CDs:

Ellen Allien – Lism CD (Bpitch Control)

Rarely has an LP from the circle of Bpitch Control artists deviated so far from the club context as this one.

Duane Allman – Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective 7xCD (Rounder)

This seven-disc set, produced by Duane’s daughter Galadrielle Allman and esteemed reissue producer Bill Levenson, shows the full breadth and depth of Duane’s work, from early recordings (with Gregg) in bands such as The Escorts, Allman Joys and Hour Glass; to his studio work with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Boz Scaggs, Delaney & Bonnie, Ronnie Hawkins and many others; to a live jam session with the Grateful Dead.

Alpha Rev – Bloom CD (Kirtland)

Third album from the Austin-based band fronted by songwriter Casey McPherson.

And So I Watch You From Afar – All Hail Bright Futures CD/LP+MP3 (Sargent House)

Dominated by a sunnier disposition, a positive uplift that more closely matches the euphoria the Northern Ireland trio has been instilling in audiences through their music in a live setting for the last five years.

Anthrax – Anthems CDEP (Megaforce)

Anthems features cover versions of songs originally performed by some of the band’s favorite acts including AC/DC, Rush, Thin Lizzy and others. Also included is a new remix of “Crawl,” which originally appeared on 2011’s Worship Music.

Black Pus – All My Relations CD/LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)

Solo project of Brian Chippendale, drummer for noise rock titans Lightning Bold and Mindflayer. His furious drumming style is ever present and instantly recognizable, but the pop element, which was explored in more contained ways on earlier solo releases, is more fully integrated.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Specter At The Feast CD (Vagrant)

“The bleary San Francisco fuzz-rockers originally considered making their sixth studio album a double, but evidently had the wisdom to realize that two discs’ worth of uncharacteristic downtempo melancholia would numb the listener. The 12 tracks that made the grade comprise one of BMRC’s better releases. They were written after the sudden death of their sound engineer, Michael Been – father of bassist Robert Been – and are heavy with loss” – The Guardian. Vinyl version due March 26.

Billy Bragg – Tooth & Tail CD/CD+DVD/LP (Cooking Vinyl/Essential Music)

Far from solving England’s ills, Tooth & Nail promises to reflect the uncertain times in which Brits live on a personal level. Recorded across five days with Joe Henry, guests include Greg Leisz (Bon Iver), Patrick Warren (Lana Del Rey), Jay Bellerose (Regina Spektor) and David Piltch (Ramblin’ Jack Eliot). Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe features expanded packaging and a DVD of ten promotional videos that Billy made for his singles spanning 1986 – 2002.

Brandt Brauer Frick – Miami CD/2xLP (!K7)

New release from the German techno trio consisting of Daniel Brandt, Jan Brauer and Paul Frick. Brandt Brauer Frick have made a name for themselves producing techno without the technology using classical instruments in preference to synthesizers and computers.

Alex Calder – Time CD/LP (Captured Tracks)

A strong love for classic ‘60s/’70s guitar pop (Beach Boys, Beatles) as well as soft spots for Prince and Hall And Oates display Alex Calder’s self-proclaimed “fascination with pop music.” While his influences certainly shape his work it is his natural ear for melody and movement, which make Calder’s work both fluid and engaging. His knack and ambition both in his songwriting and production provide a solid foundation for his music to drift in an out of psychy realms.

Call Of The Void – Dragged Down A Dead End Path CD (Relapse)

Dragged Down A Dead End Path’s crust and grind elements seamlessly merge to conjure visions of grind godfathers Pig Destroyer while effortlessly treading the abrasive caustic nature of Converge’s hybrid progressive hardcore and Mastodon’s technical metal-tinged rock mastery.

Cannibal Corpse – Dead Human Collection: 25 Years of Death Metal 13xCD+LP (Metal Blade)

Released to coincide with their 25th anniversary, Dead Human Collection contains all 12 full length studio albums in a foldout case with new artwork, plus Torturing And Eviscerating Live on CD and vinyl picture disc LP, and 12”x12” graphic prints of all 13 original album covers, as well as a 2013 Cannibal Corpse calendar.

Alex Cline – For People In Sorrow CD+DVD (Cryptogramophone)

The twin brother of Wilco guitarist Nels Cline is a talented drummer, percussionist and composer in his own right. For People In Sorrow is a poignant re-imagining of the landmark composition by Roscoe Mitchell recorded live at the 2011 Angel City Jazz Festival.

