CDs:
Apocalyptica – Wagner Reloaded: Live In Leipzig CD (BMG Rights Management)
Finnish cello-based heavy rockers Apocalyptica want to be remembered as the band that brought balls back to heavy metal and the band that did so in a unique way. Twenty years into an inimitable and formidable career, they are still reinventing themselves and finding new sources of inspiration. The first new music from the band in three years is this live CD of their Wagner musical and theatrical project. Vinyl version due December 3.
AWOLNATION – Megalithic Symphony Deluxe 2xCD (Red Bull Records)
This Deluxe double-disc set contains their original 2011 studio album Megalithic Sypmphony paired with a second disc of rarities and B-sides. Package also includes a jacket patch as well as a limited edition AWOLNATION surf wax comb/bottle opener.
Beady Eye – BE CD/LP (Harvest)
Beady Eye was formed by the other three core members of the 1999-2009 incarnation of Oasis, namely singer Liam Gallagher, guitarist Gem Archer, and bassist Andy Bell, who switched back to guitar in Beady Eye, together with live drummer Chris Sharrock, who became a full time member of the new group. BE is their second full-length album and was produced by Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio.
Andrew Bird – I Want To See Pulaski At Night CDEP (Grimsey)
Beautiful new, mostly instrumental 7-song, 32-minute mini-album, that is both poppy and hypnotic at the same time. The only vocals appear on the title track, with Andrew pleading for a departed one to “Come Back To Chicago, City Of Light.” Bird builds five of the remaining tracks up from simple layered loops in the manner that we’ve all come to take for granted, but each song is really a small wonder of fragile beauty and joy. Lovely and trippy.
Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe CD/LP (Domino)
“On his second collection of melancholic ‘80s-inspired pop odes, the 27-year-old singer/songwriter/producer Devonté Hynes, aka Blood Orange, channels vagabond emotions into something universal and inviting. His Cupid Deluxe is an album that tenderly details heartbreak through the language of longing.” Best New Music [8.5] – Pitchfork
Bottle Rockets – Bottle Rockers/The Brooklyn Side [Reissue/1993/1995] 2xCD (Roadrunner)
The Deluxe double-CD set contains digitally remastered and expanded editions of the roots rock band’s seminal releases The Bottle Rockers (1993) and The Brooklyn Side (1995). The package also includes 19 previously unreleased tracks from the era these original recordings were made, along with an exhaustive 40-page booklet detailing the band and the scene, at the time.
Jake Bugg – Shangri La CD (Island)
The British singer/songwriter’s new album shares its title with the Malibu studio where it was made, once the ’70s haven of Bob Dylan and The Band, now the creative hub of legendary producer Rick Rubin. Rubin’s assembled wrecking crew of Shangri La session regulars includes guitarist Matt Sweeney, bassist Jason Lader, and drummers Chad Smith and Pete Thomas. Vinyl version due December 17.
Daughtry – Baptized CD (RCA)
New album Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. The deluxe edition features exclusive acoustic performances of new songs.
Death Grips – No Love Deep Web [Reissue/2012] CD/LP (Harvest)
Death Grips are currently working on new music, with the hopes of releasing a new album in 2014. Released officially for the first time after their highly publicized departure from Epic, comes the band’s second album from 2012 No Love Deep Web.
The Entrance Band – Face The Sun CD/LP+MP3 (Beyond Beyond Is Beyond)
Face The Sun is a rare and remarkable collection of songs that recognizes and honors both sides of the journey toward the light — the glory and the gruesome, as well as the light and the dark. (Limited copies are also available on color vinyl).
Espectrostatic – Espectrostatic CD/LP+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)
Alex Cuervo has been rattling skulls for years in punk and garage bands like The Hex Dispensers, Blacktop, This Damn Town and Feast of Snakes. 2011 saw the release of two solo EPs under his own name, exploring his interest in darker, synth-oriented punk music. Since then, the Texan native has not only honed his skills on the synthesizer, but constructed this 13-song suite of instrumentals that owe a serious debt to the pioneers of late-seventies horror soundtracks like John Carpenter, Italo-prog masters Goblin and the work of German pioneers Tangerine Dream.
