CDs:
5 Seconds Of Summer – 5 Seconds Of Summer CD (Capitol)
Debut full-length album from the Australian pop/punk quartet.
Alvvays – Alvvays CD/LP+MP3 (Polyvinyl)
Alvvays is two women, three men, a crate of C-86 tapes and a love of jingle-jangle. Both sun-splashed and twilit, their self-titled debut features nine songs concealing drunkenness, defeat and death in tungsten-tinted pop that glitters like sea glass. (Also available on electric-blue vinyl.)
The Amazing Snakeheads – Amphetamine Ballads CD/LP (Domino)
Amphetamine Ballads is the debut album from Glasgow’s The Amazing Snakeheads. It is a monument to the redemptive powers of rock & roll — full of rage, romance and dark humor – and is an uncompromising, astonishingly visceral debut album.
Anberlin – Lowborn CD (Tooth & Nail)
Anberlin’s seventh and final album. Vinyl version due August 19.
Anti-Flag – Document Of Dissent (1993-2003) CD/2xLP (Fat Wreck Chords)
After more than 20 years writing smash hits about smashing the state, Anti-Flag have compiled a comprehensive best of album. Aptly titled A Document Of Dissent, this collection houses two decades of material that thoroughly represents Anti-Flag’s strong blend of music and message.
Bastard Feast – Osculum Infame CD (Season Of Mist)
Portland’s Bastard Feast (formerly Elitist) unleash a virulent strain of blackened hardcore on their new album. Doom-heavy riffs propel an unholy blend of metal, crust and (hints of) d-beat.
The Beatles – The Japan Box 5xCD (Capitol)
Following the release of The US Albums, The Japan Box commemorates the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles debut in Japan. Using the 2009 remasters, The Japan Box contains the first five original Japanese LP titles, reproduced as CDs.
The Black Angels – Clear Lake Forest CD/LP+MP3 (Blue Horizon)
The Black Angels are excited to reveal Clear Lake Forest, featuring seven entirely new tracks, hot on the heels of their acclaimed album Indigo Meadow released last year. Guitarist Christian Bland invites listeners to accompany the band on a sonic odyssey: “After roaming through the Indigo Meadow, the time has come to journey to the Clear Lake Forest, where seven tales of diamonds, executioners, and other strange occurrences await underneath the crystal waves lapping in the lake.” Also available on clear vinyl which includes download.
The Brand New Heavies – Allsboutthefunk [2004] CD (Shanachie)
Allabouthefunk, a 2004 recording which was previously only available in Japan, finds The Brand New Heavies delivering just what the title implies a strong set of grooves leaning on the funk oriented end of their classic sound.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – From Her To Eternity [Reissue/1884] CD (Mute)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Kicking Against The Pricks [Reissue/1986] CD (Mute)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Firstborn Is Dead [Reissue/1985] CD (Mute)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Your Funeral…My Trial [Reissue/1986] CD (Mute)
The first four Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds albums, reissued and available again in single-disc formats for the first time in years.
Michael Cleveland And Flamekeeper – On Down The Line CD (Compass)
New album from one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation.
Colony House – When I Was Younger CD (Descendant)
The threesome maintains a balance of craft and immediacy that reflects its affinity for the sound of such alt-rock outfits as Interpol and The Killers, while echoing the influence of such alternative icons as U2 and New Order. They’ve assimilated their multiple influences in a manner that’s wholly distinctive, adding tight harmonies, strong instrumental chops and a keen melodic sensibility that’s all their own. Vinyl version due August 5.
Common – Nobody’s Smiling CD (Def Jam)
Tenth album from the two-time Grammy Award-winning Chicago rapper. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds three bonus tracks. Vinyl version due August 12.
Cormega – Mega Philosophy CD (Slimstyle)
Hip-hop legend Cormega presents his first album since 2009’s Born And Raised. Mega Philosophy is exactly what it says in the title a summing up of ‘Mega’s point of view. With tracks that feature Raekwon, Chantelle Nandi, Maya Azucena, and other heavyweights, Mega Philosophy brings it all together.
Corrupt Moral Altar – Mechanical Tides CD (Season Of Mist)
Corrupt Moral Altar is a difficult band to pin down. Despite being wholeheartedly embraced by the grindcore community, this gruesome quartet are not your average assortment of blastbeat fanatics, imbuing their vitriolic sound with colossal swathes of Iron Monkey style sludge.
Crown The Empire – Resistance: Rise Of The Runaways CD (Rise)
New album from the Texan metalcore band.
