New Releases for January 22, 2013

CDs:

Arbouretum – Coming Out Of The Fog CD/LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)

Arbouretum continue to mine the same breadth of styles made familiar on The Gathering and Song Of The Pearl, notably the languid ballads, fuzzed-out burners, and heavier songs that have defined the group’s unique doom laden folk-rock sound.

Ash Borer – Ash Borer CD (Profound Lore)

Available on CD for the first time, Ash Borer’s 2011 album captures the vitriolic, ambient black metal fury for which they are renowned. 

Bad Religion – True North CD/LP (Epitaph)

In a world still brimming with rampant anti-intellectualism, inequality and oppression, their signature brand of sonically charged humanist dissent seems as relevant as ever. Here they revisit and refine the powerful and melodic Southern California sound they helped define.

Patricia Barber – Smash CD (Concord Jazz)

The imaginative pianist, vocalist and composer continues her crusade to retrieve the ground that jazz musicians long ago ceded to pop and rock: the realm of the intelligent and committed singer/songwriter. With a new band and a dozen new compositions, she tackles even familiar subjects (like love and loss) with a nuance and depth beyond the limits of the Great American Songbook.

Bell Gardens – Full Sundown Assembly CD/LP (Southern)

Debut from duo of Brian McBride (Stars Of The Lid) and Kenneth Gibson (Apendics, Furry Things). Here, they embark upon an exploration of cinematic pop sound that often belies their respective backgrounds in the fields of experimental electronic, techno and minimalist music. For their first long-player, the duo expand on their strange yet beautiful soundscapes, favoring piano melodies, horns, pedal steel and lush vocal harmonies.

Big Harp – Chain Letters CD/LP+CD (Saddle Creek)

The follow up to their 2011 debut White Hat, Chain Letters is built on a foundation of crackling fuzz bass and angular electric guitars and keyboards, and plays like a series of character sketches centered around escape and surrender, and the blurred borders where the two become indistinguishable.

The Blue Nile – A Walk Across The Rooftops 2xCD [Reissue/1984] 2xCD (EMI)

The Blue Nile – Hats [Reissue/1989] 2xCD (EMI)

This Scottish folk-ambient band has enjoyed a mystique contrived by its inaccessibility and the infrequency of its recordings, but it has also made a series of critically acclaimed discs.

Brokeback – Brokeback And The Black Rock CD/LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)

New from the longstanding project of Douglas McCombs (Tortoise, Eleventh Dream Day, Pullman). Features an entirely new band assembled by McCombs that includes members of Tight Phantomz, Pinebender, and Head Of Skulls.

Tyler Bryant And The Shakedown – Wild Child CD/LP (Carved)

Tyler Bryant is a 21 year-old guitar prodigy who has been playing since he was 6.

Camper Van Beethoven – La Costa Perdida CD (Savoy)

CVB’s eighth studio album (and first since 2004) is steeped in their connection to Northern California, specifically the areas where the band members first nurtured their musical talents Redlands, Santa Cruz and San Francisco. With a geographical jumping off point, the band fills in the dramatic, joyous, interpersonal and psychological aspects of the locales as only CVB can.

Dakota Suite – An Almost Silent Life CD/LP (Glitterhouse)

“Dakota Suite have quietly built up an extensive back catalogue since the mid 1990s. Their latest, An Almost Silent Life is by my estimation their 13th full length. It’s also a step away from their recent esoteric releases, back towards more conventional guitar music.” – Meg

Chris Darrow – Artist Proof CD/LP+CD (Drag City)

Musical wunderkind Chris Darrow’s debut album, lost for 40 years is a rich and powerful dose of California country rock, played with grit and precision by a cast of great players including Ed Black, Loren Newkirk, Arnie Moore, Mickey McGee and John Ware. Vinyl version includes a CD of Chris Darrow’s debut album with bonus tracks.

Diamond Youth – Orange CD/LP (Topshelf)

Combines the best parts of Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World.

Drgn King – Paragraph Nights CD (Bar None)

Singer/songwriter Dominic Angelella and hip-hop producer Ritz Reynolds are the masterminds behind Philly group Drgn King. Discovering a mutual love of The Flaming Lips and Wu Tang, they set out on a song cycle that led to Paragraph Nights. Vinyl version due February 12.

