CDs + Vinyl:

Aether Drop – Mannequins CD (Agoge)

New album by the alternative/nu metal band from Rome, Italy. The band was formed by members of Zeroworld, Inkblade, Youthanasia, Rusty Row, and Quintoquarto.

Agonist – Eye Of Providence CD (Century Media)

This Montreal-based five-piece has established themselves as torchbearers of a new generation of Canadian metal.

Ahamkara – The Embers Of The Stars CD (Nordvis)

Perhaps it is arrogant to make the statement that there are very few bands in the black metal realm striving to make music like this anymore, but this is a blatant truth. Ahamkara have truly dug deep on their 2015 debut, The Embers Of The Stars, and birthed a world sculpting and endlessly atmospheric album for the ages that embraces a onetime Scandinavian darkness and innovation, while adopting an organic strain of modernity.

The Airborne Toxic Event – Dope Machines CD/LP (Epic)

“The Airborne Toxic Event has its roots grounded in sunny Los Angeles, California but their sound reminds me of a band out of London, England. The edgy guitar riffs and the melancholy voice of Mikel Jollett give The Airborne Toxic Event a sound that is similar to a hybrid of The Smiths and Muse. After their massive success with All At Once that featured the amazing track, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and their less notable release, Such Hot Blood, The Airborne Toxic Event is looking to make some noise in the alternative music space with Dope Machines. ‘Chains’ is a track that brings The Airborne Toxic Event back to the sound from All At Once with the use of crescendos, decrescendos and varying levels of energy within the song.” – New Alt Sounds

Alcoa – Party Tricks CD/LP (Bridge Nine)

New album by Defeater singer/guitarist Derek Archambault — a slightly twangy and honest sound with shades of wistful, jangly ‘90s alternative rock acts.

Alien Ant Farm – Always & Forever CD (Executive Music)

“Always And Forever is a good old-fashioned hook-a-thon that proves Alien Ant Farm are – and continue to be – about more than just the one song.” – Rock Sound Magazine

All That Remains – The Order Of Things CD/2xLP+MP3 (Razor & Tie)

Working for the first time with producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira) All That Remains pushed themselves creatively, continuing to evolve while remaining true to the principals that etched their place as purveyors of hard rock. The diversity on the album ranges from total brutality to a ballad, resulting in a cohesive journey from beginning to end.

Altan – The Widening Gyre CD (Compass)
On The Widening Gyre, Altan explores the musical relationship between American roots music and the traditional music of Ireland. Includes guest appearances by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Darol Anger, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Todd Phillips Tim O’Brien and others.

BADBADNOTGOOD/Ghostface Killah – Sour Soul CD/LP (Lex)

“Everything about the formula for Sour Soul screams instant classic. Toronto trio BADBADNOTGOOD made a name for themselves over the last couple of years via a retro fusion of jazz and instrumental hip-hop. Part of that notoriety came from whip-smart covers of tracks by the likes of Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame, but also from imaginative, expressive originals — the keys/bass/drums trio acting as a younger generation of The Bad Plus, choosing their covers from the hip-hop and electronic canon rather than pop and rock. Pairing the Canadians with Ghostface Killah, a rap legend who excels over soulful, spacy throwback production, would seem to be beyond a no-brainer” – Consequence Of Sound. (Limited copies pressed on gold vinyl.)

Mahalia Barnes & The Soul Mates Featuring Joe Bonamassa – Ooh Yea! The Betty Davis Songbook CD (J&R Adventures)

Powerhouse singer Mahalia Barnes, one of the most impressive female vocalists to come out of Australia, and her band The Soul Mates have teamed up with American blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa to release an album of Betty Davis covers. Ooh Yea! The Betty Davis Songbook explores tracks from Davis sexy, raw funk records of the early ‘70s.

Bedemon – Child Of Darkness CD/LP+MP3 (Relapse)

Relapse presents the first legitimate release of the legendary Bedemon sessions. Assembled in the early ‘70s by sometimes-fifth Pentagram member and friend of the band Randy Palmer, Bedemon was a private project to record his doomy Black Sabbath-like songs filled with imagery of demons, darkness and drugs.

Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise CD (G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam)

The rapper’s follow-up to 2013’s Hall Of Fame includes contributions with Skyscrapers, Drake, Kanye West, E-40, Christ Brown & Ty Dolla $ign, Jhené Aiko, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West & John Legend. Production credits come courtesy of Mike WiLL Made-It, DJ Dahi, Key Wane, Boi-1da, and Vinylz. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds two bonus tracks, which feature additional collaborations with PARTYNEXTDOOR and girlfriend Ariana Grande.

