CDs + Vinyl:

311 – Mosaic CD/2xLP+MP3 (BMG)

Multi-platinum genre jumping band 311 return with their twelfth studio album. Frontman Nick Hexum says that, “Mosaic is our most adventurous collection yet. Some of our highest energy jams ever. Funky grooves, dub riddims, party anthems, heartfelt sincerity, it’s all in there.” Drummer Chad Sexton adds, “Mosaic definitely takes some steps forward into more modern territory, but there are distinct reminders of where we come from in the songs. Something about blending an older 311 style with a newer 311 style is really exciting to us and I think it will be for the fans too.” Mosaic‘s album cover is made up of nearly 10,000 photos submitted by fans.

42 Decibel – Overloaded CD/LP+CD (Steamhammer)

Overloaded still carries the blues rock torch from the previous albums, but this time 42 Decibel cranked it up a notch to give a more explosive experience but with that same hard rock & roll these boys are known for.

Algiers – The Underside Of Power CD/LP+MP3 (Matador)

Poke at the seasoned members’ bruised flesh, and out wafts touchpoints as disparate and intriguing as Big Black, Wendy Carlos, John Carpenter, Cybotron, The Four Tops, Portishead, Public Image Limited, Steve Reich, and Nina Simone, to name but a few. Deep echoes of Black Lives Matter and its 20th century forbears gather, surge, and subside in their often-soulful work, a form of principled, acute dissent more interested in learning from the past than in evoking nostalgia.

Joseph Arthur – Redemption’s Son [Reissue/2002] 2xCD/LP+MP3 (Real World)

Joseph Arthur’s acclaimed third album for Real World, Redemption’s Son, is reissued as a double-CD set with bonus content for the 15th anniversary of his most beloved recording. Consistently inspired, occasionally frazzled, and often startlingly beautiful, its rich textures and acute, poetic lyrics are guaranteed to raise goosebumps. The bonus disc Morning Star is a collection of nine previously unreleased songs from the era of the original Redemption’s Son release. [Also available on vinyl for the first time which includes a download of the bonus content.]

Banditos – Visionland CD/LP+MP3 (Bloodshot)

The Birmingham/Nashville-based group’s second full-length has one foot firmly planted in reality as the other tip-toes in and out of mental complexities, self-perception and altered-state illusions. The results are revealing, exhilarating and profound. With the rugged power of a flashy Super Chief locomotive, the Banditos’s bodaciously appropriate elements of ’60s blues-fused acid rock, ZZ Top’s jangly boogie, garage punk scuzz a la Burger Records, the Drive-By Truckers’ yawp, the populist choogle of CCR, Slim Harpo’s hip shake baby groove, gut bucket Fat Possum hill country mojo and the Georgia Motherf*king Satellites. From backwoods bluegrass, to slinky nods to Muscle Shoals soul and unexpected bits of doo-wop sweetness, the Banditos recall many, but sound like no one.

BardSpec – Hydrogen CD/LP (By Norse Music)

BardSpec is the ambient project/band from Enslaved composer/guitarist Ivar Bjørnson. His music music combines stirring, hallucinatory synth-sounds with mercurial guitar effects and hypnotic rhythms that navigate illusory landscapes.

Bedouine – Bedouine CD/LP (Spacebomb)

Bedouine’s singing is like rain down a granite ruin, sweet as jasmine in the summer darkness, lilting crystal movements, precise and sure, the kind of voice that forms civilizations. Bedouine has a story to match the name, Azniv Korkejian, born in Syria to Armenian parents, spent her childhood in Saudi Arabia, and moved to America when her family won the Green Card lottery. Working on around 30 tracks, with remarkable musicians like Smokey Hormel stopping by to contribute parts, Korkejian selected 10, united by a sustained mood and presence, to bring east for the Spacebomb treatment and Trey Pollard’s expressive symphonic arrangements.

Joe Bonamassa – Live At Carnegie Hall: An Acoustic Evening CD/3xLP (J&R Adventures)

On January 21^st and 22^nd, 2016, blues-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe Boamassa performed two unique shows at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert was part of a special all-acoustic tour and featured an all-star ensemble of world-class musicians. Acclaimed Chinese cellist and erhuist Tina Guo, whose repertoire stretches from classical to heavy metal; and Hossam Ramzy, the Egyptian percussionist and composer, who has performed on dozens of film soundtracks and records, including on Jimmy Page and Robert Plant’s No Quarter: Unledded Tour. Reese Wynans (piano), Anton Fig (Drums) Eric Bazilian (mandolin, hurdy-gurdy, saxophone, acoustic guitar, vocals), and three Australian backing vocalists, Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Gary Pinto round out the band. [Stand-alone DVD and Blu-ray editions also available.]