Clutch – Earth Rocker CD (Weathermaker)

“Two decades and 10 albums into its career, the Maryland band has made its most straightforward hard-rock album to date. The group’s more extensive forays into the blues and jam-band territory are reined in here (save the surprisingly quiet ‘Gone Cold’ and a delightful go-go beat in ‘D.C. Sound Attack’ that works so, so well), and the result is a leaner, meaner 44 minutes, propelled by Neil Fallon’s massive Southern bellow” – NPR. Free lithograph with purchase – while supplies last!

Death Wolf – Death Wolf II: Black Armoured Death CD (Century Media)

“A cross between The Misfits and Black Sabbath.” – The Age Of Metal

Deptford Goth – Life After Defo CD/LP (Cooperative Music)

Beautifully crafted sweet synth pop, with R&B hooks ala the xx.

Simone Dinnerstein & Tift Merritt – Night CD (Sony Classical)

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein and singer/songwriter Tift Merritt join forces for the first time on a unique collaboration merging classical, folk, and rock worlds, exploring common terrain and uncovering new musical landscapes.

Dump – Superpowerless [Reissue/1993] CD/2xLP (Morr Music)

Reissue of the legendary 1993 debut album by solo project of James McNew (Yo La Tengo). Contains all that was great about the few short moons of tape-hiss: collaborations triggered not even remotely by virtuosity (had Chris Knox ever played trumpet before that afternoon?); cardboard boxes as bass drums; the victory of enthusiasm over perfection (have Half-Japanese been covered with more empathy?). Contains bonus material.

Dur-Dur Band – Volume 5 CD/LP (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Remastered from a cassette copy source — a document of the band after establishing itself as one of the most popular bands in Mogadishu. The complex, soulful music penetrates the hiss.

[Read more…] about New Releases for March 19, 2013

CDs:

Adrenaline Mob – Coverta CD (Elm City)

Adrenaline Mob bring together some of the biggest names in metal and prog metal, from singer Russell Allen (Symphony X), to drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold), to John Moyer (Disturbed) and guitarist Mike Orlando. Coverta is a covers album featuring tracks originally by Badlands, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin, Dio, The Doors, and Van Halen.

Aina Haina – Aina Haina CD (Badman)

Portland’s Aina Haina (pronounced “Eye-na High-na”) is a power duo that traces its roots back to Hawaii where members Mike Ailes and Dylan Magierek met while attending the University Of Hawaii.

Arkona – Decade Of Glory 2xCD (Napalm)

Double-disc live set from the Russian Pagan metal band, recorded early last year in Moscow.

Devendra Banhart – Mala CD/LP+CD+7” (Nonesuch)

Mala was co-produced by Banhart and his longtime bandmate, Noah Georgeson. The duo plays most of the instruments themselves, using borrowed equipment and a vintage Tascam recorder (often used in early hip-hop recordings) they’d found in a pawnshop. Vinyl version includes CD and bonus 7″.

Biffy Clyro – Opposites CD/2xLP (WB)

Sixth album from the critically acclaimed Scottish trio – originally released overseas last year as a 22-track, double-disc edition – which has now been pared down to a 15-track, single-disc for the stateside release. Vinyl version features 20 tracks.

Bon Jovi – What About Now CD (Island)

Bon Jovi’s twelfth studio album — available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe edition adds three bonus tracks.

David Bowie – The Next Day CD (lp 03/26) (Sony)

Bowie’s first studio album in ten years and his 30th studio recording overall — available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe includes three bonus tracks and is packaged in a digipak sleeve.

Carmen Villain – Sleeper CD (Smalltown Supersound)

Let’s get this out of the way first — Carmen Villain used to be a very successful model. Her face has appeared on the covers of Vogue and Nylon, and high profile cosmetic ad campaigns. It turns out Carmen Hillestad (Carmen Villain) has been a spy in the house of fashion. Behind the scenes, she was channeling her frustrations into a set of songs with a defiantly DIY underground free-rock sound. Now she’s stepping off the glossy page and emerging as a major new songwriting voice and multi-instrumentalist. With acid in her airbrush, she reminds us of This Heat, Bikini Kill, Sonic Youth, Royal Trux.