Five Finger Death Punch – The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Volume 2 CD/CD+DVD (Prospect Park)
The second installment of FFDP’s double album is available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe Edition features a 15-track live concert DVD.
Fleetwood Mac – Boston 3xCD/2xLP (Madfish)
Live archive release featuring the classic blues line-up of Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, John McVie and Jeremy Spencer) and dates from February 1970 when they played three nights at the Boston Tea Party venue.
Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer – An Evening With Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer 3xCD/2xLP (8ft)
Live release from singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer and her husband, author Neil Gaiman. An Evening With… features highlights culled from hours of live recordings from their Fall 2011 tour of the West Coast. The duo brings you an intimate collection of songs, duets, covers and spoken word pieces that span their respective careers.
Ghost B.C. – If You Have Ghost CDEP/12” (Universal Republic)
New EP from the Swedish Metal band produced by Dave Grohl. If You Have Ghost features four covers songs along with a live recording of “Secular Haze” from Ghost’s performance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Iggy And The Stooges – Search And Destroy: The Detroit Studio Outtakes CD (Cleopatra)
A rare collection of studio out-takes from punk icon Iggy Pop.
King Crimson – Red [Reissue/1974] 2xCD (DGM)
Disc One features the completely new stereo album mix by Fripp and Steven Wilson as well as two extra Steven Wilson alternate takes/mixes from the multi-track tapes. Disc Two contains the 30th anniversary mix of the original album plus the full-length version of “Providence” and a previously unreleased live mix of “Starless.” Presented with sleeve notes by King Crimson biographer Sid Smith along with rare photos and archive material.
Liminanas – Costa Blanca CD/LP+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)
Once again recorded at their home in the south of France, Costa Blanca pushes the envelope of Liminanas’ signature Franc-o-phonic sound; the Coloeur Cafe cool of Gainsbourg, the hypnotic drone of VU-era Cale, and the spiky fuzz of Davie Allan. This time around the band laces the tunes with a dramatic flair of French new wave soundtracks and the percussive sonic accents found in Morricone’s work in Il Gruppo, for its funk-laced tracks incorporated with elements of avant-classical and experimental sonic elements Also available on color vinyl.
Magik Markers – Surrender To The Fantasy CD/LP (Drag City)
Surrender To The Fantasy kicks off with that hoary old trope of punk records, the song about the Chesapeake Valley Runoff and the mating cycle of crabs. After that kind of in-your-face Attenborough-core, where could the record go? Nowhere but everywhere, all the creepy outposts of American detritus from other times, when hitchhiking and h-bombs were still hot, viable new ideas, and on beyond zed-bra.
Nickelback – The Best Of Nickelback Volume 1 CD (Roadrunner)
Encapsulating an astonishing career to date, The Best Of Nickelback Volume One features 19 tracks, over 73 minutes of music, including the smash hits “Photograph,” “How You Remind Me,” “Rockstar,” “Burn It To the Ground,” “Far Away” and many more.
Jeffrey Novak – Lemon Kid CD/LP+MP3 (Trouble In Mind)
Between his main band Cheap Time’s relentless touring schedule and recording, Jeffrey Novak has managed to produce a new solo effort. Gone are his blown-out, trashy Reatards/Oblivians/Persuaders worship, replaced with a sincere understanding of the maudlin melodies and pop music from the early ‘70s inspired by the likes of Ray Davies, John Cale, Brian Eno and the pervy balladry of Kevin Ayers.
Painkiller – The Prophecy: Live In Europe CD (Tzadik)
The Prophecy, the first official Painkiller release in over ten years, was recorded live in Europe in 2004–‘05 and pulls together music from several concerts into a powerful and mind-blowing suite.
