CDs:
A Life Once Lost – Ecstatic Trance CD (Season Of Mist)
New from the metalcore band. Vinyl version due November 6.
Oren Ambarchi/Robin Fox – Connected CD/LP (Kranky)
This release brings together two of the most extraordinary artist/musicians working in Australia today and here they join forces to produce powerful music that fuses Oren Ambarchi’s legendary guitar sound with Robin Fox’s mathematically rigorous tones and textures, resulting in sound works that stretch in scope from the sublime and spacious to the intensely dense and foreboding.
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead – Lost Songs CD/LP (Superball)
Eighth studio album is dedicated to Pussy Riot and inspired by “the apathy to real world events that has plagued the independent music scene now for over a decade,” according to singer/multi-instrumentalist Conrad Keely.
A.R. Kane – The Complete Singles Collection CD (One Little Indian)
Some late-‘80sgroups (My Bloody Valentine, Pixies) have maintained a high profile, while
others, considered their contemporary equals, have faded into the background (A.R. Kane, Throwing Muses). Hopefully this long-overdue collection of A.R. Kane’s EPs and singles, which has arrived — funny coincidence — the same year as MBV’s own EPs compilation, will serve to redress this injustice.
Paul Banks – Banks CD/LP+MP3 (Matador)
Interpol’s lead singer and guitarist finally steps fully out from behind his Julian Plenti alter-ego on his second solo album. It’s a tour-de-force of mechanized, minor-key intensity.
Bardo Pond – Yntra CD/LP (Latitudes)
Still incredibly thick with their battery of guitars and unrelenting signature groove riding merrily along underneath, Bardo Pond, true to their name, manage to balance their sound exquisitely between polar extremes.
Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man CD/2xLP+CD (Astralwerks)
Third album by British singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Natasha Khan. Album opener “Laura” was named Best New Track by Pitchfork.
Tony Bennett – Viva Duets CD (Sony)
Viva Duets finds Bennett performing his greatest hits with a celebrated roster of artists including Marc Anthony, Miguel Bose, Roberto Carlos, Ana Carolina, Chayanne, Franco DeVita, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernandez, Maria Gadu, Juan Luis Guerra, Dani Martin, Romeo Santos, Thalma and Vicentico, with additional duet guests to be announced.
Blackbird Blackbird – Boracay Planet CD (Lavish Habits)
Blackbird Blackbird is the moniker of San Francisco-based wünderkind Mikey Maramag. His unique style of dreamy folktronica recalls influences from all ends of the musical spectrum; deeply textured, hypnotic songs pay homage to psychedelic pop of the likes of Caribou and Washed Out, while the warmth of analogue instrumentation spliced with digital artifacts hints at contemporaries James Blake, Four Tet and Mount Kimbie.
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Cobra Juicy CD/LP (Rad Cult)
BMSR’s fifth album declares death to hippies, excising all things flower power and tightening up what sprawl there was into a nastily bright pile of fuzzed guitar, live bass, hot synths, and stubby rhythms.
Casey Chambers And Shane Nicholson – Wreck And Ruin CD/LP (Sugarhill)
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson’s intriguing new album Wreck And Ruin reunites two of Australia s most notable singer/songwriters, who also happen to be married.
Gary Clark Jr. – Blak And Blu CD (WB)
In addition to twelve of Clark’s original compositions, Blak And Blu also features a 13th song — a blistering cover of Little Johnny Taylor’s (popularized by Albert Collins), “If You Love Me Like You Say/Third Stone From The Sun” (Jimi Hendrix) is actually a complete reworking of the song utilizing the Hendrix riff reinterpreted by Clark.
Billy Ray Cyrus – Change My Mind CD (Blue Cadillac Music)
Thirteenth studio album produced by the award-winning Brandon Friesen. Includes the single “Change My Mind.”
Diamond Rings – Free Dimensional CD/LP (Astralwerks)
Modern electro-pop maestro takes new wave and glam influences and gives them an edgy contemporary spin.
