CDs + Vinyl:
Akitsa – Grands Tyrans CD/Cassette (Hospital Productions)
Death, deprivation and an agnostic vision of a crumbling society.
Algiers – Algiers CD/LP+MP3 (Matador)
The debut LP by Algiers is haunted by promises of the past: the rapturous call and response of millenarian gospel, the bellowing urgency of ‘60s protest soul, the scene-searching intensity of DC hardcore and the smeared viscosity of post-punk and no wave.
Armored Saint – Win Hands Down CD/LP (Metal Blade)
New album from the veteran metal band.
Art Of Anarchy – Art Of Anarchy CD/LP (Another Record Co.)
Art Of Anarchy is a hard rock band comprised of Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver), lead guitarist Bon “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses), bassist John Moyer (Disturbed) and twin brothers Jon (lead guitar) and Vince (drums).
Arthur’s Landing – Second Thoughts 2xCD (Buddhist Army)
Second Thoughts is the second collection of Arthur Russell songs by NYC nu-disco band Arthur’s Landing. Led by singer/guitarist Steven Hall the band explores Russell’s concept of “Buddhist Pop” from the rare and unreleased gem “Lost In Thought” which was co-written by Hall and Russell and mixed by legendary producer Bob Blank to the disco classic “Tell You Today” mixed by Alkalino featuring Peter Gordon on sax.
A$AP Rocky – At.Long.Last.A$AP CD (RCA)
Second solo studio album by the rapper. At.Long.Last.A$AP is the follow-up to his 2013 gold-selling debut album, Long. Live. ASAP. Includes the singles “Everyday” and “What’s Beef.”
Attalus – Into The Sea CD (Facedown)
Since the release of their debut EP, The Greater Tide in December 2010, Attalus have established themselves as one of Raleigh’s reputable local bands. Known for passionate live performances and a rigorous work ethic, they have already played alongside bands such as Switchfoot, Thousand Foot Krutch, The Rocket Summer, Anberlin, Hawthorne Heights and Wolves At The Gate, along with many others.
Barenaked Ladies – Silverball CD (Welk)
New album from the Canadian pop/rock outfit. This follow-up to 2013’s Grinning Streak finds Barenaked Ladies again delivering a batch of whip-smart pop/rock gems with indelible melodies.
Kail Baxley – A Light That Never Dies CD (Forty Below)
A hard hitting, lush and beautifully haunting collection of songs co-produced with producer/engineer Eric Corne whose recording credits include Lucinda Williams, Glen Campbell, Kim Deal and John Mayall. Vinyl version due August 7.
Jeff Beck – Performing This Week… Live At Ronnie Scott’s [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD (Eagle)
In 2007 Jeff Beck performed a series of concerts at the renowned Ronnie Scott’s club in London. Now for the first time on CD all the live tracks are available including those with special guests plus the Big Town Playboys set which has previously only been on the Blu-ray release.
Black Oak Arkansas – The Complete Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live 2xCD (Real Gone Music)
A blistering, balls-to-the-wall audio snapshot of one of southern rock’s great boogie bands in its prime, Black Oak Arkansas Raunch N Roll Live has lost none of its visceral thrust, more than three decades after it humped its way into record stores as a seven-song vinyl LP. And now, with the re-release of this expanded double-CD set you get three times the raunch.
Black Tower – Secret Fire CD/LP+MP3 (Dark Descent)
Black Tower hails from Ottawa, Canada, but it might as well be Middle Earth. Or at least a Middle Earth as filtered through heavy metal.
Born Cages – I’m Glad I’m Not Me CD/LP (Razor & Tie)
The musicians in Born Cages were naturally drawn to each other back in 2011. Each had made his imprint on the fertile New York scene, and their bond proved instantaneous. Within their first year together, the band s self-released online demos stirred major buzz. Soon, NYC’s most prominent rock radio station, Q104.3FM started giving them frequent airtime, they were dubbed Artist On The Verge by New Music Seminar and their in-studio performance at the Gibson showroom was featured in Times Square, and they shared the stage with the legendary Guns N Roses for two sold out shows. The band’s debut album album, I’m Glad I’m Not Me, is a delicate alchemy of raw guitars and shimmering electronics powers.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah [10th Anniversary/Reissue/2005] CD/LP+MP3 (CYHSY, Inc./The Orchard)
“Clap Your Hands Say Yeah has stockpiled a mass of oft-trampled influences, including what amounts to a 12-course meal of in-vogue ’80s acts. What’s interesting is the manner in which the players assemble this source material. The Cure and The Smiths, for instance, are probed for neither nostalgic angst nor fashion cues. The Reagan-era creepiness that often surfaces when contemporary acts dabble in such sounds in curtailed by Clap Your Hands’ apparent affinity for The Clean and other indie slouchers, to say nothing of the harmonica strapped in front of singer Alec Ounsworth’s mouth. (Republicans play keyboards, but it takes a socialist to pull of the consecrated harmonica holder)” — Jay Ruttenberg Timeout NY. (Vinyl version includes custom download card redeemable for twelve new solo acoustic cassette recordings by Alec Ounsworth.)
Coathanger Abortion – Observations Of Humanity CD (Comatose)
“Another band that it doesn’t take a doctoral degree to determine what type of music that they play without hearing it, Coathanger Abortion sounds about the way that you would expect to it to sound. Thus, the band’s second album (and first in six years), Observations Of Humanity, leaves little to the imagination and has the subtle nature of a bulldozer. All in all, it’s an effective one-two punch of ‘90s brutal death metal.” – Dead Rhetoric
Consider The Source – World War Trio Part II & III CD (Techne)
“An eclectic mix of prog rock, jam funk, middle-eastern, world music, and even at times shred metal, the guys are making an impact on the jam scene for bringing something completely new to the table.” – Bass Musician Magazine
Billy Currington – Summer Forever CD (Mercury Nashville)
The sixth album from the country vocalist. Billy Currington worked with his longtime producer friend Dann Huff to create the project. The 12- track album includes the single, “Don’t It,” which hit #7 on country music charts. The album also includes the touching anthem “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To,” written by Currington, Cary Barlowe and Shy Carter.
The Darkness – Last Of Our Kind CD/LP (Canary Dward)
The Darkness, formed in 2000 by The Brothers Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and (now departed) Ed Graham, have had good years and bad. And some years where they didn’t actually do anything. To bring Last Of Our Kind to life, the band decamped to the craggy paradise that is Valentia Island in Ireland, which had a certain kinda magic for the band — songs came, riffs grew, creative juices flowed. Lead singer Justin Hawkins describes the album humbly, “Last Of Our Kind is a collection of 10 magnificent songs that The Darkness are extremely proud of. It is the best rock album you will hear this year. It is the best rock album you will hear until next time The Darkness makes an album.”
Dawes – All Your Favorite Bands CD/LP+MP3 (Hub)
Intimacy has always been a defining trait of folk music—it’s music of the folk, after all. There’s a more palpable connection between artist and observer because, at its heart, folk music is the manifestation of the strife and traditions and pleasures of the people. Couple that with the ubiquity and accessibility of its acoustic instruments and you have something inimitably relatable. Still, just because you can play four chords in a row doesn’t mean we want to hear you—it’s human nature to want to be impressed by things that are actually impressive. Such is the case for Dawes, a talented band the Chicago Sun-Times just described as perhaps the “most satisfying American band of its generation.”
