CDs + Vinyl:

AC/DC – Rock Or Bust CD/LP (Columbia)

This is the first album of new AC/DC material since 2008’s multi platinum Black Ice. Rock Or Bust was recorded in Spring 2014 at Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC and finds AC/DC once again working with producer Brendan O’Brien and mixer Mike Fraser. It is the first album in the band’s 40-plus-year career that will not feature ailing bassist Malcolm Young. Songwriting duties, which have been shared by the Young brothers in the past, fell on the shoulders of guitarist Angus, who is said to have written the material on Rock Or Bust by himself. Contrary to published reports and rumors, this will not be AC/DC’s last album.

Anima Morte – Upon Darkened Stains CD (Transubstans Sweden)

The third album by Anima Morte sees the Swedish band evolving their moody instrumental songs one step further into the cinematic realm – rooted in ‘70s rock music with symphonic and experimental elements. Following deeper and more complex compositions the tense and melancholic atmosphere contrasts strong and thrilling musical motifs.

Aquadolls – Sun Soaked On You CD (Burger)

Sun-kissed teen dream beach pop debut on Burger Records. Pretty much sounds like Best Coast. Vinyl version due January 15.

Lee Bannon – Big Toy Box 2 CD (Chillectro)

A collection of instrumentals and unreleased tracks from the Sacramento producer. It is the soundtrack to Lee Bannon’s time in Sacramento and his growth in its thriving hip-hop and electronic music scenes.

Beanpole – Random Musings 1 CD (Jigsaw Recordings)

Vocals, guitars, strings and even flutes are layered upon each other (amidst drums, bass and keyboard) to make for a wonderful and harmonious sound. These five songs only prove that Verna Brock should be up in the same revered class of indiepop luminaries such as Rose Melberg and Pam Berry.

Bereft – The Lost Ages CD (War Crime)

Deep from the depths of Madison, WI come Bereft, a project that encompasses guitarist/vocalist Zach Johnson and guitarist Alex Linden’s views on religion, politics, social injustice and the human condition. Drawing from elements of black metal, post-metal, doom and other forms of ambient music, they present The Lost Ages, their five-track debut EP.

Theodore Bikel – Theodore Bikel’s Treasury Of Yiddish Folk & Theatre Songs CD (Real Gone Music)

Theodore Bikel is one of the most important folk singers of the recording era, and during his legendary tenure at Elektra Records, he recorded a multitude of albums exploring virtually every nook and cranny of the ethnic folk music canon.

Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions CD/LP (Capitol)

Mary J. Blige collaborates with a host of UK talent including Disclosure, Eg White, Emile Sandé, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, Sam Romans and Sam Smith on The London Sessions.

Blue Six – Signs & Wonders CD (Naked Music)

With a nod to the ‘80s, Blue Six is back with another sonic gem filled with the lush grooves, and smart, introspective songwriting.

Bo-Dogs – Bad Bad Dog CD/LP (Low Impact)

Raw, wild and energetic Swedish garage and pub rock.

Brothertiger – Future Splendors CD/LP (Mush)

Future Splendors is the nostalgic-yet-new ten-track album from synth-pop darling, Brothertiger. Beholden to purest ‘80s synth-pop, the album operates as a collection of cinematic moments, drowned in glowing neon.

[Read more…] about New Releases for December 2, 2014

CDs + Vinyl: 

Brian Adams – Reckless [Reissue/1984] CD/2xCD/2xCD+DVD+Blu-ray Audio (A&M)

Brian Adams’ 1984 smash (with the hits “Run To You,” “Summer Of ’69,” “Kids Wanna Rock,” etc.) has been digitally remastered and expanded with seven bonus tracks. Available in Regular, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a bonus 12 track live CD. Super Deluxe version features the live disc plus Reckless: The Movie on DVD and a copy of the album on hi-res Blu-ray audio. 

Angrepp – Libido CD (Unexploded)

Sophomore album from the Swedish metal band — eight new songs with black metal with thrash and punk influences.

Attila – Guilty Pleasure CD (Razor & Tie)

“It’s been far too long since a heavy metal band could get the party started the way Attila can. Drinks will be pounded down, blunts will be blown, panties will be thrown, and everyone will have the time of their lives once they hear the Atlanta quintet’s sixth full-length album.”