Warren Cuccurullo/Ustad Sultan Khan – The Master CD (Six Degrees)
Khan’s collaboration with former Duran Duran and Frank Zappa guitarist Warren Cuccurullo weren’t exactly lost, just put on hold since the 1998 recording session in London. Recorded during a predominantly spontaneous weekend, The Master features Khan’s inimitable sarangi playing and singing with a lushly textured ambient guitar soundtrack provided by Cuccurullo.
The Dagger – The Dagger CD (Century Media)
While there certainly has been a revival of ‘70s rock and traditional ‘80s metal in recent years, this Swedish band thought many acts around lacked the right feeling and sound, so they set out to create real classic hard rock/heavy metal rooted in blues rock and perform it simply the way they like to hear it themselves.
Dalhous – Will To Be Well CD/2xLP (Blackest Ever Black)
The 15 tracks assembled here showcase the maturation of a uniquely gifted and expressive composer: writer/producer Marc Dall’s stirring, efflorescent melodies and stately harmonic architectures, with their grievously honed simplicity, are a delight: lucid, lyrical, immediate. For all the modernity of Dalhous’ approach, the album recalls a bygone era in synthesized and sample-based music, a time when its practitioners were not just set-designers but storytellers, too.
Dog Fashion Disco – Sweet Nothings CD (Rotten)
DFD’s first new album in eight years further expands on their ska roots by blending in elements of metal, hardcore, jazz, pop, country and dub.
Mike Doughty – Live At Ken’s House CD (Snack Bar)
An album of 14 Soul Coughing songs, played live (some with a band, some acoustic).
Drenge – Drenge CD/LP (Infectious Music)
Drenge (Danish for “boys”) hail from Castleton, near Sheffield in the North of England. The Loveless brothers have an uncanny ability to tap into the insouciance, confusion and chaos of today’s generation while at the same time translating it into a vicious serotonin rush. Even though the brothers are barely in their 20s, they have accumulated enough confidence, vim and vigor in their music to sweep any discerning listener off their feet.
The Durutti Column – Chronicle LX: XI 2xCD (Kooky)
This partly autobiographical album was first commissioned for a performance in April 2011 at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. During this period, Vini and Poppy (his girlfriend of nine years) parted company and it was a heartbroken Vini that went on to complete the production. Despite the breakup, Poppy had agreed to perform on piano that evening for two of the songs that she had written with Vini accompanying on guitar. Over the following three years, the artist has battled serious illness and has not played a full show since. It was – and still is – a very difficult time physically, mentally and emotionally for Vini Reilly. The compositions reflect a particular stage in Vini’s recent life.
Lawrence English – Wilderness Of Mirrors CD/LP (Room40)
Wilderness Of Mirrors is the new album from Lawrence English. This album has been two years in the making and the first album created since the release of his 2011 ode to J.A. Baker’s novel, The Peregrine. It is English’s most tectonic auditory offering to date, an unrelenting passage of colliding waves of harmony and dynamic live instrumentation. It is reflection upon reflection, a pure whiteout of absolute aurality.
Field Mouse – Hold Still Life CD/LP (Topshelf)
A mix of dreamy reverb-tinged guitars and synthesizers, Field Mouse blends the hard edges of indie rock with the warmer stylings of dream pop and shoegaze. Their songs lure you in with saccharine melodies and soothing vocals, and turn on you without warning with biting lyrics and a thick layered wall of fuzz guitar.
Dom Flemons – Prospect Hill CD/LP (Music Maker)
Dom Flemons is most recognized by music aficionados as a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, but this past December he celebrated his final days with the group as he began the road towards a solo career. Diving way back into yesteryear, Flemons set out to combine several styles including southern folk, spiritual, and front porch jug and strings while pulling them together to make one cohesive album.
Flintface – Hope CD (Tell The Rest)
The Philadelphia rocker’s Flintface releases his new new album was produced by Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Ziggy Marley). Said Joe Scorsone, aka Flintface, “This record is about having faith in where we are headed.” His background can be traced to the streets of West Philadelphia, where, as the son of a minister, he was involved from a very young age in giving back to the local community. At the same time, sadly, he was a victim of abuse that set his formative years on a dark course of insecurity and depression.
Forevermore – Telos CD (Solid State)
Telos, meaning “an end or purpose” is a fresh breath in the metalcore genre the fans of August Burns Red, Every Time I Die, For Today and A Day To Remember will enjoy.
Four Years Strong – Go Down In History CDEP (Pure Noise)
New EP from the Warped Tour veterans. Fast, catchy, and just plain fun. Vinyl version due August 19.