The Doors – Live At Bowl ’68 2xCD (Rhino)
On July 5th, 1968, The Doors took to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl for a concert that has since passed into legend. Film now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Vinyl version due November 13.
Fontanelle – Vitamin F CD (Southern Lord)
10 years since their last release, Fontanelle have conjured a burly fusion jazz sound that has been dubbed, “White Magnus.” Sick-ass fuzzed out funk. Vinyl version due November 20.
Further Seems Forever – Penny Black CD/LP+CD (Rise)
Further Seems Forever released its much-lauded debut album, The Moon Is Down, in 2001, and singer Chris Carrabba exited the group to pursue his solo career with Dashboard Confessional.
Peter Gabriel – So [25th Anniversary Edition) CD/3xCD/4xCD+2xDVD+LP+12” (Real World Productions)
Remastered edition of Peter Gabriel’s 1986 smash — available in a variety of editions, including Regular, Deluxe, and Super-Deluxe box set. The story of the album is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Philip Glass – Rework_ 2xCD (Orange Mountain Music)
The idea for Rework came together during a conversation between Philip and his friend and new collaborator Beck. The pair recruited producer Hector Castillo to help assemble a collection of remixes of Glass’ works by a list of critically acclaimed artists including Beck himself, Tyondai Braxton, Amon Tobin, Cornelius, Dan Deacon, Johann Johannsson, Nosaj Thing, Memory Tapes, Silver Alert, Pantha Du Prince, My Great Ghost and Peter Broderick.
Grass Widow – Internal Logic CD (HLR)
Released earlier this year on vinyl — now available on CD. Grass Widow’s haunting songs, rich in metaphor and couched in reference and allusion, are mined from the personal narratives of each member.
Mary Halvorson/Peter Evans/Weasel Walter – Mechanical Malfunction CD (Thirsty Ear)
The trios blistering performances will, in equal parts, enrage, excite and bewilder. Anchored with compositions that sparkle and twist, the tunes morph into magical journeys.
Hednodic – Iguana CD (Rope-A-Dope)
Trained in bass at the Berklee College of Music, Headnodic is a founding member (and often producer and engineer) of hip-hop band Crown City Rockers. His career includes collaborations with MF Doom, Jr. Gong Damian Marley, Brother Ali, Mr. Lif, Lyrics Born, DJ Shadow, Zion I, Chali 2na, Del The Funky Homosapien, and many more.
Ill Nino – Epidemia CD (Victory)
Sixth album from the Latin-influenced metal band.
Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City CD/2xLP (Aftermath)
Lamar is a member of hip-hop supergroup Black Hippy, along with fellow West Coast rappers and label mates Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds three bonus tracks.
Land Observations – Roman Roads IV – XI CD/LP+CD (Mute)
Solo project of James Brooks (Appliance), here exploring the power of minimalism via layered, repetitive electric six-string guitar, creating warm, evocative instrumentals.
Lil Keek – Heart Of A Hustla CD+DVD (Hustletown)
Includes appearances by Z-Ro, Slim Thug, Devin The Dude, Killa Kyleon, Paul Wall, Yung Redd, Screwed Up Click and Seven 13 Family.
Main Attrakionz – Bossalinis & Fooliyones CD/LP (Young One)
They are the pioneers of “cloud rap.”
Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower – Blue Clouds CD (Smithsonian Folkways)
In the land of Blue Clouds, anything can happen. The clear and beautiful voice of children’s music favorite Elizabeth Mitchell weaves musical landscapes that “seem like a patchwork of memories we’ve always shared,” writes Caldecott Award-winning author Brian Selznick.
Motörhead – The Wörld Is Ours: Vol. 2 2xCD+DVD+Blu-ray/2xLP (UDR)
Follow-up to last year’s The Wörld Is Ours: Vol 1 includes their headline appearance at Wacken 2011 as well as highlights from the Sonisphere and Rio shows on DVD and Blu-ray.
