New Releases for May 17, 2024

AIMS Marketing Program/ Featured Titles Promoted This Week:

The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers CD/LP (Ramseur)

The Avett Brothers return with their first album in five years. Produced by longtime collaborator, friend, and early champion Rick Rubin, 2024’s The Avett Brothers is as much untitled as it is self-titled, for as Thomas Keating said: “Silence is God’s first language – everything else is a poor translation.” From the album’s all-vocal opening to the sharp, scrappy and scorching rock ‘n’ roll blast of lead single “Love Of A Girl”, to the novel strains of folk, roots, synth and strings that have landed The Avett Brothers numerous Billboard Top 5 and chart-topping albums, three Grammy nominations, five Americana Music Awards, a documentary co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, and so much more, this record is one that revealed itself naturally over time. [An indie store exclusive light blue color vinyl pressing is available.]

Blitzen Trapper – 100’s Of 1000’s, Millions Of Billions CD/LP (Yep Roc)

Inspired by the Buddhist sutras, Blitzen Trapper’s radiant new album, 100’s Of 1000’s, Millions Of Billions, offers a captivating take on rebirth and transcendence, navigating its way through the space beyond dreams and reality, beyond gods and mortals, beyond life and death. The songs here are as sincere as they are surreal, rooted in rich character studies and deep reflection, and the production is intoxicating to match, blending lo-fi intimacy and trippy psychedelia into a mesmerizing swirl of analog and electronic sounds. Add it all together and you’ve got a gorgeous collection of stripped-down bedroom folk wrapped in lush layers of synthesizers and washed-out electric guitars, a poignant, expansive exploration of perception and purpose that manages to look both forwards and backwards all at once. [A translucent blue color vinyl pressing is available.]

Cage The Elephant – Neon Pill CD/LP (RCA)

Neon Pill is the highly anticipated new album from Cage The Elephant, and the group’s first new music since their album, Social Cues, which won Best Rock album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Cage The Elephant consists of brothers Matt Shultz (vocals) and Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar) along with Daniel Tichenor (bass), Jared Champion (drums), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar) and Matthan Minster (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals). Cage The Elephant gained widespread recognition with their self-titled debut album, released in 2008. The album included hit singles like “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” and “Shake Me Down”, earning the band critical acclaim and establishing them as a prominent force in alternative rock. Their energetic live performances and dynamic sound, drawing influences from garage rock, punk, and blues, contributed to their growing popularity. [An indie store exclusive milky clear color vinyl pressing is available.]

Collective Soul – Here To Eternity CD/LP (Fuzze-Flex)

In 1994, Collective Soul burst onto the music scene with their debut album Hints Allegations And Things Left Unsaid. Now, 30 years later, the band is still going strong and continues to create infectious alt-rock music that is loved around the world. The new album Here To Eternity contains 20 tracks of the catchy melodies, driving guitars, and soaring choruses that have defined the band’s sound since their early days. Featuring the new single “Mother’s Love”, this collection is a love letter to the fans. 2024 is a big year for Collective Soul: they are embarking on a huge, national tour with Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain and preparing to debut a documentary about the band’s 30-year history with major film festivals. [Limited quantities of the CD version are autographed.]

Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft CD/LP (Darkroom/Interscope)

Billie Eilish’s third studio album, Hit Me Hard And Soft, is her most daring body of work to date, a diverse yet cohesive collection of songs— ideally listened to in its entirety from beginning to end—does exactly as the album title suggests; hits you hard and soft both lyrically and sonically, while bending genres and defying trends along the way. With the help of her brother and sole collaborator, Finneas, the pair wrote, recorded, and produced the album together in their hometown of Los Angeles. This album comes on the heels of her two massively successful albums When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go? and Happier Than Ever and works to further develop the world of Billie Eilish. [An indie store exclusive eco-mix sea blue color vinyl pressing is available.]

Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown CD/LP+MP3 (Domino)

Beth Gibbons releases her debut solo album following her work as a member of Portishead and her collaborative album with Rustin Man, Out Of Season. Featuring 10 beautiful new songs recorded over a period of 10 years, Lives Outgrown was produced by James Ford & Beth Gibbons with additional production by Lee Harris (Talk Talk). Lives Outgrown is, by some measure, Beth’s most personal work to date, the result of a period of sustained reflection and change – “lots of goodbyes,” in Beth’s words. Farewells to family, to friends, even to her former self. These are songs from the mid-course of life, when looking ahead no longer yields what it used to, and looking back has a sudden, sharper focus. [A deluxe CD version is available.]

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars (Moon & Stars)

Miami-formed and long-time Nashville-based, genre-bending Americana icons The Mavericks return with their highly anticipated 13th studio album Moon And Stars. The record marks their first new music release since 2020’s groundbreaking and chart-topping En Español project and their first return to a full English language release since their acclaimed Brand New Day album in 2017. “This record has been a journey of reflection, introspection, patience, learning and evolving. Some of these songs were written years ago, but they weren’t ready. Or maybe we weren’t. We are now,” the band says. [Multiple vinyl colorways are available, including white and indie store exclusive galaxy.]

New Kids On The Block – Still Kids CD/LP (BMG)

Still Kids is New Kids on the Block’s first full-length studio album in 11 years. On the all-new album, members Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood channel the New Kids’ beginnings, even as it pushes them into new territory as songwriters and as a band. The album features 14 new tracks including the lead single, “Kids”, and is full of pop anthems, dance tracks, love songs, and grooves that will become fast favorites for the Blockheads. [A deluxe CD version is available.]

