CDs + Vinyl:

American Wrestlers – Goodbye Terrible Youth CD/LP (Fat Possum)

“American Wrestlers’ self-titled debut was a true diamond in the rough, a lo-fi collection of timelessly hazy pop songs that practically glowed with homespun warmth. We named the new project from Scottish expat Gary McClure a Band To Watch and one of the 50 best new bands of 2015 on the strength of that first LP, and now they follow it up with new one Goodbye Terrible Youth. Since McClure’s anonymous 8-track recordings first surfaced online in late 2014, American Wrestlers have swelled from a solo bedroom project to a full honest-to-god band, now featuring his wife Bridgette Imperial on keys, Ian Reitz on bass, and Josh Van Hoorebeke on drums. That personnel upgrade comes with a corresponding sound upgrade, but if anything, the increased fidelity only adds to the sense that you’re listening to some lost FM classic.” – Stereogum

Attila – Chaos CD (Sharp Tone)

For over 10 years Atlanta’s Attila have been making uncompromising metal with a penchant for fun and partying.

Berwanger – Exorcism Rock CD/LP (Doghouse)

The new solo project by Justin Berwanger, formerly of The Anniversary.

Big Scoob – H.O.G. CD (Strange Music)

New album from the Kansas City rapper. Features Tech N9ne, E-40, Killer Mike, Bumpy Knuckles, Wrekonize, Krizz Kaliko, Boogieman, Young Boss, Paul Wall, TXX Will, Bakarii, JL and B-Legit.

Black Uhuru – Live At Rockpalast – Essen1981 CD/2xLP (Made In Germany Music)

Audio of the legendary reggae band’s 1981 live broadcast concert for Germany’s popular TV show Rockpalast, which took place in Essen. [Limted clear vinyl edition also available.]

Bobby Bland – The Singles Collection 1951-62 2xCD (Acrobat)

Bobby Bland, often known as Bobby Blue Bland, was one of the best blues, R&B and soul singers of the post-war era, recognized as one of the finest interpreters of blues-influenced songs, comparable within his genre to the likes of Frank Sinatra in the broader popular spectrum. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame described him as second in stature only to B.B. King as a product of Memphis’s Beale Street blues scene. He enjoyed chart success right through until the 1980s, but this extensive collection of his formative decade and more includes all his R&B No. 1s plus other landmark recordings. He recorded initially with Roscoe Gordon for both Modern and Chess before joining the Duke label. This 56-track double-CD set comprises the A and B sides of all his Duke singles through until 1962, plus selected sides from his early releases with Roscoe Gordon.

Blessing A Curse – Satisfaction For The Vengeful CD (Smart Punk)

Blessing A Curse is a hard rock band from Orlando, Florida with a sound made up of intricate riffs, progressive drums, electronic production, eerie as well as appealing/intense vocals, and an eclectic style of screaming. The outfit made up by Joshy Singer, Brandon Swanson, Jorge Romani, Ronnie Mitchell, and Matty Owen have made a mark with catchy melodies not usually combined with their heavier style while also putting a large amount of focus on the story they are telling. Though they project a primarily vindictive persona, they have an extensive style that shows a strong motivation for growth. Satisfaction For The Vengeful’s first track “Caving In” “emulates the feeling of knowing an anxiety attack is coming but you can’t escape,” vocalist Joshy Singer told Revolver about the song. “You know that where you are isn’t where you want to be, but there’s nothing you can do about it and you feel like you’re being swallowed alive.”

The Blind Boys Of Alabama – Atom Bomb [Reissue/2005] CD (Omnivore)

After a trio of acclaimed, Grammy-winning releases beginning in 2001, The Blind Boys Of Alabama showed no signs of moving away from gospel music when they dropped Atom Bomb in 2005. Working with the same production team as their previous albums, they continued to evolve and push the genre into unheard dimensions. Atom Bomb is an eclectic mix of gospel, blues, rock, and R&B—combining standards with tracks like Norman’s Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky” and Blind Faith’s “Presence Of The Lord.” The musicianship was, as usual, impeccable, with guests including Charlie Musselwhite, The Gift Of Gab from Blackalicious, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo, and the legendary Billy Preston. This expanded edition of Atom Bomb features seven previously unissued instrumental versions of key tracks from the album.