Of Montreal – Daughter Of Cloud CD/2xLP+MP3 (Polyvinyl)
17-track rarities compilation comprised of ten unreleased and seven rare or out-of-print, all recorded between 2007-2012. Also available on HQ-180 on cyan colored vinyl with download.
People Get Ready – People Get Ready CD/LP (Brassland)
People Get Ready is Steven Reker, Luke Fasano (ex-Yeasayer), James Rickman (ex-Lizzie Trulie, ex-Slow Gherkin), and Jen Goma (A Sunny Day in Glasgow). The band’s distinct brand of vivid electronic pop bursts with energy, propelled by swirling and swelling harmonies, hard-to-shake melodies and high-energy rhythms set to a vocal ebb and flow led by Reker but harmonized and intensified by the entire band.
Photek – Ku: Palm CD (Ingrooves)
Photek made his mark initially as one of the pioneers in drum and bass, releasing standout singles on LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking label as well as Goldie’s Metalheadz.
Pig Destroyer – Book Burner CD/2xCD/LP (Relapse)
Fourth album from the undisputed kings of grind. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Limited edition deluxe features a bonus Blind, Deaf, And Bleeding EP, expanded packaging and the much talked about short story penned by JR Hayes.
The Polyphonic Spree – Holidaydream: Sounds of the Holidays Vol. One CD/LP (Good/Kirtland)
Holiday-themed release includes ten standards, two original instrumental compositions, and a cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s classic, “Happy X-Mas (War Is Over).”
P.O.S. – We Don’t Even Live Here CD/LP (Rhymesayers)
New album from the Minneapolis rapper features contributions from Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (who sings on “Where We Land”), Ryan Olson of Gayngs, Boys Noize, and members of the Doomtree collective.
Rah Rah – The Poet’s Dead CD (Hidden Pony)
“The 10 songs contain all the hallmarks of classic Rah Rah. Brisk opener ‘Art And A Wife’ channels Neil Young at his most rocking, while ‘Dead Man’ features a diverse arrangement of strings and group vocals, and ‘I’m A Killer’ boasts retro-sounding electronic textures.” — Exclaim
Kirriem Riggins – Alone Together CD (Stone’s Throw)
34-track instrumental odyssey follows a long line of conceptual hip-hop instrumentals including J Dilla’s Donuts and Madlib’s Beat Konducta series.
RNDM – Acts CD (Monkeywrench)
RNDM is Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, Joseph Arthur and drummer Richard Stuverud. Vinyl version due October 30.
Ruth Featuring Mushy – Far From Paradise CD/LP (Three Four)
Even though some tracks could be considered as electropop, cold wave or synthetic krautrock, the consistency lies in the cold tension and minimalism present all through the record.
Sassparilla – Magpie CD/LP (Fluff & Gravy)
Portland, OR Americana outfit deliver a collection of chameleon roots-pop that span the gamut of the AM dial glory days. RIYL: Old Crow Medicine Show, Black Keys, Tom Waits, R.L. Burnside.
Secret – Agnus Dei CD (Southern Lord)
Combines elements of crust/grind, primitive black metal, dark soundscapes and monolithic riffs.
Shiny Toy Guns – III CD/LP (Five Seven)
New from Southern California electro-rock band.
Sister Sin – Now And Forever CD (Victory)
Third album from the female-fronted Swedish Metal band.
Solid Gold – Eat Your Young CD (Totally Gross National Product)
A set of slow-burning skittish synths, glassy beats, ripple effect riffs, and melancholic melodies.
Soundtrack [Neil Davadge] – Halo 4 OST CD (The End)
Producer Neil Davidge (Massive Attack) teams up with 16 of the world’s most renowned electronica remixers including: Skrillex vs Knife Party, Sander Van Doorn, Gui Boratto, Caspa, DJ Skee, Bobby Tank, Matt Lange and Apocalyptica to mention a few.
