CDs:
Philip H. Anselmo/Warbeast – War Of The Gargantuas CD (Housecore)
Split release between Pantera/Down vocalist Philip Anselmo and Texan neo-thrashers Warbeast.
Aristillus – Two CD (Fysisk)
Six songs of closely woven melodic chaos, existential wrath and soul-churning abysses. In other words, a fusion of nihilistic noise rock, epic post-rock and intense emocore.
James Blackshaw/Lubomyr Melnyk – Watchers CD/LP (Important)
James Blackshaw is a Hastings-based guitarist/pianist who primarily plays an acoustic 12-string guitar and has been compared to Bert Jansch, Robbie Basho, John Fahey, Jack Rose, and Leo Kottke. Lubomyr Melnyk is a composer and pianist who pioneered ‘continuous music’ which requires a totally new technique of piano playing, based on extremely rapid notes and note-series that create a “tapestry of sound” usually with the sustain pedal held down to generate overtones and sympathetic resonances.
Black Veil Brides – Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones CD/CD+DVD/2xLP (Republic)
On their third album, the L.A. quintet delivers a collection of songs that’s as immersive as it is infectious. Hallmarks of their sound, like gritty riffs, orchestral flourishes, elegant soloing, and anthemic vocals remain intact.
Broadcast – Berberian Sound Studio CD/LP (Warp)
Broadcast’s sublime soundtrack to the film Berberian Sound Studio, composed before frontwoman Trish Keenan’s untimely passing last year, sets a sinister and atmospheric tone that still exists well within the band’s signature sonic universe.
Cheap Girls – My Roaring 20’s [Reissue/2008] CD/LP (Asian Man)
Cheap Girls – Find Me A Drink Home [Reissue/2010] CD/LP (Asian Man)
Influenced by the Lemonheads, Superchunk, The Old 97’s, Green Day, Superdrag and Samiam, Cheap Girls produce a sound filled with pounding drums, jangly guitars and super sweet vocal melodies that harkens back to a simpler time and place.
Eleh – Retreat Return Repose 3xCD (Important)
Three previously vinyl-only releases, now available together on CD. Retreat is a collection of exploratory sound assemblages put together during a cabin sojourn. New timbral richness, tonal expansion, and deep synthesis set these pieces apart from previous work. Return reflects on time away. Repose contains only one piece, the final recording of “Circle Two: Coastal Rotation For Dune Loop,” which debuted at 2010’s Mutek Festival in Montreal.
Nels Cline/Elliott Sharp – Open The Door CD (Public Eyesore)
Nels Cline is one of the most versatile, imaginative and original guitarists active today. Combining breathtaking technique with an informed musical intelligence, the self-taught Cline displays a mastery of guitar expression that encompasses delicate lyricism, sonic abstractions, and skull-crunching flights of fancy. Elliott Sharp is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer and performer. A central figure in the avant-garde and experimental music scene in NYC for over 30 years.
Dropkick Murphys – Signed And Sealed In Blood CD/LP (Dropkick Murphys)
On their eighth full-length album, Dropkick Murphys come out swinging: The guitars are ballsier, the gang vocals are louder, the hooks are catchier, the lyrics stop you in your tracks.
Ethernet – Opus 2 CD (Kranky)
Developing on the trance-induction and brainwave entrainment techniques explored on the first Ethernet album, Opus 2 moves into deeper, more introspective and emotive territory. Opus 2 is intended to induce inner contemplation and internalized focus on the light within us. It is also a statement on the gradual darkening and inexorable decay of our modern world, and the need to look within to find true support and sustenance from one’s own energetic source.
The Food [Thomas Stronen/Iain Ballamy] – Mercurial Balm CD (ECM)
The Food team of Norwegian drummer Stronen and British saxophonist Ballamy continues to invite guests to bring something to the table. The form-and-texture conscious improvisations here are drawn from live performances in Norway, England and Germany and studio sessions at Oslos Rainbow. Guests include Austrian guitarist Christian Fennesz and Indian slide guitarist and singer Prakash Sontakke, among others.
