CDs + Vinyl:

Abysmal Lord – Disciples Of The Inferno CD (Hell’s Headbangers)

Vinyl version due February 19.

Aucan – Stelle Fisse CD (Kowloon)

Founded on the concept of permanent crisis and continual refinement, Italian trio Aucan seams together hypnotic live rhythms and moody electronics using a precise, minimalist post-rock approach. Much evolved from their origins as a math-rock outfit, Aucan’s gear and synth collection expanded over the years informs the band’s current incarnation which is most notorious for their striking 100% hardware live shows.

John Barry – Early Soundtracks And Singles 1963-1966 3xCD (Fantastic Voyage)

Original soundtracks for Zulu and Four In The Morning and Ember Singles Plus (including early James Bond themes).

Benny Sings – Studio CD/LP (Jakarta)

Benny Sings is a Dutch vocalist and songwriter whose music embraces the sunny melodic structures of pop music from the 1960s and ’70s, while fusing them with arrangements and production influenced by hip-hip and electronic music.

Bibio – Fi [Reissue/2005] CD/LP+MP3 (Warp)

Bibio’s debut album Fi (originally released on the Mush imprint) scored instant credibility in 2005 with a ringing endorsement from Boards Of Canada’s Marcus Eoin, which summed up the record percectly: “Bibio is the antidote to the modern laptopia of pristine electronic music, curing us with majestic drones, gnarly disintegrating guitars and warbling tape loops filtered through your parent’s broken 1970’s hi-fi.”

Björk – Vulnicura Strings CD (One Little Indian)

Björk presents a strings version of her highly-acclaimed eighth studio studio album Vulnicura, officially titled Vulnicura Strings. The original version of Vulnicura layered the boom and crack of electronic beats with an intense vocal melody and incredible string arrangements by Björk which have been performed live with a fifteen chair orchestra. The new version is musically wholly comprised of strings, with new violin solos by Una Sveinbjarnardóttir and strings recorded by a Viola Organista. Björk used the only Viola Organista in the world to perform some of the arrangements; an instrument which was designed originally by Leonardo Da Vinci but not built until after his lifetime. The instrument uses a friction belt to vibrate individual strings (similar to a violin), with the strings selected by pressing keys on the keyboard (similar to an organ). The instrument was recorded in Krakow, Poland by it’s constructor Slawomir Zubrzycki and here is where the album reached completion. Vinyl version due December 11.

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 27, 2015

CDs + Vinyl:

Abhorrent – Intransigence CD (Willowtip)

Abhorrent’s wealth of riff-variations and athletic rhythmic assault surge constantly forwards, as brief glimpses into parallel dimensions that pass by with a deathlike unstoppable certainty. Abhorrent is like the amoral and violent force of nature, realizing itself through pure will and power both in spite of death and echoing it viciously all the way to its end.

Abigail Williams – Accuser CD (Candlelight)

“If you’ve had issue with Abigail Williams in the past (albeit their generic Dimmu Borgir worship or their deathcore days) don’t let that stop you from listening to what is actually a fantastically composed album. The Accuser stands as my favorite incarnation of the band’s material. The old school mentality gives the band a serious edge, though their still not without modern influence in the post metal world (we’re ‘post’ everything these days, aren’t we?). Those that love Gorgoroth and Emperor, but can stand to see flashes of bands like Pelican in their black metal take note and get on this one.” – Metal Injection

Adele – 25 CD/LP (XL/Columbia)

“‘Hello’ doesn’t just introduce 25; in many ways, it sums up the album. On 25, the rage and heartache of 21 are replaced by longing: for connection, for youth, for reconciliation and for lifelong bonds. Like other songs on the album, ‘Hello’ is filled with thoughts of distance and the irrevocable passage of time, of apologies and coming to terms with the past. Musically, ‘Hello’ has verses with just voice and piano followed by huge, ringing choruses; similarly, the album as a whole switches between organic, unplugged ballads and booming modern pop.” – The New York Times Music

Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass – Whipped Cream & Other Delights [Reissue/1965] CD/LP (Herb Alpert Presents)

50 years ago, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass released the iconic album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, this classic slice of Latin jazz/pop has been remastered and is back in print on CD and vinyl.