The Black Ryder – The Door Behind The Door CD/LP (The Anti-Machine Machine)

“Ethereal drone, ceremonial percussion, and dead-eyed harmonies carry on together until they build up to something sublime. There’s never really a climax because the whole thing feels like one overwhelming wave of gorgeous noise.” – Stereogum

Black Star Riders – Killer Instinct CD/2xCD (Nuclear Blast)

Fresh from the critically acclaimed debut album All Hell Breaks Loose in 2013, Black Star Riders release their sophomore studio album The Killer Instinct. In October 2014 the band gathered in Nashville, TN and entered the studio with Grammy award winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, The Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains, Mastodon) to record the album. Hard rock in the classic tradition. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a bonus CD. Vinyl version due March 3.

Anouar Brahem – Souvenance: Music for Oud, Quartet And String Orchestra CD (ECM)

The music of Souvenance, by turns graceful, hypnotic, and taut and starkly dramatic, was recorded in 2014 six years after oud-master Anouar Brahem’s last ECM album, The Astounding Eyes Of Rita. New directions for the music find Francois Couturier returning to the Brahem group, frequently supported by subtle string orchestration. The strings have a glowing transparency and fragility in these pieces, often providing shimmering texture against which the contributions of the quartet members and, above all, Anouar Brahem’s unique oud-playing stand out in bold relief.

Travis Bretzer – Waxing Romantic CD/LP (Mexican Summer)

Recorded at Gary’s Electric studio and produced by Jorge Elbrecht (Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffitti, Lansing-Dreiden), Waxing Romantic features members of Haunted Graffiti, James Richardson of MGMT and Regal Degal’s Josh da Costa. The album is very personal—it navigates the giddy and elated feelings of falling in love, and the process of looking back and reflecting on it. In keeping with the album’s ’70s pop mode, the lyrics are kept simple and sweet, but never cloying. RIYL: Orange Juice, Nick Lowe, Cass McCombs.

Brothers Born – Knife Wounds CD (Nine Mile)

Brothers Born is Joel Stroetzel (Killswitch Engage) and Michael Wyzik (Storm The Ohio). The project is a big departure from the metal of Stroetzel’s Killswitch Engage or the indie-Americana of Wyzik’s bands, occupying a musical middle-ground of sorts. Vinyl version due March 10.

Chris Brown/Tyga – Fan Of A Fan The Album CD (RCA)

New collaboration between Chris Brown and Tyga. Fan Of A Fan The Album features Pusha T, Wale, T.I., 50 Cent, Schoolboy Q, TY Dolla Sign, Boosie and Fat Trel, and is available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe includes a special booklet.

Eric Burdon & The Animals – Winds Of Change [Reissue/1967] CD/LP (Sundazed)
Eric Burdon & The Animals – The Twain Shall Meet [Reissue/1968] CD/LP (Sundazed)

Reeling from poor management decisions and inter-band strife, The Animals fell apart toward the end of 1966.
Seeking a rebirth, lead vocalist Eric Burdon relocated from London to California. There, Burdon assembled a new Animals lineup, retaining only drummer Barry Jenkins from the previous incarnation. Now known as Eric Burdon and The Animals, the group immersed themselves in the psychedelic culture of San Francisco and their sound followed suit. Burdon and the group returned in April 1968 with The Twain Shall Meet, continuing their psychedelic journey. “Monterey” chronicled the previous summer’s seminal festival while “Sky Pilot” reflected the growing anti-war sentiment as the Vietnam Conflict escalated. Steeped in a dense, layered sound full of electric guitars, sitars, strings, brass and washes of phased vocals, the album served notice that Burdon and company were totally in-step with America’s youth movement. (Vinyl version of Winds Of Change is mono, Twain Shall Meet is stereo)

[Read more…] about New Releases for February 24th, 2015

CDs + Vinyl:

36 Crazyfists – Time And Trauma CD (Spinefarm)
Seventh album from the Alaskan metalcore band.

Adventures – Supersonic Home CD/LP (Run For Cover)
Supersonic Home, the debut album from Pittsburgh’s resident musical wunderkinds Adventures, is an ambitious blend of powerhouse influences: these ten songs reimagine of the best parts of ‘90s alt-rock and emo and infuse them with the cathartic energy of punk. However, Adventures delivers much more than just the sum of these parts. Throughout pensive, melancholic retreats like “Tension and “Long Hair,” the constant vocal tandem of Reba Meyers and Kimi Hanauer radiates above every infectious pop- rock riffs and the warm, rhythmic backbone of bass and keyboard.

