September Program Titles Released This Week:
Black Tusk – TCBT CD/LP (Season Of Mist)
Black Tusk come storming back with their earth-shaking new album TCBT. This is the band’s most articulate sonic vision yet and delivers signature levels of Black Tusk aggression with their most developed songwriting to date. “Closed Eye”, “Burn The Stars”, “Agali” and “Scalped” are hands-down some of their finest tracks among a full album of killers. TCBT is a full-throated war cry and indispensable addition to their storied catalog. “For long-running Savannah sludge-riffers Black Tusk, the acronym ‘TCBT’ is not a new one. Despite the fact that 2018 marks the first time that TCBT has been used as an LP title, the term (and its associated tattoo) has been part of the band’s lexicon for as far back as memory serves — adorning their road cases as well as their bodies. (TCBT stands for “Taking Care of Black Tusk,” for the uninitiated.) Album track ‘Burn The Stars’ is a thrashy, mean-as-hell riffer punctuated by the alternating vocals of Andrew Fidler and James May. It’s a little less of a party vibe from previous outings, and a lot more serious and furious than we’ve become accustomed to, but that doesn’t mean the Savannah crew doesn’t pull it off and with style.” – Revolver
Blue October – I Hope You’re Happy CD (Up Down)
Blue October, the San Marcos, TX-based band known for shimmering rock songs and haunting lyrics, returns with their ninth studio album, I Hope You’re Happy which follows-up 2016’s acclaimed Home. The first Blue October release produced solely by frontman Justin Furstenfeld, the affecting 12-track collection features eleven beautifully crafted and performed songs that showcase the band at its creative peak and is introduced by the infectious and upbeat love letter to a former love, “I Hope You’re Happy”. [Vinyl edition due October 12.]
Death Cab For Cutie – Thank You For Today CD/LP/Cassette (Atlantic)
Thank You For Today is the sound of Death Cab For Cutie both expanding and refining; a band 20 years into its evolution, still uncovering new curves in its signatures, new sonic corners to explore. The Seattle band’s ninth studio album, recorded in L.A. with producer Rich Costey in late 2017 and early 2018, stands alongside classic albums like their 1998 debut Something About Airplanes and 2003’s masterful Transatlanticism as a definitive collection – 10 tracks that are by turns beautiful and dynamic and darkly anthemic and bittersweet. On songs such as the kinetic “Gold Rush”, “Northern Lights” and “You Moved Away” Ben Gibbard ruminates on the flux going on in his hometown and weaves a thread throughout the album about how interconnected geography is with memory, and how hard it can be to hold onto places, and to people, too.
The New Respects – Before The Sun Goes Down CD/LP (Credential)
Falling into a genre of their own, The New Respects mesh rock & roll, soul, and pop music with overlays of acoustic tones. Comprised of twins Zandy and Lexi Fitzgerald, brother Darius and their cousin Jasmine Mullen, the Nashville-based group is a true family affair, evidencing the undeniable soul and musical legacy that flows through the roots of their family tree. Debut full-length effort, Before The Sun Goes Down, follows-up their auspicious 2017 EP Here Comes Trouble and is introduced by the strutting lead single “Freedom”, produced by Theron Feemster (Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding, Eminem, Sia).