CDs:
Adrenaline Mob – Coverta CD (Elm City)
Adrenaline Mob bring together some of the biggest names in metal and prog metal, from singer Russell Allen (Symphony X), to drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold), to John Moyer (Disturbed) and guitarist Mike Orlando. Coverta is a covers album featuring tracks originally by Badlands, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin, Dio, The Doors, and Van Halen.
Aina Haina – Aina Haina CD (Badman)
Portland’s Aina Haina (pronounced “Eye-na High-na”) is a power duo that traces its roots back to Hawaii where members Mike Ailes and Dylan Magierek met while attending the University Of Hawaii.
Arkona – Decade Of Glory 2xCD (Napalm)
Double-disc live set from the Russian Pagan metal band, recorded early last year in Moscow.
Devendra Banhart – Mala CD/LP+CD+7” (Nonesuch)
Mala was co-produced by Banhart and his longtime bandmate, Noah Georgeson. The duo plays most of the instruments themselves, using borrowed equipment and a vintage Tascam recorder (often used in early hip-hop recordings) they’d found in a pawnshop. Vinyl version includes CD and bonus 7″.
Biffy Clyro – Opposites CD/2xLP (WB)
Sixth album from the critically acclaimed Scottish trio – originally released overseas last year as a 22-track, double-disc edition – which has now been pared down to a 15-track, single-disc for the stateside release. Vinyl version features 20 tracks.
Bon Jovi – What About Now CD (Island)
Bon Jovi’s twelfth studio album — available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe edition adds three bonus tracks.
David Bowie – The Next Day CD (lp 03/26) (Sony)
Bowie’s first studio album in ten years and his 30th studio recording overall — available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe includes three bonus tracks and is packaged in a digipak sleeve.
Carmen Villain – Sleeper CD (Smalltown Supersound)
Let’s get this out of the way first — Carmen Villain used to be a very successful model. Her face has appeared on the covers of Vogue and Nylon, and high profile cosmetic ad campaigns. It turns out Carmen Hillestad (Carmen Villain) has been a spy in the house of fashion. Behind the scenes, she was channeling her frustrations into a set of songs with a defiantly DIY underground free-rock sound. Now she’s stepping off the glossy page and emerging as a major new songwriting voice and multi-instrumentalist. With acid in her airbrush, she reminds us of This Heat, Bikini Kill, Sonic Youth, Royal Trux.
Eric Clapton – Old Sock CD/LP (Brushbranch/Surfdog)
Old Sock is a collection of some of Clapton’s favorite songs spanning from his childhood to present day that highlights his vast appreciation and knowledge of music, from Leadbelly to J.J. Cale; Peter Tosh to George Gershwin; Hank Snow to Gary Moore and Taj Mahal. The album explores romantic standards of the ‘30s, reggae, soul, rock, and includes a stand out playful collaboration with Paul McCartney.
Durag Dynasty – 360 Waves CD (Nature Sounds)
Debut album from the hip-hop supergroup featuring Killer Ben, Alchemist, Tristate, and Planet Asia. Guests include Prodigy, Phil The Agony, Evidence, Iman Thug and others.
Fifth On The Floor – Ashes & Angels CD/LP (eOne)
Fifth On The Floor’s style of rowdy rock & roll is everything you’d expect from four Kentucky gentlemen. Their new album, Ashes & Angels was produced by Shooter Jennings. “Fifth On The Floor have positioned themselves as the next great Southern rock group.” — No Depression
Golden Grrrls – Golden Grrrls CD/LP+MP3 (Slumberland)
Inspired by the ‘80s New Zealand and Australian indie pop scenes, DIY punk and Glasgow’s own rich pop history (think The Vaselines, The Pastels), and, like contemporaries Twerps and Sea Lions, Golden Grrrls have joined a storied lineage of pop essentialists such as The Clean, The Bats and The Feelies.
Matthew Good – Old Fighters CD (Frostbyte)
Old Fighters is a personal compilation of Matthew’s favorite compositions from his vibrant eighteen-year musical career.
Heavatar – All My Kingdoms CD (Napalm)
Heavatar is the new project from Van Canto Mastermind Stefan Schmidt.
Hot Lunch – Hot Lunch CD/LP+MP3 (Tee Pee)
”A blast of ’60s acid rock seemingly unearthed after decades of rock & roll mediocrity necessitated its rebirth.” — Thrasher. ”A glorious tangle of sixties style psych, eighties punk rock, hairy fuzzy proto-metal and seriously shredding guitar mastery.” — Aquarius Records
Shooter Jennings – The Other Life CD/LP (eOne)
The Other Life sees Shooter using all the colors of the pallets of previous recordings, and bringing them together to make his most diverse and interesting album to date. Guests include Scott H. Biram, Patty Griffin, and Black Oak Arkansas’ Jim Dandy.