Hollywood Undead – Note From The Underground CD (Octone)
New album from the L.A. rap-rock band – available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds bonus tracks.
The Living Sisters – Run For Cover CD/LP (Vanguard)
A breezy, eclectic EP of classic covers from artists such as Funkadelic, Patsy Cline, Doris Day and Dolly Parton.
The Lords Of The New Church – The Gospel Truth 3xCD+DVD (Easy Action)
Released on the heels of the 30th anniversary of the formation of what was dubbed as the first ‘80s rock supergroup (featuring former Damned guitarist and songwriter Brian James, former Dead Boys frontman Stiv Bator, former Sham 69 bassist Dave Tregunna, and Barracudas tub-thumper Nicky Turner) this box set features rare studio material, two unreleased live concerts, plus an unseen DVD of material shot on their very last tour in Austria.
Joe Lovano – Cross Culture CD (Blue Note)
New album features Lovano’s core Us Five ensemble of pianist James Weidman, bassists Esperanza Spalding and Peter Slavov, and drummers Otis Brown and Francisco Mela and is augmented with guitarist and fellow Blue Note artist Lionel Loueke.
Conor Maynard – Contrast CD (Capital)
The debut album from young pop superstar in the making Conor Maynard, Contrast is co-written and produced by the Brighton singer, along with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Ne-Yo, Midi Mafia, Stargate and Frank Ocean.
Vusi Mahlasela – Sing To The People CD (ATO)
The South African singer/songwriter’s music is generally described as “African folk” and he is often dubbed as “The Voice” of South Africa. His work was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with your enemies.
Never Shout Never – Indigo CD (Loveway)
Joplin, MO based singer/songwriter Christofer Drew releases his fourth studio album.
Placebo – Placebo [Reissue/1996] CD (Universal)
Placebo – Without You I’m Nothing [Reissue/1998] CD (Universal)
Placebo – Black Market Music [Reissue/2000] CD (Universal)
Placebo – Sleeping With Ghosts [Reissue/2003] CD (Universal)
Placebo – Meds [Reissue/2006] CD (Universal)
While Placebo’s new album isn’t due until sometime during Summer 2013, their back-catalog is being reissued to lure initiates.
Enrico Rava – Rava On The Dancefloor CD (ECM)
This live album breaks with Enrico Rava’s own traditions. In his ECM albums, all the way back to 1974’s The Pilgrim And The Stars, Rava has set his own compositions in the foreground. Not this time. Nor does he pay tribute to aspects of jazz history. Instead, on Rava on the Dance Floor the great Italian trumpeter (b. 1939) enthusiastically turns his attention to the musical universe of the late Michael Jackson. And in this unexpected context, drawing also upon the energy of the Parco della Musica Jazz Lab band, he delivers impassioned and extroverted trumpet playing.
Solange – True CD/LP (Terrible Records)
New release from Solange Knowles, younger sister of mega superstar Beyonce. While she may share the same musical genes with her sister, Solange takes her music in a different direction than that of her big sis. Using soul music as her foundation, she adds a retro ’80s influence to her sound while still managing to keep the production modern and engaging.
Sountrack – Girls Volume 1: Music From The HBO Original Series CD (Fueled By Ramen)
Music from the hit HBO show featuring Santigold, Grouplove, and Michael Penn.
Twenty One Pilots – Vessel CD (Fueled By Ramen)
The band entered a real studio for the first time ever with Grammy nominated producer Greg Wells (Weezer, Adele) to craft an album that merges elements of hip-hop, indie rock and punk.
Various Artists – Sadar Barar Presents: Soul In The Hole CD/2×12”+7” (BBE)
Sadar is Chicago’s best-kept secret. One of the most sort after DJs in the world of soul, funk and disco. Most of the tracks on this compilation are extremely rare and hard find on vinyl, CD or online.
