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New Release Round-Up 08-27-21
Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power - Capitol
Halsey's fourth studio album If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power is a career-defining body of work. Produced By Trent Reznor And Atticus Ross, the album is a bold concept record that pushes creative boundaries. Halsey has surpassed 60 million RIAA-certified units across albums, singles and features. Worldwide, she has sold over 150 million adjusted singles. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power follows Manic, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums chart.
Madi Diaz - History Of A Feeling - Epitaph
Rage, confusion, despair, self-deception, and introspection—Madi Diaz cycles through the full spectrum of emotions on History Of A Feeling, her debut on ANTI-. It’s an album that undeniably marks Diaz’s status as a first-rate songwriter, a craft she’s spent years refining, and one wherein Diaz establishes herself as an artist capable of distilling profound feelings with ease. Diaz pulls from a range of folk, country, and pop leanings—she is as much influ- enced by Patty Griffin and Lori McKenna as she is the sonics of PJ Harvey and di- rectness of Kathleen Hanna. On History Of A Feeling, the Nashville based songwriter comes to terms with the dissolution of a meaningful relationship. By the end of it, she wills herself into a self-reflective state where she doesn’t hate herself for being so heartbroken. The songs on History Of A Feeling, are the most direct and introspective songs Diaz has ever written. In the few times she’s gotten to perform them live in front of an audience, Diaz describes the experience as one where she feels acutely present even though she’s singing about emotions that started to take root years ago. It’s relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak and great change in some manner, and this profound sense of intimacy and camaraderie she seamlessly weaves into the songs was important to her. “I wanted it to sound conversational, like I had just walked over to your house and we’re sitting and at the end of your driveway talking—just like we’re hashing it out in the same way that you’d call a best friend at one in the morning because you needed to talk about what just happened.”
The Beach Boys - Feel Flows: The Sunflower & Surf's Up Sessions 1969-1971 - Capitol
The Beach Boys ‘Feel Flows’ collection is based on the landmark 1970/1971 albums ‘Sunflower’ and ‘Surf’s Up’. This 4LP features remastered versions of the original albums and has 64 tracks including 44 previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions, alternate mixes and vocals. Available in 4LP, 5CD, 2LP and 2CD sets.
Boris - NO - Third Man Vinyl
Formed in 1992, Boris boldly explores their own vision of heavy music, where words like "explosive" and "thunderous" barely do justice. Using overpowering soundscapes embellished with copious amounts of lighting and billow smoke, Boris has shared with audiences across the planet an experience for all five senses in their concerts, earning legions of zealous fans along the way. Furiously recorded in the early days of the covid-19 pandemic and surprise-released in July 2020, NO was met with immediate and widespread praise. Meant to serve as a mirror that redirects the negativity of the global lockdown to something more positive, the content on NO can be characterized as “extreme healing music”. Musically, it draws from influential noise-heavy hardcore group Gudon, even including a cover of their song “Fundamental Error”. NO is a classic hardcore thrash record and is one of the band’s strongest efforts from start to finish. This will also serve as the release of NO on streaming services worldwide. "Their most compelling album in more than a decade." - Pitchfork
Boris - Flood - Third Man Vinyl
Formed in 1992, Boris boldly explores their own vision of heavy music, where words like "explosive" and "thunderous" barely do justice. Using overpowering soundscapes embellished with copious amounts of lighting and billow smoke, Boris has shared with audiences across the planet an experience for all five senses in their concerts, earning legions of zealous fans along the way. This is the first-ever and particularly-anticipated official vinyl release of Boris's essential 2000 album, Flood. The album was originally released in Japan, only on CD. Delivered in four equally important movements, Flood is simultaneously delicate, dense, undulating, devastating, emancipating, hypnotic and triumphant. Each season of the album has its own sense of place, best revealed listen-by-listen. With the album, Boris broaden their vision of musical possibility, with a notable and imaginative influence from visionary American minimalist Steve Reich, weaving in prog, drone and slowcore into a multifaceted symphony. There simply has never been another piece of music like Flood.