Ex Cops – True Hallucinations CD/LP (Other Music)

True Hallucinations is effortlessly catchy, built from a timeless blend of gentle, somnambulant harmonies, chiming guitars, and loose swinging rhythms. You can detect influences ranging from vintage British and New Zealand indie pop (imagine the Chills covering Nick Lowe), to Factory Records atmospherics, and closer to home, a little Velvets/Feelies jangle, along with a good dose of classic power-pop and the guitar-heavy sound of Teenage Fanclub.

Falty DL – Hardcourage CD/2xLP (Ninja Tune)

Hardcourage is the NYC-based Lustman’s masterpiece: an electronic opus inspired by love and crafted with renewed intent and dedication. Lustman often makes mention of attempting to channel the music in his head, to allow it to pour forth direct from his subconscious.

Fidlar – Fidlar CD (Mom + Pop)

Any given song will give you a Germs influenced guitar solo, the catchy “Ooo’s” and “Ah’s” of the Misfits, and lyrics in the same family as Black Flag’s Six Pack and TV Party. Surfier, faster, more fuzzed out, more personal and a lot more drunk. Vinyl version due January 29.

Lee Fields – Let’s Talk It Over [Reissue/1979] CD (Truth & Soul)

Lost funky soul from Lee Fields – the underground deep soul singer who’s really been making a comeback in the indie deep funk scene. Although Lee’s recent albums have been getting a lot of play, his older recordings are just about impossible to find – making this set all the more important. Vinyl version due January 29.

Föllakzoid – II CD/LP (Sacred Bones)

Föllakzoid began in Santiago, Chile from what they describe as the result of “a product of a trance experience between friends, sort of a soul abduction in which they’ve been living since 2008.” This is one of the finest kraut-rock records in years. For fans of Moon Duo, Psychic Ills, Silver Apples.

Foxygen – We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic CD/LP (Jagjaguwar)

A precocious and cocksure joyride across California psychedelia with a burning, bursting punk rock engine.

Frustration – Uncivilized CD/LP+7” (Born Bad)

Second album from French post-punk band, heavily influenced by Joy DIvision, Killing Joke, Crisis, The Fall.

Gliss – Langsom Dans CD/2xLP+MP3 (Modern Outsider)

Late night art pop. “The feedback is molten — the guitars fed through an untold assortment of pedals and blown amps. The volume is surging forward… and sure beats anything the Silversun Pickups have dreamt up.” – Pitchfork

Max Gomez – Rule The World CD (New West)

Max Gomez packs a complicated agenda into a seemingly humble package with his aptly titled Rule The World. On the surface, the native of Taos, NM comes across as a straightforward singer/songwriter, playing his acoustic guitar and singing about love. Yet his lyrics have tricky layers of darkness to them, and unlike the traditional unassuming vocals of his genre, Gomez barely suppresses some crooner tendencies in his delivery. Also, Rule The World stirs into the roots-tinged folk brew an improbable combination of pop hooks and bluesy grit.

Jenn Grant – Beautiful Wild CD/LP (Ba Da Bing!)

Soulful and ornate, with lush guitars, pianos, horns, banjos, strings and even a boys’ chorus.

The Growlers – Hung At Heart CD/LP+MP3 (Everloving)

Sunburned, psychedelic beach goth for fans of Black Lips, Ty Segall, White Fence.

Guided By Voices – Down By The Racetrack CDEP/7” (GBV Inc.)

This new 6-song EP is the opening shot of GBV’s extended 2013 campaign.

Petra Haden – Petra Goes To The Movies CD/LP (Anti)

Stunning a capella renditions of classic movie themes from Psycho to Taxi Driver to The Social Network. With guests Brad Mehldau, Charlie Haden and Bill Frisell.

Chris Hardwick – Mandroid CD (Comedy Central)

The Nerdist himself, Chris Hardwick celebrates all things nerdy on his first Comedy Central album. Hipster nerds beware: there is no irony in Chris’s affinity for juggling, The Twilight Zone, and Atari. Mandroid features candid stories that cover nerdiness, sex, fishing, childhood, adulthood (which, in his case, is simply an extension of childhood) and a myriad of other topics.

Helloween – Straight Out Of Hell CD (The End)

14th studio album from the German power metal band — available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe features alternate packaging and two bonus tracks.