Soundtrack – The Man With The Iron Fists OST CD (Soul Temple)
Soundtrack to the Tanatino film features exclusive material by The Black Keys, Kanye West, The Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah, Wiz Khalifa, Talib Kweli, Pusha T, Raekwon, Method Man and RZA who collaborates with Flatbush Zombies as well as The Black Keys. Free Beats/Instrumentals bonus disc with purchase — while supplies last!
Stacian – Songs For Cadets CD/LP (Moniker)
A 37-minute barage of krauty, synth-drenched dance-pop. In reality Songs For Cadets is a coded training-manual for intergalactic mercenaries, sent back in time from 2112. These young fighters have been enlisted by the global government to colonize Jupiter 6, a lush Earth-like planet in a hostile zone.
Stone Sour – House Of Gold & Bones Part One 2xCD (Roadrunner)
The 2xCD set is a concept album that brings questions of mortality with someone at the crossroads of his/her life.
Swedish House Mafia – Until Now CD (Astralwerks)
Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Whether collaborating in the studio with Usher, Pharrell, Tinie Tempah or Knife Party, or headlining the mainstage at Coachella, the superstar DJ trio of Steve Angello, Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso are always taking things to the next level.
The Sword – Apocryphon CD/LP+MP3 (Razor & Tie)
Part Sabbath, part Melvins, part Slayer. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds five bonus live tracks. Also available on limited edition lava-orange swirl vinyl. Get a copy on cassette — free with purchase, while supplies last!
Talk Normal – Sunshine CD (Joyful Noise)
On Talk Normal’s sophomore album Sunshine, the Brooklyn duo unveils songs that sparkle with melody and dissonance. Jarring rhythms and feedback-drenched guitar tones lace the tunes, creating a sound informed by their predecessors (Cocteau Twins, Velvet Underground, Laurie Anderson) yet strikingly new.
Taylor Swift – Red CD (Big Machine)
Swift’s fourth album features contributions by Dan Wilson, Butch Walker, Max Martin, Lori McKenna, Ed Sheeran and Mark Foster of Foster The People.
Time I – Wintersong CD (Nuclear Blast)
Sophomore album from the Finnish metal band.
Titus Andronicus – Local Business CD/LP (XL)
The third album from conceptual and ambitious Jersey punks.
Twiztid – Abominations (Monoxide Version) CD (Psychopathic)
Twiztid – Abominations (Madrox Version) CD (Psychopathic)
The demented duo, Monoxide and Jamie Madrox, take the hard edge of theatrical rock & roll and temper it with gritty hip-hop to create a musical monstrosity so dangerously real it must be hidden with facepaint. Each version features two alternate tracks.
Upon This Dawning – To Keep Us Safe CD (Fearless)
Metal sextet from Bresica, Italy.
U.S. Girls – Gem CD/LP (Fat Cat)
Merging a fascination with glam rock as interpreted by the anti-excess of Patti Smith, Gem sparkles between the poles of an inverted take on Bolan’s Pop testosterone and the alienating abstraction of Throbbing Gristle.
Various Artists [DJ Hazard] – Fabriclive 65 CD (Fabric)
Hazard is known for a certain type of adrenalin guided jump up drum & bass but his mix — as you might well expect from one that incorporates 50 tracks in 66 minutes — covers a lot of ground between the divides of d&b as we now know it.
DVDs + Blu-ray:
Cure For Pain: The Mark Sandman Story DVD+CD (Gatling Pictures)
Apart from revisiting the “unique and sultry sound” of Sandman’s music, the film digs deeper, and explores the meaning of family through his personal anguish at the loss of his two brothers. CD featuring 10 never-before-released Sandman tracks spanning his illustrious career.
The Doors – Live At Bowl ’68 DVD/Blu-ray (Rhino)
135 minutes.
On July 5th, 1968, The Doors took to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl for a concert that has since passed into legend. For the first time the original film footage from the live film has been digitally scanned and restored to present the show better and more complete than it’s ever been seen before, with two previously unreleased tracks.