Diane Warren - Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1 - BMG
After three decades of penning massive hits for Celine Dion, Aerosmith, Toni Braxton, and many more, songwriting great Diane Warren is stepping out on her own with The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1, out August 27th via Di-Namic Records/BMG. The album's eclectic guest list mixes legendary artists like Carlos Santana and Celine Dion with contemporary stars G-Eazy, Ty Dolla $ign, Maren Morris, and Luis Fonsi. Other notable contributors include Darius Rucker, John Legend, Leona Lewis, and Lauren Jauregui. Rounding out the features are Rita Ora, Batiste, Pentatonix, Sofia Reyes, Reik, James Arthur, Jimmie Allen, LP, Paloma Faith, and James Morrison.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
The Bug - Fire
Chvrches - Screen Violence [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Clear Red LP]
DMX - Exodus
John Mellencamp - The Good Samaritan Tour 2000
OneRepublic - Human
The Bronx - The Bronx VI
Mouse Rat - The Awesome Album
Masego - Capitol Cuts - Live From Studio A
Donna Missal - Capitol Cuts - Live From Studio A
Yann Tiersen - Kerber [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition White LP]
TesseracT - P O R T A L S
Spice Girls - Wannabe 25 [Picture Disc]
Lil Tecca - WE LOVE YOU TECCA 2
(Hed) P.E. - Sandmine EP
Toyah - Posh Pop [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Signed Space Grey LP]
Big Red Machine - How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? [Red LP]
J. Cole - The Off-Season
Indigo de Souza - Any Shape You Take
Brian Setzer - Gotta Have The Rumble
Death Cab for Cutie - The Georgia EP
& More .....
New Release Round-Up 08-20-21
Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad of Dood and Juanita - High Top Mountain
Sturgill Simpson releases his new concept album, The Ballad of Dood and Juanita, on CD, vinyl release will be December 3rd. This is the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter's third album in twelve months and his most ambitious project to date.. Written and recorded in less than a week, and featuring the same ace musicians who played on last year's Cuttin' Grass albums, the record tells a classic American story of a Civil War-era couple torn apart by violence and reunited by love—what Simpson calls "a simple tale of either redemption or revenge." “I just wanted to write a story—not a collection of songs that tell a story, but an actual story, front to back,” says Simpson. He describes the concept album as a “rollercoaster ride through all the styles of traditional country and bluegrass and mountain music that I love, including gospel and a cappella.” In a career marked by risk-taking and rule-breaking, Simpson has previously challenged genre conventions with 2016’s soul-inflected A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, which won the Grammy award for Country Album of the Year and was nominated for Album of the Year, and 2019’s Sound & Fury, which was nominated for Rock Album of the Year. The Ballad of Dood and Juanita is available on an indie record store-exclusive CD that includes a printed illustration from the album artwork. A standard CD is also available. On 12/3/21, the vinyl will be available on indie-exclusive Translucent Natural vinyl, and will include another 11x11 print of the illustration on the front cover. Standard black vinyl is also available.
Bob's Burgers [TV Series] - The Bob's Burgers Music Album Vol.2 - Sub Pop
The Bob's Burgers Music Album Vol.2 includes nearly every single musical morsel from seasons 7 through 9. This 90-song smorgasbord will feature the Belcher family - Bob (H. Jon Benjamin), Linda (John Roberts), Tina (Dan Mintz), Gene (Eugene Mirman) and Louise (Kristen Schaal) - as well as the show’s numerous recurring and special guests. This includes actors, comedians, and musicians Adam Driver, Tiffany Haddish, Jenny Slate, Daveed Diggs, Max Greenfield, Toddrick Hall, Aparna Nancherla, and Matt Berninger (of the National). For fans of the show, enjoying the music of Bob’s Burgers on its own is both an irresistible to-go bag and ultimately a world unto itself. Lose yourself in the strangely epic disco celebration “Hot Pants Rain Dance”, sing along with the musical theater gem, “The Wedding Is My Warzone,” or do whatever you’re gonna do to “Sexy Little Tiger” but don’t miss the Bob’s Burgers Music Album Vol. 2. Fans, your order is up.