Hilly Eye – Reasons To Live CD/LP (Don Giovanni)

This post-punk duo features Amy Klein (formerly of Titus Andronicus) and Catherine Tung. Their sound is drawn from a distinctly post-riot-grrrl energy, expertly crafted by two musicians with ears for dark, hypnotic dynamics. 

The Holydrug Couple – Noctuary CD/LP (Sacred Bones)

While Awe and their Ancient Land EP had a bluesier, woodsy sound, Noctuary plays out like a slow-motion ‘60s beach party dream that you never want to wake from.

Jose James – No Beginning, No End CD/LP (Blue Note)

James has already established himself as a trailblazer for his intoxicating blend of jazz, R&B and electronica from his previous three albums. He is a musical omnivore, an artist that resists being pigeonholed, equally at ease on stage with jazz legend McCoy Tyner as he is in the studio with rapper Oh No or electronic pioneer Flying Lotus.

Keith Jarret – Hymns/Spheres 2xCD (ECM)

Hymns/Spheres, Keith Jarrett’s celebrated 1976 encounter with the Trinity organ of Ottobeurens Benedictine Abbey, is at last released in its entirety on CD in this double-disc set prepared from the original analog tapes. No overdubs or technical ornamentations were utilized, only the pure sound of the organ in the abbey is heard.

Billy Joel – She’s Got A Way: Love Songs CD (Sony Legacy)

She’s Got A Way: Love Songs are the love songs, ballads and sentimental favorites comprising a Billy Joel playlist for old and new romantics alike, bringing new context to classics like “Just The Way You Are,” “Honesty” and “She’s Always A Woman” and more.

The Joy Formidable – Wolf’s Law CD/LP (Atlantic)

Wolf’s Law is an unashamedly intricate record. Lyrically, it touches politics of both the personal and global type, “The Leopard And The Lung” focuses on Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai while “Tendons” is, according to Ritzy, “the closest we have ever got to a love song, albeit a very peculiar, f***ing love song.”

Kromosom – Live Forever CD (Southern Lord)

Borne from the ashes of Pisschrist, the dirty crust roots of this longstanding outfit paved the way for a more stripped down approach to the genre. First-ever CD release from these filthy f##kers.

The Lone Bellow – The Lone Bellow CD (Descendent)

The Lone Bellow (formerly known as Zach Williams & The Bellow) have made a name for themselves with their acclaimed live shows in New York and across the country during their stint opening for Grammy Winners The Civil Wars.

Love And Death – Between Here & Lost CD (Tooth & Nail)

Love And Death is the solo project of Brian ‘Head’ Welch, former member and co-founder of the multi-platinum selling band Korn.

Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition – White Buffalo CD (Fat Possum)

The late Memphis producer Jim Dickinson once called Jimbo Mathus ”the singing voice of Huck Finn.” Outside the South, Mathus is likely known as the ringleader of the hyper-ragtime outfit Squirrel Nut Zippers. In his native Mississippi and throughout the South, however, Mathus is the prolific songwriter of born-in-the-bone Southern music, the torchbearer for Deep South mythology and culture. Vinyl version due February 5.

Menagerie – They Shall Inherit CD/3xLP (Tru Thoughts)

Menagerie is the new spiritual jazz project from the prolific Australian producer/songwriter Lance Ferguson, best known for his eclectic and highly acclaimed work under the Lanu And The Bamboos monikers. They Shall Inherit features a guest appearance from the legendary US jazz/funk vibraphonist Roy Ayers.

Mountains – Centralia CD/2xLP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)

Centralia is defined by slow builds, subtle transformations and textures, and melodic lines that evolve in a variety of ways to create grand soundscapes and acutely detailed compositions.

Aaron Neville – My True Story CD (Blue Note)

Neville’s first release for Blue Note Records is a collection of twelve classic doo-wop numbers, performed in his utterly inimitable vocal style, and co-produced by Blue Note President Don Was and Keith Richards.

Nightlands – Oak Island CD/LP (Secretly Canadian)

Solo project of War On Drugs’ bassist. Each distorted, silver-voiced melody is wrapped in the sounds of ‘70s AM gold — plucked acoustic guitars, trumpets, dulcimers and hand percussion.

Night Marchers – Allez Allez CD/LP (Swami)

Sophomore album from ex-members of Hot Snakes, Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Delta 72, and Bardo Pond.

