August Program Titles Released This Week:

John Batiste – Anatomy Of Angels: Live At The Village Vanguard CD/LP (Verve)

“In the fall of 2018, Jon Batiste played a six-night residency at the historic Village Vanguard in downtown New York City. The pianist/bandleader delivers selections from those nights under the title, Anatomy Of Angels: Live At The Village Vanguard. The release is comprised mostly of Batiste’s own compositions, which range from bluesy (“Dusk Train To Doha”) to Coltrane-esque explorations (the titular track “Anatomy Of Angels”, “Creative”.) In addition to his own works, Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive joins him for Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought Of You”. Batiste also arranged on one of the most famous works of his idol Thelonious Monk, “‘Round Midnight”. Batiste says of this recording, “The music on this release is all live, no edits or retakes. It’s a snapshot of live art.”

Carnifex – World War X CD/LP (Nuclear Blast)

Colossal swells erupt from a vast ocean of human suffering and universal dread and in their wake present to us the latest offering from the minds of Carnifex: World War X. Soul darkening, eye-bloodying, flesh crushing death metal is to be expected from this group of musicians, yet with the new album comes a unique notion of unavoidable hopelessness; the inevitable rot of mankind. Carnifex has stoked the coals and breathed a distinct power into World War X that boils over into subjects and sounds of human degradation. There is a noticeable gain in the complexity of song structure as they deliver you further into an audio-sensory sojourn. The title track opens the album and quickly ignites the tone of the album both lyrically and musically. Much like a conversation, the song displays multiple, cynical points of view about war, death, and certain destruction. [Limited gold colored vinyl pressing also available.]

Tyler Childers – Country Squire CD/LP+M{3 (RCA)

Rising singer/songwriter Tyler Childers returns with Country Squire, his second official full-length effort. Produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson, the album was recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville and consists of nine new originals. In addition to Childers (vocals, acoustic guitar), the long player features several world-renowned musicians including Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin, banjo), Miles Miller (drums, background vocals) and Russ Pahl (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, pedal steel, Jaw harp, baritone). Of the mission behind the album, Childers notes, “I hope that people in the area that I grew up in find something they can relate to. I hope that I’m doing my people justice and I hope that maybe someone from somewhere else can get a glimpse of the life of a Kentucky boy.” Ushered in by the yearning bluegrass-tinged tale, “House Fire”, Country Squire continues a series of breakout years for the promising artist, whose acclaimed debut, Purgatory – also produced by Simpson and Ferguson – landed on multiple Best of 2017 lists. [Indie store exclusive color splatter vinyl LP edition also available.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for August 2, 2019

August Program Titles Released This Week:

BJ The Chicago Kid – 1123 CD/LP (Motown)

Soul music legend-in-the-making Bryan James Sledge aka BJ The Chicago Kid returns with the modern yet deeply moving 1123 which follows-up his Grammy-nominated 2016 major label debut In My Mind. “Worryin’ Bout Me”, “Time Today” and “Close” are all sonically stellar examples of what listeners can expect to hear on the star-studded affair, which boasts features from Offset, Anderson .Paak, J.I.D, Rick Ross and Afrojack, and includes production from Cool & Dre, Danja, Dre Harris and longtime collaborator, Jarris “J.Mo” Mozee. With melodies galore and an elastic voice that sounds like a sample, BJ The Chicago Kid is one of the most explosive, yet mature, soulful artists/writers of our young generation.

Dude York – Falling CD/LP (Hardly Art)

“There are two ways things can fall,” says Dude York’s Claire England. “They can fall and be ruined, or they can fall gently like a feather and be fine.” On Falling, the Seattle trio explores that sentiment – evoked by the broken cake on the album cover and the soft confetti on the inside sleeve – through impossibly catchy and emotive songs that investigate the ways you can fall in and out of relationships, and sometimes fall back together. Recorded at Different Fur Studios in San Francisco with producer Patrick Brown, Falling finds Dude York sounding bigger and more fully-realized than ever with hits that would feel perfectly at home sandwiched between Jimmy Eat World and Third Eye Blind in early 2000s alt-rock radio rotation, while somehow still sounding utterly their own.

Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men + Dana – Tall, Dark, & Handsome CD/LP (Hot Shot)

“Roots music visionary” (Rolling Stone) Delbert McClinton returns with the swaggering and swingin’ new album, Tall, Dark, & Handsome. Featuring 14 new, original new songs – all written or co-written by Delbert – the album dives deep into the blues, Americana and beyond, bursting with horns, fiddle, accordion, blazing guitar work, back-up singers and McClinton’s charismatic rasp, proving Lyle Lovett’s claim that “if we could all sing like we want to, we’d all sound like Delbert McClinton.” Tall, Dark & Handsome features Delbert’s band the Self-Made Men + Dana: Dana Robbins (saxophone), Jack Bruno (drums), Mike Joyce (bass), Bob Britt (guitar), James Pennebaker (guitar), Kevin McKendree (keyboards), Dennis Wage (keyboards). It’s evident from the first downbeat that McClinton and company had a blast making the record, shining a raucous light on the swinging, jazzy virtues of Texas blues.

[Read more…] about New Releases for July 26, 2019

August Program Titles Released This Week:

The Flaming Lips – King’s Mouth: Music And Songs CD/LP (WB)

The Flaming Lips’ fifteenth album King’s Mouth follows the band’s 2017 release, Oczy Mlody and sees the iconoclastic outfit once again tread uncharted territory. These 12 new originals are threaded together by cinematic narration courtesy of The Clash’s Mick Jones. Additionally, the music parallels front man Wayne Coyne’s immersive art installation of the same name. A true handcrafted marvel, it consists of a giant metallic head that welcomes spectators inside. Once inside of the foam month, an LED lightshow begins in tandem with music from the album. Now, the record doubles as the sonic companion to the exhibit and allows fans to experience the aural side at any time. Further expanding this multi-faceted world and detailing a fascinating creation myth, the accompanying literary tome, King’s Mouth: Immerse Heap Trip Fantasy Experience tells the story of the King’s Mouth through words and visuals by Coyne, adds yet another dimension to the project, which ranks among the band’s most ambitious thus far.

Gov’t Mule – Bring On The Music – Live At The Capitol Theatre 2xCD/2xCD+2xDVD/Blu-ray (Mascot Label Group)

No two Gov’t Mule shows are alike, as the band draws on the more than 300 songs in their repertoire (and often a host of special guests) to create a unique experience each time. Bring On The Music – Live at The Capitol Theatre was recorded at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, on April 27th and 28th, 2018. The title is taken from Gov’t Mule’s song of the same name that touches upon the passing of time and appreciating life’s journey, is a nod to the band’s treasured relationship with their fans. The Capitol Theatre has been the backdrop of many unforgettable shows for the band and is one of Gov’t Mule’s favorite venues to play. Live At The Capitol Theatre is available in a variety of configurations: a 2xCD+2xDVD deluxe package (the CD and DVD feature entirely different track lists and includes bonus videos of “Soulshine” and “Traveling Tune”), two separate double-vinyl packages, digital, Blu-ray and a 2xCD package (featuring audio from the film). [Limited transparent purple (Vol.1) and blue (Vol.2) colored vinyl pressing are also available.]

Grizfolk – The Rarest Of Birds CD (Nettwerk)

Based in Los Angeles and Nashville with roots in Sweden, alternative-rockers Grizfolk’s new album Rarest Of Birds is an ode to Southern California classic rock with a 2019 spin. Dynamic, upbeat, and dreamy the band says, “Listening to Rarest Of Birds should feel a bit like looking through a kaleidoscope of fleeting moments…a glimpse into our yearning for truth and answers within and without. Written in some of the darkest times, it was a vehicle out of addiction and depression. It was a one-way ticket out of a personal hell, purchased by the heart and paid for with love, light, and dedication.” “Spoonful” channels a retro sound to deliver a dark tale of yearning for someone out of reach, while “Heavy Crown” melds a danceable bass line with jangly pianos to create an upbeat track that is sneakily about the tough subject of fighting for what’s right in today’s complicated world. [Vinyl edition due August 2.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for July 19, 2019