Record Room: Sunday, 11/8
Current listening: OSEES — OFF COURSE (Deathgod, 2026)
Despite the gulp of DayQuil I took hours ago, I’m a congested mess and my will to type diminishes with every second that ticks by. I’m currently on the tail-end of a hanger-on flu that both my wife and I acquired following exposure from my father-in-law. The practical, task-oriented sliver of my brain thought that the unexpected downtime this ailment afforded me would somehow provide ample opportunity to listen to the 2026 albums that are currently weighing down my extensive “to do” list, enabling me to catch-up after two unintended months of silence. But, alas, exhaustion overtook me, not to mention the headaches and joint and back pain, the sudden blast-beat rounds of coughing fits, and my complete loss of appetite. Listening, reading, writing… these activities required too much doing. I could only stare blankly at television and wait for all pain to eventually subside.
I’m thankfully on the mend and ready to carry on with the remaining months of 2026. The PAUSE button has been depressed.
Horror film soundtracks and scores on cassette — Graveface Records, Savannah, GA
Before we became sick, my wife and I celebrated 20 years as a married couple by flying out for a five-day trip to Savannah, GA. The city itself was beautiful and lush, boasting walkability and green spaces. The nights were cool and perfectly suited for outdoor meals. Appropriate to this space, though, we ventured to the Starland district where I found a record shop called Graveface Records & Curiosities.
Functioning also as a record label, Graveface is a Halloween-styled record shop that caters well to fans of horror & sci-fi, the “curiosities” given as much shine as the shop’s well-stock inventory. Being from out of town and limited to a full suitcase and a carryon bag that was too slim to pack 12” vinyl into, my shopping prospects were slight to nil. That said, I struck up a really nice conversation with the shop owner, discussing The Body, The Bug, Dis Fig, and other shadowy figures appropriately tied to dark electronics and metal.
I was directed to Graveface’s roster, a section of the store dedicated to the albums, CDs, and cassette releases of a number of bands like Power Pill Fist, TW Walsh, Whirr, The Appleseed Cast, and The Marshmallow Ghosts.
Graveface is the perfect store for that neighborhood in Savannah, a standout spot within blocks of coffee shops, antique stores, art supplies store, and oddball boutiques. I really enjoyed my time there and couldn’t help but develop some internalized jealousy toward the locals for being able to enjoy these surroundings without needing a plane ticket.
Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead
