CDs + Vinyl:
A Skylit Drive – ASD CD (Tragic Hero)
New album from the California post-hardcore band.
Alex G. – Beach Music CD/LP+MP3 (Domino)
“Alex Giannascoli, more commonly known as Alex G, is a lo-fi bedroom pop artist from Pennsylvania. Although he has tons of albums currently on Bandcamp, Beach Music is his first released under the record label Domino Recording Company. Beach Music features the same good old Alex G with smooth and fuzzy vocals, but this time introducing a variety of rhythms to the mix. With melodies ranging from ‘80s crime drama theme songs’ to ‘blues-influenced western steel guitar,’ Beach Music gives a dreamy and effervescent performance. Beach Music is a mashup of everything: genres, melodies, vocals, rhythms, you name it. Every song contains at least two different types of each, which normally should not go together so well. Alex G manages to bring together harmonies with styles of music in a way that flows from song to song in a continuous motion, with each element building on the other throughout the album.” – VinylMag
Aliment – Silverback CD/LP+MP3 (La Castanya)
Furious and yet happy punk pop, a feeling of being alive, singing along with fists in the air and dancing wrapped in a wall of sound. The 10 songs on Silverback still sound urgent and energetic, yet have grown weightier, possessing a sense of nocturnal abandon fueled by alcohol. Tougher, more compact and even, perhaps, more grown-up, they sound similar to The Marked Men or the melodic power pop sensibility of a much heavier Pointed Sticks.
Tori Amos and Samuel Adamson – The Light Princess [Original Cast Recording] 2xCD (Mercury Classics)
With music and lyrics by Tori Amos and book and lyrics by Samuel Adamson and suggested by a story by George MacDonald, Amos weaves her delicately crafted music throughout the narrative, with Adamson poignantly telling the story of a young woman facing her fears. The Light Princess is the next chapter in Amos’s career, best described as “a huge triumph” by The Huffington Post. “Amos’s score has its own pulsating beauty, as if Philip Glass had been commissioned to score Cinderella.” — New York Times
The Beckies – The Beckies [Reissue/1976] CD (Real Gone Music)
CD release of this classic one-off album from The Beckies, the group led by Michael Brown of Left Banke, Montage, and Stories fame. Brown made a career out of melding classical motifs with rock, but here on what would turn out to be the last project to which he made a significant contribution the focus is definitely more on the latter. The Beckies fits right on the shelf with your Badfinger and Raspberries records, full of catchy tunes that in another era would have had a chance at significant radio play, but 1976 was the height of the disco craze, and therefore it sunk without a commercial trace.
Jason Boland and The Stragglers – Squelch CD (Proud Souls Entertainment)
Jason attributes his success to his determination to remain steadfast and true to the country music of old, avoiding the constant allure of what many consider watered down, cliché-driven songs that seem to dominate mainstream country radio today. Squelch, referring to the knob on wide-band radios that is used to keep the unwanted noise out, is exactly what this album represents. Eleven tracks of steel and fiddle driven country songs for the country music connoisseur.
Boy & Bear – Limit Of Love CD (Nettwerk)
For their third album, Limit Of Love, Australian quintet Boy & Bear teamed up with producer Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings Of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs) at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studio recording live in the studio, straight to tape, with virtually no overdubs. They have been named one of USA Today’s “5 Australian Acts You Need To Know Now.” According to the album’s press release, Limit Of Love is “a dirty, danceable, synth-tinged romp.” Vinyl due November 6.
City And Colour – If I Should Go Before You CD/2xLP (Dine Alone)
Singer/songwriter/performer City And Colour (aka Dallas Green), returns with his fifth album, If I Should Go Before You. Unique to this project, the studio players on the album are made up of Green’s trusted touring band: Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs, Dead Weather) on bass, Dante Schwebel (Spanish Gold, Dan Auerbach) on guitar, Doug MacGregor (Constantines) on drums and Matt Kelly on pedal steel guitar and keys. “This is sort of what I’ve been looking for the last five, six years, since I really kind of started to focus on City And Colour,” the former Alexisonfire member told Billboard. “My goal is to always have, for lack of a better term, a sh*t-hot band, and it was hard to find that at first because I was juggling with the other band, Alexisonfire, a lot. This time I found guys who are not only great players but became great friends, and now it feels like a band to me, and I honestly believe that I wrote all of these songs because of the band.”
Coke Weed – Mary Weaver CD/LP+MP3 (Beyond Beyond Is Beyond)
On Mary Weaver, the New England based quintet’s fourth album, the band’s longstanding love for the glam/art-rock axis, class of West Berlin, comes to the fore. The result is a panorama that encompasses Bolan’s boogie, the kraut/R&B hybrids of Bowie’s Station To Station, and the desperate romanticism of Roxy Music and Iggy Pop, while bringing a new emphasis on grimy dance work-outs.
Korey Dane – Youngblood CD/LP+MP3 (Innovative Leisure)
After spending two years hitching on the road with nothing more than Waits, Dylan, Mitchell, The Beatles and the Stones to keep him company, Korey Dane began recording with veteran musician and record label executive Tony Berg, producer for the likes of Public Image Ltd., The Replacements and Aimee Mann. Recorded entirely in Berg’s home studio Zeitgeist, what was to become Youngblood was never originally planned as an album. Instead, he whittled down dozens of songs written over that period of hitching and back in L.A. A wide instrumental palette and contributions from some of L.A.’s most sought after session musicians chelped Dane’s ideas come to life.
The Decemberists – Florasongs CD/LP (Capitol)
Florasongs is a five-song collection of rare and unreleased tracks from the sessions that produced their recent seventh studio album, What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World.
Dilly Dally – Sore CD/LP+MP3 (Partisan)
Dilly Dally began as a teenage dream shared by Katie Monks and Liz Ball. The two shared a love for dreamy, grungy guitars, epic pop ballads, and began writing music together in their Toronto apartment. In spring 2014, Dilly Dally self-released their first single, entitled “Next Gold.” The song has since received praise from Pitchfork, NME, and Brooklyn Vegan. It came from a collection of material the band recorded with producers Leon Taheny (Owen Pallett, Austra) and Josh Korody (F**ked Up, Greys) at Candle Studios. That October, the band released a 7” single “Candy Mountain/Green” through Fat Possum/Buzz Records. It’s taken a few years for the band to fall into itself with the right people, but with the addition of Benjamin Reinhartz (drums) and Jimmy Tony (bass) joined this year, their live sound has never been more energetic and in April this year the band released another song — the raw, unkempt “Gender Role.” “Recalls the Strokes at their best: it seems as if anything could happen, but they’ve got everything under control.” – Pitchfork
Dirty Ghosts – Let It Pretend CD (Last Gang)
“Any time a punk band starts experimenting, that’s the era of the band that I love,” remarks Dirty Ghosts guitarist and songwriter Allyson Baker while discussing the genesis of Let It Pretend, the band’s sophomore effort for Last Gang. Lead-off track “Some Kids” leaps from the speakers with tribal drums, a loping bassline and the clatter of a kicked over beer bottle. The tune spotlights Baker’s plaintive vocal melody and an earworm chorus over layers of echo-soaked, interlocking guitar. Nodding to the downstroke-heavy rhythms and ethereal textures of The Stranglers and The Police on “Battery” and the pulsing, synth heavy title track, Baker shows off a spare six-string approach that places each slashing chord and ringing note with deadly economy and accuracy. Though tracks like “Light Like Speed,” “So Shallow” and the ferocious “Cataract” bear the unmistakable imprint of pioneering synth-punk acts like Devo and Baker’s avowed cornerstone influence Chrome, the latest Dirty Ghosts effort places an elevated focus on nuanced songcraft and pop melodies carried by her growing confidence as a lead vocalist. Vinyl due October 30.
