Johnny Cash – American VI: Ain’t No Grave CD (American Recordings)
American VI is deeply elegiac and spiritual, with each song its own piece of the puzzle of life’s mysteries and challenges — the pursuit of salvation, the importance of friendships, the dream of peace, the power of faith, and the joys and adversities that entail simple survival. It is an achingly personal and intimate statement, as, from the end of the line, Johnny Cash looks back on a most extraordinary life.
Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me 3xCD/3xLP (Drag City)
125 minutes-worth of songs in deluxe packaging. Through the course of the 18 songs, Joanna visits ditties, weepies, court dances, rump-bumpers, epics and moments of Panavision fantasia upon us.
Jack Rose – Luck In The Valley CD/LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)
3rd in the set of recordings that the late Rose jokingly referred to as his “Ditch Trilogy.” Features Black Twig Pickers, Glenn Jones, Harmonica Dan and Hans Chew.
Alkaline Trio – This Addiction CD/CD+DVD/LP+MP3 (Epitaph)
Their seventh album and first for Epitaph, the Chicago rockers are heading back to their roots. Deluxe Edition adds a DVD of Alkaline Trio live at the House Of Blues, Las Vegas 2008, and 6 additional bonus tracks.
Clem Snide – The Meat Of Life CD (429 Records)
The Meat Of Life contains twelve songs that further showcase the wry, intimate, sometimes angst-filled observations of songwriter Eef Barzeley. As the weighty title would suggest, there s a depth of lyrical subject matter that Barzelay deftly presents alongside his streamlined band.
Quasi – American Gong CD/LP (Kill Rock Stars)
Eighth album from the indie-rock mainstays. They’ve switched labels, from the Chicago-based Touch and Go to Kill Rock Stars, which is based right in their back yard in Portland, OR. Mixed by the impressive line-up of Steve Fisk, Tucker Martine and Dave Fridmann.
Brian Jonestown Massacre – Who Killed Sgt. Pepper CD/2xLP (A Records)
13 tracks ranging from ambient bhangra beats, to rock, to shoegaze, to gypsy influences of Eastern Europe music.
K-os – Yes! CD (Last Gang)
New from the Canadian singer and rapper. K-os, born Kevin Brereton, is a genuine neo-crossover artist, proud to not fit perfectly into any genre.
David Broza – Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry Of Townes Van Zandt CD (S-Curve)
12-song set features 10 previously unreleased lyrics and poems written by the late Townes Van Zandt — one cover of the last song Van Zandt wrote for David and one instrumental Broza wrote for Van Zandt.
A Certain Ratio – Force [Reissue] CD (LTM)
Expanded re-release of the classic 5th album by the iconic post-punk funk outfit, originally released by Factory Records in 1986.
All Time High – Friends In High Places CD (Small Stone)
Seattle rocker’s debut long-player was recorded in an unadulterated 5-day session with legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino and features more than a few surprise guests.
Balmorhea – Constellations CD/LP (Western Vinyl)
The disarming simplicity of these tracks proves that the group doesn’t need dense arrangements full of 180-degree turns to craft deeply affecting compositions.
Big Brother And The Holding Company (Featuring Janis Joplin) – Lost Tapes 2xCD (Fuel 2000)
Features 12 previously unreleased tracks and includes an 11 minute rendition of ”Amazing Grace.”
Guy Clark – Guy Clark [Reissue] CD (American Beat)
Guy Clark s 1978 debut for Warner Bros. marked a career turning point for the songwriter who s been touted and/or covered by everybody from Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash to George Strait to David Allan Coe.
Crime In Stereo – I Was Trying To Describe You To Someone CD (Bridge Nine)
New album from the melodic hardcore band is another collaboration with producer extraordinaire Mike Sapone (Brand New, Taking Back Sunday).
Hayaino Daisuki – Invincible Gate Mind Of The Infernal Fire Hell, Or Did You Mean Hawaii Daisuki? CD (Hydra Head)
New album from the influential power-thrash outfit.