Nosaj Thing – Home CD/LP (Innovative Leisure)

On Home, Toro Y Moi and Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead) provide ethereal vocals for two tracks. The rest of the album is rounded with Nosaj’s signature cinematic soundscapes that explore the space from where Drift left off.

Otep – Hydra CD (Victory)

Hydra is a concept album based on a graphic novel that Otep had been writing for over two years.

Parson Red Heads – Yearling CD/LP (Second Motion)

The Parson Red Heads are a west coast folk-pop band comprised of friends, family members, and lovers.

Pillowfight – Pillowfight CD/LP (Bulk Recordings)

Dan The Automator has teamed up with Emily Wells in a new collaborative project called Pillowfight. The delivery is a deft combo of down tempo sexy cool, brimming with the Automator’s pristine multi-layered production. Wells sings with effortless sultry appeal, while the band drops the beat like no one ever started suing over sample use. Amazingly so, the band also includes Kid Koala nimbly shredding on the 1’s and 2’s, and Lateef The Truthspeaker on backing vocals.

The Pogues – The Very Best Of The Pogues CD (Shout Factory)

Led by the inimitable Shan MacGowan, English-Irish band The Pogues fused punk rock, Irish music and many other genres to create a unique and influential body of work throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

Ra Ra Riot – Beta Love CD/LP (Barsuk)

“Ra Ra Riot has gone through quite a bit of change over the course of its six years as a band — changing labels, changing lineups, and changing the place they call home. But the band’s upcoming album may mark its biggest shift yet. Inspired by futurist author Ray Kurzweil and cyberpunk novelist William Gibson, Ra Ra Riot began gravitating towards a more electronic, synth-heavy sound for their new album Beta Love.” – soundcheck.wnyc.org

Alasdair Roberts & Friends – A Wonder Working Stone CD/LP+CD (Drag City)

A Wonder Working Stone continues the legendary NYC guitarist’s long-standing love affair and deeply creative interaction with the traditional music of has native Scotland (and beyond). Roberts delivers his unique ‘scordatura’ finger style guitar and distinctive tenor vocals with the backing of a core group of among Glasgow’s finest, with special guest vocals from Olivia Chaney.

Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin – Reverse Shark Attack CD/LP+MP3 (In The Red)

Reissue of out-of-print 2009 collaboration.

The Shadowboxers – Red Room CD (Rcam)

The Shadowboxers debut reveals an uncommonly intelligent, remarkably accomplished young band equally adept at taut three-part harmonies, deep gut grooves and sophisticated songcraft.

Lenny Smith – Who Was And Is And Is To Come CD (Great Comfort/Sounds Familyre)

A gospel album of simple but certain declarations about the primacy of Maker over everything else.

Speck Mountain – Bad Water CD/LP+MP3 (Carrot Top)

Third album from Chicago “ambient soul” band. Marie-Claire Balabanian’s soulful, breathy vocals heat the record, providing the warm tonal blanket to cowriter Karl Briedrick’s swirling, luminous guitars, both swelling together in search of some distant release.

This Town Needs Guns – 13.0.0.0.0 CD/LP (Sargent House)

13.0.0.0.0 is their first album featuring their new vocalist Henry Tremain following the amicable departure of former lead singer Stuart Smart in 2011. The lineup shows considerable growth and cohesion with Tim Collis’ signature bluegrass style finger-picking electric guitar lines weaving around brother and drummer Chris Collis’ stop ‘n’ go syncopated rhythms ad Tremain’s rich vocals glide across the proceedings. But it’s the band’s earnest songwriting that really shines herein.

Shugo Tokumaru – In Focus? CD/LP+MP3 (Polyvinyl)

“Freakishly gifted Japanese bedroom-pop artist with an effortless command of hundreds of instruments” — Pitchfork. “Tangles lines with Van Dyke Parks’ West Coast baroque, the prog-pop bounce of the Asthmatic Kitty stable and Michel Gondry’s surrealist freedom.” — Mojo. Also available on clear vinyl.

Toro Y Moi – Anything In Return CD/LP (Carpark)

Anything In Return shows a pervasive sense of peace with Bundick’s tendency to dabble in both the producer and songwriter sides of the modern music-making spectrum, and he sounds comfortable engaging in intuitive pop production. The producer’s hand is prominent, not least in the sampled “yeah’s” and “uh’s” that give the album a hip-hop-indebted confidence. Many songs feature the 4/4 beats and deftly employed effects usually associated with house music.