Queen – Queen Rock Montreal 2xCD/3xLP (Hollywood)

Queen Rock Montreal was recorded live at the Montreal Forum in November 1981. The 28-track setlist shows the breadth and brilliance of Queen’s songwriting. It mixes ‘70s classics with fan-favorite deep cuts and album tracks (“Keep Yourself Alive”, “Dragon Attack”, “I’m In Love With My Car”, “Sheer Heart Attack”), as well as two songs (“Flash”, and “The Hero”) which are exclusive to the audio-only formats.

Slash – Orgy Of The Damned CD/LP (Gibson)

Slash returns with a new blues covers album featuring iconic guests such as Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr., Iggy Pop, and Beth Hart. The songs covered include classics by blues heavyweights including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Steppen Wolf, Stevie Wonder and more.

Additional Social Media Program Title:

Joywave – Permanent Pleasure LP (Hollywood)

Your favorite indie rock band, Joywave, is back with their fifth studio album, Permanent Pleasure, featuring their alternative hit single, “Brain Damage”. Permanent Pleasure was written by Joywave (Daniel Armbruster, Paul Brenner, Joseph Morinelli), produced by Armbruster, and recorded at The Joycave (Rochester, NY) and the University of Rochester’s Gavett Audio Studio. Weaving blissed-out synths and unstoppable dancefloor grooves with euphoric hooks, exuberant wit, and uncommon emotional depth, Rochester, NY-based band Joywave has spent much of the past decade holding an aural mirror to society, concocting a distinctively modern approach towards pop music that is both organic and synthetic, much like our own day-to-day lives.

CDs + Vinyl:

Barry Adamson – Cut To Black CD/LP (Barry Adamson Inc.)

Barry Adamson’s new album, Cut To Black, swaggeringly embraces his trademark genre-hopping compositions, covering pop, soul, jazz, hip-hop and gospel.

Cannonball Adderley – Live In Montreal May 1975 CD/LP (Liberation Hall)

One of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet’s final performances, recorded in Montreal on May 3, 1975, three months before his untimely passing.

Air – Moon Safari [Reissue/1998] 2xCD+Blu-ray (Rhino/Parlophone)

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their seminal debut, iconic French duo Air releases a reedition with rare and even unreleased material of their most legendary album Moon Safari. The package includes a Spatial Atmos audio version of the original album, along with a remarkable selection of previously unreleased track versions, as well as the 1998 documentary film Eating, Sleeping, Waiting & Playing by acclaimed director Mike Mills in HD format. This documentary follows band members Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel during their first ever tour stops in New York, London, and Paris.

The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers CD/LP (Ramseur)

Ayreon – 01011001 – Live Beneath The Waves 2xCD+DVD/3xLP (Music Theories)

Recorded live from a short run of shows in September 2023 at the 013 Tilburg in The Netherlands, this release is a must-have for Ayreon fans.

Babylon A.D. – Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day CD (Perris)

First new album from the veteran California glam metal band in seven years.

Bat – Under The Crooked Claw CD/LP (Nuclear Blast)

Richmond, Virginia metal-punk trio Bat have been delivering their own blood-spattered horror since ascending from the underground a decade ago on a dark, leather-winged trajectory. [A clear w/ black marble color vinyl pressing is available.]

Big Special – Postindustrial Hometown Blues CD/LP (So Recordings)

Big Special’s sound is one that comes from vital, frustrated young working-class voices that don’t always get heard on the scale they should do. It’s a frustration that comes to the fore through a voice that is at times coarse and raw, but sensitive, desperate, and soulful at others. These are songs that channel that voice you hear when you look in the mirror and see your true self – fight songs for a world gone wrong. [A white color vinyl pressing is available.]

Blitzen Trapper – 100’s Of 1000’s, Millions Of Billions CD/LP (Yep Roc)

Botanist – Paleobotany 2xCD/LP (Prophecy)

On their twelfth full-length Paleobotany, Botanist take us back more than 70 million years to a time when dinosaurs ruled the planet, and early forests began to turn to coal. Paleobotany comes with all the trademark characteristics that set Botanist apart from all other metal acts on this planet. [A lupine blue vinyl colorway is available.]

Alan Braufman – Infinite Love Infinite Tears CD/LP (Valley Of Search)

In 1975, the New York City alto saxophonist Alan Braufman released his debut album, Valley Of Search on the India Navigation label. Braufman went on to record and tour with everyone from Carla Bley to The Psychedelic Furs and didn’t release another album under his name until 2020’s The Fire Still Burns, which received rave reviews from The WIRE, Downbeat, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NPR. 2024’s Infinite Love Infinite Tears is a surprisingly catchy program of free jazz, richly detailed and forthright, embodying a range of emotions and circumstances that convey individuality, collectivity, and hope. There is much history and love in this band, and in Alan Braufman’s art overall. Fifty-odd years after debuting on record, his sound-world is as vital and inviting as ever. “A legend in free music” – Gilles Peterson

Bright Light Bright Light – Enjoy Youth CD/LP (Yskwn!)
“Fifth studio album paying homage to the artists and music that shaped me, even working with some of them! Determined to bring joy to the world.” [Multiple vinyl colorways are available, including pink and indie store exclusive purple.]

