From the Newly Relocated Permanent Records, Recommendations for Fall Listening

By Mike Conklin

On October 1, one of the city’s best record stores, Permanent Records, moved from Greenpoint, where it had been since 2007, to South Slope. When the Franklin Street building’s landlord made alternate plans for the space, store owner Marjorie Eisenberg set out in search of a new home. What she wound up with is a shared office space on 20th Street–an unusual setup, given that there’s no real signage on the outside of the building. It certainly seems to be working, though, and with so many other record stores closing altogether, we should all be grateful that we still have access to their expertly curated selection of fairly priced vinyl.

One of Permanent’s employees, Greg Locke, was kind enough to share with us some records–new and old–that are especially well suited to fall listening. All of them are available in the store, at 159 20th St., between 3rd and 4th.

Nick Drake, Five Leaves Left: Or any Nick Drake record, really. There are only three of them and they all sound perfect this time of year. An obvious pick? Oh sure! But also so undeniably Fall-friendly that it felt like the only true, no-brainer pick. If you don’t agree I suggest playing “Northern Sky” or “Saturday Sun” on repeat until you come to your senses.

Ty Segall, Sleeper: Talk about a grower. “Sleeper” has been described as Ty’s Neil Young record, and while I can’t totally disagree, it’s still very much a Ty record in it’s overt garage roots and psych leaning. History will almost certainly remember other Ty Segall records more fondly than this one, but I think “Sleeper” will go down as his cult record, made perfect for a buzzed headphone spin while riding the F train home on a chilly November night.

Bill Fox , Shelter From the Smoke: A sprawling double LP from one of the most overlooked pop songwriters of recent memory. Says me, that’s who. “Shelter” is Bill Fox’s masterpiece. It’s warm and fuzzy and sweet and honest. And it reminds me of Tobin Sprout. “Shelter” is the rare kind of record you can have a relationship with. A fall romance, even. You, Bill, a nip in the air and 23 perfect songs.

Jim Sullivan, U.F.O.: A record to go home and spend a night reading about. Fantasizing about. Telling friends about. Once a very rare, sought after LP, Sullivan’s twangy opus is now available as a beautiful reissue via Light in the Attic Records. An album every music fan should know and own, no matter the season.

Foxygen, …And Star Power: I think this is one of the most interesting releases so far this year. It’s a classic example of young talent following up their breakthrough success by running wild with ambition and influence. The Foxy boys really tried to make a big, classic, sprawling double album. What we get is a mess of 60s and 70s nostalgia (everything from The Kinks to Todd Rundgren); but buried in the sprawl is a lot of melodious beauty. Put the 10 best tracks on your iPod and go for a walk in the leaves.

FIVE MORE: Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline, Bill Callahan’s Apocalypse, J. Mascis’ Tied to a Star, Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s Master and Everyone, Townes Van Zandt’s For the Sake of the Song.