Iggy Azalea – Reclassified CD (Def Jam)

Updated reissue of the Australian rapper’s debut album New Classic expanded with five bonus tracks. Guests include Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Ellie Goulding and Jennifer Hudson

Baring Teeth – Ghost Chorus Among Old Ruins CD (Willowtip)

Immersive, hypnotic, and haunting, Ghost Chorus Among Old Ruins melds seemingly opposing characteristics — streamlined songwriting and dizzying technicality, ambience and brute force, density and angularity, order and chaos — into a fully realized, cohesive listening experience.

Beyoncé – Beyoncé [Platinum Edition] 2xCD+2xDVD (Sony)

Expanded four-disc edition of the R&B/soul superstar’s 2013 album includes the original 14 track album and 17 track DVD plus a bonus CD containing six additional tracks — including new songs, ”7/11” and ”Ring Off” plus four new and unreleased remixes with some superstar collaborators — and a live performance DVD that chronicles the year-long ”Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.” Also includes a mini version of the official 2015 Beyoncé calendar, and more. 

Maurizio Bianchi – Untitled 1980 CD (Important)

CD reissue of cassette-only Untitled 1980 by Italian pioneer of noise and industrial music, paired with a 2013 re-working of the original material into four entirely new compositions.

Bjork – Biophilia Live 2xCD+DVD/2xCD+Blu-ray (One Little Indian)

Biophilia Live is a concert film by Nick Fenton and Peter Strickland that captures the human element of Bjork’s multi-disciplinary multimedia project: Biophilia. Recorded live at Bjork’s show at London’s Alexandra Palace in 2013, the film features Bjork and her band performing every song on Biophilia and more using a broad variety of instruments some digital, some traditional and some completely unclassifiable. The film premiered at The Tribeca Film Festival and has appeared at Festivals around the Globe since.

The Brand New Heavies – Sweet Freaks CD (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

Tenth album from the London-based acid jazz innovators and expert purveyors of funky grooves and incredibly soulful harmonies.

Buffalo Killers – Fireball Of Sulk CD/LP (Sun Pedal Recordings)

“Cincinnati’s favorite bearded, bohemian brethren, Buffalo Killers are back and are producing cool rocking music at a speed that would make Bob Pollard blush. Their newest release from Sun Pedal Recordings is called Fireball Of Sulk and is a 6-track bookend-like follow-up to their album Heavy Reverie which just came out this past Spring. Heavy Reverie marked a huge turning point for the band in many ways: not only was it their first time working with Sun Pedal, but the band chose this moment to expand their sound by adding slide-style maestro Sven Kahns on both guitar and lap-steel.” – WVXU

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 25, 2014

CDs + Vinyl:

Acid Baby Jesus – Selected Recordings CD/LP (Slovenly)

Representing the primitivism of Athens, Greece, steadily fornicating with the modern humps of the most ancient civilizations hitherto, Acid Baby Jesus has finally assembled a collection of recordings from their past two years on the rotation. The experiments on Selected Recordings were formulated while spending many of those moments on a secluded island in the Mediterranean sea, populated by a(n) (r)evolutionary cast of travelers, all starving for an heady atmosphere and a delicious salad. Many records were played on record players at these assemblages.

Ariel Pink – Pom Pom CD/2xLP (4AD)

Across its 17 tracks and 69 minutes, Pom Pom is unfiltered Ariel Pink, featuring infectious tales of romance, murder, frog princes, and Jell-O. The album sees the L.A. native strike it out alone, returning to the solo moniker he has adopted for well over a decade.

Baby Bash – Ronnie Rey All Day CD (Empire Distribution)

New album from the Mexican-American rapper featuring guest appearances from Paul Wall, Frankie J and Ray J.

Lee Bannon – Caligula Theme Music 2.7.5 CD (Chillectro)

Sac Town based producer, Lee Bannon, follows up his 2012 EP, Caligula Theme Music with the sequel, Caligula Theme Music 2.7.5. Ten mostly instrumental tracks with vocal appearances from Rokamouth, Kirk Knight, Chuck Strangers, Matt Stoops, and more.