The Traditional Fools – The Traditional Fools CD/LP+MP3 (In The Red)

Reissue of sole album from surf-garage-punk band featuring Ty Segall.

Trapt – Reborn CD (FOF)

New album from the SoCal hard rock band – available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds six bonus tracks.

The Used – Vulnerable [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD (Hopeless)

Deluxe version of their 2012 album featuring unreleased tracks that include brand new songs, remixes and acoustic versions of original album tracks.

Townes Van Zandt – Sunshine Boy: The Unheard Studio Sessions & Demos 1971-1972 2xCD (Omnivore)

A double-CD set of previously unavailable music from the Texas singer/songwriter’s classic albums High, Low & In Between and The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. Disc One features outtakes and alternate takes/mixes of tracks from the sessions for those LPs; Disc Two highlights solo demos. 28 tracks total.

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 [Zip] – Fabric 67 (Fabric)

Steward of Berlin’s respected Perlon imprint, Zip’s fabric 67 mix is a dusty selection of refreshingly obscure yet reassuringly warm deep house grooves. The Perlon curated experience is all about the natural human dynamic that’s conceived simply to make people dance. With all the verve and blissful energy of his DJ sets, Franzmann builds his own musical universe across Fabric 67, re-contextualizing forgotten classics with futuristic unreleased cuts from his leftfield co-conspirators.

Various Artists – Pop Ambient 2013 CD/LP+CD (Kompakt)

The stalwart German electronic label’s annual Pop Ambient series rolls on – this time featuring tracks from Marsen Jules, Mikkel Metal, Wolfgang Voigt, Leandro Fresco, Michael Mayer, Jens-Uwe Beyer, Triola, Anton Kubikov, and Terrapin.

Various Artists – Pop Yeh Yeh – Psychedelic Rock From Singapore And Malaysia 1964-1970 CD (Sublime Frequencies)

Malaysian beat, pop, and psychedelic classics from 1964-1970.

Various Artists – R&B Hipshakers Vol. 3: Just a Little Bit of the Jumpin’ Bean CD/10×7” (Vampisoul)

Rockin’ R&B and early soul from the King/Federal/DeLuxe catalog. Compilation of tracks from 1955-1964 by essential artists such as Hank Ballard, Little Willie John, Joe Tex, Freddy King, and Eugene Church. Vinyl version features ten 7” inch singles with replica King/Federal bags and labels.

Various Artists – Shapes 12:01 CD/2xLP (Tru Thoughts)

The latest in Tru Thoughts’ series of essential label compilations, compiled by A&R and label owner Robert Luis. The compilation brings the best of the current sound of the label, with a handful of upfront exclusives and cuts previously only available on other formats, as well as a few classic sounds for good measure. Artists include Nostalgia 77, Anchorsong, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Freddie Cruger, Anthony Mills, Zed Bias, Quantic, Riz MC, Hint, Drumagick and Kinny.

Various Artists – Stones Throw And Leaving Records Present Dual Form CD (Stones Throw)

A compilation that features contributions from Sun Araw, Dntel, and UK producer the Cyclist. 19 new recordings from the cassette-centric label.

Various Artists – Studio One Sides CD/2xLP (Soul Jazz)

Studio One Ironsides refers back to a time in the 1960’s and 1970’s when Clement Dodd was at the height of his powers, releasing so much amazing music that Studio One had to invent new label names to trick radio DJs, wary of playing too much music from the legendary studio, into playing records. These creatively titled new label names included Ironsides, Money Disc, ND Records, BongoMan, Forward and more.

Voivod – Target Earth CD (Century Media)

Produced by Pierre Remillard and mixed by Sanford Parker, Target Earth is out right in time for the band’s 30th Anniversary.

Yoshi Wada – Singing In Unison CD/3xLP (EM)

Singing In Unison is the latest in a series of recordings from acclaimed sound artist, composer and performer Yoshi Wada. Recorded live over two nights, March 14 and 15, in 1978, at New York City’s legendary performance space The Kitchen, this set is a dramatic yet meditative work: modal improvisations for three male voices, singing, with great gravitas, in purposeful unison.

