CDs + Vinyl:
Béatrice Alunni/Marc Peillon – Dance With Me CD (ITI)
Dance With Me is a musical book of poems composed and interpreted by Béatrice Alunni
(piano) and Marc Peillon (double bass) who both reside on the Côte d’Azur in France.
American Heritage – Prolapse CD/LP (Solar Flare)
Fourth LP from the tech metal/hardcore band.
Arthur – Dreams And Images [Reissue/1968] CD/LP (Light In The Attic)
Released on Lee Hazlewood’s LHI label, the haunted Dreams And Images is the first of two albums from the Melbourne, Florida-born singer/songwriter. Though his lonely, intimate music, shy demeanor, and stutter might not have suggested a man of great ambition, Arthur moved to Hollywood chasing the music industry dream.
Robin Bacior – Water Dreams CD (Good Mountain)
New album from the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter. Water dreams are common and full of multi-faceted meaning, but in general they signify emotional change. This album is about ideas and paths not working out, and how humbling that can be to process. The instrumentation is meant to reflect various bodies of water, and the feeling of wading through your own life’s current.
Black Knives – Thirteenth Hour CD (Innerstrength)
This hardcore quintet mixes massive mosh parts and heavy riffs for fans of bands like Terror, Hatebreed, Stick To Your Guns and Walls Of Jericho.
California X – Nights In The Dark CD/LP+MP3 (Don Giovanni)
After last years impressive grunge influenced debut, California X return with grubby 1980s thrash and alt-rock reworked with catchier melodies and dense guitar layers. Head-nodding teen angst is great, but by blending a diverse range of influences from small scenes they create something original enough to stand outside all those references.
C’mon Tigre – C’mon Tigre CD/2xLP (Africantape)
Having collaborated with artist G. Toccafando on a vibrant football-themed animated video, C’mon Tigre drop their debut album. The duo specializes in a sinewy lo-fi funk pop with slightly Sun City Girls-ish Eastern-inflected guitar and soulfully mumbled vocals, gritty drum machines and a whole raft of international collaborators.
The Crown – Death Is Not Dead CD (Century Media)
Reactivated Swedish death/thrash metallers The Crown celebrate their 25th anniversary with a new studio album.
Kat Dahlia – My Garden CD (Epic)
This Cuban/American songwriter’s electrifying sound is a sultry mix of pop, Latin, hip-hop and reggae influences.
Justin Townes Earl – Absent Fathers CD/LP (Vagrant)
Following the success of his fifth-studio-album, Single Mothers, Justin Townes Earle releases the companion album, Absent Fathers. Comprised of 10 tracks, Absent Fathers was recorded alongside Single Mothers as a double album, but as Justin began to sequence it, he felt each half needed to make its own statement and they took on their own identities.
Einherjer – Av Oss For Oss CD (Indie Recordings)
Sixth full-length album by the Norwegian Viking metal band.
The Expendables – Sand In The Sky CD/LP (Controlled Substance)
Sixth album from the Santa Cruz reggae rock outfit. The Expendables formed in 1997 and have toured with acts such as 311, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Less Than Jake. Sand In The Sky was mixed by Butthole Surfer guitarist and producer Paul Leary (Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, U2, Weezer).
German Panzer – Send Them All To Hell CD/2xLP (Nuclear Blast)
New album from the Teutonic heavy metal trio.
Guster – Evermotion CD/LP (Nettwerk)
Produced by Richard Swift (The Shins, Foxygen, Stereolab), Evermotion bulldozes inhibitions, propelling the band to a harder-charging, more freewheeling sound as heard on lead single, “Simple Machine.” Packed with tight hooks, muscular guitar riffs, clanging percussion and surprisingly dark lyrics, the new album features adventurous turns on slide guitars, brassy trumpets and a glockenspiel, with sax and trombone accompaniment.
Haunted Heads – Haunted Heads CDEP/10” (Doubleplusgood)
Oshkosh, WI’s Haunted Heads build upon the strength of their 2012 debut with the stellar seven-song Haunted Heads EP. Fronted by both Andrew Johnson (Happy, H. Chinaski) and Eric Van Thiel (the Willis), the pair provides relentless harmonies, hooks, and guitar-laden melodies. Johnson and Van Thiel are joined by former Happy rhythm section, Kyle Straveler (bass) and Chad Lorge (drums) creating a straightforward tirade of tight driving rhythms and growling lines.
