CDs:
John Abercrombie Quartet – 39 Steps CD (ECM)
John Abercrombie was one of the key jazz guitarists to emerge in the mid-’70s, along with John Scofield and Pat Metheny, and an Abercrombie ECM album has been a steady occurrence since his signature fusion classic Timeless from 1975. Lately, he’s been in a acoustic quartet mood on his ECM records, but the “John Abercrombie Quartet” means something quite different this time because there isn’t, say, a saxophone (Joe Lovano) or violin (Mark Feldman) to go along with bass and drums. This time, a piano is sharing the front line with Abercrombie, something that hadn’t been in an Abercrombie-led recording for the label for a very long time.
Advance Base – The World Is In A Bad Fix Everywhere CDEP (Caldo Verde)
A tribute to early 20th century Texas street preacher, singer, songwriter and musical innovator Washington Phillips.
All Time Low – Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now! [2012] CD (Hopeless)
Reissue of the band’s fifth full-length studio release, expanded with four brand new songs plus four acoustic tracks.
Atlantian Kodex – The White Goddess (A Grammar Of Poetic Myth)
Drawing from traditional heavy metal, doom and Norse metal, The White Goddess showcases their strongest songwriting, lyrical, vocal performance and production yet. Self-described as falling somewhere between Twilight of the Gods-era Bathory, early Manowar (Ross the Boss-era) and other classic US bands like Fates Warning, Cirith Ungol and Warlord, Atlantean Kodex retains a singular modernity and heaviness via their incredible production and recording techniques, and through singer Markus Becker, who has the naturally blessed pipes to rival the best heavy metal vocalists past or present. Vinyl edition December 10.
Richard Barone – Cool Blue Halo [Reissue/1987] CD (Jem)
Hailed by NPR as “a plaintive masterpiece,” Cool Blue Halo by NYC singer/songwriter Richard Barone is an album consistently cited as one of the best records you’ve never heard. The unique sound of “chamber rock” replaced bass and drums with cello and percussion, and presaged the Unplugged era that shortly followed. This version is completely remastered and includes nine bonus tracks not on the original record.
Richard Barone – Cool Blue Halo Concert 2xCD+DVD (Jem)
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the cult classic, Richard reassembled the band for a one-night-only concert at New York’s City Winery on May 4, 2012. Features a set list of his best originals, unique covers, and special guests including Garth Hudson and Tony Visconti. Includes the complete concert on DVD, and a “making-of” documentary.
Tim Berne’s Snakeoil – Shadow Man CD (ECM)
Over four years together, Berne and his band of New York standouts (pianist Matt Mitchell, clarinettist Oscar Noriega and drummer/percussionist Ches Smith) have developed a rapport that sounds like communal telepathy. The studio outcome is a marvel of kinetic action — the six pieces of Shadow Man make for music as visceral as it is cerebral; there is rollercoaster dynamism and aching lyricism, roiling counterpoint and intriguing harmony, glinting detail and ensemble impact.
Blind Boys Of Alabama – I’ll Find A Way CD/LP (Sony Masterworks)
Produced by Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, Kathleen Edwards), I’ll Find A Way features some of the Blind Boys’ most fervent vocals as well as contributions by a new generation of Blind Boys fans – Sam Amidon, Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, Casey Dienel of White Hinterland, Patty Griffin, and Vernon himself.
Blitzen Trapper – VII CD/LP (Vagrant)
Seventh album from the Portland, Oregon-based experimental country/folk act. VII is full of the vivid folk-rock-campfire-tales frontman Eric Earley is so well known for. The album moves effortlessly from track to track allowing Earley to paint the colorful pictures that play in our head while singing along.
The Blow – The Blow CD/LP (Kanine)
Original member Khaela Maricich has partnered with Melissa Dyne to create a record that reflects their united love of pop music, bass, frequency, hooks and intimate lyrics. This is the long-awaited first new release since 2007’s Paper Television.
Blue Sky Black Death – Glaciers CD (Fake Four, Inc.)
“Blue Sky Black Death is an excellently-named Seattle production duo; they’ve put in serious time assembling spacey, twinkling, weirdly pretty beats for rappers like Nacho Picasso and Deniro Farrar. This fall, they’ll release their new album Glaciers. The album is only five songs long, but each of them is a sprawling, expansive, softly epic piece of work.” — Stereogum
Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow CD/LP (Secret City)
Tall Tall Shadow,is the third album singer/songwriter Basia Bulat, who has garnered critical acclaim from Pitchfork praising her “rare, extraordinary voice,” and Filter, who declares “Bulat can pine with the best of them.” Basia co-produced Tall Tall Shadow with Mark Lawson (The Suburbs) and Tim Kingsbury (Arcade Fire).