Various Artists – Spiky Dread: Issue One: Punky Reggae & Post Punk Dub 1978-1984 CD/2xLP (Rongorongo)
The first release from new label Rongorongo shines a light on the grey area between punk and reggae. Spiky Dread is the result of a few years of hunting by Wrongtom and Ed Zed, who sifted through a plethora of punk and post-punk oddities, picking their favorite approximations of dub and reggae — a side of punk which is largely overlooked. Includes tracks by The Slits, Ruts DC, Glaxo Babies, and A Certain Ratio project Sir Horatio.
Various Artists – Take Action! Vol. 11 2xCD (Hopeless)
Hopeless Records, through their non-profit organization Sub City, present the eleventh volume in their compilation series for charity. These releases are directly connected to the Take Action Tour, which donates 10% of the gross ticket fees to charity.
Eberhard Weber – Resume CD (ECM)
Eberhard Weber played hundreds of concerts in his time as a member of the Jan Garbarek Group, and each of them included an extended feature for the bassist alone, often effectively a spontaneous composition rather than a bass solo in strict jazz sense. For Resume Weber has returned to recordings of these solo sequences and reworked them into an album with its own sense of flow. The unique sound of Eberhard’s customized electric bass is heard here mostly in the context of his own keyboard settings and treatments, but also augmented by the saxophones and overtone flute of Jan Garbarek (on three tracks) and by the percussion of Michael DiPasqua.
Wooden Wand – Blood Oaths Of The New Blues CD/LP (Fire)
“A gorgeous set of sprawling songs with a comfortably minimalist and hi-fi feel. According to Fire Records, this is Toth’s ‘Sunday morning wake-and-bake record,’ an attempt to ‘make an album like the kind he would listen to on headphones when he was 14 and discovering hallucinogens.’” — Spin
Vinyl:
Arabrot – Mæsscr LP (Fysisk)
In their eleven years of existence noise rockers Arabrot have been an intangible and ever-changing orchestra. Throughout the years they’ve touched many a different field, but seldom as eerie as on Mæsscr. With pianos, pump organs and hissing, whispering vocals as main tools, Arabrot is molding a musical landscape that lugubriously signals sexuality, violence and morals.
Barreracudas – 7th Time Around 7” (Windian)
Atlanta power-poppers follow up their 2011 full-length release with two more dirt-meets-glam punkers.
Jeff Beck – Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop [Reissue/1989] LP (Friday Music)
Now available on HQ-180 vinyl. The Grammy Award winning masterwork pairs the guitar hero with this powerful duo of world-class musicians, Terry Bozio and Tony Hymas.
Big Boi – Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors LP (Def Jam)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Second solo release from one half of Outkast. Features guest appearances from Theophilus London, Little Dragon and Kelly Rowland, TI, and Ludacris.
Boris/Joe Volk – Split LP (Invada)
Billed as one story told two ways, the creative conjoining of sludgy Tokyo heck-raisers Boris and Bristol’s now quiet rioter Joe Volk is a weird one in innumerable ways.
Brothers Unconnected – Unrock The House 2xLP (Unrock)
Music by Alan and Richard Bishop — the history and legacy of the legendary performance unit Sun City Girls. Comprised of an uncut live performance from Suedbahnhof in Krefeld, Germany 2011, Unrock The House contains tracks from SCG and complete spoken-word interludes. Housed in a gatefold sleeve with one black and one white vinyl album.
The Casket Lottery – Real Fear LP (No Sleep)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. First album in over a decade from the legendary hardcore group. Featuring members of Coalesce, The Appleseed Cast and more.
Charlatan – Isolatarium LP (Type)
Analog electronics fractured into shards of techno and radiophonic experiments, courtesy of Brad Rose (North Sea, Digitalis). Dispensing with the jerky 808-led shimmer of its predecessor Triangles, Isolatarium makes its case with cold, digital synthesis and buried 4/4 pulses.
Cody Chesnutt – Landing On A Hundred 2xLP (Vibration Vineyard)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. An unvarnished collection of songs from the soul troubadour that alchemize his love of a multitude of styles: classic rock, R&B, pop, punk and gospel. Universally hailed as a thrilling new figure in music for his edgy, lo-fi debut, The Headphone Masterpiece, back in 2002.