Liam Hayes – Slurrup CD/LP (Fat Possum)
Chicago-based musician Liam Hayes has been making soulful baroque pop for a couple decades now. His orchestral leanings and respect for the classical age of American pop have earned him plenty of comparisons to Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach, and have made him an icon in the small but fervent cult devoted to that sound. One of his better-known fans is Roman Coppola, who had Hayes appear in his film A Glimpse Inside The Mind Of Charles Swan III.
Ella Henderson – Chapter One CD (Columbia)
Debut album from the British vocalist, best known for finishing sixth place on the ninth series of The X Factor, despite being the favorite to win. Includes production from Ryan Tedder, TMS, Steve Mac, Jamie Scott and others.
Holly & Plastic – We Will Give This World Away CD (Doubleplusgood)
Twangy roots meets punk meets bedroom pop.
Bob Ickes & Trey Hensley – Before The Sun Goes Down CD (Compass)
New release that pairs Rob Ickes, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 15-time Dobro Player Of Year, with rising singer/guitarist Trey Hensley whom Ickes recently discovered while recording in the Tri-Cities area of East Tennessee. After collaborating with Hensley on an album track from Blue Highway’s current release, and inviting him to guest on some live shows, Ickes was inspired for the two musicians to record a studio project together.
Inlegend – Stones At Goliath CD (Eat The Beat Music)
New release, the second album from the band that specializes in “hand-hammered piano craft.” The Inlegend songs are strongly heavy metal-influenced, however with a total lack of the guitar sounds of typical metal bands. Instead, Inlegend focus on the piano as the main instrument. Bastian Emig himself describes the sound as “Tori Amos on cocaine.”
Manu Katché – Live In Concert CD/LP (Act Music & Vision)
Both as a live and studio musician, Manu Katche is regarded one of the greatest drummers of our time. He has worked with pop greats such as Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Dire Straits, as well as great improvisers such as Jan Garbarek, Jeff Beck, and Pino Palladino. Katche’s work as a composer and bandleader is an integral part of his career. This is the first live recording of Katche’s own music, featuring his long-running quartet with Jim Watson (organ and piano), Luca Aquino (trumpet), and Tore Brunborg (saxophone).
Thomas Köner – Tiento De Las Nieves CD (Denovali)
To escape the rigidity of the piano in this 68-minute single piece, dark ambient pioneer Thomas Köner uses his distinctive ansatz to understand music as something filling the space of the temporal dimension rather than as a succession of multi-layered sounds. Over his long, celebrated career, he has worked between audiovisual installation works, sound art, minimal soundscapes, and as one half of Porter Ricks. Among others, he has composed film soundtracks and music to accompany historic silent films for the Louvre Museum and the Musée d Orsay, Paris, who have called him a major innovator in the contemporary music scene. Vinyl version due February 10.
Manes – Be All End All CD (Debemur Morti Prod.)
Norwegian oddballs Manes release a dark, evocative new album. “A very curious hybrid of genres, but black metal is most definitely not one of them. “From opening track ‘A Deathpact Most Imminent,’ you’re introduced to this rather relaxed and roomy clean guitar groove, draped in space and accompanied by somber vocal lines. It immediately put me to mind of the atmosphere of doom metal bands such as Warning and 40 Watt Sun, without the distortion.” – Ultimate Guitar
Dan Mangan + Blacksmith – Club Meds CD/LP (Arts & Crafts)
After a two year hiatus, an induction into fatherhood, and some time to regroup, Dan Mangan has returned under a new moniker, Dan Mangan + Blacksmith. Produced by Colin Stewart (Destroyer, Black Mountain) and Dan Mangan, Club Meds at times evokes images of subtler American-underground innovators like Blonde Redhead or Steve Reich. At other moments, it hits emotional pay dirt reminiscent of British scene-survivors like Peter Gabriel or Radiohead. Blacksmith brings an unmistakable character to Club Meds; a stark glassy edge that swells and sways like a roaring ocean. Through a fog of analog feedback loops and synths, the band’s performances breathe deeply and steadily like a dragon at rest.
