Dear People,

Relative is proud to announce that tomorrow the Summer of No Rulez begins. I have no idea how crazy this will get but rest assure we are down for anything. As for a website we got nothing but we can whip together somthing real quick if need be, i.e. a photo blog or web gallery. Our plan is to have it coincide with the Husky Boy Party Scene but seeing as how we spend all our waking hours keeping the record store alive it looks like we need just a little bit of breathing room for any outside activities. We have light couple of weeks for new releases but that is when we kick in the high gears for live shows. We have a calendar that does not give us too many days off from now until the end of August. Who's coming to Lovely Feathers? Who's coming to Bridmonster? Who's coming to Psychic Hearts? Who's coming to Sparrows? Mass Movement of the Moth? Genghis Tron? From Monuments to Masses? Too many more to list here. Have you subscribed to our Podcast yet? We know you have an iPod, a nano, a shuffle, or something. Relative Love is so easy like Sunday morning. If you are having trouble subscribing to the website you need to go to our podcast page. The link is below or in the top navigational bar on our website. Go to it - find the love!

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RELATIVE LOVE

The weekly podcast from your favorite record store.

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Frank Black
Fast Man Raider Man

Release Date: 06/20/06
Label: Narada
CD: $19.98

Recorded in the same casual manner as 2005's Honeycomb, in various hit-and-run sessions with superstar session musicians during gaps in the Pixies' unending reunion tour, Fast Man Raider Man abides by the this-will-do aesthetic that has been a hallmark of Frank Black's solo career. With songs seemingly made up on the spot, the singer delivers a thoroughly mellow 27-track double album that is largely free of the inscrutability and insanity of his most famous work. Instead, it is homey pedal steel guitars, sleepy saxophone solos, rootsy barroom rockers like "Down To You," a heart-on-sleeve R&B ballad or two such as "Sad Old World," and a wobbly cover of Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town." His strangest offering yet? --Aidin Vaziri

Music enthusiasts may consider Gore, the first book from Black Dice -- an extension of their highly visual melange of sound, performance, and art -- a fifth album, but it's something else entirely. The band grew out of the infamous Providence art and noise scene in the late 1990s, and has since drawn acclaim in New York and worldwide. Their longtime friend, photographer Jason Frank Rothenberg, has documented their work for some time. His images, often reworked and collaged by the band to illustrate their tastes and sensibilities, form the foundation of the book. In collaborating on Gore, the band's creative process parallel its musical one, each member making use of different skills in individual contributions that inform and build on one another. The resulting mix of found images, photographs, collages, and altered documentation explores the full integration of their creative processes and offers a glimpse into daily life in the genesis of their sonic persona.

From out of the deep south to the upper reaches of California comes Brightblack Morning Light. Apparently without a permanent residence and just a tent to call home, the band made its way across the country taking their downtrodden folk with them. The songs that Brightback have come up with are a reflection of their journey and their hope to stay away from overcrowded cities.

Brightback Morning Light is almost like an old Mazzy Star record with about a gallon or patchouli spilled all over it. It’s ghostly, spooky, yet remarkably stirring. The ten songs here are quiet psychedelic tidbits that reservedly work themselves out. With an average pace of somewhere just above crawling, Brightback Morning Light is not the feel good hit of the summer, but instead, the perfect post-bender record that will re-hydrate your ears.
- Paul Zimmerman

In keeping with the deft beauty of their trademark melodies, they have written a second album that mines from the depths a mesmerizing and grittier dynamic.

The Old 97s have a rich, organic sound that effortlessly fuses roots rock, alt-country twang and pure pop sensibilities. Known for the raw intensity of their live shows and the authentic Americana-spiked punch of their recordings, the band formed in Dallas, TX, in the early 90s. Their early singles and 1994 indie debut disc, Hitchhike To Rhome led to a trio of critically acclaimed and crowd-pleasing albums for Elektra, beginning with 1997s stellar Too Far To Care and running through 2001s Satellite Rides.