War Torn – Iconic Nightmare CD (Southern Lord)

Punishing, dark, political, metallic crust that completely devastates! For fans of Wolfbrigade, From Ashes Rise, Tragedy. Vinyl version due February 19.

Widowspeak – Almanac CD/LP (Captured Tracks)

Widowspeak is an American band comprised of Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas, known for its dreamy, western-tinged take on rock and roll. Their self-titled debut was praised for its reverential spaciousness, Hamilton’s haunting voice, and Thomas’s sinister Morricone-esque guitar lines. On their second album, Almanac, the duo explores denser arrangements and new sonic territory, from Saharan rhythms to Appalachian-inspired melodies, all delivered with stoic, wistful restraint.

Renny Wilson – Sugarglider CD/LP (Mint)

After almost a decade of struggle, strain and delay, the debut record from Edmontonian Renny Wilson sees the light. Sugarglider draws from disco keystones like “Bad Girls” and Arthur Russell as well as elements of chillwave, krautrock and a healthy dose of Haunted Graffiti, employing bold, tempo-matched digital delay. 

Vinyl:

A$AP Rocky – Long.Live.A$AP 2xLP (RCA)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. 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

100 Flowers – 100 Flowers [Reissue/1983] LP (Superior Viaduct)

Vinyl  reissue of underground L.A. classic originally released in 1983. Previously known as The Urinals). Rests between the inspired bursts of The Minutemen and the pastoral jangle of the Dream Syndicate with similarities to the equally oblique Monitor and The Gun Club.

At The Drive In – Vaya [Reisue/1999] 10” (Fearless)

Reissue of their seminal 1999 EP on white vinyl.

California X – California X LP (Don Giovanni)

Teetering between various pockets of the punk spectrum, California X draws influences from the worlds of noisy ‘80s Western Mass rock, fuzzy ‘90s garage pop, and classic post-hardcore SST sounds.

Loren Connors – A Fire LP (Family Vineyard)

Single-sided LP from the master guitarist. Recorded live in Philadelphia, this 23-minute piece follows in the style and visual presentation of the recent Red Mars CD. Instead of sculpting multilayer tape-recorded pieces, the NYC guitarist is expounding on spontaneous sound, either rattling screams from his Telecaster or bending the avant-garde blues style synonymous to him since the late ‘70s.

The Crystal Ark – The Crystal Ark 2xLP+MP3 (DFA)

Latest album from the collaborative, body-centric NY pop project of Gavin Russom and Viva Ruiz.

Deftones – Koi No Yokan LP (Reprise)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “2012 Album Of The Year.” – Revolver Magazine

Detroit Cobras – Original Recordings: Singles & Unreleased 1995-1997 [2008] LP (Munster)

LP version of the singles and unreleased recordings circa 1995-1997 by garage-rock cover band.

German Shepherds – Music For Sick Queers LP+7”+MP3 (Superior Viaduct)

Vinyl reissue of the band’s only LP, originally released in 1985. Bonus 7″ contains unreleased material. “A masterpiece of minimal synth combined with experimental and noisy synth punkish elements.” — Mutant Sounds

Ben Harper And Charlie Musselwhite – Get Up! LP (Stax/Concord)

A striking mix of blues, gospel, roots and R&B, Get Up! features ten vivid musical character studies, skillfully rendered in cinematic detail, all written or co-written by Harper. Vinyl version available now; standard CD and deluxe CD+DVD versions due next week.

Hinder – Welcome To The Freakshow LP (Republic)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. On Welcome To The Freakshow Hinder experiments with rock, pop and even a little country.

Hunx/Cassie Ramone – LAMC No. 5 7” (Famous Class)

The fifth release in the LAMC 7” Series.

The Imperial Dogs – This Ain’t The Summer Of Love b/w I’m Waiting For The Man 7” (Munster)

Reissue of this L.A. proto-punk band’s posthumous single. Released in 1978 on fanzine Back Door Man’s record label after Blue Oyster Cult had a hit with a cover of “This Ain’t the Summer Of Love.”

Jasper TX – An Index Of Failure LP (Handmade Birds)

Final album from Swedish multi instrumentalist.

The Jesus And Mary Chain – Barbed Wire Kisses (B-Sides And More) [Reissue/1988] LP (1972)

The Jesus And Mary Chain – The Sound Of Speed [Reissue/1993] LP

Two collections of B-sides, outtakes and rare tracks, originally released on CD in 1988 and 1993, respectively.