Bone Thugs – New Waves CD (E1)

New album from the duo of Krayzie Bone and Bizzy Bone with guest contributions from Tank, Jazze Pha, Yelawolf, Uncle Murda, Rico Love and more.

Broken Hope – Mutilated And Assimilated CD/LP+CD (Century Media)

[Read more…] about New Releases for June 23, 2017

CDs + Vinyl:

2 Chainz – Pretty Girls Like Trap Music CD (Def Jam)

The follow up to last year’s Hibachi For Lunch EP, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music features a star-studded lineup, consisting of Drake, Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, Quavo, Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla Sign, Jhene Aiko, Trey Songz, Pharrell, Swae Lee and others.

Arcadea – Arcadea CD/LP (Relapse)

Drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor (Mastodon), guitarist/keyboardist Core Atoms (Zruda, Gaylord) and keyboardist/guitarist Raheem Amlani (Withered, Scarab) are said pioneers, the space wizards of psychedelic soundscapes where organic drums collide with synthetic keys to create an infinite transmission from an event horizon. They go by Arcadea and their otherworldly brand of psyche-electric, synth-driven, metallic madness sounds alien yet somehow familiar.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Louie Louie Louie CD/LP (Savoy)

The incomparable kings of swing return with an electrifying celebration of jazz legends Louie Armstrong, Louie Jordan and Louie Prima.

Big Star – The Best Of Big Star CD/2xLP (Stax)

If the short-lived but fondly remembered Big Star could have experienced popular success in direct proportion to its posthumous influence, the rangy Memphis rock quartet would have lived up to its ambitious name, and then some. With the possible exception of the Velvet Underground, no other underground pop band has left such a lasting and indelible legacy. Taking the gritty soul of Memphis rhythm and blues and fusing it with the artful melodies and vocal harmonies of British power pop, and injecting it all with a flailing, pre-punk, garage-band energy, Big Star created a unique sound with a potentially universal appeal. This new Best Of compilation celebrates the founding fathers of power pop with 16 tracks spanning all three of their LPs (1972’s #1 Record, 1974’s Radio City and Third, released after the group disbanded). Includes rare single versions of some of their most popular songs, plus new liner notes.

David Bowie – Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles ’74) 2xCD (Rhino)

A previously unreleased live recording from Los Angeles on September 5, 1974. This was a pivotal gig in the transition between the Diamond Dogs tour and the Philly Dogs tour. [Limited vinyl edition was released on RSD 2017.]

Broadside – Paradise CD (Victory)

As soon as the majestic opening licks of the album’s lead off track burst onto the speakers, it’s obvious that Broadside are setting bigger and better goals the second time around. An album of boundless energy, Paradise is a culmination of two years’ worth of experiences, sacrifices, and tireless effort, and the end result is a go-for-broke tour de force in pop tinged punk rock. With the line “The sun peeking from the tall palm trees,” the title track “Paradise” sets the personality for a summer sunshine-stained statement. “The whole concept of Paradise is that you should chase that little view of happiness you create in your mind,” explains frontman Ollie Baxxter. “We often put our dreams and desires to the side believing they’re unrealistic, but this record is about building a bridge to reach your goals, your dream, your…Paradise.” [Vinyl edition due June 30.]

Sammy Brue – I Am Nice CD/LP+MP3 (New West)

Sammy Brue embodies the kind of wisdom, talent and natural empathy that are often signs of age and maturity, and yet at 15 years old, he can place himself in the shoes of others, real or fictionalized, and write stories about them. The Ogden, UT based songwriter has been writing songs since the age of 10. I Am Nice is a brilliant album with nuanced dimension that provides emotional resonance to Brue’s songs which Rolling Stone described as “a collection of devastatingly beautiful songs that touch on heartbreak, jealousy, God and suicide.” They would further declare Brue “an Americana prodigy.” Though Sammy may appear quiet and unassuming, his songs speak volumes. From busking at Sundance at age 10, to opening for Justin Townes Earle, John Paul White, Lucinda Williams and John Moreland to mention a few, as well as performing at Summer Set and the Newport Folk Festival, you will be hearing a lot about Sammy Brue.

[Read more…] about New Releases for June 16, 201