CDs + Vinyl:
Acid Baby Jesus – Selected Recordings CD/LP (Slovenly)
Representing the primitivism of Athens, Greece, steadily fornicating with the modern humps of the most ancient civilizations hitherto, Acid Baby Jesus has finally assembled a collection of recordings from their past two years on the rotation. The experiments on Selected Recordings were formulated while spending many of those moments on a secluded island in the Mediterranean sea, populated by a(n) (r)evolutionary cast of travelers, all starving for an heady atmosphere and a delicious salad. Many records were played on record players at these assemblages.
Ariel Pink – Pom Pom CD/2xLP (4AD)
Across its 17 tracks and 69 minutes, Pom Pom is unfiltered Ariel Pink, featuring infectious tales of romance, murder, frog princes, and Jell-O. The album sees the L.A. native strike it out alone, returning to the solo moniker he has adopted for well over a decade.
Baby Bash – Ronnie Rey All Day CD (Empire Distribution)
New album from the Mexican-American rapper featuring guest appearances from Paul Wall, Frankie J and Ray J.
Lee Bannon – Caligula Theme Music 2.7.5 CD (Chillectro)
Sac Town based producer, Lee Bannon, follows up his 2012 EP, Caligula Theme Music with the sequel, Caligula Theme Music 2.7.5. Ten mostly instrumental tracks with vocal appearances from Rokamouth, Kirk Knight, Chuck Strangers, Matt Stoops, and more.
Karl Berger – Gently Unfamiliar CD (Tzadik)
One of the most versatile and active proponents of creative music, Karl Berger is a living legend who has been expanding the jazz language since the mid-’60s. A pianist, vibraphonist, composer, arranger, conductor and educator of astounding energy and creativity, Karl has worked with many of the greatest names in new music: Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Gato Barbieri, Anthony Braxton, Bill Laswell and countless others. Following up on his gorgeous 2010 release of solo piano etudes Strangely Familiar, the second CD of Berger’s Tzadik trilogy presents his distinctive piano stylings in a trio format with a sensitive and supportive rhythm section.
Brandt Bjork And The Low Desert Punk Band – Black Power Flower CD (Napalm)
Brandt Bjork, as cult figure of the Palm Desert scene, was founder/drummer of the now defunct stoner-rock legends Kyuss and is a permanent member of Vista Chino (formerly Kyuss Lives!). Now, he is sailing under his own flag, proving once again that his multi-instrumental skills know no creative boundaries. With his excellent occupied Low Desert Punk Band, Bjork lets the scorching heat of Nevada shimmer in his songs. He also scrubs his guitar through all sorts of psychedelic effect pedals and skillfully mixes stoner rock, blues and doom-bonds to a feverish hazy brew.
Black Taxi – Electro Death Grip CD (No Shame)
Most of the songs on Electro Death Grip are danceable pop jams with heavily funked-out guitar lines a-la Nile Rogers and Daft Punk. The tracks are fun and rhythmic, but at the same time, laced with the dark, sarcastic lyrics for which Black Taxi is known. The album is introspective and retrospective in its lyrical content, and futuristic in its production. Moog synths, fat trumpet lines, and jangly tambourines pay their respects to 1970s-era funk and disco records while deep, punchy drum production gives the album an ultra-modern feel.
David Bowie – Nothing Has Changed 3xCD/3xCD/2xLP (Sony Legacy)
Nothing Has Changed (named after a lyric from the Heathen album opener “Sunday”) compiles tracks from every period of Bowie’s career from his earliest incarnations with “Liza Jane” and “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” right up to James Murphy’s “Hello Steve Reich Mix” of “Love Is Lost” from last year. CD version is available in Regular double-disc and Deluxe triple-disc editions. Vinyl is HQ-180gm.
Nathan Bowles – Nansemond CD/LP+MP3 (Paradise Of Bachelors)
The second solo album from Black Twig Pickers member deploys banjo, percussion, piano, and voice to explore the rugged country between the poles of Appalachian old-time traditions, and ecstatic, minimalist drone. Features Tom Carter.
Brutality – Orchestrated Devastation: Best Of CD/2xLP (Ceremonial)
Nestled beneath the balmy breezes and palm trees of Tampa Bay, Florida, lies the most extensive and far-reaching death metal music scene in North America. It was there in 1986 that the band Brutality came together in their first incarnation. Orchestrated Devastation a compilation of Brutality’s greatest tracks, taken from their three studio releases as well as various demos and EPs, bundled alongside vast retrospective liner notes and band photos.
Burial Hex – The Hierophant CD/LP (Handmade Birds)
The Hierophant is the final Burial Hex album, a project whose closure has been calculated from its inception. Burial Hex is a pioneer of the horror electronics movement and over the past decade has released albums on Cold Spring, Aurora Borealis, Brave Mysteries, Blackest Rainbow, and Turgid Animal. Available on CD and HQ-180gm “ox blood red in milky clear” vinyl.
Buzzcocks – The Way CD/LP/Cassette (1-2-3-4 Go!)
The Way is the follow up to 2006’s Flat – Pack Philosophy LP and is the band’s ninth studio album since their formation in Manchester in 1976. These 10 tracks penned by the group’s long-standing core of Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle were recorded this year in London, and were produced by the band and Dave M. Allen (best known for his production work with The Cure, Depeche Mode and Neneh Cherry). The Way packs the same classic UK pop punk punch they’ve been known for over nearly four decades. Available on CD, cassette and on white vinyl.
Captain Beefheart – Sun Zoom Spark: 1970-1972 4xCD/4xLP (Rhino)
In the wonderfully idiosyncratic discography of the-one-of-a-kind artist Captain Beefheart (aka Don Van Vliet), attention usually focuses on the carefully wrought, experimental music heard on his noted masterwork Trout Mask Replica. As a consequence, the three stellar albums recorded soon after Lick My Decals Off, Baby (1970), The Spotlight Kid (1972) and Clear Spot (1972) are often criminally overlooked. This limited edition box set revisits these albums Beefheart recorded with the Magic Band in the early-‘70s. It includes all three albums, which have been remastered for the first time, as well as an entire LP featuring 14 previously unissued outtakes from the era.
Kristin Chenoweth – Coming Home CD (Concord)
Kristin Chenoweth is recognized across the full spectrum of entertainment as an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress of stage (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Wicked, and the upcoming On The Twentieth Century), television (Pushing Daisies, Glee, West Wing) film (Disney’s Descendants, The Boy Next Door) in addition to her career as an accomplished singer.
The Chills – The BBC Sessions CD/LP (Fire)
The complete BBC John Peel Sessions from New Zealand legends The Chills, recorded in 1985, 1987 and 1988.
Coffinworm – IV.I.VIII CD/LP (The Flenser)
New release from the notorious Indianapolis-based blackened doom metal band. Far more complex and lacerating than anything Coffinworm has attempted thus far, IV.I.VIII offers six tracks of pure, blackened, unholy doom metal terror that will serve as the soundtrack to the inevitable dark era soon to befall this feeble mortal coil.