Fozzy – Do You Wanna Start A War CD (Century Media)
“We wanted to do something a little different. We love, obviously, Avenged Sevenfold or Five Finger Death Punch, we love Iron Maiden, we love Ozzy. But we also love Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin and Queen and U2 and The Beatles, bands that would always broaden their horizons, but still sound… the core of the band’s sound was still there, but they would different things.”
Freeman – Freeman CD/LP (Partisan)
Freeman is Aaron Freeman’s first album of original material since disbanding Ween and getting sober, but it’s not a record mired in its maker’s private struggles. It’s a collection of gorgeous, subtly offbeat songs.
Gentle Giant – The Power & The Glory (Mixed By Steven Wilson) CD/CD+DVD/CD+Blu-ray/LP (Alucard)
Digitally remixed, remastered and expanded edition of this 1974 album from the prog rock band. Steven has remixed this album keeping the essence of the original mixes but adding specific touches that he believed were important to garner an even better audiophile listening experience. Available in Regular single-disc and Expanded editions. Expanded adds either 5.1 Blu-ray or DVD audio.
Got A Girl – I Love You But I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now CD/LP (Bulk Recordings)
In the grand tradition of great pop duos like Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, Captain and Tenille, Simon And Garfunkel, Hall And Oates, and Shields And Yarnell; Got A Girl is the blossoming collaboration between Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Smashed, The Spectacular Now) and superproducer Dan ‘The Automator’ Nakamura (Gorillaz, Deltron 3030).
(Hed)p.e. – Evolution CD (Pavement Music)
(Hed)p.e. has their sights firmly set on the New World Order and they are using their brand of hardcore to bring it down. While early (Hed)p.e. albums found them mixed up in the rock & roll lifestyle, the group have been reborn to become the voice for a movement that empowers the youth and explores Secret World History, and at the same time promotes unity and political activism. Always pushing the envelope, (Hed)p.e.’s new album Evolution is built on heavy dark riffs and deep, solid grooves.
Hook & Anchor – Hook & Anchor CD/LP (Jealous Butcher)
After a busy five years touring with Portland band Blind Pilot, Kati Claborn, sitting on a pile of tunes, enlisted Erik Clampitt to form Hook & Anchor. The band’s debut is adventurous, yet accessible, stitched together by a reverence for traditional American music. The album exists somewhere at the confluence of country, folk, and rock, with every track pushing definitions across a new border.
Ill Nino – Til Death La Familia CD (Victory)
Prominent hard rock/Latin metal pioneers Ill Nino assert their dominance on their seventh full-length album. Revered for their bilingual vocals and fusion of Latin-influenced, dynamic and melodic metal, Ill Nino has been a mainstay in the genre for over 15 years.
Joyce Manor – Never Hungover Again CD/LP+CD (Epitaph)
Think the speed and sense of melody of the Descendents, the artfully bittersweet lyricism of Jawbreaker and the undeniable heart-on-sleeve honesty of the first two Weezer albums.
Sammy Kershaw – Do You Know Me? A Tribute To George Jones CD/LP (Big Hit)
A 14-song collection of songs made famous by his long-time, dear friend, George Jones.
King Asgard – Karg CD (Metal Blade)
Third album from the Swedish Viking black metal-tinged act.
La Hell Gang – Thru Me Again CD/LP (Mexican Summer)
Hailing from Santiago, which plays host to an ever-growing psychedelic scene (Holydrug Couple, Follakzoid, La Banda, etc), the La Hell Gang creates a remote and wild brand of rock & roll. The eight tracks across Thru Me Again weave seamlessly, channeling heat, light and endless desert dunes.
La Roux – Trouble In Paradise CD/LP (Interscope)
Sophomore album from the British electropop act.
Oliver Leib – Inside Voices CD (Psychonavigation)
Frankfurt based DJ and producer Oliver Lieb is involved in the production of electronic music since 1988. With more than 300 singles and albums including remixes for Faithless, Moby, Snap, Yello, Human League, Mory Kante, Utah Saints to name a few, he made it in the premier league of international producers and keeps surprising and amazing people with his extraordinary sounds and diversity.
Love Dominique – Love Dominique CD (Love Sound Music)
New release from Houston-based R&B singer Dominique Henry aka Love Dominique.
Lust Of Decay – Infesting The Exhumed CD (Comatose Music)
Catchy, memorable and brutalizing death metal.