Cage The Elephant – Neon Pill CD/LP (RCA)

Cold Years – A Different Life CD/LP (MNRK Music)

Recorded at The Barber Shop Studios, New Jersey by Producer Brett Romnes (Hot Mulligan, Boston Manor, Heart Attack Man, The Front Bottoms, Brand New), A Different Life further explores lyrical themes you’d expect to find on a Cold Years album, politically charged social commentaries on what it’s like to grow up be that mental health, love, loss & striving to be a better version of yourself everyday. [A splatter color vinyl pressing is available.]

Collective Soul – Here To Eternity CD/LP (Fuzze-Flex)

Demon – Invincible CD (Frontiers)

On their 45th anniversary as a band, Demon return with a studio album (their fourteenth) aptly titled Invincible. Offering a sound that melts their classic root hard rock approach with the progressive and epic overtones of their mid- ’80s album, Invincible is an absolute stunner of an album which is going to make long-time aficionados very excited along with all the fans of such bands as Magnum, Uriah Heep or classic Rainbow.

Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft CD/LP (Darkroom/Interscope)

Marty Friedman – Drama CD/LP (Frontiers)

New release from the iconic metal guitarist best known for his work with Megadeth and Cacophony.

Gatecreeper – Dark Superstition CD/LP (Nuclear Blast)

Gatecreeper’s third full-length sees the Arizona death metal specialists-vocalist Chase H. Mason, guitarists Eric Wagner and Israel Garza, drummer Metal Matt Arrebollo and bassist Alex Brown-carving out their own path. [A purple color vinyl pressing is available.]

Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown CD/LP+MP3 (Domino)

Dizzy Gillespie – Soul & Salvation CD/LP (Libération Hall)

Dizzy Gillespie was one jazz giant who loved to explore new areas of self-expression. He was not only an exciting performer; his melodic and harmonic inventions are legendary. He had a remarkable insight into the rhythmic aspects of jazz. He swung in a highly personal way. One of his most famous compositions is called Con Alma, and whether he played with or without a Latin accent his music was always played with soul. It was Dizzy who spearheaded the use of afro-Cuban rhythms in the jazz of the 1940s and ‘50s, and added another dimension to the rhythm of jazz in the ‘60s. As a sensitive jazz artist, he explored much of the contemporary scene and his interest and enthusiasm pointed the direction that many other musicians followed in their use of Brazilian rhythms. In his permanent group he featured the electric bass and utilizes many contemporary rhythms that are easy to dance to. In pursuing this direction of music further, Dizzy decided in these recordings to incorporate vocal and instrumental sounds which are usually associated with pop and soul music.

Alastair Greene – Standing Out Loud CD/LP (Ruf)

Guitar virtuoso Alastair Greene has artfully managed a dynamic solo career while contributing to the music of notable artists such as Grammy-winner Alan Parsons and soul-blues Grammy nominee Sugaray Rayford. Greene’s latest release, Standing Out Loud, is a commanding declaration poised to solidify his position as a seasoned veteran in the blues rock world.

Guster – Ooh La La CD/LP (Ocho Mule)

Guster’s ninth studio LP, Ooh La La reveals a band fully in touch with the voracious creative energy that first inspired their formation. A major leap forward for lead vocalist Ryan Miller, guitarist Adam Gardner, drummer Brian Rosenworcel, and multi-instrumentalist Luke Reynolds, Ooh La La ultimately matches that wide-eyed spirit with a newly heightened sense of confidence, conviction, and commitment to the raw sincerity that’s made them so beloved. [A green color vinyl pressing is available.]

Harvestman – Triptych: Part One CD (Neurot)

The first of a three-album cycle, Triptych: Part One, is Harvestman’s most ambitious undertaking yet. Drawn to the megaliths, ruins and ancient sites mapped out along the British and European mainland’s geographical and psychic landscapes, the folklore and apocrypha forever resurfacing as portals from a rational world, Triptych is a meditation forged from traces and residues, and an hallucinatory recollection of artists who have tapped into that enduring otherworldliness embedded within us all. It’s a dream diary narrating a passage through Summer Isle where Flying Saucer Attack are wafting out of a window, a distant Fairport Convention are being remixed by dub master Adrian Sherwood, celestial scanners Tangerine Dream are trying to drown out Bert Jansch and Hawkwind are playing Steeleye Span covers, all prised out of time yet bound to it’s singularity. [Vinyl version due June 14.]

Have A Nice Life – Voids [Reissue/2011] CD/Cassette (The Flenser)

Dubbed Voids, this rare fan-made compilation contains several alternate takes of tracks from Deathconsciousness, as well as a handful of early versions of songs that would appear on Have a Nice Life’s two following albums, The Unnatural World and Sea Of Worry. [Vinyl version due May 31.]

Will Hoge – Tenderhearted Boys CD/LP (Will Hoge)

Unapologetically contrarian, an insurgent of authenticity, Hoge takes the helm with his fourteenth studio album, Tenderhearted Boys, where he breaks new ground by producing and playing every instrument himself. Each track unfolds as a chapter in Hoge’s sonic autobiography, exploring the beauty found in all the nuanced corners of modern life. Tenderhearted Boys is not just an album; it’s a journey into the uncharted territories of musical expression, where vulnerability meets rebellion, and every note carries the weight of the artist’s unfiltered soul.