El Ten Eleven – Fast Forward CD/LP (Fake Record Label)
El Ten Eleven is a Los Angeles-based instrumental post-rock duo Bassist Kristian Dunn is known for playing double-necked guitar/basses, accompanied by drummer Tim Fogarty playing a combination of acoustic and electronic drums and drum pads.
Faithless – 2.0 2xCD (RCA)
A package comprised of 28 tracks split across two CDs joining dots between past, present and future. While Disc One firmly brings their catalog back to life, Disc Two celebrates 14 of Faithless’ career-defining records, with originals “Insomnia,” “Mass Destruction,” “We Come 1” and “Salva Mea.” Avicii, Tiesto, Above & Beyond, Eric Prydz, Armin Van Buuren, Booka Shade, Claptone, High Contrast and Purple Disco Machine provide remixes.
Filiamotsa – Like It Is CD/LP (Aagoo)
After their 2012 release Soufflant Rhodes was met with critical acclaim, the French rock band Filiamotsa — Veronique Mougin (keyboards), Antoine Arlot (saxophones), Essawabi Youssef (trombone), and Philippe Orivel (violin/keyboards) — release new album, Like It Is. The legendary singer from Dutch band The Ex, GW Sok, is the special guest on this record and deploys the melody, alongside guitarist Olivier Mellano, adding his own personal touch, giving this album a singular and sometimes orchestral dimension. The album keeps the rock, noise and psychedelic spirit of previous Filiamotsa material, and is a collection of English songs.
Bob Forrest – Survival Songs CD/LP (Six Degrees)
Bob Forrest was hailed as “the Bob Dylan of his generation” by many critics. But while his L.A. post-punk peers like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns & Roses, and Jane’s Addiction skyrocketed to fame, his own band, Thelonious Monster, crashed and-burned its way through countless members and blown opportunities. Produced by author and Grammy-winning producer, Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott), Survival Songs is Forrest’s first official solo album and stands as a testament to his powers. Recorded live, outdoors in Big Sur, with sparse acoustic accompaniment, the record revisits classic, no-longer available material, wedding it with new works in a meditation on a cycle of redemption.
Donnie Fritts – Oh My Goodness CD/LP (Single Lock)
Oh My Goodness features appearances from John Prine, Jason Isbell, John Paul White, Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, The Secret Sisters, David Hood, Dylan LeBlanc, Spooner Oldham, Reggie Young and members of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Belle Adair and The Pollies. “I didn’t want to do just another funk album,” Donnie says. “I wanted to do songs I really love and songs I never got to cut before. People don’t make records with 71 year-old guys,” he says, his humility always sitting shotgun by his talent. John Paul White, formerly of the Grammy winning duo The Civil Wars and presently co-founder of Single Lock Records in Florence, Ala., befriended Donnie in 2013 when he asked him to play at the Muscle Shoals documentary premiere in Florence. Later, John Paul insisted the two cut an album. What began as a minimalist work – Donnie’s raspy voice and his 1970s-era Wurlitzer — morphed into an amalgamation of fresh sound and honed talent backed by Nashville and Muscle Shoals legends, and rising brilliants alike.
The Game – The Documentary 2 CD (eOne)
Sixth album from West Coast rapper and actor. The Documentary 2 is the sequel to his debut album, The Documentary, which was released in 2005. The album includes guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Dr. Dre, Drake, Kanye West, Keyshia Cole, Busta Rhymes, DJ Quik, YG, and others. Includes the single “100” featuring Drake.
The Garden – Haha CD (Epitaph)
The Garden is a constantly evolving, conceptual punk band based in Orange County, CA. Established in in 2011 by twin brothers Wyatt and Fletcher Shears, The Garden consistently defies categorization and continues to break ground: auditory invaders of the new world, borderless, released from all constraint and old ideologies. The twins draw inspiration from a background in punk classicism but remain unfettered and unselfconscious enough to infuse elements of ‘90s hip-hop and big beat electronica. Their two-piece bass and drums essence is dirty, raw and very immediate, but equally nuanced with echoes of the hive mind, the ephemeral architecture that exists both inside and outside of the duo that the listener enters and never quite escapes. Together the twins are an acidic concoction; unstable, sexy and probably toxic. Vinyl due October 30.
Selena Gomez – Revival CD (Interscope)
New release from the multi-platinum singer and actress. The first single from Revival, “Good For You”, featuring A$AP Rocky has become Selena’s biggest hit to-date and has racked up the biggest first-week sales of any digital single this year. The press has raved about Selena’s new direction as well. Calling “Good For You” “a sultry come-on,” People magazine says that Selena has “hit her stride,” while Entertainment Weekly calls it “one of this summer’s most scintillating songs.” Rolling Stone included “Good For You” on its “25 Best Songs of 2015 So Far” list. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds three bonus tracks and an alternate cover.
John Grant – Grey Tickles, Black Pressure CD (Partisan)
Grant’s (Sinead O’Connor, Goldfrapp, Elton John) third solo album features lush strings and electronic influences with his singular wit and brutal candor. The album opens in an unsettling swirl of overlapping male voices repeating 1 Corinthians 13:4 in English and Icelandic before dissolving into fuzz, and closes with the same passage read clearly, this time by a young girl. In between, Grant’s depth and range are vividly present. Vinyl version due October 23.
Hippo Campus – The Halocline EPs CD/LP (Grand Jury Music)
The Halocline EPs brings together Minnesota pop-rock group Hippo Campus’ debut EP Bashful Creatures (produced by Low’s Alan Sparhawk) and a new collection of indie pop called South. The double EP documents the quartet’s rise throughout 2015 and features eleven tracks that are infectious, joyful, and thematically soaked with the sense of cynicism accompanying the youthful search of self-meaning.
H2O – Use Your Voice CD (Bridge 9)
Bicoastal hardcore punk pillars H2O return their first original studio album since 2008’s Nothing To Prove. While 2011’s covers album Don’t Forget Your Roots was a loving ode to their influences, Use Your Voice reignites H2O’s classic mix of melodic hardcore aggression and pop- punk bounce with plenty of personal manifestos inspirationally waxing poetic about love, hobby, and even being nurtured by a culture built on positivity and ethics, while remaining fun and jubilant.