Martyrdöd – Elddop CD (Southern Lord)
“The last album from Sweden’s Martyrdöd, 2012’s Paranoia, was a fire-starting collision of crust punk and melodic death metal with some lead-guitar heroics that occasionally lifted the whole thing to Iron Maiden-levels of fist-pumping anthemry; it landed at #8 on our list of that year’s best metal albums. Now, the band are set to release their fifth album, Elddop, and the new one doesn’t merely improve on the band’s already incredible body of work; it distills Martyrdöd’s sound to its most exciting elements, leaving everything but the highlights on the cutting-room floor.” – Stereogum
Monarch – Sabbracadaver CD (Profound Lore)
New release from France’s most punishing and well-known extreme doom metal bands. For years, Monarch has been delivering some of the most punishing amplifier worship. Earning this reputation over the course of countless live shows and tours, Monarch is truly an experience to behold within the realm of doom metal. A heaving, earth-rumbling low-end rhythm section underpins crawling, churning riffs of despair, while the harsh and commanding vocals of Emilie Bresson hold all within their spellbinding grip.
Monomyth – Saturnalia Regalia! CD (Mint)
Monomyth is a crown jewel in the court of the crimson and clover. The Halifax four-piece carries on the hallowed East Coast tradition of janglophile pop with a smirking sense of humor, stadium-sized hooks and starry-eyed harmonies from the barbershop of broken dreams. Vinyl version due August 5.
The Moons – Mindwaves CD/LP (Scnitzel)
“A rich sounding, 21st century, psychedelic space odyssey, it’s full of well-crafted songs and infectious rhythms, steeped in love and destruction, peace and paranoia. Classic pop melodies brim with tight harmonies and layered guitars resulting in a rich and varied collection of songs.”
— Mojo Magazine
Mutilation Rites – Harbinger CD/LP/Cassette (Prosthetic)
Mutilation Rites is a filthy black metal band out of Brooklyn that incorporates elements of doom, blackened thrash, and crust with influences including, but not limited to, Darkthrone, Discharge and Dissection.
Nico Vega – Lead To Light CD (Five Seven Music)
Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds has been singing Nico Vega’s praises for years. “I like the band so much that I married the lead singer (Aja Volkman),” he told USA Today in 2012. For the new album, Volkman and her bandmates — guitarist Rich Koehler, and drummer Dan Epand, along with Reynolds handling production — smoothed the edges of their raw brand of indie rock with dance beats and big, booming pop sounds.
Nightmare And The Cat – Simple CD/LP (Capitol)
London-via-Los Angeles indie rockers Nightmare And The Cat were formed in 2010 by brothers Django and Samuel Stewart, sons of Eurythmics founding member Dave Stewart and Bananarama’s Siobhan Fahey. After working extensively in various bands around L.A., the brothers were joined by vocalist/guitarist Claire Acey, bassist Scott Henson, and drummer Spike Phillips to form the new act.
OBN III’s – Live In San Francisco CD/LP (Castle Face)
“These dudes are animals, period. This live recording is mixed like a hot pan on the brain, and it captures the raw live energy of a great OBN III’s show. Just about every night from note one, Orville [Bateman Neeley III] is in the crowd touching faces of fans and making OBN virgins uncomfortable. Let them touch your face (ewww).” — John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees)
Overkill – White Devil Armory CD (E1)
Thrash metal for for fans of Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Slayer and Metallica. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds two bonus tracks.
Bobby Patterson – I Got More Soul CD (Omnivore)
New album from the American musician/singer/songwriter and record producer. Bobby Patterson’s life in music has had many facets. Whether as a DJ in Texas, a producer for artists like Fontella Bass and Little Johnny Taylor, a writer whose work has been covered by everyone from Albert King to The Fabulous Thunderbirds to Golden Smog, or as a recording artist, Bobby always brings the soul.
The Phantom Band – Strange Friend CD/LP (Chemikal Underground)
The Phantom Band return after three and a half years with their third album Strange Friend. The album doesn’t have one firm concept at its root but several, infused with multiple meanings it reflects the constant percolation of voices within the Scottish six-piece, all jostling for their say.
PS I Love You – For Those Who Stay CD/LP (Paper Bag)
Third album from a Canadian duo that “shred[s] like Ratatat on a ZZ Top kick through a Wolf Parade stomper, or Broken Social Scene crashing a high school battle-of-the-bands.” [Pitchfork] Previous albums Meet Me At The Muster Station [2010] and Death Dreams [2012] were long listed for the Polaris Music Prize.
Rage Nucléaire – Black Storm Of Violence CD (Season Of Mist)
New album from the Canadian extreme metallers.
Raveonettes – Pe’ahi CD/LP (The Raveonettes Ltd.)
