New Releases for June 4, 2013

CDs:

Anarbor – Burnout CD (Hopeless)

Sophomore album from the Phoenix pop-punk act.

Barenaked Ladies – Grinning Streak CD (Vanguard)

Barenaked Ladies deliver another batch of sunny pop/rock on their new album Grinning Streak, which features the single “Boomerang.”

George Benson – Inspiration: A Tribute To Nat King Cole CD (Concord)

Benson’s heartfelt renditions of some of Cole’s greatest songs with Nelson Riddle arrangements and the 42-piece Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra are complemented by duets with Tony Award winner Idina Menzel and rising star Judith Hill, along with a special collaboration with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Big Black Delta – Big Black Delta CD/2xLP (Master Of Bates)

“If Jonathan Bates’ output as the founder and frontman of Mellowdrone constituted an experimental seven-part anthology, then his self-titled LP as Big Black Delta is a sonic prequel highlighting the many sources of inspiration for his earlier lo-fi project. Free of lyrics, guitars, and percussion, ‘PB3’ is an assortment of mellow synthesizer drones that evoke imagery of isolated exploration à la past-collaborator M83’s cinematic scores.” – Consequence Of Sound

Big Deal – June Gloom CD/LP (Mute)

Big Deal is a boy/girl indie pop duo comprised of Kacey Underwood (from California) and Alice Costelloe (from the UK). Their debut, Lights Out, was an understated one, centered around just two guitars (one electric, one acoustic) and their two voices. Quite understandably, especially for anyone who has seen Big Deal’s intimate, if almost coy, stage act, or listened to the band’s pining songs, audiences frequently mistake their working relationship for a romantic one.

Broncho – Can’t Get Past The Lips CD (Fairfax)

With echoes of The Replacements, Iggy and the Stooges and The Ramones, Broncho’s exuberant ten song debut Can’t Get Past The Lips is a blisteringly cathartic 20 minute flash of gritty, crunching guitar work supported by an assaultive rhythm section and made whole by songwriter Ryan Lindsey’s aggressive, yelping vocal work. Vinyl version due June 18.

Harold Budd – Jane 1-11 CD (Darla)

“Jane 1-11 is at least among Harold’s very best work and may be his all-time best. Start to finish, this is Harold at his most inspired and most tapped in to his unique gift. There is no other Harold Budd record on which he so strongly expresses his singular avant sensibility.”

Buika – La Noche Mas Larga CD (Warner Music Latina)

La Noche Mas Larga captures the fusion of jazz, Afro-Cuban and many more international music styles over eleven recordings comprised of new songs and also some classics, reworked and arranged to blend in with one of the most soulful voices in the globe. Recorded and mastered throughout Europe, Buika brought in some of the greatest musicians from the region as well as from Cuba.

Camera Obscura – Desire Lines CD/LP (4AD)

Camera Obsura’s fifth album, Desire Lines, was recorded with Tucker Martine (R.E.M., Spoon, My Morning Jacket), and features special guests Neko Case and Jim James on vocals.

Capital Cities – In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery CD (Capitol)

Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, the frontmen behind the breakout alt-dance group Capital Cities, are a success story spawned by the Internet that has continued to blossom. The Los Angeles-based duo took both the blogosphere and the shores of California by storm with their self-titled debut EP. Their electronic-infused pop rock represents all that is right in modern music making, and makes the perfect soundscape for a day at the beach, or a night in the dark part of town, as long as you’re ready to dance. Vinyl version due June 18.

City And Colour – Hurry And The Harm CD (Dine Alone)

The fourth album from Canadian singer/songwriter Dallas Green AKA City And Colour (who also used to scream and strum in the band Alexisonfire).

Cristal – Homegoing CD (Hand-Held)

J. Anthony, G. Darden and R. Donne (Labradford, Spokane, ex-Aix Em Klemm) journey through simmering electronic, wide-screen vistas to seismic, swelling and undulating soundscapes.