Brendan Canning – You Gots 2 Chill CD/LP (SQE)
Sophomore solo LP from Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning.
Deltron 3030 – Event II CD/2xLP (Bulk Recordings)
Deltron 3030 is composed of a trinity of alt-rap all-stars: Master lyricist Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, superproducer Dan ‘The Automator’ Nakamura and virtuoso turntablist DJ Kid Koala. The follow up to Event features guest appearances by Damon Albarn and Casual, The Lonely Island, Black Rob, Zach De La Rocha, David Cross, Mike Patton, and more.
Dr. Dog – B-Room CD/LP (Anti)
Dr. Dog’s third album on Anti marks the band’s greatest point of clarity in more than a decade of performing and recording. Their arrangements, while still ambitious, are much simpler, moving past the multi-tracked pastiche of earlier efforts into a unique and vibrant voice that is influenced by the soul roots of Philadelphia.
Elf Power – Sunlight On The Moon CD (Darla/Orange Twin)
Combines the scuzzy, sleazy recording qualities of their early lo-fi masterworks with their powerful live bombast, with experiments in Kraftwerk-styled/Eno-esque drum machine minimalism, into a seamless, perfectly flowing whole. Vinyl version due October 8.
Tyler Farr – Redneck Crazy CD (Sony Nashville)
Debut album from the country singer/songwriter includes the singles “Hot Mess,” “Hello Goodbye,” and “Redneck Crazy,” as well as a collaboration with Colt Ford titled “Chicks, Trucks and Beer.”
Fates Warning – Darkness In A Different Light CD (Inside Out U.S.)
11th studio album from the prog metal band.
The Field – Cupid’s Head CD/2xLP (Kompakt)
Loops Of Your Heart‘s ambient bliss and Black Fog’s dark disco inspired by classic horror movie soundtracks can be found all over Cupid’s Head.
Fire! – Without Noticing CD/LP (Rune Grammophon)
Fire! Is Mats Gustafsson (The Thing), Johan Berthling (Tape), and drummer Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums). These tracks are spontaneously combusting rituals of rock based riffs and rhythms.
John Flynn – Country Mile CD (Transgressive)
New release from the British folk singer/songwriter. Vinyl version due October 15.
Fuzz – Fuzz CD/LP (In The Red)
Fuzz is Ty Segall (drums/vocals), Charlie Moothart (guitar/vocals) and Roland Cosio (bass). They’re heavy rock lifers—three California-bred dudes who have been refining their riffs and getting weird together since high school (which wasn’t that long ago, actually).
Gambles – Trust CD (GMBLS)
“With the recent unveiling of Matthew Daniel Siskin’s moniker, there is a long-dead burning within me to hear nothing but the acoustic guitar. It’s rare in the current cold-beating music cloud to find an acoustic artist so determined to stand out and unshake our fingers from the laptop keys. Gambles has me rapt.” – Impose
Grails – Black Tar Prophecies Vol’s 4, 5 & 6 CD/2xLP (Temporary Residence)
Collects the last three volumes in the Black Tar series. Exclusive to this collection is Volume 6, three previously unreleased tracks that run the gamut from found-sound collage to moody, piano-driven soundtracks to obscure erotic horror films that never existed (but should have).
Husere Grav – You Are Transparent CD (Crucial Blast)
These seven crushing, crepuscular dronescapes are littered with bursts of creepy metallic whirr, pipe organ and ghastly reverb that rise above a sea of churning, distorted low-end rumble. Ritualistic percussion and blasts of distorted synth drift in slow motion through the sulfurous opener “Red Room,” adding to the album’s already hallucinatory atmosphere. Released as part of Crucial Blast’s Crucial Blaze series, You Are Transparent comes in a clear DVD-style case with a sixteen-page art zine, sealed with a printed obi band.
Haim – Days Are Gone CD (Columbia)
Days Are Gone is the highly anticipated debut album from breakout band Haim. The Southern California trio has attracted a surge of industry attention since releasing their EPs Forever, Don t Save Me and Falling. The band has also been prominently featured in Rolling Stone’s esteemed ‘Best Of Rock’ issue and Elle’s ‘Women In Music’ issue, as well as recognized as “Faces To Watch 2013” by The Los Angeles Times, “20 Bands To Watch Out For” by Complex and “15 New Stars We Love” by Entertainment Weekly. Vinyl version due October 15.
Hank III – Brothers Of The 4×4 2xCD/3xLP (MRI)
Hank III – A Fiendish Threat CD/2xLP (MRI)
Unlike his traditional country album Brothers Of The 4×4 (released on the same day), A Fiendish Threat is a punk-infused album with plenty of attitude and that wicked Hank 3 charm.