Churchill’s – Churchill’s LP (Axix UK)
Classic 1969 Israeli psych record on deluxe HQ-180 vinyl. “Track after track, the album continues to astonish, delivering everything from electrifying psychedelic rock to evocative pop ballads.” — Ugly Things
Crazy Horse – Crazy Horse [Reissue/1971] LP (Reprise)
Reissue of the long out of print classic debut from Neil Young’s backing band.
Crystal Castles – III LP (Casablanca)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “Though the duo claims to have overhauled their recording process for (III), trading in all of their gear and disallowing the use of computers in the studio, the album couldn’t be mistaken for the work of anyone else. It retains Ethan Kath’s trademark staggered synths and Glass’ acute wail still pierces through thick reverb. The music now conveys a sense of unease somewhere between waiting for the drugs to kick in and wanting to leave the club as soon as possible. [8.0]” – Pitchfork
Miles Davis – Miles Ahead [Mono/1957] LP (Sony Legacy)
Miles Davis – Porgy And Bess [Mono/1958] LP (Sony Legacy)
Miles Davis – Sketches From Spain [Mono/1960] LP (Sony Legacy)
Limited HQ-180 vinyl represses of the original mono mixes.
Deepchord – 07/08/09 3xLP (Echospace)
Remastered and available again in a gorgeous three-LP set. Many consider Deepchord to be the second wave of the “Basic Channel sound,” coming years before the onslaught of imitators.
Diminished Men – Capnomancy LP (Abduction)
A collection of stark, exotic instrumentals full of high-tension energy and infected terror.
The Fuzz – This Time I Got A Reason b/w Fuzz’s Fourth Dream 7”+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)
Two addictive and ferocious slabs of doomy fuzzed-out rock & roll that break open the gates of Hades & lurch forward like rabid hounds of Hell. Both cuts are flaming embers of molten rock that evoke a serpentine head-banging and rage skyward on evil riffs like the red-headed stepchildren of Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Jerusalem and Wicked Lady.
Heavy Times – K-9 7” (Windian)
Following their rock-solid sophomore full-length Jacker for Hozac records, this single features the same harsh dual guitars with a surf punk underbelly.
The Herbaliser -There Were Seven LP (Department H)
It’s the return of The Herbaliser, the seven strong lords of loopy, soundtrack inspired funk-infused hip-hop (or hip-hop-infused funk, depending on your perspective).
Incubus – S.C.I.E.N.C.E. [1997] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)
Incubus – Make Yourself [1999] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)
Incubus – Morning View [Reissue/2001] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)
Incubus – A Crow Left Of The Murder… [Reissue/2004] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)
Incubus – Light Grenades [2006] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)
First time available on vinyl for several of these titles – all are HQ-180 double-LP remastered pressings.
JK Flesh/Prurient – Worship Is The Cleansing Of Imagination LP (Hydra Head)
It’s only fitting that this meeting of minds, this exercise in mining new territories, and this bridging of a generational gap serves as the final release for the long-running art-metal label Hydra Head Records.
Liminanas – La Fille de la Ligne 15 b/w Mobylette 7” (Trouble In Mind)
Many have compared Liminanas to the almighty Serge Gainsbourg, The Velvet Underground, or modern acts like Stereo Total or Stereolab, as they are rooted in the rich French “chanson” tradition.
Major Stars – Decibels Of Gratitude LP (Twisted Village)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Major Star’s eighth full length is yet another lurching beast of a record for serious guitar-heads only.
Terry Malts – Living With The Human Race b/w Over 21 7” (Windian)
Fuzzed-out sonic heaters. B-side is a cover of Henry’s Dress’ “Over 21.”
MC5 – Kick Out The Jams [Reissue/1968] LP (Elektra)
Recorded live at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom in 1968, this relentless, aggressive classic offers the frenzy of politicized garage punks blasting through giant stacks: a blitzkrieg of hard rock ignited from the dueling guitars of Wayne Kramer and Fred Sonic Smith and of the throttled vocals of Rob Tyner.