Infected Mushroom – Converting Vegetarians II CD (Dim Mak)
Israeli sound-sculpting duo Infected Mushroom release the follow-up to 2003’s inaugural Converting Vegetarians release (which was the outfit’s most successful, fan-favorite LP to date), the series serves as Infected Mushroom’s platform for pushing past their traditionally psy-trance productions and into a world brimming with song-based, mid-tempo vocal material that manages to retain its psychedelic edge. The fifteen-track offering is an experimental meditation on layered synths, live instrumentation with guitars and piano, and low-key drum fills, weaving a brooding narrative with a sense of proportion one rarely experiences outside of the cinema.
Joy – Shallows CD (Shrimper)
New release from Joy AKA Dan Madri and Matt Savage, who have played music off and on together since 7th grade or so. Their 2002 self-titled Shrimper debut put a subtly eccentric spin on the bedroom folk template. Subsequent recordings Hatred & Grief, Devil’s Blues and Sailing Days saw the band expanding its lineup (Ariel Rabinovic on electric guitar, Matt Dodge on drums) and refining its production value-but never at the expense of the simplicity or off-kilter pop sensibility of its songwriting. On Shallows, Joy’s third release for Shrimper, the spotlight returns to the core duo. The record is a patchwork of new recordings and older, unreleased material dating as far back as the turn of the millennium. Each of the 14 tracks brings its own character and fidelity to the table-though at roughly 30 minutes long, Shallows never feels disjointed. Though ten years separate the record from the band’s last output, it feels like a logical extension of the catalog.
Toby Keith – 35 MPH Town CD (Show Dog Music Universal)
Produced by Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson, the collection features his songwriting on a majority of the cuts, and several in collaboration with Pinson, Scotty Emerick, and Rivers Rutherford. In addition, there are notable contributions from guitar player Kenny Greenberg — a member of Keith’s pop-up band Incognito Banditos — and Mica Roberts, backing vocalist for his touring band. Features Jimmy Buffett on “Sailboat For Sale.”
Kill The Noise – Occult Classic CD (Owsla, LLC)
Bass music stalwart Kill The Noise has been a staple in electronic music since 2008. Occult Classic is his first full-length on Skrillex’s Owsla, following a string of singles and EP’s that have made him one of the most recognizable artists and personalities on the scene. It features twelve hard hitting and dynamic tracks that features a wide array of artists including Dillon Francis, Feed Me, Tommy Trash, Madsonik, Bryn Christopher, 2ton and Aaron from Awolnation.
Kowloon Walled City – Grievances CD (Neurot)
The third album from Kowloon Walled City finds the San Francisco band at its artistic peak, having moved even further from its sludgy, post-hardcore origins toward a sparser, sadder yet still de-tuned heaviness. Vinyl version due October 30.
Jana Kramer – Thirty One CD (Warner Music Nashville)
“Healing is the prevalent theme of Jana Kramer’s long-awaited sophomore album, Thirty One. The Elektra Nashville recording artist admits she has undergone plenty of changes since her 2012 self-titled debut and she wanted this new set to reflect that growth. The singer insists that she has no regrets about baring her soul on the album.” — Billboard
Jamie Lawson – Jamie Lawson CD (Gingerbread Man/New Elektra)
A seasoned performer on the Irish music scene, acoustic singer/songwriter Jamie Lawson eventually found fame when one of his tracks became an overnight YouTube sensation. Born and raised in Plymouth, England, Lawson picked up the guitar at age eight and, influenced by Crowded House, R.E.M., and Leonard Cohen, began his musical career in a covers band while still at school. Released through Ed Sheeran’s new label, Gingerbread Man Records.
Little May – For The Company CD (Capitol)
Known for their dark tangle of raw lyrics, honest and haunting melodies and voices upon voices, Little May return with a new album. “Hide” and “Boardwalks,” singles from Little May’s last EP are featured as bonus tracks on the album.
Corb Lund – Things That Can’t Be Undone CD/CD+DVD (New West)
“Corb Lund’s breed of country has been simmering comfortably under the mainstream radar for years. Born on the farming fields of Canada, he’s a cowboy who makes Alberta seem like the noir version of Hank Williams’ Nashville, where northern snow melts to melodic tears and dusty old cabins become weary honky-tonks. For his newest LP, Things That Can’t Be Undone, he enlisted ace producer Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton) to infuse some new dynamics into his music: licks of Motown, ‘90s rock and Middle Eastern tones all weave their way into songs that often sound one way but mean something else entirely, delivered with a clever, restless wink and a quivery howl” – Rolling Stone. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a DVD featuring the 22-minute mini-documentary titled Undone and a six-song acoustic performance. Vinyl due October 23.
Jesse Malin – Outsiders CD (One Little Indian)
Born out of late night recording sessions in the Pennsylvania woods with producer Don DiLego, far from any expectations, Outsiders presents Jesse Malin in raw form. Malin himself describes it as “a record built out of optimism and disgust — one for the leavers, the believers, the hustlers and the chicken hawks who could never catch us.” The collection includes “Here’s The Situation,” featuring J Masics on guitar, and a cover of The The Clash’s “Stay Free” – especially poignant because Jesse first played it at Ryan Adam’s guitarist, Johnny McNabb’s memorial last year. Vinyl version due November 6.
Mayday Parade – Black Lines CD (Fearless)
Floridian pop-rockers Mayday Parade return with their fifth album. Black Lines includes a guest vocal appearance from Real Friends frontman Dan Lambton and was produced by Mike Sapone, who is best known for his work with Brand New and Taking Back Sunday. Vinyl due December 4.
Jon McLaughlin – Like Us CD (Razor & Tie)
Fifth full-length album from the pop/rock singer/songwriter, producer and pianist from Anderson, Indiana. Includes the singles “Before You” and “I Want You Anyway.”
Glenn Mercer – Incidental Hum CD/LP+MP3 (Bar/None)
New album from the founding member of NJ band The Feelies. Incidental Hum features 15 instrumentals — 12 original tracks and three covers (check out his scorching take on Hendrix’s “Third Stone From The Sun”). Recorded in his hometown Haledon with Mercer playing all the instruments and producing. “My idea for the Incidental Hum was to try to create music that would evoke an atmosphere,” says Glenn, “that would, in turn, suggest images of a more specific location. I would picture in my mind a scene with a particular environment and then write music to match the mood and place.”
Monster Magnet – Cobras & Fire (The Mastermind Redux) CD/2xLP (Napalm)
“After re-imagining The Last Patrol as some long lost blues psych masterpiece, Monster Magnet now turn their eyes upon Mastermind in another redux attempt. Some fans may call foul and demand a new album, but in a remarkable turn of events Dave Wyndorf and co have once again pulled off a rather magnificent coup. This time they go even further with the redux and turn an already classic album into something resembling a completely new piece of work, albeit one with shades of the original floating around to remind you of what went before. It’s undeniably fascinating and unlike The Last Patrol where results were slightly mixed, here they erupt in splendid glory as a band to be loved forever” – Echoes And Dust. (Limited copies pressed on yellow vinyl.)