Mecca Normal – Empathy For The Evil CD/LP (M’Lady’s)
Empathy For The Evil is the first new album in eight years from Mecca Normal. Jean Smith and David Lester have once again rang the alarm, with nine new pieces that form an exquisite song cycle. Mecca Normal’s art and music has blown minds around the world for many years now, inspiring people to rattle punk orthodoxy as well as injecting a much-needed blast of intelligence, poise, and imagination into the sometimes listless underground discourse. Producer Kramer plays bass on all tracks and organ here and there.
Midlake – Milkmaid Grand Army [Reissue/2001] CDEP (Nova Postal)
This seven-song EP, which mixes motorik rhythms, dreamy arrangements, and lo-fi gargled vocals, recalling the likes of Grandaddy and Radiohead’s OK Computer, was originally released independently in 2001.
Alison Moyet – Minutes And Seconds – Live CD (Metropolis)
“Having worked live for an age with a traditional band line-up, I decided to return to my recording roots and an electronic pallet. This rapprochement begins with my 2013 album The Minutes, a body of work I wrote together with its producer Guy Sigsworth, resulting in a collection of material that is entirely pleasing for me to perform live.” — Alison Moyet
Mr. Gnome – The Heart Of A Dark Star CD/LP (El Marko)
Mr. Gnome’s The Heart Of A Dark Star forges beauty out of chaos with an explosive fusing of surreal psychedelia, layered vocals, searing guitars, and driving rhythms.
Ken Nardi – Dancing With The Past 2xCD (Divebomb)
New double-album from the heavy metal great. As the guitarist/vocalist/producer and chief writer, arranger and lyricist of Anacrusis from 1986-1993, Kenn Nardi was widely recognized as one of heavy metal’s most forward-thinking musical minds. After releasing four albums between 1998 and 1993 with Anacrusis, Kenn Nardi went the solo route under the Cruel April moniker in 2006, weaving acoustically driven material that was free of any genre expectations looming over his head. On his 2014 album, Dancing With The Past, Kenn Nardi has brought together all of the signature elements of Anacrusis’ sound, and melded them with the more streamlined songwriting approach of Cruel April.
Palisades – Mind Games CD (Rise)
A genre-bending mix of metalcore and EDM.
Panda Bear – Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper CD/LP (Domino)
Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper is the fifth studio album from Animal Collective founding member and critically acclaimed solo artist Noah Lennox, aka Panda Bear. It finds our hero leaving the airy minimalism of 2011’s Tomboy and unpacking his sonic toolbox again (with the help of Pete “Sonic Boom” Kember), rearranging the multitude of his disparate influences into the ever-morphing concoction he refers to as “the soup.” Old school hip-hop textures and production techniques meld with the intuitive, cyclical melodies he has become known for, for a sound that is at once dense and playful.
Chris Potter Underground Orchestra – Imaginary Cities CD (ECM)
Imaginary Cities is the recording premiere of saxophonist Chris Potter’s new Underground Orchestra. At the core of this larger ensemble is the personnel of his long-established Underground quartet with Adam Rogers, Craig Taborn and Nate Smith now joined by two bassists, a string quartet, and Potter s old comrade from Dave Holland Quintet days, vibes and marimba man Steve Nelson.
Pow Wows – Broken Curses CD/LP (Get Hip)
Long awaited second album by these garage rock heavyweights is here at last.
Mark Ronson – Uptown Special CD (RCA)
As a teenager growing up in New York City in the early ‘90s, Ronson gravitated towards hip-hop, funk, soul and R&B. Those were the records he lugged around in boxes in the early days of his club DJ career and that scratchy, influential vinyl was what he returned to when creating the album. Uptown Special, Ronson’s fourth album, was written and produced with producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Drake, Alicia Keys) over 18 months. The majority of the album’s lyrics although not the lead single with Mars – were written by Pulitzer-winning American novelist Michael Chabon. Ronson’s favorite living author, Chabon became a part of the songwriting process early on and was fully immersed in the album’s narrative creation, often working with Ronson and the vocalists in the recording studio. Guests include: Bruno Mars, Mystikal, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and more.
