CDs:

Bastille – Bad Blood CD/LP (Virgin)

The debut album from this UK quartet includes the breakout single “Pompeii,” alongside other standout tracks like “Things We Lost In The Fire,” “Flaws,” and “Laura Palmer” (all of which have managed to chart in their homeland, where the album reached #1). This US version features three studio tracks not found on the original import release.

Sandra Boynton – Sandra Boynton’s Frog Trouble CD (WB)

Grammy nominated and bestselling children’s author, songwriter and music producer, Sandra Boynton, presents her first country album, Frog Trouble. The album features 12 original songs by Boynton, arranged and mixed with Michael Ford. Boynton produced the tracks mostly in Nashville, with renowned session musicians and an all-star roster, including Dwight Yoakam, Fountains of Wayne, Mark Lanegan, Kacey Musgraves, Ryan Adams, Ben Folds, Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker, Linda Eder, and Falls Mountain Cowboys.

Tamar Braxton – Love & War CD (Epic)

Sophomore solo album from the television star/R&B vocalist and younger sister of Toni Braxton.

Richard Buckner – Surrounded CD/LP+MP3 (Merge)

In the time since Our Blood was released and after a few long tours, Richard Buckner attempted to work on writing short stories but found himself drawn back into the music room. The evidence of his time in the writer’s chair is clear in the dense, lovely prose of Surrounded. The album’s liner notes include text-embedded lyrics, a technique Buckner employed on his earlier albums Since and Impasse, but this marks the first time he used the songs’ extended story to construct the album’s overall view and track sequence.

Caged Animals – In The Land Of Giants CD/LP (Lucky Number)

Caged Animals is the strangely life-affirming bedroom project of songwriter Vincent Cacchione, a New Jersey-born Italian living in Brooklyn. Known previously for the nearly folk-rock of his former band Soft Black, Cacchione carries a strong traditional gene in his band of glitch-friendly pop — as inspired by the classic songwriting of Jeff Magnum or John Lennon’s solo material as the melancholic R&B twist of James Blake or Frank Ocean, or the perfect fusion of Chad Van Gaalen’s raw pop sensibilities.

Califone – Stitches CD/LP (Dead Oceans)

Stitches, the new album Califone touches on all permutable definitions of the word, its episodes of discomfort and healing rendered with exquisite beauty and craftsmanship. Archetypes and mythological figures rub shoulders with bruised civilians throughout this odyssey. Intimate timbres garage sale drum machines, slack guitar strings, hushed vocals offset the album’s cinematic inclinations. The listener moves through a landscape of Old Testament blood and guts, spaghetti Western deserts and Southwestern horizons, zeroing in on emotions and images that cannot be glanced over.

Neko Case – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You CD/2xLP+CD (Anti)

It’s been four years since the great alt-country wailer Neko Case posed with the sword on the car hood on her Middle Cyclone album cover, and she hasn’t released a solo album since. That changes now with her new LP The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You. Decemberists producer Tucker Martine helmed the album, and Case’s contributors this time around included Kelly Hogan, M. Ward, and New Pornographers frontman A.C. Newman. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds three bonus tracks. Also available on gatefold double-vinyl featuring three bonus tracks, an etched D-side, and a tattoo sheet.

Coachwhips – Hands On The Controls [Reissue/2002] CD (Castle Face)

This reissue of the debut album from early ’00s band lead by John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees) adds six bonus tracks not on the original CD release. “Known for their raw, primal, stripped-down approach, Coachwhips have epitomized rock & roll at its most basic. Their infectious, riff-driven recordings of the 2000s have combined garage rock with punk and alternative rock.” – All Music

Cowboy Mouth – This Train CD (Elm City)

As frontman Fred LeBlanc says, “If The Neville Brothers and The Clash had a baby, it would be Cowboy Mouth.”

[Read more…] about New Releases for September 3, 2013

CDs:

August Alsina – Downtown: Life Under The Gun CD (Def Jam)

August is a 20-year-old R&B singer from New Orleans that has been groomed by Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter The Dream. His form of edgy, melodic music will turn heads and open ears. Eager to follow in the footsteps of the NOLA music legends that paved his way, look for August to make 2013 his official coming out party.