Mother Falcon – Good Luck Have Fun CD (Universal Classics)
Started by cellist Nick Gregg at a football-obsessed Texan high school, Mother Falcon grew from an afterschool orchestra jam session into one of Austin’s most beloved music acts, all before most of its 22 members graduated high school. The indie orchestra, given the name Mother Falcon after a misheard TV overdub from Die Hard (‘Yippee-ki-ay Mother Falcon!’), garnered major local airplay and a series of sold out local shows with the release of its full-length album, Alhambra. The unlikely ensemble’s second album, You Knew, received support from NPR and the band soon began selling out clubs on subsequent national tours. Good Luck Have Fun is Mother Falcon’s first release on Universal Music Classics and marks the beginning of a new partnership, which includes plans to record and release a fourth album in 2016.
Isreal Nash – Silver Season CD (Loose Music, Inc.)
Cosmos-wrangling Americana upstart Israel Nash returns from Texas Hill Country with his Silver Season, a deeply gorgeous and wholly immersive nine song set that plays less like an album, and more like a cross section of time and space. The man’s fourth LP ventures farther down the acid soaked trail blazed by 2013’s Rain Plans, arriving in lush and expansive territory. Here, this Missouri son sounds more assured than ever, supported by his highly capable band and production inspired by psychedelic greats. Vinyl version due November 13.
Oberhofer – Chronovision CD/LP (Glassnote)
“Brad Oberhofer recorded 106 demos and traveled to the four corners of the continental United States in pursuit of Chronovision. Oberhofer’s stops along the way ranged from NYC’s famed Electric Lady Studios to what remains of L.A.’s storied Sound City, from tracking in a humble Tacoma home studio to laying on a pristine finish with Ben Allen in Atlanta. Our first preview of the finished 12-song set is ‘Memory Remains,’ which is not a ReLoad-era Metallica cover but rather a gleaming, serrated New Wave track. Oberhofer croons the word ‘Me-mo-ries!’ with the playful theatricality of Brandon Flowers on Broadway, and the arrangement carries him along like an engine pushed to its limits; you can almost hear the gears grinding inside his manic musical machine. It’s a big, bold gesture that makes for a grand reintroduction.” – Stereogum
Of Montreal – Snare Celestial Doomings CD/2xLP/Cassette (Polyvinyl)
Snare Lustrous Doomings captures of Montreal’s incredible live energy with 19 high-quality recordings taken from performances at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall and Portland’s Wonder Ballroom. Features over 90 minutes of music spanning the band’s entire career — from Bedside Drama to Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? to Lousy With Sylvianbriar and everything in between. (Vinyl pressed on purple wax.)
Protomartyr – The Agent Intellect CD/LP+MP3 (Hardly Art)
“’I’m going out in style,’ Joe Casey chants at the end of ‘Cowards Starve,’ one of the most riveting songs on Protomartyr’s new third album, The Agent Intellect. Casey isn’t being literal. An unassuming Detroit resident in his mid-30s who speaks more than he sings, he’s helped Protomartyr become one of the most intriguing post-punk groups in a climate that rewards the younger, sexier and coastal. Not surprisingly, ‘Cowards Starve’ isn’t your typical danceable, punk-couture anthem. Like the rest of The Agent Intellect, it simmers, ponders and haunts.” – NPR
Prozak – Black Ink CD (Strange Music)
New album from Saginaw, Michigan rapper.
City – What Dreams Are Made Of CD (RCA)
Debut album from the songwriting/production duo of Theron and Timothy Thomas, brothers who have produced and written some popular songs including Rihanna’s “Pour It Up,” Nicki Minaj’s “The Night Is Still Young,” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop.” R. City has also contributed to Rihanna’s Unapologetic, Jennifer Hudson’s self-titled, and Ariana Grande’s My Everything. Includes the single “Locked Away.”
Rudimental – We The Generation CD (Atlantic)
New release from the British electronic outfit. We The Generation sees Rudimental championing incredible new young UK singers such as Mahalia on title track “We The Generation,” Anne-Marie and Will Heard. A few household names also got in on the album, including Lianne La Havas. “New Day Coming” features vocals by the late Bobby Womack — one of the last tracks he recorded vocals for before he passed away.
Run Forever – Run Forever CD/LP (No Sleep)
Run Forever is an indie rock band from Braddock, PA founded by singer songwriter Anthony Heubel in the winter of 2009 after a summer road trip with bass player Cassie Staub. Produced by Hum’s, Matt Talbott, album single “Big Vacation” is a hazy, jangly, summertime jam that showcases vocalist/guitarist Anthony Heubel’s impressively diverse evolution as a songwriter.
Saintseneca – Such Things CD (ANTI)
“The Ohio band Saintseneca made a national name for itself with its moodily stellar 2014 album Dark Arc, on which it showcases an arsenal of unlikely instruments, from the bulbul to the bouzouki to the bowed banjo. Throughout Dark Arc, all those worldly (and alliterative!) sounds got channeled into rich, dark, lustrous songs — hooky, accessible things that felt exotic and familiar, diverse and consistent. The new Such Things follows suit, but with even brighter and more intoxicating results. Take the glorious single ‘Sleeper Hold,’ in which a deep rumble gives way to a sunnily sung verse by Maryn Jones, followed by a stadium-sized chorus in which everyone in the band seems hell-bent on unleashing as much sound as possible. Jones and singer Zac Little swap the spotlight throughout the song, but the whole thing is a tidy three-minute tour de force for all involved. Little himself describes ‘Sleeper Hold’ as ‘a pop song about the physics of consciousness,’ and damned if Saintseneca doesn’t spend Such Things shoehorning deep, dark ideas into pocket-sized pop-rock anthems” – NPR. Vinyl due October 30.
Duncan Sheik – Legerdemain CD (Kobalt)
“On Legerdemain, Duncan Sheik makes the opposite of roots music. That’s not to say that the sound he’s crafted here lacks any obvious forebears — everything from his well-known love for Nick Drake to the affection for synth-pop Sheik documented on his Covers ’80s album can be divined over the course of his eighth album. But an agreeably ungrounded feeling dominates the proceedings; even when a solid groove moors a track, Sheik’s melodies dart around with balletic agility that dares you to wonder when they’ll descend again. Sheik takes his time on Legerdemain, using 70 minutes to unfold his 16-track song cycle, as the tunes frequently edge near or past the five-minute mark. But the album’s beautifully bittersweet farewell kiss, ‘So There,’ is a brief, bare-bones moment of metaphysical reflection; it maintains a free-floating feeling while musing on nothing less than humanity’s place in the universe. Ambition, meet economy — Duncan Sheik has a happy home for both of you.” – NPR
Jake Shimabukuro – Travels CD/LP (eOne)
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jake’s life has always centered on the ukulele. Known for his powerful strumming on the ukulele, Jake’s performances incorporate elements of thoughtful, sophisticated arrangements with spontaneous, improvised passages. Being influenced by legendary ukulele players like Eddie Kamae, Ohta-San and Peter Moon, Jake also credits icons like Bruce Lee and Michael Jordan as a source of inspiration.