A Perfect Circle – Three Sixty CD (Virgin)
First hits collection from Maynard James Keenan (Tool/Puscifer) and Billy Howerdel’s (Ashes Divide) alt-rock band.
PLS PLS – LP LP CD (El Camino)
Atlanta native Dan Dixon has been a fixture in the indie music scene for years. After disbanding his well-loved band Dropsonic, he started working on an electronic rock project dubbed PLS PLS (pronounced “please please”). The music conjures heady electronic-laced future rock anthems.
Polar Bear Club – Death Chorus CD/LP+CD (Rise)
The recipe for Polar Bear Club is simple; you take memorable, uplifting and anthemic songs with intelligent lyrics, mix that with an energetic live show, and top it off with a resilient work ethic, and positive attitude, and the result is a band who’s become a staple in the punk rock community.
Royal Trux – Veterans Of Disorder [Reissue/1999] CD/LP (Drag City)
Royal Trux was a band that had fought the major-label wars, and their product, as subversive as it was, was still aiming for the greatest possible impact — an ambition that had no deleterious impact on the music at hand. Instead, Royal Trux revealed themselves once again to be rock satirists supreme, with pure rock & roll that was intent on undermining itself and it’s audience from within. We find that Royal Trux were flying at a speed that most bands dream of — and Veterans Of Disorder is one of their (many) finest albums.
Mick Turner – Don’t Tell The Driver CD/2xLP (Drag City)
New solo album from the Australian artist best known for his work with The Dirty Three as well as Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power, Venom P. Stinger and others. Don’t Tell The Driver is a consolidation and development of everything he’s done up until now, streamlined and presented under the sophisticated umbrella known as the rock opera/concept album. Features contributions from vocalists Caroline Kennedy-McCraken and Oliver Mann and musicians Ian Wadley, Jeff Wegener, Kishore Ryan and Peggy Frew.
Rush – Clockwork Angels Tour 3xCD (Roadrunner)
Clockwork Angels Tour features over three hours of music including favorites “Tom Sawyer” and “The Spirit Of Radio,” three drum solos, new string arrangements of classics such as “YYZ,” “Dreamline” and “Red Sector A,” and rarely performed songs such as “The Body Electric” and “Middletown Dreams.” Also available on stand-alone DVD and Blu-ray.
Secret Chiefs 3 – Book Of Souls: Folio A CD (Web Of Mimicry)
Book Of Souls: Folio A is an album densely-packed with musical skyscrapers, Secret Chiefs 3’s most elaborate work yet. Following the seven-band schemata laid out in Book Of Horizons, Book Of Souls establishes the depth of SC3’s journey into otherwise lost musical possibilities.
Various Artists [Eric Clapton] – Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 2xCD (Rhino)
Double-disc collection containing highlights from Eric Clapton’s celebrated music festival. Among the highlights were the surprise pairing of John Mayer and Keith Urban for the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” Vince Gill and Clapton taking on “Lay Down Sally,” Keb Mo and Taj Mahal covering the Sleepy John Estes’ song, “Diving Duck Blues,” Gill performing “Tumbling Dice” with Urban and Albert Lee and members of the Allman Brothers — Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks — joined forces for a haunting acoustic cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done.” Also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Kurt Vile – Wakin’ On A Pretty Daze: Deluxe Daze (Post Haze) 2xCD (Matador)
This Deluxe edition of Vile’s absolutely f##king righteous 2013 album features a bonus EP of new tracks and reworked versions of album tracks, plus new artwork.
C. Spencer Yeh/Okkyung Lee/Lasse Marhaug – Wake Up Awesome CD (Mexican Summer)
Wake Up Awesome by C. Spencer Yeh (Burning Star Core), Okkyung Lee, and LasseMarhaug (Jazzkamer), is the second chapter of SSTUDIOS (Software Studio Series). Passages of real-time improvisation duck and swerve into electro-concrete tangles of samples, edits and juxtaposition — all you’d want out of a world of mechanical possibility. Vinyl version due December 3.