Library Of Sands – Side To Side CD (Wild Sages)
Music by Naynay Shineywater (Brightblack Morning Light) along with a Chicago-based horn combo.
Heather Maloney – Heather Maloney CD (Signature Sounds)
Third album from the singer/songwriter hailed by The Huffington Post for “lyrics that cut to the chase.” DigBoston wrote that she “deserves the type of cult following that has allowed the likes of Aimee Mann and Ani DiFranco that long standing success and influence they have had.”
Mindless Behavior – All Around The World CD (Interscope)
In just the past few years, teen-pop/R&B quartet Mindless Behavior have opened up sold-out shows for the likes of Justin Bieber and Janet Jackson, taken the stage at two White House events, and backed up their hit-packed debut album with a national tour that’s soon to be the subject of their own feature-length documentary and concert movie.
The Mary Onettes – Hit The Waves CD/LP (Labrador)
“Sure, the Mary Onettes fit nicely into the tradition of sleek, well-crafted Swedish indie-pop, but it’s never a case of style over substance with the veteran band, which manages to strike the right balance between earnest feeling and a polished sound.” – Pop Matters
Napalm Death – Enemy Of The Music Business [Reissue 2000] CD/LP (Secret)
Reissue of the punk/grind band’s 2000 album. CD version adds the 1999 six-track mini album of covers, Leaders Not Followers, as bonus tracks.
Natural Self – Neon Hurts My Eyes CD (Tru Thoughts)
“Neon Hurts My Eyes marks a striking shift in direction for Brighton producer Nathaniel Pearn, aka Natural Self. Previously known for an aesthetic that drew upon funk, jazz and Latin influences while ultimately remaining anchored within a hip-hop paradigm, Pearn has now reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Thankfully, that hasn’t meant eschewing electronica for acoustic guitar-led balladeering: the sonic tapestry underpinning Neon Hurts My Eyes is, if anything, more complex and eclectic than on any of Pearn’s earlier records.” – theskinny.co.uk
Off With Their Heads – Home CD (Epitaph)
New album from the pop/punk band produced by Bill Stevenson of The Descendents.
Orange Goblin – Eulogy For The Fans: Orange Goblin Live 2012 CD+DVD (Candlelight)
The CD contains their complete set live at Bloodstock Open Air festival on August 11, 2012 at Catton Park, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom. The DVD includes the complete pro-shot sets live at Bloodstock Open Air festival on August 11, 2012 at Catton Park, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom and Hellfest on June 15, 2012 in Clisson, France, and more.
Orianthi – Heaven In This Hell CD (Waterfront)
Orianthi is perhaps best known for being Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist for his ill-fated This Is It concert series, and as the lead guitarist in Alice Cooper’s live band.
Phil Perry – Say Yes CD (Shanachie)
A soulful mix of originals and inspired reinterpretations of classic songs by Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Michael McDonald and Carly Simon And Sam Cooke. Features guest performances by singer Chanté MooreaAnd saxophonist Najee.
The Saint James Society – Bab(a/y)lon Rising CD/LP+MP3 (Tee Pee)
”A black-lit amalgam of glam swagger, leather-jacketed hard rock, and occult psychedelia.” –Austin Chronicle. ”Ideal music for black lights and bong hits at midnight.” — Vegas Seven
Stratovarius – Nemesis CD (Eagle Rock)
Fans of Elysium will be blown away by Stratovarius’ new album Nemesis. It’s melodic, powerful, fresh and technically elaborated.
David Sylvian – Uncommon Deities CD (Samadhi Sound)
New collaborative album by Sylvian and friends features English-language readings of Norwegian poetry, set to improvisational music from trumpeter Arve Henriksen and vocalist Sidsel Endresen.
Third World All Stars – Rebel Rock [Reissue/1977] CD/LP (Pressue Sounds)
Rebel Rock is a ten track set of instrumentals originally released in 1977 on Third World, a label initially set up by Jamaicans to supply a varied catalogue of music to the small but vibrant sound system culture in the UK. Rebel Rock features some of the top session musicians residing in the UK at the time. Rico Rodriguez, Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton, Lester Sterling, and Ranny ‘Bop’ Williams are all featured on this superb jazz-tinged album.