Dave Davies – I Will Be Me CD (Cleopatra)

Dave Davies founded the Kinks in the early 1960s and forever changed music after he sliced up the speaker cone of a little green amp and created a revolutionary, distorted guitar tone and frenetic solo on “You Really Got Me.” Still in the game, his new solo album features guest appearances by The Jayhawks, Anti-Flag, award winning UK blues guitarist Oli Brown, The Bloody Hollies, Chris Spedding, stoner rock band Dead Meadow, Aussie rockers The Art, and others. Vinyl version due July 2.

Deep Purple – Copenhagen 1972 2xCD (Eagle Rock)

Copenhagen 1972 is the second release in a ten-album reissue series of live Deep Purple classics.

Demon Lung – Hundredth Name CD (Candlelight)

“Demon Lung hails from the modern day Sodom, that brackish oasis in the desert, Las Vegas, Nevada.  What better place for a band to coagulate their musical efforts into the choking mists of doom and strangulate the population with their thick, dark cloud of heavy sounds.” — Temple Of Perdition

DJ Clay – A World Upside Down CD (Psychopathic)

Psychopathic Records’ in-house mixmaster drops a new mix tape featuring new material from ICP, Anybody Killa, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Tech 9ine, Hopsin, and the Kottonmouth Kings.

Filter – The Sun Comes Out Tonight CD (Wind-Up)

The Sun Comes Out Tonight heralds the return of Bob Marlette in the roles of producer and co-writer, and marks the introduction of Filter’s newest addition, co-writer, and guitarist, Jonny Radtke. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Radtke’s rapturous vocals and elegantly furious guitar playing mesh expertly with Filter’s ambiance. Vinyl version due June 18.

Ben Folds Five – Live CD (Sony Legacy)

The first live album from piano-pop trio Ben Folds Five, recorded in 2012 on their first tour in more than a decade. Vinyl version due July 9.

David Ford – Charge CD (Razor & Tie)

“I’ve got say that the minute I heard opening track ‘Pour A Little Poison’ I was utterly hooked. It’s a fantastically tuneful, harmonica-driven alt-country number coming off somewhere halfway between Frank Turner and Ryan Adams.  It is chock full of English sensibilities and an infectious catchiness that it inherits from it’s bluegrass and country heritage.  I’m not gonna lie, I was utterly f##king rigid by the end of this head-bobbing, foot-tapping masterpiece.” – rocknreelreviews.com

Eleanor Friedberger – Personal Record CD/LP+MP3 (Merge)

At a time when most female singer-songwriters perform as alter egos, Eleanor Friedberger is simply, refreshingly herself. And that’s just the way her fans like it. Having spent a decade fronting the indie-rock institution The Fiery Furnaces with her brother Matthew, in 2011 she emerged as a formidable solo artist with Last Summer, a thoughtfully crafted tale of memory and place couched in the organic pop of her ’70s idols.

Future Bible Heroes – Partygoing CD (Merge)

Future Bible Heroes is one of the musical projects from the Magnetic Fields’ Stephin Merritt, who writes all the melodies and lyrics for the band. His longtime friend and collaborator Christopher Ewen composes the instrumental backing tracks. Joining Merritt on lead vocals is the Magnetic Fields’ Claudia Gonson. Partygoing is comprised of 13 quick and catchy new songs in their signature mix of dance-floor-filling club anthems and super-sad ballads. Their imaginative and playful antics with sound, synths and unconventional noises will sound familiar to fans of the Magnetic Fields.

The Future Bible Heroes – Memories Of Love, Eternal Youth And Partygoing 4xCD/3xLP+MP3 (Merge)

Memories Of Love, Eternal Youth And Partygoing marks the first time the entire original Future Bible Heroes catalog has been available in one place. In addition to the three full-length albums, the CD collection includes a fourth disc that compiles the band’s three EPs — The Lonely Robot, I’m Lonely (And I Love It), and Lonely Days — plus several tracks from outside compilations, including a song from the soundtrack to the film Welcome To The Dollhouse and the band’s hilarious gender-bending rendition of “Don’t You Want Me?” from a tribute album to the Human League.

