CDs:

1-800-BAND – Diver Blue CD/LP (Almost Ready)

A collection of perfect pop rock songs tinged variously with glam, hard rock, and early-light FM elements. You’ll actually be happy to get these tunes stuck in your head.

Afrojack – Forget The World CD (Def Jam)

In the span of less than 2 years, Afrojack has become one of electronic dance music’s major icons. From humble DJ beginnings in his native country of Holland, he has grown to become a multi-award winning, platinum-selling producer. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds bonus tracks.

American Football – American Football [Reissue/1999] 2xCD/2xLP (Polyvinyl)

American Football features members of Owen, Joan Of Arc, and The Geese. Their self-titled debut showcases cleanly picked guitars, intricate drumming, and lyrical interplay. This deluxe edition reissue contains an extra disc with eleven live and demo tracks. Vinyl edition pressed on HQ-180gm red vinyl with download.

aMute – Savage Bliss CD/LP (Three Four)

Savage Bliss is the fifth album from aMute, aka Jerome Dueson. As a solo artist, he continues his path with determination and shows that he warrants the comparisons of such artists as Tim Hecker and Fennesz. This record still holds melancholy and nostalgia, but the religious post-rock melodies are scarcer.

Andrea Belfie/David Grubbs/Stefano Pilia – Onrushing Cloud CD (Blue Chopsticks)

Originally released on LP in 2010, Onrushing Cloud is the first album from the trio of Andrea Belfi (drums, percussion, electronics), David Grubbs (electric guitar, piano, voice), and Stefano Pilia (electric guitar).

Archie Bronson Outfit – Wild Crush CD/LP (Domino)

Archie Bronson Outfit is the duo of S. Windett and Arp Cleveland. Their sound consists of driving rhythms, howling romance, distortion, and echo, but with a new clarity.

Atlantic Thrills – Atlantic Thrills CD/LP (Almost Ready)

One of the best true garage rock records to come down the pike in some time. There’s lots to brood to, plenty of shadows and alleys to wander in between the partying and dancing some tracks might inspire.

Blu – Good To Be Home 2xCD (Nature Sound)

Los Angeles lyricist Blu returns with Good to Be Home, a brand new solo album. Unlike previous Blu releases that have leaked online and later been re-packaged in physical form, this album contains 20 tracks of brand new, previously unheard material. Vinyl version due May 27.

The Blue Angel Lounge – Sea Of Trees CD/LP (A. Records)

Since the release of their previous album Narcotica, The Blue Angel Lounge has been garnering international acclaim, touring the US, UK and France with the Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and also making appearances at the Austin Psych Fest and Roskilde.

Joe Bonamassa – Tour De Force: Live In London – Hammersmith Apollo 2xCD (J&R Adventures)

Joe Bonamassa – Tour De Force: Live In London – Royal Albert Hall 2xCD (J&R Adventures)

Joe Bonamassa – Tour De Force: Live In London – The Borderline 2xCD (J&R Adventures)

Joe Bonamassa – Tour De Force: Live In London – Shepherd’s Bush 2xCD (J&R Adventures)

The Tour De Force: Live In London series chronicles Bonamassa’s atmospheric rise from the intimate club environment of The Borderline, to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Each individual evening was marked by a unique theme with different setlists, arrangements and ensembles providing the viewer with four unique performances.

Haley Bonar – Last War CD/LP (Graveface)

Last War is Haley’s eighth album of alternative Americana goodness. Her rotating cast of band members includes Jake Hanson (Halloween Alaska, Mason Jennings),  Jeremy Hanson (Tapes ‘N Tapes), Luke Anderson (Rogue Valley), Jeremy Ylvisaker (Andrew Bird, Alpha Consumer), and Mike Lewis (Bon Iver, Alpha Consumer).

Bo Ningen – III CD (PIAS, AmericaS)
Bo Ningen are a group of enlightenment activists from Japan’s psychedelic underground. Vinyl version due May 27.