Zella Day – Kicker CD/LP (Hollywood)
Raised in Pinetop, Arizona, a small mountain town of 7,000, Zella embraced creativity early on inspired by a vast backdrop of natural beauty. Surrounding herself with other musicians, Zella’s family-owned Mor Mor Coffee House became a sanctuary for budding artists where she first performed sets of Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Bobby Darin songs with only a guitar. Pulling dually from such songwriting legends and her old-West, Clint Eastwood-clad surroundings, Zella began writing songs with distinct raw grit that continues to define her sound today.
Demon Eye – Tempora Infernalia CD (Soulseller)
New album of dark, groovy, and loud occult hard rock. Vinyl version due June 9.
Jason Derulo – Everything Is 4 CD (WB)
Everything Is 4 features three songs already debuted by Derulo: lead single “Want To Want Me,” which has peaked so far at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, plus “Get Ugly” and the newly released “Cheyenne”—all of which make up the first three tracks on the album. Guests include Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Trainer, Matoma, K. Michelle, and Julia Michaels.
Elina Duni Quartet – Dallëndyshe CD (ECM)
On Dallëndyshe (“The Swallow”), her second ECM album, Elina Duni sings songs of love and exile. The troubled history of the Balkan regions has inspired many such songs here, primarily from Albanian traditional sources, are interpreted with intensity and insight by Elina and her band. The Tirana-born and Swiss-raised singer has become an exceptional musical storyteller, embodying the songs narratives in a way that transcends genre definitions and language limitations.
Encyrcle – Encyrcle CD (Dark Descent)
Hailing from Denmark, Encyrcle is the kind of band that could make a true believer of even the most jaded modern metalhead. Hard-charging speed metal is juiced up further with black metal-esque blast beats, while the guitar solos and vocals are derived entirely from the oldest of old schools: melodic, powerful, and way over the top.
Eternal Summers – Gold And Stone CD/LP (Kanine)
Nicole Yun of Roanoke, Virginia based noise pop, power rock trio Eternal Summers has this to say: “On this self-produced album, we wanted to target lusher and radiant textures, some classic rock riffs, some jazzier elements and some full-on punk snarl.” Nicole isn’t exactly sure how influence happens, “Whether it creeps in or just bashes you on the head, I think we made it a point to be as open as possible. We love to listen to bands and think about how their albums came together. We were listening to a lot of Blur, early Radiohead, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Echo And The Bunnymen, Ryan Adams, Lush, Dinosaur Jr., Cleaners From Venus and Stereolab in the van on tour before writing Gold And Stone.” You’ll have to give Gold And Stone a spin to see whether you can pick out those influences or even find traces of the early Eternal Summers “dream punk.”
Five Knives – Savages CD (Red Bull)
Five Knives’ new album, produced by Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons), contains thirteen tracks of bombastic, heart-skipping raw electronic bursts wrapped in pop hooks, all delivered with the power and energy of a live band.
Florence + The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful CD/2xLP (Republic)
Fans of Welch’s most expansively raving anthems won’t go wanting here. Songs including ‘Queen Of Peace’ and ‘Third Eye’ offer all the sky-high layered harmonies, rolling and echoing drums, and orchestral exclamation points one could desire, with horn arrangements by Will Gregory of Goldfrapp. But the intensity is relieved by sparse, restrained songs like the organ-led meditation ‘St. Jude’ or ‘Long & Lost,’ which, with its hovering guitar and strings and clunks of electronic percussion, evokes the dreamy swells of mid-1990s Kate Bush B-sides, or maybe even Cocteau Twins” – Billboard. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds five bonus tracks.
Four Years Strong – Four Years Strong CD (Pure Noise)
Fifth full-length album from the pop/punk band. Vinyl version due June 16. According to guitarist/vocalist Dan O’Connor, the album is, “one of the rawest records we’ve ever made, it’s just us playing. No fancy computer sh*t. Made for singing along and head-banging.”
Friend Roulette – I See You. Your Eyes Are Red CD/LP+MP3 (Goodnight)
Friend Roulette — a violin/bass clarinet/EWI/2 drummer cacophony of sound that effortlessly veers from chamber pop to noisy orchestral experiments — has earned comparisons to everyone from Van Dyke Parks to Scott Walker to Aaliyah. On I See You. Your Eyes Are Red, off-kilter ideas abound, some theatrical, others almost jazz, with the mainstay of harmonies between Julia Tepper and guitarist Matthew Meade abound, often at odds with the dissonance behind them and the rather dark lyrical content. “… a big, bright burst of experimental chamber pop.” — Stereogum
Froth – Bleak CD/LP+MP3 (Burger)
Recently released on vinyl – now available on CD. “The nine track album stays true to their west coast sound; melodic and breezy with deep riffs that are perfect for cruising an open highway. One of standout tracks on Bleak is the third song, titled ‘Nothing Baby.’ It’s a slow burning lament that alludes to a possibly soon to be lost lover. The somber tone evokes echoes of The Jesus & Mary Chain, with a melodic guitar solo situated toward the end — a perfect transition into quicker tempo of the fourth track.” – The Girls At The Rock Show
Melody Gardot – Currency Of Man CD (Verve)
Currency Of Man is an intensely creative milestone, transcending musical distinctions of jazz, blues and R&B, to offer a stirring social and musical statement. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds five bonus tracks.
Robin Gibb – Saved By The Bell: The Collected Works Of Robin Gibb 1968-1970 3xCD (Rhino)
This collection captures the entire musical output of Robin Gibb at 19 years old, over a 12 month period from 1969 and 1970. The extensive triple-disc set features the critically acclaimed hit solo album Robin’s Reign, rebooted to include nine alternate takes and full-length versions, as well as the previously unreleased, and much sought-after Sing Slowly Sisters album, which comes exactly 45 years after it was recorded.
Daughn Gibson – Carnation CD/LP+MP3 (Sub Pop)
Daughn Gibson of Carlisle, PA is a singer/songwriter and musician possessed of a singular and strange vision. Carnation, his third album, is the latest exhilarating and dark embodiment of that vision. It’s an album that’s more elegant and sophisticated than anything he’s done to date, and which sees the elements of country music, more prominent on 2012’s All Hell on The White Denim label and 2013’s Me Moan on Sub Pop, undone to extraordinary effect by ambient textures and sounds. Shot through with a deep sensuality, Carnation is a high-wire balancing act, at times sexual, emotionally intense and comforting.
Girlpool – Before The World Was Big CD/LP (Wichita)
“If you caught Girlpool’s Bill Murray-approved set at The Fader Fort, or have seen any of their recent shows opening up for Waxahatchee, you’ll recognize ‘Before the World Was Big,’ the hard-to-shake title track from the teenage duo’s forthcoming debut album. It’s deceptively simple in melody and structure, with episodic lyrics shouted like fragmented scenes from their recent childhood: firetrucks, snowballs, sidewalks, trashcans. ‘Mom and dad, I love you/ Do I show it enough?’ It actually reminds me a lot of young, accidental outsider icons The Shaggs, except with significantly more existential angst. Even the title is reminiscent of that band’s cheaply recorded debut record, Philosophy Of The World.” – The Fader
Girlschool – The Collection [Reissue/1998] 2xCD (Sanctuary)
Reissue of this two collection from the legendary all female British heavy metal band. Features their best known tracks including “Please Don’t Touch” (duet with Motörhead) and their cover of The Sweet’s “Fox On The Run.”