GRMLN – Empire CD/LP (Carpark)

Upbeat rock & roll with the feel of ’90s pop-punk. A catchy mix of polished-up Superchunk and poppier Jimmy Eat World.

Giovanni Guidi Trio – City Of Broken Dreams CD (ECM)

Pianist Giovanni Guidi is one of the most outstanding musicians to have emerged from the ranks of Italian jazz in the last decade and has already made his presence felt on Enrico Ravas Tribe and On The Dancefloor albums. Rava praises both Guidi’s limitless curiosity as an improviser and his relentless refinement of touch and musical taste, and the pianist continually proves that those qualities are not opposites.

Jon Hopkins – Immunity CD/LP (Domino)

Immunity is a powerful, multi-faceted beast, packed with the most aggressively dancefloor-focused music Hopkins has ever made. Immunity marks the fourth solo album for the Ivor Novello-nominated electronic producer and composer and the follow up to 2009’s Insides.

Houndmouth – From Hell Below The City CD/LP (Rough Trade)

Matt Myers, Katie Toupin, Zak Appleby and Shane Cody have spent the past year building a passionate following in their hometown of New Albany, IN and touring with Alabama Shakes, the Lumineers, Grace Potter and Drive-By Truckers. From Hell Below The City is packed with tales of down-on-their-luck drug runners, casinos, riverboats, recession-era scraping and more, as the band’s songs have a loose-limbed swing, anchored by a sturdy rhythm and a cagey melodic sensibility.

Killing Joke – The Singles Collection 1979-2012 2xCD/3xCD (Spinefarm)

Killing Joke is an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England. Their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as “quasi-metal … dancing to a tune of doom and gloom”, which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synthpop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasizing Coleman’s “savagely strident vocals.” The Singles Collection features all the best singles of the bands career. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a third disc containing 10 rare tracks.

Lenka – Shadows CD/LP (Skipalong/INgrooves)

Aussie alt-pop singer/songwriter Lenka releases her third album.

The Maine – Forever Halloween CD (Big Picnic)

With their fun, fresh rock and their smart mix of originality and polished talent, The Maine creates the type of music you want to play with the windows rolled down, the wind through your hair and the warm sun on your face. The Tempe, AZ rock band swept the top categories in Alternative Press’ 2010 Readers Poll, winning Album Of The Year, Best Song and Best Live Band.

Nicolas Masson/Roberto Pianca/Emanuele Maniscalco – Third Reel CD (ECM)

A collaborative group brimming with creative potential, Third Reel packs much musical information into the sixteen vividly expressive tracks of its debut album. Trio members Nicolas Masson, Roberto Pianca and Emanuele Maniscalco are committed improvisers and gifted writers, each with a distinct compositional signature.

Megadeth – Supercollider CD/LP (Tradecraft/UMe)

The iconic thrash metal band return with their 14^th studio album.

Monochrome Set – M-80 CD (Weinerworld)

This superb, previously unreleased CD is a valuable historic document of the Monochrome Set’s earliest live footage in existence. The full live set recorded on the American leg of the M80 tour in Minneapolis, Indiana (September 1979), offering an early candid snapshot of the group. Also available as a stand-alone DVD.

Matthew Morrison – Where It All Began CD (222)

For this collection of classic standards, many of which were first made famous in Broadway musicals, Morrison turned to legendary producer Phil Ramone (Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett), along with Grammy Award-winning producer Gregg Field.

Naam – Vow CD/LP+MP3 (Tee Pee)

“Whether your take on psych-rock is heavily based in how much wah pedal a band uses or if it’s about how much they’re able to manipulate the time space continuum in order to transport their sound to the deep, distant past, you’d be in the right place in listening to Naam’s latest, Vow. There is a mix of both otherworldly guitar manipulation and heavy, punctuating organ notes, but the place where Vow shines is in their ability to market on wall-to-wall drama that is rarely seen in the world of today’s laptop musicians and bedroom pop.” – Impose Magazine

Nanoexistence – Antarctica CD (Candlelight)

“Exposed to the cold air of Antarctica, Nonexistence here create a sound that at its slowest flirts with Ahab a little and in its quicker and more rhythmic songs draws on a far less chaotic or baroque Arcturus and mid to current period Borknagar.” — Avenoctum

The Olms – The Olms CD/LP (Harvest)

The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and JD King. Their self-titled debut is a breezy, warm, and sunny SoCal indie pop record.

Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends CD/LP+CD (Atlantic)

Evil Friends is the PTM’s second full-length since signing to Atlantic Records (and seventh album overall), and was produced by the highly acclaimed musician/producer Danger Mouse.

Quadron – Avalanche CD/LP (Epic)

Sophomore album from the Danish-born/Los Angeles-based Soul duo. Quadron features vocalist Coco O. and multi-instrumentalist/producer Robin Hannibal, Avalanche is a funky, soulful affair characterized by Coco’s shimmering voice and Robin’s meticulous, modern production. “The Danish duo cook up stoned-soul beauty…” — Rolling Stone

Queens Of The Stone Age – Like Clockwork CD/2xLP+MP3 (Matador)

QOTSA’s first new studio album in six years marks the return of Dave Grohl, Joey Castillo, Nick Oliveri and Mark Lanegan. In addition, some big names came in to contribute: Elton John, Trent Reznor, Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters), James Lavelle (U.N.K.L.E.) and others. (There are two different versions available on vinyl. You might be lucky enough to snag one of the indie-store-only versions, which features alternate artwork!)

Rogue Wave – Nightingale Floors CD (Vagrant)

Meditations on life and death dominate Nightingale Floors, in large part because Rogue’s father passed away during the writing of the record. But far from being a downer, Rogue has used the experience to find peace and, ultimately, happiness in facing up to the short time we have on Earth and appreciate everything around him. Much has been written about Rogue Wave’s misfortune over the years, and it’s true that for such a nice bunch of guys, they certainly have had their fair share of bad luck.

Savior Adore – Our Nature CD (Nettwerk)

Released last year on vinyl – now available on CD. Our Nature is a collection of catchy indie pop songs and a dramatic narrative that invites listeners into a magical dream world. The album seamlessly blends ‘60s invasion, ‘80s new wave and ‘90s alternative with a more contemporary digital creative process.

Sleeping With Sirens – Feel CD/LP (Rise)

Feel is the third full-length album by American post-hardcore band Sleeping With Sirens.

Splashh – Comfort CD/LP (Kanine)

Happy, sun-drenched music that is inspired by the nostalgic spirit of the 90’s, Splashh’s sound is based on distorted grooves, dreamy nostalgia and melody.

June Tabor/Iain Ballamy/Huw Warren – Quercus CD (ECM)

Quercus means oak in Latin and the roots of this particular tree dig deep into British folk music, while leaves and branches reach upward to embrace jazz-inspired lyrical improvising. The trio features the venerable English singer June Tabor whose dark voice has an uncanny ability to underscore the emotional essence of a ballad.

Teengirl Fantasy – Tracer CD/LP (True Panther Sounds)

Domestic issue of Teenage Girl Fantasy’s 2012 album, which features guest vocals by Panda Bear, Kelela, and Laurel Halo. “To those who insist producers should do more than click the space bar on a MacBook Pro, here’s Teengirl Fantasy. Nick Weiss and Logan Takahashi don’t use samples in their dance music; in fact, there’s barely a hint of set-it-and-forget-it drum machines. When it comes to the duo’s new album, Tracer, the only person pressing play will be you.” — NPR

Various Artists – The Blue Beat Explosion! The Birth Of Ska CD/LP (Secret)

23-track (16 on the vinyl version) collection of early Prince Buster related Blue Beat releases, including reggae/ska classics by Busters Group, The Allstars, Voice Of The People, The Bluebeats, Rico, Derrick Morgan and The Charmers.