Arve Henriksen – Places Of Worship CD/LP (Rune Grammofon)
This Norwegian trumpet player has made his mark over many years, not only as the horn player with the consistently challenging and long lived group Supersilent, but also as the purveyor of exquisite and distinctive solo work that stretches to four solo albums since 2001. Here he offers a series of tone poems and mood pieces located around religious buildings and ruins.
Paul Hardcastle – Chill Lounge 2 CD (Trippin’ In Rhythm)
On the heels of his highly successful Volume I CD, prolific producer of all that is mood altering and vibey comes the next chapter of this songbook that you will find hard to put down.
Hunters – Hunters CD/LP (Mom + Pop)
Debut album from Brooklyn band Hunters (currently on tour with Hunx & His Punx). Derek Watson and Izzy Almeida have made an album that captures the intensity of their notoriously brutal concerts that often end in a violent fury of guitars and bodies strewn across the stage.
In Solitue – Sister CD (Metal Blade)
New album from the Swedish metal mongers. In Solitude’s strength resides in their ability to craft dark and oppressive atmospheres within the auditory realm of classic heavy metal.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – Unvarnished CD/LP (Blackheart Records)
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts first studio record in more than seven years. Jett teamed up with some stellar collaborators on Unvarnished including Laura Jane Grace of Against Me, Dave Grohl, Blackheart band members Dougie Needles and Thommy Price, and longtime songwriting partner/producer, Kenny Laguna.
Land Of Kush – The Big Mango CD/LP+MP3 (Constellation)
Following several visits to the city over the years, Osama (Sam) Shalabi moved to Cairo in 2011, arriving at an apartment one block from Tahrir Square, in the midst of Egypt’s Arab Spring. Shalabi describes The Big Mango, his 2013 phenomenal work for his Land Of Kush big-band, as “a love letter to Cairo” framed by “the beautiful, surreal madness of the city…as joyous, horrific, historical events were unfolding.”
Leverage Models – Leverage Models CD (Hometapes)
Shannon Fields (Stars Like Fleas founder/producer) spent the better part of three years recording unhinged, narratively oblique, club-centric, dark kitchen-sink pop music under the name Leverage Models. Following the release of three EPs (digitally, as well as on limited edition cassettes), Leverage Models presents its self-titled debut. Includes Contributions from members of Yeasayer, Sinkane, LCD Soundsystem, and Sharon Van Etten. Vinyl version due November 12.
Lorde – Pure Heroine CD (Republic)
Debut album from New Zealand singer/songwriter Ella Yelich-O’Connor aka Lorde. It’d be easy to mistake Ella for a seasoned tunesmith from the American South, one who carries a heavy heart that’s been ravaged by careless men over time. But in truth, Lorde recorded these songs as a 16-year old Kiwi championed by the likes of Perez Hilton and Grimes. She has a timeless knack for songcraft with a sophisticated pop savvy that most people over 30 can’t find without collaboration.
Lucid – Song Of Lies And Deceit CD (Holy Are You)
Debut album from this UK psych foursome who draw on influences such as The Jesus & Mary Chain and Spacemen 3.
Melt Banana – Fetch CD (Azap)
From the whip-like crack of Yako’s signature staccato vocals and impossible-to-memorize lyrics to the relentless overdrive tempo of their one-of-a-kind prog-core, Melt-Banana have long resided in a cybertopia of their own devising where the limits of technology and human capability are old-world concerns as quaint and cumbersome as bartering with a blacksmith. The demos for Fetch, their first studio album since the severely fried pop-punk of 2007’s Bambi’s Dilemma, were completed in March 2011, but the Fukushima earthquake changed everything, including their ability to concentrate on recording.
Carlton Melton – Always Even CD/LP (Agitated)
The travelers have returned with Always Even, their fourth album, recorded once again in a geodesic dome in the winter of 2012-13. Strap in, fly on—but do not be fooled by the gentle ease of opening track “Slow Wake.” It’s the calm before the psych-storm, a balm for one’s ears to prepare body and mind for the synth-riff-laden, psych-guitar-knockout blastings to come. Much like “Space Treader” on last year’s Photos Of Photos, “Keeping On” launches into a unmapped zones, only to return to earth with the eased-back dome-drone of “Spider Web.”
Frankie Miller – Live At Rockpalast 3xCD/2xLP (Made In Germany Music)
If you had asked a critic in the ‘70s who the best white artists of soul and blues saturated rock were, besides Eric Burdon, Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker he would always have named Frankie Miller. Frankie Miller may come from Scotland but his heroes originate in the American rock and soul scene: Ray Charles, Sam Cooke und Otis Redding. This concert displays his impressive form and his exceptional musical talent. Double-vinyl edition contains selected bonus tracks from 1976 in Cologne and from 1979 in Wiesbaden. Also available on stand-alone DVD.