The Allen Brothers – Allen Brothers With Other Country Brother Acts 4xCD (JSP)
Country music has always featured brother acts. The most prolific included the Delmore Brothers, the Blue Sky Boys and the Monroe Brothers. This collection focuses mainly on Austin and Lee Allen. The first three CDs are devoted to them and the fourth deals with their fraternal contemporaries.

The Amazing – Picture You CD/LP (PTKF)
The Amazing inhabits an aural landscape that’s all its own: a panoramic, constantly evolving spectacle marked by layers of intertwining guitars, richly textured keyboards and a rhythm section adept at skewed tempos and a tendency to veer off in unexpected directions. The band’s free flowing, cinematic sound balances focused song structures with unbridled improvisation to create a heady genre smashing exercise in sonic exploration.

And And And – Failure CD (Party Damage)
Winners of Willamette Week’s 2011 Best New Band poll (past finalists have included Menomena, Starf**ker, and Typhoon), And And And finally release what can only be called the follow-up to that year’s blur of output, culminating with the early 2012 Lost EP. They’re known for truly epic live shows with no clear delineation between stage and offstage or audience member and musician. Recorded over ten days in San Diego with Rafter Roberts between skateboarding and drinking sessions, the record is fiery and urgent. It evokes classic grunge-era sounds from the Northwest (think Mudhoney and early Nirvana).

Ernestine Anderson – Swings The Penthouse CD (HighNote)
Here is the great Ernestine Anderson in the full bloom of youth as you may have never heard her before live in front of an appreciative audience. This is the 34-year old Anderson singing with exuberance and spontaneity in the intimate setting of Seattle’s legendary jazz club, The Penthouse. Here she swings and shouts, cajoles and caresses her way through a set list of standards and jazz classics as only she could. These recordings are seeing the first light of commercial release. They have never been issued before in any format.

At The Hollow – What I Hold Most Dear CD (Spinefarm)
Debut album from the Finnish rock band.

Carl Barat And The Jackals – Let It Reign CD/LP (Grand Jury Music)
New album from this band led by Carl Barat, best known as the co-frontman of The Libertines. Features production by Joby J. Ford (The Bronx) and guest musicians, such as Beastie Boys percussionist Alfredo Ortiz.

Jarren Benton – Slow Motion CDEP (Funk Volume)
New release from the Decatur, GA-based rapper.

Sir Richard Bishop – Tangier Sessions CD/LP/Cassette (Drag City)
New album from the singer/guitarist best known for his work with the Sun City Girls. Tangier Sessions tells the oft-told tale: while traveling abroad, nobleman meets guitar. Guitar is too expensive for nobleman and outraged, he departs. Nobleman quietly returns several days later for guitar but still can’t bring himself to pay the price. Yet nobleman can’t get guitar out of mind (he’s never heard anything like it) — so nobleman buys guitar, then travels the world with it, enchanted, and makes this album while in Tangier.

Blue-Eyed Hawk – Under The Moon CD (Edition)
Taking its name from a line in W. B. Yeats’s poem Under The Moon, Blue-Eyed Hawk is the London-based band that brings together vocalist Lauren Kinsella, trumpeter Laura Jurd, guitarist Alex Roth and drummer Corrie Dick. Their debut album, titled after the same poem, is the sum of a collaborative process that bursts with the youthful energy, vision and integrity of all four members. The resulting music is emotive, lyrical, dark, inspiring and at times unexpected, often conjuring the dreamlike, nature-themed imagery of Yeats’s eponymous poem. Bringing a wide open improv sensibility to its melodic and richly textured original material, Blue-Eyed Hawk creates uniquely eclectic music that traverses art-rock, jazz, minimalist and electronic sound worlds.

The Box Tops – The Original Albums 1967-1969 2xCD (Raven)
This collection highlights the career of Memphis-based combo The Box Tops, combining all four of their original, long-deleted and highly regarded 1960s albums (Letter-Neon Rainbow, Cry Like A Baby, Non Stop, Dimensions). Effectively, the complete Box Tops. One of the finest blue eyed-soul, hit-making groups of the 1960s led by the late, revered cult figure Alex Chilton, the group’s music also encompassed touches of country soul and psych-pop.

