New Releases for January 27, 2015
CDs + Vinyl:
2Cellos – Celloverse CD/CD+DVD (Portrait/Masterworks)
Third album from the classical/rock duo from Croatia. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe includes a bonus DVD featuring seven videos.
Amason – Sky City CD/LP (Fairfax)
Tagged in the music press as a “Swedish supergroup,” Amason are the collective talents of Pontus Winnberg (Miike Snow), Gustav Ejstes (Dungen), Petter Winnberg (Little Marjorette), Amanda Bergman (Hajen, Idiot Wind), and Nils Tornqvist (Little Marjorette). With lyrics in both their native Swedish and in English, Amason create in the moment, record almost instantaneously, and soon after scan the horizons for a stage, where the music truly comes alive, where they can share their collected collective moments.
Archive – Restriction CD/LP (PIAS America)
“When they first appeared in the late-‘90s, Archive seemed to bridge a surprisingly narrow gap between trip-hop and prog rock, bringing elements of Pink Floydian grandeur to moody club beats. The London collective have never really registered at home, though they are popular in continental Europe, where they seem to be treated as honorary goths, sustaining a cult career that has never been less than interesting. This is their 10th album, on which they shift ever closer to a brand of psych rock that may be their natural bent. Only a penchant for electronic beats, dramatic vocals and cinematic effects hint at their trip hop origins, while the progressive elements have been reduced to introverted shoegazing drones.” – The Telegraph
Ascension – The Dead Of The World CD (Season Of Mist)
“The 2010 debut full-length from the German metal band Ascension was an interesting hybrid of black metal, noise, and spindly guitar work. With The Dead Of The World, Ascension cut back on the more far-flung aspects of their debut in favor of a streamlined sound.” – Pitchfork
Battle Beast – Unholy Savior CD/2xLP (Nuclear Blast America)
If you took the decisively ‘80s sound of Lita Ford, added a generous helping of power and symphonic metal, hard rock, and a dash of bubble gum pop, the result would be Battle Beast.
Beat Spacek – Modern Streets CD/2xLP+MP3 (Ninja Tune)
Beat Spacek is the latest project from UK vocalist/producer Steve Spacek, a man who should really need no introduction. With boundless abilities, his work transcends genre and style — instead focusing more on swing, melody, vibe and atmosphere. From his legendary output with the band Spacek, solo work on the cult Sound In Color imprint and collaborations with the late, great J Dilla to his under-the-radar Black Pocket project with brother dBridge and his most recent work with Mark Pritchard as one half of Africa HiTech, his fearless approach to creation has always been progressive and highly original.
Black Sheep Wall – I’m Going To Kill Myself CD (Season Of Mist)
“This sludge-metal band, having been through more vocalists than it probably remembers, has settled on its sometime bassist Brandon Gillichbauer to front its new offering. BSW have never, in its stop-start history, made a record that’s as good as it is, but this new four-track EP comes close. It’s sometimes plodding and methodical, sometimes a stellar wash of noise.” – Revolver Mag
The Body & Thou – You, Whom I Have Always Hated CD/LP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)
The Body and Thou are bands with Southern roots that have been pushing the boundaries of heavy metal for over a decade. Both have maintained relentless touring schedules, a dedication to DIY ethics and aesthetics, and a commitment to push their respective brands of extreme music into previously unexplored territories. You, Whom I Have Always Hated is a new collaborative release that showcases both bands’ unique abilities to create music that is emotionally effecting and unrelenting. (CD version adds the 2014 album Released From Love, which was previously only released on vinyl.)
Bosley – The Dirty Dogs Radio Show CD/LP (Bosley Music)
Baltimore’s native son has a hybrid R&B, vintage soul style and performs with his nine-piece band. His blazing, high-energy live performances have been gaining notoriety, including headlining appearances alongside Sharon Jones & The Dapkings.
The Bros. Landreth – Let It Lie CD/LP (Slate Creek)
Twenty-seven years. Four bandmates. Two brothers. One album. Let It Lie, the debut release from Canadian roots-rockers the Bros. Landreth, is proof that there’s strength in numbers. Anchored by the bluesy wail of electric guitars, the swell of B3 organ, and the harmonized swoon of two voices that were born to mesh.