Moby – Innocents CD/2xCD/LP (Mute)
On his new album, for the first time in his career, Moby worked with an outside producer, friend Mark Spike Stent, whose résumé includes Madonna, U2, Muse, Björk, and Massive Attack. The list of eminent collaborators on Innocents includes Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips), alt-rock legend Mark Lanegan, Cold Specks, Skylar Grey best known for co-writing and performing on Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love The Way You Lie;” indie-folk singer Damien Jurado, and Inyang Bassey who was the vocalist on “The Right Thing” from Destroyed. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe edition is a double-CD ‘media book’ with bonus disc containing six extra tracks and a 20-page booklet.
Nelly – M.O. CD (Republic)
For M.O., Nelly teamed up with production powerhouses Pharrell (Jay-Z, Robin Thicke, Daft Punk), DJ Frank E (Kanye West, Enrique Iglesias), Detail (Lil Wayne), and Rico Love (Beyonce, Usher). Features guest appearances from Trey Songz, Future, Nelly Furtado, Daley, T.I., Kelly Rowland, Florida Georgia Line, 2Chainz, Nicki Minaj and others. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe includes bonus tracks.
New Model Army – Between Dog And Wolf CD (Eagle Rock)
NMA’s new album is filled with multi-layered drums and atmospheric musical textures while sacrificing none of the band’s famous passion, raw energy and song-writing skills.
Old 97s & Waylon Jennings – Old 97s & Waylon Jennings CD (Omnivore)
Waylon Jennings attended an Old 97’s gig in 1996, and later that year joined Ken Bethea, Murry Hammond, Rhett Miller and Philip Peeples in a studio in Nashville to cut two tracks. The youthful energy of Old 97s with the classic delivery of Waylon Jennings. Sadly, Waylon passed away and these recordings some of Jennings’ last never saw the light of day. Until now.
Oneohtrix Point Never – R Plus Seven CD/2xLP (Warp)
Drawing from choral work for Saatchi and Doug Aitken’s Hirshhorn installation combined with themes of interactive fiction, OPN recorded RP7 as a kind of choose your own adventure from his past ambient work and new pop palette.
Bill Orcutt – A History Of Every One CD/LP (Editions Mego)
Orcutt collects and expands on minstrel songs, holidays songs, marches, cowboy songs, Disney songs, work songs, and Delta Blues from the past.
The Paper Kites – States CD (Nettwerk)
Throughout States there’s nods to Simon & Garfunkel and Dylan (stripped down duet “Never Heard A Sound”); energetic pop odes to angry individualists (“Young”); vocal layers and musings on mortality (“Gates”); and rough and messy rock (“A Lesson From Mr Gray”). The band collaborated with director Natasha Pincus (Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”) to deliver the magical music videos for singles “St Clarity” and “Young.”
The Poets Of Rhythm – Anthology 1992-2003 CD/LP (Daptone)
Definitive collection from the undeniable funky frontrunners of the modern soul movement curated by the Daptone staff and the band themselves.
Polvo – Siberia CD/LP+MP3 (Merge)
An obvious point of comparison would be to Today’s Active Lifestyles, released — perhaps not coincidentally — exactly 20 years ago. Where that album thrived on a nervous, coiled energy, Siberia feels more surefooted, more poised and controlled.
Quasi – Mole City CD/2xLP (Kill Rock Stars)
After two decades of launching drums, guitars and pianos through the shifting interzones between harmony and chaos, Quasi are a genre of their own. Mole City, their ninth album, is the Quasi song book: parlor sing-alongs for the last century. Shakin’ blues, precision freak-outs, air-guitar-worthy riffs, heavy round droplets of time, fuzz everything, wah wahs, ya yas, ooh ahs, grunts, shuffle struts and chiming minor seventh chords — this is rock & roll.
Mantana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Two: Mississippi Moonchile CD/LP+MP3 (Constellation)
Coin Coin Chapter Two: Mississippi Moonchile is the much-anticipated 2013 installment of Matana Roberts’ unique and forward-looking project and it finds Roberts conjuring some of the most nuanced, thoughtful and substantial American liberation music of the 21st century.
Rush – Vapour Trails Remixed CD/2xLP (Rhino)
A remixed version of the band 2002’s album Vapor Trails.
Rush – Studio Albums 198-2007 7xCD (Rhino)
Set includes Presto (1989), Roll The Bones (1991), Counterparts (1993), and Test For Echo (1996), as well as their covers EP Feedback (2004), Snakes & Arrows (2007), and Vapour Trails Remixed (2013).