Deadstring Brothers – Sao Paulo CD/LP (Bloodshot)
Built on the ample shoulders of masterful forebears, Deadstring Brothers delve into the grit and sweat of dirty blues scooped from the fields of the Delta and polish it in the toxic waters of the Detroit River; the smell of their motor oil, strong coffee and whiskey-stained beards narcotic.
Drudkh – The Swan Road [Reissue] CD (Season Of Mist)
Remastered reissue of their 3rd album, originally released in 2005. Digipak with new artwork.
Efterklang – Magic Chairs CD/LP (4AD)
Magic Chairs is the third full-length album by Copenhagen, Denmark’s Efterklang. The album finds the band expanding on their already expansive sound, while diving into the core of their ever-evolving music.
Eluvium – Similes CD (Temporary Residence)
Beautiful new album features three key musical elements previously uncharted by the artist: percussion, a verse-chorus song structure, and singing. This marries his trademark dream-like aura with his unique, laconic vocals, akin to an especially contemplative Ian Curtis with trace reflections of Magnetic Fields and Brian Eno.
High On Fire – CD/2xLP (E1 Music)
One of the most highly anticipated releases of 2010, “guaranteed to alter heart rhythms and weaken building infrastructures…as powerful and gargantuan a threesome as metal has produced.” — Pitchfork
Jaga Jazzist – One Armed Bandit CD (Ninja Tune)
All galloping rhythms, arpeggiated harpsichord and grandiloquent reach, self-described as “Wagner meets Fela Kuti.”
Carole King – Writer [Reissue] CD (Friday Music)
40th Anniversary Edition comes complete with rare photos and the original LP artwork, packaged in a beautiful digipak.
Alan Licht & Loren Connors – Into The Night Sky CD (Family Vineyard)
An instrumental dialogue merging shades of electric blues and minimalism. These 2 epic pieces — recorded live in concert clearly show how far their desolate sound world grew over a decade of collaboration while the core of layered guitar complexities and alien melodies remain.
Giuseppi Logan Quintet – Giuseppi Logan Quintet CD (Tomkin’s Square)
Legendary saxophonist Giusippi Logan returns with his first album in 45 years. This record reunites Logan with two of his closest collaborators from the ‘60s pianist Dave Burrell and drummer Warren Smith. The album features five brand new original Logan compositions and several standards.
LoneLady – Nerve Up CD/LP (Warp)
Invokes the ghosts of Joy Division, ESG, Wire, Grace Jones, The Fall, Suicide, and PiL. Co-produced by Guy Fixxsen (My Bloody Valentine, The Breeders, Stereolab).
Madlib – Electro Acoustic Space, Jazz & Percussion Ensemble CD (Stones Throw)
1st album in Madlib’s Yesterdays Universe deep-jazz series.
Madlib – Medicine Show No. 2: Fight To Brazil CD (Madlib Music)
2nd release from Madlib’s new once-a-month series. An 80-minute guided tour through 5 decades of Brazilian funk, bossa nova, jazz, psychedelic and progressive rock.
Daniel Merriweather – Love & War CD/2xLP (J Records)
The 27-year-old Melbourne native firmly establishes himself as a solo artist in his own right on Love & War which pulses with ’60s soul keyboards and horns, warm textures of acoustic and electric guitar, and cinematic string arrangements, all anchored by Merriweather’s combustible vocals.
Holly Miranda – The Magician’s Private Library CD/2xLP (XL)
Debut full-length album features contributions from Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio), Eric Biondo and Stuart Bogie (Antibalas), and Holly’s long-time violinist, Marques Toliver.
Mutiny Within – Mutiny Within CD (Roadrunner)
Mutiny Within play with astonishing technical skill with a forward-thinking songwriting style that can be viewed as modernly progressive, but “definitely not prog.”
Carrie Newcomer – Before & After CD (Rounder)
Focusing on change and transformation, this layered work is on one level an exploration of life with a progressive spiritual sensibility. On a second level, the listener is exposed to Newcomer’s adept guitar work, soulful voice, and unique musicianship, which stays true to her folk roots, while at the same time allowing Appalachian and classical music to influence her body of work.