Various Artists – Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County CD/CD+DVD (Hear Music)

From the minds of co-conspirators Stephen King, John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett comes this southern gothic supernatural musical thriller of fraternal love, lust, jealousy and revenge. This collaboration features original music and lyrics plus key dialog excerpts performed by a cast of guest artists including Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Taj Mahal, Ryan Bingham and Kris Kristofferson, along with actors Matthew McConaughey, Samantha Mathis and Meg Ryan. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds a bonus DVD featuring a special look behind the making of Ghost Brothers as well as the in-studio video recording of the song “Truth” with John Mellencamp.

Various Artists – 2013 Warped Tour Compilation 2xCD (Side One Dummy)

Double-disc compilation highlighting bands from this year’s Warped Tour.

We Are The City – Violent CD (Hidden Pony)

New album from the prog-flavored indie rock unit features noise-soaked crescendos and delicate pop melodies.

Gretchen Wilson – Under The Covers CD (Redneck)

On Under The Covers, Gretchen performs her own interpretations of some of the songs that influenced her, including: “I Want You To Want Me,” “Doctor My Eyes,” “Stay With Me,” “Hot Blooded,” “Lights” and many others. Vinyl version due June 25.

DVD + Blu-ray:

Captain Beefheart – Lost Tapes: 1966-1970 DVD (IMV Blueline)

This music documentary film traces the roots and history of the iconic freak-rock legend with rare live and in-studio performances. 39 minutes.

Depeche Mode – DVD Collector’s Box 2xDVD (Chrome Dreams)

Over 35 years since they first formed, this double-DVD set celebrates Depeche Mode’s incredible music and history. Disc One contains a 90-minute film charting the full career of the group, whilst Disc Two features rarely seen filmed interviews recorded at various phases during their existence. 206 minutes.

Monochrome Set – M-80 DVD (Weinerworld)

Previously unreleased full live set from 1979 from these post-punk greats. 50 minutes.

Mumford & Sons – Extraordinary Folk DVD (Iconic Pictures)

An unauthorized biography of Mumford & Sons rise to success. 70 minutes.

Vinyl:

Randall Bramblett – The Bright Spots LP (NWT)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Bramblett’s tenth studio album finds familiar territory with the southern driven funk and the Americana soul he has long been known for.

Caribou – Up In Flames [Reissue/2003] LP+CD (Leaf)

It’s hard to believe it’s been twelve years since Dan Snaith released his first album as Manitoba back in the spring of 2001. In fact, April 2013 marks the tenth anniversary of his breakthrough album Up In Flames, still the biggest selling album in the Leaf label’s history.

Ry Cooder – Bop Til You Drop [Reissue/1979] LP (Reprise)

Ry Cooder – Borderline [Reissue/1980] LP (Rhino)

With 1980’s Borderline, Ry Cooder followed the foray into R&B and soul of his previous effort, Bop Till You Drop, but this time out with a little shot of the Southwest thrown in. At the same time, he also continues the primarily electric sound of that record.

Gingerpig – Hidden From View 2xLP (Made In Germany)

Heavy Hammond organ jams from this new Dutch band in the spirit of Deep Purple and Atomic Rooster.

Goat – Dreambuilding b/w StoneGoat 7” (Sub Pop)

Elements of the Band’s folk-infused rock, the Doors’ organ-driven psychedelia, and black Sabbath’s blues-based dirges can be heard on Goat’s new single.

Natalie Maines – Mother LP+CD (Capitol)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Mother is the solo debut from Natalie Maines, the always provocative, multi-platinum, Grammy-Award winning singer of the Dixie Chicks. Heavily influenced by the more rock-based, edgy and intense sound of title track, and Pink Floyd cover, “Mother,” Maines teamed up with singer/songwriter Ben Harper, who co-produced the record with Maines.

Mirrorism – Night Flight b/w Exit The Loop 7” (Trouble In Mind)

On this vinyl debut from this post-punk band from Ferrara, Italy, one gets a very real sense of the chaos lurking beneath these jagged stabs of post-punk fury.