Small Faces – The Decca Years 5xCD (Polydor)
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Small Faces’ debut release, this five CD boxed set includes all recordings the band made for Decca, alongside rarities, alternative versions, previously unavailable recordings and a disc of BBC sessions. All audio has been remastered from the original analog sources under the supervision of drummer Kenney Jones. This lift off lid box also includes a 72-page booklet with a wealth of rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia plus four post cards.
The Space Lady/Burnt Ones – Split CD (Castle Face)
In her inimitable style The Space Lady sparkles through “Across The Universe,” “Starman,” a brand-new original called “The Next Right Thing” and an achingly elegaic “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” These beautiful tunes are wonderful additions to her lovely repertoire. For their half, Burnt Ones mellow down their sound, crafting a warm cocoon on two kaliedoscopic creepers, peaking just a little with a floweringly spaced-out version of the Space Lady’s greatest hit, “Synthesize Me,” and closing with another druggy lullaby. Vinyl version due October 23.
Max Stalling – Banquet CD (Blind Nello)
New album from the Texas country music singer/songwriter.
St Germain – St Germain CD/2xLP (Nonesuch)
St Germain (aka Ludovic Navarre), whose albums Boulevard (1995) and Tourist (2000) originated a genre of French electronic music that later included artists like Air, has returned to the studio to create his first album in 15 years, and it’s “well worth the wait,” says the Independent. The self-titled record marries percussive grooves, which have always been central to St Germain’s sound, with a new element: traditional Malian music. It “deftly balances tradition and modernity and begs repeated listening,” says Jazzwise in a four-star review. “Navarre continues to revolutionize electronic music.”
Styles P – Wise Guys & A Wise Guy CD (Phantom Entertainment)
New album from NY hip-hop mainstay Styles P, known for his work with the LOX and the D-Block collective. Features Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Tyler Woods, Dave East, Snyp Life, and Chris Rivers, among others.
Telepathe – Destroyer CD (Young Cubs)
Destroyer is a focused cacophony of layered beats, synths and vocals bemoaning the complications and misunderstandings of relationships.
Joe Lewis Walker – Everybody Wants A Piece CD/2xLP (Provogue)
A Blues Hall Of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner, Joe Lewis Walker celebrates a career that exceeds a half a century. His new album cements his legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues.
W.A.S.P. – Golgotha CD/2xLP (Napalm)
15th studio album from the veteran heavy metal band and their first since 2009’s Babylon. Named after the hill where Jesus Christ was crucified, Golgotha (which means “place of the skull”) continues their exploration of Biblical horror stories that W.A.S.P. employed on Babylon.
Julia Wolfe with Bang On A Can All-Stars – Anthracite Fields CD (Cantaloupe)
Haunting, poignant and relentlessly physical, Julia Wolfe’s Anthracite Fields is a lovingly detailed oratorio about turn-of-the-20th-century Pennsylvania coal miners, and a fitting recipient of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Music. Weaving together personal interviews that she conducted with miners and their families, along with oral histories, speeches, rhymes and local mining lore, Wolfe sought to honor the working lives of Pennsylvania’s anthracite region. “It’s not necessarily mainstream history,” she told NPR shortly after she received word of winning the Pulitzer. “The politics are very fascinating the issues about safety, and the consideration for the people who are working and what’s involved in it. But I didn’t want to say, ‘Listen to this. This is a big political issue.’ It really was, ‘Here’s what happened. Here’s this life, and who are we in relationship to that? We’re them. They’re us.’ And basically, these people, working underground, under very dangerous conditions, fueled the nation. That’s very important to understand.”
Yip Deceiver – YPD CDEP/12” (New West)
A follow up and teaser, the YPD EP follows the spirit of Yip Deceiver’s debut Medallius while hinting at new sounds to come. The band the NME called “…as smooth and ‘80s-tastic as Hall & Oates” finally respond with a punchy six-song work to support massive US/European tour with Electric Six this September through December 2015.
The Zombies – Still Got That Hunger CD (The End)
By the start of the new Millennium, Blunstone and Argent were inspired to resurrect The Zombies, recruiting bassist Jim Rodford (formerly of Argent and The Kinks), Rodford’s son Steve on drums, and renowned session guitarist Tom Toomey. The Zombies returned to the studio in early 2015 to begin work on a new album – only taking breaks to debut new songs live during a triumphant return to SXSW, a live Yahoo! Screen broadcast from House Of Blues New Orleans, and their first appearances at the UK’s Great Escape and Glastonbury Festivals.
Zulus – II CD/LP (Aagoo)
Zulus’ four members all come from a background in music dominated by a punk and hardcore aesthetic as former members of bands including Battleship, Necking, Teenage Nitewar, Rice, PRSMS, Aa, Fiasco, The Homosexuals, and Wand. Zulus was started as an attempt at a pop band by guys who have since proven clearly unable to write pop songs. The record, simply titled Zulus II, is loaded with nine brash and corrupted anthems all rolled up tight into a wiry ball of filth and whatever other debris it picked up along the way.
This Week’s Vinyl Exclusives:
Beirut – No No No LP (4AD)
Standard black vinyl version. “Finding a new love sparked the creativity and songwriting that went into the making of No No No. Condon and his bandmates, bassist Paul Collins and drummer Nick Petree, worked on the new album in the fall of 2014, finally recording it in two weeks live in the studio. Last June, videos of Beirut playing several new songs at Brooklyn’s Northside Festival appeared online. One of them is ‘No No No,’ the title track to the nine-song collection. It’s a jaunty, syncopated, playful tune with a simple yet anthemic melody. The horn arrangements bring depth to the song’s spirited repetition. It’s undeniably Beirut — and a joyfully welcome return.” – NPR
Belzebong – Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves LP (Emetic)
The debut offering from Polish bong-masters Belzebong. A riff-charged and heavy dose of full-on lung-hacking stoner heaviness. “The band drowns themselves in a sea of distortion, fuzz and enough bottom-end to cure the worst case of constipation—in other words this music will make you sh*t.”—Doommantia
Black Wing – Is Doomed LP+MP3 (The Flenser)
New release by this solo project from Dan Barrett, the man behind Connecticut-based Have a Nice Life, Giles Corey, Enemies List and countless other endeavors. Gloomy yet uplifting, heavy while ambient, overwhelming yet alluring.
Circus Devils – Girl In Space b/w Sunflower Wildman 7” (Happy Jack Rock)
Exclusive A-side track “Girl In Space” backed with “Sunflower Wildman” from Circus Devils’ forthcoming LP Stomping Grounds (which is due October 23).
Gussie Clarke – From The Foundation 2xLP (VP)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. From one of reggae’s most successful producers comes this 18-song anthology from the vaults from his Music Works and Gussie labels. From The Foundation celebrates the legacy of Augustus Gussie Clarke, the careers he launched and guided and the classic hits that resulted. The package contains a newly produced documentary video titled “Gussie Clarke: From The Foundation” which includes vintage footage and rare interviews chronicling the highlights of an amazing musical career.