Brian Jonestown Massacre – Revelation CD/2xLP (A. Records)

Revelation is the first album that was fully recorded and produced at Anton’s recording studio in Berlin. It is the 14th full-length release from the Brian Jonestown Massacre and was recorded from late 2012 to early 2014.

Gilbert Brantley – Just As I Am CD (Valory)

Having written on every track, Brantley’s first new music in over four years delivers a more personal look into his life and continues his story.

The Burning Of Rome – Year Of The Ox CD/LP (Surfdog)

The Burning of Rome has been described as “merging the pop sensibility of The Flaming Lips, the atmosphere of Brian Eno, and the rock edge of Muse with poetic lyrics that recall the curiosity of Carl Sagan.” They put on an eerie and electrifying live show full of anthemic choruses, searing guitars and a driving rhythm section — all with a tinge of the macabre.

[Read more…] about New Releases for May 19/20, 2014

CDs:

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. – Astrorgasm From The Inner Space CD/2xLP (Important)

Acid Mother’s new album (featuring their original vocalist Cotton Casino) is another set of scorching tracks.

Jay Boy Adams – Let It Go CD (Rockin’ Heart)

New release from the Texas country singer/songwriter and guitarist.

Agalloch – The Serpent & The Sphere CD (Profound Lore)

The most atmospheric and progressive Agalloch release to date, the vibe is dark, expansive and otherworldly. The Serpent & The Sphere features the production and mixing expertise of Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Sleep, Swans, High On Fire); Canadian neo-folk musician Nathanaël Larochette of Musk Ox adds to the album’s acoustic interludes.

Amen Dunes – Love CD/LP (Sacred Bones)

While the previous Amen Dunes records had all been largely improvisational first-take affairs, recorded in a matter of weeks at most, Love is the product of close to a year and a half of continuous work. Damon McMahon (aka Amen Dunes) chose to hold the main recording sessions in Montreal with Dave Bryant and Efrim Menuck of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. In addition to recording the sessions that McMahon produced, members of Godspeed also played on several of the songs, along with Colin Stetson on saxophone and Elias Bender-Ronnenfelt of Iceage, who duets with McMahon on two tracks.

Tori Amos – Unrepentant Geraldines CD/CD+DVD (Mercury Classics)

Out of the flux of ambition and distraction and imagination comes Tori Amos’ 14th studio album, Unrepentant Geraldines. It’s a vivid and vital album on which Amos once more zeroes in on the writing of brightly melodic, deftly evocative chamber-pop. Fairy-tale soul-poems, you might say. Or, a view from the middle-aged bridge. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a bonus DVD featuring video footage from Tori’s photo shoot, studio work and interviews with the artist. Vinyl version due June 10.

Joseph Arthur – Lou CD (Vanguard)

Inspired by Lou Reed’s legacy, acclaimed singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur pays tribute with this moving tribute to the rock & roll icon.

[Read more…] about New Releases for May 13, 2014

CDs:

Abramis Brama – Enkel Biljett CD (Record Heaven)

Throughout the last 15 years, Abramis Brama has released heavy, ecstatic, riff-oriented hard rock with Swedish lyrics. On Enkel Biljett, the band continues their journey with newfound energy.

Acoustic Alchemy – Live In London 2xCD (Onside)

Double-CD live release from the British instrumental/smooth jazz band.

Aleister X – Keepin’ It Real CD (Nod And Smile)

Aleister X’s massive new album, the follow up to his critically acclaimed Half Speed Mastered!, Keepin’ It Real is Shepard’s pie of psychedelic pop with dirty funk grooves and cult pop lyrical gymnastics.

Lily Allen – Sheezus CD/2xCD (WB)

Lily Allen’s third studio album was produced by Greg Kurstin, Shellback and Dj Dahl, and features the singles “Hard Out Here” and “Air Balloon.” Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a five-track bonus disc. Vinyl version due May 27.