Hollywood Vampires – Rise CD (earMUSIC)

The dynamic trio, featuring icons Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry, alongside guitarist Tommy Henriksen, invites you into a world were music reigns supreme. Rise is not just an album; it’s a testament to the unwavering passion and talent of these rock titans. With 16 tracks pulsating with raw energy and authenticity, this album stands as a beacon of uncompromising rock ‘n’ roll.

How To Dress Well – I Am Toward You CD/LP+MP3 (Sargent House)

In his 13 years recording as How To Dress Well, L.A.-based musician Tom Krell has played with the concept of what we hear and how we communicate in order to create music that exists somewhere between celestial transcendence and an outsider approach to what pop music can be. In Krell’s musical world, the weight of a sample comes from his history with it, the meaning of a lyric fragment is stretched and distorted, its core skirting universal interpretation in favor of specificity. On new album “I Am Toward You”, his first new music in nearly six years, Krell was in search of a return to the open-hearted, uncynical approach to music making that he adopted as a kid and carried through the release of his haunting breakthrough debut, 2010’s Love Remains, when he was making music in relative anonymity with little external pressure. [An orange colorway is available.]

Kate Hudson – Glorious CD/LP (Virgin)

Kate Hudson’s not sure what took her so long, especially with all the music whirling inside her. That hunger for musical expression from the woman who embodied the rocker’s muse in Almost Famous runs deeper. “I always felt connected to music. It was my outlet.” Natural and easy, there’s both self-examination and celebration flowing through her songs. She understands the phases of modern music in a way that’s fluid, but defined, honest, yet willing to leave it all at the door in the name of love.

Kaia Kater – Strange Medicine CD/LP (Free Dirt)

On Strange Medicine, acclaimed roots musician Kaia Kater succeeds in the act of transformation, alchemizing grief into joy, sorrow into hope. Kater’s captivating songs celebrate the power of oppressed people and act as an antidote to centuries of exploitation, fear, and greed. This collection of ten songs-featuring appearances by today’s finest roots musicians such as Allison Russell, Aoife O’Donovan, and Taj Mahal-showcases Kater’s biting topical songwriting and deft arranging chops. Strange Medicine‘s intricate orchestrations were inspired by diverse sources: composer Steve Reich’s propulsive minimalism, the frenetic jazz drumming of Brian Blade, the unsettling orchestral scores of film composer Jonny Greenwood, and the spiraling rhythms of the West African kora.

Mat Kearney – Mat Kearney CD/LP (Middle Kid)

Mat Kearney’s self-titled LP is the most honest and raw he’s ever been. Described as “the soundtrack for a drive into mountains or a beach hang with friends,” Kearney’s growth as an artist is evident as this album sees him take on more of the production, writing and producing some songs solely on his own. His growth isn’t limited to his solo production, it also led him to collaborate in ways he hadn’t done before. Having The Brook & The Bluff play on a handful of these songs, Mat said “it was the first time I felt like I was in a band.” The overall vision for the album kept it simple. Real instruments and honest performances, like the early days of Kearney’s career.

Kerry King – From Hell I Rise CD/LP/Cassette (Reigning Phoenix)

From Hell I Rise is the highly anticipated debut studio album from legendary Slayer guitarist Kerry King. [Multiple vinyl colorways are available, including orange and indie store exclusive black /w red.]

Lip Critic – Hex Dealer CD/LP (Partisan)

Hex Dealer is the second full-length from New York electronic punk band Lip Critic. The album is a raw patchwork of iPhone recordings, free VST samplers, synths and two live drummers. All of this has been maximized beyond its limits, like a chorus of bass-boosted Windex bottles spraying in unison, or a washing machine filled with coins on the spin cycle. This mixture of classic punk, hardcore and electronic styles result in 12 frantic tracks of postmodern pop for the genre less future. [A limited-edition clear vinyl pressing is available.]

Little Feat – Sam’s Place CD/LP (Hot Tomato Productions)

Sam’s Place is Little Feat’s tribute to the blues with percussionist Sam Clayton taking center stage as lead vocalist. It’s also their first studio album with Scott Sharrard on guitar and Tony Leone on drums along with longtime members Bill Payne on keys, Kenny Gradney on bass, and Fred Tackett on guitar.

Lucassen & Soeterboek’s Plan Nine – The Long-Lost Songs 2xCD/LP (Music Theories)

Originally formed 30 years ago by Lucassen and Soeterboek for experimentation, Plan Nine eventually grew into a band of it’s own, attracting attention from producers and labels alike. However, as other projects such as Ayreon took center stage, Plan Nine was placed on pause. Now, returning to finally release their debut album, The Long-Lost Songs, Plan Nine is ready for the masses.

Melanie Martinez – K-12 CD/LP (Atlantic)

Melanie Martinez’s sophomore album, K-12, is another ambitious triumph for the artist. As with her debut album Cry Baby, K-12‘s music is a vibrant and singular melting pot of low-key hip-hop, soulful pop and indie-leaning electro. K-12‘s universe is an expansion of the one introduced in Cry Baby. Using lyrics rich with metaphor, songs address the struggle to find a place to belong -including within friendships, the physical world and romantically – even when fitting into society feels like an uphill battle.

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars (Moon & Stars)

Don McLean – American Boys CD/LP (BFD)

50 years after Don McLean’s seminal release, American Pie, Don headed into the studio to record new original tracks for American Boys. Don had not thought he would do another original album, but the pandemic hit us all, and he had time to consider and write. American Boys was conceived with the help of Vip Vipperman, Mike Severs, and many musical friends. Much like McLean’s American Pie and its nostalgic shift of music from the ’50s through the ’60s, along with subsequent releases confronting other socio-political flaws within America, American Boys also examines the disparities within America.