Jazzmine Sullivan – Reality Show CD (RCA)
Third album from the multi-Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter. Reality Show was produced by Salaam Remi, Key Wane, DJ Dahi, Chuck Harmony and DA Internz and includes the hit single “Dumb” featuring Meek Mill.
Sylosis – Dormant Heart CD (Nuclear Blast)
A mixture of intense heavy guitar riffs, breakdowns, thudding rhythm and singer Josh Middleton’s trademark growl. Vinyl version due January 27.
The Ting Tings – Super Critical CD (PIAS)
The Ting Tings, known for their massive hits “That’s Not My Name” and “Shut Up And Let Me Go,” among others, have taken an entirely new approach on their new album. Feeling uninspired, the two (Katie White and Jules De Martino) sought out an adventure in late 2012, which took them to Ibiza. As it turned out, unleashing their party spirit was exactly the impetus and momentum needed to craft something special and true to the starting spirit of their musical adventures. The result is Super Critical, a hook-stuffed, introspective, modern disco record.
While in Ibiza, someone introduced Katie and Jules to Duran Duran’s stalwart guitarist Andy Taylor who offered to help sift through some old demos and became co-producer of this project.
Meghan Trainor – Title CD/LP (Epic)
Highly anticipated debut album from the singer/songwriter. Meghan joined forces with Grammy-nominated producer/songwriter Kevin Kadish (Miley Cyrus, Jason Mraz) for her infectious debut single, “All About That Bass,” a playful, empowering and unapologetic pop anthem that encourages girls to ignore the Barbie doll standard of beauty and love themselves inside and out. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds four bonus tracks. Vinyl version pressed on white wax.
Various Artists – Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis 2xCD/3xLP (Nonesuch)
Live recording of a tribute concert celebrating the music of the Coen Brothers’ movie Inside Llewyn Davis. Features Jack White, Avett Brothers, Conor Oberst, Gillian Welch, Oscar Isaac, Marcus Mumford, Elvis Costello, Joan Baez, Punch Brothers, Chris Thile, Rhiannon Giddens, and more.
Various Artists – Early Indiana Punk & New Wave: The Crazy Al’s Years 2xCD (Time Change)
Documenting a vibrant and diverse Indianapolis area punk/new wave scene from 1976-1983 and featuring a mammoth lineup of 38 bands and 46 tracks, mostly original material, many unreleased and few available elsewhere today. Includes Zero Boys, MX-80 Sound, The Gizmos, Jetisons, Repellents, Your Parents, and many more. Carefully sequenced to flow from metallic punk and artsy new wave to revivalist garage, girl group, rockabilly, and ska.
Vexx – Vexx CD/LP (M’Lady’s)
Vexx, who hail from Olympia, Washington, have been devastating the underground in the Pacific Northwest for many months now. Recorded by the esteemed engineer Dave Harvey (who also recorded both “Hysterics” 7”s issued on M’lady’s), this EP originally came out in a tiny edition on the Grazer label late last year, which sold out instantly just on word of mouth.
J.D. Wilkes With Charlie Stamper – Cattle In The Cane CD/LP (1201 Music)
The first full-length solo album by J.D. Wilkes, Cattle In The Cane has true crossover appeal, catering to both traditional folk lovers and fans of his hard-driving rock & roll projects. The album features Charlie Stamper, a fiddle player who comes from an Appalachian lineage of mountain players.
DVDs + Blu-ray:
Genesis – Sum Of The Parts DVD/Blu-ray (Eagle Rock)
Sum Of The Parts is the official authorized story of Genesis made with the full co-operation of the band members. As seen on Showtime, it tells of the band’s formation at Charterhouse (where Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel and Mike Rutherford were all pupils) in the late sixties and the release of their debut album From Genesis To Revelation. The story then moves on through the departure of founder member Anthony Phillips and the arrival of Phil Collins and Steve Hackett in 1970 to form the five-man line-up that established the band’s career with albums such as Foxtrot and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. 124 minutes.