Andrew Jackson Jihad – Christmas Island CD/LP (Side One Dummy)

Christmas Island, the 5th album proper from Andrew Jackson Jihad, is a little bit silly, a little bit serious. It’s a record that’s irreverent yet somber, full of humor and full of pathos, its twelve songs combining the two to create a record that truly cuts right to the bone of the human condition. Whether it’s life, love, death, loss or Linda Ronstadt, this record has it all, delving into the most profound of emotions, reaching deep into the heart of humanity, unveiling universal truths through the most unlikely of scenarios.

Arkona – Yav CD/CD+DVD (Napalm)

This Russian pagan folk metal band interweaves brutal metal riffs, pounding drums and folk melodies, the latter played mostly on authentic and medieval instruments. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a bonus DVD.

Atmosphere – Southsiders CD/LP (Rhymesayers)

While Southsiders is a celebration of the group’s fortitude, it is also a deeply introspective, and sometimes conflicted, work. “It’s a natural progression from the last record, The Family Sign, which was about growing my family,” says Slug, now a father to three, who finds himself contemplating mortality. “I’m starting to think, ‘What is post family man? What am I supposed to rap about now?’ I’m sticking to my roots, rapping about what I’m doing, what I think about. This record is much like the other ones a very detailed look at my life.”

Badbadnotgood – III CD/LP (Innovative Leisure)

Badbadnotgood is a young talented trio of musicians made up of Matthew Tavares on keys, Chester Hansen on bass, and Alex Sowinski on drums. Since their inception at Humber College’s Music Performance program in 2011, the three have challenged the rulebook on improvised instrumental music and taken jazz tradition into the future. With early champions including acclaimed BBC broadcaster Gilles Peterson and Tyler The Creator (who helped fuel their discovery), the inseparable friends release their biggest project to date with III.

Being As An Ocean – How We Both Wondrously Perish CD (Invogue)

How We Both Wondrously Perish represents fine melodic hardcore, from the passionate screams, catchy choruses, and intense music. For fans of Underoath, mewithoutYou, Sigur Rós, and Brand New.

Black Stone Cherry – Magic Mountain CD (Roadrunner)

Black Stone Cherry’s fourth studio album, Magic Mountain sees the band continuing to master their sound that has earned them legions of fans around the world.

Paul Bley – Play Blue: The Oslo Concert CD (ECM)

A rare solo performance by one of jazz s great originals, Canadian pianist Paul Bley, recorded live at the Oslo Jazz Festival in 2008 by Jan Erik Kongshaug and Manfred Eicher.

Blood Red Shoes – Blood Red Shoes CD/LP (Jazz Life)

Brighton, England’s Blood Red Shoes feature Laura-Mary Carter (vocals/guitar) and Steven Ansell (drums/vocals), two enthusiastic punk-inspired brawlers who channel the clamor of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Duke Spirit, and Huggy Bear.

Luka Bloom – Head & Heart CD (Compass)

With a poet’s heart and a rocker’s soul, Luka Bloom is regarded as one of Ireland’s most respected contemporary folk artists. On Head & Heart, Bloom continues to shake up the folk genre with clever new arrangements and reinterpretations of ten well known classics alongside a pair of self-penned gems, accompanied by a jazz trio.

Brigades – Crocodile Tears CDEP/12” (Pure Noise)

Brigades is South Carolina’s best kept secret. Their debut EP, Crocodile Tears was recorded in Baltimore with producer Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, Dangerous Summer) and blends pop punk with more aggressive skate punk riffs.

David Byrne And Fatboy Slim – Here Lies Love O.C.R. 2xCD (Nonesuch)

Features music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim as performed by the original 2013 Public Theater cast of the Here Lies Love musical starring Ruthie Ann Miles and Jose Llana as Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos.

[Read more…] about New Releases for May 6, 2014