Yo La Tengo – Fade [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD+MP3 (Matador)
This expanded edition of Yo La Tengo’s recent album adds a 78-minute disc (plus downloads) of B-sides and unreleased material including the various limited vinyl pieces that accompanied the album as well as odds and ends that until now have been completely unreleased.
John Zorn – On The Torment Of Saints, The Casting Of Spells & The Evocation CD (Tzadik)
Three movements for string trio.
DVD + Blu-ray:
Rush – Clockwork Angels Tour DVD/Blu-ray (Zoe)
Clockwork Angels captures the Rush’s sold-out2 012-2013 tour from a unique point-of-view approach to filmmaking utilizing distinct composition and a voyeuristic style that at varying moments puts the viewer on the stage, at the side of the stage, and throughout the arena. This electrifying concert features over three hours of music including favorites “Tom Sawyer” and “The Spirit of Radio,” three drum solos, new string arrangements of classics such as “YYZ,” “Dreamline” and “Red Sector A,” and rarely performed songs such as “The Body Electric” and “Middletown Dreams.” 242 minutes.
Various Artists [Eric Clapton] – Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 DVD/Blu-ray (Rhino)
Double-disc collection containing highlights from Eric Clapton’s celebrated music festival. Among the highlights were the surprise pairing of John Mayer and Keith Urban for the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” Vince Gill and Clapton taking on “Lay Down Sally,” Keb Mo and Taj Mahal covering the Sleepy John Estes’ song, “Diving Duck Blues,” Gill performing “Tumbling Dice” with Urban and Albert Lee and members of the Allman Brothers — Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks — joined forces for a haunting acoustic cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done.” 90 minutes.
Vinyl:
American Music Club – Mercury [Reissue/1993] LP (Plain)
HQ-180gm reissue of American Music Club’s sixth album. A subtle mix of pedal steel, electric guitar, and understated drumming supporting Mark Eitzel’s lyrics laying out his tales of pain and desperation.
Boards Of Canada – Twoism [Reissue/1995] LP+MP3 (Warp)
Boards Of Canada – In A Beautiful Place In The Country [Reissue/2000] 12”+MP3 (Warp)
Boards Of Canada – Trans Canada Highway [Reissue/2006] 12”+MP3 (Warp)
Second round of vinyl reissues now available. 140gm with download.
The Boo Radleys – Giant Steps [Reissue/1993] LP (Diverse)
Vinyl reissue of Boo Radley’s third album, originally released in 1993. “The genius of the Boos definitely lies in their ability to adapt many a different touch and make it their own, taking what are often straightforward, hooky pop songs and turning them into something more, an ability Giant Steps shows in spades.” – All Music
Iris Dement – Infamous Angel [1992] LP (Plain)
Iris Dement – My Life [1994] LP (Plain)
Infamous Angel is Iris Dement’s debut album, originally released in 1992. Showcasing her clear voice and guitar with spare instrumental backing (featuring acoustic bass, piano and fiddle) that support her beautiful songs of life, love and family, it truly is a modern folk classic. My Life avoids the sophomore jinx so many artists encounter with an album many consider to be even better than her acclaimed debut. Both are now available on vinyl for the first time.
Flamin’ Groovies – Shake Some Action [Reissue/1976] LP (4 Men With Beards)
Shake Some Action was the fifth released in 1976 by the San Francisco band Flamin’ Groovies. Recorded in Great Britain and produced by Greg Shaw and Dave Edmunds, the album marked a departure for the group from the blues based/garage rock sound of the earlier records to a more power pop/British invasion direction.
Flamin’ Groovies – Now [Reissue/1977] LP (4 Men With Beards)
Flamin’ Groovies’ Now, released in 1978 and produced by Dave Edmunds, put the Groovies back on the map as the band won fervent praise on both sides of the Atlantic for their follow up to Shake Some Action. They apply their fiery British Invasion-inspired sound to the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” the Byrds’ “Feel A Whole Lot Better,” The Beatles’ “There’s A Place,” and a bunch more original tunes.