Daniella Cotton – The Real Book CD (Cottonwood)
Danielia Cotton is a rare breed, an R&B singer who can sing rock, a rock singer with serious gospel and R&B chops. The Real Book is an album of iconic covers, from Abbey Lincoln and The Staples Singers to Radiohead and Bruno Mars, and Cotton proves that she is up to the task. Rachael Yamagata, Amy Helm and Tracy Bonham duet with Cotton, and radio is jumping on several songs, most notably the Yamagata-Cotton duet of Eurythmics classic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).”
Crying – Get Olde/Second Wind CD/LP (Run For Cover)
Crying would not be possible without the power of nostalgia. The New York-based band is a blend of all things old-school: they mix an understated ‘90s emo influence, the spirit of punk in their original vision, and, most notably, the prominent use of a Gameboy programmed into their songs. Their first release on Run For Cover includes the critically acclaimed self-released EP, Get Olde, and a set of new songs on the EP Second Wind. All of the thirteen songs have an upbeat eloquence, but the highlight of the album is vocalist Elaiza Santos.
Defeat The Low – A Nervous Smile CD/LP+CD (Rise)
Defeat The Low formed in the summer of 2012 from the ashes of numerous other Oregon bands. The bands’ tireless work ethic and local popularity quickly lead to the band landing opening slots for large national acts like Senses Fail, Man Overboard, Dance Gavin Dance, and Polar Bear Club. The bands’ debut album showcases the their ability to craft memorable, emotional rock songs with catchy riffs and soaring vocals.
De La Soul – The Grind Date [Reissue/2004] CD/2xLP (Sanctuary)
10th Anniversay reissue of The Grind Date. Available on CD and 2xLP color vinyl (one LP orange/other LP blue). Features guest appearances from Common, Ghostface, MF Doom, Flava Flav, Sean Paul, and more.
Depeche Mode – Live In Berlin 2xCD/2xCD+2xDVD+Blu-ray (Sony)
Live In Berlin was recorded in 2013 and captures the band’s incredible performance at the 02 World Berlin to a combined audience of 66,000 fans. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. The deluxe version includes both the complete show as well as the Anton Corbijn-directed documentary Alive In Berlin on DVD. The Deluxe package also includes a 5.1 mix of Delta Machine on Blu-ray.
Drive-By Truckers – English Oceans/Black Ice Vérité 2xCD+DVD/2xLP+DVD (ATO)
The Black Ice Vérité LP (and bonus CD on the Deluxe Edition) is a collection of eight songs recorded live, three acoustic performances from The Hay Bale Session the band recorded the morning of their Bonnaroo performance, and five tracks from this year’s HeAthens Homecoming Weekend in Athens GA. A few old songs, a few new songs and a few very different versions. Available on CD and on white vinyl (each with a DVD of Black Ice Vérité included).
Kevin Drumm – Wrong Intersection CD (Handmade Birds)
Wrong Intersection is a brand new album from Kevin Drumm presented in a one-time pressing and released on CD only. This new 45-minute track spans Drumm’s wide palette of textures and dynamics and is yet another milestone in his already prolific journey through sound.
Brian Eno –The Shutov Assembly [Reissue/1992] 2xCD (All Saints)
Brian Eno –Nerve Net [Reissue/1992] 2xCD (All Saints)
Brian Eno – :Neroli: (Thinking Music Part IV) [Reissue/1993] 2xLP (All Saints)
Brian Eno –The Drop [Reissue/1997] 2xLP (All Saints)
These expanded double-CD reissue editions come in deluxe case-bound packaging and contain the original albums alongside unreleased songs from Eno’s archives taken from the same period. Nerve Net includes the first official release of the lost album, My Squelchy Life, originally scheduled for release in ’91 but withdrawn at the last moment. Vinyl versions due December 2.
Exit Verse – Exit Verse CD (Ernest Jenning)
Singer/guitarist Geoff Farina (Karate, Secret Stars, Glorytellers) teams up with drummer John Dugan (Chisel, Edsel) and bassist Pete Croke (Brokeback, Tight Phantoms) to form Chicago’s Exit Verse. Vinyl version due December 2.
The Falcons – The Definitive Falcons Collection: The Complete Recordings 4xCD (History Of Soul)
This four-CD set brings together all known recordings by the original Falcons, along with alternate takes, guest appearances, cover versions and songs musically supervised or written by members of the group. Solo recordings by group members are also included from 1956 to 1963, the time they were recording together. The set is also, in a sense, a history of soul itself, showing how the genre develops from its early stirrings in doo-wop, taking in R&B and gospel along the way and culminating in two of the very first records that can definitively be described as soul.
Brian Ferry – Avonmore CD (BMG/RED)
Ferry’s 14th solo album features eight new compositions plus his cinematic interpretation of Sondheim’s “Send In The Clowns.” Produced by Ferry and Rhett Davies in Ferry’s London studio, the album was mixed by Craig Silvey (Arcade Fire/Paolo Nutini) and features performances by many of Ferry’s long-term musical partners including Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr and Marcus Miller. Highlights include the single “Loop De Li,” “Soldier Of Fortune” (co-written by Johnny Marr) plus closing track “Johnny & Mary,” Ferry’s recent collaboration with Norwegian producer and DJ Todd Terje. Vinyl version due December 9.
Brooke Fraser – Brutal Romantic CD (Vagrant)
Fourth album from New Zealand singer/songwriter Brooke Fraser. “Brooke Fraser leaves the gentle acoustic-pop of breakthrough albums Albertine and Flags well and truly behind on brilliant electro-pop experiment Brutal Romantic. The Kiwi’s fourth LP is heavily inspired by Scandinavian music (Peter Bjorn And John and Lykke Li, for starters) and those influences shape the eclectic, emotionally raw and sonically ambitious songs.” — Idolator
Fred Frith and John Butcher – The Natural Order CD (Northern Spy)
Though they’ve played live together a few times, this album, recorded in 2009 and mixed in 2012, documents Frith and Butcher’s first head-to-head encounter in a recording studio and was recorded in a single stretch with no overdubbing.
Fugazi – First Demo CD/LP+MP3 (Dischord)
Some 26 years later, Dischord is releasing the entire first demo including the one song (“Turn Off Your Guns”) that wasn’t included on the original cassette. Vinyl copies include a postcard set featuring photos of the band, plus a download.
The Ghost Inside You – Dear Youth CD/LP (Epitaph)
Fourth album from Los Angeles hardcore band.
Grorr – Unknown Citizens CD (Vicisolom)
New release from the French progressive metal band.
In This Moment – Black Widow CD (Atlantic)
Fifth album from the Los Angeles metallers.
KlangKuenstler – That’s Me CD (Sunday Best)
That’s Me showcases the uniquely warm and hypnotic sound of the 24-year-old German electronic artist. KlangKuenstler seamlessly infuses his productions with classical, jazz, and ’60s film score influences, while remaining true to his tech house roots.
Knife Party – Abandon Ship CD (Big Beat)
Debut album from dance music elder statesmen, Knife Party.
Kool Keith – El Dorado Driven CD (Volunteer Media)
Kool Keith is back with an album of spaced out beats and twisted lyrics reminiscent of the classic Dr. Octagonecologyst. Far out and gritty, the album is full of great production by Vancouver, BC based producer Teddy Bass who also lends his vocals to the project. Other contributors include Sadat X, Thirsten Howl The 3rd, Lord Diamonds, Michael Rushden and others.