The Dear Hunter – Act IV: Rebirth In Paradise 2xLP (Equal Vision)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The release of Act IV marks the long-awaited continuation of the band’s six album concept series chronicling the story of a boy at the turn of the century, only referred to as “The Dear Hunter.” The Dear Hunter is the main project of multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter Casey Crescenzo. From the beginning, it was a high-concept project: Casey mapped out multi-page treatments for a six-album story arc about the birth, life, and abrupt death of a boy, set at the dawn of the 20th century. HQ-180gm color vinyl pressing.
Dungen – Allas Sak LP (Mexican Summer)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Dungen frontman/mastermind Gustav Ejstes has been making music for nearly twenty years—at first for himself, then eventually and inevitably for all of us. As a teenager in rural Sweden, he became obsessed with hip-hop and sampling, and eventually, ‘60s pop and psychedelia. He took up guitar and bass, drums and keyboard and even flute, then took to his grandmother’s basement to put it all on tape. It’s been five years since the last Dungen album, 2010’s Skit I Allt, which is by far the longest interval between releases for a band that proved especially prolific and inspired during the 2000s. Allas Sak picks up where Dungen’s previous album left off, but somehow it sounds bolder and livelier, feistier yet more focused. Allas Sak is about everyday matters: family, friends, the fine texture of life. Common but never mundane, these subjects anchor the music in the here and now, while the music lends a certain grandeur to ordinary moments.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Live In No Particular Order: 2009 – 2014 3xLP+MP3 (Community Music)
First physical release of the sprawling live album celebrating seven years of live shows, initially released exclusively as a digital download on BitTorrent. Features more than two hours of music from performances around the world, including favorites such as “Home” and “40 Day Dream.”
Erasers – Stem Together LP (Fire Talk)
Perth, Australia-based duo Erasers weave hazy psych swirls, churning rhythm and pastel vocals into dense grooving floral compositions, recalling a variety of our favorite “slow psych” influencers. Think a mellowed out Peaking Lights meets Pocahaunted.
Glen Hansard – Didn’t He Ramble LP+MP3 (ANTI)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Didn’t He Ramble is Hansard’s most intimate and elegant record since his work in Once and features guest appearances by John Sheahan (Dubliners), Sam Beam (Iron And Wine) and Sam Amidon. Glen Hansard is the celebrated principal songwriter and vocalist/guitarist for the influential Irish group The Frames. Whether busking the streets of Dublin, where he got his start, or headlining a gig, Hansard has garnered a reputation as an unparalleled frontman. He is also one half of the acclaimed duo The Swell Season. In 2007, he and Czech songstress Markéta Irglová took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly” off the Once soundtrack. In 2013, the Broadway adaptation, Once The Musical, won eight Tony Awards including the top musical prize. Most recently, Hansard has won critical acclaim for his moving interpretations of the songs of Jason Molina of Songs:Ohia.
Zeus B. Held – Vinyl Collection LP (Medical Records)
Zeus is a well-known and acclaimed German musician and producer also made famous for producing Gina X Performance. Zeus first began his musical career in the mid-1970s with the German prog rock group Birth Control. Subsequently, he recorded three solo albums: Zeus’ Amusement (1978), Europium (1980) and Attack Time (1981). He performed a number of interesting live shows supporting the albums all over Europe using a number instruments such as Fender Rhodes, Hohner Clavinet, Hammond Organ, Poly and Minimoog, ARP sequencers and most importantly, a Sennheiser Vocoder VSM 201 among other various instruments. His musical influences ranged from Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson to Kraftwerk and Steve Reich. HQ-180gm color vinyl.
Hermitude – Dark Night Sweet Light 2xLP+MP3 (Nettwerk)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Following up from their hugely successful 2012 record HyperParadise, the new effort from the Australian electronica duo dives head first into a vocal-led world of hip hop sounds, Latin rhythms, and huge trap-heavy percussion. Often straddling between the worlds of illumination and shadows, the aptly titled release truly celebrates the pair’s unique take on future beats. Clear/orange vinyl.
Benji Hughes – Shark Attack b/w Mama, I’m A Zombie 7”+MP3 (Merge)
Benji Hughes – Freak Friday Blues b/w Jazz x 10 7”+MP3 (Merge)
“Why should you buy a new bikini, when you don’t need a bikini at all?” Good vibes are important to Benji Hughes, and he brings them in spades with two limited edition 7”s.
Andrew Kidman – Litmus [OST/Reissue/1996] 2xLP (Anthology Recordings)
Andrew Kidman – Glass Love [OST/Reissue/2006] 2xLP (Anthology Recordings)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. As part Anthology Recordings’ Surf Archive series, we celebrate the soundtracks to Andrew Kidman’s classic 1996 film Litmus alongside his 2006 follow up Glass Love. Litmus, Andrew Kidman’s first avant-garde surf film, served as a soulful reaction to the pop-punk progression that dominated the “alternative” mainstream. The outcome of the “one-and-done” sessions was a lo-fi, rustic, experimental rock ‘n’ roll sound, adding a rough-around-the-edges ambiance to the surf scenes that span Ireland, Australia, California, and South Africa. Additional contributions from Galaxie 500, Yothu Yindi and The Screaming Orphans diversify the score. Kidman released his second film, Glass Love, ten years later.
B.B. King – Deuces Wild [Reixxue/1997] 2xLP (Geffen)
Issued for the first time on vinyl, King’s 35th solo album is released as a special gatefold edition HQ-180gm double vinyl. The set features King performing duets with a series of noted partners, including Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones and D’Angelo amongst others.
Kisses – Rest In Paradise LP (Hit City USA)
Third album from the new wave-inspired pop rock duo from Los Angeles. Kisses consists of Jesse Kivel (vocals/lead guitarist) and Zinzi Edmundson (instrumentals/keyboardist). They released their debut album, The Heart Of The Nightlife, in November 2010. Their second album, Kids In L.A., followed three years later. The band has received critical kudos in the US and UK, having been written up for Pitchfork, AllMusic and other respected sites.
Legendary Shack Shakers – Southern Surreal LP (Alternative Tentacles)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The infamous, explosive Southern wrecking crew The Legendary Shack Shakers are back with a brand new full-length titled The Southern Surreal. Their first release in five years, the album lands on the band’s 20th anniversary and is their Alternative Tentacles debut. The infamous, explosive Southern wrecking crew The Legendary Shack Shakers are back with a brand new full-length titled The Southern Surreal. Their first release in five years, the album lands on the band’s 20th anniversary and is their Alternative Tentacles debut.
Little Boots – Working Girl LP+CD (Dim Mak)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Dance-pop sensation Little Boots delights with her third LP, Working Girl, produced by Jas Shaw of Simian Mobile Disco, super producer Ariel Rechtshaid, SZA collaborator Patrick Lukens, MNDR’s Pete Wade, and Com Truise. Filled with her signature airy vocals, uplifting melodies and clean interplay between synths and beats, the 13-song album pulls at the parameters of pop but remains true to its indie dance core. HQ-180gm color vinyl includes copy on CD.
Roger Lion – Roger Lion LP+MP3 (Team Love)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. As Roger Lion, Joe Pernice and Josh “Budo” Karp make acoustic music for a hip-hop world.