The Sadies – Internal Sounds CD/LP+MP3 (Yep Roc)
Recently released on vinyl – now available on CD. Internal Sounds was recorded in Toronto and produced solely by the band’s Dallas Good. “There was a conscious effort to deliver a finished product that doesn’t suffer from a deadline or budget,” says Good. “We made the record over a span of a year, in session for twenty+ days. We spent every dime we had and used up every favor. There is always a sense of immediacy to our records, maybe because we make a lot of albums. I didn’t want that this time,” says Good. Internal Sounds also features another Canadian legend, Buffy Sainte-Marie, who contributes her haunting vocals to the closing track “We Are Circling.”
Saint Rich – Beyond The Drone CD/LP+MP3 (Merge)
Saint Rich is the musical partnership of Delicate Steve bandmates Christian Peslak and Steve Marion. One day in 2012, during a pause in near constant touring for Delicate Steve, Marion began to work on some new material with Christian Peslak, the group’s guitarist and a musical collaborator of Marion’s since high school. By the end of the weekend, neither had left the house. There were seven new songs. And a new band. They named it Saint Rich.
Scar The Martyr – Scar The Martyr CD (Roadrunner)
New side-project of Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison.
Soulfly – Savages CD/LP (Nuclear Blast)
Guest vocal appearances on Savages include bass player Tony Campos, Max Cavalera’s brother Igor Cavalera, Clutch’s Neil Fallon, Napalm Death’s Mitch Harris and Jamie Hanks of I Declare War. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds two bonus tracks.
Dave Stewart – Lucky Numbers CD/2xLP (Weapons Of Mass Entertainment)
Lucky Numbers merges Stewart s rock and country influences, backed by the best players in Nashville: guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, bassist Michael Rhodes, pianist Mike Rojas, accordionist Kieran Kiely and steel guitarist Dan Dugmore. First single “Every Single Night” features Martina McBride.
Those Darlins – Blur The Line CD/LP (Oh Wow Dang)
After sophomore record Screws Get Loose, Jessi, Nikki, and Linwood set out to uncover the true complex, contradictory nature of themselves as individuals and as a band. The result is a record to file on your shelf between Patti Smith’s Easter and Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk.
Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience: 2 Of 2 CD/2xLP (RCA)
Justin Timberlake – The Complete Experience 2xCD/4xLP (RCA)
The soulful first single, “Take Back The Night” picks up right where he left off and The 20/20 Experience continues. “Take Back The Night” was written by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon and James Fauntleroy and produced by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Jerome “J-ROC” Harmon. 11 new tracks, plus a “special surprise from Justin.” The Complete Experience (you guessed it!) collects all 21 tracks from both of Justin’s 20/20 Experience releases.
Tired Pony – Ghost Of The Mountain CD (10 Spot/Polydor)
New album from the country music-loving guise of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody.
Randy Travis – Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am CD (WB)
After releasing his 25th Anniversary Celebration album and going back through his repertoire of collaborations with artists including Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Don Henley, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Josh Turner, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, Travis reflected on the icons and their music that have inspired him over the years.
Tropic Of Cancer – Restless Idylls CD/2xLP (Blackest Ever Black)
First full-length album from solo project of L.A.-based Camella Lobo. Troubled hymns from an empty room, in a drowned world.
Various Artists – Air Texture Volume III CD (Air Texture)
This 27 unreleased track compilation includes a heady group of musicians: Ricardo Villalobos (with NSI.’s Max Loderbauer), Thomas Fehlmann (The Orb), Pole, The Field, T. Raumschmiere’s alt-ego SHRUBBN!!, SunnnO)))’s Eyvind Kang, DNA’s Ikue Mori, Christian Fennesz, and minimalist, avant-garde heavyweights Phil Niblock, Jim O’Rourke, and Pauline Oliveros. Other artists include: Blue Field, Hrdvsion, Tobias., Jacopo Carreras, Exercise One, Tom Thiel, Marina Rosenfeld, Oren Ambarchi, Andris Brazus, Raz Mesinai, lloop, and Once11.
Various Artists – The Blue Beat Explosion! Vol. 2: Boogie In My Bones CD/LP (Secret)
Compilation of early Laurel Aitken related Blue Beat releases. “The Godfather of Ska” under several guises. Featuring The Blues Beats, The Caribs, The Boogie Cats, Ken Richards, Ruddy and Sketto, Juke Reid.
Various Artists – Kassidat: Raw 45s from Morocco CD (Dust-To-Digital)
Collection of traditional Arabic and Berber 45rpm records from the Golden Age of the independent Moroccan recording scene.
Various Artists – Longing For The Past: 78RPM Era In Southeast Asia 4xCD+Book (Dust-To-Digital)
A kaleidoscopic collection featuring four CDs with 90 tracks of music spanning six decades (1905-1966), accompanied by a 272pg book with essays and annotations by leading ethnomusicologists that is richly illustrated with more than 250 vintage photographs, record labels, and sleeves.