Peter Gabriel – So: The Definitive Authorized Story Of The Album DVD/Blu-ray (Eagle Rock)
The latest addition to the Classic Albums series tells the story behind the making of Peter Gabriel’s 1986 album So. 94 minutes.
LMFAO – Rocking The Party DVD (Visual Energy)
Redfoo and SkyBlu are a dynamic duo. Their fun electro pop sound keeps the party rocking all around the world. 70 minutes.
Vinyl:
The Amazing – Gentle Stream [2011] LP+MP3 (Partisan)
Gentle Stream is widescreen, panoramic, horizon-reaching stuff. An elegantly constructed record of moody psychedelic majesty; it comes with a great dose of CSNY-style Laurel Canyon bliss. Its nine songs clock in at a luxurious 50 minutes, during which astral guitars intertwine in serpentine solos, horns blast rainbow melodies, and Gunrup’s flute-like voice floats elegantly over the sunset sounds.
Auxes – Mehr! Mehr! Mehr! 7”+MP3 (Lovitt)
Brainchild of Dave Laney (Milemarker, Challenger). Rough comparisons to Wipers, Hot Snakes, Agent Orange, and pre-Rollins-era Black Flag.
Balmorhea – Stranger LP (Western Vinyl)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. Balmorhea’s most forward-leaning album utilizes an expanded sonic palette including guitar loops, vibes, synthesizers, ukulele, and steel pan drums. “An exemplary experiment in restraint, lush with a slow-burning, wordless, and ambient Americana that manages to captivate while avoiding the histrionics of its post-rock forebears.” — The New Yorker
Blood Diamonds – Phone Sex 12” (4AD)
Long-awaited single from Blood Diamonds (aka Mike Diamond), featuring Claire Boucher (aka Grimes).
By The Sea – Dream Waters 7” (Shelflife)
Two tracks that evoke the soul of seminal ‘80s indie bands that helped inspire them. Two-tone color vinyl, limited to 100 hand numbered copies for North America. For fans of: Violens, Felt, Pale Saints. Recent shows with Veronica Falls, Memoryhouse, Still Corners.
John Cale – Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood LP (Domino)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood is an album that seems born out of John’s mischievous youth. It is the result of sessions held at his L.A. studio with days experimenting with MPC’s, pounding fists onto pianos, manipulating glitches and lots of signature viola drone. As a producer, John Cale has reached a new plateau here. He deftly manages to blend equal measures of chaos and beauty.
Cuckoo Chaos – Super Skeleton b/w Shanghaied 7” (White Iris)
Indie rock mathematicians convey the feelings of loss and loneliness through reverb and spiraling synth scales.
Deerhoof/Half Waif – LAMC No.4 7” (Famous Class)
Two exclusive tracks.
Fawn Spots – Spanish Glass 7” (Louder Than War)
When delivering hyperactive, effects drenched pop-ditties with the fever of the early SST bands, Fawn Spots’ often dramatic, always entertaining and ridiculously energetic live show is a must for fans of early college rock, ‘80s American punk and the lo-fi/noise resurgence of recent times.
Ben Frost – Steel Wound [2007] LP (Room40)
First-ever vinyl edition of this classic album from 2007. Packaged in a gorgeous matte cello-glazed sleeve.
Jose Gonzalez – Veneer [2006] LP+CD (Mute)
First time on vinyl! Veneer touches on an array of influences, from folk to classic pop to a dazzling spectrum of world music.
GRMLN – Explore 12” (Carpark)
Born in Kyoto, Japan and raised in Southern California, 19-year-old Yoodoo Park is the man behind indie rock outfit GRMLN. In the summer of 2010, in between sessions on his surfboard, Park began recording guitar-driven dream-pop in his garage to soundtrack the journeys in his car.
Wendell Harrison – Organic Dream LP+MP3 (Luv N Haight)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. Arguably the best album legendary jazz musician cut in the ‘80s. Features the classic track “Love Juice.” It’s quite a departure from the spiritual jazz he’s best known for, instead dipping into modern soul and R&B territory.