AMSG – Anti Cosmic Tyranny CD (Profound Lore)

AMSG’s debut full-length is a testament of the real essence of black metal—the sonic interpretation of a Satanic ritual replete with layered whispers, chants and other subliminal sounds that honor the endless dark Aeon and the chaotic black light.

A$AP Ferg – Trap Lord CD (RCA)
A$AP Ferg may hail from a block in Harlem notoriously known as ”Hungry Ham” (Hamilton Heights), but that never completely defined him. Whether it be launching clothing and jewelry lines or attending art school, he constantly bobbed and weaved past expectations. As a rapper, unpredictability remains his only calling card. The next member of the A$AP Mob collective to have a solo project, he can slip from gruff, gritty rhymes to soaring singing, and he does so seamlessly. Vinyl version due September 10.

Bob Baldwin – Twenty CD (City Sketches)

Twenty celebrates a humble milestone in the career of New York native/arranger/producer/entrepreneur Bob Baldwin and represents 20 discs in 25 years, which has been a great journey for Baldwin, also radio host of NewUrbanJazz Lounge, now over 453,000 listeners weekly. 

Julianna Barwick – Nepenthe CD/LP (Dead Oceans)

Julianna Barwick’s art is equal parts force and beauty. Her music finds its motor in significant events in her own life, but they are abstracted into a sense of sonic wonderment, a radiance that you could say is her signature sound. That radiance has been taken to new zeniths with Nepenthe, her third full-length album, which was recorded in Reykjavík, Iceland, in the dark cold days of February.

Andrew Belle – Black Bear CD (Elm City)

Andrew Belle is a Chicago based singer/songwriter. His last album, The Ladder (2010), sold over 25,000 completely independently. Black Bear is his highly anticipated follow-up. Produced by Chad Copelin (Ivan & Alyosha) Black Bear highlights nuanced melodies and thoughtful, contemplative lyrics. Andrew’s music has previously been used on Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Castle, and Vampire Diaries.

blessthefall – Hollow Bodies CD (Fearless)

Fourth album from the Phoenix, AZ metalcore band.

Blue October – Sway CD/LP (Up/Down)

New album from the San Marcos, TX-based band known for shimmering rock songs and haunting lyrics. With lush, atmospheric songs such as “Bleed Out,” “Angels In Everything,” and “Fear,” and the edgy rocker “Put It In,” the Texas four piece comes back strong with a revitalized energy and a positive outlook.

Born Of Osiris – Tomorrow We Die Alive CD/LP (Sumerian)

Third full-length album by the American deathcore band.

Braids – Flourish // Perish CD (Arbutus)

“Hailing from Calgary Canada, Braids band broke the music scene with their lighter, shoe-gaze debut, Native Speaker in 2011, scoring points and finding devoted fans almost instantly. Having logged well-earned touring hours of over 18 months and even recovered from the departure of a fellow band member, the now three-piece holed up for an entire year to write, heal and record their follow up. Flourish // Perish offers a soul-reaching contrast through its complex rhythms and structured melodies, affirming the trios collective strength. Finding a harmonic balance between structure and delicacy, it encompasses much-loved older-material roots with raw electro exploration” – Gigwise. Vinyl version due September 17.

Kurt Braunohler – How Do I Land? CD (Kill Rock Stars)

Kurt Braunohler is an “adult” male comedian, who enjoys skywriting jokes in the sky and altering greeting cards. Kurt was recently named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics To Watch” as well as Time Out NY’s “50 Funniest New Yorkers.” He was even named another “Comic To Watch” by Comedy Central and the New York Comedy Festival.