Various Artists [Above & Beyond] – Anjunabeats 10 CD (Ultra)
On Anjunabeats Volume 10, Above & Beyond present 30 exclusive and largely unreleased tracks from over 20 artists that now make up their diverse, talented label family. Covering the best in modern progressive, trance and big room club sounds, four exclusive Above & Beyond productions are among the compilation’s many highlights.
Various Artists – Eccentric Soul: The Dynamic Label CD/2xLP (Numero)
Dynamic was run by San Antonio music and real estate mogul Abe Epstein, and the imprint issued over 20 singles during its two-and-a-half-year run in the mid-’60s. One of its biggest hits was the Commands’ 1966 chart-making “No Time For You,” which is preserved on the compendium. Other artists showcased on the set include the Tonettes, Little Jr. Jesse & The Tear Drops, Don & The Doves, Willie Cooper & The Webs, Bobby Blackmon & His Soul Express, and Doc & Sal.
Various Artists – Sound City Real To Reel OST CD/2xLP (RCA)
Companion album to the documentary directed by Dave Grohl. Brand new collection of all-new all-original songs, composed and recorded exclusively for the film within its own 24-hour session on the Sound City console after it was reinstalled in Grohl and his Foo Fighters’ own 606 Studios. Collaborators include Paul McCartney, Nirvana/Foo Fighters members, Stevie Nicks, Rick Springfield, Trent Reznor, Joshua Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age), Rick Nelson (Cheap Trick), Lee Ving (Fear), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford (Rage Against The Machine). Free poster with purchase – while supplies last!!
Various Artists – Spring Breakers OST CD (Big Beat)
Soundtrack to Harmony Korine’s 2013 film features Skrillex, Birdy Nam Nam, The Black Keys, Waka Flaka Flame, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, The Cool Kids, The Weekend, Ellie Goulding as well as an orginal score by Skrillex and Cliff Martinez.
Watsky – Carboard Castles CD (Steel Wool)
Whip-smart, engaging hip-hop from YouTube sensation Watsky.
Wild Belle – Isles CD (Columbia)
Debut from this duo consisting of siblings Natalie and Elliot Bergman. Wilde Belle is a unique combination of bold songwriting, studio wizardry and late night vibes hailing from Chicago, IL. Natalie and Elliot wrote, produced and recorded the album by themselves with engineer Bill Skibbe. Features the single “Keep You.” Vinyl version due March 26.
The Woggles – The Big Beat CD/LP+CD (Wicked Cool)
New album from the garage rock band. “It’s no surprise that The Woggles’ tough but tight garage classicism appeals to the ear of old-school rocker and radio host Little Steven Van Zandt, who released Rock And Roll Backlash on his own Wicked Cool label.” — NPR
Adrian Younge Presents The Delfonics – Adrian Younge Presents The Delfonics CD/LP (Wax Poetics)
The Delfonics’ William Hart teams up with L.A. songwriter/producer Adrian Younge (Black Dynamite, Ghostface Killah). “Their cross-generational link results in songs that capture the relationship between The Delfonics’ music and hip-hop — songs that get under your skin and stay there.” — NPR
Rachel Zeffira – The Deserters CD/LP (Paper Bag)
Debut solo album from Rachel Zeffira, best known as the vocalist from Horrors offshoot band Cat’s Eyes. The Deserters is both beautiful and beguiling — a rapturous tour de force that recalls the baroque pop of John Cale and the hazy experimentation of My Bloody Valentine and This Moral Coil.
DVD + Blu-ray:
Bill Daniel – Who Is Bozo Texino: The Secret History Of Hobo Graffiti DVD (Wild Sages)
A documentary film by Bill Daniel originally released in 2005, this film has toured the USA and Europe ever since. This mostly-factual account of the epic search and unlikely discovery of Hobohemia’s most legendary boxcar artist, faithfully photographed in realistic black and white film at considerable risk from speeding freight trains, will likely amuse and confound you in its sincere attempt to understand and preserve this mysterious art form.
The Dear Hunter – The Color Spectrum Live DVD (Triple Crown)
On the night of May 9, 2012 The Dear Hunter took to the stage of the Somerville Theater just outside of Boston to perform the entire Color Spectrum in one evening, three hours of music captured in pristine high definition and presented in digital 5.1 surround sound. 180 minutes. New album, Migrant, due April 2.
Amos Lee And Pennebaker – Amos Lee: Live From The Artists Den DVD (Artist Den)
Amos Lee made a triumphant return to Tucson with an epic show at the Fox Theatre. The acclaimed singer/songwriter came back to the city where he recorded Mission Bell and invited a number of his friends along, including local heroes Calexico. 118 minutes.