Past Lives – Tapestry Of Webs CD/LP (Suicide Squeeze)
Guitars alternate between glistening pop tones, ethereal bliss out and raw rhythmic ruin. Throughout, each song delves deep into the blank gaze, the experience of everyday living as viewed through the tired eyes of uncertainty and doubt. It’s all kinda “vibey.”
John Pizzarelli – Rockin’ In Rhythm: A Tribute To Duke Ellington CD (Telarc)
Singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli, a master in the art of reinventing jazz classics, celebrates the music of Duke Ellington
Rocket Summer – Of Men And Angels CD/LP+MP3 (Island)
“We’re not talking simple acoustic solo stuff here.” The music Bryce (Avary) makes as the Rocket Summer is lust, explosively catchy and artful power pop that hints at a new Brian Wilson or Prince.” — Austin City Limits
Shearwater – Golden Archipelago CD/LP+MP3 (Matador)
Third album in a triptych of beautiful, dense and ambitious excursions about man’s impact on the natural world. This time singer/songwriter Jonathan Meiburg turns his attention to life on islands — a world of lushness and austerity, silence and sudden cataclysms. Initial pressing includes a 50-page booklet of dossier of records, photos, regulations, and images on islands, displaced peoples, immigration records and more.
Shout Out Louds – Work CD/LP (Merge)
Realizing that there really is no need to multilayer and fill all the spaces in their songs, the group are keeping it simple now, trusting in the power of bare skin over panache.
Testament – The Formation Of Damnation [Deluxe] CD+DVD (Nuclear Blast)
Deluxe Edition of their 2008 album includes a bonus DVD that contains three live performances from Alcatraz plus the “More Than Meets The Eye” video.
Nick Thune -Thick Noon CD (Comedy Central)
Skewed and hilarious observations and stories (some set to music) from comedian/actor/writer/ and bird owner Nick Thune. Includes a DVD including his acclaimed Comedy Central Presents special and more.
Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté – Ali & Toumani CD (Nonesuch)
Second and final album pairing the late Malian guitar virtuoso Ali Farka Touré and kora master Toumani Diabaté. Includes contributions from the late Orlando ‘Cachaito’ Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club) on bass.
Various Artists – Black Man’s Cry: Inspiration Of Fela Kuti CD/4×10″ (Now Again)
Covers and music inspired by the godfather of Afrobeat. Includes rare and previously unreleased music from Nigeria, Ghana, Colombia and Trinidad.
Various Artists – Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas: Tropicalista Psychedelic Masterpieces, 1967-1976 CD/2xLP (World Psychedelic Funk Classics)
The heaviest, rarest, best fuzz-funk-psych singles from Brazil, compiled on one CD. Vinyl version includes 3D glasses.
Various Artists (Martyn) – Fabric 50 CD (Fabric)
26 track mix from the master remixer.
Various Artists – Stroke: Songs For Chris Knox 2xCD (Merge)
In June 2009 Chris Knox (Tall Dwarfs, Toy Love) suffered a life-altering stroke. This album is a celebration of Chris and his music. Artists include Jeff Magnum, Yo La Tengo, Mountain Goats, Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, Lou Barlow, Jay Reatard, The Bats, The Verlaines, and The Chills.
Veil Veil Vanish – Change In The Neon Night CD (Metropolis)
“The most creative guitarists on the planet, using pedals and gadgets to build sonic structures that could make Phil Spector cream.” — SF Weekly
Rocky Votolato – True Devotion CD (Barsuk)
Walking the line between autobiographical fact and fiction, True Devotion is deceptively simple, peppering impressionistic narratives with moments of lyrical wisdom that can knock the wind out of you.
Butch Walker – I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart CD/LP+CD (One Haven)
New from the songwriter and producer for artists ranging from Fall Out Boy to Weezer to Pink to Dashboard Confessional.
We Are Wolves – Invisible Violence CD (Dare To Care)
The group’s trademark irreverent dance/rock/electro mix is more melodic and refined than ever.