Houndmouth – Houndmouth 12” (Rough Trade)
Houndmouth are four-piece roots rock band from New Albany, IN and Louisville, Kentucky.
InDreama – InDreama LP (Team Love)
An experiment in psychedelic soundscapes, pop music and visual performance.
Wanda Jackson – Unfinished Business LP (Sugarhill)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. Jackson’s 31st studio album, produced by Justin Townes Earle.
King Tuff – Screaming Skull b/w Love Potion 7” (Sub Pop)
L.A.-via-Vermont garage/powerpop wunderkind King Tuff presents two brand new, non-album tracks.
Lazy – Party City 7” (Moniker)
The Kansas City collaborators play punk rock that’s equal parts smart and gritty. Catchy, buzzing anthems evolve from jagged rhythmic chaos, as dark drones and found sound snippets populate percussive, gang-vocal boy/girl rave-ups.
Aaron Moore/Thierry Muller – Today Is Yesterday’s Tomorrow 2xLP+MP3 (Three Four)
Aaron Moore (Volcano The Bear, Invisible Sports) and Thierry Muller (Ruth) met at a shared gig in 2009, deciding to work together in the future. The variety of the instruments and the musical richness of those 74 minutes give you a hard time to put this record into any category. Alternately noisy, melodic, rock or ambient, this is an experimental record in the literal and figurative sense.
My Cat Is An Alien – Art Is A Tear Of Noise And Infinite Silence 2xLP (Discrepant)
Art Is A Tear… was composed with a totally new set of modified, deconstructed electronic devices, including a homemade double-bodied string instrument.
Myrninerest – Journey To Avebury 12” (The Spheres)
This beautiful addition to David Tibet’s loving tribute to Jhonn Balance (Coil) is a new soundtrack to Derek Jarman’s Journey To Avebury short — Jhonn’s favorite piece by the legendary filmmaker.
Negative Approach – Nothing Will Stand In Our Way LP (Taang!)
Released earlier this year on CD — now available on red vinyl. This 53-track compilation collects all of Negative Approach’s recorded material leading up to their 1983 debut.
BJ Nilsen/Stilluppsteypa – Goda Nott LP (Editions Mego)
Collaborative release between Icelandic experimental duo Stilluppsteypa and Sweden-born BJ Nilsen.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Jeremy 7” (Slumberland)
Covers of tracks from Magnetic Fields and East River Pipe.
Jai Paul – Jasmine 12” (XL)
A tantalizing, darkly-shaded slice of echo-pop that’s reminiscent of Daft Punk’s Discovery stunner “Something About Us,” Jai Paul’s single is as sonically disorienting as what preceded it, with a warped bass thud and slinky, submerged synth lines gorgeously suffocating JP’s own chopped-up croon.
Propagandhi – Failed States LP (Epitaph)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. The Canadian “progressive thrash” legends drop a new album just in time for their politically engaged anthems to form a soundtrack to that magical theatrical production known as the US elections.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californiacation [Reissue/1999] 2xLP (WB)
Now available on HQ-180 vinyl.
Residents – Eskimo [Reissue/1979] LP (Cryptic Corp)
“The most rewarding, the most difficult, and the most accomplished of all the Residents’ albums, this was their departure into the field of imaginary ethno-musicography that they had begun on ‘Six Things to a Cycle’ on Fingerprince.” — AllMusic
Soundtrack [Jonny Greenwood] – The Master OST LP (Nonesuch)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. Score by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood to forthcoming film from director Paul Thomas Anderson. Also includes period-era songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford, Madisen Beaty, and Helen Forrest.
Stepkids – Stepkids 12” (Stone’s Throw)
Two new tracks and two new remixes, including one by Yacht.
Twerps – Work It Out 7” (Underwater Peoples)
Triple A-side single form Melbourne’s pop chillers, their first new release since their celebrated debut album of last year, and perhaps their most polished effort yet. The new 7″ takes their warm jangle pop down a darker path.
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