Pearl Jam played a surprise show at Easy Street Records in West Seattle on a Friday night, in support of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and in celebration of CIMS 10-year anniversary. The result of that once in a lifetime performance has been recorded as an EP entitled LIVE FROM EASY STREET. This 7 song EP contains three never before released cover songs.

The band is made up of two sisters. Chloe plays drums and Asya plays keyboard and sings. Free To Stay is their second record. Its great and they are just going to keep getting better. They have toured North America and Europe with Jimmy Eat World The Go Team and Mates of State and they have played around the U.S. with Rilo Kiley Pearl Jam Death Cab For Cutie Sufjan Stevens Sleater Kinney and Cat Power. Other than the worldwide touring during school breaks they are basically normal girls with normal lives. They are smart and nice. They are 12 and 14 years old respectively.

Staples is primarily known as the founding member of The Tindersticks. On his new solo album, Stuart brings forth melancholy and romanticism with an organic sensibility. Theres a gorgeous hesitation in Stuart Staples voice - a sad hiccup that puts a crimp in his croon. Think Johnny Mathis meets Leonard Cohen

The golden era of American soul music in the 60s and early 70s is synonymous with the classic soul sides produced by an array of legendary performers for Atlantic Records during that momentous musical time. And, beyond all the immortal soul and R&B hits and top charting singles the label released over the years, there are treasure-filled vaults of tapes storing countless more historic recordings by a host of remarkable talents. Compiled by soul music historian David Nathan, this new collection gathers raritiesmany previously unissuedliterally unearthed from the venerable Atlantic Records archives featuring soul men who are among the genres all-time greatest.

The golden era of American soul music in the 1960s and early 70s is synonymous with the classic soul sides produced by an array of legendary performers for Atlantic Records during that momentous musical time. And, beyond all the immortal soul and R&B hits and top charting singles the label released over the years, there are treasure-filled vaults of tapes storing countless more historic recordings by a host of remarkable talents. Compiled by soul music historian David Nathan, this new collection gathers raritiesmany previously unreleasedunearthed from the venerable Atlantic Records archives featuring stellar soul sisters who are among the genres all-time greatest.

This second volume of DJs from reggae's legendary 'University of Reggae,' Studio One Records features some of the finest toasters ever to record in Jamaica. The album features classic tracks from DJ greats Dennis Alcapone, Lone Ranger, Prince Jazzbo, King Stitt alongside super-rare tracks from artists such as Bobby Jackie, Jah Jesco and Little Joe all recorded under Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's supervision at the legendary recording studio and record label. Musical backing comes from the legendary in-house bands -- The Skatalites, The Sound Dimension, Soul Vendors and Soul Defenders -- who provide the classic Studio One rhythms. So influential in the history of reggae. As well as eighteen killer tracks the album comes with new sleevenotes by Steve Barrow (Blood and Fire/Rough Guide to Reggae) and photography by Dennis Morris making this another essential Studio One reggae release for connoisseurs of reggae and newcomers alike.

No Midnight is one of those albums that you listen to, and it can tell the future. All of these songs are self-contained rock gems that you know these guys just have more up their sleeves. Songs like "The Bar in the Back of the Basement" and the new version of "All The Holes In The Walls" capture this manic energy I was able to witness when I saw them live. Peter's voice is one of the better voices in this indie-rock genre, a wail here and a screech here and there. Every time I listen to the album, I find a new favorite moment or song. Right now it's the album's title track "No Midnight," a song that slows down the pace and lets these young boy's musicianship shine. But "Cause You Can" will always be my #1 pick to go crazy listening to. And if you aren't sure of anything, just take a listen to the last minute of "Spaceman," the track that closes out the album. All expectations are thrown happily out the window.

-The Underrated Blog

PLAYING AT RELATIVE THEORY JUNE 28

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Wrasse Records rolls on with the newest installment in the Brazilian Composers series and now, it brings us the greatest Brazilain composer of them all - Antonio Carlos Jobim. A 23 track collection from this brilliant Brazilian composer.

