CLOUDS Scrapbook 1969 ORIGINAL GERMAN Pink Island LP RUBBLE PSYCH N MINT LISTEN

$

76

THE CLOUDS "SCRAPBOOK" LP

ORIGINAL 1969 LP ON THE German Pink ISLAND label, STEREO 849 300 UY

COVER IN VG++ shape, flimsy gatefold has edgewear but holding up well

VINYL plays EXCELLENT to NEAR MINT, really nice!

Beautiful faux grain gatefold cover makes it look like some fine Corinthian leather bound book that could be found on Ricardo Montelban's coffee table.  Very interesting band of also-rans from the British underground who came late into the popsike scene, and so adopted a sort of progressive rock tinged psychedelic pop sound much like the Moody Blues, only looser and jammier.  And like those Moodies, the Clouds were ignored completely by the compilers who put together the sounds of England in the late 60s - even those Rubble fellas.  But to completely dismiss the Clouds would be to ignore a very integral part of the British underground.  "Scrapbook" is  their "concept album", if you will - only released in the UK in this grandiose faux leather jacket that you could always use to get your way into the tennis club if you don't like the music.  But you will - if you dig the big grandiose pop song as much as the big grandiose jacket.  "I'll Go Girl" is exactly the kind of Hollies-flavored British popsike nugget that Rubble fans go nuts over, which makes its exclusion from any of the Rubble/Circus Days comps even more ridiculous.  While "Ladies and Gentlemen" sits comfortably alongside the likes of UK Nirvana and World of Oz, and boasts a pure pop hook that could put either band to shame.  More traditional Swinging London elements creep in at times - "Granddad" is a classic old-time British singalong that sounds like its being played on an old gramophone - the Small Faces "Universal" cross-bred with Mike Nesmith's "Magnolia Simms".  While "Old Man" glides along on a smooth, loungey finger-snappin' Peggy Lee "Fever" melody.  All in all, a GREAT UK popsike album precariously perched on the cusp of prog - like late Nice, the first 2 Nirvana albums, or a lighter, looser Moody Blues.  Ricardo Montelban would be proud. 

SOUND CLIP COMING SOON, PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER!

PLEASE NOTE I NO LONGER SHIP TO ITALY DUE TO A CORRUPT POSTAL SYSTEM (THERE, NOT HERE).  BUYERS FROM ITALY AGREE TO PAY FOR GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL INSURED ONLY!

The less exciting stuff

Media mail shipping with delivery confirmation starts at $4.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Overseas shipping has, unfortunately, gone way up in the fast few months, which translates to $15 for the first LP to Canada ($3 each one thereafter) and $24 for the first LP everywhere else in the world, with each add'l LP an extra $5 (so it pays to buy more, nudge nudge wink wink).   I accept payments through Paypal. 

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

 For more security and international tracking, you may request GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL - but bear in mind the cost of this service is upwards of $30.  For expensive items, however, it may be well worth it.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.   Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town. 

HEAR IT!