Kid Rock – Rebel Soul 2xLP+CD (Atlantic)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl.

Kwes – Rollerblades b/w Rosab 7” (Warp)

Kwes calls his music “free pop”, explaining: “I feel my music fits around many heads of many sizes and mental dispositions.” “Rollerblades” fits this theme and is a song about lost young love. It’s beautiful, catchy and is another insight into the musical mind of Kwes. B-side “Rosab” is a messed up, oneiric instrumental ode to his bike.

Lindstrøm – Vos-sako-rv 12” (Smalltown Supersound)

Second 12” from Lindstrøm’s acclaimed Smalhans release, featuring two Todd Terje edits on the flip side.

Los Mockers – I Wanna Go b/w My Baby [Reissue/1966] 7” (Munster)

Two self-penned tracks by the best beat/R&B band to come out of Latin America.

Men – Electric b/w Water Babies 7” (Sacred Bones)

Perfect introductory glimpse into their upcoming panoramic (due March 2013). Swelling their captivation with smudged Americana to untried new peaks, as a whole these sessions come down as reaffirmation that Men truly are the rare restless force, which pulses on regardless of era, affiliation or blessing.

Night Beats – H-Bomb 7” (Ayo Silver!)

Night Beats’ sound arises from the ashes of the rawest blues-men, mixes it up with Link Wray and Bo Diddley and parties with the Seeds and Black Lips.

Northern Portrait – Pretty Decent Swimmers 10” (Matinee)

4-track 10″ on transparent blue vinyl from the adored Danish indie purists.

The Paper Chase – God Bless Your Black Heart [2004] 2xLP (Trost)

The Paper Chase – Now You Are One Of Us [2006] 2xLP (Trost)

HQ-180 vinyl versions of the band’s fourth and fifth albums, which were originally released on CD by Kill Rock Stars. The Paper Chase had a signature sound of strangled guitars, bombastic percussion, terror-stricken strings, bizarre samples and crashing pianos.

Jeffrey Lee Pierce – Six String Sermon [1980] 2xLP (Bang)

1980 solo recording from the Gun Club singer/songwriter/guitarist, on vinyl for the first time.

Martin Rev – Martin Rev [Reissue/1980] LP+MP3 (Superior Viaduct)

Rev (Suicide) explores his most experimental and pop leanings with dirty synths, dark melodies and dreamlike textures. Echoes other electronic forerunners such as Silver Apples and Kraftwerk, and foreshadows the work of Aphex Twin and Air.

Nails – Obscene Humanity 7” (Southern Lord)

Captures three of the most iconic tracks from the band’s raging debut 12″ EP of the same name, re-recorded by Kurt Ballou during the Unsilent Death sessions with their more modern, metallic, pulverizing low-end tonal attack.

Obnox – A Ragin’ In The Sun 7” (Anyway)

Some may look at A Ragin’ In The Sun EP as another overgrown 7″ with no direction, but in actuality, this record is simply a pop record that’s been sprinkled with raw punk and a little hip-hop beat culture.

Pia Fraus – Silmi Island LP+CD (Shelflife)

Silmi Island is a celebration of Pia Fraus’ ten-year history featuring 13 of their very best tracks from 1998-2008 and presented on limited vinyl. All tracks were completely re-recorded or remastered and appearing on vinyl for the very first time. Two bonus tracks are included on the CD — including a My Bloody Valentine cover.

Jon Porras – Orilla Oscura LP (Immune)

Here Porras focuses on devotional solo guitar accompanied by manipulated tapes. Post-production was kept to a minimum so the tones, textures and colors could remain as they appeared. The album plays at 45 RPM for optimal sound quality.

Scientists – Swampland 2xLP (Bang!)

This double-LP from legendary Australian swamp blues band gathers together their greatest songs plus previously-unreleased demos and live recordings from the ’80s.

Secret – Agnus Dei LP (Southern Lord)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Combines elements of crust/grind, primitive black metal, dark soundscapes and monolithic riffs to take the listener by the hand through a hallucinated trip towards a foggy and yet invisible tomorrow.

Ty Segall – Would You Be My Love b/w For Those Who Would Weep 7” (Drag City)

For the jukebox that is your life from the pinball machine of Ty Segall’s brain, “Would You Be My Love” is the second single from Ty’s titanic third album Twins.