Loscil – Sea Island CD/2xLP (Kranky)
Murky, densely textured depths of sound are explored with subtle pulses and pings woven within, contrasted with composed or improvised moments of acoustic instrumentation making a move into the foreground. Features contributions from Jason Zumpano (Fender Rhodes), John Lindstrom (vibraphone), Kelly Wyse (piano), Ashley Pitre (vocals) and Elaine Reynolds (violin).
Loveskills – Pure CD (No Shame)
Loveskills creates a unique style of music that has proven to be quite difficult to pin down, blending together elements of electronica infused R&B with pop sensibilities and occasional hints of hip-hop and dubstep.
Machinedrum – Vapor City Archives CD/2xLP+MP3 (Ninja Tune)
“The veteran producer released his Vapor City LP last year, with the album reportedly inspired ‘by a metropolis of the same name which Travis Stewart has visited in a series of life-long recurring dreams.’ Vapor City experimented with tropes of hip-hop, jungle and footwork as well as displaying the IDM influences that date back to his first record released in 2001. The Vapor City Archives is set to continue in a similar vein and will mark the end of Stewart’s explorations into his conceptual metropolis.” — FactMag
Manchester Orchestra – Hope CD (Loma Vista/Concord)
“Cope signified a definitive landmark in Manchester Orchestra’s career. It proved the crowning statement that defined what past albums such as Simple Math and Mean Everything To Nothing built towards and culminated the years of heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears poured in by Andy Hull and his team. As an all—out rock band, dancing from folky to alternative to heavy grunge at times, their guitar—driven disposition often defined them, accompanying the soothing yet pained words of Hull. Now, with years of variance under their belt, a profound sense of maturity and a feeling that they’ve found their true sound at long last (and jeez, was it a fun ride watching them doing so along the way), Hope charters semi—new territory as a stripped down inversion of this year’s release. Bare—boned, packing emotive content minus the electric aspect of the band yet continuing Hull’s narrative structure of the world’s weight bearing down on his shoulders” – Punknews.org. Vinyl version due November 24.
Delfeayo Marsalis – The Last Southern Gentleman CD (Troubadour Jazz)
The Last Southern Gentlemen is a landmark recording for Delfeayo Marsalis, pairing father Ellis Marsalis, Jr. with son on a collaborative album for the first time. Marsalis’ finest outing to date, the superb recording quality and meticulous production showcase his brilliant, classically trained tone as it swings effortlessly through standards and original compositions.
Monster Magnet – Milking The Stars: A Re-Imagining Of Last Patrol CD/LP (Napalm)
The cosmic space lords Monster Magnet are back, breaking their regular three-year orbit to release Milking The Stars: A Re-imagining Of Last Patrol, just one year after their previous album Last Patrol. The bands mastermind Dave Wyndorf has stated that the record is a return to the roots of Monster Magnet, but rather than a step backward, Milking The Stars has one foot in the old and the other firmly in the new. The bulk of the album consists of different mixes, recordings and arrangements of tracks from Last Patrol, four extra tracks and two live tracks.
Nickelback – No Fixed Address CD (Motown/Universal)
A new serving of Nickelback’s party-brew of fast-lane indulgences and soaring power ballads. Vinyl version due December 9.
The Old 97s – Hitchhike To Rhome [Reissue/1994] 2xCD/2xLP (Omnivore)
20th Anniversary reissue of Old 97s featuring bonus tracks. Available as a double-CD and double-LP, the reissue not only features the original album, but adds recently unearthed tracks from the original recording sessions. The double-CD version includes all 12 newly discovered tracks, many of which were mixed from the original tapes by Rip Rowan (longtime Old 97’s producer). This is also the first time the album has ever been pressed on vinyl — side D features six of those rare tracks (including a download card that includes the complete two-CD track list), and is Oh, and is pressed on translucent orange wax.
One Direction – Four CD (Columbia)
Fourth album from the British pop stars. Available in Regular and Deluxe “Yearbook” editions. Deluxe adds four bonus tracks. Vinyl version due December 16.
The Orchids – Beatitude #9 CD (Acuarela)
The sixth album from the Scottish indie pop band. Beatitude #9 is made up of 14 brand new songs recorded in their home studio over the past three years and sees the band broaden their horizons again, sounding modern and revitalizing whilst still sometimes harking back to some of the mainstream acts that they grew up with in the ’80s. It has a feel of summer written all over it and captures classic Orchids guitar pop.
Peter Paul And Mary – Discovered: Live In Concert CD (Rhino)
Live collection of unreleased performances, including Leadbelly’s “Midnight Special,” Kate Wolf’s plaintive “Give Yourself to Love,” and Noel Paul Stookey’s, zany “Parallel Universe.”
P.O.D. – SoCal Sessions CD (UMe)
P.O.D.’s first-ever acoustic album, features 12 newly-recorded, unplugged versions of the band s top hits, including “Youth Of The Nation,” “Alive” and other standout hits.
Rich Robinson – Woodstock Sessions Vol. 3 CD (Woodstock Sessions)
The latest in the Woodstock Sessions series, this time spotlights ex-Black Crowes guitarist songwriter Rich Robinson in a live performance with his band. The album features extended version of some of Robinson’s greatest hits, selections from 2014’s Ceaseless Sight LP and some electric covers. A must- have for Crowes fans, lovers of Americana, thoughtful songwriting, and guitar freaks everywhere.
Rolling Stones – From The Vault: L.A. Forum (Live In 1975) 2xCD+DVD/3xLP+DVD (Eagle Rock)
The Rolling Stones “Tour Of The Americas 75” was the band s first tour with new guitarist Ronnie Wood. Even before the dates started there were dramatic scenes in New York City at the official tour announcement when the band unexpectedly turned up on a flatbed truck to play “Brown Sugar.” After a couple of low-key warm-up shows in Louisiana the tour took in 44 dates between the 3rd June and the 8th August 1975. They settled into the L.A. Forum for a five-night stint from July 9th to 13th and this concert recording features the show from July 12th. Also available on stand-alone DVD.
Joe Sample/NDR Bigband – Children Of The Sun CD (PRA)
Recorded with the NDR Bigband, Hamburg, Germany, featuring Joe Sample on piano, legendary drummer Steve Gadd and trombonist Nils Landgren.
Satan – Trail Of Fire: Live In North America CD (Listenable)
First live album from the British heavy metal legends.
Ty Segall – Singles 2 CD/LP/Cassette (Drag City)
Singles 2 collects all the now-out-of-print sides (“Spiders,” “I Can’t Feel It,” “The Hill,” “Would You Be My Love,” for starters) that work amazingly well together when placed back-to-back-to-back as an album. Plus there are tracks from other labels like Permanent, Castleface and Famous Class. Covers of The Groundhogs, the Velvets and GG Allin abound herein as well.
Paul Smith & Peter Brewis – Frozen By Sight CD/LP+MP3 (Memphis Industries)
Drawing inspiration from disparate musical and poetic sources, two British Mercury Prize nominees have come together in a playful departure from their respective work with Field Music and Maximo Park. Based around text from Paul Smith’s travel writing, and Peter Brewis’s chamber-band arrangements, the pair has collaborated on a suite of songs, creating a restrained yet richly descriptive sound-world. The music wraps itself around the words and the places they chronicle. The locations become tangible; from their hometowns in northeastern England to more far-flung destinations.