Karl Berger – Gently Unfamiliar CD (Tzadik)

One of the most versatile and active proponents of creative music, Karl Berger is a living legend who has been expanding the jazz language since the mid-’60s. A pianist, vibraphonist, composer, arranger, conductor and educator of astounding energy and creativity, Karl has worked with many of the greatest names in new music: Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Gato Barbieri, Anthony Braxton, Bill Laswell and countless others. Following up on his gorgeous 2010 release of solo piano etudes Strangely Familiar, the second CD of Berger’s Tzadik trilogy presents his distinctive piano stylings in a trio format with a sensitive and supportive rhythm section.

Brandt Bjork And The Low Desert Punk Band – Black Power Flower CD (Napalm)

Brandt Bjork, as cult figure of the Palm Desert scene, was founder/drummer of the now defunct stoner-rock legends Kyuss and is a permanent member of Vista Chino (formerly Kyuss Lives!). Now, he is sailing under his own flag, proving once again that his multi-instrumental skills know no creative boundaries. With his excellent occupied Low Desert Punk Band, Bjork lets the scorching heat of Nevada shimmer in his songs. He also scrubs his guitar through all sorts of psychedelic effect pedals and skillfully mixes stoner rock, blues and doom-bonds to a feverish hazy brew.

Black Taxi – Electro Death Grip CD (No Shame)

Most of the songs on Electro Death Grip are danceable pop jams with heavily funked-out guitar lines a-la Nile Rogers and Daft Punk. The tracks are fun and rhythmic, but at the same time, laced with the dark, sarcastic lyrics for which Black Taxi is known. The album is introspective and retrospective in its lyrical content, and futuristic in its production. Moog synths, fat trumpet lines, and jangly tambourines pay their respects to 1970s-era funk and disco records while deep, punchy drum production gives the album an ultra-modern feel.

David Bowie – Nothing Has Changed 3xCD/3xCD/2xLP (Sony Legacy)

Nothing Has Changed (named after a lyric from the Heathen album opener “Sunday”) compiles tracks from every period of Bowie’s career from his earliest incarnations with “Liza Jane” and “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” right up to James Murphy’s “Hello Steve Reich Mix” of “Love Is Lost” from last year. CD version is available in Regular double-disc and Deluxe triple-disc editions. Vinyl is HQ-180gm.

Nathan Bowles – Nansemond CD/LP+MP3 (Paradise Of Bachelors)

The second solo album from Black Twig Pickers member deploys banjo, percussion, piano, and voice to explore the rugged country between the poles of Appalachian old-time traditions, and ecstatic, minimalist drone. Features Tom Carter.

Brutality – Orchestrated Devastation: Best Of CD/2xLP (Ceremonial)

Nestled beneath the balmy breezes and palm trees of Tampa Bay, Florida, lies the most extensive and far-reaching death metal music scene in North America. It was there in 1986 that the band Brutality came together in their first incarnation. Orchestrated Devastation a compilation of Brutality’s greatest tracks, taken from their three studio releases as well as various demos and EPs, bundled alongside vast retrospective liner notes and band photos.

Burial Hex – The Hierophant CD/LP (Handmade Birds)

The Hierophant is the final Burial Hex album, a project whose closure has been calculated from its inception. Burial Hex is a pioneer of the horror electronics movement and over the past decade has released albums on Cold Spring, Aurora Borealis, Brave Mysteries, Blackest Rainbow, and Turgid Animal. Available on CD and HQ-180gm “ox blood red in milky clear” vinyl.

Buzzcocks – The Way CD/LP/Cassette (1-2-3-4 Go!)

The Way is the follow up to 2006’s Flat – Pack Philosophy LP and is the band’s ninth studio album since their formation in Manchester in 1976. These 10 tracks penned by the group’s long-standing core of Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle were recorded this year in London, and were produced by the band and Dave M. Allen (best known for his production work with The Cure, Depeche Mode and Neneh Cherry). The Way packs the same classic UK pop punk punch they’ve been known for over nearly four decades. Available on CD, cassette and on white vinyl.

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 18, 2014