Peahi (/pe’hi/ pay-ah-hee; is a place on the north shore of the island of Maui. It has lent its name to a big wave surfing break, also known as Jaws. During off-season the spot is taken over by meth fuelled crazies and people are advised to not venture out there. Immersed in the surf-history of Southern California, where both Sharin and Sune reside, the album incorporates various elements from this culture into every song both lyrically and musically.
Real Friends – Maybe This Place Is The Same And We’re Just Changing CD/LP (Fearless)
One of Alternative Press’ Most Anticipated Bands of 2014, Real Friends is an emo/pop punk band from Chicago.
Steve Roach – The Delicate Forever CD (Projekt)
A reverie of gentle and etheric ambient sound meditations that awaken listener’s complex and resonant states of emotional and psychological awareness. The nuanced, minimal electronics interplay with musical space, silence, and rich textural colors in a subtle dynamic flow that nurture the senses.
Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty CD/2×10” (Mash Down)
This is the 7th studio record from the Californian progressive rock band. Produced by Jason Cupp (The Mars Volta, Boy Sets Fire, The Ataris).
Saga – Sagacity 2xCD (Eagle Rock)
With Saga’s new album Sagacity, the Canadian progressive rockers manage to keep their signature sound alive with a touch of modernity. Includes a bonus disc of their greatest hits.
Chris Smither – Still On The Levee 2xCD (Signature Sounds)
Double-CD set celebrating the 50th anniversary of Chris Smither’s career. These are newly recorded versions of Smither’s best material, recorded in his hometown of New Orleans with an all-star band and special guests including Allen Toussaint and Loudon Wainwright. Other guest appearances include Kris Delmhorst and members of renowned rock band Morphine.
Test Of Time – By Design CD (Bridge Nine)
Taking cues from seminal hardcore acts, Test Of Time play an aggressive onslaught of thoughtful and melodic youth crew hardcore likely to please fans of Youth Of Today, Turning Point and In My Eyes.
Various Artists – Putumayo Presents: Americana CD (Putumayo World Music)
From Austin to Asheville, contemporary singer/songwriters explore America’s rural musical roots.
Various Artists – Putumayo Presents: Cajun CD (Putumayo World Music)
A fascinating musical journey to the bayous of southwest Louisiana. Like its cousin, Zydeco, Cajun music’s origins are in France and it’s motto is: laissez les bon temps roulez (let the good times roll).
Wakey!Wakey! – Salvation CD/LP (MummaGrubbs)
Michael Grubbs performed in bar bands and musical theater productions before launching Wakey!Wakey!, a pop/rock group that put his piano background and vocal skills to good use. Grubbs’ childhood had been filled with piano lessons — his mother, a longtime piano teacher, made sure her children practiced the instrument daily — and he built Wakey!Wakey!’s sound upon the influence of Billy Joel, Elton John, Gershwin, and other ivory-pounding songwriters.
War Of Ages – Supreme Chaos CD (Facedown)
Supreme Chaos sees the band joined by guitarist Jack Daniels (Hope For The Dying), who brings more texture, dynamics and shredding to the mix.
Allison Weiss – Remember When CDEP/LP (No Sleep)
Remember When is an EP filled with songs of nostalgia, hindsight and the constant struggle of expectations versus reality. Weiss’s signature power-pop is still at the forefront but there’s a new, subdued and laid back coloring too much of these songs. Even a heartbreaking and touching rendition of Robyn’s dance floor classic, “Call Your Girlfriend,” also graces the EP. One can easily imagine Weiss finding inspiration for these songs on a crisp California night with a group of friends gathered around a bonfire.
White Fence – For The Reality Found Innocent CD/LP/Cassette (Drag City)
For The Recently Found Innocent is the fifth White Fence album, as well as their first to be recorded outside the bedroom (with live drumming), and was recorded by Ty Segall. White Fence conjure a fantasy about reality, of the world as it is and should always be; their songs are alterna-hits played out in green sun, in blue air, on repeat, relentless, righteous in the privacy of the front-parlor and yes, the bedroom.
Within The Ruins – Phenomena CD (E1)
Phenomena maintains an emphasis on showmanship with ever increasing diversity, smartly sidestepping predictable structures and contrived breakdowns. Within The Ruins are exploring the type of sonic textures and esoteric territory explored by Gojira. In some spots, a more nuanced vocal assault creeps in, with powerful might.
Yes – Heaven & Earth CD (Frontiers)
Heaven & Earth is the first Yes album featuring new singer Jon Davison along with bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, and keyboardist Geoff Downes and follows on the heels of 2011’s Fly From Here.