Gloriana – Three CD (Emblem)
Gloriana released their debut self-titled album in 2009 and quickly became the best-selling debut country act, winning the 2009 fan-voted American Music Award for Breakthrough Artist and the 2010 Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Vocal Group. Their new album, Three includes the single “Trouble.”
Goatsnake – Black Age Blues CD/2xLP (Southern Lord)
Goatsnake’s Black Age Blues closes a fifteen-year gap between full-length albums from the revered act, without a doubt making it one of the most highly anticipated doom/metal releases of 2015. With nearly fifty minutes of their most soulful yet boisterous material to date, the quartet expands their already mammoth tones and pummeling rock riffs with a variety of additional influences and elements, and guest contributions from a variety of players including David Pajo (Slint, Aerial M, Papa M) and soul vocal trio Dem Preacher’s Daughters, comprised of Wendy Moten, Gale Mayes and Andrea Merrit.
Great Discord – Duende CD (Metal Blade)
Sharing an interest in progressive music, The Great Discord founders; vocalist Fia Kempe and drummer Aksel Holmgren, began their collaboration in 2013, counting Genesis, King Crimson and contemporary acts Meshuggah and The Dillinger Escape Plan among those who have, and would inspired them. Vinyl version due June 9.
Helloween – My God-Given Right CD (Nuclear Blast America)
The veteran metal band releases their 15th full-length album.
Holychild – The Shape Of Brat Pop To Come CD/LP (Glassnote)
Holychild is comprised of Liz Nistico and Louie Diller. They met in college in 2011, have been writing music ever since and call their genre, “brat pop.” On their debut album The Shape Of Brat Pop To Come, Holychild takes on nothing less than the idea of power dynamics and inequality be it racial, social status, or gender-motivated. The beats are wild (thanks in no small part to Diller’s stint in Cuba studying Afro-Cuban drumming), and the tongues are placed firmly in cheek. Nistico assures that while their message is clear, it’s not definitive. After all, we’re all humans, right? At the end of the day Holychild is about posing questions not providing answers.
Indigo Girls – One Lost Day CD/2xLP (Welk/Vanguard)
New album by the veteran fok/pop/rock duo. This follow-up to 2011’s Beauty Queen Sister features more of the stunning, well-wrought folk, pop, and rock that we’ve come to expect from Indigo Girls.
Inquisition – Nefarious Dismal Orations CD/LP (Season Of Mist)
Nefarious Dismal Orations, Inquisition’s fourth full-length, is yet another salvo of supreme black metal in their now-legendary arsenal of work.
Iron Butterfly – Ball [Reissue/1969] CD (Real Gone Music)
Everybody remembers In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, but guess what? This album actually went higher in the charts for Iron Butterfly, going all the way to #3. Ball had a couple of hit singles in “In The Time Of Our Lives” and “Soul Experience,” but what really made the album tick was how the band (the classic line-up of Doug Ingle, Erik Brann, Lee Dorman and Ron Bushy) was able to move to a more melodic style while still retaining their righteous heavy-osity.
I The Mighty – Connector CD (Equal Vision)
I The Mighty’s sophomore album Connector was recorded with producer Mike Green, the man behind such albums as Pierce The Veil’s Selfish Machines and All Time Low’s Don’t Panic. The new material showcases the band’s matured songwriting and emerging pop sensibilities, while continuing to feature vocalist Brent Wah’s signature brand of storytelling against a backdrop of acrobatic guitar work.
Jaga Jazzist – Starfire CD/LP+MP3 (Ninja Tune)
The long-running, skronked-out Norwegian jazz octet returns with a beautiful, visceral, utterly exhilarating piece of work that keeps spiraling up and away, structurally complex, musically rigorous, but without ever losing touch with a certain earthy sensuality and human sympathy.
Jamie xx – In Colour CD/2xLP/3xLP (XL)
In Colour comes on the back of an incredible six year creative period for Jamie xx, which has seen him alternate effortlessly between his role as founding member and producer of The xx, and creator of more electronic and club orientated music as Jamie xx. A string of acclaimed productions in recent years including debut solo single ”Far Nearer,” remixes for the likes of Adele, Radiohead and Florence & The Machine, production work for Drake and Alicia Keys plus We’re New Here -i Jamie’s reworking of Gil Scott-Heron’s final studio album i- hinted at what was to come. With In Colour — a bold, celebratory, emotional record that features collaborations with The xx band mates Romy Madley Croft (“Seesaw” and “Loud Places”) and Oliver Sim (“Stranger In A Room”), Young Thug and Popcaan (“Good Times”) and Four Tet (“Seesaw”) — Jamie delivers his definitive artistic statement. (Vinyl version is available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe is cut at 45 rpm with three randomly colored 12”s and three random color inner sleeves, plus two bonus tracks.)
Jedi Mind Tricks – The Thief The The Fallen CD/LP (Enemy Soil)
After a six year hiatus, the original Jedi Mind Tricks frontman, Vinnie Paz, and producer, Stoupe, have reunited to record the group’s eight studio album. For two decades, the name Jedi Mind Tricks has become synonymous with raw, gritty underground hip-hop.
The Kentucky Headhunters with Johnnie Johnson – Meet Me In Blues Land CD (Alligator)
Archive released of a jam session Johnson recorded with The Kentucky Headhunters in 2003 – two years before his death. A country-fried, blues-infused party from start to finish.
Kid Wave – Wonderlust CD/LP (Heavenly/PIAS America)
Hailing from the UK, Sweden and Australia, and based in London, the foursome channel ’90s American indie gods, injecting pop panache and slacker-rock fuzz into the fray to sidle alongside the likes of Gengahr and Wolf Alice.
Kinski – 7 (Or 8) CD/LP (Kill Rock Stars)
For a band whose extensive discography has historically been primarily instrumental and prone to modifying adjectives like “post” and “space,” the last couple of years have been a left turn down a twisted alley of fuzz pedals, blown tube amps, and a kind of raw power befitting of The Stooges. 7 (Or 8) fins Kinski sounding heavier, faster, and even more self-assured, picking up where 2013’s Cosy Moments left off but also punching their sound into even more singular territory.
Ben Lee – Love Is The Great Rebellion CD (WB)
“Ben Lee is celebrating his tenth studio album, Love Is The Great Rebellion, and with it, a return sonically, to the glorious pop stylings of Awake Is The New Sleep. Prolific as well as profound, Lee resides in Laurel Canyon with his wife and child. A musical mecca, Laurel Canyon has been home to some of Lee’s greatest influences. From David Crosby and Joni Mitchell to Carole King, this spiritual home has reconciled the way Lee has progressed on his own journey. Finding his way through multiple genre’s, exploratory paths and experiences, Lee has, surprisingly, settled back into where he found his most widely acclaimed success – in the land of pop.” — Mindfood
Leprous – The Congregation CD/LP (Inside Out U.S.)
Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band formed in 2001.
Lil Durk – Remember My Name CD (Def Jam)
New album from the Chicago-based rapper. One of the rising stars of Def Jam’s crop of Chicago rappers, Lil Durk uses his lyrics to talk about the city rap scene and life in Englewood, on the South Side. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds two bonus tracks.