Queen – Live At Wembley 2xDVD (Eagle Rock)
Over a summer weekend in 1986, Queen performed two sell out shows at Wembley. Disc One features the Saturday performance, while Disc Two features the previously unreleased Friday, July 11th performance, along with previously unseen bonus features. The DVD footage has been restored for the Anniversary edition and the sound has also been remastered with a brand new stereo mix and 5.1 surround sound. 275 minutes.
Rammstein – Videos 1995-2012 3xDVD/2xBlu-ray (Workhorse Music)
Rammstein’s first official video collection features nearly 500 minutes of footage. The set contains over seven hours of material featuring 25 music videos, 24 behind-the-scenes clips of the making-of-the-videos and a 56-page booklet.
Sound City – DVD/Blu-ray (RCA)
Sound City, the film, was conceived by Grohl after purchasing the legendary custom-built Neve 8028 recording console from Sound City Studios last year. The board, built in 1972, is considered by many to be the crown jewel of analog recording equipment, having recorded such artists as Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Guns and Roses, Metallica, NIN, Rage Against The Machine and countless other musical legends over the past 40 years. 147 minutes.
Vinyl:
Acid Mothers Temple & Melting Paraiso UFO – Cometary Orbital Drive To 2199 2xLP (Nod And Smile)
Japan’s ultimate psychedelic warriors revisit some of their older sounds. Contains three new versions of the AMT live staple, each taking the song to new stretches of space, including as close as they’ve ever come to dance/trance. CD verson due April 9.
Alcoa – Bone & Marrow LP (Bridge Nine)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Bone & Marrow is country-tinged with pop sensibilities and features upright bass, banjo, fiddle, pedal steel, piano/organ, and charming guy/girl dueling vocals.
Cyclopean – Cyclopean 12” (Mute)
Collaboration from Burnt Friedman, Jono Podmore and Can founding members Jaki Liebezeit and Irmin Schmidt.
Darondo – Luv N Haight Edit Series Vol. 5 12” (Ubiquity)
A certified banger with re-works of Luv N’Haight’s legendary Darondo by beat wunderkinds Tall Black Guy and Dandy Teru.
GB (Gifted & Blessed) – Luv N Haight Edit Series Vol 4 12” (Ubiquity)
Features a rework of Harry Whitaker’s Black Renaissance classic “Magic Ritual” by GB (Gifted & Blessed). The deep spiritual vibe of the original is present in the edit/remix but is transformed into an electronic, percussion-heavy beast.
Good For You – Life’s Too Short To Not Hold A Grudge LP (SST)
Punk guitar legend Greg Ginn (Black Flag, Gone) has come together with professional skateboarder and vocalist Mike Vallely (Mike V. And The Rats) to form Good For You, an abrasive high-energy, bare-bones grungy-punk duo.
Merle Haggard And The Strangers – Swinging Doors And The Bottle Let Me Down [Reissue/1966] LP (EMI)
Vinyl reissue of the #1 country album of 1966. Includes the hits “Swinging Doors” and “The Bottle Let Me Down.”
Hey Ocean! – Is LP (Nettwerk)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Third album from the Vancouver-based trio. CBC Music called the single “Big Blue Wave,” with its infectious hook and captivating melodies, the band’s crossover hit. Elsewhere on the record, “Make Up A New Dance” shimmies and shakes with a snappy guitar and propulsive beat, while the band beautifully captures longing on the poetic and poignant “Islands.”
IASOS – Inter-Dimensional Music [Reissue/1975] LP (Wild Sages)
Inter-Dimensional Music is considered one of the first (and finest) records of the “new age” movement. Fans include Alan Watts and R. Buckminster Fuller.
Wanda Jackson – Rockin’ With Wanda [Reissue/1960] LP (EMI)
“Absolutely the best collection of Wanda Jackson’s rockabilly recordings, including her key 1956-1960 singles – ‘Fujiyama Mama,’ ‘Mean Mean Man,’ ‘Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad,’ and others. Rockin’ With Wanda is the leading candidate for the best female rock & roll album of the 1950s.” – All Music
Library Of Sands – Before Us LP (Wild Sages)
Solo music by Naynay Shineywater (Brightblack Morning Light) recorded in 2010 and 2011 in an Earthship in New Mexico as well as a tented-hut in the California desert. The album has been decribed by John Zorn as a “masterwork.”