Bruce Springsteen – The Album Collection Vol. 1 1973-1984 8xCD/8xLP (Sony Legacy)
Boxed set comprised of remastered editions of the first seven albums recorded and released by Bruce Springsteen for Columbia Records between 1973 and 1984. All of the albums are newly remastered (five for the first time ever on CD) and all seven are also making their remastered debut on vinyl: Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. (1973), The Wild, The Innocent And The E Street Shuffle (1973), Born To Run (1975), Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978), The River (1980), Nebraska (1982), Born In The U.S.A. (1984).
Swamp Dogg – The White Man Made Me Do It CD (Alive)
The White Man Made Me Do It is Swamp Dogg’s new album, and his first soul record in decades. Over the course of 14 songs, and with the help of a cast of veteran soul greats, the idiosyncratic performer re-captures the spirit of his ‘70s cult recordings. “The White Man Made Me Do It” mixes classic Southern soul grooves with pointed, poignant lyrics, reflecting upon race, love, and money. As usual Swamp demonstrates his savage sense of humor and his instinctive aversion to hypocrisy. Vinyl version due December 2.
This Legend – It’s In The Streets CD (Cyber Tracks)
For the first time in over ten years, best friends Longineu Parsons III and Ben Harper, both formerly of Yellowcard, re-united in May, 2014. They enlisted Chris Castillo of Stanley And The Search and Steven Neufeld of HeyMike! to form This Legend.
Thompson – Family CD/CD+DVD (Fantasy/Concord)
Teddy Thompson, together with parents Richard and Linda, brother Jack, younger sister Kami, her husband James Walbourne, and nephew Zak Hobbs collectively dubbed Thompson release a collaborative album of all new original songs. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe features the beautifully rendered 15-minute film Thompson: The Making Of Family on DVD. Utilizing interviews, studio footage and vintage family photos, the film captures the warmth, intelligence and humor of this supremely talented family as they record together for the very first time.
TV On The Radio – Seeds CD/2xLP (Harvest/Caroline)
“For their first record since 2011’s Nine Types Of Light, Dave Sitek, Tunde Adebimpe, Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton have had to overcome severe adversity, following the untimely death of bassist Gerard Smith a week after Nine Types Of Light’s release. Indeed, lead singer Adebimpe recently acknowledged that ‘we’ve been through a lot of stuff in the past few years that could have stopped the band cold.’ Smith’s passing, however, galvanized the remaining four-piece to continue making music in his honor, and Seeds is a credit to their bassist’s memory: staying true to the TOTR ethos of writing music that yo-yos between genres, its 12 expansive tracks make for a compelling and frankly splendid record that you should seriously consider adding to your collection” – Drowned In Sound. (Marbled color vinyl version features two bonus tracks.)
Various Artists – 90 Degrees Of Shade: Hot Jump-Up Island Sound From The Caribbean 2xCD (Soul Jazz)
Various Artists – 90 Degrees Of Shade: Hot Jump-Up Island Sound From The Caribbean Vol. 1 2xLP+MP3 (Soul Jazz)
Various Artists – 90 Degrees Of Shade: Hot Jump-Up Island Sound From The Caribbean Vol. 2 2xLP+MP3 (Soul Jazz)
90 Degrees Of Shade features the music of the Caribbean – Mambo, Calypso, Mento, Merengue, Latin jazz and much more. The music of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, etc. all feature in this lightning journey through the many island sounds. Available on double-CD and across two separate double-LP volumes on vinyl.
Various Artists – The Art Of McCartney 2xCD/2xCD+DVD/3xLP (Arctic Poppy)
Sir Paul McCartney has written many of the world’s best-known songs, and this project features some of the biggest stars in the music industry, performing his, Wings’ and The Beatles’ greatest tracks alongside McCartney’s own backing musicians. Highlights include Willie Nelson (“Yesterday”), Bob Dylan (“Things We Said Today”), Brian Wilson (“Wanderlust”), Barry Gibb (“When I’m 64”), Corinne Bailey Rae (“Bluebird”), Jamie Cullum (“Every Night”), The Airborne Toxic Event (“No More Lonely Nights”), B.B. King (“On The Way”), Smokey Robinson (“So Bad”),
Billy Joel (“Maybe I’m Amazed” and “Live And Let Die”), Kiss (“Venus And Mars” and “Rock Show”). Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Expanded Deluxe edition features an additional eight tracks, including McCartney covers by Alice Cooper, Cure frontman Robert Smith, Ronnie Spector, Booker T. Jones and Darlene Love, among others, a hardcover book, and a DVD documentary about the making of the compilation.
Various Artists – Hyperdub 10.4 2xCD (Hyperdub)
Final episode in the series returns to the club, this time focused on house, garage and techno. Features one disc of new and recent material, paired with a second full of bangers from the Hyperdub canon in recent years.
Various Artists – Hyperdub & Teklife Present: Next Life CD (Hyperdub)
Next Life is a compilation of new material from Chicago’s primary footwork crew, Teklife, carrying the torch for the late, great DJ Rashad, who passed away earlier in 2014.
Various Artists – While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years Of Bloodshot Records 2xCD/3xLP (Bloodshot)
In recognition of this auspicious, multiple-of-10 occasion, Bloodshot Records reached out to a few artists and floated the idea of covering songs from their ample catalog. Includes covers of Bloodshot classics and deep cuts from Blitzen Trapper, Tim Kasher, Andrew Bird & Nora O’Connor, Superchunk, Diarrhea Planet, Chuck Ragan, Ben Kweller, Ted Leo, Into It. Over It., The Handsome Family, and many, many more.
Wedding Dress – Desperate Glow CD/LP (Lovitt)
Wedding Dress features members of Maps & Atlases, Suns, Joan Of Arc, and Gypsy Blood. More layered, plaintive and measured than anything in Elders’ previous catalog. The songs involve patient, textured narratives. The instrumentation is restrained, a well-tuned hybrid of real and virtual instruments.
Wilco – Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Rare Tracks 1994-2014 4xCD/LP (Nonesuch)
Wilco – What’s Your 20? Essential Tracks 1994-2014 2xCD (Nonesuch)
Two new Wilco collections released in conjunction with the influential Chicago band’s 20th anniversary. The first, Alpha Mike Foxtrot, is a box set of rare studio and live recordings collected from the band’s extensive audio archives. The second, What’s Your 20, is a of essential tracks culled from the band’s previously released studio recordings. Alpha Mike Foxtrot features 64 pages of liner notes that include track-by-track recollections from Tweedy, notes by band members Nels Cline and John Stirratt, and reflections from members of Wilco’s extended professional family. The booklet also showcases dozens of archival and never-before-seen photos from a wide array of photographers chronicling all phases of the band’s career. What’s Your 20? gathers songs from Wilco’s eight studio albums plus two songs from Mermaid Avenue, the collection of Woody Guthrie-penned tunes set to music by Wilco and Billy Bragg.