Little Richard – Directly From My Heart (Best Of The Specialty & Vee-Jay Years) 3xCD (Fantasy)
Directly From My Heart features 64 of Little Richard’s best-loved songs from his time at the Specialty and Vee-Jay labels. With material ranging from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s, the collection features such hits as “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Tutti-Frutti” and “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got (But It’s Got Me).”
Lynyrd Skynryd – Sweet Home Alabama 2xCD (Eagle)
Lynyrd Skynryd infamously had their career cut short by a disastrous plane crash in 1977 which took the lives of three members plus two of their road crew and seriously injured several others. In 1987 the surviving members reformed the band with Johnny Van Zant taking the place of his brother Ronnie. This concert from 1996 captures the band on top form at Rockpalast’s Loreley Festival on June 23, 1996.
Major Lazer – Peace Is The Mission CD (Mad Decent)
Major Lazer is the digital reggae/dancehall project of Diplo (Philadelphia’s Wes Pentz) and Switch (London’s Dave Taylor), two globetrotting, tastemaking DJ/producers whose previous collaborations notably included production work for M.I.A. and Santigold. Peace Is The Mission is the first of what is expected to be two new albums for the year, and features Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Ellie Goulding, Chronixx, Wild Belle, Travi$ Scott, and more. Vinyl version due June 9.
Maruta – Remain Dystopian CD/LP (Relapse)
Miami deathgrind maniacs Maruta return to the fold with their Relapse debut Remain Dystopian. Recorded in various studios including drums with Pig Destroyer’s Scott Hull and vocals with Torche’s Jonathan Nuñez, Remain Dystopian is a vicious, 17 song blast of relentless and infectious death metal infused grindcore.
Melvins – The Bulls & The Bees + Electroretard [Reissue/2001/2012] CD (Ipecac)
Melvins’ 2001 album Electroretard is paired with 2012’s Scion A/V’s digital EP The Bulls & The Bees on this CD reissue. “The pairing feels quite natural, with odds and ends dovetailing satisfyingly. The Bulls & The Bees features tracks like the Sabbathy ‘The War On Wisdom’ which makes great use of dual drummers Dale Crover and Big Business percussionist Coady Willis. The five-song collection offers a surprisingly versatile bit of material: ‘We Are Doomed’ is vintage Melvins sludge with a killer riff from frontman/guitarist Buzz Osborne, ‘A Really Long Wait’ is spectral space rock, and ‘Friends Before Larry’ offers epic Middle Eastern soundscapes.” – Smells Like Infinite Sadness
The Mike + Ruthy Band – Bright As You Can CD/LP (Humble Abode Music)
Mike + Ruthy – “one of acoustic America’s most revered musical duos” (Folk Alley) – have re-emerged with an ace ensemble and a new album. Recorded in the woods near Woodstock, NY Bright As You Can is pure Americana, ranging from the high-octane, pop-infused “What Are We Waiting For” to the twinkling banjo and hushed harmony of “The Farmer.”
Modern Baseball – Sports [Reissue/2012] CD/LP (Lame-O)
“Modern Baseball is of the Midwest emo ilk, however they veer more to the pop punk side of the spectrum. Sports is filled with twelve ‘average kid from an average town’ anthems, but they certainly aren’t average. Whether its the off kilter, conversational vocals, the intelligent but accessible lyrics or the bouncy but unique instrumentation, Modern Baseball have managed to create an almost perfect debut.” – Absolute Punk
The Mothmen – Pay Attention [Reissue/1981] CD/LP+MP3 (On-U Sound)
Lost post-punk classic from 1980 is a unique mixture of noisy riffs, angular pop melodies and dubwise production aesthetic. Features former members of Durutti Column and future members of Simply Red.
Nekrogoblikon – Heavy Metal CD (Razor & Tie)
Third studio album by the Los Angeles-based melodic death metal band. Vinyl version due June 23.
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard – Django And Jimmie CD (Sony Legacy)
Helmed by Nelson’s longtime producer, collaborator and friend Buddy Cannon, Django And Jimmie premieres 14 brand-new studio recordings including: “Django And Jimmie,” a dual tribute to jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers, country music’s mythic “Singing Brakeman;” the reflective and meditative “Live This Long;” “Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash,” an homage to country music’s original Man in Black featuring guest vocals from Bobby Bare; a sublime interpretation of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright;” and the future outlaw country classic “Unfair Weather Friend,” written by rising songsmiths Marla Cannon-Goodman (Buddy Cannon’s daughter) and Ward Davis.
North – Metanoia/Siberia [Reissue/2014/2006] CD (Prosthetic)
During their prolific first decade, the Tucson-based gloom metal trio North released four acclaimed EPs and two well-received full-lengths in addition to playing nearly 300 shows across America with the likes of Deafheaven, Red Fang, Neurosis, Pelican and Intronaut. This release combines their 2014 EP Metanoia with a reissue of their debut album from 2006, Siberia. Vinyl version due June 16.
Northern American – Modern Phenomena CD (Heist Or Hit)
“New L.A. quartet Northern American are getting a lot of the right sort of comparisons and compliments; The National, The Shins, ‘Brit pop splashed shuffly dream pop’ (The Line Of Best Fit said that, wish I’d beaten them to it, it’s a glorious sentence). Me? I’m hearing a more languid Wilco. Modern Phenomena has a lovely dream like feel to it; acoustics, chiming guitars, hushed vocals, whispered backing. Two minutes and thirty-two seconds of loveliness; get in, make your point, make your song lovely and get out again so that we can hit replay. It’s a damn fine equation.” — Eightball
Nozinja – Nozinja Lodge CD/2xLP+MP3 (Warp)
Shangaan electro innovator Nozinja presents his debut album on Warp Records, an invigorating blast of future-facing dance music from Limpopo, South Africa. Nozinja Lodge sees the producer test the frantic upper limits of Shangaan electro on white-knuckle, rave-channeling cuts like “Baby Do U Feel Me” and “Vatswelani,” while enjoying the freedom to take his foot off the gas and bring a deeper, lilting touch to his trademark sound on “Vomaseve Hina” and closing track “Jaha.” Featuring a community of Shangaan vocalists alongside Nozinja, the songs take in themes of love, faith and tribal customs – while endlessly chasing the visceral thrill of the dance.
Old Crow Medicine Show – Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer CDEP (ATO)
The Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer EP contains the title track plus “Mother Church,” a live version of “The Warden,” and “I Done Wrong Blues” which was previously released on a limited edition 7”.
Parade Of Lights – Feeling Electric CD (Astralwerks)
L.A.-based four-piece Parade Of Lights combines rock, new wave, and shoegaze, for a unique blend of anthem-ready indie pop.
Paradise Lost – The Plague Within CD/LP (Century Media)
14th studio album by the British doom metal band.
Planet Of The Abts – All Things The Valley CD (Planet Of The Abts)
Emerging from the Grammy-nominated rock band Gov’t Mule, Planet Of The Abts consists of the locked and loaded rhythm section of drummer Matt Abts, killer bassist Jorgen Carlsson, and is fused with the talents of Swedish guitarist/lead singer T-Bone Andersson. Get your jam on.