Guided By Voices – The Electrifying Conclusion [Reissue/2005] DVD (MVD)
Once upon-a-time, Guided By Voices broke up. Here is a reissue of the what was billed as “the chronicle of the last four hours of one of the greatest bands in rock,” filmed in Chicago, on New Year’s Eve 2004. 240 minutes.
This Week’s Vinyl Exclusives:
Ryan Adams – No Shadow 7” (Pax-Am)
The latest single in Adams’ Pax-Am series features Johnny Depp on the title track.
An-i – Gutz 12” (Cititrax)
An-i continues his love affair with electronics offering us three distinct slabs of throbbing machine funk. The opening track “Gutz” is a dense mutant high-energy number, modern yet timeless. Rut, the first track An-i recorded whilst still living in New York and the first one to catch our attention, opens the B side with a massive dose of syncopated Teutonic mayhem, spacier and sparser than the rest. “Save Us” completes the release with an anthem of dirty warehouse techno.
Aquadolls – Sun Soaked On You LP (Burger)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Sun-kissed teen dream beach pop debut on Burger Records. Pretty much sounds like Best Coast.
Ar-kaics – Ar-kaics LP (Windian)
Released last summer on CD – now available on vinyl. ichmond, Virginia’s THE AR-KAICS play a naïve brand of punk music in the tradition of American teen beat and amateur garage circa 1965/’66.
Sir Richard Bishop/Bill Orcutt – Road Stories (Kali) LP (Unrock)
The first installment in Unrock’s new string wringer Saraswati Series presents two of today’s most extraordinary guitar maniacs captured on location. While Bill Orcutt, “Re-inventor Of The Blues,” falls from abstraction into acoustic hardcore serenade on his wooden four-string guitar, the Kali-inspired Sir Richard Bishop improvises elegantly and calmly through a feverish 17-minute variation of “Zurvan.” Limited edition of 500 numbered copies.
Blues Pills – Blues Pills LP (Nuclear Blast)
Released last summer on CD – now available on vinyl. This young American-Swedish-French quartet creates a very unique, intense and extraordinary rock atmosphere that harkens to the classic rock era of Aretha Franklin, the original Fleetwood Mac lineup, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Cream.
BoySetsFire – Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years [Reissue/2006] LP (Bridge Nine)
After releasing a record on the same label that invaded early 2000s modern rock radio with Creed and Evanescence, Newark, Delaware, post-hardcore veterans BoySetsFire returned to Equal Vision Records for the North American release of their lauded fourth studio album, The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years.
Chris Brokaw – Periscope Twins 2xLP (12XU)
Two solo pieces, each 40-45 minutes long; one for electronics, one for electric guitar; each one take, no overdubs. Drone for anyone and everyone, mastered by Bob Weston.
Cathedral – Forest Of Equilibrium/Soul Sacrifice [Reissue 1991/1992] 2xLP (Earache)
Vinyl reissue of the UK doom-metal band’s 1991 debut, paired with the Soul Sacrifice EP which was released a year later.
Catholic Guilt – Catholic Guilt LP (Dirt Cult)
Dark, dense and discordant hardcore punk from the Austrian band. For fans of classic ‘80s hardcore like Poison Idea, Die Kreuzen, and Articles of Faith as well as more recent bands like Sickoids.
Ornette Coleman – Science Fiction [Reissue/1972] LP (Original Recording Group)
Science Fiction was Ornette Coleman’s creative rebirth, a stunningly inventive and appropriately alien-sounding blast of manic energy. Coleman pulls out all the stops, working with a variety of different lineups and cramming the record full of fresh ideas and memorable themes. This essential edition was mastered from original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, and pressed on HQ-180gm audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany. Each copy of this limited edition release is individually numbered with a gold foil-stamp.
Dr. Dog – Live At The Flamingo Hotel 2xLP+MP3 (Anti)
After seven studio albums, Dr. Dog finally release a live compilation. Live At The Flamingo Hotel is a 19-track album encompassing the group’s live concert legacy.