Bruno Mars – Unorthodox Jukebox LP (Atlantic)
Released late last year on CD – now available on vinyl. For Unorthodox Jukebox, Mars and his songwriting/production team The Smeezingtons (Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine) partnered with heavyweight producers including Jeff Bhasker, Mark Ronson and Diplo.
Carlos Niño & Friends – Luv N Haight Edit Series Vol 3 12” (Ubiquity)
Features a re-work of the spiritual jazz classic “The Healer/Don’t Break” by E.W Wainwright’s African Roots Of Jazz.
Otis Redding – Lonely & Blue: The Definitive Soul Of Otis Redding LP (Fantasy)
Recently released on CD – now available on blue vinyl. A stunning album combining the soul legend’s most poignant and heart-breaking ballads, including “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “These Arms Of Mine,” “My Lover’s Prayer,” and more.
Rhye – Women LP (Universal Republic)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. L.A.-based duo Rhye formed under the guise of creating art inspired by classic beauty and honest emotion. Recorded in Copenhagen and Los Angeles, their sound brings together elements of their modern cultural aesthetics mixed with an homage to classic sensibilities; lush strings and melodies intertwined with simple electronic production and soft and sultry vocals – a marriage between refined decadence and modern elegance.
Kenny Rogers – The Gambler [Reissue1979]
Remastered HQ-180 vinyl reissue of the classic album that also doubles as a lifestyle.
Superdrag – Regretfully Yours [Reissue/1996] LP (Side One Dummy)
“In the glut of grungy power pop bands that flooded the mid-’90s, it was pretty easy to write off Superdrag as ‘just another rock band.’ The difference is that Superdrag is essentially a pop band, as Regretfully Yours proves. Most of the songwriting lives up to the promise of the album’s saccharine-rush single, ‘Sucked Out’ — full of hooks and tightly constructed.” — AllMusic
The Upsetters – Kung Fu Meets The Dragon [Reissue/1975] 2xLP (Secret)
Kung Fu Meets The Dragon is a stone cold classic dub album. Recorded at Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark studio and featuring Augustus Pablo as well the classic Upsetters, this one took dub to the next, otherwordly level in 1975. Now reissued on HQ-180 double vinyl with bonus tracks.
Various Artists [The Cinematic Orchestra] – Late Night Tales [2010] 3xLP+CD (Late Night Tales)
Released back in 2010, this edition has gone on to become one of the most successful albums in the series’ 12-year history. Cut using the unique “half speed” mastering technique, this is the ultimate audiophile format, with each disc beautifully pressed disc is housed in a special anti static inner sleeve and comes with a special 30cm cover art print and the package also includes the original CD mixed disc and 12 page booklet.
Various Artists [MGMT] – Late Night Tales [2011] 2xLP+CD (Late Night Tales)
2011 collection curated MGMT features a recording exclusive to this release: a cover of the Bauhaus classic “All We Ever Wanted Is Everything”. Also includes tracks by The Velvet Underground, Suicide and Julian Cope, Disco Inferno, The Durutti Column, The Chills, The Jacobites and Felt.
Veronica Falls – Teenage b/w Talk About You 7”+MP3 (Slumberland)
Lead single from their recent album Waiting For Something To Happen is backed with a non-album B-side, “Talk About You.”
Cassettes:
Filthy Huns – Filthy Huns (Not Not Fun)
Cheap, grease-stained drum machine rhythms, desolate highway guitar lines, reverbed keyboard loops, and road-burned vocals cruise like a midnight rider through dead, dusty towns in the Black Hills.
Library Of Sands – Wavy Heat (Wild Sages)
Wavy Heat is a five-song, one-sided cassette features Naynay Shineywater on vintage keys, including a tube organ found on the side of the road, along with Colm O’Ciosoig (My Bloody Valentine, Hope Sandoval) on drums. Deconstructionalist and minimalist in scope, a vortex opposite of Satie yet as graceful a relationship to the morphed blazing sun. Wavy Heat is as bonged as it is fuzzy.
Moonwheel – Moonwheel (Not Not Fun)
Moon Wheel is the solo project of former Melbourne resident Olle Holmberg. A former member of Pissypaw, Holmberg has strong connections with some of Melbourne’s stranger pop groups including Superstar and Fabulous Diamonds.
Super Jam – Presents: Upper Layer Cruisers/Rush Consequence (Not Not Fun)
Fractured fidelities with a fresh pharmacopia of terraformed sound-forms: opiated labyrinth ragas, destabilized midi grooves, bold proggy flute-setting vamp-outs, brief blasts of electric shrapnel, and beyond.
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