Bon Jovi – This House Is Not For Sale CD/LP (Island)

14th studio album from the New Jersey rockers. [CD is available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds three bonus tracks.]

Susan Boyle – Wonderful World CD (Sony)

Boyle’s seventh album features renditions of well-known tracks including Madonna’s “Like A Prayer,” Robbie William’s “Angels,” a duet with Michael Bolton “Somewhere Out There,” and Paul McCartney’s “Mull Of Kintyre.” Additionally, in a first for a British artist, Susan Boyle was granted rare permission by the Nat King Cole Estate to sing a virtual duet with the legendary performer on “When I Fall In Love.”

Kenny Burrell and The Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited – Live At Catalina’s CD (HighNote)

Burrell is captured live at West-Coast jazz mecca Catalina’s with a well-oiled big band, The Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited, which is made up of some of the West Coast’s greatest jazz men and studio players.

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 4, 2016

CDs + Vinyl:

Anaal Nathrakh – Whole Of The Law CD (Metal Blade)
“The Whole Of The Law is exactly what you would expect from an Anaal Nathrakh album which is short sharp blasts of industrial/black metal drenched extremity. What stops this lesson in hate becoming nothing more than a wall of unbridled noise is the occasional moments where the band dip their toes into areas that are a little groovier and, while it is a welcome release, these moments are fleeting respites in what is, for the most part, a psychotic display of mechanical rage.” – Pure Grain Audio

Answer – Solas CD/LP (Napalm)
Contemporary hard rock with Gaelic influences — epic arrangements, airy folk melodies.

Ólafur Arnalds – Island Songs CD+DVD (Mercury Classics)
The BAFTA-winning instrumentalist and producer brings you a unique and evolving audio-visual portrait of his home country of Iceland. “This project is on a scale that has never been attempted in the classical music world before.” [Vinyl edition due December 2.]

Joan Baez – Live In ’75 CD (Air Cuts)
Joan Baez, live from the S.N.A.C.K. Benefit at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, on March 23rd, 1975 on a bill including Bob Dylan, Neil Young and The Band. Presented here is her entire set, originally broadcasted on K101-FM.

Kurt Baker Combo – In Orbit CD/LP (Wicked Cool)
A master of hooks and melody, Kurt Baker’s music embodies a feel-good spirit wrapped in a punk rock sheen inspired by music of decades past.

Lou Barlow – Apocalypse Fetish CDEP (Joyful Noise)
The Dinosaur Jr. bassist and all-around alt rock icon releases an all-ukulele EP. [Vinyl edition due November 11.]

Brandt Brauer Frick – Joy CD/LP (Because Music)
With much more grit and growl than before, BBF draw upon genres and styles that are not conventionally associated with joy: krautrock, punk, drum ‘n’ bass, indie rock, new wave, and pretty much every other “-wave” from the ’80s.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Third World Pyramid CD/LP (A. Records)
BJM’s 15th album includes guest appearances include Emil Nikolaisen from the Norwegian band Serena-Maneesh, plus vocal performances by Tess Parks and Katy Lane. “‘Good Mourning,’ the opening track is a melancholic song, as the rest eight tracks are loaded with psychedelic garage elements which is endemic of BJM’s sound.” – Last Day Deaf

Brownout – Presents Brown Sabbath Vol. II CD (Ubiquity)
Austin’s Brownout unleashed the Brown Sabbath Vol. I project garnering acclaim from outlets such as NPR (50 Best Albums of 2014), Pitchfork, hardcore Black Sabbath fans and most important of all Ozzy Osbourne himself, while staying true to their Latin funk roots. Brown Sabbath Vol. II cranks up the level, rocking harder than the original with a brew of ballistic horns, pummeling guitar-riffs underscored by a funky, driving rhythm section. Ghostland Observatory’s Aaron Behrens makes a guest appearance sharing vocal duties with Brown Sabbath lead vocalist Alex Marrero. Hitting harder than its predecessor and keeping closely in line with the original Sabbath material, Brown Sabbath Vol. II crosses over more to hard rock territory.