Anthrax – Spreading The Disease [Reissue/1985] 2xCD (Island)

Digitally remastered and expanded deluxe double-CD edition of the thrash metal band’s 1985 album, released to coincide with it’s 30th Anniversary. Spreading The Disease is the second studio album by Anthrax. It was the band’s first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello.

Arca – Mutant CD (Mute)

New album from Kanye West and Björk affiliate Arca. Spanning 20 tracks, “Mutant is about sensuality and impulsiveness as escape routes out of rigidity,” the Venezuelan producer explained in a press release. “Softness as a weapon when the mind attacks itself.” Vinyl due January 22.

Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD/2xLP+MP3 (Mom + Pop)

Deluxe double-CD version adds Live At Electric Ballroom In London. Includes new artwork, fold out poster, four limited edition Polaroid photos shot by Courtney, a 16-page booklet all in a matte laminated collector’s edition box set. Mixing witty, often hilarious, occasionally even heartbreaking observations with devastating self-assessment, Courtney Barnett’s debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, cements her standing as one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in indie rock. These songs reveal not only an assured songwriter and guitar player, but also an artist who in just a few years has already proved highly influential. (Limited copies available on yellow vinyl.)

Beach Boys – Beach Boys’ Party! Uncovered And Unplugged 2xCD (Capitol)

Beach Boys’ Party! is the tenth studio album by the Beach Boys and is mostly cover songs. When originally recorded, the band invited friends and family into the studio for a party. Those sounds were then layered over the recorded music for a true party sound. Uncovered And Unplugged now strips away those party sounds so that the true sessions can be heard in their entirety. This double-disc set pairs the original 1965 album with the newly restored audio, outtakes and dialog. Vinyl version due December 11.

Beat Happening – Look Around CD/2xLP+MP3 (Domino)

Formed in the early ‘80s in Olympia, Washington by Calvin Johnson, Heather Lewis and Bret Lunsford, Beat Happening combined a primitive pop sound with a D.I.Y. attitude and inspired countless artists along the way. The community that arose around the band and their label, K Records, was in many ways, the sonic antithesis of their Seattle neighbors (and friends) but was no less influential. Look Around is a remastered, double album anthology, handpicked by the band. It’s a great starting point for the uninitiated as well a refreshing reminder to those who caught the wave the first time around.

Blue October – Things We Do At Night (Live From Texas) CD (Updown/Brando)

Recorded at The House Of Blues in Dallas, TX, over Thanksgiving weekend, November 28-29, 2014, this live performance covers all of the hits and favorites from the Blue October’s last four albums: Foiled, Approaching Normal, Any Man In America, and Sway. Also available on DVD and Blu-ray. Vinyl version due early next year.

Boysetsfire – Boysetsfire CD/LP (Bridge Nine)

“From the old school stench of opener ‘Savage Blood’ all the way through to the crowd killing bounce of closer ‘Bled Dry’, Boysetsfire play with the vigor and reason of band half their age. The band jump from the honestly bruising to the vitally rousing within a change of track and come out the other end with an album for every variety of music fan there is. ‘Don’t Panic’ flies by with vintage hardcore rage while ‘Ordinary Lives’ delivers a rallying cry for the ages.” – Already Heard

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 20, 2015

CDs + Vinyl:

Au Pair – One Armed Candy Bear CD/LP (Sham)

“Au Pair is a meeting of the minds between the Jayhawks’ Gary Louris and the Old Ceremony’s Django Haskins. They met while participating in a Big Star tribute concert in 2013, and that band’s power-pop is a big part of Au Pair’s DNA. ‘In Every Window,’ from the duo’s [new] album One Armed Candy Bear, reminds me of the Zombies’ ‘Care Of Cell 44’ in that it is a bright, breezy pop song about a criminal. But whereas Rod Argent was writing to an imprisoned lover, Louris and Haskins penned this one from a stalker’s point of view.” — Stereogum

Dan Baird And Homemade Sin – Get Loud! CD (Jerkin Crocus Promotions)

New solo album from ex-Georgia Satellites mainman and his rambunctious rock ‘n’ roll crew featuring Warner E. Hodges (Jason & The Scorchers) on guitar. 