Eric Clapton – Old Sock CD/LP (Brushbranch/Surfdog)

Old Sock is a collection of some of Clapton’s favorite songs spanning from his childhood to present day that highlights his vast appreciation and knowledge of music, from Leadbelly to J.J. Cale; Peter Tosh to George Gershwin; Hank Snow to Gary Moore and Taj Mahal. The album explores romantic standards of the ‘30s, reggae, soul, rock, and includes a stand out playful collaboration with Paul McCartney.

Durag Dynasty – 360 Waves CD (Nature Sounds)

Debut album from the hip-hop supergroup featuring Killer Ben, Alchemist, Tristate, and Planet Asia. Guests include Prodigy, Phil The Agony, Evidence, Iman Thug and others.

[Read more…] about New Releases for March 12, 2013

CDs:

Apple And Three Oranges – Free And Easy: The Complete Works 1970-1975 CD/2xLP (Now Again)

Soul and funk from the L.A. drummer/singer/songwriter Ed “Apple” Nelson and his band. “Thick slices of rhythmic soul that are clearly indebted to J.B. and Sly, yet are completely their own things, loose, at once joyous and accusatory, and grounded in that distinctive New Orleans drumming that blows today’s beat-heads’ lids” – L.A. Weekly

Ólöf Arnalds – Sudden Elevation CD/LP (One Little Indian)

Recorded in her native Iceland, Sudden Elevation, Ólöf Arnald’s third full album and her first sung entirely in English, captures a rare and idiosyncratic songwriting talent in full bloom. From the breezily skipping rhythm of opener “German Fields” to the pealing vocals of closer, “Perfect,” Sudden Elevation’s particular brand of heartache is magical, dislocated and otherworldly; its harmonies complex and quietly electrifying.

At The Drive-In – Acrobatic Tenement [Reissue/1996] CD (Twenty First Chapter)

ATDI’s 1996 debut is back in print.

Autechre – Exai 2xCD/4xLP (Warp)

“As Autechre, Sean Booth and Rob Brown have produced some of the best electronic music of the past 20 years. Characterized from the beginning by gloom and intricacy, their sound has grown more complex and austere over time.” – BBC

Stefano Battaglia Trio – The River Of Anyder CD (ECM)

Stefano Battaglia first made waves as a classical pianist, playing music from baroque and early music to 20th century composition touring the European festivals in this capacity, before making the transition to music that incorporated improvisation. A strong feeling for structure, a legacy from the ‘classical’ years, continues to inform all his work.

B/B/S/ – Brick Mask CD/LP (Miasmah)

Debut album from collaboration between Miasmah label boss Erik Skodvin (Svarte Greiner, Deaf Center), experimental don Andrea Belfi, and metal stalwart Aidan Baker (Nadja). Like Supersilent, but rooted in metal instead of jazz.

Blue Hawaii – Untogether CD/LP (Arbutus)

Untogether frames a time of warmth and novelty, featuring dense female harmonies, tape saturated synths, guitars and drum machines.

Marcus Canty – This Is Marcus Canty CD (Epic)

Guided by his idol, Epic president L.A. Reid, R&Bs latest breakthrough vocal powerhouse Canty describes his sound as R&B with a pop twist, a la Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Usher.

The Cave Singers – Naomi CD/LP (Jagjaguwar)

On Naomi, The Cave Singers have charted new territory for the band, both musically and spiritually, while remaining true to their distinctive brand of brushfired folk. After some time in the dark wealth of the unknown, they have returned to the light with a revitalized purpose.

Chelsea Light Moving – Chelsea Light Moving CD/LP+7” (Matador)

New band from Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, featuring the backing talents of Keith Wood, Samara Lubelski and John Moloney, all of whom featured as Thurston’s backing band on his last solo record, Demolished Thoughts — but this time it hits hard with rock noise.

Cloud Cult – Love CD (Earthology)

“Love is packed with optimistic theories about how we connect to each other and the world around us. Also true to form, the music that surrounds those messages bursts with warmth, whether in spare examinations of faith or in big-hearted explosions of ecstatic celebration.” – NPR

Dirty Beaches – Water Park OST CD/10” (A Records)

The instrumentation of oscillators, heavily reverberated strings, mellotron/chamberlain, and experimental electric guitar sets the mood for this bizarre plastic tropical paradise that’s within a shopping mall. Also available on 10″ white vinyl.

[Read more…] about New Releases for March 5, 2013