acoustic guitar, and sometimes a harmonica.
The album opens with a slower version of “I’m Waiting for the Man” than I’m used to, but I have to say, I think I prefer it. Other titles Lou Reed/Velvet Underground fans might appreciate are “Heroin” and “Pale Blue Eyes.”
The Packaging
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Since this is the stuff of vintage archives, Light in the Attic pulled out all the stops. This LP comes with a thick booklet of liner notes, a double sleeve on the vinyl itself (alternate cover art), and the vinyl itself is BRIGHT yellow. I’m kind of obsessed?
The Pressing
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Paladin Vinyl warns that their Various Discount Bundle LPs might arrive with discolorations and other minor imperfections, but I didn’t notice anything major. The sound quality was excellent, and the LP spun perfectly right out of the box.
Thickfreakness by The Black Keys
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Now, this album is already one of my favorites, so I was really excited when I saw the vibrant colors poking out of the cardboard!
Thickfreakness was released in 2003, just a few years before The Black Keys contributed a few tracks to the True Blood soundtrack (most notably “Howlin’ for You”) and the band blew up overnight. Thickfreakness is a quintessential indie-blues album and is considered their breakout realease. Popular songs include “Hard Row” and “Have Love Will Travel” (a Richard Berry cover).
The Packaging
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After pouring over all the fun liner goodies on Words & Music, May 1965, I was a little sad to see this edition of Thickfreakness includes only the cover and the vinyl sleeve. The eye-catching cover art makes up for it, and the color pressed vinyl is so cool.
The Pressing
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This LP did have a few irregularities: there were some pressing bumps and a slight smudge on the A side. This didn’t have any effect on the sound, though, which was super warm and clear. The Black Keys have a really swampy sound, and music like that plays best on LP (after live, obviously!).
My Final Thoughts
As a record enthusiast, I wasn’t sure if this box would be worth it. Like most subscriptions, the offerings are shrouded in mystery, and I already spend (way too much) money on vinyls most months. But I was really impressed with my selection!
Paladin Vinyl says the Curated Vinyl Record Box box is up to a $65 dollar value, and that was right on the money for my box. Both of my new LPs are special edition, color-printed pressings. Those usually retail between $25 and $35 depending on where you source your records.
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