Prion – Uncertain Process CD (Comatose Music)
“After a seven year absence, Argentian death metal squad Prion has returned with their third full length (following up 2008’s Impressions). With a cool scientific name in tow (a super-simplified explanation is that a prion is a protein that works similarly to a virus – there’s your science fun fact for the day), it’s safe to say that if traditional death metal is your bag, Uncertain Process is an album you’ll enjoy.” – Dead Rhetoric
Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Betty’s Blends: Best Of The West Volume Two CD/2xLP (Silver Arrow)
Recorded and mixed by the legendary Grateful Dead archivist Betty Cantor-Jackson, the nine-track collection features performances captured on The CRB’s 2014 summer tour throughout the western United States, including “Rosalee” from the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, “Shore Power” from Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, “Burn Slow” from Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver and a standout 15-minute plus version of “Vibration & Light Suite” from Theatre Deville in Vacaville, CA. In addition to CRB originals, the set includes a pair of covers: “They Love Each Other” by The Grateful Dead and “Driving Wheel” by Tom Rush, which are invariably highlights of The CRB’s live shows.
Roy Rogers – Into The Wild Blue CD (Chops Not Chaps)
The renowned slide guitarist once again offers his own eclectic mix of truly great songs. His ‘manic slide guitar riffs’ are the thread that takes the listener through multi-genres.
Andy Sheppard Quartet – Surrounded By Sea CD (ECM)
Extending the range of his widely praised Trio Libero project with Michel Benita and Seb Rochford, Andy Sheppard adds Eivind Aarset (who made significant contributions to 2008’s Movements In Colour) to the band. With Aarsets ambient drones and electronic textures as a backdrop, Sheppard and Co. has more space to explore. The music embraces includes new compositions, open improvisations, an Elvis Costello tune, and the Gaelic traditional ballad “Aoidh, Na Dean Cadal Idir” which appears in three variations, a thematic thread through the album.
Simply Red – Big Love CD (Elektra)
New album from the reunited British soul group fronted by Mick Hucknall. Highlights include the celebratory first single “Shine On” driven by their trademark blue-eyed soul sound and “The Ghost Of Love,” a big soul song punctuated by wah-wah guitar and the kind of bold orchestral strokes that once powered Barry White and his Love Unlimited.
Matt Skiba And The Sekrets – Kuts CD (Superball Music)
Matt Skiba (currently of Blink-182) And The Sekrets deliver their sophomore full-length.
Skinless – Only The Ruthless Remain CD/LP (Relapse)
New York death metal legends Skinless return with their first new album in over eight years. Recently reunited with their classic late 90’s lineup, Skinless offer a prime slab of brutal death metal chock full of their signature, skull-crushingly heavy grooves and technical, blasting severity.
Skrillex & Diplo – Skrillex & Diplo Present Jack Ü CD (OWSLA/Mad Decent)
Jack Ü features a huge guest roster including the first appearance from Justin Bieber in over a year, Kiesza, 2 Chainz, AlunaGeorge, Bunji Garlin, Snails, Tarantula, Kai and Fly Boi Keno.
Soak – Before We Forget How To Dream CD/LP+MP3 (Rough Trade)
Early on, much was made of the young age of Bridie Monds-Watson – who performs as Soak – but as her accomplished, wise-beyond-her-years songs and breathtakingly lovely voice reached more new listeners, the pixie-ish, tattooed skateboarder’s appeal has transcended her youth. Before We Forgot How To Dream is a beautifully-wrought album, full of musical turns that showcase Watson’s uniquely sweet and haunting voice, as well as lyrics that marry a sunny and romantic sense of nostalgia with frank treatments of human failings, hopes, and – yes – dreams.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – The High Country CD/LP+MP3 (Polyvinyl)
A raw pop record infused with undeniable hooks, distortion pedals, passion, grit, and maybe a little insanity, The High Country is the first SSLYBY album to truly capture the power and energy the group exudes when performing live. SSLYBY recorded The High Country as a power trio consisting of Dickey, guitarist/vocalist Will Knauer, and bassist Tom Hembree, a founding member of the group who left after Broom, but returned to (as Dickey describes it) “stir things up in the best way possible and demand we play louder and faster.” (Also available on white vinyl.)
Chris Stamey – Euphoria CD (Yep Roc)
With Euphoria, Chris Stamey returns to the guitar-driven rock band dynamic to deliver ten stellar songs rooted in his trademark sound: Strong hooks, expansive production, solid musicianship, wonderful harmonies and unexpected twists. Where his last album, Lovesick Blues, was rooted in slower tempo acoustic chamber pop, Euphoria, hums with upbeat songs, centered on the electric guitar. Vinyl version due June 16.
Sun Kil Moon – Universal Themes CD (Caldo Verde)
“The Benji follow-up was recorded over this year and last in San Francisco and Hoboken, and features percussion from Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth. The album will contain last year’s one-off ‘The Possum,’ and its B-side ‘Cry Me A River Williamsburg Sleeve Tattoo Blues.’ And the tracklist also contains some more Kozelek gems like ‘With A Sort Of Grace I Walked To The Bathroom To Cry’ and ‘This Is My First Day And I’m Indian And I Work At A Gas Station.’ Thankfully, no War On Drugs diss tracks made the cut” – Stereogum. Vinyl version TBA.
Teethgrinder – Misanthropy CD (Lifeforce)
“In their own words, Teethgrinder are “giving grindcore a new approach.” Amen to that.” – Dead Rhetoric
Tenement – Predatory Headlights CD/2xLP (Don Giovanni)
“Tenement has been a favorite in the D.I.Y. community for years, but Predatory Headlights is sure to extend the band’s reach. Following in the footsteps of such classic, sprawling works as Zen Arcade and Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, Tenement shows each side of itself on a double record that’s as dense as it is catchy. Whether it’s a 10-minute jazz track that guitarist-vocalist Amos Pitsch says was inspired by Duke Ellington or the power-pop jangle found on the band’s recent 7-inches, Predatory Headlights proves that the album, when in the right hands, is as vital as ever.” – A.V. Club
The Tenors – Under One Sky CD (Decca)
Fourth studio album by Canada’s multi-platinum, Juno Award-winning vocal group. Under One Sky is a 13-track album that combines a mix of originals with new interpretations of familiar favorites. Highlighting their signature blend of classical and contemporary pop, the record includes the popular hits “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers) and “Who Wants To Live Forever” (Queen) as well as the soaring original title track “Under One Sky” and the inspirational “New Day’s Begun.” Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds five bonus tracks.
Thrust – Fist Held High: The Ultimate 35th Anniversary Collection [Reissue/1984] 2xCD (Metal Blade)
In celebration of Chicago heavy metal band’s 35th anniversary, Metal Blade releases the ultimate edition of the band’s classical 1984 album Fist Held High. The release includes the entire album, live and demo tracks from the beginning through the late ‘80s, plus the unreleased studio album Reincarnation, recorded in 1988/1989.
Trails And Ways – Pathology CD/LP (Barsuk)
Pathology is rooted in the melancholy of bossa nova, the fearlessness of basement indie rock, driving grooves from the end of disco, and the slick shine of radio pop.
Vaadat Charigim – Sinking As Stone CD (Burger)
Sophomore record from Israeli shoegaze and dream pop trio. Vinyl version due July 10.
Valborg – Romantik CD (Temple Of Torturous)
“Despite some unfortunate hairstyle choices, Valborg play a pretty unique style of doom. Going for clean and bright where a lot of bands go for dark and dirty, the German trio has found a path less traveled into this oldest of metal genres” – Decibel Magazine. Vinyl version due June 16.