James McMurtry - The Horses and the Hounds - New West Records
In James McMurtry’s new effort, The Horses and the Hounds, the acclaimed songwriter backs personal narratives with effortless elegance (“Canola Fields”) and endless energy (“If It Don’t Bleed”). This first collection in seven years spotlights a seasoned tunesmith in peak form as he turns toward reflection (“Vaquero”) and revelation (closer “Blackberry Winter”). Familiar foundations guide the journey. “There’s a definite Los Angeles vibe to this record,” McMurtry says. “The ghost of Warren Zevon seems to be stomping around among the guitar tracks. Don’t know how he got in there. He never signed on for work for hire.” The Horses and the Hounds is a reunion of sorts. McMurtry recorded the new album with legendary producer Ross Hogarth (Ozzy Osbourne, John Fogerty, Van Halen, Keb’ Mo’) at Jackson Browne’s Groovemaster’s in Santa Monica, California. Hogarth recorded McMurtry’s first two albums, Too Long in the Wasteland and Candyland and later mixed McMurtry’s first self-produced album, Saint Mary of the Woods. Another veteran of those three releases, guitarist David Grissom (Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks), returns with some of his finest work.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
Fink - IIUII [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Bronze 2LP]
Lorde - Solar Power [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Brown LP]
Jake Bugg - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
AJR - Ok Orchestra [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Orange LP]
Connie Smith - The Cry of the Heart
Shannon & The Clams - Year Of The Spider [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Midnight Wine LP]
Chrissie Hynde - Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan
Caravan - Who Do You Think We Are? [37 Disc Deluxe Box Set]
Various Artists - Smithsonian Anthology Of Hip-Hop & Rap [9CD Box Set]
Deafheaven - Infinite Granite
Trey Anastasio - Burn It Down (Live)
Between The Buried And Me - Colors II
TOMORROW X TOGETHER - The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE [FIGHT version]
Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Olive Green LP]
Wanda Jackson - Encore
Kool & The Gang - Perfect Union
Martha Wainwright - Love Will Be Reborn
Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition [2LP+7in]
MG [Martin Gore] - The Third Chimpanzee Remixed
Switchfoot - Interrobang
John Coltrane - Another Side of John Coltrane
Anderson East - Maybe We Never Die [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition White LP]
Fear Factory - Aggression Continuum
The Offspring - We Never Have Sex Anymore [Translucent Green 7in Single]
& More .....
New Release Round-Up 08-13-21
Watchhouse - Watchhouse - Tiptoe Tiger Music
On April 21, 2021 the duo of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz — who over the past decade have achieved grassroots success as Mandolin Orange, going from coffee shop performers to festival headliners — announced that they are now called Watchhouse. Says the band in a new statement: "This past year has been the first time we’ve stayed still since we were 21, and the pause gave us the opportunity to sit with ourselves and set intentions. We have long been burdened by the dichotomy between our band name and the music we strive to create—if you’ve heard the songs, you know they are personal. Now that we can see a future where music is a shared experience again, we're defining the space we share with you on a stage or in your headphones, and making it one that welcomes our creativity and anyone who wants to listen." Watchhouse's self-titled album is the first under their new name, and is co-produced by Josh Kaufman, who has produced records for The National and Bonny Light Horseman, and also played on Taylor Swift’s folklore and evermore. The album represents a seamless reinvention as a band at the regenerative edges of subtly experimental folk-rock. Challenging as they are charming, and an inspired search for personal and political goodness, these nine songs offer welcome lessons about what any of us might become when the night begins to break. The first single "Better Way" pairs their own honest songcraft with bold, otherworldly sonic explorations that signify a new sense of confidence and ambition for the band.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
The Killers - Pressure Machine
Sheryl Crow - Live From The Ryman And More
Jennifer Hudson - RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Nicki Minaj - Beam Me Up Scotty
Pop Smoke - Faith
Jungle - Loving In Stereo [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Marble LP]
Pachyman - The Return of Pachyman
Mastodon - Fallen Torches [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Vinyl]
Sepultura - SepulQuarta
Rainbow Kitten Surprise - RKS! Live From Athens Georgia
Dan + Shay - Good Things
Paul Anka - Making Memories
Devendra Banhart & Noah Georgeson - Refuge
Jade Bird - Different Kinds of Light
Luke Hemmings - When Facing The Things We Turn Away From
Various Artists - Rip It Up: The Best Of Specialty Records
Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue: 2021 - Stereo Remaster
El Michels Affair Meets Liam Bailey - Ekundayo Inversions
Bendigo Fletcher - Fits Of Laughter [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Violet LP]
Samia - Scout EP [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Apple Red Vinyl]
Pearl Jam - No Code
Ben Platt - Reverie
& More .....
