PRODUCT DETAILS
Stillness can imply either tranquility or stagnation. Walt McClements grappled with these opposing forces in the years it took to realize On a Painted Ocean: a suite of searching accordion and pipe organ-led pieces that travel a steady course, swelling and expanding with a tide of tender emotion. The composer and multi-instrumentalist takes the title of his second album from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous epic The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and it's depiction of a boat that's stalled at sea-As idle as a painted ship/ Upon a painted ocean. It's an impression that mirrors both the process and the product of McClements's Western Vinyl release, from the gentle unfurling of a raw reed tone on opener "A Painted Ship" to the gritty ebb and flow of effects-laden drone on "Washed Up," and the closing flutter and signal interference that noisily builds toward triumphant euphoria on "Clattering." On a Painted Ocean emerges at a confluence of events and inspirations that have shifted and changed like the weather itself. It's initial sketches began with unexpected access to a Pasadena church organ in 2022, before being set aside to prepare for a busy year as a member of Weyes Blood's live band. Months on the tour bus with limited instruments led McClements to explore recreating the sound of his processed accordion on the synthesizer, layering it with the organ pieces. As that cycle came to end, McClements was eager to finish the record, but was unsure how to pick up the thread. Stuck in the doldrums of creative block, McClements took his traces of processed accordion and synthesizers, reversed pipe organ and melodica, reeds and pipes run through pedals and computers to his former home of New Orleans for Carnival. Having lived in the Louisiana city for a decade before moving to Los Angeles, McClements found renewed inspiration from his community during one of it's most ecstatic and meaningful times of year. It's ethic of art for community's sake and practices of care inspired him to take fellow musician and mentor Rachika Nayar's advice by including collaborators, including Nayar herself, who contributes additional production to "Sirens." Old friend and former bandmate Aurora Nealand would also answer the call, adding dramatic saxophone to the choppy waters of "Cloud Prints" and "Parade." The latter track stands out for it's sonic and conceptual culmination of McClements's journey toward realizing On a Painted Ocean, where a rising pitch and buffeting sails meet a field recording of community care, a training in how to use Narcan to reverse an overdose. A credit to strong relationships and mutual support, the album charts a personal pilgrimage - adapting to the tides and remembering your community can help when you feel stuck at sea.
Tracklist:
- A Painted Ship
- Cloud Prints
- On a Painted Ocean
- Sirens
- Washed Up
- Parade
- Clattering
UPC: 843563182772
Label: Western Vinyl
Release Date: 4.4.25
Format: Vinyl Record
SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING
- No dinged corners: All orders hand-packed by vinyl lovers using sturdy mailers specifically designed to protect your records during transit.
- The protection your records deserve: Every order includes free shipping insurance that covers you in case of damage or loss during shipping.
- All you can ship at one rate: $5.99 flat-rate shipping on all domestic orders.
- Protect the planet: Carbon-neutral shipping and mailers made of recycled materials on all orders.
- Read our full shipping policy.
RETURNS
- Change your mind? No problem: No nonsense 30-day return policy on all domestic orders.
- Read our full return policy.
PRODUCT REVIEWS
ABOUT US
For over 10 years, Pale Blue Dot Records has shared and supported your love of vinyl records. We are an independent online record store located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and we’re passionate about music, the vinyl community, and doing our part to protect the environment. Learn more about us here.
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By far, my favorite shop to buy from! Always quick with the delivery! Love tyler the creator and I've been searching for this specific vinyl at a good price!
package shipped well. there was a fragile sticker on the box which was nice, most places don’t put that and vinyls get damaged. package arrived in perfect condition.
Good packaging, product was in good condition and showed up on time great album no problems with any of the vinyls either very happy with it.
I am a huge Bob's Burger Fan and found this album as I was browsing the website. I had to get it immediately. I can believe I came across this on a random Tuesday. Can't thank coming across pale blue records enough. And the delivery is super fast. Can't wait for my next purchase.
Super fast shipping, packing done well. Exactly as described. The customer service and product choice is why I keep coming back.
Perfectly packaged, no warping, clear sound. Will definitely purchase from Pale Blue Dot Records again.
I ordered this on Friday later in the day and Tuesday morning it was at my doorstep. Insanely fast shipping and came in PERFECT condition. i’ve been looking everywhere for this edition and so happy it came back in stock. Thank you Pale Blue Dot Records!!!! 🩷🩷
Would definitely buy from Pale Dot Records again. The delivery was fast and the records sounds great!
Purchased as a Christmas gift for my 29 year old son. Can't wait for him to open. Packaged with care and timely shipping. Positive experience!
Vinyls arrived in perfect condition, expertly packed, and 3 days from the date of purchase (over the Thanksgiving holiday, no less). Could not be more pleased. Thanks so much!
We received our vinyl fast, it was fairly price, and they had a great selection to choose from. One record we purchased had an issue on the track, and the owner was quick to resolve the issue for us. I’ll be purchasing all of our records from this store moving forward!
The records and the sleeve are really nice. Pacific Dot Records blew me away with shipping it out like, immediately after I ordered it. Arrived well protected and perfect. No complaints.
fast shipping, great communication, and awesome staff. very responsive with messages too. can’t wait to purchase from them again
Records arrived inside the special record boxes, unopened, and in pristine condition. They didn't very long to begin the shipping either. Some places make you wait 3-5 days just to have it shipped out. They did not.
This is not about the product. I've ordered from PBD before and the Vinyls that come from them are wonderful and pressed really well!
This review is more on customer service.
USPS seemed to have goofed around a bit and cause a delay of about 1.5 weeks. Tristan was a highly communicative person and was reassuring with the options I had regarding if my order never arrived. Good sense of humor, accountability, and customer satisfaction. The Sweetwater of vinyl shops. Officially my vinyl go to!