CDs:
A$AP Rocky – Long.Live.A$AP CD (RCA)
New album from the rising rapper features guest appearances by Schoolboy Q, Santigold, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Big K.R.I.T. A$AP Rocky takes the reins as producer and co-producer on several tracks along with Danger Mouse, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Clams Casino, Skrillex, Hit-Boy and more. “BNM [8.5]” – Pitchfork. Vinyl version due January 23.
bvdub – Careful Ecstasy CD (Darla)
The sequel to Serenity and perhaps Brock Van Wey’s clearest melding of his ambient, chillout, and deep house roots to date.
J.J. Cale – In Session At Paradise Studios CD+DVD (Ingrooves)
Comprised of a 1979 session recorded at The Paradise Studios, Los Angeles, In Session features Cale performing tracks like “Cocaine,” “After Midnight” and “Crazy Mama” with guest Leon Russell. The DVD contains five additional performances.
Holopaw – Academy Songs 1 CD/LP (Misra)
Through collaborations with Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock (Ugly Casanova) frontman John Orth has honed his gift for lyricism, storytelling, and delivery. Now, backed by a variant possessing uncanny chemistry, Holopaw reaches for new heights.
Sean Lennon – Alter Egos CD/LP (Chimera Music)
Rolling Stone praised the Alter Egos score as “a pastiche of familiar superhero movie orchestration and a variety of pop styles, further cement(ing) Lennon’s reputation as a musical chameleon.” Similarly, Variety notes an ability to “span a wide array of musical styles from retro to noir to psychedelic to sweeping, tension filled action.”
Teena Marie – Beautiful CD (UMe)
Before her death at the age of 54, Teena Marie was working on her 14th album, Beautiful. Recorded at her home studio and finished except for final mixes, Beautiful was seen through to its conclusion by her 20-year-old daughter Alia Rose.
Mystical Weapons – Mystical Weapons CD/LP (Chimera Music)
Mystical Weapons is Sean Lennon and Greg Saunier’s (Deerhoof) new duo. Instrumental psych rock and avant grade in a variety of moods and styles.
Christopher Owens – Lysandre CD/LP (Fat Possum)
Solo debut album from the former Girls frontman. The record takes on the narrative of “a coming of age story, a road trip, a love story following Owens from San Francisco to New York to France, where he falls in love with a girl named Lysandre. Free Christopher Owens sheet music with purchase – while supplies last!
Pantha Du Prince/The Bell Laboratory – Elements Of Light CD (Matador)
Elements Of Light is a logical continuation of Pantha Du Prince’s previous work, but the music does in no way constitute a walk down beaten paths. The result of this unusual project is an original piece, crafted in the intersection between electronic elements and classical composition. Vinyl version due January 29.
Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold CD/LP (What’s Your Rupture?)
Parquet Courts are a New York band. Throw out the countless shallow Brooklyn bands of the blasé 2000’s: Light Up Gold is a conscious effort to draw from the rich culture of the city — the bands like Sonic Youth, Bob Dylan, and the Velvet Underground that are not from New York, but of it. A panoramic landscape of dilapidated corner-stores and crowded apartments is superimposed over bare bones Americana, leaving little room for romance or sentiment.
Steve Roach/Byron Metcalf – Tales From The Ultra Tribe CD (Projekt)
The deep trance-shamanic-atmospheric collaboration between Steve Roach and Byron Metcalf evokes the primordial caverns and aeon-blasted landscapes of their album The Serpent’s Lair (2000).
Marcos Valle – Marcos Valle [Reissue/1970] CD/LP (Light In The Attic)
Marcos Valle – Garra [Reissue/1971] CD/LP (Light In The Attic)
Marcos Valle is where a new modern Brazilian pop sound effortlessly mixed bossa nova, baiao and samba with foreign influences like jazz, rock, pop, soul, and funk, bringing to mind the sounds of Jean Claude Vannier and David Axelrod. Garra was originally released in 1971 and brought us the rare groove classic “Wanda Vidal,” heralded by UK, European, and Japanese music fans years after the disc’s initial release. Amidst an intoxicating mix of instruments, vocals, and orchestration, it’s a deep cut on an even deeper document.
Various Artists – 12-12-12: The Concert For Sandy Relief CD (Sony)
Live recordings and highlights from the Madison Square Garden concert that took place on 12/12/12 in NYC to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. Performers included Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, The Who, Billy Joel, Chris Martin, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and others. This is a charity record, where all proceeds will be donated to The Robin Hood Foundation, making help available to many still suffering the after effects of the disaster.
Various Artists – West Of Memphis: Voices For Justice CD (Sony Legacy)
Voices For Justice is music from and inspired by the documentary (and cause celebre) West Of Memphis. Features tracks by: Henry Rollins (featuring Nick Cave and Warren Ellis), Lucinda Williams, Tonto’s Giant Nuts (Johnny Depp & co.) Marilyn Manson, Band Of Horses, Citizen Cope, Eddie Vedder, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and more. Vinyl version due February 26.
Yo La Tengo – Fade CD/LP+7” (Matador)
Recorded with John McEntire at Soma Studios in Chicago, Fade recalls the sonic innovation of career high points like 1997’s I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One and 2000’s And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out. Vinyl version includes a bonus 7″ of Todd Rundgren and Times New Viking covers.
DVD + Blu-ray:
Anthony Jeselnik – Caligula DVD (Comedy Central)
Comedy Central’s Emmy-nominated notorious roast specialist and rising star brings his signature dark and twisted point of view to his new special.
Vinyl:
The National – The Virginia EP LP (Beggars Banquet)
Twelve tracks originally released as a companion piece to the DVD package A Skin, A Night now available on HQ-180 vinyl with black and yellow splatter. Four demos, a cover, live versions and a radio session all from the Boxer era.
Tame Impala – Elephant 12” (Modular)
Features remixes by Todd Rundgren and Canyons.
Leave a Reply