ZZ Top – Baddest CD (Rhino)
ZZ Top – Very Baddest 2xCD (Rhino)
ZZ Top underscore their bad and nationwide bonafides with two new hits collections packed with many of the biggest songs that have made ”that little ol’ band from Texas” among rock’s most legendary groups.
DVD + Blu-ray:
Ministry – Last Tangle In Paris: Live 2012 DeFiBrilLaTouR Blu-ray+2xCD (UDR)
Ministry’s Last Tangle In Paris documents a time capsule in music history that will never be repeated. In addition to live Ministry performances, it also embodies rare backstage footage and one-on-one interviews. Ministry founder and frontman, Al Jourgensen has no intention to tour Ministry ever again, and thus this documentary is most certainly Jourgensen’s last tangle in Paris. 90 minutes.
ZZ Top – Live At Montreux 2013 DVD/Blu-ray (Eagle Vision)
ZZ Top has made a number of visits to Montreux over the years, and this concert from the 2013 Festival is undoubtedly one of their finest live performances. The set list blends tracks from early seventies albums such as Tres Hombre and Fandango through their eighties blockbuster period with Eliminator and Afterburner and up to their most recent release and return to their blues roots with La Futura. 93 minutes.
Vinyl:
50 Cent – Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire To Win 2xLP (G-Unit)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Fifth album from the rapper features guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Trey Songz, Kidd Kidd, Jadakiss, Mr. Probz, Guordan Banks, Prodigy, Schoolboy Q and Styles P.
Bathory – Bathory [Reissue/1984] LP (Plastic Head America)
Bathory – Under The Sign Of The Black Mark [Reissue/1987] LP (Plastic Head America)
Bathory – Hammerheart [Reissue/1990] 2xLP (Plastic Head America)
Bathory – Twilight Of The Gods [Reissue/1991] LP (Plastic Head America)
Bathory – Blood On Ice [Reissue/1996] LP (Plastic Head America)
Bathory was essentially a one-man band, fronted by Quorthon and filled out with an endless string of session players who usually only lasted one album. Based in Sweden, Bathory is widely regarded as a pioneer of the modern black metal sound, and everybody who is anybody in black metal likes to quote Bathory as a big influence.
Cannabis Corpse – From Wisdom To Baked LP (Season Of Mist)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. New album from the weed-obsessed death metal band. The trio, including Municipal Waste bassist/Iron Reagan guitarist Landphil and former Gwar guitarist Brent Legion, fuse influences from the halcyon days Florida death metal into a brutal, modern US death metal attack.
Tom Carter – Numinal Entry LP (Halatern Etc.)
Uber limited new album from the psych/folk/drone guitarist and founding member of Charalambides. Two side-long tracks.
Duran Duran – Rio [Reissue/1982] 2xLP (Rhino)
Rio is the second studio album by the British rock band Duran Duran, originally released worldwide on May 10, 1982. The album was re-released in the United States in November 1982. It is arguably the best album of their career and features the hits “Rio,” “Hungry Like The Wolf,” “New Religion,” and “Save A Prayer.” This double-LP edition features the 2009 remastered versions, and contains the US mixes of four tracks along with “My Own Way (Carnival Remix).”
Executive Slacks – Executive Slacks [Reissue/1983] LP (Dark Entries)
Executive Slacks was spawned in the humidity of post-industrial Philadelphia by restless art students Matt Marello, John Young and Albert Ganss. Starting with performance art in subways, they soon took their angst-ridden act to galleries and night clubs. The Slacks drew their influences from contemporaries like Cabaret Voltaire and Tuxedomoon, but also from extremes like disco and dadaism.
Exiles From Clown Town – Tape Scissors Rock LP (Soft Abuse)
Thuggish zen punk trio Exiles From Clowntown have operated in quiet corners and with genuine mystery for several years. Tape Scissors Rock was made using the group’s three 7” singles as a foundation. If it were it a building, it’d be brutalist and utilitarian. Inside, cryptic sci-fi, surf and road movies run on a loop, soundtracked by three strangely normal looking blokes wrestling mutant tunes from guitar, bass and drums.
Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace [Reissue/1972] 2xLP (Atlantic)
Amazing Grace is the third live album by American singer Aretha Franklin. Released on June 1, 1972 by Atlantic Records, It ultimately sold over two million copies in the United States alone, earning a Double Platinum certification. As of 2013, it stands as the biggest selling disc of Aretha’s entire fifty-plus year recording career. It won the 1973 Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance.