Various Artists – Luk Thung: Classic & Obscure 78s From the Thai Countryside CD (Dust-To-Digital)
Compilation of Thai Luk Thung from the 1950s and early 1960s. Carefully transferred and mastered from the original 78rpm records.
Various Artists – Qat Coffee & Qambus: Raw 45s From Yemen CD (Dust-To-Digital)
A collection of rare Yemeni 45rpm vinyl singles from the 1960s and 1970s.
Various Artists – Sorrow Come Pass Me Around: A Survey of Rural Black Religious Music CD (Dust-To-Digital)
A collection of spiritual and gospel songs performed in informal non-church settings between 1965-1973.
White Manna – Dune Worship CD (Holy Mountain)
White Manna returns to prove just how deep their thrust is. Dune Worship, the Arcata, California, group’s sophomore album, follows in the vein of last year’s self-titled debut, mining another batch of primal, outward-bound jams that reek of eternity.
The Wood Brothers – The Muse CD/LP (Southern Ground)
Produced by country-music legend Buddy Miller, The Muse embodies a newfound musical bond between brothers Oliver and Chris Wood, one cemented by two years on the road with a new full-time member, drummer Jano Rix. Recorded at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville, the album mines The Wood Brothers timeless influences Robert Johnson, Willie Nelson, Charles Mingus and showcases their high-lonesome harmonies, Oliver’s gritty acoustic guitars, Chris virtuosic standup bass and their warrior poet lyrics.
Yuck – Glow & Behold CD/LP (Fat Possum)
“It’s been a tumultuous year for the young British indie-fuzz darlings Yuck, who are essentially a different band now that frontman Daniel Blumberg has left them and gone on to do his own thing as Hebronix. But the band isn’t just continuing on without Blumberg. With guitarist Max Bloom stepping to the front, they’ve thrived, cranking out gloriously life-affirming indie guitar-monuments like ‘Rebirth,’ ‘Middle Sea,’ and the just-shared ‘Memorial Fields.’” – Stereogum
DVD + Blu-ray:
Big Country – Live At The Town And Country Club DVD (Wienerworld)
A unique performance at London’s Town And Country Club in 1990, a decade before the untimely death of lead singer Stuart Adamson. Features an anthemic catalog of memorable chart hits, including “Fields Of Fire,” “In a Big Country,” “Look Away” and “Wonderland.” 50 minutes.
Al Green – Golden Hits: The Ultimate Collection DVD (IMV Blueline)
A non-stop concert of hard-rocking, pulse-pounding gospel from one of the most soulful and powerful singers of his generation. 57 minutes.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Highjacking Hip Hop DVD (Azure)
The You Tube era has had its share of teen sensations who take the music world by storm, but none have had the instant success along with the critical acclaim of rappers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Fiercely Independent the two are the latest unsigned act to enter the spotlight with their debut album, The Heist. In this film you’ll meet the duo that is being compared to the Beastie Boys and Eminem as they highjack hip-hop. 60 minutes.
Frankie Miller – Live At Rockpalast DVD (Made In Germany Music)
If you had asked a critic in the ‘70s who the best white artists of soul and blues saturated rock were, besides Eric Burdon, Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker he would always have named Frankie Miller. Frankie Miller may come from Scotland but his heroes originate in the American rock and soul scene: Ray Charles, Sam Cooke und Otis Redding. This concert displays his impressive form and his exceptional musical talent. 196 minutes.
Ramones – Punk Rock: Musikladen 1978 2xDVD (IMV Blueline)
Full show from 1978 performance at Musikladen, Germany. 51 minutes.
Vinyl:
94 East – If You See Me b/w Games 7” (Numero)
Known colloquially as “The Cookhouse 5,” session highlight “If You See Me” makes its vinyl debut here and will also be featured on the forthcoming compilation Purple Snow: Forecasting The Minneapolis Sound. The B-side, “Games,” is a 45 exclusive.
Alpaca – Demimonde LP+MP3 (Robotic Empire)
Los Angeles / Brooklyn duo Alpaca is comprised of vocalist Justin Nuckols and multi-instumentalist Allen Blickle. Their debut album, Demimonde, recorded over a five-year period across locations in New York and the members’ native Virginia, draws from material conceived during arduous tour schedules for Baroness, the accomplished hard rock band for which Blickle drummed. His dance, pop and melody-driven compositions juxtapose with Nuckols’s darker, groove-focused, and harmonic vocal explorations. Color vinyl. CD version due October 15.
Beat Happening – Jamboree [Reissue/1988] LP (K Records)
Vinyl repress of Beat Happening’s seminal sophomore LP.
Beyond Pink – Pride And Prejudice LP (Give Praise)
Bright color loving Swedish hardcore punkettes here to bring back colors to a monotonous uniformed scene.
