Indie Exclusive Frosted Clear Vinyl

Merge Records issues Punching the Clown in the United States as MRG897, on standard black vinyl and on this indies-exclusive frosted clear pressing. City Slang handles the album everywhere else.

It is Lambchop's seventeenth album, and it started with a search that failed. Kurt Wagner heard a song on the radio while driving one night - by his account "a minimal single chord strummed banjo and a small group of voices" - and never found it again. What he found instead was lined-out singing, a call-and-response hymn form that came out of Scotland in the 1800s and took root in Appalachia when Scottish immigrants settled there. A clerk sings a line alone; the congregation answers it. The practice began as a way for congregations who could not read to follow a hymn.

Writing toward that sound sent Wagner back to guitar and voice with the guitarist Andrew Broder. Of the dozens of songs the two produced, thirty were considered and twelve made the record.

The album was cut over three days at April Base in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, in August 2025, with choir sessions following at the VOCES8 Centre in London in November and at Beech House Recording in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, in December. Ryan Olson produced. Justin Vernon plays banjo, Broder plays guitar, a six-part vocal ensemble assembled by Blake Morgan answers Wagner's lines, and a twelve-part London choir appears alongside them. Mark Nevers mixed the record, his first Lambchop album since Mr. M in 2012.

The album holds a Metacritic score of 86, which that site classes as universal acclaim, with 8.5 from Pitchfork, 9 out of 10 from PopMatters and five-star reviews in The Guardian, Mojo and Under the Radar.

Tracklist

1. Just West of Nicollet
2. A Doctor in the House
3. Weakened
4. Stella
5. Punching the Clown
6. White People
7. The New World Wave
8. Andrew Jackson Asshat
9. Afterburner
10. Cigar
11. To Do
12. No Chicago

Our Shipping Terms

Evergreen Vinyl ships records with care and attention to detail, using established carriers and packaging practices designed to protect physical media in transit.

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We currently ship to the United States and Canada.

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We care about getting this right and will always aim for a fair, reasonable resolution.

Last updated: 2/6/26

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We accept returns only for items that arrive damaged, defective, or incorrect, or where a return has been approved in advance.

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We offer exchanges for new, unopened products only, subject to availability.

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Used items are not eligible for exchange.

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Used records are graded carefully and honestly, but they are not perfect.

If the media or sleeve is graded below New or Mint, cosmetic or playback-related imperfections should be expected and are reflected in the price and description. These characteristics do not qualify as defects.

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Turntables and speakers are non-returnable once delivered unless they arrive damaged or defective.

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We will review the issue and, when approved, arrange a replacement or refund in accordance with this policy.

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Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method after inspection (if a return is required).

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Once a dispute or chargeback has been initiated, we are unable to proceed with refunds, replacements, or reshipments until the case is fully resolved. Resolution timelines are controlled by the payment processor and can take up to 120 days.

Preorders

Preorders may be cancelled for a full refund at any time before the order ships.

Once a preorder has shipped, it is treated as a completed order and is subject to the return, refund, and exchange policies outlined above.

Non-Returnable Items

The following items are not eligible for return or refund unless they arrive damaged, defective, or incorrect:

• Merchandise and accessories

• Turntables and speakers

• Used records graded below New or Mint (for condition-related expectations)

Our Approach

Records and audio equipment are physical objects, and small variations can occur. We aim to be transparent, consistent, and reasonable. We take legitimate issues seriously when they arise.

Questions or Return Requests

For return, exchange, or refund questions, please contact us at:

info@evergreenvinyl.com

Including your order number helps us assist you more efficiently.

Last updated: 2/6/26