Photon Band – Pure Photonic Matter (Vol. 1) LP (Nod And Smile)

The long running Philadelphia/Saturn psych pop band return with an album full of MC5-esque rave up rockers to Syd Barrett-style introspective numbers. Features members of Lilys and War On Drugs.

Proto Idiot – You’re Wrong b/w You Can’t Hide 7”+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)

Previous output by Proto Idiot has had one foot firmly planted in The Hipshakes school of frenzied, nervous garage punk intensity, and the other in a rickety, Kinks-ian, English-countryside gallop. His debut for Trouble In Mind, however, delivers smart and urgent pop tunes having more in common with the DIY smarts of bands like Television Personalities, Wire, and The Soft Boys than The Oblivians or The Gories.

Sixth Station – Deep Night LP (Numero)

Cloistered away from the popular culture of 1982, rural Illinois priest Tony Trosley painted a pastoral refraction of early 1970’s Laural Canyon watercolors with this stand-alone set of songs. Openhearted and naively psychedelic, Deep Night was recorded during a single pre-dawn marathon, and mixed live-to tape in an isolated church. Cobbled together out of local players to help fill out this ethereal soundscape, Trosley’s band brought an earnest but bluntly un-sophisticated backdrop to his phaser-drenched 12-string guitar.

Bam Spacey – Land 12” (Ceremony)

Malmo producer Bam Spacey returns with his debut EP, Land, which features six tracks of explorative minimal pop morphing in and out of varying electronic norms.

Albert Swarm – Wake 12” (Ceremony)

As a rising producer, Swarm has explored sonic territories landing somewhere in between ambient and down tempo electronic. Swarm’s second album shows a momentous shift towards dark, meditative techno that is equal parts industrial and personal.

Talking Heads – Speaking In Tongues [Reissue/1983] LP (Rhino)

HQ-180 vinyl reissue of Talking Heads third album, which was their highest-charting album ever and yielded their biggest hit single, “Burning Down The House.”

Various Artists – King Bullard Version: Songs Of The BOS Label LP (Numerophone)

In Cleveland’s late-‘60s gospel scene, the BOS label was the refined, professional ying to Boddie’s lo-fi yang, galloping to the fore bearing a torch for Curtis Mayflied’s robe-wearing roots. Founded by gospel impresario James Bullard, BOS is the first chapter in the story that includes stints producing major spiritual albums for the Birthright, Roadshow, and Word labels. 12 bridges between FM R&B and AM sermons from a time when those worlds were splitting apart.

Verma – Coltan LP+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)

This new album from the Chicago psych/Krautrock band differs slightly from their previous efforts, as their motorik krautrock drive has been tamed in favor of more atmospheric and abstract soundscapes.

Patrick Watson – Close To Paradise [Reissue/2007] LP (Secret City)

One of Montreal’s best kept secrets, Patrick Watson is a young piano-playing singer-songwriter who draws influences from a wide range of artists, including Jeff Buckley, Erik Satie, Bjork and early Pink Floyd.

Young Athletes League – We Only Feed Ourselves 12” (Ceremony)

We Only Feed Ourselves boasts three tracks that take you on a journey of complexity fed IDM, over peaks and valleys of trancelike revelations. Rhythmic, robotic chants, as if under hypnosis, and assembly lines of synths and beats weave enchantment into looped layers, hitting you with a spell binding ear filled epiphany – this is an endless dream.

Book/Magazine:

Larry Livermore – Spy Rock Memories (Don Giovanni)

In 1982 Livermore (Lookout records, the Potatomen, the Lookouts) ex-greaser, post-hippie, burnt out and disillusioned by the Bay Area punk scene, journeyed north into an off the map, off the grid mountain wilderness that lay at the heart of California’s Emerald Triangle in search of something “real.” Things got way more “real” than he’d bargained for, as he ended up confronting blizzards, droughts, floods, fires, bears, and a posse of ornery pot growers, all while launching a magazine, a solar powered punk rock band, and a DYI record label that introduced the world to the likes of Green Day, Operation Ivy, and Screeching Weasel. 240 pages.