Justin Bieber – Purpose CD/2xLP (Def Jam)

Bieber’s new album features his recent singles “What Do You Mean?” and “Where Are Ü Now?” (the latter featuring Diplo & Skrillex), and is available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds five bonus tracks (including the cut “We Are” featuring Nas).

Bing & Ruth – City Lake [Reissue/2010] CD/2xLP+MP3 (RVNG, Int’l)

Before the actualization of Bing & Ruth’s halcyonic opus Tomorrow Was The Golden Age, there was City Lake. This newly remastered version of the 2010 limited edition album features David Moore leading an eleven-piece ensemble through a greater gamut of rhythmic materials while tracing the ambient tract that appeared in tomorrow’s horizon. CD version includes three bonus tracks. Double-vinyl edition includes printed inner sleeves and a multi-format download code featuring the three bonus tracks.

The Residents Present: Charles Bobuck – What Was Left Of Grandpa: A Charles Bobuck Contraption CD (Klanggalerie)

New album by Residents composer Charles Bobuck with guest Nolan Cook on guitar. A wild mix of styles and melodies and spoken words make up this great new composition.

The Body & Krieg – The Body & Krieg CD/LP/Cassette (At A Loss)

Formed in mid-1990s and late 1990s respectively, Krieg and The Body met in the mid-2000s, being different sonically but sharing a bleak world view and inspirations musically far outside of the genre of metal. When Neill Jameson (sole constant member of Krieg) showed up to Machines With Magnets with only a acoustic guitar and a few pedals, members of The Body knew the collaboration would be something really different. Written and recorded during the long sessions of both Christs, Redeemers and I Shall Die Here, the end result is a blackened industrial crush of noise and anguish. 

Bones & Beeker – Bones & Beeker CD (Wax Poetics)

Anthony Newes (vocals, guitar, keys, and other sounds) and Brendan Kelly (production, drum programming, keys, glockenspiel, kalimba)—known in hip-hop circles as BK-One—were introduced through their work with the developmentally disabled. Their first meeting was a five-minute conversation about Tom Waits. Their second was at a client’s deathbed. Flanked by bassist Chris Bierden (Poliça and Pony Trash) and guitarist Nate Collis (Atmosphere and Attracted to Gods), Bones & Beeker delivers an album full of surprises. Vinyl version due December 18.

Boots – Aquaria CD (Columbia)

“Though he’s best known for producing records for Run the Jewels, Beyoncé, and FKA twigs, Boots has steadily been carving out a name for himself. There was last year’s WinterSpringSummerFall mixtape and this past March’s short film Motorcycle Jesus; now, all of those releases are about to culminate in Aquaria, his highly anticipated debut solo album” – Consequence Of Sound. Vinyl version due December 4.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Mini Album Thingy Wingy CD/LP (A. Records)

Seven brand new and exclusive Brian Jonestown Massacre tracks recorded by Anton Newcombe in is his studio in Berlin in 2014 and ’15. Four songs written by Newcombe; the band’s first Slovakian song, co-written with Vladimir Nosal (Prsi Prsi); a composition by Newcombe and Tess Parks (Pish); and a cover of the 13th Floor Elevators’ “Dust” featuring Alex Maas from The Black Angels on jug. (Limited copies pressed on clear vinyl with alternate artwork.)

Paul Butterfield Blues Band – Complete Albums 1965-1980 14xCD (Elektra)

Paul Butterfield was the first white harmonica player to develop a style original and powerful enough to place him among the true blues greats. His initial recordings from the mid-‘60s featuring the legendary Paul Butterfield Blues Band were eclectic, ground breaking tracks fusing electric blues with rock ‘n’ roll, psychedelia, jazz and even Indian classical music. He released 12 studio albums over his career as well as an array of live albums and compilations with his most famous compositions being “Born In Chicago,” “Love March” and “Our Love Is Driftin’”.

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 13, 2015