Various Artists – Sounds Of The Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 2xCD (Soul Jazz)
Various Artists – Sounds Of The Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 Part A 2xLP (Soul Jazz)
Various Artists – Sounds Of The Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 Part B 2xLP (Soul Jazz)
Sounds Of The Universe: Art + Sound’s first disc contains music that’s seen release on Soul Jazz’s Sounds Of The Universe sublabel—and, more specifically, its Art + Sound series—including tracks from Andrés, Kassem Mosse, Aybee, Heatsick, Tevo Howard and Jamal Moss (as Hieroglyphic Being). The Art + Sound 12”s were pressed in limited editions, with 250 copies available exclusively through the Soul Jazz shop in London, so this is the first time the music is getting a wider release. The second disc features new, unreleased cuts from the likes of DJ Stingray, Mike Huckaby, Golden Teacher, Africans With Mainframes (aka Jamal Moss and Noleian Reusse), Capracara and Seven Davis Jr, while L.A. producer Ras G chips in with three tunes. (Available on double-CD and across two separate gatefold double-vinyl releases.)
Vintage Caravan – Arrival CD (Nuclear Blast America)
Third album from the Icelandic classic rock trio.
Rocky Votolato & Chuck Ragan – Kindred Spirit CD/10” (Side One Dummy)
Seattle singer/songwriter Rocky Votolato and Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan team up with appearances from Dave Hause, Ben Nichols, Jon Snodgrass, and Chad Price.
Wild Yaks – Rejoice! God Loves Wild Yaks CD/LP (Ernest Jenning)
“Wild Yaks are the most gloriously messy band. They spit out ragged lyrics that both romanticize New York and tear it apart.” — The Fader
Paul Williams – A Little On The Windy Side [Reissue/1979] CD (Real Gone Music)
During his reign as perhaps the ‘70s most in-demand songwriter (“Rainbow Connection” was a massive hit of his), Williams also kept busy as an actor, television personality and recording artist. He came into his own as a vocalist at Reprise and A&M Records on albums such as Someday Man (1970) and Just An Old-Fashioned Love Song (1971) before moving to Epic Records sister label, Portrait. At Portrait also the home of Heart and briefly, Ringo Starr, Williams recorded what he later described as “one of the most listenable and good-feeling records I’ve ever been associated with.” That record was A Little On The Windy Side, reissued here with four bonus tracks.
Young Kato – Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow CD/LP (YK)
Album track “Children Of The Stars” is a rose tinted look back at the bands’ youth, relating to ‘90s kids alike who wish to live in that period of time forever. Taking heavy inspiration from Australian electro pop, the track offers a slightly different flavor to their previous releases. Lyrically, it juxtaposes the theme of impatience, a theme that runs throughout the entirety of Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow, offering a slightly different songwriting approach.
DVDs + Blu-ray:
Jackie Evancho – Awakening: Live In Concert DVD (Sony Masterworks)
Filmed for a PBS special, Awakening: Live In Concert is a new concert DVD from angelic Jackie Evancho featuring songs from her latest CD, Awakening. With music drawn from the best-known pieces from the classical canon, Broadway, uplifting sacred music and pop songs, Jackie’s astoundingly beautiful voice soars at the magnificent Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre. 85 minutes.
R.E.M. – R.E.M. By MTV DVD/Blu-ray (Rhino)
The R.E.M. By MTV documentary is now available as a stand-alone DVD and on Blu-ray for the first time. The program includes the 111-minute documentary, as well as five deleted scenes featured on the REMTV box set and two trailers. It is also a great introductory piece for the REMTV box set with five seminal R.E.M. bonus performances pulled from the box.
This Week’s Vinyl Exclusives:
Altamont – The Monkees’ Uncle [2005] LP (Valley King)
Formed in 1994, Altamont was started as a side project by Dale Crover of The Melvins, Joey Osbourne of Acid King, and Dan Southwick.. The Monkees Uncle’ was originally a CD-only release on AntAcidAudio. Picture disc vinyl.
Bad Banana – Cry About It 7” (Puzzle Pieces)
After the dissolution of P.S. Eliot and before they started Waxahatchee and Swearin’, Allison and Katie Crutchfield traded off writing pop punk songs in the short-lived project Bad Banana. After their Crushfield demo, Bad Banana released their only 7”, Cry About It, on Puzzle Pieces Records, and it’s now back in print. Each twin’s diverging style is evident in each song that she wrote, but they come together for four cohesive, nasal, and lo-fi pop songs.
The Ballroom Thieves – Wolf In The Doorway LP (Blue Corn Music)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Tapped already for their adept melding of roots, indie folk and symphonic strains, Ballroom Thieves — comprised of Martin Earley (guitar), Devin Mauch (percussion) and Calin Peters (cello), (they all sing) — push it even further with an album’s worth of new material wherein no two tracks sound the same, but represent a palpably confident identity.
Jakob Bro/Thomas Morgan/Jon Christensen – Gefion LP (ECM)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Gefion is Danish guitarist Jakob Bro’s first ECM album as leader, following recordings for the label as sideman with Paul Motian and Tomasz Stanko. Like the work of those masters, Bro’s balladeering distils a sense of jazz history in its specific and highly personal atmospheres. The open forms of Bro’s compositions leave plenty of space for his companions drum legend Jon Christensen and creative bassist-of-the-moment Thomas Morgan — to make their statements, interactively and in parallel.
Cankun – Only The Sun Is Full Of Gold LP (Hands In The Dark)
A two-part journey to darker spheres led by Frenchman Vincent Caylet, from the depths of a dense, uncanny and unpredictable jungle that the sun never reaches, to unexplored territories deep under the ocean or among the highest layers of the planet (listener’s choice). Having mutated Cankun’s magic formula into a more mature and direct lo-fi psych dub, Caylet’s instrumental opus flirts with prog, pos-trock and ambient electro.
Demian Castellanos – The Kyvu Tapes Vol. 1 (1990-1998) LP (Hand In The Dark)
The fruit of The Oscillation frontman’s long obsession with the possibilities offered by the electric guitar played with forks, knives, and bits of paper. Largely influenced by British psych/shoegaze scene of the time, these home recordings could be described as analogue and guitar-based ambient music or room drones—a vast auditory map of the unreal. Totally immersion-ready.
Clutch – From Beale Street To Oblivion [2007] 2xLP (Weathermaker Music)
First time on vinyl. Considered on of the fiercest, catchiest and overall best sounding blues rock releases of our generation.
Drainolith – Hysteria LP (NNA Tapes)
Hysteria is ripe with bluesy fuzziness and the humanity of Americana, while punctuated by the gritty stab of ‘80s death metal, and further rounded out with a sprinkling of EVH-esque chorus zones and free jazz adventurousness.
Mathias Eick – Midwest LP (ECM)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Mathias Eick reflects on distances travelled in this intensely melodic set of original compositions, which makes an imaginative journey from Hem, the tiny Norwegian village where the trumpeter grew up, to the vast plains of Dakota in the American Midwest.
Eschaton – Sentinel Apocalypse LP (Unique Leader)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Eschaton was founded when extreme metal enthusiasts, guitarists Joshua and Jared Berry, and vocalist Jason Viteri began writing in 2007 near Providence, Rhode Island. Their chemistry and dedication forged a uniquely aggressive stand-alone sound that would become the essence of the band in the years to come.