Buffalo Killers – Ohio Grass CD/LP (Alive)

“This collection of atmospheric psychedelia is laced with the swamp blues of the Killers’ first three outings, coupled with a mature, melodic folk nuance sure to have you reaching for your lava lamp. (…) Brilliantly sequenced, organically produced, and genuinely executed, Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. cements Buffalo Killers’ reputation for ’70s-infused tunes in a postmodern package and plants the seeds for growth on new musical horizons.” – John Castino/Innocent Words

Jimmy Buffett – Songs From St. Somewhere CD (Mailboat)

Featuring 15 brand new recordings plus a bonus track, Songs From St. Somewhere was recorded this spring in various locals including Key West, Nashville, Austin, Miami, and St. Barts.

The first single “Too Drunk to Karaoke” is a duet with Toby Keith.

Carousel – Jeweler’s Daughter CD/LP (Tee Pee)

Carousel’s music incorporates many elements, most notably the harmonized guitar lines of Thin Lizzy, the bombast of Mountain and the rhythmic propulsion of Diamond Head, Motörhead and other bands whose names include the word “head.”

Chicago Jazz Orchestra With Cyrille Aimée – Burstin’ Out CD (Origin)

Now entering its 35th year, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra has built a resume that ranks it among the greatest artistic institutions in the city, if not the United States. For their latest recording, director Jeff Lindberg teams the CJO with the quickly emerging vocalist Cyrille Aimée for a diverse album of great jazz classics.

Crocodiles – Crimes Of Passion CD/LP (Frenchkiss)

Crimes Of Passion is bursting with sounds inspired by the likes of The Soft Boys, Street Hassle-era Lou Reed, the Notorious Byrd Brothers, the Jackson 5 and even Glenn Branca.

Destruction Unit – Deep Trip CD (Sacred Bones)

Destruction Unit is an American band formed in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. Formed by Ryan Rousseau, D. Unit was initially a synth-heavy three piece whose other members were Jay Reatard and Alicja Trout (Lost Sounds); likewise Rousseau was also in the Reatards before Jay went solo. Morphine boogie for the 21st century noise addict. Aggressive psychedelic sprawl at its finest. Vinyl version due September 3.

Lee DeWyze – Frames CD/2xCD/LP (Vanguard)

Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a disc of acoustic versions. DeWyze played guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo and drums during the recording sessions, during which he collaborated with renowned producer/songwriters Toby Gad, Drew Pearson, Matthew Wilder and Phil Allen, as well as mixer extraordinaire Jim Scott.

Diana – Perpetual Surrender CD/LP (Jagjaguwar)

Comparisons traverse eras and genres; from the soft-focus soft rock and pop of Roxy Music to the dreamy production of jj and Chromatics, topped off with the Balearic disco swirl of Studio.

[Read more…] about New Releases for August 20, 2013

CDs:

Backstreet Boys – In A World Like This CD (K-Bahn LLC)

Eighth studio album from the teen boy-band turned vocal harmony group.

Alpha Blondy – Mystic Power CD (VP)

New album from the reggae veteran. Alpha Blondy, who is from the Ivory Coast, sings mostly in his native language of Dioula, French, English, sometimes Arabic or Hebrew. His lyrics convey serious political attitudes and a sense of humor.

Ken Camden – Space Mirror CD/LP (Kranky)

Ken Camden (Implodes) travels to space while still grounded on terra firma. His vessel of choice is a guitar and some effects with which he journeys on fantastical expeditions and surveys the biggest territory of all, the one between your ears. The album forms a gravity-free environment in which the listener is suspended, enhancing an aural excursion to the outer reaches of the musical Kosmos.

Chimaira – Crown Of Phantoms CD (E1)

“After what was a rather massive lineup change, Chimaira is back with their latest effort Crown Of Phantoms. This pounding album is in many ways a revival for the band, yet doesn’t stray away from the sound people have come to know and love over the past decade.” – Mindequalsblown.com

Alela Diane – About Farewell CD (Rusted Blue)

Alela Diane’s fourth album serves as an eloquent goodbye to lovers from years past, coupled with some poignant last walks down memory lane. While the lyrics deal most directly with Alela’s recent divorce, About Farewell explores her entire last decade of relationships with tremendous honesty and nuanced insight. The entirety of the album was built around her voice and simple guitar arrangements.

[Read more…] about New Releases for July 30, 2013