Dwarves – Gentleman Blag 7” (Fat Wreck Chords)
Featuring all the Dwarves from the original lineup (including HeWhoCannotBeNamed and Salt Peter), recorded by Andy Carpenter at Brandt Bjork’s (Kyuss) studio, and featuring guest vocals by Dexter Holland (Offspring) and Rex Everything (aka Nick Oliveri), Gentleman Blag is a flawless slap of punk mayhem that only The Dwarves can deliver.
- Dwinell – Golden Ratio LP (Amish)
Volume six in Amish’s Required Wreckers LP series, M. Dwinnell’s (Forma, Bright) Golden Ratio offers the only documentation of his just intonation organ work, recorded between 2007 and 2008. The album focuses exclusively on a natural tuning system generated from the harmonic series. By precise control of his instrument’s tuning, Dwinell sets into motion a dynamic musical system of pressure, intensity and calm. It incorporates both static pulsing drones and heavily arpeggiated passages, culminating in melodic lines that epitomize Dwinell’s unique musical vocabulary as developed over the past twenty years.
Entombed – Clandestine [Reissue/1991] LP (Earache)
Vinyl reissue of the Swedish death metal band’s second album.
Bill Evans – Paris Concert: Edition One [Reissue/1983] 2xLP (Original Recording Group)
Edition One of The Paris Concert by Bill Evans was recorded live in November 1979 at L’espace Cradin in Paris France. Evans is assisted by bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera. This first edition of the two includes Gershwin’s “I Loves You Porgy,” Rodgers & Hart’s “My Romance” and Paul Simon’s “I Do It For Your Love.” Numbered limited edition HQ-180gm 45RPM vinyl.
Fang – Poisse LP (Basement Apes Industries)
Fang is a three-piece band from Rennes, France. Down-tuned guitars, distorted bass, and harrowing throat scuffings raise a concrete wall of harsh riffs and abrasive noises.
Brian Ferry – Avonmore LP (BMG/RED)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Ferry’s 14th solo album features eight new compositions plus his cinematic interpretation of Sondheim’s “Send In The Clowns.” Produced by Ferry and Rhett Davies in Ferry’s London studio, the album was mixed by Craig Silvey (Arcade Fire/Paolo Nutini) and features performances by many of Ferry’s long-term musical partners including Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr and Marcus Miller. Highlights include the single “Loop De Li,” “Soldier Of Fortune” (co-written by Johnny Marr) plus closing track “Johnny & Mary,” Ferry’s recent collaboration with Norwegian producer and DJ Todd Terje.
Field Mouse – You Guys Are Gonna Wake Up My Mom [Reissue/2012] 7” (Small Plates)
Field Mouse is a four-piece dream pop band from Brooklyn, NY, who seamlessly interweave influences from shoegaze, indie-rock, and power-pop. Hazy sweetness meets heavy guitar squall. “…shimmer like Velocity Girls used to do back in the early ’90s.” — Stereogum
Feral Trash – Trashfiction LP (Dirt Cult)
Feral Trash is a Nova Scotia group that really captures that nervous and haunting garage rock sound that bands like Occult Detective Club and Hex Dispensers have perfected over the years.
Ben Frost – V A R I A N T 12” (Mute)
Ben Frost’s remix EP V A R I A N T features remixes from Frost’s most recent album, A U R O R A, by British producer Evian Christ, Downward label boss and techno producer Regis, and HTRK to name a few.
The Game – Documentary [Reissue/2005] 2xLP (Interscope)
Vinyl reissue of the major label debut from West Coast rapper The Game. Documentary’s big budget production from high profile producers like Dr. Dre, Just Blaze and Timbaland was well received from critics.
Garrincha & The Stolen Elk – Life Is Wasted On The Living LP (Weird Forest)
Released last year on CD – now available on vinyl. This is an album about death. More precisely, it’s about dying and the realization of one’s mortality. Even more precisely, it’s about all the worrying thoughts and emotions that smack you in the face in light of this realization: nostalgia, regret, legacy, a vague nagging urgency and the eternal quest to find meaning in any of it. Garrincha & The Stolen Elk wrap these heavy themes in a strange brew of 21st century post-everything music—drones and processed field recordings nestle snuggly against synths, electronics and guitars that shift from plaintively melodic to heavy headbanging to freak psych-out.