Fabolous – Loso’s Way [Reissue/2009] 2xLP (Def Jam)
Loso’s Way is the fifth studio album from Brooklyn rapper, Fabolous. Continuing with its Respect The Classics campaign, UMe is reissuing this album on vinyl with a 3D lenticular cover.
Fleabite – T.T.Y.L. 7” (Puzzle Pieces)
Fleabite strike the perfect balance between anger, apathy, and feelings common among today’s feminist punk bands. Above all else, T.T.Y.L. is propelled by hooks, with four songs clocking in at under eight minutes. The guitars are big and powerful, but the vocals are soft, melodic, and drenched in reverb. For fans of Swearin’, Colleen Green, and Henry’s Dress.
Fu Manchu – Kept Between The Trees [Reissue/1990] 10” (At The Dojo)
Vinyl reissue of the stoner rock band’s first three-song 7”, plus one unreleased track from 1990. Accompanying download includes the bonus track “Flashin’.”
Gacha – Send Two Sunsets LP+MP3 (Apollo)
Debut from the Georgian producer — influences range his musical diet of Durutti Column, Slowdive, Cluster and old Krautrock. In the end, Send Two Sunsets is a must for fans of The xx. Blue vinyl with download.
The Glass Family – Electric Band [Reissue/1968] 2xLP (Maplewood)
In the mid-’60s, The Glass Family played all over Los Angeles, gigging at notable venues like The Troubadour, The Topanga Corral and The Whiskey A Go-Go, sharing bills with The Doors, Vanilla Fudge, and Love. By 1967, they’d secured a record deal with Warner Bros. Records, who released their record in 1968. Although it never became the hit that they’d hoped for, the more important result was that The Glass Family were a piece of the puzzle of the times: playing gigs with Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Bros, Canned Heat, Big Brother and The Holding Company with Janis Joplin, and The Grateful Dead.
Great Cynics – I Feel Weird LP (Lame-O)
Starting off as an acoustic solo project of Giles Bidder, this London/Devon indie-punk trio have taken their Lemonheads, Billy Bragg and Replacements influenced sound to a faster, shorter place on this, their third album.
Joe Hertler And The Rainbow Seekers – Terra Incognita LP (Bad Mascot)
With heavy influences from artists including: Dave Matthews Band, Fleetwood Mac, D Angelo and more, Joe’s new album Terra Incognita leaves no genre untouched.
Hex Inverter – Hex Inverter LP (Red Scroll)
Philadelphia’s Hex Inverter delivers their debut self-titled release — eight lo-fi songs/soundscapes that draw influence from Pink Floyd, Genesis and your favorite ’70s horror film scores.
Hotel Books – Run Wild, Young Beauty LP+MP3 (InVogue)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. New album from the Porterville, CA spoken word/indie/ambient rock outfit.
iji – Whatever Will Happen LP+MP3 (Team Love)
iji’s own brand of pop pushes the genre comfort zone of a punk community and embraces a desire for rack-a-chack, ethereal and naivist sounds often unexplored by their contemporaries. They are “Seattle’s best pop band” according to the Seattle Weekly, and the Stranger says: “Open and laid-back, music made for no reason other than that music is the best…Uninhibited and original.”
Vijay Iyer Trio – Break Stuff 2xLP (ECM)
Released earlier this year on CD – now available on vinyl. “Pianist Vijay Iyer’s 11-year-old trio is a highly maneuverable vehicle for his African, Indian and math-inspired rhythmic ideas, now at a dizzying pinnacle of contemporary jazz multitasking. Iyer, bassist Stephan Crump, and drummer Marcus Gilmore sound joined at the hip even when sometimes seeming to be investigating completely different tunes, but almost everything here feels just as jazz-rooted as the three classic covers on the tracklist. ‘Break Stuff’ is a fascinating flurry of short, bustling phrases and pumping chords that opens out into longer lines against a steady drum hit, and the excellent ‘Diptych’ blends rattling waywardness and angular basslines with contrastingly purposeful and seamless piano improv.” – The Guardian
Jurassic 5 – Quality Control [Reissue/2000] 2xLP (Get On Down)
Regular (non-RSD 2015) vinyl reissue of the hip-hop group’s 2000 LP. Quality Control, Jurassic 5’s first full-length album, showcased not just the harmonizing choruses, but smart production and a throwback feel that influenced a whole new generation of fans and rappers alike. The innovative 2 DJ combo of Cut Chemist and NuMark added more spice to the cooking with oddball samples, DJ workout tracks, and more.
Kerrier District – 4 2xLP (Hypercolour)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Cornish acid dance pioneer, Luke Vibert, dusts off the old rags and revives his cherished moniker for a new album.
The Kinks – The Kinks [Reissue/1964] LP (Sanctuary)
The Kinks – Kinda Kinks [Reissue/1965] LP (Sanctuary)
The Kinks – The Kink Kontroversy [Reissue/1965] LP (Sanctuary)
The Kinks – Face To Face [Reissue/1966] LP (Sanctuary)
Black vinyl reissues – part of a series of releases and reissues celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Kinks.
Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons – Message From The Other Side LP (Crosstown Rebels)
A career spent DJing across the globe was the catalyst for Damian Lazarus’s latest project — Damien Lazarus & The Ancient Moons. Masterminded by Lazarus the album brings together a wide assortment of vocalists, collaborators and players froma round the world. Taking inspiration from Lazarus’s Lazpod series, Get Lost events and Day Zero festival in Mexico, this is music for deserts, jungles and sunrises.
Los Crudos – Discografia LP (Maximum Rock N Roll)
The complete discography from beloved hardcore powerhouse Los Crudos. Seventy-four tracks of energetic and political punk rock that pulls no punches as the band takes on themes of racism, Latino issues, revolution, and more. Searing, scathing, and scorched. Pressed on black vinyl with poster and lyrics booklet.
Malportado Kids – Total Cultura 10” (Dead Labour)
Calling all brujas cosmicas (cosmic witches) to fight Christopher Columbus and the modalities of whiteness, imperialism and masculinity — Malportado Kids are an anti-colonial tropical dance punk duo from Providence, RI.
Maribou State – Portraits LP+MP3 (Counter)
With a sound as quintessentially British as the picturesque Hertfordshire village that they call home, Maribou State release their debut album. Portraits sees Chris Davids and Liam Ivory exemplify the sort of rare but precious sonic harmony that has made their name so far: equal parts emotive instrumentation and sturdy rhythms, stark soundscapes and rich textures. Featuring longtime collaborator Pedestrian (2nd Drop/Born Electric) as well as vocalists Holly Walker and Jono McCleery, the album takes on a subtle dynamism and natural warmth redolent of Gold Panda and Sohn. CD version due June 16.
Richard Marks – Never Satisfied: The Complete Works 1968-1983 2xLP (Now Again)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. A collection of legendary soul and funk singles by Atlanta guitarist/singer/songwriter Richard Marks. Marks’ story is that on an unsung soul and funk hero; a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter whose number was in Al Green’s, Barry White’s and Eddie Kendricks’ rolodexes, but whose talents have only been heard in sporadic bursts since his 45s were released and disappeared into Atlanta’s urban expanse. This 21 track anthology follows his stylistic development, from his earliest work for the legendary Tuska label, from 1968 until approximately 1972, through his more mature releases on the Shout label and smaller regional labels like Note, Free Spirit and RSC.