Cabaret Voltaire – Red Mecca [Reissue/1981] LP+CD (Mute)
Originally released in September 1981, Red Mecca is referred to as one of Cabaret Voltaire’s most cohesive and brilliant records. It contains all the characteristics that have made the Sheffield group such an influential entity when it comes to electronic music that isn’t afraid to shake its tail a little.
Carter Tutti – Coolicon 12” (CTI)
First single in over 20 years from Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti on their own CTI imprint. “All I can say about ‘Coolicon’ right now is that it makes me smile, a lot.” – Warren Ellis
Dave And Ansel Collins – Double Barrel [Reissue/1970] LP (Secret)
HQ-180 reissue of the classic 1970 album. Dave and Ansell Collins are a Jamaican vocal/instrumental duo (sometimes billed as Dave and Ansil Collins or Dave and Ansel Collins).
Cosmic Psychos – Down On The Farm [Reissue/1985] 12” (Goner)
Cosmic Psychos – Cosmic Psychos [Reissue/1987] LP (Goner)
Cosmic Psychos – Go The Hack [Reissue/1990] LP (Goner)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. These first Cosmic Psychos releases are as timeless and necessary as ever—still a bullsh!t bulldozer, a blurry loud night at the bar, a rollicking time hanging with the guys. The time has come for a new generation to be uplifted by these initial blasts from the Cosmic Psychos. Goner is proud to partner with Melbourne’s esteemed Aarght! Records to bring these platters of primal perfection back into a world that definitely needs them.
Daedelus – Drown Out LP (Anticon)
Drown Out can be alternately intense or mellow, melancholy or ebullient, danceable or introspective. Genres ransacked and sublimated include ’90s West Coast gangsta rap, rave, classical, jazz, footwork, juke and the heavy beats that crop up out of the Low End Theory. There are neither speed limits nor straight paths, but there’s always a voice and a roadmap.
Flyte Time – It’s The Things That You Do b/w I’ve Got You On My Mind 7” (Numero)
A precursor to The Time, Flyte Time was a competitive moretet that provided a vehicle for dozens of Twin Cities musicians throughout the ’70s and early ’80s. The two unreleased songs featured here star bassist Terry Lewis, “Funkytown” vocalist Cynthia Johnson, drummer Garry “Jellybean” Johnson, and guitarist Tony Johnson (no relation).
The Four Mints – Gently Down Your Stream [Reissue/1973] LP (Numero)
Though most of the material on 1973’s Gently had been previously released as 45s, the collection (five singles and one priceless track saved from the scrap heap) gives witness to a world-class vocal quartet at its professional and intuitive peak.
The Haxan Cloak – The Haxan Cloak 2xLP+MP3 (Aurora Borealis)
The Haxan Cloak is 25-year-old London-based avant garde musician Bobby Krlic. The Haxan Cloak comes across as more organic than the recent (and excellent) Excavation, though no less of a sense of dread is built up for you to bury your anxieties in.
Kathy Heideman – Move With Love LP (Numero)
More Bakersfield than Laurel Canyon, and set to walking in 1976 by the one-off Dia imprint in a plain-Jane, black-on-white sleeve, Heideman’s lone LP suffered the geographical misfortune of having ripened in the pre-silicon orchards of San Jose, CA, far from more marketable realms — Emmylou’s backyard, say, or Joni Mitchell’s summery lawn.
Lonnie Holley – Keeping A Record Of It CD (Dust-To-Digital)
Second album features recordings made in 2006, 2010 and 2011. Guest performers include Cole Alexander (Black Lips), Bradford Cox (Deerhunter) and visual artist Lillian Blades.
Herman Jones – I Love You b/w Ladie 7” (Numero)
Jones backed and fronted various incarnations of St. Paul’s The Exciters, off and on through the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. The unreleased “I Love You,” is currently the most consistently sung ditty around the Numero office. The flip side is also unreleased, and is exclusive to this 45.
Isis + Aereogramme – In The Fishtank 14 [2006] LP (Fishtank/Konkurrent)
Three collaborative tracks from Isis and Aereogramme. Where both bands are known for their love of metal and post-hardcore next to experiment and a spheric approach, they not only show these skills here, but on top they reach an impressively high level of purity, roominess and emotion.
Jucifer – There Is No Land Beyond The Volga 2xLP+MP3 (Alternative Tentacles)
Eighth album from veteran experimental sludge metal two-piece.
Kassin – Sonhando Devagar LP+MP3 (20/20/20)
In his native Brazil, Kassin is a sought-after producer (Bebel Gilberto), bass player (Caetano Veloso) and musical director (Orchestra Imperial, a new-twist samba band that regularly plays for audiences of 40,000). But outside Brazil, he is best known as a member of the mysterious trio known as +2, who released three albums on Luaka Bop, each identified by a different leader: Moreno +2 (lead by Veloso Moreno, Caetano’s son), Domenico +2 (lead by Domenico Lancellotti), and Kassin +2 (the last of the series, released in 2008). Includes 3-D glasses to properly view the artwork.