Magma – Live 2xLP (Jazz Village)
In 1975, following the departure of Jannick Top and almost all original members of the group, Magma was reborn from the ashes with a rejuvenated ambition. This live recording, which took place in June of 1975 at the Olympia Tavern, captures Christian Vander at the top of his artistic game and features a mind-blowing performance from Didier Lockwood, whose violin adds an extra dimension to the profound originality of this superb double album.
Mastodon – Once More Around The Sun [2014] 2xLP (Reprise)
Limited double transparent green and solid white colored vinyl LP pressing of Mastodon’s 2014 album.
John Mayer – Heavier Things [Reissue/2003] LP (Sony)
Mayer’s massively popular second album is back in print on vinyl.
MG – Remixes 2×12” (Mute)
Several tracks from Martin Gore’s instrumental solo album get the remix treatment on this double-12” vinyl EP. It also includes two brand new tracks not featured on the main album. The album’s focus track, “Europa Hymn,” gets the Andy Stott treatment whilst album highlight “Pinking” is remixed by Martin/Depeche collaborator Christoffer Berg. The final remix comes from Virgil Enzinger for the track “Brink.”
Miserable – Halloween Dream EP 7”+MP3 (Native Sound)
Kristina Esfandiari is Miserable. Former vocalist of Bay Area shoe gazers, Whirr, Kristina writes and performs a brand of moving and evocative music that oozes with nostalgia. Over the course of four tracks, Esfandiari’s powerful voice and poignant compositions swell into soundscapes both haunting and wistful. Opaque orange vinyl.
Monika – Secret In The Dark LP (Other Music)
Released last week on CD – now available on vinyl. A blend of organic ‘70s-styled left field disco, ‘80s art-pop, and much more, Secret In The Dark is a distinctly New York album with a breezy Mediterranean heart. It’s soulful, arty, and a ton of fun.
Mount Moriah – Calvander & Baby Blue (Garage Demo) b/w Plane (Live) 7”+MP3 (Merge)
Mount Moriah return with a three-song 7” in advance of the follow-up to Miracle Temple. “Calvander” adds sprightly horns to the beauty of Heather McEntire’s powerful voice as she narrates a fierce journey toward redemption. A demo “garage rock” version of new live favorite “Baby Blue” and the band’s intimate performance of “Plane” at Raleigh’s Fletcher Opera House during the 2013 Hopscotch Festival round out this release.
My Chemical Romance – I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love [Reissue/2002] LP (Reprise)
HQ-180gm vinyl repress. My Chemical Romance’s debut has a raw sound that has guitar riffs, very energetic vocals and occasional screaming. Despite being sold under the post-hardcore and alternative rock genres, it is often considered an emo album with strong influences, from punk rock, hardcore punk and some influences from heavy metal.
New Found Glory – Resurrection: Ascension 2xLP (Hopeless)
Latest from pop-punk mainstays New Found Glory. The album is packed with seven new tracks including the new single “Vicious Love” featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore.
New Order – Restless 12” (Mute)
First single from Music Complete by New Order including extended version of title track plus remixes by Andrew Weatherall and Agoria.
Nightwish – Angels Fall First [Reissue/1997] 2xLP (Spinefarm)
Nightwish – Oceanhorn [Reissue/1998] 2xLP (Spinefarm)
Nightwish – Wishmaster [Reissue/2000] 2xLP (Spinefarm)
Nightwish – Over The Hills And Far Away [Reissue/2001] 2xLP (Spinefarm)
Nightwish – Century Child [Reissue/2002] 2xLP (Spinefarm)
Several early titles from the Finnish symphonic metal band are back in print on vinyl.
Richard Papiercuts – If LP (Ever/Never)
Influenced in equal measure by both sides of the street and the top and bottom of the charts, Richard Papiercuts’ If sets a new standard for ambitious pop music on a shoestring budget. Meticulously recorded throughout New York City over the course of a turbulent year, Papiercuts and co. traffic in shades of light and dark. Like a master of ceremonies at an underground cabaret, Papiercuts—a mystery man of uncertain origin and pedigree—is an expert guide to the many quandaries of a modern metropolitan existence.
Predator – Drag 7” (Total Punk)
Predator has been kicking around the Atlanta punk scene for quite some time, and though there early releases were really good I feel with 2013’s Complete Earth LP they finally nailed down the formula. In a punk scene rich with talent Predator is the band to beat. Minimal, dark, Wire/Agnew influenced punk tunes with deadpan vocal delivery and incredibly strong production.
Elvis Presley – ELIV1S 30 #1 Hits [Reissue/2002] 2xLP (RCA)
ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits is a 2002 greatest hits collection of songs by rock ‘n’ roll icon Elvis Presley that reached #1 on the Australian, United Kingdom and United States albums charts. It is the first Elvis Presley album to feature the remix of “A Little Less Conversation” by Junkie XL that was released earlier in the year and reached #1 in the UK and Australia. This style of compilation, dovetailing #1 hits from the two largest record markets in the world, was inspired by the Beatles’ 1, which had become a worldwide hit in 2000.
Red Fetish – Derangement Of Synapses LP (Medical Records)
Medical Records presents a hand-picked selection of home recorded demos from Stoke, UK’s Red Fetish. Armed with a Korg 770, Yamaha CS10, Korg Rhythm 55, a guitar here and there and a Teac 244 four track recorder, the band consisted of Neale James Potts and Mike Richardson. Red Fetish featured members from All The Madmen and Decades By Night and later evolved into The Cone and Tiger Club. These tracks were recorded in 1982-83 and all culled from various cassettes that the band recorded. The tracks for this special release (technically not a reissue) were hand picked by Medical Records out of a large demo collection (often multiple versions of certain songs). Red Fetish was heavily influenced by UK late ‘70 s new wave as well as rock staples such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Hawkwind. The songs are built from very minimal and sparse synth lines yet the overall feel is interestingly dense and warm. HQ-180gm red and white vinyl.
Rush – Signals [Reissue/1982] LP (Mercury)
Remastered on HQ-200gm, heavyweight vinyl at Abbey Road Studios using the Direct to Metal Mastering (DMM) audiophile copper plating process, all from original analogue masters. Signals, originally released in 1982, marked the band’s increase use of electronic instrumentation, especially sequencers and electric violin (played by Ben Mink).
The Suburban Homes – Conformity In The U.K. b/w Television Spies 7” (Total Punk)
‘78-‘82 UK punk done with a very modern feel and perspective.
Teenage Time Killers – Greatest Hits Vol. 1 2xLP+CD (Rise)
The long-gestating brainchild of Corrosion Of Conformity founder/drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, guitarist Mick Murphy (My Ruin, The Birds Of Satan, Neanderthal) and producer John “Lou” Lousteau, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 features 20 concise seismic shocks created by an all-star line up of punk and metal veterans spanning decades. (Limited copies pressed on black/grey color vinyl.)
The Turnpike Troubadours – The Turnpike Troubadours LP (Bossier City)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The Turnpike Troubadours self-titled album features the quintet’s signature blend of roots rock, folk, and raw country played with grit, passion, and conviction.