Medieval Steel – Medieval Steel CD/LP (High Roller)

Medieval Steel was originally formed in Memphis, Tennessee in the spring of 1982. In the beginning they were playing covers in local clubs, before starting to write their own material (which was later compared to bands like Queensrÿche and Crimson Glory). [Multiple color vinyl pressings are available, including limited-edition picture disc and bone white.]

Melanie – Stoneground Words CD/2xLP (Easy Action)

Woodstock and Glastonbury Fayre icon Melanie had been working with Easy Action on the deluxe vinyl and CD reissue of one of the most legendary albums in her long catalogue prior to her very sad passing. In 1972, Melanie and her producer and husband Peter Schekeryk began work on what she intended to be her most ambitious album yet. Stoneground Words was to be a double album – the first such statement from any female rock artist. It would also be the first worldwide release on Neighborhood Records, the label she and Schekeryk established in 1971 – another first, as she entered territory into which only the Beatles, the Stones and the Moody Blues had previously stepped. [A pink color vinyl pressing is available.]

Ruth Moody – Wanderer CD/LP (Idla)

Wanderer is the long-awaited new solo album from Canadian singer-songwriter Ruth Moody, founding and current member of Billboard charting and JUNO award winning folk trio, The Wailin’ Jennys. Recorded at Sound Emporium in Nashville, the self-penned album was co-produced by Moody and Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Lake Street Dive) and mixed by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, First Aid Kit). Her first release since the acclaimed 2013 album These Wilder Things and her celebrated collaborations with Mark Knopfler, Wanderer is a transcendent collection of ten deeply powerful and personal songs that reflect Moody’s inner world and wanderings. At once lush and intimate, the album weaves together otherworldly vocals, open-tuned guitars, intricate harmonies, soaring pedal steel, and Moody’s signature inspired lyrics, taking the listener on a journey through time and space.

New Kids On The Block – Still Kids CD/LP (BMG)

Nocturnus AD – Unicursal CD/LP (Profound Lore)

With their last / debut album Paradox, Nocturnus founder / sci-fi death metal godfather Mike Browning (also original Morbid Angel co-founder) would resurrect Nocturnus lore under its new alteration Nocturnus AD, giving Browning the opportunity to finally continue the mythos that came before with the legendary album The Key, almost thirty years after its release-one of the most influential death metal albums of all time. The result being Paradox – the proper follow-up to The Key (musically and thematically) – where the story of Dr. Magus would finally see its sequel. Unicursal is not only one of the most ambitious undertakings Browning has been involved with, but it is a formidable display of progressive occult metal wizardry that manifests Nocturnus AD as one of the most singular forces in extreme metal today; there truly is no other entity akin and Unicursal is another monolith that honors and continues the tradition and lore laid down with The Key and continued with Paradox.

Of Montreal – Lady On The Cusp CD/LP (Polyvinyl)

On Of Montreal’s latest album, Lady On The Cusp, creative force Kevin Barnes shapeshifts between genres with each song. On tracks like “Rude Girl on Rotation,” Barnes revisits sounds of late ‘60s guitar pop & psychedelia reminiscent of 2013’s Lousy With Sylvianbriar, while “Young Hearts Bleed Free” and “Music Hurts The Head” showcase Barnes’ love of experimental funk pop that has been present throughout much of the band’s discography. Lady On The Cusp is another exciting listen from one of the most prolific and influential artists making music today.

One Step Closer – All You Embrace CD/LP (Run For Cover)

One Step Closer has always believed that hardcore is limitless. On All You Embrace, the band puts that theory into practice. Every release from the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania band has seen them exploring the sonic overlaps of hardcore, emo, and ’90s alternative rock without an iota of self-consciousness, or pretension, creeping into the mix. All You Embrace is a collection of 11 songs that show One Step Closer reaching for something deeply honest and, as always, authentic.

Orbital – Orbital (The Green Album) [Reissue/1991] CD/2xLP (London)

Orbital (also known as The Green Album) is the debut studio album by English electronic music duo Orbital, originally released in 1991. [Multiple vinyl colorways are available, including red and splatter.]

Pain – I Am CD/LP (Nuclear Blast)

Peter Tägtgren, a multifaceted talent known for his work as a producer for bands like Sabaton, Dimmu Borgir, and Amon Amarth, as well as his musical endeavors with Hypocrisy and Pain, presents his latest opus, I Am. Filled with synth-infused industrial metal anthems like “Don’t Wake The Dead”, “Go With The Flow” and the hit single “Party In My Head”, alongside atmospheric tracks such as “I Am” and “Fair Game”, the album seamlessly blends uplifting drive with introspective moments, making it Tägtgren’s most personal and boldest work to date. [A translucent green w/ black smoke color vinyl pressing is available.]

Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive CD/2xLP (Nuclear Blast)

Six songs deep and 600 miles wide with music that ranges from disarming quiet to something akin to a battering ram made out of Marshall stacks, Mind Burns Alive finds Pallbearer navigating the sonic realm between disquiet and serenity in a way that nods to previous efforts while fully forging ahead with a singular intensity. With Mind Burns Alive, Pallbearer continues to invoke an atmosphere of bare, unadulterated introspection and the resulting catharsis that comes with it. [An orange crush color vinyl pressing is available.]