Neil Hamburger – The First Dismay LP/Cassette (Drag City)
Specially chosen stand-up comedy recordings from Neil’s recent appearances at coveted nightclubs in London, Savannah, and L.A. are interspersed with musical cries for help, as Neil emotes with the purely professional panache of the “Too Good For Neil Hamburger Band” in support.
Donny Hathaway – Extension Of A Man [Reissue/1973] LP (Atlantic)
HQ-180gm vinyl reissue of the soul legend’s last studio album, originally released in 1973.
Kyuss – Wretch [Reissue/1991] 2xLP (Elektra)
Kyuss – Blues For Red Sun [Reissue/1992] LP (Elektra)
Kyuss – Welcome To Sky Valley [Reissue/1994] LP (Elektra)
Kyuss – And The Circus Leaves Town… [Reissue/1995] LP (Elektra)
Stoner rock band formed in 1988 as Katzenjammer. They changed their name to Sons Of Kyuss in 1989 and released a self-titled EP in the following year. In 1991 the band shortened its name to Kyuss. They released four full-length albums, most of which have been out-of-print for some time and fetch serious coin on the collector’s market.
Mac Blackout Band – Mac Blackout Band LP (Pelican Pow Wow)
For those in the know, yes, this is Mac Blackout of Mickey, Daily Void, and The Functional Blackouts. Back in the glam punk game, this LP is full of screams, synths, and shredding solos. Everything you could want from the master of modern punk.
Maggie’s Marshmallows – Come Along b/w Born Loser 7” (Get Hip)
Debut single by this teenage garage punk trio from Prague.
Mamaleek – He Never Spoke A Mumblin’ Word LP (The Flenser)
He Never Spoke A Mumblin’ Word is the fourth full-length from electronic black metal band Mamaleek. “The duo—a pair of brothers who prefer to keep their identities a secret—mix Middle Eastern song structures and samples, atonal experimental and avant-garde accents, guttural black metal howls, accessible electronic breakbeats, sludgy doom metal guitar-work, nimble piano interludes, and plenty of pop panache to create an unrelenting, moving sound.” — Forbes
Melchior und das Menace– Hunger LP (Castle Face)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. What we have here is a fabulous collection of classic Melchior und das Menace. We asked, he let us dig through the archive, and lo and behold: Hunger, a grip of unreleased Melchior gold. It will take less than ten seconds for the high to kick in after the rush of greasy guitars consume you at the get-go of “A Wizard Doesn’t Need A Computer.” And yes, he’s taking the piss.
Nawa – Ancient Sufi Invocations & Forgotten Songs from Aleppo LP (Electric Cowbell)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. A collection of ultra rare Sufi recordings captured in Syria months before civil war erupted. Beautiful, sacred chanting and haunting melodies recorded in the courtyard of a 500-year-old house in one of the world’s oldest cities. An ominous statement from one of the worlds most sacred and ancient vocal traditions. HQ-180gm gram vinyl with bonus material and metallic gatefold jacket.
Nervebreakers – I Wanna Kill You b/w They Were Doin’ The Pogo 7” (Get Hip)
New single features an original 1977 alternate track from their latest LP Hijack The Radio while the B-side premieres “They Were Doin’ The Pogo”, a brand new cut from their newly recorded forthcoming LP.
Molly Nilssen – These Things Take Time 2xLP (Dark Skies Association/Night School)
Originally self-released in 2008 on a limited CDR run with hand-folded sleeve, Nilsson’s debut album has slowly taken over the hearts of many. In 2014 this modern classic of autonomous, DIY pop and punk-as-you-like attitude is presented on vinyl for the first time.
Pavement – Demolition Plot J-7 [Reissue/1990] Drag City)
Reissue of the first of three Pavement singles to be issued by Drag City.
Pusswhip Banggang – Jambalaya 12” (Drag City)
Pusswhip Banggang first debuted on Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! in 2006. The package for this single is ultra-deluxe: gatefold jacket with reverse-side printing on the boards, direct-metal mastered full color picture-disc with custom shape and insert with recipe included.
Roll The Dice – Until Silence 2xLP+CD (Leaf)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Until Silence marks a monumental shift for Roll The Dice. The characteristic framework of piano and synthesizer is reinforced with a newly conscripted string section: dramatic arrangements grind against furnace blasts of static, and phases of unrelenting rhythmic intensity collapse into moments of frayed, fragile beauty.