Wolfhounds – Unseen Ripples From A Pebble CD/LP (Optic Nerve)
Digitally remastered and expanded edition of the UK band’s debut album plus 15 bonus tracks. This expanded version of the album contains the band’s entire recorded output for the Pink label as well as the 7” version of ”Me” that was released on Idea Records. The Wolfhounds formed in 1985 and debuted in the spring of 1986 with the EP Cut The Cake. Despite the record’s gritty, intense approach, it nevertheless landed the Wolfhounds a spot on the NME’s legendary C-86 compilation cassette, the 22-track compilation ended up being so influential that it resulted in the unintentional creation of a new subgenre. The Wolfhounds were more post punk than jangle pop, and their incendiary live shows saw them build up a loyal following throughout Europe, where they toured regularly supporting The House Of Love and My Bloody Valentine.
Robert Wyatt – Different Every Time 2xCD (Domino)
Robert Wyatt – Different Every Time (Ex Machina) 2xLP+MP3 (Domino)
Robert Wyatt – Different Every Time (Benign Dictatorships) 2xLP+MP3 (Domino)
Different Every Time is a new compilation of the works of Robert Wyatt curated by Robert and biographer Marcus O’Dair. The double album features Disc One Ex Machina, the ideal introduction for the Wyatt novice, compiling tracks from his entire career and acting as a companion to O’Dair’s new biography on Wyatt, also titled Different Every Time. Disc Two Benign Dictatorships brings together the best of Robert’s collaborations and guest appearances, or, as Robert has it, ‘benign dictatorships,’ including some very special oddities and rarities available here for the very first time.
Trisha Yearwood – Prizefighter: Hit After Hit CD (Sony)
Twelfth studio album from the country great and her first in seven years.
Zero Boys – Hollywood CDEP/7” (Z Disk)
Terry “Hollywood” Howe passed away in 2000, and was the Zero Boys’ original guitar player and laid the foundation of our sound. He built perfect, catchy rock & roll songs. He destroyed boredom with a blast of electric guitar. He understood that life was simple, true, loud, and a little out of control. Leaving behind many unused recordings, the Zero Boys opted to listen to his songs and re-record them, in tribute.
John Zorn – The Last Judgment CD (Tzadik)
Final CD in the Moonchild septology, featuring Mike Patton, John Medeski, Trevor Dunn, and Joey Baron.
DVDs + Blu-ray:
Rolling Stones – From The Vault: L.A. Forum (Live In 1975) DVD (Eagle Rock)
The Rolling Stones “Tour Of The Americas 75” was the band s first tour with new guitarist Ronnie Wood. Even before the dates started there were dramatic scenes in New York City at the official tour announcement when the band unexpectedly turned up on a flatbed truck to play “Brown Sugar.” After a couple of low-key warm-up shows in Louisiana the tour took in 44 dates between the 3rd June and the 8th August 1975. They settled into the L.A. Forum for a five-night stint from July 9th to 13th and this concert film features the show from July 12th.
This Week’s Vinyl Exclusives:
Allo Darlin’ – We Come From The Same Place LP+MP3 (Slumberland)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The third full-length recording from the much loved Anglo-Australian four-piece is made up of smart, beautiful pop music, with lyrics that resonate with experience and melodies that chime, echo and soar.
Alraune – The Process of Self-Immolation LP (Gilead Media)
Alraune is a Nashville-based occult black-metal quartet. “An absolute beast of a recording. The band’s take on occult black metal stylings draw from the Scandinavian masters, the French introverts, and their own depraved visions, singlehandedly creating a new standard for USBM to strive towards.” – Pitchfork
Angels & Airwaves – Love Albums Part I & II 4xLP (Shop Radio Cast)
Angels & Airwaves’ 2010 and 2011 albums are available for the first time on (pink) vinyl.
Bad Axe – Coachman b/w Poor Man, Run 7” (Permanent)
As garage faded, psych imploded and rock n roll took its bloated FM dominance to arenas nationwide, there were scores of bands that sought to ingest those Zep/Sabbath/Deep Purple/Blue Cheer moves and make them their own rally cry. Call it a second wave of “garage bands” but this time the music was more fitted for dark, hazy wood paneled basements with the requisite hi-fis, joints and cheap beers stolen from dad. These kids just outta high school, rejecting AM pop and the idealism of their hippie older siblings, set out to make their own way in the dystopian ‘70s.
Band In Heaven – The Boys Of Summer Sam 7” (HoZac)
Two direct hits of skull-softening Middle-Eastern tinged space rock destined to drain the fluids from your ears, while seductively stealing your valuable organs for the black market.
Travis Barker/Yelawolf – Psycho White [2012] LP (LaSalle)
Following on the success of 2012’s collaborative EP between Travis Barker and Yelawolf, Psycho White is now available for the first time ever on vinyl.
Basement Jaxx – The Singles [2005] 2xLP (XL)
First time on vinyl. This collection spans everything from the proto punk garage of early hit “Flylife” to the Motown monster that is “Good Luck,” taking in worldwide smashes like “Red Alert,” “Where’s Your Head At” and more.
Belly – Star [Reissue/1993] LP (Plain)
HQ-180gm reissue of Belly’s debut (originally released on 4AD in 1993).
Blanche Blanch Blanche – Hints To Pilgrims LP (OSR)
A collection of concise, spare arrangements — typically either limited to piano and bass or guitar and bass. RIYL: Kevin Ayers, Royal Trux, Parquet Courts, Syd Barrett.
The Blind Shake – Breakfast of Failures LP (Goner)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Minneapolis three-piece The Blind Shake crafts dense, massive locomotive music—powerful sounds with the ability to careen through one cinematic, post-apocalyptic chase scene after another. “The Blind Shake is at once spacey, primitive futuristic, and brutal: a kind of backyard extraterrestrial minimal surf-punk party. One guitar, one baritone guitar, a f**kload of reverb, and a drummer who deserves an Olympic medal.” —SF Weekly
The Bloodhounds – Let Loose LP (Alive)
Released last week on CD – now available on vinyl. The Bloodhounds play blues/R&B rock & roll with a fresh, edgy, almost punk edge, and add a hint of a Latin groove to the mix. Though founded on an electric sound they also dig the old jug band style of playing. Picking up cheap acoustic guitars, turning ordinary household items into instruments and constructing a traditional washtub-broomstick bass, they often busk in the streets of downtown Los Angeles to the delight of large crowds.
Bratmobile – Pottymouth [Reissue/1993] LP (Kill Rock Stars)
Pink vinyl reissue of 1993 album. Along with Bikini Kill, Bratmobile spearheaded the riot grrrl revolution of the early ‘90s.
Connections – 5 Imaginary Boys 7” (HoZac)
Combines five glimpses into the Connections’ melodically off-kilter yet always honest and bitter world, taking perfectly strung-out pop to another level of sardonic simplicity in each burst after bleeding burst.
Crayon – Brick Factory [Reissue/1994] LP+MP3 (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
20th anniversary reissue with download including 21 bonus songs. Crayon took the burgeoning sound of twee pop and added punk elements, sounding something like a cross between UK indiepop bands like the Pastels and more abrasive American bands like Unwound.
Dada Plan – A Dada Plan Is Free LP (Kingfisher Bluez)
“Dada Plan emerge from the picturesque Great Bear Rainforest in Vancouver with their blend of trip-hop, orchestral noise polluted, synth storm rock.”—Creem Magazine. “A Dada Plan Is Free sounds like ’80s outsider pop, with retro drum-machine programming and synth sounds from [Matt] Krysko’s Roland Juno-60, but it’s no pale homage. There is a deeper meaning at work here, a haunting, dystopian tinge to its chill metropolitan grooves inspired by Brian Eno and Robert Wyatt”—The Georgia Straight
Dream Salon – Soft Stab LP+MP3 (Sweet Rot/Dragnet)
If you’ve been paying attention to the NW rock underground of the past decade or so, you’re likely familiar with the names Min Yee, Matthew Ford and Craig Chambers who have collectively played in bands like Evening Meetings, A Frames, Intelligence, Le Sang Song, Factums, Yves/Son/Ace, etc.