Pig – Red Room CD (Metropolis)

Pig – the venerated project of head hog Raymond Watts & his herd of swine – returns in top form on Red Room. Watts & Co tease, taunt, tempt & tantalize with Pig’s singular blend of hook laden, genre bending, electronic tinged rock & roll, full of malevolent reverence, glitz, glamour, sleaze, sin & swing.

Pink Floyd – Animals [Reissue/1977] 2xBlu-ray Audio (Pink Floyd)

The Animals 2018 Remix – Dolby Atmos Blu-ray includes High Resolution Stereo and 5.1 Mixes alongside the 1977 Original Stereo Mix. The album artwork has been reimagined by Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell from Hipgnosis especially for this release and presented in a digipak with a 16-page booklet, a sticker and a postcard and features the historic Battersea Power Station as it looks now, complete with the 2022 light projections used for the launch of the Animals 2018 Remix, mapped, and designed by Peter Curzon from StormStudios.

Jean-Luc Ponty – Life Enigma [Reissue/2001] CD/LP (MPS)

CD and vinyl reissue of the 2001 album by French jazz fusion artist.

Rapsody – Please Don’t Cry CD/2xLP (Roc Nation)

On her fourth studio album, Please Don’t Cry, the North Carolina rapper weaves together disparate experiences to create a truly unique and unforgettable sonic gem. It’s the mark of an artist who is unafraid to draw on lifelong influences to find their true voice. Her 2023 single, “Asteroids”, reignited the public’s demand for forward-thinking stylistics and pointed songwriting. Her discography spans over a decade and has made a lasting impact on hip hop culture, avid music listeners, fans, and critics alike. [A yellow color vinyl pressing is available.]

Sabaton – Carolus Rex [Reissue/2012] LP (Nuclear Blast)

Blue/yellow sunburst colorway of the sixth album by the Swedish power metal band.

Dylan Scott – Livin’ My Best Life (Still) CD (Curb)

On Livin’ My Best Life (Still), Dylan Scott adds 10 tracks to his latest album. The deluxe edition features five fresh selections, including surprise viral hit “What He’ll Never Have,” and five formerly released favorites, including his rowdy collab with Dylan Marlowe, “Boys Back Home,” and his new radio single, “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.” The massive 26-song set also showcases the LP’s original 16 cuts, which already boast three chart-topping hits: CMT Music Award-winning “Nobody,” blazing breakup anthem “New Truck” and romantic standout “Can’t Have Mine (Find You A Girl).”

Seafood Sam – Standing On Giant Shoulders CD/LP/Cassette (drink sum wtr)

On his full-length drink sum wtr debut, Standing On Giant Shoulders, Sam splits the difference between Snoop Dogg and D’ Angelo, Curren$y and David Ruffin. The songs reveal a forward-thinking sensibility rooted in ancestral soul. He creates spiritual hymns for the streets that tap into universal ideals and irrepressible groove. In an era plagued by short-term thinking, his ambitions reveal a crate-digging depth of music history and a meticulous ear for detail. [Multiple vinyl colorways are available, including forest green and cream & orange splatter.]

Shellac – To All Trains CD/LP (Touch And Go)

Shellac returns with their sixth album and the first in ten years; released approximately one week after Steve Albini’s sudden death.

Slash – Orgy Of The Damned CD/LP (Gibson)

SQÜRL – Music For Man Ray (Original Soundtrack) CD/LP (Sacred Bones)

Jim Jarmusch and Carter Logan (founding members of SQÜRL) return with a sonic exploration of the cinematic works of Dadaist pioneer Man Ray, a captivating project that melds music and film. Music For Man Ray, born out of a live recording at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in February of 2023, features distorted guitars, hypnotic feedback, loops and affected synthesizers. [Multiple vinyl colorways are available, including clear.]

Strychnos – Armageddon Patronage CD/LP (Dark Descent)

Dark Descent Records proudly presents Armageddon Patronage, the second album from Copenhagen’s purveyors of “accursed death,” Strychnos. Armageddon Patronage embodies the immense drive of a band operating at full throttle, refining their distinct blend of extreme metal bound to no god, master, or genre.

Charlie Watts – Anthology CD (BMG)

Charlie Watts Anthology is an affectionate retrospective and a reflection of just how frequently Watts was able to exercise his jazz muscles between Rolling Stones commitments to create a bespoke discography of his own. Including three unreleased tracks. The names of Charlie’s jazz heroes fell from his lips like a superfan turning the pages of a personal scrapbook. Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, Chico Hamilton, Dave Green, Stan Tracey, Peter King, Courtney Pine, Gail Thompson, Brian Lemon, Gerard Presencer, the Red Rodney group, and collaborator Jim Keltner. He knew every player, every session, every album, every outfit they wore on the cover, and he spoke about them with a deep and genuine reverence. He may have been a globally loved hero in the biggest band in the word, but he swatted away any compliment or comparison with his musical favorites. He counted himself their admirer, never their equal. The Anthology includes an extended essay by Paul Sexton which documents Charlie Watt’s jazz career and the essential albums covered in the collection.

Kirk Whalum – Epic Cool CD (Artistry Music)

Saxophone icon Kirk Whalum blasts off with his highly anticipated album Epic Cool, an electrifying collection of original grooves.

