CDs + Vinyl:
Banana And The Bunch – Mid-Mountain-Ranch [Reissue/1972] CD (Real Gone Music)
Recorded right after the Youngbloods broke up, and released on their own Raccoon label, 1972’s Mid-Mountain-Ranch was the sole solo album from the band’s multi-instrumentalist Banana aka Lowell Levinger. Except that it wasn’t really a solo album, because the Bunch included Joe Bauer and Michael Kane from Banana’s former outfit. In essence Mid-Mountain-Ranch really was a Youngbloods album sans Jesse Colin Young; and the absence of their former front man allows Banana and his Bunch to stretch out with some bluegrass and jazz licks alongside their patented folk rock sound. It’s something of an early alt-country cult classic.
Lee Bannon – Pattern Of Excel CD/LP+MP3 (Ninja Tune)
Gone are the rapid-fire breaks and growling basslines of his debut, replaced instead by a considered exploration of ambient soundscapes and drone influences.
Stacy Barthe – BEcoming CD (Motown)
Stacy Barthe transforms her own hurt into songs that uplift the soul. Barthe’s 2015 debut details her experience with suicidal depression, troubles with drinking and 180-pound weight loss. Through the album, Barthe graces storytelling with her powerful vocals and the sophisticated song craft that she first revealed in penning tracks for Katy Perry, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. BEcoming proves both aching and joyful in its exploration of the complexity of the human condition. Guests include Common and John Legend.
Stiv Bators – Do You Believe In Magyk? CD/LP (Easy Action)
The last ever recordings made by Stiv Bators — issued briefly in France as The Last Race. Features Stiv covering songs by The Ramones, The Young Rascals, The Lollipopp Shoppe plus a song especially penned by Tony James alongside Lords Of The New Church. In depth liner notes by author Nina Antonia with interviews with those who were there.
Beautiful Bodies – Battles CD (Epitaph)
Loud-and-hooky new signing to Epitaph – currently on the road with this Summer’s Vans Warped Tour.
Between The Buried And Me – Coma Ecliptic CD/LP (Metal Blade)
Grandiose, dynamic, heavy, melodic, technically challenging: these are all words that fall equally short when trying to describe Between The Buried And Me’s sonic offerings.
Birth Of Joy – Live At Ubu CD/LP (Long Branch)
Influenced by psychedelia, blues and steaming rock & roll, Birth Of Joy takes you back to the good old times of MC5, The Doors and even Pink Floyd.
Bone Gnawer – Cannibal Crematorium CD (Pulverised)
Sophomore album from the horror ‘n’ gore connoisseurs.
[Read more…] about New Releases for July 10, 2015
