CDs:
Acid Mothers Temple & Melting Paraiso UFO – Iao Chant From Melting Paraiso Underground Freak Out CD/LP (Riot Season)
New album from Japanese cosmic heavies featuring an expanded Melting Paraiso U.F.O. line-up (now including the guitar skills of Japan underground legend and new full-time member Tabata Mitsuru (Boredoms). Also available on color vinyl.
Blood Of Heroes – Waking Nightmare CD/LP (Ohm Resistance)
Powered by a very out of the box Justin K. Broadrick (Jesu) performance, the powerful beat and bass of Submerged, vocal modulations of Dr. Israel and glass shard electronics of Enduser, Waking Nightmare delivers a powerful meditation on loss and redemption during the end days of human civilization.
Blur – Parklive 2xCD/DVD (Virgin)
Blur performed the entire Parklife album live at Hyde Park, which marked the close of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Also available on stand-alone DVD.
Johnny Cash – The Complete Columbia Album Collection 63xCD (Sony/Legacy)
59 albums plus two new compilations: The Singles; and a double-CD, 55-song collection of single sides that did not originally appear on albums.
Michael Chapman – Pachyderm CD/LP (Blast First Petite)
The second in series of more improvised musical releases is a minimalist masterpiece — a single chord ambient work quite unlike anything Chapman has done before.
Alice Cooper – Old School 4xCD (UMe)
Career-spanning set features four discs loaded with demos, pre-production and rehearsal recordings of classic Alice Cooper tracks, radio spots, interview anecdotes, plus a full live show captured on the 1971 Killer tour, Live In St Louis, along with a 60-page yearbook charting the incredible rise of Alice Cooper complete with many rare photos.
Gavin DeGraw – Sweeter Live CD+DVD (RCA)
A live concert performance from Gavin’s recent sold out summer tour with singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat.
Drcarlsonalbion – La Strega & The Cunning Man In The Smoke CD (Latitudes)
Drcarlsonalbion sees Earth frontman Dylan Carlson experimenting further with field recordings as he re-renders traditional folk as well as contemporary songs with his unique drone sound. Joined by Teresa Colamonaco on vocals, the pair bring a restrained majesty to the reworking of shared favorites, including “Last Living Rose” by PJ Harvey. Vinyl version due Jan. 1.
Dream Boat – Eclipsing CD/LP (Cloud)
Psych-folk for fans of Beach House, Julianna Barwick, Bill Callahan, Eclipsing is earthy yet transcendent, with echoing drums and bells that flowed like soft but powerful breezes into our ears.
El Perro Del Mar – Pale Fire CD/LP (The Control Group)
“In this world, you think you have no reason to believe in love or in anything much. Then one day, when you least expect it, a light appears on the far horizon. It’s a flickering light, begging you to come, telling you to stay away. It’s the pale fire. The promise of love and hope — all consuming and elusive. Yet for a moment, it brings clarity in the darkness, future to the ruins and power to the fight.” — El Perro Del Mar
Esham – Venus Flytrap CD (Aknu Media)
Esham’s ultra dark blend of lyricism ferociously channels visions of despair and debauchery in the motor city.
Paloma Faith – Fall To Grace CD (Epic)
A captivating chanteuse, a rabble-rousing entertainer and theatrical fashion chameleon, Paloma Faith’s second album, Fall To Grace, debuted on the top of the UK charts to critical acclaim in May and is the second best-selling new album from a female artist in the UK this year.
Florida Georgia Line – Here’s To The Good Times CD (Universal Republic)
New album from the country rock duo.
Helios – Remixed CD (Unseen Music)
Features remixes from Hammock, Ulrich Schnauss, Rafael Anton Irisarri (The Sight Below), Ben Boysen, Colin Kenniff, and Rhian Sheehan.
Hinder – Welcome To The Freak Show CD (Republic)
Instead of simply sticking to a tried and true formula, Hinder further mixes things up with forays into rock, pop and even a little country.
Ke$ha – Warrior CD (RCA)
New album – available in Regular and Deluxe editions — features a grand cast of contributors, including will.i.am, Max Martin, Benny Blanco, Cirkut, Bonnie McKee, Wayne Coyne, Iggy Pop, Patrick Carney, Ben Folds, Greg Kurstin, Kojak, Ammo, and Billboard.
Danny Krivet – Celebrates A Decade Of 718 Sessions CD (Nervous)
This compilation highlights Danny’s expertise and skill as a DJ and also spotlights the 718 Sessions party.
James Levy And The Blood Red Rose – Pray To Be Free CD/LP (Cooperative)
A romantic yet playful collection of jaunty pop and bruised ballads wrapped in a variety of velvet strings, suave horns and lush arrangements. Produced by Guy Berryman of Coldplay.
