CDs + Vinyl:

Avantasia – The Mystery Of Time [Reissue/2013] CD/LP (Nuclear Blast)

Originally released in 2013, The Mystery Of Time is a true milestone in Avantasia’s epic tale. The album offers a perfect blend of hard rock, power metal, epic melodies and arrangements resulting in a unique trademark sound developed and conceived by mastermind Tobias Sammet (Edguy) with an impressive cast of guests.

Berzerker Legion – Chaos Will Reign CD (Listenable)

Obliterate The Weak displays the perfect balance between brutality, melody, and harmony. Being a fan of the early ‘90s Swedish Gothenburg style, with bands like At The Gates, Eucharist, A Canorous Quintet, as well as being a die-hard fan of brutal old school death metal. [A red w/ black color vinyl pressing is due December 15.]

Bloodred Hourglass – How’s The Heart? 2xCD/2xLP (Out Of Line)

Bloodred Hourglass, the powerhouse of Finnish melodic modern metal sets out to captivate the metal world once again with their new album How’s The Heart. Known for their blend of melodic and death metal influences, BRHG have a storied history of delivering impactful music in the metal world. [A limited-edition color viny pressing (one disc black, the other white marble) is available.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 24, 2023

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Andrew Bird – Outside Problems CD/LP (Loma Vista)

Andrew Bird on Outside Problems: “I wanted to record Inside Problems outside, but this plan fell apart when it became clear that some dude with a woodchipper could really ruin our day. I did so much casual recording during the pandemic, in my backyard or in Ojai, that I gathered enough outdoor recordings to make Outside Problems. Most of these were made without any intention of making an album, just improvisations on simple themes, some of which make up the musical backbone of Inside Problems.”

Cher – Christmas CD/LP (WB)

Recently released on CD – now available on red color vinyl. Christmas, Cher’s first new studio album in five years, includes 13 songs – several holiday classics and four originals. It also has a star-studded list of musical besties including Darlene Love, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper and Tyga. Recorded primarily in L.A. and London, Christmas was produced by longtime collaborator Mark Taylor (“Believe”). Songs include beloved superstar duet classics “What Christmas Means To Me” with Stevie Wonder and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Darlene Love. (Darlene first recorded the song with Phil Spector and a l7-year-old Cher singing background vocals); in addition to a haunting version of “Home” written and sung with Michael Bublé. “I never say this about my own records but I’m really proud of this one. It is one of the most amazing highlights of my career,” commented Cher.

Luther Dickinson – Magic Music For Family Folk CD/LP (Antone’s)

“As a father and touring musician, I made this album to keep my kids’ company in my absence, hopefully for them to sing along with in their mom’s car. These songs evoke memories of my mother playing her Martin parlor guitar and of my father, at the family turntable, telling stories about Furry Lewis and Gus Cannon or explaining a song’s meaning. I wanted to share these childhood favorites with my kids. This collection of childhood favorites was recorded for fun, at home, with family and friends in the spirit of sharing. Everyone is welcome. I wanted to share these songs with my kids and my friend’s kids as well as expose my daughters to the joy of learning, performing, and recording music that my father shared with me. The recording was largely done in 2017 during dinner parties, sleep overs and play dates, either in a family style social setting or while the kids slept.”

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 17, 2023

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Beirut – Hadsel CD/LP/Cassette (Pompeii)

Hadsel is the first new full-length record since Beirut’s 2019 release, Gallipoli. Recorded in the Norwegian island of Hadsel shortly after a physical and mental break forced Condon to cancel his 2019 tour, Condon was looking for a place to recover after being left in a state of shock and self-doubt. Working in isolation, Condon explains, “I was lost in a trance, stumbling blindly through my own mental collapse that I had been pushing aside since I was a teenager. It came and rang me like a bell. I was left agonizing over many things past and present while the beauty of nature, the northern lights and fearsome storms played an awesome show around me. The few hours of light would expose the unfathomable be auty of the mountains and the fjords, and the hours – long twilights would fill me with subdued excitement. I’d like to believe that scenery is somehow present in the music.” The resulting is a collection of songs beautifully reflecting that vulnerability, sense of self-determination and belief that after collapse, one can learn to manage on their own again. [An indie store exclusive ‘ice breaker’ white color vinyl pressing is available.]

Brandy – Christmas With Brandy CD (Motown)

A generational talent who is revered by her peers and fans alike, Brandy brings her wisdom and experience to her new holiday album, Christmas With Brandy. A thoughtful, mixed gift bag, the album features Brandy singing original material and bringing new life to classic holiday standards. When she’s not dazzling listeners with a crystalline cover, Brandy is diving deep into the R&B bag that made us fall in love with her from the very beginning. [A limited-edition red color vinyl version due December 1.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 10, 2023