2005 release, last copies, first and only CD on Ed Banger. "A compilation to be listened with your half, a Rated-R compilation recommended by Playboy. A classy record, burlesque, romantic but kinda cheeky...More than one hour of music, all selected by Mr Flash. Included: three Mr Flash new tracks! Mr Flash is a real 'crate digger,' a record collector, who keeps searching for the buried treasure. He's a French DJ Shadow or Madlib. Some kult, funny & surprising songs inside..." Artists: Mr. Flash, Jacques Denjean, Jean Yanne, Jannis Spanos, Les Apollos, Serge Gainsbourg, Twink, Ann Sorel, Godi, Sophie Daumier, De Giafferi, Jean Morlier, Sven Libaek, Kalyanji Anandji, Rita, Araconga, Philippe Nicaud, Elias Rahbani, Ihsan Al Munzer, Jean Michel Jarre.

Their fourth album resembles the austere folk of previous Shearwater albums only incidentally. Thorny forests of static and distortion sprout up occasionally. The band also channels previously unheard influences. "They remain, in parts, as somber still as American Music Club, but now add more than a dash of 'Spirit Of Eden' Talk Talk and a whole heap of '70s FM pop. Soft rock chamber music if you will; like Devendra Banhart or Iron & Wine, Shearwater are capable of emotional resonance through the most brittle of arrangements. Stunning" - Uncut.

The Walkmen have been solidifying their position as one of the most important bands in the alternative music community with their previous releases, Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone and Bows And Arrows. Extensive touring, media prominence, critical acclaim, national modern rock radio airplay, and TV performances have helped establish the band in the music community. A Hundred Miles Off is their most solid effort yet.

A LANDMARK RECORDING! Recorded in both LA and New Orleans, this marks the first major session in the Crescent City since Hurricane Katrina. The River in Reversecontains inspired versions of Toussaint classics, and brilliant new collaborations by these legendary songwriters.

The Drive By Truckers are back with another CD. A Blessing and A Curse is the bands hardest rockin CD yet. It is fitting that the final words on the album are It Great To Be Alive. The songs on this record illustrates the triumphant struggle it takes to survive and thrive in this world. A Blessing And A Curse is not only a great record but an important statement delivered honestly and passionately without and sugar coating or detail spared.

Gomez
How We Operate

Release Date: 05/02/06
Label: ATO
CD: $15.98

For How We Operate, their fifth studio album, Gomez didn't set out to reinvent the wheel. Oh no. The British quintet just wanted to change the blueprint for a different sort of rounded object: Their own records. This focused approach resulted in a cohesive and accessible collection of songs that feature deft musicianship, lush melodies, and the band's poetic yet narrative lyrical style.

Pearl Jam has officially announced their eighth studio album Pearl Jam will hit the stores on May 2, 2006. The album, which included such songs as Comatose, Life Wasted, Come Back, Gone, and Army Reserve, has had only two of the new songs performed in concert, Comatose (originally titled Crapshoot Rapture) was premiered live in concert in March 2005, and Gone was debuted in a solo performance by Eddie Vedder at a Pearl Jam concert in October 2005. Eddie has made previous statements that he wants the fans to hear the songs on the album first. In many instances, the members of Pearl Jam have revealed that they regard this as their best work to date, as it resembles the raw energy of their first albums.

Among the most popular artists and greatests songwriters of our time, Paul Simon returns with his first album in six years-and the album titled Surprise is exactly that. First, three songs were co-written with electronic music guru Brian Eno; second, the other songs are straightforward, wonderfully American pop. Surprise is a pleasant surprise for Simon fans.

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WED JUNE 21, 2006

i can fly i can fight and i can crow .

The Young Republic's covered wagon will be stopping through Relative on this night to wash their oxen, trade for ammunition, and play some music. Speaking of covered wagons, I miss playing Oregon Trail. That game was tits! Learning and discovering are what we at Relative is all about. Come with us on this journey and discover the epic pop sounds of The Young Republic, a ninetet (made that up) of musical geniuses from the North Atlantic. Lacrymosa and Ohio Valley Spirits is on the bill and you know how we luh them! Come discover, come explore.