Electric Eels – Accident 7” (HoZac)
Another devastating chunk of festering Midwest protopunk from these scurrilous sub-creatures of Ohio’s rich musical history. Two more cauterizing cuts of whiplash thug rock your thin plane of existence just might not survive without.
Enema Syringe – Upshutlenvolte 7” (Fragment Factory)
Three previously unreleased tracks from 1987, recorded in Örebro, Sweden. Raw and primitive staccato electronics with Kai Parviainen’s specific touch of utter insanity.
England’s Glory – City Of Fun 7” (HoZac)
England’s Glory is the first performing band lead by UK songwriter Peter Perrett, later known across the world for his work w/the critically acclaimed Only Ones. Sounding nothing like anything else from the era, this 1971 single soars through the highs and lows of the real heartbeat of 1970s rock & roll, sounding startlingly modern even 40 years later.
Father Yod & The Spirit Of ’76 – Kohoutek LP (Drag City)
Kohoutek was the first spontaneous release that was made into a record, credited to Father Yod & The Spirit Of 76. Released in 1973, the year of Kohoutek, when the immanent arrival of the big comet spawned a new round of cosmic consciousness in the media and with people all over the planet. The two sides of Kohoutek are a special jam that passes through tranquility to exultation, a tapping of the passing flame in the skies and a greeting from Father to the messenger and bearer of such awesome gifts. Very pure.
F**k Knights – A Taste Of Puke 7” (Go Ape!)
12 minutes of intoxicating psychedelic garage punk.
Ruth Garbus – Joule EP 7” (OSR)
The former Happy Birthday member is joined by Kyle Thomas (King Tuff) and Chris Weisman on her new single. Previous albums on Autumn and Burger. RIYL: tUnEyArDs, White Fence, Jessica Pratt, Sharon Van Etten.
Gatecreeper – Gatecreeper LP (King Of The Monsters)
Thick, punishing, bone-rattling death metal like the legendary bands of the late ‘80s into the mid-’90s played it. Gatecreeper is a riff-heavy ode to times past, and a glimpse of our bleak future, captured on wax. For fans of: Entombed, Bolt Thrower, and Dismember.
- Geddes Gengras – Collected Works Vol. 2: New Process Music LP (Umor Rex)
New Process Music represents a major aesthetic shift, fusing the long-form modular compositions Geddes had been exploring on a bevy of small-run cassette releases with a new obsession with post-production editing to create a deeply tuned aural environment, lush analog electronics that are gritty along the edges, with rich textures and melodies materializing and wafting away like smoke. Opaque cyan vinyl.
Steve Gunn – Boerum Palace [Reissue/2009] LP+MP3 (Three Lobed)
Boerum Palace is Steve Gunn’s second album, originally released in 2009 and is now available as a limited 140gm purple/white color vinyl pressing with insert and download code. Gunn will release a collaborative album with The Black Twig Pickers on Thrill Jockey February 2015.
Holögrama – Waves LP+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)
Holögrama is the recording project of Fancisco Borja, an electronic musician from Granade, Spain. After self-releasing a slew of online albums, EPs and hand-made CDRs, Waves marks his debut to the vinyl format. Borja performs and records the majority of everything himself, using synths, drum machines and whatever odds and ends he can scrape together to orchestrate Holögrama’s sound. Think Rev and Vega, but with a more positive, hopeful vibe tinged with a whisper of melancholy.
Patterson Hood – Killers And Stars [Reissue/2004] LP+MP3 (New West)
Reissue of the Drive-By Trucker’s frontman’s solo album from 2004, available for the first time on vinyl. HQ-180gm including new liner notes from Patterson.
Horse Lords – Hidden Cities LP (NNA Tapes)
Over the two years since their critically acclaimed self-titled debut, Horse Lords have become fixtures on the American DIY scene, touring with Matmos, Guerilla Toss, and Guardian Alien, and playing festivals such as Hopscotch, NXNE, and Fields Fest. Recorded and mixed by Chris Freeland (Wye Oak, Lower Dens), on Hidden Cities Horse Lords square the circle, making music that is alternately tight and loose, real-time risky and process oriented, reconciling the sweaty force of a killer basement show with the icy precision of conservatory training.
Ice Choir – Pure Holiday 7” (Cascine)
One of two singles produced for the 2014 holiday season and the first release since his debut album, Afar. Each track, wrapped in a glistening synth pop package, surrounds themes of caring for one another and connectedness. All proceeds from this recording will be donated to Coalition For The Homeless.
Impalers – Psychedelic Snutskallar LP (540 Records)
Peerless d-beat, a work of art.
Eiko Ishibashi – Car & Freezer LP (Drag City)
The sound of Car & Freezer has a swinging openness, with looser, rolling rhythms that suit the mood of exploration and the sense of introspection that are so much a part of Eiko’s songs. The band’s (Jim O’Rourke, Toshiaki Sudo, Hatano Atsuko and Yamamoto Tatsuhisa) expertly precise playing is contrasted by their intuitive choices within the songs, which are seized upon by Eiko for mood and color.
Ken Jennings – She’s My Rushmore 7” (Kingfisher Bluez)
Three new songs of thrashy emo punk from the suburbs of Vancouver’s DIY scene.
Sharon Jones – Just Another Christmas Song b/w Big Bulbs 7” (Daptone)
Perhaps it is “just another Christmas song,” but with a groove like this it’s hard to say we don’t need it.
Jukebox The Ghost – Jukebox The Ghost LP (Yep Roc)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. On the follow-up to its critically acclaimed album Safe Travels, Jukebox The Ghost is at it again with a new collection of the band’s signature brand of infectious pop songs.
Landmarks – Landmarks LP (Walk-In)
Landmarks is a Chicago-based five piece with a psychedelic, atmospheric, shoegaze sound, recommended for fans of Deerhunter, Real Estate and War On Drugs.
Lesser Key – Lesser Key LP (Sumerian)
Released earlier this year on CD – now available on vinyl (two pressings: one plum, one clear). Debut album from Lesser Key, featuring founding Tool bassist, Paul D’Amour.
Lewis – Romantic Times [Reissue/1985] LP+MP3 (Light In The Attic)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Sourced soon after the re-release of L’Amour, Romantic Times is the 1985 follow-up – a familiar blond posing on the sleeve, a familiar, tortured voice pouring his heart out over languid synths and synthetic waltz beats.
Lovac – The Fish & The Fist 10” (Soleilmoon)
With their new 10” EP, Swedish band Lovac return to explore desolate places far beyond the familiar and comfortable. The Fish & The Fist follows their 2010 debut Apes Of A Cold God with a new goth-tronic sound lifted aloft by Anders Carlsson’s baritone and Erica Li’s pure alto voices, and carried further with the inventive compositions and mixing of Andreas Catjar and Martin Krall.
