Vinyl of the Week: Petrojvic Blasting Co.'s Debut LP, 'A History of Public Relations...' [MP3]

In the strange wake of music's digital rebirth, vinyl has experienced a modest boom in popularity, seen by many as a replacement for the awkward middleman that is the compact disc. INCHES reviews the output of L.A.'s healthy vinyl community, believing that good music deserves much more than a handful of ones and zeros.

Read previous installments here, or email us here.

Chris Martins

It's been far too long since we've checked in with the Petrojvic brothers. Almost a year to the day, actually, and it turns out they've been quite busy. In addition to taking on a residency at buzzworthy Downtown eatery The Gorbals, holding down their weekly post at the Amoeba-end of the Hollywood Farmers Market and performing at the sadly defunct Gallery 2023, they've gone and pressed up a proper album -- proper, that is if your idea of that term involves shambolic gypsy folk, careening barroom rags, and songs about sketchy types with names like "Princess Andy."

As for Princess Andy, he's a capsized fisherman who bests a murderous fish and rides the corpse to shore, "a crown of shark teeth on his head." He's one of a handful of colorful characters who populate the Petrojvics' world -- "Madame Selma" is another worth mentioning -- a place where storytelling is as important as instrumental might. Take "Fido Oro," a wordless piece that combines mariachi-style horns with a Balkan beat and virtuosic accordion-play. Or "Avi Colon," where guest vocalists Leah Harmon (also a member of the Killsonic marching gang) get sultry over a lilting, back alley-meets-boudoir soundtrack. Or "Simon Was," which would sound perfect blaring out of a turn-of-the-century (that century) watering hole. The stream/MP3 below, "Where We Gonna Leave It" isn't exactly indicative of the Blasting Co. sound -- it's a sober, quite quiet folk tune -- but it's an exceptional song and a great way to bring this boisterous record to a close.

Download: The Petrojvic Blasting Co. - "Where We Gonna Leave It" [MP3]

Purchase at the Hollywood Farmers Market this Sunday or next, or at The Gorbals on Thursday, May 13, before the boys leave for Europe. Buy CD/digital here.

01. KISSES - "Bermuda" 7-inch (Surround Sound)
02. Caribou - Swim (Merge)
03. Rainbow Arabia / Nosaj Thing - "LA Collection Vol. 2 (IAMSOUND)
04. Edward Sharpe... / Moonrats - LA Collection Vol. 1 (IAMSOUND)
05. Liars - Sisterworld (Mute)
06. Surfer Blood / Holiday Shores split 7-inch (Kanine)
07. Best Coast - "Sun Was Hight" 7-inch (Art Fag)
08. Foot Village - World Fantasy 10-inch (Deathbomb Arc)
09. Kissing Cousins - Pillar of Salt (Velvet Blue)*
10. Arthur Russell - Calling Out of Context (Rough Trade)
[*previously featured in INCHES]

Origami Vinyl is located at 1816 W. Sunset Blvd., 90026 (213.413.3030).