Les Level – House Of Need 12” (100% Silk)
Melbournian multi-hyphenate Luke Brown has his hands in a lot of pots, having dug deep in his DJ duo with Ricardo Ramos, Leslie Salvador, as well as his ongoing death-disco/dark-synth revisionist twosome, Negativ Magick. But the past few years have found him exploring more classic, scruffed-up analog house terrain via his latest alias Les Level, and his six-track debut is purist uncut club gold.
Lovers Without Borders – Detective b/w Second Most Beautiful Girl In World 7” (K Records)
Like the K artists that have gently carved their names in the American pop hall of fame before them, LWB’s delightful, sweet melodies and honest, joyful approach makes this record a necessary treasure for K lovers everywhere (K staff included).
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Heist 2xLP+MP3 (Macklemore)
Debut album from rising stars Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Emerging out of the Pacific Northwest, the pair have been featured at major festivals including Lollapalooza, Rock The Bells, Sasquatch, MusicFest NW and Outside Lands. Album guests include Ben Bridwell of Band Of Horses, Allen Stone, ScHoolboy Q & Ab-Soul. Gold vinyl with three bonus tracks in elaborate packaging.
Meat Puppets – Out My Way [Reissue/1986] LP+MP3 (MVD Audio)
Meat Puppets – Huevos [Reissue/1987] LP+MP3 (MVD Audio)
The Meat Puppets stretch their legs on 1986’s Out My Way, jamming their way through a bunch of tunes, including the title track, “She’s Hot,” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.” Includes bonus tracks. Huevos was recorded in four days and released less than six months after Mirage. But where that album was spacey and lush, Huevos is rough and spontaneous.
Minus The Bear – Acoustics II LP+MP3 (Suicide Squeeze)
A full LP containing eight newly recorded and reinterpreted standout tracks in addition to two brand new songs for 2013: “The Storm” and “Riddles.” Acoustics II is sure to please longtime fans and welcome new fans to this critically acclaimed rock band.
Moin – Murphy 12” (Blackest Ever Black)
Moin is the duo of Tom Halstead and Joe Andrews (aka Raime).
Motorpsycho + Jaga Jazzist Horns – In The Fishtank 10 [2002] (Fishtank/Konkurrent)
First time on vinyl. In the Summer of 2002, Motorpsycho and the horn section of fellow Norwegians Jaga Jazzist, came together to record, producing a stunning cocktail of Stax Soul, John Coltrane and obviously, Pharaoh Sanders.
múm – Sing Along To Songs You Don’t Know [2009] 2xLP (Morr Music)
Double-LP version of the fith studio album from Iceland’s eccentric pop maestros.
Nirvana – Cult 2xLP+MP3 (Burger)
This exotic British psychedelic band laid name-claim to tranquility’s state in the 1960s, long before the mythic 1990s Seattle grungers. Collection of 20 songs from their first two albums with three bonus songs.
Paradise 100 – Loin King 12” (100% Silk)
Scotland-born Parisian Paradise 100 (a.k.a. DJ Africa, a.k.a. Graham Peel) has been percolating stripped-back, bouncy-castle house constructs onto the web for a few years but never locked them in wax until now. High time.
Phish – Junta [1992] 3xLP+MP3 (Jemp)
Junta is the first full-length studio album from Phish. The original 1/4″ analog session tapes (recorded in 1988-1989) were mastered by Bernie Grundman Mastering creating an analog-to-analog vinyl master for this deluxe triple-LP HQ-180 vinyl set.
Maja Ratkje – Voice LP+CD [2002] (Rune Grammofon)
Debut solo album from founding Spunk member and composer, who has secured her place among the finest experimental singers. From the weird and furious to the enchanting and beautiful, this is an album rich in atmosphere, color and creative madness. CD originally release in 2002, but the vinyl is available for the first time here.
Sensations Fix – Fragments Of Light [Reissue/1974] LP (Superior Viaduct)
Originally released on Polydor in 1974, Fragments Of Light does not bend to mid-’70s genre-classism. Fluid, meditative guitar leads and innovative use of synthesizers, combined with a noted lack of percussion (and vocals) on all but a few songs, have drawn comparisons to Kosmische legends Tangerine Dream and Popol Vuh.
Turn On The Sunlight – New Day LP+MP3 (Disques Corde)
Featuring Mia Doi Todd on vocals, Turn On The Sunlight’s second album delves into ambient, Krautrock, and world music, fusing it together with a catchy psych-folk sound.
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