New Release Round-Up 08-06-21
Barbra Streisand - Release Me 2 - Sony Legacy
The only artist to ever achieve #1 albums in SIX consecutive decades, Barbra Streisand's Release Me 2 is yet another musical gem in her unparalleled career. The follow-up to her acclaimed 2012 album, Release Me, this new collection contains previously unreleased tracks from Barbra’s vault, including duets with Willie Nelson and Kermit the Frog. With songs by Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Barry Gibb, Paul Williams, Randy Newman, Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Harold Arlen, and Carole King, Barbra describes Release Me 2 as, “A lovely walk down memory lane…a chance to revisit, and in some cases, add a finishing instrumental touch to songs that still resonate for me in meaningful ways.”
Guccihighwaters - Joke's On You - Epitaph
Guccihighwaters is the artistic persona of 21 year -old, artist/producer, Morgan Murphy. Since his debut single in 2017, Murphy has exploded in the cloud rap community and his music has been streamed over 200 Million times. His new album, Joke's On You, is his debut for Epitaph Records and will be his first available on vinyl. Guccihighwaters is the keystone to the label's dedication to this sound that we feel is the future of Alternative music. Spending his formative years growing up in rural Ireland, Murphy was shy and when his family returned to their native New York, that shy 15 year-old turned to home recording/bedroom production and starting making his own beats. He began to indulge his musical vision by exploring community on the internet, finding a place to belong that he had not found prior. As a singer, Murphy was a bit of an outsider to the SoundCloud rap world he'd begun to orbit. "I was grouped in because of the time and place and platform," he says. His use of original piano with a classic touch and his angelic singing gave him an original voice within the scene's crowded world. Even if he wanted to blend in, he didn't know how. With Jokes On You, he says, "basically my goal was to make it sound like me. " Some members of that community, like Powfu and nothing, nowhere, feature on the album, adding their voices to Murphy's signature sound. Guccihighwaters is a top digital artist in the Indie Pop/Cloud Rapspace, releasing his music on vinyl for the first time. Album features include lo-fi sensation powfu , top emo rapper Convolk and popular alt/hip hop artist, nothing, nowhere. For Fans of powfu, Lil Peep, nothing, nowhere and Lund
Brian May - Back To The Light: Remastered - UMe
The original album newly remastered by Bob Ludwig from the original master tapes and personally overseen by Brian May. The CD is presented in a 6 panel digipak with a 24pg booklet containing rare photos and album notes. The second disc, Out of the Light, contains alternative versions, B-Sides and live tracks. The LP is presented in 180g heavyweight white vinyl in spined sleeve with printed inner bag. The whole package comes in a 12” lift lid box with 2 X CD in wallets and enamel badge.
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass: Remastered - Capitol
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass is being celebrated with a suite of new releases highlighted by a stunning new mix of the classic album by Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer Paul Hicks, overseen by executive producer Dhani Harrison.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
Drive-By Truckers - Plan 9 Records July 13, 2006 [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Spring Green 3LP]
Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Hippo Campus - Good Dog, Bad Dream EP [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Red Marble Vinyl]
Kississippi - Mood Ring [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Jawbreaker LP]
Bob Mould - Distortion: Live [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Signed 140-Gram Clear Splatter 8LP Box Set]
Movements - No Good Left To Give B-Sides [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Grape Candy Purple 7in Single]
Leah Blevins - First Time Feeling
Paul Thorn - Never Too Late To Call
Benet - Game Over! EP
Chris Young - Famous Friends
Sponge - Lavatorium
BTS - BTS, THE BEST
Staind - Live: It's Been Awhile
Liars - The Apple Drop
Will Young - Crying On The Bathroom Floor
Night Ranger - ATBPO
LCD Soundsystem - The Long Goodbye (LCD Soundsytem Live At Madison Square Garden)
& More .....