Kiss – The Casablanca Singles 29xCDEP (Mercury/UMe)
Out of the 29 singles featured in thix box set, there are 26 highly collectable picture sleeves from original single releases around the world and a 36-page booklet with unreleased photos plus track annotations by Keith Leroux, Captain of KISSOnline.com, and Jill Cataldo.
Memory Tapes – Grace/Confusion CD (Carpark)
A rewarding change of pace for Memory Tapes. Lush production adds a dimension of depth to their comprehensive sound, drawing from space rock and classic electro. Vinyl version due Jan 1.
Merchandise – Children Of Desire CD (Jagjaguwar)
Uptempo pop numbers and dance-friendly post-punk tracks blend seamlessly with explorations into maudlin balladry, krautrock texture, and lots of noise. Vinyl version due January 1.
Mogwai – A Wrenched Virile Lore CD (Sup Pop)
This companion piece to Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will features remixes by Tim Hecker, Zombi, Umberto, Zander Harris and more.
Mugstar – Axis CD (Agitated)
Albeit mainly instrumental, theres a real psychedelic groove that emanates from the kraut-rock inspired sounds of this record, it will shake you down in the same way the first time you copped earfuls of Oneida, Neu!, Loop, Wooden Shjips, Bardo Pondo and even a puff of Hawkwind.
Peepholes – The Overspill CD/LP (Upset The Rhythm)
This debut from UK synth/drums duo is as much tech-based anti-music as a beat-driven analog incursion into post-punk messthetics.
The Pyramids – 1973-1976: They Play To Make Music Fire 3xCD (Disko-B)
Collects The Pyramids’ first three albums: Lalibela (1973), King Of Kings (1974), and the seminal Birth/Speed/Merging (1976). “Yet another great lost black group of the ’70s, the Pyramids grabbed what the Art Ensemble was dealing and put a California twist on it. The result is something thoroughly enjoyable and soaked with enough musicianship and Eastern influence to claim a small corner of R&B as their own.” – AllMusic
Raime – Quarter Turns Over A Living Line CD/2xLP (Blackest Ever Black)
“The precious bloodline of British dread music circulates through Raime’s riveting debut album. Two years since their eponymous 12″ sounded a mandate-like synthesis of late ’70s industrial gloom, palsied techno and burned-out breakbeats with a gothic elan, they’ve come to epitomise the label’s aesthetic whilst remaining its most elusive, enigmatic operators, flitting from surround sound installations to chastening mixtapes and now this monolithic LP.” — Boomkat
Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness [Reissue/1996] 2xCD/5xCD+DVD/4xLP (Virgin)
Remastered and expanded editions now available in three configurations, including the standard 2xCD, an expanded 5xCD+DVD Deluxe box set, and a 4xLP vinyl set housed in 12×12 rigid slipcase with two books containing personal notes, new collage artwork and lyrics. The Deluxe box set’s five CDs include 64 bonus tracks of previously unreleased material or alternate versions of Mellon Collie era songs, and its DVD features a live show filmed at the Brixton Academy, London (1996) and bonus performances from the German music television show Rockpalast (1996).
Starkey – Orbits CD/2xLP (Civil)
For the latest installment in his “street bass” odyssey the Philly producer draws on grime, hip-hop, electro, bass music.
Various Artists – Touch: 30 Years And Counting CD/2xLP (Touch)
Music by Touch 33, Fennesz, Bruce Gilbert, Rosy Parlane, Oren Ambarchi, The Book Deposityory, Eleh, BJ Nilsen, Nana April Run, Chris Watson, Mika Vaino, Carl Michael Von Hauuswolff, Jana Winderen, Philip Jeck, Z’ev, Hildur Gudnadottir, Senescent, and Biosphere. All tracks presented here are exclusive and original to this release.
Vladislav Delay – Kuopio CD (Raster Noton)
Subtle yet complex electronic manipulations are used, resulting in a high degree of variation within every single track and a nearly imperceptible intensification of their density.
Scott Walker – Bish Bosch CD/2xLP (4AD)
Bish Bosh is a tauter but more colourful experience than 2006’s The Drift, with greater emphasis on processed, abrasive guitars, digital keyboards and thick silences. For the cover art, Scott worked closely with painter Ben Farquharson and designer Philip Laslett.
Paul Wall – No Sleep Til Houston CD (SMC)
Two years after releasing his fifth studio album, Heart Of A Champion, Paul Wall offers his take on the Beastie Boys classic title “No Sleep Til Brooklyn.”
Mary Wells – Something New: Motown Lost & Found 2xCD (Hip-O Select)
47 rare tracks, 23 previously unreleased, from Motown’s first solo star.
