CDs:
Ásgeir – In The Silence CD (One Little Indian)
US debut for the rising Icelandic folk/electronica artist. “Despite being a ‘singer/songwriter’ album, In The Silence certainly doesn’t lack variety from an instrumental perspective — ‘Torrent’ matches its emotional lyrics with a brash rock sensibility, making it the most immediate-sounding track on the record, while ‘King And Cross’ is more akin to Alt-J with its humming bass and aquatic synths. ‘In The Silence’ comes across like a more chilled out Of Monsters And Men, and the stark, minimal ‘Going Home’ calls to mind James Blake.” – Drowned In Sound
Nicole Atkins – Slow Phaser CD/LP (Oh Mercy! Records)
A neon noir tour de force of hi-def late-night pop, Slow Phaser marks Nicole Atkins’ most ingenious and indelibly modern collection to date. Produced by Tore Johannson — with whom she partnered on her now-classic 2007 debut, Neptune City — the album is a milestone for the acclaimed singer/songwriter, her restless creativity fully realized via the addition of some surprising colors to her already diverse pallet.
Atomic Ape – Swarm CD (Web Of Mimicry)
Here’s some good news for fans of meticulously crafted instrumental music and records with major production efforts behind them: The Web Of Mimicry artist(s) formerly known as Orange Tulip Conspiracy have returned with a new lineup, a new sound, a new name, and most exciting of all, a new album called Swarm, which features a massive cast of 25 musicians, including: Trey Spruance, Eyvind Kang, Tim Young, Devin Hoff, Jessika Kenney, Dave Abramson, Timb Harris, Steve Moore and other heavy luminaries like Joe Doria, Danny Frankel and Mike Stone.
Augustines – Augustines CD/LP (Votiv/Oxcart)
Augustines was born upon the ashes of the Brooklyn indie rock band, Pela. That combo called an end to its collective trip in 2009, but founders McCarthy and Sanderson reunited to record a series of deeply personal songs chronicling despair, depression, and the untimely death of a close family member. They dubbed their intimate new endeavor, Augustines, which trademark issues required be appended to We Are Augustines.
Ausmuteants – Amusements CD (Agitated/Aarght!)
Ausmuteants are four twenty-nothings from Geelong, Victoria raised on a diet of seminal avant-punk like Chrome, the Screamers, and letʼs not mention Devo.
Behemoth – The Satanist CD (Metal Blade)
The Satanist is the 10th studio album from the Polish blackened death metal band. The cover art was painted by renowned Russian painter and occultist Denis Forkas.
Big Head Todd & The Monsters – Black Beehive CD (Shout Factory!)
“[T]his blues-infused album may be the strongest affirmation of the band’s roots. From the gritty album-opening growlers of ‘Hey Delila’ and ‘Everything About You,’ to the folk/country blues of ‘Travelin’ Light’ and ‘Forever Bonnie,’ the group shows commitment to the form. … We all know that the blues had a baby called rock & roll. Big Head Todd & The Monsters make it so.” — Relix
Scott H. Biram – Nothin’ But Blood CD/LP (Bloodshot)
What in the past has been expressed through reeling irreverence and spirit-lifting profanity (which Biram’s still got in spades; don’t worry) is here a more penetrating, and chilling, version of The Dirty Old One Man Band self-examining and penitent, yet still as crazy as a jack-eyed preacher. On his ninth album (and fifth for Bloodshot Records) blood is many, often inherently contradictory, themes: life, death, suffering, evil, commitment, legacy, atonement. “With a raw immediacy that recalls Hasil Adkins and Bob Log III, Biram specializes in a twisted hybrid of gutbucket, hillbilly and godless metal. He’ll praise the virtues of moonshine and titty bars one minute, then tongue-lash city slickers and hippies the next.” — Houston Press
The Bixby Knolls – Near & Undear CD/LP (El Camino Media, LLC)
Powered by fuzz-driven sonics, heart-stomping rhythms and soul-awakening anthems and melodies, ‘The Knolls’ do not go unnoticed for those that witness their aural craft whether it be played from a phonograph or the stage. The four-piece collective shine a different light on the ‘indie’ sound and give hope to the survival of guitar driven pop.
Michael Bloomfield – From His Head To His Heart To His Hands 3xCD+DVD (Sony Legacy)
Guitarist Mike Bloomfield never fully got his due as one of the go-to sidemen of his generation or for his importance as a common thread in the patchwork of genres that changed the face of rock & roll in the ‘60s and ‘70s. This multi-disc anthology features released and unreleased gems from solo sessions to live performances from The Fillmore East and Fillmore West, The Bottom Line and other historic venues. The compilation also features a fascinating new mini-documentary combining vintage audio interviews with Bloomfield and live performances with new reflections from his friends, collaborators and admirers.
Bombay Bicycle Club – So Long, See You Tomorrow CD (Vagrant)
“So Long, See You Tomorrow is all about the beats, you see. It’s probably a smart move, what with guitar music being declared dead every three weeks by those music-typing folk. Lead single ‘Carry Me’ makes you all nostalgic for a summer yet to be experienced, one filed with exotic fruits, awkward romance and questionable Hawaiian shirts. It’s the type of music you’d hear at Ibiza Rocks, not that I really know what type of music you’d hear at Ibiza Rocks.” – Drowned In Sound
Toni Braxton & Babyface – Love, Marriage & Divorce CD (10 Spot)
With an all-time total of 16 Grammy Awards between them, multi-platinum superstars Toni Braxton and Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds have finally teamed up for their first album of duets.
Broken Bells – After The Disco CD/LP+MP3 (Columbia)
Sophomore album from the musical partnership comprised of Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) and James Mercer (The Shins). Features the first single. “Holding On To Life. Vinyl pressed on HQ-180gm with download.
Brotherhood – The Complete Recordings 2xCD (Real Gone Music)
Right at the height of popularity for Paul Revere & The Raiders, the band’s core power trio of Phil Volk (bass), Drake Levin (guitar) and Mike (Smitty) Smith (drums) left to pursue their own more ambitious musical goals. Subsequent lawsuits and a run of bad luck meant that the first, self-titled album by their new band, Brotherhood, would be delayed, and received little notice at the time. Yet, by mixing a wealth of socially conscious original numbers with hard-rocking reinterpretations of tunes by the Mamas And The Papas and Joe South, Brotherhood was a band brimming with promise.
The John Butler Trio – Flesh + Blood CD (Vanguard)
Aussie roots virtuoso John Butler is known for his masterful lap-steel talent, as well as his unusual preference for playing acoustic guitars through a variety of pedals and distorted Marshall amps. But when it comes to the playing of stringed instruments, he virtually does it all, and extremely well at that, with a rare air of originality. Vinyl version due March 4.