Thee Goochi Boiz – Fast Food For The Teenage Soul/Oops! LP (Windian)
Compiling both of the band’s tape-only (2011-2013) releases from California’s Burger Records, Thee Goochie Boiz double-album LP fits 22 tracks of loose and rough pop on a single platter. A three-piece originally from Boulder, CO, featuring members of the Happy Jawbone Family Band, Thee Goochi Boiz were well known for their frantic and frenetic live shows.
The Grave Walks – She’s A Suicide b/w Teresa, I Love You 7”+MP3 (Windian)
Two tracks of ethereal desert rock from the project featuring Dan Sartin and Jacob Turnbloom (Mrs. Magician). Bathed in reverb and propelled by a skeletal but hypnotic drum pattern, the A-side “She’s A Suicide” is a haunting yet catchy gem of a song that draws as equally from Nick Cave as it does Sam Cooke’s classic hit “Summertime.” Opaque white or transparent green vinyl.
Gunpowder Gray – Gunpowder Gray LP (Boris)
When they are not performing with Atlanta-based death metal grinders Disfigurement, vocalist Nate Godbee and guitarist Adam Besserer pair with three local punk veterans and dig deep down to the roots of heavy rock & roll as Gunpowder Gray. The group, which also features Sam Vaughan (bass), Chris Heffernan (guitar and vocals), and Biters drummer Joey O’Brien, captures the blues-tinged, riff driven sound of classic acts ranging from metal progenitors like Black Sabbath and Pentagram to the new wave of British heavy metal.
Hellgoat – End Of Man 7” (Boris)
Grainy, raw black metal, dominated by vitriolic raspy screams and crashing cymbals.
The Hussy – EZ/PZ 7” (Windian)
“EZ/PZ,” a hypnotic four-on-the-floor fuzzer that doesn’t let go until the end, while the B-side’s “Hey Jude (Pts. 2 & 3)” starts out screaming but turns hard left onto the motorway to Roswell half-way through. Heather’s vocals shine brighter than ever on this single, and Bobby’s production makes it difficult to tell whether the frenetic drumming, beefcake guitars, or screechingly confident vocals will be your favorite.
In Aeternam Vale – Gnd Lift 12” (Minimal Wave)
Fourth 12” single from French group, In Aeternam Vale. This one features another monumental 14-minute techno masterpiece called “Gnd Lift.” On the flip side are two pure wave tracks, “J’ai Mangé des Nerfs” and “Animals Don’t Mind.” “Gnd Lift” is a slow building hazy hypnotic track with heavy atmosphere, fitting perfectly on a smoke filled dance floor.
Iskeletor – Gallows b/w WA 7” (Boomarm Nation)
Iskeltor is the music of Istanbul-based artist Kerem Sevincli, an active voice in the Turkish DIY punk and noise scenes. Distilling the hard edges of noise and experimental music with the bombast and hypnotic structures of sample-based music, Iskeletor’s work plays like a fever state. Hard rhythms swing razor sharp, cloaked in layers of noise and melody, arranged with both playfulness and a refinement that feels fresh and ready to burn up your speakers.
King Nine – Blueneck LP (Denovali)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Hailing from North Somerset in the UK, post/prog rock veterans Blueneck have been at forefront of the European underground experimental scene since forming in 2000. The band’s key musical influences go some way to explaining King Nine’s ambitious, expansive, always accessible scope: the pastoral electronica of Boards Of Canada, the movie soundtracks of Ennio Morricone and John Carpenter, and the melodicism and melancholia of Kid-A era Radiohead.
David Maranha & Helena Espvall – Sombras Incendiadas LP+MP3 (Three Four)
David Maranha (Z’ev, Carla Bozulich, Phill Niblock), and Helena Espvall (Espers, Masaki Batoh) join forces to produce Sombras Incendiadas, a four-song album, with David Maranha on electric organ and violin and Helena on cello. Helena has an amazing sound of cello, kind of Velvet Underground-esque, while David is in the vein of La Monte Young or Tony Conrad. As a duo, they create heavy drones with delicate harmonics behind the wall of sound. The textures are raw, the compositions are minimalistic, and the riffs are heady.