THURS JUNE 22 , 2006

Revolution Mother | site & sound
Freedom Hawk | site & sound

Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 door
Relative Card: 50 points

s/s f/s t/s .

Ever since someone ripped off my deck, I have missed skateboarding. On Thursday night, I am REALLY going to miss skateboarding. Mike Vallely's new band, Revolution Mother are playing the shop. Yes, that Mike Vallely. His band has the attitude of the early 80's LA punk scene mixed with thunderous riffs of AC/DC. Straight banging! We just added local stoner's Freedom Hawk who totally sound like this. Do not miss this show. Repeat. Do not miss this show!

FRI JUNE 23, 2006

the question remains .

Just so everyone knows this show has some instability to it. GIST had to cancel due to tour/equipment problems but they promised us to be back in September. Red Anthem is indecisive at the moment, since the promoter went back and forth on them, so we stepped in and are trying to get them down. We are trying to get Slow Wonder and Fecal Food on the bill but haven't heard back yet. Anyhow, this show if it goes down will be $5 in advance and at the door. By the way the pic to the left is GIST who will not be playing but you should still check them out. Very nice.

SAT JUNE 24 , 2006

no way nosebleed .

Have you seen the trailer for the upcoming Ghost Rider movie? The opening part where Nic Cage (I call him Nic) jumps over, like, 20 Apache Helicopters with there blades running, looks insane! On Saturday afternoon we have The Cheap Seats playing a FREE afternoon instore. The Cheap Seats are from Richmond and are playing The Halfshell later that night. Come out in the afternoon for a free show and some daytime shopping.

SAT JUNE 24, 2006

throwback jerseys are a must .

The only thing I don't like about Joe Wilson, is that his name isn't Mookie Wilson. Do you know how rad that would be. Think about it, Mookie Wilson traveling around the country singing acoustic ballads about the seventh inning stretch, lost love, and milkshakes. That's mind kind of troubadour. Traveling with <strike>Mookie</strike> Joe is ForeverInMotion. Also, cutting through town on the same night is Conshafter. These dudes are making waves with their infectious sound and charm. Local up-and-comer, Josiah Schlater, will be performing his elegant songs on his guitar.

MON JUNE 26, 2006

2 funki 4 u 2 .

Playing 8 bit Nintendo. You know how there is a difference between the music for the game and the music when you hit pause. Of course they fall into the same style but the pause music always delivers this dreamy quality that makes you feel less tension while you read through the steps in your Nintendo Power issue. Piglet has mastered Nintendo pause music. It is truly incredible. Lovely Feathers are danceable fun like rented movies, cheez-its, and out-of-town parents. They have a vibe which is closer to Arcade Fire’s more upbeat stuff like Power Out. I Need Sleep is on the bill as well. They were added not too long ago but they are friends of Piglet and need some loving. Closing out this show is The Dandy Lions. These guys are this areas big secret. Relative knows this because they hardly ever play so to say you know about the Dandy Lions would be a proposterous lie.

TUES JUNE 27, 2006

gettin' ripe boy .

You don't want to miss this. Documentary on their plight and live performance to follow. The film is incredibly compelling as it tells the story of their struggle in war torn Sierra Leone. Just off the heels of Bonnaroo The Reggae Refugee All-Stars will be throwing down at the Granby Theater. Just go to the website and watch the trailer and tell me you don't want to jump up and down. Are you a cold fish or a hot mosquito?

JUNE 3 - JUNE 30 | 2006

For this show, Davis has created works that relate directly to a road trip that he took early 2006. He trekked through Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri in search of solace and piece of mind after his design firm relocated. He left with wonder and worry and returned with solidified friendships and a terrifying run in with a deer. The trip was filled with discoveries and these paintings are his attempt at sharing these said discoveries.

Debbie has contributed works of photography taken from inside a natural science museum. The images were shot in a way that takes from nature photography but shown in a very unnatural light. The dark, desaturated tones and the murky quality of the images, as if being preserved in formaldehyde, convey this unnatural deathly quality and the strange sensuality from having mastered that which was not made to be confined.

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