AIMS Marketing Program/ Featured Titles Promoted This Week:­­

Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us CD/CD+Blu-ray Audio/2xLP (Inside Out Music)

The award-winning progressive rock band Big Big Train release their 15th studio album, marking the first full release with new frontman Alberto Bravin (ex-PFM). The anxiously awaited unveiling of The Likes Of Us follows Big Big Train’s successful recent European tour, which saw them perform 17 concerts across nine countries, concluding with two triumphant appearances at London’s Cadogan Hall. The album is a stunning piece of work that retains all the elements that make the band so special, including absorbing and memorable arrangements and first-rate musicianship. [The Dolby Atmos mix is part of the limited CD+Blu-ray Mediabook edition and contains the album as 5.1 Surround Sound & 24-bit high-resolution stereo.]

Blind Channel – Exit Emotions CD/LP (Century Media)

Be warned, Eurovision isn’t the crux of Blind Channel’s story. Furiously fighting their way into the worldwide mainstream, the six-piece have always been embracing their influences, from nu-metal iconoclasts to pop and hip-hop behemoths, it’s all a part of Blind Channel’s DNA. That’s the key to their draw: they’re only interested in sticking true to themselves while studiously searching for the keys to unlock the doors of success.   Finding their equivalent of Beatlemania in their homeland, and being the next great export, more bands popping up in Finland since their success, there’s nothing that can stand in the way of Blind Channel. Their hunger is still rumbling away, and if it’s go big or go home, it’s bigger all the way. [A limited-edition red color vinyl pressing is available.]

BryhM – Deep Sea Vents CD/LP (Zappo Productions)

Deep Sea Vents is a collaboration between Bruce Hornsby and yMusic, who are artistically known as BryhM. The album was produced by Hornsby and Rob Moose, yMusic violinist. Guest artists are Branford Marsalis, soprano sax on “Platypus Wow” and “Phase Change” Mark Dover, clarinet on “The Wake of St. Brendan” and “Deep Blue”, and Chad Wright, drums on “Deep Blue”. BryhM explores seafaring themes, sounds and metaphors encapsulated in progressive chamber music and Hornsby’s vocals. [An indie store exclusive translucent violet color vinyl pressing is available.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for March 1, 2024

Featured Titles:

Erika de Casier – Still CD/LP (4AD)

33-year-old Danish singer, songwriter and producer Erika de Casier built a cult following with her 2019 debut album Essentials, and emphatically lopped off that “cult” designation with 2021’s Sensational, her first album for 4AD. In the past few years, she’s performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world, written for pop stars (such as New Jeans) and sung on hyped dance tracks. But when she ushers you into the expanses of her third album-with a coy “Welcome… it’s gonna be a lot of fun” – she’s inviting you to leave any crass The Nordics’ Next Big Thing or Rising Alt-Pop Star epithets at the door, next to your shoes and coat. de Casier may have won a lot of new fans in the past three years, and a lot of high-profile collaborators, but as this album’s title confirms, she’s the same old Erika de Casier.

JJ Grey & Mofro – Olustee CD/LP (Alligator)

Olustee is a masterpiece of soul-shaking music. JJ’s deep Southern roots and skill as a storyteller shine through, whether he’s rocking with gospel-tent fervor or slowly winding his raspy voice around a lyric of heartbreak and loss. It’s an aggressively groove-driven record fueled by JJ’s gritty vocals and funk-infused guitar playing.

Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Past Is Still Alive CD/LP (Nonesuch)

The follow-up to their acclaimed album Life On Earth – which landed on Best of 2022 lists from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR Music, Mojo, Uncut, among others – The Past Is Still Alive sees Hurray For The Riff Raff reunite with Brad Cook, while further expanding their creative cast of collaborators. Anjimile, Conor Oberst and S. G. Goodman all join Alynda Segarra on vocals at various points throughout the LP, with a band of musicians including Cook, Libby Rodenbough, Matt Douglas, Meg Duffy of Hand Habits, Mike Mogis, Phil Cook and Yan Westerlund. Mike Mogis also mixed the album, and it was mastered by Heba Kadry. The “nature punk” of Life On Earth marked a departure for Hurray For The Riff Raff, as they contemplated surviving and thriving amidst a world in crisis. The Past Is Still Alive brings the focus back inwards, with arrangements that are raw, melodies direct and indelible, and lyrics that are personal yet largely rooted in family and community.

[Read more…] about New Releases for February 23, 2024

AIMS Marketing Program/ Featured Titles Promoted This Week:

Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here CD/LP (3 Legged)

Hailed as “the reigning heavyweight champions of Southern rock” (No Depression), Atlanta- based quintet Blackberry Smoke is back with their eighth studio album, Be Right Here, produced by Dave Cobb. Be Right Here follows 2021’s You Hear Georgia, which was the best-selling country and Americana/folk album in the country, entered at #7 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart and #4 on the Billboard Top Albums chart. Released to critical acclaim, No Depression praised the band for being “as much students of singer-songwriter folk and outlaw country as they are of jam-based, chest-pumping rock,” while Guitar World declared “Many try to reproduce that holy grail, golden-era-of-classic-rock sound through their six-string escapades, yet only a handful ultimately succeed. One such band who succeeds in spades is Blackberry Smoke, whose most recent album You Hear Georgia serves up 10 tracks of pure rock ‘n’ roll bliss.” [An indie store exclusive gold color vinyl pressing is available.]

Chromeo – Adult Contemporary CD/2xLP (BMG)

Approaching the 20-year mark of their storied career, Chromeo unveil their sixth studio album, Adult Contemporary. The aptly named LP sees the iconic Canadian duo of Dave 1 (Dave Macklovitch) and P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) exploring what it means to be funky in your 30s and 40s. As the riotous early 2000s era that propelled them to indie superstardom becomes the stuff of legends, the Funklordz approach this new chapter with their groove intact.

The Dream Syndicate – Live Through The Past, Darkly CD+DVD/2xLP+DVD (Label 51 Recordings)

Never-before released live audio spanning the The Dream Syndicate’s entire career from 1983 to 2023 including Karl Precoda, Paul Cutler, Jason Victor with Steve Wynn, Dennis Duck and Mark Walton. Plus, special guest Vicki Peterson of the Bangles on a searing 15-minute version of “John Coltrane Stereo Blues” from the band’s recent London appearance. Coupled with a DVD that includes a documentary features a documentary and previously unreleased one-hour 1983 live concert. [A limited-edition orange and blue double-LP vinyl pressing is available.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for February 16, 2024