CDs:
Ahleuchatistas – Heads Full Of Poison CD (Cuneiform)
Since emerging from their home base of Asheville, NC in 2003, Ahleuchatistas have consistently been one of the most exciting and stimulating live music experiences out there. They are as comfortable in your local punk dive as at a European jazz fest, and lauded by media as disparate as Pitchfork (“possessed of many moments of beauty and mayhem”), NPR (“the kind of musical tug-of-war that sounds as jagged as it is graceful”), and The New York Times (“music of upfront physicality and twitchy intent”).
As I Lay Dying – Awakened CD/2xCD (Metal Blade)
New album from the metalcore band — available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe features expanded liner notes including a track-by-track commentary from all band members, exclusive photos, bonus tracks and a DVD, which includes a seventeen-minute video documentary of behind-the-scenes in the making of this album.
The Bad Plus – Made Possible CD (eOne)
Independent to the core The Bad Plus are the first and only group to bridge the gap between no-compromise jazz and cutting edge alternative. Nine new originals, tightly performed, but infused with energy, irreverence, and an attitude of surprise.
Before The Dawn – Rise Of The Phoenix CD (FrostByte)
Melodic Finnish death metal.
The Bevis Frond – Triptych [Reissue/1988] CD (Tee Pee)
Reissue of The Bevis Frond’s third proper album, originally released in 1988. Features a bevy of low-fi retro pop songs and fuzzed out, wailing psych rock riffs.
Bitcrush – Collapse CD (n5MD)
Adding almost JK Broadrick-esque detuned guitars and fragile yet distressed guitar parts, Bitcrush weaves these new elements into his work effortlessly and somehow manages to make Collapse feel like a living breathing entity.
Joe Bonamassa – Beacon Theatre: Live From New York 2xCD (J&R Adventures)
Bonamassa rips through 20 songs spanning his career with smoky vocals complementing the guitar wizardry. Special guests include Beth Hart, John Hiatt and Paul Rodgers.
Jonathan Butler – Grace And Mercy CD (Rendezvous)
A South African native whose expansive musical gift has earned accolades in the R&B, contemporary jazz and gospel fields, Butler’s new album is filled with the soulful sounds and insightful lyrics.