New Release Round-Up 07-30-21
Son Volt - Electro Melodier - Transmit Sound
2020 was not quite what Jay Farrar was expecting for the 25th anniversary of Son Volt, the band he started in 1995 after leaving the seminal group Uncle Tupelo, whose No Depression album helped define the alt-country and Americana genre. The group had just finished an Outlaw Country Cruise when the pandemic hit and sent them into their homes on lockdown. Instead of a triumphant tour marking the illustrious landmark, Farrar was forced indoors by the pandemic, and his “Reverie” during that time helped define Electro Melodier, Son Volt’s 10th studio album – and third for influential Nashville indie Thirty Tigers. The title, taken from the names of two vintage amplifiers from the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, also describes the disc’s unique blend of folk, country, blues, soul and rock – an electric troubadour with melodies that hit and stick. Social protest songs like “Living in the U.S.A.” and “The Globe,” the former about the promises of this nation gone wrong, the latter referencing the street protests accompanying the Black Lives Matter movement, exist side by side with odes to long-term relationships (specifically his 25-year marriage) in “Diamonds and Cigarettes” and “Lucky Ones.” Once again accompanied by the current Son Volt line up – keyboardist/steel guitarist Mark Spencer, bassist Andrew Duplantis, guitarist Chris Frame and drummer Mark Patterson – Farrar takes a slight turn from 2019’s politically pointed Union to a series of songs that asks questions rather than demanding answers – think of “Living in the U.S.A.” as Farrar’s version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” or Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power,” an anthem to unite the populace. One listen to Electro Melodier, which opens with “Reverie,” describing Farrar’s contemplative state gazing out his window, enlivened with Mark Spencer’s “Wichita Lineman” guitar riffs and the lush Big Star melodies, and you wonder why no other rock ‘n’ roll bands or singer/songwriters are making albums like this about what we’re all going through. With tour dates scheduled before the end of 2021, Son Volt is ready to return to what they know best after a welcome period of introspection. The songs of Electro Melodier help remind us to be thankful of what we still have – new music from Jay Farrar and Son Volt.
Parker McCollum - Gold Chain Cowboy - MCA Nashville
Parker McCollum will be releasing his major label debut- Gold Chain Cowboy on MCA Nashville on July 30th. He is born and raised in the Houston-TX market and has been based in Austin-TX since he released is first independent single and EP in 2013. He has performed and will headline numerous radio station festivals during the summer. The 10 Tracks on his debut album will feature the #1 Platinum-"Pretty Heart" and his current Top 40 hit- "To Be Loved By You".
Los Lobos - Native Sons - New West Records
Los Angeles based band, Los Lobos, have always been inspired by their surroundings and the place they call home. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños. With Native Sons the band set out to showcase all of these influences with their own take on the songs of Los Angeles from some of the cities greatest songwriters. Native Sons features 13-songs from well known LA artists such as Buffalo Springfield, WAR, Jackson Browne and the Beach Boys as well as deep cuts from the Jaguars, The Basters and The Premiers. The album title track is the sole original composition written by the band.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Deep Brown 2LP]
Prince - Welcome 2 America [Deluxe 2 LP / 1 CD / 1 Blu-Ray]
Clay Walker - Texas to Tennessee
Yola - Stand for Myself [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Hot Pink LP]
Torres - Thirstier [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Peak Opaque Red-in-Translucent Yellow LP]
Blues Traveler - Traveler's Blues [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Blue LP]
Naia Izumi - A Residency In The Los Angeles Area
Son Lux - Tomorrows [Limited Edition 3LP]
Grouplove - This Is This
Durand Jones & The Indications - Private Space
Needtobreathe - Into The Mystery
Bleachers - Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition LP]
Dee Snider - Leave A Scar
King Woman - Celestial Blues [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Milky Clear w/Gold and Silver Splatter LP]
Slayyyter - Troubled Paradise
Peaches - Pussy Mask [Vinyl Single]
Patrick Page II - If I Fail Are We Still Cool? [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Smokey Translucent LP]
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! - Gone Are The Good Days
Erasure - The Neon Remixed
& More .....