Yuqi – YUQ1 (RABBIT Ver.) CD (Cube Entertainment)

Yuqi – YUQ1 (STAR Ver.) CD (Cube Entertainment)

2024 release. Yuqi ((G)-IDLE) is a member of Korean Girl Band (G)I-DLE and is an all-round artist who writes and composes her own songs. The new album YUQ1 is available in two versions, each with different concepts and package images.

Zayn – Room Under The Stairs CD/2xLP/Cassette (Republic)

Over the last six years, Zayne has been writing his fourth studio album at his home studio in rural Pennsylvania. Room Under The Stairs marks his most personal release to date, reflecting where he is in his life while exploring the complexities of healing, stillness, and growth. It also sees the genre-bending artist explore a new sound, leaning into his soulful vocals, live instrumentation, and poetic lyricism as a songwriter. [A splatter color vinyl pressing is available.]

Zero Point Energy – Titled Planet CD/LP (Danger Collective)

There’s palpable urgency coursing throughout Zero Point Energy’s kinetic and inviting debut album Tilted Planet. Formerly based in Atlanta, where they helmed two-fifths of the beloved but now defunct band Warehouse, the now Brooklyn-based duo of Genesis Edenfield and Ben Jackson trade careening guitar riffs and lead vocals in a thrilling back-and-forth. The duo reflects on literal and esoteric transformations across 12 resonant tracks, posing questions about the self and its resilience. It’s as engaging as it is unflinching, and ultimately, a document of two close friends rediscovering the anchoring spark of their magical collaboration.

Zombeast – Heart Of Darkness CD/LP (Massacre)

Zombeast is back with their heaviest, darkest, and most frenzied material to date – their new album Heart Of Darkness. Influenced by Danzig, AFI, Mercyful Fate, and ‘80s punk, death rock, and thrash metal, Zombeast has crafted a perfect crossover blend of dark punk and thrash. [A limited-edition red color vinyl pressing is available.]

DVDs + Blu-ray:

Ayreon – 01011001 – Live Beneath The Waves Blu-ray (Music Theories)

Recorded live from a short run of shows in September 2023 at the 013 Tilburg in The Netherlands, this release is a must-have for Ayreon fans.

Jinjer – Live In Los Angeles Blu-ray (Napalm)

Ukraine’s Jinjer are inarguably one of modern metal’s hottest and most exciting bands active today. Through their relentless hard work, matchless talent and non-stop touring, the four-piece has manifested it’s standing as one of the best live acts to date, gaining them a fiercely loyal, rabid fanbase and audience of millions of people at the biggest festivals worldwide – such as Hellfest, Rock am Ring, Graspop Metal Meeting, Download Festival and Rocklahoma USA, plus sold out headline shows across Europe and North America. Bringing their intense stage show and trademark sound to the masses, Jinjer will drop their first official live album, Live In Los Angeles.

Fanny Mendelssohn – Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn DVD+Blu-ray (Mercury Studios)

Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is probably the single most popular classical composition of all time. But Felix was not the only genius in the family; meet his brilliant sister Fanny, whose unknown Easter Sonata surfaced in 1972. In Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn, director Sheila Hayman reveals the extraordinary life of a composer long neglected by the guardians of classical music and goes on a quest to prove that this lost masterpiece attributed to Felix was in fact composed by Fanny. Piano prodigy Isata Kanneh-Mason brings the beauty of Fanny’s music to life in this story of a very modern woman who happened to live 200 years ago.

Tidiane Thiam – Africa Yontii LP (Sahel Sounds)

“It’s time. Africa, it’s time. It’s time that Africa changes. It’s time for our leaders to change. Everything that happens in Africa is extraordinary. We have everything: water, earth, sun, fields of oil, gas. We have all this in Africa, but Africa is still poor. It’s time we change our way of thinking. It’s time for Africans to take their destiny into their own hands. If not, others will take it.” This is the message instrumental guitarist Tidiane Thiam hopes to convey with his new solo album, Africa Yontii, a Pulaar title that translates to “Africa Time.” To a casual listener, Thiam’s bold statement starkly contrasts with his melodic playing. But a closer listen to Thiam’s expressive playing reveals a thoughtful voice that stands out from the crop of contemporary guitarists.

Robin Trower with Sari Schorr – Live In Concert 2023 DVD/Blu-ray (V-12)

In September ’23 Robin recorded his second ever live concert video. To make the event even more significant, Robin decided to perform classic tracks such as “Bridge Of Sighs” and “Day Of The Eagle… Robin”, Sari and the band were all on fantastic form and a unique visual testament to a unique artist was created.

This Week’s Vinyl Exclusives:

Chantal Acda & The Atlantic Drifters – Silently Held CD/LP (Challenge Classics)

Silently Held comes to life with the collaborative brilliance of accomplished musicians. Bill Frisell with his beautiful understanding of Chantal’s flow of melody, Eric Thielemans who brings his percussive mastery to the mix. Jozef Dumoulin playing the piano with immense calm. Thomas Morgan’s, who seems to be picking magic out of the skies with his bass and Shahzad Ismaily’s golden touch as a multi-instrumentalist contribute to the album’s rich texture. Colin Stetson, renowned for his avant-garde saxophone work but also his work for Bon Iver, lends his unique voice, creating moments of emotive intensity. In the quiet embrace of the music, Chantal unveils a raw and authentic portrayal of vulnerability, where every flaw and feeling is held close. The album becomes a sanctuary, inviting listeners to join in this silent communion with the intricacies of the human experience.