Weyes Blood – Cardamom Times 12” (Mexican Summer)
Cardamom Times alters tropes of classicist folk arrangements wtih echo chambers, flutes, organ, and manipulated tapes to locate ‘timeless romance’ in the face of digital envelopment and urban decay. Weyes Blood channels the domestic hymns of Sybille Baier through the lens of Baltimore’s recent experimentalism; the devotional drones of Terry Riley accompanied by the voices of the Sacre Coeur.
Wild Ones – Heatwave LP (Top Shelf)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Sporting a lush and well-rounded sound that is incredibly infectious, Wild Ones’ pick up where they left off with Keep It Safe’s melancholy pop, and add some attitude.
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – Harmlessness 2xLP+MP3 (Epitaph)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Founded by guitarist/singer Derrick Shanholtzer-Dvorak, guitarist/singer Tyler Bussey, and bassist Josh Cyr in 2009 in the post-industrial mill town of Willimantic, Connecticut, The World Is A Beautiful Place’s early records were atmospheric, impressionistic tone-poems, balanced somewhere between the twilit emo of American Football and Christie Front Drive and the pensive, mood-heavy post-rock of The Appleseed Cast and Yo La Tengo. Their new album, Harmlessness, is a breakthrough for a band that has built a following crafting striking melodies, poignant narratives, and confident, compelling songs out of their own complicated and imaginative aesthetic. It ranges from the hushed folk of opener “You Can’t Live Here Forever” to the epic, grandiose “Mount Hum” – spanning the bedroom pop of the band’s salad days to the sweeping scope of 2013’s Whenever, If Ever, and beyond.
Wrong – Stop Giving 12”+MP3 (Robotic Empire)
Miami, Florida’s Wrong formed from the ashes of Capsule and debut with the absolutely pummeling Stop Giving EP. With an emphasis on bludgeon and groove, it’s hard not to compare their first recordings to heyday-era Helmet. But Wrong brings their own dissonance, atmosphere and attitude in a massive combination of power and skill. This is truly an impressive first effort, and preludes a full-length due on Robotic Empire later this year.
Xiu Xiu – Fabulous Muscles [Reissue/2004] LP+MP3 (Polyvinyl)
Previously out of print, 2004’s Fabulous Muscles has been remastered for vinyl. Xiu Xiu’s best selling and most critically acclaimed album includes “I Luv The Valley OH!,” “Crank Heart,” “Clowne Towne” and more. The music is drawn from British post punk and synth pop, modern Western classical, noise and experimental music, Asian percussion music, American folk, torch singers, house, techno and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. There are sounds used to rhythmically push some songs forward in a Top 40 way but with fewer straight beats. Noise restrictions also led to more use of single, quiet acoustic instruments. Limited HQ-180gm color vinyl.
Cassettes:
Colossal Yes – Surrounded By Progress (Ba Da Bing!)
Utrillo Kushner, main conveyor of Colossal Yes’ ivory melodics and Comets On Fire’s percussive juggernauts, takes brutalism to new levels on Surrounded By Progress, the soundtrack to a science-fiction dystopian tale yet to be written. The music here remains wordless and instrumental, interconnecting biological rhythms with a sky the color of a television turned to a dead channel. The initial rush of inhumanity disguises the human heart at the center of Surrounded By Progress, a living and breathing document the Monks Of The Order of St. Leibowitz would deify up for endless study.
Claire Cronin – Over And Through (Ba Da Bing!)
Cronin’s songs are sparse, deep, and dark, and her gravelly voice reaches unexpected levels of emotional beauty. There’s something Jason Molina going on here, by way of Karen Dalton and Neil Young. Cronin is currently working towards a PhD in poetry at University of Georgia, and her lyrics reflect the intelligence and insight of someone so devoted to the written word.
Earth Jerks – The West Is A Mess (Ba Da Bing!)
“One guy. A keyboard, a few pedals (reverb, delay, tremolo, fuzz) and that’s it. The guy, (me) has been in bunch of other bands; most notably, I played drums in Death Sentence: PANDA! (who had records out on Upset The Rhythm and a couple other Euro labels). I classify the jams as surf rock and honestly the point of reference is more Sunset Strip `66 than Berlin* or Cologne `72.”
LXV – Asylum/Theophany (Soft Abuse)
Producer David Sutton has been working under the moniker LXV for several years, and in that time has issued a steady stream of genre-scrambling missives. Asylum/Theophany serves as a meditation on Chapel Perilous, an occult term that concerns confusion surrounding supernatural experiences in the physical world. Sutton deeply renders the concept, burying itinerant voices under spectral layers of noise, drones and sharply digital, cold, and harsh electronic tones.
Majeur – Union Of Worlds (Constellation Tatsu)
Since he began moonlighting from his main gig as half of sci-fi prog powerhouse Zombi, multi-instrumentalist A.E. Paterra has become increasingly renowned as the mastermind behind Majeur, combining the dark Moog-driven film scores of Vangelis with the relentless drive of Can and the transcendent minimalism of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The brilliant mix of live and electronic rhythms is the heart and soul of Majeure’s music, and Union Of Worlds is both a nod to Majeure’s prior accomplishments, and a peek into a more cinematic, atmospheric world.
Paul R. Marcano & Andre Martin – Valley Flutes/As It IS (Constellation Tatsu)
Valley Flutes/As it IS were never officially released and which were composed completely independently of each other by each artist. Valley Flutes by Marcano was played on a typical recorder “flute” instrument, doused with echo, recorded at 3x slow speed, medium and high speed for playback at medium speed. As It IS by Martin is one of those compositions that arises from the immutable depth and resonance of being, timeless in it’s fashion with nothing contrived.
Of Montreal – Snare Celestial Doomings (Polyvinyl)
Snare Lustrous Doomings captures of Montreal’s incredible live energy with 19 high-quality recordings taken from performances at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall and Portland’s Wonder Ballroom. Features over 90 minutes of music spanning the band’s entire career — from Bedside Drama to Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? to Lousy With Sylvianbriar and everything in between.
The Scrapes – Songs Of Baron Samedi (Soft Abuse)
Brisbane’s The Scrapes make howling mechanical dirges with fiddle (Adam Cadell) and guitar (Ryan Potter) and miscellaneous effects, and with several nods to Henry Flynt, Tony Conrad and The Dirty Three.
Carter Thornton – Mapping The Ghost Vol. 1: Dirt Path To The Field (Soft Abuse)
NYC guitarist Carter Thornton has manipulated sound in mysterious underground corners for decades. His contributions to No Neck Blues Band satellites, doom/drone metal ensemble Gnaw (with Alan Dubin of Khanate), avant-pop group Pigeons, and the mostly-solo endeavor Zashiki-Warashi are sufficiently divergent for even the most attuned seeker. On Mapping, Thornton returned to using traditional instrumentation, found sounds, field recordings, effects and more. Vol. 1 tramples through a host of environments, from (fairly) straightforward string pieces to uncompromising collage fever dreams and various points in-between.
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