Mastodon – Crack The Skye [Reissue/2008] LP (Reprise)
Baby blue color vinyl reissue of the Atlanta metal band’s fourth album.
The Mavericks – Mono CD (Valory)
Released earlier this year on CD – now available on vinyl. The Mavericks are fronted by singer/songwriter Raul Malo, known for his fearless and eclectic musical visions encompassing everything from Buck Owens and Tejano sounds to Dean Martin, Tito Puente, Roy Orbison and Ray Price. With bass player Robert Reynolds, Eddie Perez on guitar, drummer Paul Deakin and keyboard player Jerry Dale McFadden, the group has not only retained the vision they demonstrated on their 1991 self-released album, they’ve expanded on it.
Modestep – London Road LP (Max)
Released last week on CD – now available on vinyl. Second studio album by British dubstep and electronic rock band. Modestep is led by brothers, Josh Friend (singer/producer) and Tony Friend (DJ/producer). London Road features guest appearances from Funtcase, Teddy Killerz, Culprate, Partysquard, Trolley Snatcha, Skindred, Rude Kid, Big Narstie, Dialect, Discard, Flowdan, Frisco, and LayZ.
My Body – Six Wives LP+MP3 (Bug Hunt)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. My Body cooks up a unique blend of R&B, pop and skittering electronics for a collaged sound.
Mystifier – Göetia LP (Greyhaze)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Evil old school black metal from Brazil.
New Dog – Classic Ballroom Dances LP (Kill Rock Stars)
Anar Badalov is New Dog. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan in the ‘80s, Anar’s family immigrated to Baltimore, MD during the breakup of the Soviet Union. Influences include Lee Hazlewood, Frank O’Hara, Mark Linkous, John Berryman, Raymond Carver, Anton Chekhov, Townes Van Zandt and guitarist Mick Turner.
Open Mike Eagle – A Special Episode Of 12” (Mello Music)
Following the album that earned him 2014 ‘LA Weekly Rapper Of The Year’ honors, Open Mike Eagle returns with an EP featuring Gold Panda, Exile and more. This new 6-track EP is pressed on transparent red vinyl.
Chris Potter Underground Orchestra – Imaginary Cities LP (ECM)
Released earlier this year on CD – now available on vinyl. Imaginary Cities is the recording premiere of saxophonist Chris Potter’s new Underground Orchestra. At the core of this larger ensemble is the personnel of his long-established Underground quartet with Adam Rogers, Craig Taborn and Nate Smith now joined by two bassists, a string quartet, and Potter s old comrade from Dave Holland Quintet days, vibes and marimba man Steve Nelson.
Public Service Broadcasting – Go! 7” (Test Card Recordings)
Second single from The Race For Space, featuring a remix on the B-side from Scottish electro-post-rockers Errors. PSB are progressive without the florid ornamentation of prog, dense and complex with not a semiquaver wasted. It’s an industrious, diligent sound, and, in the flesh, surprisingly danceable: slamming chemical beats accompanied by old cine footage, providing a peculiar opportunity to party to Pathé News.
Ravi Shavi – Ravi Shavi LP (Almost Ready)
Ravi Shavi is the sound of garage pop—a concoction of classic punk, modern indie, and new wave, with a shot of rock ‘n’ roll.
Schammasch – Sic Lvceat Lvx LP (Prosthetic)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Formed in 2009, the Swiss group Sschammasch combines a forward approach to modern black metal, articulating their extreme roots with doom-laden atmospherics dredged with Hermetic mysticism.
Seluah – Phase III LP (Karate Body)
Using longtime collaborator Kevin Ratterman’s new dream studio, the band conjured stark, foreboding imagery on perhaps its most lurid venture yet. Phase III depicts a darkly hypnotic world you can’t help but feel drawn to visit more than once. “A Spiderland for a new generation, Seluah’s long-gestating first full-length album is nothing short of a masterpiece. A hypothetical soundtrack for a chilling, sexed-up Nicholas Ray film noir filled with double-crossings, misbegotten sex and stolen money…a precise, sensual overload of cutting riffs, floating rhythms and haunting vocals.” – Leo Weekly
Sick Sad World – Fear And Lies LP (Help Yourself)
A collage of gorgeous, propulsive sun-bleached pop.
Mavis Staples – Your Good Fortune 10” (Anti)
Limited edtion 10″ EP on HQ-180gm vinyl. A unique collaboration between two generations of Anti artists. Staples recorded with new Anti singer/songwriter/producer Son Little, doing two Son songs and two reworkings of Staple Singers classics.
Ringo Starr – Postcards From Paradise LP (UMe)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. New release from the former Beatle, his first new studio album in three years. Features the track “Rory And The Hurricanes” (named after the band Ringo left in order to join The Beatles) as well as the title track “Postcards from Paradise.”
The Story So Far – The Story So Far LP (Pure Noise)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. New album from the pop/punk band.
Andrea Triana – Giants LP+MP3 (Counter)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. New album from the soulful London singer/songwriter. Giants is an elegant melting pot of styles, sounds and themes effortlessly brought together by a voice both distinct and timeless in equal measure.
Various Artists – Rewind! 6 LP (Ubiquity)
The latest installment in the Rewind! series features covers of classics such as “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac by Shawn Lee and Adrian Quesada’s Electric Peanut Butter Company, a rousing reggae funk take by The Lions and Noelle Scaggs of Lynn Collin’s “Think (About It)” and Monophonics’ hit single “Bang Bang.” It also includes previously unreleased covers of “Spill The Wine” and “Daytripper” by jazz-funk master Johnny Frigo that were not included on his Luv N’ Haight Collected Works release.
Warhead – Warhead LP (540)
Kyoto Japan’s Warhead return with another chapter of rabid law-breaking insanity, and their first full-length album in over 20 years. Expect nothing less than a marriage of the best aspects if Japan’s traditions of unrelenting thrashing hardcore and anthemic powerful punk. A wall of distortion, and unbridled energy collide with the inimitable howls and screams of Jun Kato, one of Japan’s most distinct punk vocalists.
The Weaks – Bad Year LP (Lame-O)
Filled with more guitars than all of the songs you’ve heard on the radio in the last ten years combined, The Weaks have taken everything you love about Weezer, Superchunk and Cheap Trick and squeezed them together into 11 tracks of purified rock.
Zebrahead – The Early Years Revisited LP (Rude)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Zebrahead formed in Orange County, California in 1996. They’ve released ten studio albums to date and are known for their eclectic musical style incorporating punk rock, rap and alternative rock. The Early Years Revisited is a selection of re-recorded hits with singer Matty Lewis.
Cassettes:
Akitsa – Grands Tyrans (Hospital Productions)
Death, deprivation and an agnostic vision of a crumbling society.
Book:
Peaches – What Else In The Teaches Of Peaches (Akashic Books)
60-page outrageous and provocative hardcover book of cult hero Peaches with photography by Holger Talinksi and essays from Peaches, Yoko Ono, actress Ellen Page and Michael Stipe. “Peaches stands tall and she is fearless. That is my definition of a hero, heroine, progressive, icon — locked in, and ready to rumble.” — Michael Stipe/R.E.M.
Leave a Reply