Royal Trux – Hero Zero b/w Love Is… [Reissue/1989] (Drag City)
Reissue of Drag City’s very first release. Reviled in its day for its use of Moog synthesizer, but 25 years later, Royal Trux’s catalog contains many perennial favorites and Neil and Jennifer are still going strong.
Running – Frizzled 7” (God? Records)
Equal parts shamble-dance and noise-pop, Running drive relentlessly while shouting their hilarious lyrics with vigor from the bottom of a well of cheap reverb.
Severed Heads – Dark Eyes Opened [Reissue/1983] LP (Dark Entries)
Severed Heads are one of the longest standing bands to have emerged from the Australian post-punk and experimental scene. They began in Sydney in 1979, and were an early outfit to incorporate elements of industrial noise-generation, tape-cutting and looping, and electronic sound synthesis. As the project developed, song-structures and vocals were employed in a more-or-less recognizable mutant electro pop style.
Siamese Twins – Still Corner 7” (Eunuch Records)
“One part twee, two parts goth. Darkly shaded dream pop with a familiar sound – the dim crunch of Black Tambourine, the cool, textured vocals. The band has an immediacy that may come from their backgrounds in punk/hardcore bands like Ampere, Libyans, and Confins.” — Pitchfork
The Story So Far – Songs Of LP (Pure Noise)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The Story So Far is back with a new EP just in time for their appearance on the main stage at the 2014 Vans Warped Tour. Songs Of The Story So Far is made up of a few familiar favorites from the band’s 2013 album What You Don’t See, as well as a couple of new surprises.
Straight Arrows – Make Up Your Mind b/w Two Timer 7” (Agitated)
This is dancing music — garage pop nuggets that will get you up out of your dronesome slumber and force some rug cutting antics.
Tilts – Cuatro Hombres LP+MP3 (Robotic Empire)
St. Louis quartet Tilts return with ten brand new tracks of killer rock & roll. Guitarist/vocalist Andrew Elstner splits his time between Tilts and Torche and can sing like a mofo; these soaring vocals land atop catchy songs both heavy and melodic. Color vinyl with download.
The Ugly Beats – Brand New Day LP (Get Hip)
Your favorite Texas garage band has committed twelve new songs to wax. (Limited copies pressed on orange vinyl.)
Various Artists – I Hear The Devil Calling Me [Reissue/1991] 7” (Drag City)
Reissue of Drag City’s eighth release which features twelve one-minute-or-less songs by twelve New Zealand artists including: Alastair Galbraith, The Dead C, Dadamah, and more.
Xymox – Subsequent Pleasures [Reissue/1984] LP (Dark Entries)
First layering the drone-like tones of monophonic synthesizers over tape loops and rhythm tracks, Xymox recorded guitar and bass without the use of computers. The five-song Subsequent Pleasures EP was released in 1984 and limited to 500 vinyl copies, serving as a precursor to the dark wave sounds they would champion on their self-titled debut on 4AD the following year.
Matthew Young – Recurring Dreams [Reissue/1981] LP (Drag City)
At the apex of the Eno/Berlin schools’ influence over a myriad of American followers, Matthew Young created eight EMS/Rhodes pieces solo, subtly weaving in variable-speed Revox manipulation of traditional rock instrumentation with the lightest of touches. Fans of Erik Satie, JD Emmanuel, private-issue new age or the more placid side of minimal synth should take note of this one.
Cassettes:
Bonnie Billy & The Picket Line – Funtown Comedown (Sea Note)
Live recording of Bonnie and the bluegrass band, The Picket Line. The songs they play are music for an afternoon, an evening, and a night. Includes songs by the great Merle Haggard, Ralph Stanley and Palace Brothers.
Neil Hamburger – The First Dismay (Drag City)
Specially chosen stand-up comedy recordings from Neil’s recent appearances at coveted nightclubs in London, Savannah, and L.A. are interspersed with musical cries for help, as Neil emotes with the purely professional panache of the “Too Good For Neil Hamburger Band” in support.
Mutilation Rites – Harbinger (Prosthetic)
Mutilation Rites is a filthy black metal band out of Brooklyn that incorporates elements of doom, blackened thrash, and crust with influences including, but not limited to, Darkthrone, Discharge and Dissection.
White Fence – For The Reality Found Innocent (Drag City)
For the Recently Found Innocent is the fifth White Fence album, as well as their first to be recorded outside the bedroom (with live drumming), and was recorded by Ty Segall. White Fence conjure a fantasy about reality, of the world as it is and should always be; their songs are alterna-hits played out in green sun, in blue air, on repeat, relentless, righteous in the privacy of the front-parlor and yes, the bedroom.
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