Lusitania – Lusitania LP (King Of The Monsters)
Deviant and terrorizing black metal featuring members of Gay Kiss, Dealing, Sacred Flowers, and Detached Objects.
The Luxembourg Signal – The Luxembourg Signal LP+MP3 (Shelflife)
10-track album from former members of Aberdeen, Fonda and Trembling Blue Stars of perfect pop songs, vintage shoegaze roots, and dark, noisy explorations. Features guest appearances by Dale Crover (Melvins) and John Girgus (Aberdeen).
Mamiffer – Statu Nascendi LP (Sige)
Mamiffer is Faith Coloccia and Aaron Turner (ISIS, Old Man Gloom, Jodis) – the two people behind Sige records. The band has collaborated with Locrian, Circle, and Merzbow. Statu Nascendi features ethereal washes of guitar, organ, tape loops of field recordings, and Coloccia’s hypnotic vocals.
Margot & The Nuclear So And So’s – Tell Me More About Evil LP+DVD (Mariel Recording Co.)
Margot & Nuclear So And So’s new companion piece to this year’s Slingshot To Heaven is a soundtrack to the 16mm film that was released with Slingshot in April. Shot on ten reels of Kodak film, Tell Me More About Evil is a visual, alternate version of the album consisting of stripped down performances and acoustic field recordings.
Medicine – Home Everywhere CD (Captured Tracks)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. During this past year Brad Laner, Elizabeth Thompson and Jim Goodall eschewed the ‘90s nostalgia touring circuit trod by their peers and instead dug deep to bring you Home Everywhere: a collection of new songs created with a gaze that is omnidirectional. An answer to no other band, movement or genre (don’t be lazy, you). An ambitious work that could be no one else but said three lifer music weirdies in full inspiration mode.
Mobb Deep – Hell On Earth [Reissue/1996] 2xLP (Get On Down)
By the time Mobb Deep hit with their third album Hell On Earth – they were solidified street legends. Coming off the critically acclaimed The Infamous, Havoc and Prodigy hit the lab and came back with a soundtrack that is fitting to its title.
No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom [Reissue/1994] LP (Trauma)
Tragic Kingdom was No Doubt’s third studio album, and was the final album to feature original keyboardist Eric Stefani, who left in 1994.
The Ocean Blue – Waterworks [2004] LP+MP3 (Shelflife)
Reissue of The Ocean Blue’s 2004 EP, remastered and expanded with three additional songs, two of which have never been released. Waterworks is an eclectic mix of songs showcasing David Schelzel and Oed Ronne’s keen ability to craft ‘60s inspired pop music. The EP also includes collaborations with Jim Ruiz and Allen Clapp.
Only Wolf – Chemicals LP (Kingfisher Bluez)
Taking his name from a terrifying encounter with a pack of hungry wolves, Sean Parker’s debut album as Only Wolf is a sprawling, late night drive of a record, that feels precise, organic and infinitely spaced out. Growing up between Canada, Spain, and the French Alps, he took in the natural sounds of the countryside — crashing waves, clinking cowbells and creaking trees — and armed with an MPC1000 drum machine and a guitar, distilled it into a sound that feels natural and otherworldly at the same time. Triple-color splatter vinyl.
Pink Avalanche – The Luminous Heart Of Nowhere LP+MP3 (Past/Futures)
Sophomore release from members of Atombombpocketknife, Poison Arrows, Brokeback, and Chatty Cathy. The Luminous Heart Of Nowhere might evoke a sense of an ethereal void, but its music is firmly rooted in Midwestern underground rock. The band’s driving, bold melodic sound hearkens to that of myriad Midwestern noisemakers like Rodan, Arcwelder and Naked Raygun.
Joshua Rainhorn/Paulinho & Beatriz – Wine & Cigarettes b/w Voce Tem 7” (Drag City)
Volume Three of the Fred Armisen Presents Hometown Heroes series from Drag City. Joshua Rainhorn’s imagery evoked a world of old wine bars and coffee-stained book covers. Honkytonk music and worn out shoes. Elusive, mysterious lovers. Paulinho & Beatriz hail from Brazil and experiment with jazz and traditional Brazilian music.
Restorations – LP3 CD (Side One Dummy)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “Restorations’ third album in four years marks a quick progression from its emo and pop-punk roots to the gruff and grandiose heartland rock that always hovered in the background. Think of the punks raised on Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, if you must — The Gaslight Anthem, The Hold Steady, Constantines — but LP3 is more reminiscent of when the late-’90s emo band Chamberlain.” – NPR
Rhyton – Kykeon LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)
Rhyton is the Brooklyn based trio of Dave Shuford (D. Charles Speer And The Helix, No Neck Blues Band), Jimy SeiTang (Stygian Stride) and Rob Smith (Pigeons) Rhyton take ancestral forms, instrumentation and scales, primarily sourced from Middle Eastern and Greek traditions, and incorporate them into the context of scorching improvised rock.
Rollins – Life Time [Reissue/1987] LP+MP3 (2.13.61)
Vinyl reissue of Rollins’ debut full-length, originally released in 1987. Includes download for the nine original album songs plus five tracks recorded live in Kortrijk, Belgium on October 16, 1987.
Saint Saviour – In The Seams LP (Surface Area)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Becky Jones aka Saint Saviour is the former lead singer with The RGBs and fronted and co-wrote the singles on Groove Armada’s Grammy nominated album Black Light. Collaborating on this album with Bill Ryder-Jones (The Coral), it is a marked departure from her 2012 debut Uncut – stripping back and laying bare the beautiful song-craft of an artist clearly in her prime. The result is a selection of twelve delicate and heart-felt, folk-infused tracks woven into In The Seams – full of lush strings, softly plucked guitars and tender vocals.
Sha La Das – Sha La Da La La (Christmas Time) 7” (Daptone)
You may recognize their doo-wop tinged harmonies from such smash records as Charles Bradley’s Victim Of Love.
Swans – Filth [Reissue/193] LP (Young God)
Vinyl reissue of Swans’ debut album. Michael Gira says: “Here’s some music I was listening to at the time: Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, The Stooges, Brian Eno, Teenage Jesus And The Jerks, DNA, The Contortions, Glenn Branca, Black Flag, early Pink Floyd, This Heat, Kraftwerk, The Germs, Cabaret Voltaire, Can, Public Image Ltd., SPK… ”
Sylvie Simmons – Sylvie LP (Light In The Attic)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Debut album by esteemed writer and Leonard Cohen biographer. Like Devendra Banhart says, this is “a gem of an album, fragile and fearless, direct and poetic, timeless and absolutely beautiful. Like Rosalie Sorrels meets the Only Ones.” Or Isobel Campbell on a lost desert night, maybe, with only the moon and a ukulele for company.
Sqürl – EP3 12” (ATP Recordings)
Picture-disc. Atmospheric heavy drones of surreally epic horror-country. “Part drone-rock, part metal, part blissful stoner fatigue.” – Pitchfork
Strength Of Materials – Occam’s Depilatory 7” (Kingfisher Bluez)
Debut single for Vancouver’s Strenght Of Materials. Fronted by Ford Pier (D.O.A., Neko Case), this unique string quartet sounds like Mark E. Smith gone orchestral. Weird, yelping dissonance, precise soaring melody, and pop-culture-curmudgeon lyrics.