Paul McCartney – Hope For The Future 12” (Hear Music)
12″ single of the Destiny video game track features four reworkings, including one by Madonna producer Mirwais.
Meshuggah – I [Reissue/2004] LP (Nuclear Blast)
Remastered special edition version of the Swedish metal band’s 2004 EP.
Morbid Slaughter – Wieca 7” (Boris)
Thrash/black metal attack dealing with themes of horror, witchcraft, and murder.
Carrl & Janie Myriad – Of All The Wounded People [Reissue/1972] LP (Blank Recording Co.)
Vinyl reissue this rare 1972 album from Melbourne folk duo Carrl & Janie Myriad. The Myriads’ work has often been compared to Fairport Convention, Trees, Mellow Candle, Shirley Collins, and Sandy Denny to name a few. Original pressings are now highly sought after and extremely rare. This reissue was mastered direct from the original master tapes. Complete with original artwork and insert featuring liner notes from Janie Myriad.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – Pika Pika Fantajin LP (Rhino)
Released last summer on CD – now available on vinyl. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu presents her third album Pika Pika Fantajin a year after her last album, Nanda Collection, which included her signature song “Fashion Monster” and a digital mega-hit “Ninja Re Bang Bang.” “Pika pika” means “shiny, glossy, and lustrous.” “Fantajin” is a very Kyary-like coined word of “fantasy” + “people.”
Primeval Genius – Machinist In The Underworld LP (Suitcase)
Synth-driven goth wave project spiritually akin to Skinny Puppy or Death In June.
Ty Segall – Mr. Face 2×7” (Famous Class)
Not only is this gatefold double 7” EP packed with four killer jams, it doubles as a playable pair of 3D glasses. Pressed on translucent red + blue colored vinyl you just look through the records to activate the supercharged 3D artwork.
Soundrack – Music From Do The Right Thing [Reissue/1989] LP (Motown)
The centerpiece of Spike Lee’s controversial 1989 film Do The Right Thing is hands down “Fight The Power” from Public Enemy, the most vital and influential rap group of its era. The track was also released that same year on the group’s incendiary masterpiece Fear Of A Black Planet. Music from Do The Right Thing also stars the king of New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley, and his group Guy; E.U. — one of the first D.C. go-go bands; reggae’s revolutionary Steel Pulse; the popular vocal group Take 6; jazz singer Al Jarreau; and Latin star Rubén Blades.
Spewtilator – Goatthrower 7” (Boris)
Death/thrash metal with elements of grindcore and punk.
Sublime – 40oz To Freedom [Reissue/1992] 2xLP (MVD)
MVD is the latest label to pick up the vinyl rights to Sublime’s classic 1992 album, which has been out-of-print for on the format for many years.
Tobacconists – A Secret Place 7” (Fabrica)
A sound collage of fractured synths, industrial thumps, sampled distant voices and eerie atmospherics/
Too $hort – Born To Mack [Reissue/1987] LP (Plain)
HQ-180 vinyl reissue of the rapper’s 1987 album.
Weak Teeth – So You’ve Ruined Your Life LP (Tor Johnson)
Angular emo-damaged hardcore punk.
Willie West – Lost Soul LP (Timmion)
New album from New Orleans legend best known for his work with Allen Toussaint and The Meters in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Jim White Vs The Packaway Handle Band – Take It Like A Man LP (Yep Roc)
When Athens, GA outfit The Packaway Handle Band sought Jim White out to produce an album, the quintet learned he had a massive stash of bluegrass songs just waiting to be sprung on the world — and they would make the perfect slingshot. CD version due January 27.
Richard Youngs – Red Alphabet In The Snow LP (Preserved Sound)
Red Alphabet In The Snow is a new solo album by the extremely prolific but highly talented Richard Youngs. Two 17-minute pieces, in which Youngs layers acoustic guitars, banjo, cifteli, bass guitar, electric lead guitars, electric violin, epinette des vosges, shakers, sitar, swanee whistle, tambourine, triangle, 12-string guitar, ukulele, and his own voice, build up a meandering instrumental, acoustic, and even psychedelic mix.
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