Sleepers – Painless Nights [Reissue/1981] LP (Superior Viaduct)

San Francisco underground classic originally released in 1981. For fans of Flipper, Crime, Tuxedomoon, Toiling Midgets.

Soft Kill – Seven Hundred b/w Current 7” (Handmade Birds)

All new material from Tobias Grave (Blessure Grave) backed by a stellar collective of musicians including Max Avila (Atriarch).

Solar Year – Night & Day b/w Magic Idea 7” (Stratosfear)

Equal parts sound art and pop music, Solar Year emerged from the same creative community as Grimes, D’Eon and Tonstartssbandht. They use electronics and live resampling, creating otherworldly soundscapes — hazy atmospheres that float between Nordic electro-pop, serene New Age reverie, and the liturgy of medieval monks.

Soundtrack – The Man With The Iron Fists 2xLP (Soul Temple)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Features all new, exclusive music from Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, The Black Keys, Corrine Bailey Rae, and Pusha T.

Stereolab – Emperor Tomato Ketchup [Reissue/1996] 2xLP (1972)

Stereolab – Dots And Loops [Reissue/1997] 2xLP (1972)

Emperor Tomato Ketchup mines the music of the ’60s & early ’70s, as the band employs Farfisas and Moogs, melodies from Bacharach and Hardy, soft-rock, bubblegum, dub and hip-hop sounds to augment their core influences of krautrock, punk, jazz and space rock. Dots And Loops is Stereolab’s fifth studio album and the first to completely ditch the motorik drone that had been a trademark since their inception; predominated by lush lounge and jazz textures, it showcases the band’s most complex set of rhythms yet.

Kurt Vile & The Violators – Hunchback LP+MP3 (Richie)

The timeless record of 2009 is back in an expanded version for 2013. Comes with download featuring bonus live material.

The Walkmen – Bows And Arrows [Reissue/2004] LP (WB)

Vinyl reissue of The Walkmen’s 2004 breakout album. Features “The Rat” and “Little House Of Savages.” 

Various Artists – Crying Princess: 78 RPM Records From Burma LP (Sublime Frequencies)

Compiles rare Burmese 78 RPM records gathered by Robert Millis and Sublime Frequencies co-founder Alan Bishop during various trips to Burma (Myanmar). Spanning the years 1909-1960, these unique and ridiculously rare records feature early sides by Po Sein, vocal and harp music from 1929, “modern songs with electric guitar,” and unique Burmese pop songs with piano.

Various Artists – Scattered Melodies: Korean Kayagum Sanjo LP (Sublime Frequencies)

A compilation of Korean kayagum sanjo music. Sanjo, meaning “scattered melodies,” is a form of stylized improvisation developed in the 1890s originally for the Korean kayagum, a smaller distant cousin of the Japanese koto. Stark and haunting, falling in the gaps between folk and classical music, it employs a gradually increasing tempo, focused improvisation, elastic rhythms, and intense snaps and vibrato that seam to power through the hazy abstractions of the 78 RPM recorded technology.

Virals – Strange Fruit 7” (Zoo Music)

Latest EP from UK band fronted by former Lovvers vocalist Shaun Hencher. Channels old-fashioned Tom Petty/Badfinger-esque muscle-rock coupled with the power of classic ’90s bands like Sugar.

Cassette:

Om – God Is Good [2009] (Drag City)

Om – Advaitic Songs [2012] (Drag City)

Om albums are rituals, personal convictions transcribed into verse. Playing the music is visceral, emotional, a catharsis of soul and spirit. As ever, the dynamic relationships and the slow building of mood and attenuations that shape the structures of their rituals are in place on God Is Good and Advaitic Songs. Now available on cassettes, perfect for your vintage conversion van!

Book:

Ian Svenonius – Supernatural Strategies For Making A Rock ‘n’ Roll Group (Akashic Books)

Ian F. Svenonius’ experience as an iconic underground rock musician — playing in such highly influential and revolutionary outfits as The Make-Up and The Nation of Ulysses — gives him special insight on techniques for not only starting but also surviving a rock ‘n’ roll group. He’s written an instructional guide on how to do so, which doubles as a warning device, a philosophical text, an exercise in terror, an aerobics manual, and a coloring book. This volume features essays on everything the would-be star should know to get started.