Brainticket – Past, Present & Future CD/2xLP (Cleopatra)
Legendary pioneers of Krautrock return with a brand new studio album. Joel Vandroogenbroeck brought on board an exceptionally talented group of musicians including UK Subs guitarist Nicky Garratt, Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps, Jason Willer and Kephera Moon from Nik Turner’s band, and others.

Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth – Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth CD/LP (Neurot)
With a long-held reputation for some of the heaviest music from the Pacific Northwest, Seattle’s legendary Tad Doyle (formerly of Tad, Hog Molly) returns with a new band, Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth. This powerful trio of musicians — Tad on guitar/vocals, veteran bass player Peggy Doyle and drummer Dave French (The Annunaki) — bring together their collective and extensive musical histories in punk, hard rock and metal. (CD version features two extra tracks.)

Dewa Budjana – Hasta Karma CD (Moonjune)
Hasta Karma sets a new benchmark for modern progressive jazz excellence in the 21st century. With a vibe and feel more akin to that of a band with decades of experience together, Dewa and his stellar session-mates — the legendary NYC vibraphonist, Joe Locke, and Pat Metheny Unity Group’s rhythm core: the fabulous, articulate young upright bassist, Ben Williams, and the extraordinary maestro drummer, Antonio Sanchez — create superlative atmospheric textures that transport listeners to destinations of soaring altitude.

Bunny Lion – Red [Reissue/1979] CD/LP (Omnian Music Group)
Red features ten grooving Linval Thompson Sound rhythms voiced by Bunny Lion, now confirmed to be Puddy Roots of Kilamanjaro Soundsystem fame. Originally released on London’s Starlight Records in 1979, this is the earliest documented work of the criminally under-recorded Puddy Roots as well as the perfect gateway record for anyone curious about dub, roots reggae or dancehall.

Burning Saviors – Unholy Tales From The North CD (Transubstans Sweden)
Fifth album from the metal band. Pure retro sounding doom.

[Read more…] about New Releases for February 17th, 2015

CDs + Vinyl:

6 String Drag – Roots Rock ‘N’ Roll CD/LP (The Royal Potato Family)

After 16 years in hibernation, 6 String Drag is back to remind you about real rock & roll. In the late ‘90s, the Carolina quartet stood out as pioneers of the nascent alt-country movement. The band’s Steve Earle-produced LP, High Hat, remains an undisputed classic of its era. Now battle-scarred and road-wizened, today’s 6 String Drag is the sound of four kindred souls reunited, letting their own histories as human beings mingle freely around their shared love of classic, bygone sounds.

Poppy Ackroyd – Feathers CD/LP (Denovali)

On her second album, Poppy Ackroyd further explores melodies, beats, and sounds flourishing through the limitations of using only piano and violin textures. The way it puts rhythmic intricacy and achingly beautiful melodies together, Feathers is the perfect redolence for stories of hope, love, loss, and migration.

The Adolescents – La Vendetta… E Un Piatto Che Va Servito Freddo CD/LP (Frontier)

New album from the SoCal punk icons. The Adolescents remain one of the most respected bands of the 1980s hardcore/skate punk scene. La Vendetta… E Un Piatto Che Va Servito Freddo proves that they have not mellowed one snarling, snotty bit with tracks like “A Dish Best Served Cold,” “Nothing Left To Say” and “Let It Go.

Adrenaline Mob – Dearly Departed CD (Century Media)

New nine-song EP released in conjunction with their upcoming tour with Iced Earth and Death Angel.

Andy D – Ready, Set, Bleed! CD (Aerobic Int’l)

For those who have fallen in love with the energy and spectacle of his live show, Ready, Set, Bleed! contains the energy fans have come to expect from Andy D. This album leaves the more conceptual narrative framework of WarCries behind in favor of a more free-form collection of inspirations drawing from history, politics, sex, and dancing. “Listeners who appreciate Andrew WK’s hedonistic spirit, Lady Gaga’s synth-pop game and Biz Markie’s cartoon approach to hip-hop may find Bloomington-based Andy D to be their next pop-culture obsession.” — Indianapolis Star

Jeff Austin – The Simple Truth CD/LP (Yep Roc)

Jeff Austin has been playing professionally for nearly 20 years, most of them as the vocalist/mandolinist of the game-changing bluegrass jam act Yonder Mountain String Band. Austin has long harbored urges to stretch out musically and even cast a few pop hooks of his own. He finally makes the leap on The Simple Truth, his solo debut.

[Read more…] about New Releases for February 10, 2015