CDs + Vinyl:
Abhorrent – Intransigence CD (Willowtip)
Abhorrent’s wealth of riff-variations and athletic rhythmic assault surge constantly forwards, as brief glimpses into parallel dimensions that pass by with a deathlike unstoppable certainty. Abhorrent is like the amoral and violent force of nature, realizing itself through pure will and power both in spite of death and echoing it viciously all the way to its end.
Abigail Williams – Accuser CD (Candlelight)
“If you’ve had issue with Abigail Williams in the past (albeit their generic Dimmu Borgir worship or their deathcore days) don’t let that stop you from listening to what is actually a fantastically composed album. The Accuser stands as my favorite incarnation of the band’s material. The old school mentality gives the band a serious edge, though their still not without modern influence in the post metal world (we’re ‘post’ everything these days, aren’t we?). Those that love Gorgoroth and Emperor, but can stand to see flashes of bands like Pelican in their black metal take note and get on this one.” – Metal Injection
Adele – 25 CD/LP (XL/Columbia)
“‘Hello’ doesn’t just introduce 25; in many ways, it sums up the album. On 25, the rage and heartache of 21 are replaced by longing: for connection, for youth, for reconciliation and for lifelong bonds. Like other songs on the album, ‘Hello’ is filled with thoughts of distance and the irrevocable passage of time, of apologies and coming to terms with the past. Musically, ‘Hello’ has verses with just voice and piano followed by huge, ringing choruses; similarly, the album as a whole switches between organic, unplugged ballads and booming modern pop.” – The New York Times Music
Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass – Whipped Cream & Other Delights [Reissue/1965] CD/LP (Herb Alpert Presents)
50 years ago, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass released the iconic album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, this classic slice of Latin jazz/pop has been remastered and is back in print on CD and vinyl.
Anthrax – Spreading The Disease [Reissue/1985] 2xCD (Island)
Digitally remastered and expanded deluxe double-CD edition of the thrash metal band’s 1985 album, released to coincide with it’s 30th Anniversary. Spreading The Disease is the second studio album by Anthrax. It was the band’s first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello.
Arca – Mutant CD (Mute)
New album from Kanye West and Björk affiliate Arca. Spanning 20 tracks, “Mutant is about sensuality and impulsiveness as escape routes out of rigidity,” the Venezuelan producer explained in a press release. “Softness as a weapon when the mind attacks itself.” Vinyl due January 22.
Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD/2xLP+MP3 (Mom + Pop)
Deluxe double-CD version adds Live At Electric Ballroom In London. Includes new artwork, fold out poster, four limited edition Polaroid photos shot by Courtney, a 16-page booklet all in a matte laminated collector’s edition box set. Mixing witty, often hilarious, occasionally even heartbreaking observations with devastating self-assessment, Courtney Barnett’s debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, cements her standing as one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in indie rock. These songs reveal not only an assured songwriter and guitar player, but also an artist who in just a few years has already proved highly influential. (Limited copies available on yellow vinyl.)
Beach Boys – Beach Boys’ Party! Uncovered And Unplugged 2xCD (Capitol)
Beach Boys’ Party! is the tenth studio album by the Beach Boys and is mostly cover songs. When originally recorded, the band invited friends and family into the studio for a party. Those sounds were then layered over the recorded music for a true party sound. Uncovered And Unplugged now strips away those party sounds so that the true sessions can be heard in their entirety. This double-disc set pairs the original 1965 album with the newly restored audio, outtakes and dialog. Vinyl version due December 11.
Beat Happening – Look Around CD/2xLP+MP3 (Domino)
Formed in the early ‘80s in Olympia, Washington by Calvin Johnson, Heather Lewis and Bret Lunsford, Beat Happening combined a primitive pop sound with a D.I.Y. attitude and inspired countless artists along the way. The community that arose around the band and their label, K Records, was in many ways, the sonic antithesis of their Seattle neighbors (and friends) but was no less influential. Look Around is a remastered, double album anthology, handpicked by the band. It’s a great starting point for the uninitiated as well a refreshing reminder to those who caught the wave the first time around.
Blue October – Things We Do At Night (Live From Texas) CD (Updown/Brando)
Recorded at The House Of Blues in Dallas, TX, over Thanksgiving weekend, November 28-29, 2014, this live performance covers all of the hits and favorites from the Blue October’s last four albums: Foiled, Approaching Normal, Any Man In America, and Sway. Also available on DVD and Blu-ray. Vinyl version due early next year.
Boysetsfire – Boysetsfire CD/LP (Bridge Nine)
“From the old school stench of opener ‘Savage Blood’ all the way through to the crowd killing bounce of closer ‘Bled Dry’, Boysetsfire play with the vigor and reason of band half their age. The band jump from the honestly bruising to the vitally rousing within a change of track and come out the other end with an album for every variety of music fan there is. ‘Don’t Panic’ flies by with vintage hardcore rage while ‘Ordinary Lives’ delivers a rallying cry for the ages.” – Already Heard