Nite Lite – Megrez LP (Desire Paths)
Megrez exists somewhere between sci-fi soundtrack and being inside a music box. It’s an aquatic, underwater sound as if the ocean were a seashell and through it we could hear the murmurs of invisible whales using sonar to mirror the deeps from our own aquariums.
Rev. Lewis Overstreet – There’s No Future In Gaining The World And Losing Your Soul 7” (Mississippi)
These two songs originally self-released in the 1970s are similar in sound to the previously reissued Arhoolie LP, with his signature driving guitar and fantastic back up singers. Revved up lo-fi gospel blues ‘n’ roll.
Michael Pollard – Transitions 01 LP (Spectrum Spools)
Four studies in acousmatic sound and a piece produced from the pencil rubbing used for the front cover of this album. Written, produced and recorded by Michael Pollard in the time between June 2011 and October 2012 in a variety of locations. “Recording from a stereo hydrophone buried under the sand in a lake. Standing on top of the transducer, holding the MiniDisc recorder in my hand, & monitoring the feed w/ a pair of in-ear earphones, I slowly shifted my weight & the sand beneath my feet. My younger brother was on the shore throwing firecrackers into the water.”
My Chemical Romance – Kiss The Ring b/w Make Room!!! 7” (Reprise)
The fourth release in MCR’s five single series, all which feature unreleased tracks recorded prior to Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys.
The Pyramids – Lalibela [Reissue/1973] LP (Disko B)
The Pyramids – Birth/Speed/Merging [Reissue/1976] LP (Disko B)
The pinnacle of ’70s cosmic, spiritual space-jazz.
Rah Rah – The Poet’s Dead LP (Hidden Pony)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “The 10 songs contain all the hallmarks of classic Rah Rah. Brisk opener ‘Art And A Wife’ channels Neil Young at his most rocking, while ‘Dead Man’ features a diverse arrangement of strings and group vocals, and ‘I’m A Killer’ boasts retro-sounding electronic textures.” — Exclaim
Omar Rodriguez Lopez – Octopus Kool Aid LP (Rodriguez Lopez Productions)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Finds ORL and company concentrating once more on electronics as opposed to guitar-based composition, a tendency encountered on 2010’s Tychozorente, not to mention The Mars Volta’s recent game changer, Noctourniquet.
Said The Whale – Little Mountain LP (Hidden Pony/ELS)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Little Mountain is a multi-stylistic tour-de-force that ventures into everything from soaring, horn-laden cabaret (“The Reason”) to jaggedly syncopated rock (“We Are 1980”) and effervescent guitar pop (“Loveless”).
Santah – You’re Still A Lover LP+MP3 (Saki)
“Spawning from heartland of America’s Midwest, Chicago-based Santah know how to play off of their strengths by seamlessly blending quiet melodies with equally soft instrumentation to form a well-rounded sound.” – Paste
Solar Year – Night & Day b/w Magic Idea 7” (Stratosfear)
Solar Year is electronic music duo David Ertel and Ben Borden. Equal parts sound art & 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.
Suns Of Guns – 5000 Watts 7” (Windian)
No website, no press shots, no bullsh!t. Bashing kinky soul sounds from this underground DC combo.
Tilly And The Wall – Love Riot (Remixes) 12” (Team Love)
Remix single from Heavy Mood features remixes from Distal and Cycad.
Voices From The Lake – Voices From The Lake 3×12” (Prologue Music)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “Italian producers Donato Dozzy and Neel reinvent typical techno structures wholesale. In its seeming quest to map out rhythm to an unimaginable infinity, Voices From the Lake manages to be everything at once: It’s some of the most inventive techno in ages, it’s some of the prettiest ambient you’ll hear on any German techno label, and it’s a unique kind of entrancing that would feel hokey if it weren’t so undeniably attractive. [8.2]” — Pitchfork
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