Teenage Girl Fantasy – Thermal 12” (Break World Records)
Tracing threads from their previous deconstructed dancefloor works into thrilling new directions, the Thermal EP features four new songs: two instrumentals that showcase the duo’s sensual and intuitive way with texture, and two prime-time vocal tracks featuring the new queen of underground Korean R&B, Hoody and rising NYC recording artist Lafawndah.
Thievery Corporation – Corporate Game [Reissue/2004] 4xLP (ESL)
Thievery Corporation – Radio Retaliation [Reissue/2008] 3xLP (ESL)
Thievery Corporation – Corporate Game [Reissue/2011] 2xLP (ESL)
The last batch of Thievery Corporation vinyl reissues, bringing their entire LP back-catalogue back in print on the format
Timmy’s Organism – Singles & Unreleased Tracks 2xLP (HoZac)
This cranium-swelling double-LP set features Timmy’s best tracks from numerous 7″ releases on Sacred Bones, Goner, Bat Shit, Douchemaster, and more, along with unreleased tracks from his deep vault of garishly nightmarish goodies you’ve still not laid ears upon. His music spans a spectrum of deranged styles, from the intimidating and visceral to the rivetingly morose.
Too $hort – Born To Mack [Reissue/1987] LP (Plain)
HQ-180 vinyl reissue of the rapper’s 1987 album.
Various Artists – Charred Remains 2xLP (Radio Raheem)
In the annals of early ‘80s American hardcore, no compilation holds more seminal weight than Charred Remains. Initially released in 1982 on cassette through Bob Moore’s Version Sound label and available in limited supply, the release served the world the first earfuls of such groundbreaking and legendary bands such as Hüsker Dü, Die Kreuzen, Void, Violent Apathy, Toxic Reasons, Articles Of Faith, Rebel Truth, Personality Crisis, and Sin 34.
Vladislav Delay – Visa LP (Rapatti)
Released last week on CD – now available on vinyl. Sasu Ripatti is one of electronic music’s most prolific and eclectic producers. Throughout the last two decades Ripatti has explored every imaginable genre with over 20 albums under aliases such as Luomo and Sistol. A classically trained percussionist, the Finnish native has also performed as a part of the Moritz Von Oswald Trio and his own Vladislav Delay Quartet. He returns now under his Vladislav Delay moniker with a uniquely inspired album. Visa is Ripatti’s first foray into ambient music in over ten years, yet it is not simply passive background music. Rather it is an active entity, a soundscape built from textured layers of evocative industrial noises and dream-like melodic loops.
Chris Weisman – Monet In The ‘90s LP+MP3 (OSR)
New solo album from the former member of Happy Birthday (the short-lived and long-loved Sub Pop outfit). An oppositional spectrum spanning from “pop”-simplicity tropisms and cannabinoidal rock theatrics to the kind of mystical harmonic complexity and radical engineering that would never fly in HB. RIYL: Robyn Hitchcock, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joni Mitchell, King Tuff.
Hartley C. White – This Is Not What You Expect LP+MP3 (OSR)
A collection of material recorded from 1984-2009. Hartley is the progenitor of a style of music he calls Whopazootic, which he has described as “a non-classical music utilizing a broken rhythm.” RIYL: 10CC, Sly & The Family Stone, Willis Earl Beal, Ariel Pink.
Wildbirds & Peacedrums – Rhythm CD (Leaf)
Released last week on CD – now available on vinyl. Wildbirds & Peacedrums return with their first record in four years; lean, hungry and defiant. In stripping back to their roots—drums and voice—they have discovered an unblinking directness, a taut muscularity honed from years of intensive live performance.
XTRMST – XTRMST LP+CD (Dim Mak)
Assembled by Jade Puget and Davey Havok of AFI, XTRMST represents and embodies the unwavering passion and fury of the modern straight edge movement.
YaHoWa13 – Savage Sons Of Yahowa [Reissue/1974] LP (Drag City)
Musically, YaHoWa13 go it on their own, with Octavius, Sunflower, Djinn, and Rhythm collaborating with Electron, who supplies powerful lead vocals. The guttural nature of Electron’s vocal sound may recall the name of Beefheart to some, and Electron is occupying the same unconsciousness, free in the communal slipstream, with less blues and more country gospel in his soul.
Adrian Younge – Black Dynamite [OST/2009] LP (Linear Labs)
The first official release from multi-instrumentalist/composer/arranger/producer Adrian Younge, Black Dynamite [OST] was the meticulously crafted sonic accompaniment to the 2009 Michael Jai White comedy. The title is now being reissued as a limited edition picture disc on Younge’s own Linear Labs imprint.
Zeds Dead – Somewhere Else LP (Mad Decent)
Having already established themselves as one of the most versatile and ambitious act around, DC and Hooks break new sonic territory with eight tracks that that cover a wide spectrum of electronic music. Joining the Toronto duo on the record is Twin Shadow for the house anthem ”Lost You.” Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Ferrell makes an appearance closing track “Blink.”
John Zorn – Song Project Vinyl Singles Edition 6×7” (Tzadik)
Including music originally written for Naked City, Masada, The Dreamers, a variety of film soundtracks and more, The Song Project is a retrospective of some of Zorn’s most lyrical compositions from the past 30 years. Features the voices of Mike Patton, Jesse Harris, and Sofia Rei. Limited edition box set of six vinyl 45RPM singles with a 32pg book filled with photos and lyrics.
Cassettes:
JS Aurelius – Slime Of The Chasm (Handmade Birds)
Slime Of The Chasm is a cassette only release from Arizona-based noise-auteur JS Aurelius. Aurelius keeps busy as the guitarist of Destruction Unit, as one-half of acclaimed noise-f**ks Marshstepper, and as the co-founder of the Ascetic House label. JS Aurelius’s 2013 cassette release Music For Drinking Tea was chosen as one of the year’s best ten cassettes by Rolling Stone.
Buzzcocks – The Way CD/LP/Cassette (1-2-3-4 Go!)
The Way is the follow up to 2006’s Flat – Pack Philosophy LP and is the band’s ninth studio album since their formation in Manchester in 1976. These 10 tracks penned by the group’s long-standing core of Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle were recorded this year in London, and were produced by the band and Dave M. Allen (best known for his production work with The Cure, Depeche Mode and Neneh Cherry). The Way packs the same classic UK pop punk punch they’ve been known for over nearly four decades.
Ty Segall – Singles 2 (Drag City)
Singles 2 collects all the now-out-of-print sides (“Spiders,” “I Can’t Feel It,” “The Hill,” “Would You Be My Love,” for starters) that work amazingly well together when placed back-to-back-to-back as an album. Plus there are tracks from other labels like Permanent, Castleface and Famous Class. Covers of The Groundhogs, the Velvets and GG Allin abound herein as well.
Wand – Ganglion Reef (God? Records)
Now available on cassette. Put Ty Segall’s newest fascination – right into the tape deck of the heart of your brain. It’s fitting that Los Angeles-based four-piece Wand is signed to Segall’s Drag City imprint God? Records. Both artists make music that hearkens back to the ’60s and ’70s, which beam with psych-tinged guitar riffs. But whereas Segall shreds with abrasive and reckless energy, Wand charms with infectious hooks and sugary psychedelia.
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