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain [Reissue/1971] LP (4 Men With Beards)
Orange vinyl! 1971’s Maggot Brain is Funkadelic’s all-out masterpiece. Absolutely no one working in soul and funk at the time had the scope, or vision, to pull off the kind of record that George Clinton and his collaborators have made here.
Icona Pop – This Is… Icona Pop LP (Big Beat)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. This Is… Icona Pop is the debut album from the Swedish pop sensations, and features the duo’s hit single “I Love It” featuring Charli XCX.
Eiko Ishibashi – Imitation Of Life LP (Drag City)
Drag City presents the first domestic release of any kind from the Japanese singer/songwriter and the first vinyl release of any kind on this already-accomplished performer. Imitation Of Life isn’t just another pop record from another part of the world — it’s got a sci-fi theme and is produced by Jim O’Rourke.
Paul McCartney – New LP (Hear Music)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “In calling his 16th solo album New, Paul McCartney is celebrating his fresh attitude rather than a change of musical direction. Though they’re produced by men young enough to be his sons, these 12 songs are vintage Macca: jaunty, melodic and occasionally whimsical with underlying twists of lyrical anger.” – The Telegraph.
Paul Nelson – Vortex [Reissue/1981] LP (Medical Records)
Vortex takes many twists & turns w/ many tracks of sequenced pulsations, electronic drums, & rhythms reminiscent of the Sci-fi soundtracks mixed w/ a healthy dose of almost proggy space/cosmic disco crossed w/ later-age Tangerine Dream. HQ-180gm splatter paint on opaque white vinyl.
Pearls Before Swine – The Use Of Ashes [Reissue/1970] LP (4 Men With Beards)
HQ-180gm vinyl reissue from the psychedelic folk group, originally released in 1970. A subversive, tender, moving, goofy, maddening, and profound record.
Tom Rapp/Pearls Before Swine – …Beautiful Lies You Could Live In [Reissue/1971] LP (4 Men With Beards)
HQ-180gm vinyl reissue of the sixth Tom Rapp/Pearls Before Swine release and the fourth and last on Warner Brothers. Originally released in 1971 with a more country/rock sound, Beautiful Lies includes a cover of Leonard Cohen’s Bird On A Wire and a brief setting of A.E. Housman’s poem, ”Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries”, sung by Elisabeth Rapp.
Saint Etienne – Foxbase Alpha [Reissue/1991] LP (Plain)
HQ-180gm reissue of Saint Etienne’s 1991 debut, which is a wonderful mix of both modern and retro influences with house music, ambient, samples and ‘60s pop coexisting easily for a unique sound not found anywhere else at the time.
The So So Glos – Blowout LP (Votiv)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. “Full of great hooks, anthemic energy and personality to spare, the Glos are able to etch out their own space thanks to these adventurous songs.” [7.6] — Pitchfork
Twinsmith – Honestly 7” (Saddle Creek)
Fuzzed-out guitars reminiscent of Blue Album-era Weezer combined with the clever complexity of NYC bands like The Walkmen and The Strokes and the shimmer West Coast ease characterized by the recent surf-pop revival.
Kurt Vile And The Violators – It’s A Big World Out There (And I’m Scared) 12” (Matador)
Between full lengths, Kurt Vile has made a name for himself with limited vinyl edition EPs. This 12″ continues this tradition with its inclusion of “Never Run Away” from Wakin’ On A Pretty Daze — this time with the beef’d up “string synth” version.
Violent Femmes – Hallowed Ground [Reissue/1984] LP (4 Men With Beards)
The sophomore effort from the Violent Femmes was a departure from their highly acclaimed debut album. Hallowed Ground features more of their folk/punk hybrid that made them so unique from the start but with even more maniacal energy than they had previously displayed. Lead singer and songwriter Gordon Gano explores his love/hate relationship with religion with the same glee he did exploring the teenage/young adult drama of their debut.
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