Wiz Khalifa – O.N.I.F.C. CD/2xLP (Atlantic)
The follow-up to Khalifa’s gold-certified major label debut, Rolling Papers.
X-TG – Desertshort/The Final Report 2xCD/2xLP (Industrial)
“When Genesis P-Orridge quit Throbbing Gristle during their 2010 reunion, the remaining members continued on as X-TG. This release comprises a full cover of Nico’s 1970 LP, Desertshore, featuring Antony Hegarty, Marc Almond, Blixa Bargeld, Sasha Gray, and others, plus an original album, The Final Report.” [7.8] — Pitchfork
DVDs + Blu-ray:
Blur – Parklive DVD (Virgin)
Blur performed the entire Parklife album live at Hyde Park, which marked the close of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Bonus features include live rooftop performances at The Wetway and two lyric videos. Also available on stand-alone CD. 147 minutes.
Lady Antibellum – Own The Night World Tour DVD/Blu-ray (Eagle Rock)
Live performance includes the hits “I Run To You,” “We Owned The Night,” “American Honey,” “Just A Kiss,” “Our Kind Of Love,” and “Need You Now.” 124 minutes.
John Zorn – Treatment For A Film In Fifteen Scenes DVD (Tzadik)
Written in 1981, John Zorn’s intensely personal film treatment receives imaginative and unique interpretations by four cutting edge independent US filmmakers, two from the East Coast and two from the West Coast. Zorn’s perplexing list of 254 images inspires drama, humor and mystery, and the films range from experimental narrative to found footage collage and cutout animation. 91 minutes.
Vinyl:
Atoms For Peace – Default 12” (XL)
Atoms for Peace features Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich, Mauro Refosco, Joey Waronker, and Flea. They came together by playing in support of Thom’s Grammy nominated album The Eraser. The first single from the album is “Default” and it is presented here as a limited edition 12″ single. Sleeve is foil stamped and embossed.
Bark Psychosis – Hex [1995] LP (Vinilisssimo)
Originally released in 1995, Hex is a beautiful and subtle work of atmosphere and song dynamics in the vein of latter day Talk Talk.
Bee Mask – When We Were Unripe Pears LP (Spectrum Spools)
Extends Canzoni del Laboratorio del Silenzio Cosmico’s preoccupation with the dream interiors of post-1965 Fellini and synthesizes it with Elegy For Beach Friday‘s fascination with the lush and abject facets of advanced gastronomy and the embrace of the recursive, solipsistic, simultaneously expansive and claustrophobic universe of the sampler on Vaporware/Scanops.
Billow Observatory – Billow Observatory 2xLP (Felte)
Debut album from the duo comprising Danish producer Jonas Munk AKA Manual and Auburn Lull guitarist Jason Kolb. Four sides of highly processed ambient guitar dronescapes.
Can – Lost Tapes 5xLP (Mute)
Released earlier this year on CD – Lost Tapes is now availble on vinyl. Includes 24-page book.
Roberto Cacciapaglia – Ann Steel Album LP (Half Machine)
First time vinyl reissue of Italian electronic composer’s 1979 electro-pop anomaly. The odd sound of these European futurist pop songs make it sound like the machines are breathing, creating a weird organic/electronic rhythm section. Fans of this record include Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox and those clowns from Animal Collective.
Gary Clark Jr. – Blak And Blu 2xLP (WB)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Funky, hip, and badass, Gary Clark Jr. is a rocking soul man for a new generation.
Container – LP LP (Spectrum Spools)
Head-stomping noise/techno, recorded in mono.
Diamond Version – EP2 12” (Mute)
Collaboration between Alva Noto and Byetone. Diamond Version bridges the gap between gallery and dancefloor. This is the second in a series of five 12″ EPs. Full-length release due in 2013.
Drcarlsonalbion and Hackney Lass – Modern English Folklore 1: Hackney 2×7” (The Wormhole)
Guitars/music by Dylan Carlson (Earth). Original writings vocalized by Rosie Knight, a young spoken-word poet and activist from Hackney. Reflects his longstanding interest in the occult folklore and history of the UK and his abiding love for all things British. Second disc features instrumental tracks.
Bill Fay – Bill Fay [Reissue/1970] LP (4 Men With Beards)
HQ-180 vinyl reissue of Fay’s debut from 1970, an absolute classic of British folk-rock.
Flogging Molly – Live At The Greek Theatre 3xLP+DVD (Side One Dummy)
Live album featuring a bonus DVD shot in HD with over ten cameras.
Harouki Zombi – Objet Petit A 7” (Polyvinyl)
Canadian surreal pop, whispered French nothings, British New Wave, Japanese undead: It’s all there in the sexual Frankenstein cabaret of Harouki Zombi, the shared project of Nina Barnes and Orenda Fink.
Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopitan – Instrumental Tourist LP (Software)
With a deliberate focus on source material of a synthetic and mimetic nature, Hecker & Lopatin designed a sound palette from the acoustic resonance of digitally-sourced “Instruments of the World.” The studio meetings were conducted to mimic the tropes and techniques of jazz-based improvisation, with little preparation prior.
The Hood Internet – Feat LP (Decon)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The Hood Internet are infamous for their mixtapes featuring blends of a wide array of artists including the late Whitney Houston, Justice, Fleetwood Mac, Jay-Z and more. Their foray into production work has found them collaborating on new songs with hyped rappers and artists from across the nation that range from Chicago artist Show You Suck to Black Moth Super Rainbow’s Tobacco.
How To Dress Well – Total Loss LP (Acephale)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. How To Dress Well is the stage name of songwriter and producer Tom Krell. Combining a gorgeous falsetto with fractured R&B-influenced beats, an instinctive ear for subtly devastating melody and elements of noise, sound collage and avant-garde composition, Krell’s debut album Love Remains offered a beautiful window into a startlingly realized artistic imagination.
Jack Dice – Block Motel 12” (Modern Love)
New project from John Twells (Xela, Type Records) and Walkmaster Flex (manager for Main Attrakionz and has been DJing wth them as the official “Green Ova DJ”) fueled by their mutual interest in bass (Twells being a car audio nerd and Walker having an obsession with ’90s Southern rap music).
Jacob Morris – Moths LP (Cloud)
A beautiful voice — reminiscent of Elliot Smith, Love Is Overtaking Me-era Arthur Russell, and John Cale — paired with a timeless songwriting sense that evokes reflection and meditation akin to a late ‘60s Nick Drake track, Morris seams it all together with a roster of eclectic musicians that have played with everyone from The Olivia Tremor Control, Silver Jews and Clem Snide.
Tatsuya Nakatani – Nakatani Gong Orchestra LP (Taiga)
Perpetually rolling, Japanese-American master percussionist. Cut direct to metal and pressed on HQ-200 virgin vinyl.
Naomi Punk – The Feeling LP (Captured Tracks)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Considering the way the music world is today, you’d expect a bunch of young Seattle dudes to get extra weird, if only because they can, but Naomi Punk take a different route, constructing brawny, anthemic rock songs that’ll make every kid that hears them what to start their own band, if even half of them are this good, music will be in a pretty great place.
The National – The Virginia EP 12” (Beggar’s Banquet)
These tracks originally released as a companion piece to the DVD package A Skin, A Night are now available for the first time on vinyl. There are four demos, a cover, live versions, a radio session and B-sides, all from the Boxer era.
Mauro Antonio Pawlowski – Untertanz LP (Audiomer)
An alchemic blend of Ciccone Youth-era Sonic Youth, Bruce Haack, The Residents, Jandek, and Derek Bailey.
Pharmacy – Stoned And Alone LP (Old Flame)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. It’s been almost a decade since a young Scottie Yoder received a 4-track for his birthday and began turning out poppy, energetic garage numbers with friend Brendhan Bowers in a shed on Vashon Island up in Washington state. After classically-trained pianist Stefan Rubicz joined the pair in early 2007, they’ve been on a constant schedule.
Raglani – Real Colors Of The Physical World LP+7” (Editions Mego)
“After several years of participating in different projects, Raglani returns with a new album under his own name, an electronic journey into the dreamtime of the here and now in the form of a myriad kosmische images of a humanity transcended. It will remind you of all those krautrock bands you already know by heart, except there is a very distinctive ‘mark of the new’ in terms of process, of how the pieces infinitely build up, growing like a pyramid in reverse, that might recall Sean McCann’s expansive drones.” – A Closer Listen
Sachiko – Golden Hypnos LP (Audiomer)
Dark otherworldly psych and swirling drone, for fans of Taj Mahal Travellers.
The Scientists – EP 7” (Agitated)
This four-track EP from the second Scientists line up feats the classic pop snarl of “Last Night,” “Pissed On Another Planet,” “Bet Ya Lyin” and “It’s For Real.”
Three Legged Race – Persuasive Barrier LP (Spectrum Spools)
Three Legged Race is a side project of Hair Police member and noise scene regular Robert Beatty. Eight previously unreleased tracks that flit between ambient and techno.
Vessel – Order Of Noise 2xLP (Tri Angle)
Dub-driven and experimental techno
Miscellaneous:
FM3 – Buddha Machine 4
Fourth edition of the Buddha Machine featuring nine classical loops that return to the quiet, kinetic tones which made their original machine an overnight sensation. Available in an assortment of colors.
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