White Hills – White Hills CD/LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)
Still heavy and would certainly be labeled “space rock” but it finds the band employing a more open and free flowing style of playing. Focus was not so much on precision but on capturing the emotion in the playing, they wanted to “let things fly”. There’s a certain intimacy to it, a toughness and brutality. Vinyl-version has 2 exclusive tracks and MP3 download.
Josh Williams – Down Home CD (Pinecastle)
New album from the bluegrass guitarist features a stellar lineup of musicians including Tony Rice, Rhonda Vincent, Dailey & Vincent, Aaron McDaris, Kenny Ingram, Randy Kohrs, Stuart Duncan, and Greg Cahill among others.
Xasthur – 2005 Demo CD (Hydra Head)
Burzum-esque lo-fi black metal.
Xiu Xiu – Dear God, I Hate Myself CD/LP (Kill Rock Stars)
The two biggest constants throughout Xiu Xiu’s catalog are honesty and evolution. This
remains true with Dear God, I Hate Myself as it delivers a look at responsibility, fear, healing, and societal roles wrapped in rich gothic pop music.
Zeus – Say Us CD (Arts & Crafts)
Draws upon classic influences to craft timeless songs, complete with fuzzed-out guitars and shimmering harmonies. Purveyors of a sound that cross-references the British Invasion with ’70s-era Southern rock.
John Zorn – In Search Of The Miraculous CD (Tzadik)
Inspired by esoteric spiritual practices, white magic, ritual, traditional myths and ancient legends, Zorn brings together a life long interest in mysticism with powerful lyricism to fashion this dynamic and evocative series of Odes for the new millennium.
DVDs:
Al Jarnow – Celestial Navigation: The Short Films Of Al Jarnow DVD (Numero)
First collection of work by renowned public television filmmaker Al Jarnow. His films have been seen by tens of millions of people of the last 40 years on PBS. Here 45 individual films are restored and color corrected in HD and lovingly packaged with a 60 page full color book and 30 minute documentary. Al Jarnow captured life’s scientific minutia and boiled it down for easy consumption between cookie eating monsters and counting vampires. Coupling time-lapse, stop motion and cel animation with simple objections found in every day life, Jarnow deconstructed the world for an entire generation.
Vinyl:
Gonjasufi – Kowboys & Indians 7” (Warp)
Second limited-edition single from their forthcoming album A Sufi And A Killer (due March 9th).
Meat Puppets – II [Reissue] LP (Rykodisc)
Vinyl reissue of their 1990 album. The Meat Puppets conjured a distinct, hybrid style — dubbed country punk — and throughout the ‘90s made some of the decades most freethinking, vital music.
Phantogram – Eyelid Movies LP+MP3 (Ghostly International)
Now available on vinyl. Phantogram’s music sounds like it is created by a band from the city. Electronic loops, hip-hop beats, shoegaze, soul, and pop each find their way into their songs.
She & Him – In The Sun b/w I Can Hear Music 7″ (Merge)
Features guest vocals by Tillly & The Wall. B-side is a cover of The Beach Boys’ “I Can Hear Music.”
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Couldn’t Stand The Weather [Reissue] LP (Sundazed)
The Lone Star guitar god and his Double Trouble band mates Tommy Shannon (bass) and Chris Layton (drums) hit their stride with this 1984 sophomore release.
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Soul To Soul [Reissue] LP (Sundazed)
On his 3rd album, SRV expanded Double Trouble to include Reese Wynans (keyboards) and Joe Sublett (sax). He also extended his electric blues style, seamlessly incorporating elements of soul, R&B, & jazz into his approach.
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood [Reissue] LP (Sundazed)
Vaughan already had a decade of performing experience under his belt when he burst into the mass consciousness with his landmark 1983 debut LP.
Ween – The Pod [Reissue] 2xLP (Schnitzel)
Reissue of the band’s “challenging album,” originally released in 1990.
Hot Chip – One Life Stand 2xLP (Astralwerks)
Sade – Soldier Of Love LP (Epic)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl.