[Read more…] about New Releases for October 28, 2016

CDs + Vinyl:

Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell – Keep It Greasy! CD (Rise Above)

Here’s a band proud to be the soundtrack to your weed smokin’, beer swiggin’ escapes from 2016’s dystopian shitstorm reality; one feverishly decorated with unrelenting commercialism, villainous politicians and godforsaken autotune. There may be thousands of musicians who can play their instruments better, write more intelligent and thought provoking music, but when you listen to rugged and guttural ‘tune in, drop out’ vibes of Keep It Greasy, none of that seems to matter. From the jolting opening sex-pest boogie of “U Got Wot I Need” to the sandpaper smooth, Zeppelin stomp of “Tired N’ Wired” – its lyrics straight from Lemmy’s freight train of thought – The Shovell make the last three decades crumble away. Longer tracks like “Hairy Brain Part 2,” “Paid In Full” and album closer “Wrong” are peppered with many of rock’s cornerstones – twisting harmonies, driving shuffle rhythms and whirling feedback. Keep It Greasy! doesn’t parade itself as anything immaculate or groundbreaking – and we all know how tiresome such hyperbole infested press releases can be – but it is hellish fun. Stick it on at a neighbor-unfriendly volume and enjoy it for the sordid, f*cked up time warp that it is and see for yourself. [Vinyl edition due October 28.]

After 7 – Timeless CD (E1)

New release from the platinum R&B trio — their first in over 20 years.

Terry Allen – Lubbock (On Everything) [Reissue/1978] 2xCD/2xLP+MP3 (Paradise Of Bachelors)

Legendary Texan artist Terry Allen occupies a unique position straddling the frontiers of country music and visual art; he has worked with everyone from Guy Clark to David Byrne to Lucinda Williams, and his artwork resides in museums worldwide. Widely acclaimed as a masterpiece, his deeply moving (and hilarious) satirical second album, a complex memory palace to his West Texas hometown Lubbock, is often cited as the urtext of alt-country. Produced in collaboration with the artist and meticulously remastered from the original analog tapes, this is the definitive edition.

The Anchoress – Confessions Of A Romance Novelist CD/LP (Kscope)

“Catherine Ann Davies is definitely not the shy, retiring sort. The Anchoress is the latest iteration of her persona following releases under the name Catherine A.D. and collaborating on more projects than you can waft a wand at. Confessions Of A Romance Novelist is bursting at the corset, dressing female identity in a rich and varied wardrobe. Lovingly co-produced with Paul (Mansun) Draper, Davies is on startling form throughout, layering spellbinding vocal harmonies and turning her hand to a long list of instruments with names few will even recognize. Pop, rock, some spoken word and a splash of funk for “Chip On Your Shoulder” give a sense of the musical flavours which marry with the insightful, intelligent songwriting on this hugely entertaining album.” – The Line Of Best Fit

Anciients – Voice Of The Void CD/LP/Cassette (Season Of Mist)

“Voice Of The Void is the second album from Canada’s Anciients, a band whose sound has gelled into something even more fluid and dynamic than their impressive debut. With nods to established veterans and boundary-pushers like Opeth and Mastodon, they’ve crafted nine sprawling songs that conjure a range of moods across an ambitious but rewarding 67 minutes. Album opener ‘Following The Voice’ is an adrenaline rush with rollicking drums that have a flair for the anthemic, especially under the more melodic riffage, echoing the group’s sentiments right from the beginning. Focusing ‘a bit more on the metal aspects of [their] sound this time around,’ the evidence is found on parts like the mid-section of ‘Worshipper,’ complete with Mikael Akerfeldt-esque growls amidst the beautifully clean song counterparts. ‘In terms of theme/lyrics, this record is far more cynical and less hopeful than the debut’ said guitarist Chris Dyck. ‘It metaphorically addresses some life choices/paths, etc. and what we see happening in the world — it’s a darker and more pissed off album.’”

Aziza – Aziza CD/LP (Dare2)

Aziza is a modern jazz quartet comprised of bassist Dave Holland, saxophonist Chris Potter, guitarist Lionel Loueke, and drummer Eric Harland.

[Read more…] about New Releases for October 14, 2016