For what could possibly be the last release of New Granada Records’ 20th Anniversary celebration, the Tampa indie record label is going all out by dropping a mere 20 copies of Candy Bars’ revered 2006 LP, On Cutting Ti-gers In Half And Understanding Narravation.
Hand cut on clear vinyl by Jonathan Berlin, the release will only be available at Microgroove (4906 N. Florida Ave., Seminole Heights), and pays tribute to an album that the label described as a “gamechanger” in its press release: “Insane reviews/press just flooded in and helped raise awareness for the label and Central Florida’s original independent music scene.”
Cutting Ti-gers did, indeed, make a nice splash in the mid-'00s indie rock pool thanks to a sound that gave nod to alt-rock geniuses like Mark Linkous and Stuart Staples while managing to be brooding yet delightful orchestral pop for intelligent audiences. Publications like MAGNET wrote that the Tampa-based outfit “bring weird little abstract worlds to life” and revered tastemakers Pitchfork even gave the 11-track effort a “7.4” rating, deeming it just a few measly decimal points from being dubbed “Best New Music.”
New Granada has acknowledged that — thanks in part to limited numbers and shipping costs associated with the release — not everyone who wants to get their hands on the LP will have an opportunity to do so, but promised to let fans know if any are left over after the madness that is Record Store Day. Doors at the Seminole Heights shop open at 9 a.m. on Sat., April 18. New Granada labelhead and general do-boy told us that the special release will retail for $35-$40, which makes sense considering total cost to cut and package the LP hovers just under $40.
“The band and album remain brilliant to this day ... We never grow tired of listening to it.” Have a listen for yourself below. Click these links to download free MP3s of "Enough To Choke A Cold Air" and "Violets".