Alestorm – Black Sails At Midnight [Reissue/2009] LP (Napalm)

Alestorm – Leviathan [Reissue/2009] LP (Napalm)

Alestorm – Back Through Time [Reissue/2011] LP (Napalm)

Alestorm – Sunset On The Golden Age [Reissue/2014] LP (Napalm)

Vinyl reissues of four releases by the Scottish pirate metal band.

Ray Angry – Ray Angry One LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“Ray was so impressive during the making of JMI-1 that there was no decision on the leader for our next LP: it had to be Ray. We put together the best players we could to match Ray’s advanced playing and composition: Blue Note leaders Derrick Hodge and Ambrose Akinmusire on bass and trumpet, respectively; and Eric Harland and Myron Walden on drums and horns. The cover was shot by noted photographer Jill Greenberg, who pioneered the “heat treatment” photo style. One was named one of Rolling Stone’s top 10 jazz releases of 2018 and Ray appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in October, 2018 to promote it.”

Ray Angry/Questlove/David Murray – Plumb 7” (JMI/Outside In Music)

“This is the big one. The culmination of something, we’re not sure what. Questlove’s association with David Murray goes back decades, to a live performance in London and an appearance on an early Roots record. Questlove’s association with Ray is somewhat more recent but no less profound. As Questlove expanded his achievements and fame from musician to entrepreneur to author to Academy Award winning filmmaker to cultural icon, he’s always highlighted and collaborated with creatives he deems worthy. After hearing about our label during his work with Steve Mandel, he decided WE were worthy of his time as one of his creative homes. So it was, that on one day in late Summer, 2022, Quest, David, and Ray, with no rehearsal or planning, sat down in Reservoir Studios, took their places at their instruments, and for the next few hours locked into some of the most otherworldly music we’ve heard.”

Another Taste – Don’t Touch It 7” (Numero)

Numero’s second bundle of cover 45s is all things soulful. The Rotterdam-based Another Taste electrifies Maxx Traxx’s 1984 Chicago boogie grail “Don’t Touch It,” which makes its debut on the 7″ format here. Colemine Records’ Say She She delivers a glamorous rendition of Jim Spencer’s yacht-disco hit “Wrap Myself Up In Your Love.” Columbia Recording artist Leon Bridges effortlessly transforms Pastor T.L. Barrett’s “Like A Ship,” updating the 50-year-old gospel soul classic for the 21st century. All three are housed in a newly imagined Numero custom sleeve, reflecting the many shades of our ongoing Eccentric Soul 45 imprint. [A purple color vinyl pressing is available.]

Art Of Anarcy – The Madness LP (Brutal Planet)

New blue colorway. Originally released to critical acclaim, The Madness showcases Art of Anarchy’s signature blend of hard rock, metal, and alternative elements, delivering powerful melodies, intense riffs, and emotionally charged lyrics.

Atmosphere – Strictly Leakage [Reissue/2007] LP (Rhymesayers)

Strictly Leakage was a 2007 Christmas gift to fans in the form of a free download. The title was a nod to both leaking their own music as well as to the golden era hip-hop that inspired them. It sounded uniquely different from Atmosphere’s recordings around this time. Ant was back digging into the funk & soul crates, producing sample driven tracks that sounded as if they were born alongside early hip-hop classics. Slug was rapping with a renewed passion, yet somehow sounded more casual and carefree, delivering endless wordplay with more technical rhyme patterns than their recent releases. Together, they created 13 exclusive songs that sounded as if they were having fun flexing different creative muscles without the pressure of any official album expectations – undoubtedly as rewarding an exercise for themselves as it was for the listeners.

Sasha Berliner – Onyx LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“For several years we’ve been following the billowing musical universe of Tyshawn Sorey. From new classical to heavy metal to all manner of improvisational music, Tyshawn is a label favorite and just a mind-blowing multi-hyphenate. Included in his talents is the consistent integration of some of the best young musicians into his many bands. For a while his sextet included a young woman who played the vibraphone like a maniacal dervish, intent with the most laser-like focus we’ve seen. She is Sasha Berliner, a San Francisco native who is bound for stardom. Sasha put together the quintet to record this album from her many high-level musical associates: James Francies and Julius Rodriguez on keyboards; Burniss Travis II on bass; Marcus Gilmore on drums and Jaleel Shaw on alto sax.”

Doyle Bramhall II/DJ Harrison/Daru Jones – When The Music Is Over LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“This one grew out of the welcome affection the brilliant and versatile Daru Jones and Devonne “DJ” Harrison have for JMI. In 2018, Daru had featured on JMI-4-S1 and we had a blast in the studio. Later that year, DJ Harrison and our label owners met at a series of events, including a memorable show DJ put on at the Mercury Lounge. When we learned that Harrison and Jones had both collaborated with label favorite Jack White, it got us thinking: what other rock ‘n’ roll settings could they kill? And can we release some rock ‘n’ roll and still be a jazz label?”

James Carter – Un (Unaccompanied Baritone Saxophone) LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“Our history as music impresarios began with James Carter on compact disc in 2005 when he led the Gold Sounds sessions for Brown Brothers Recordings. He was our favorite saxophone player then and in a 2023 club date at New York City’s Birdland proved he was playing as well as ever. He was the obvious choice to contribute a solo baritone saxophone LP to our lone instrument series.”

Cold Hart – Pretty In The Dark LP (Epitaph)

In Pretty In The Dark, Cold Hart showcases his versatility by exploring dreamy guitars, energetic grooves, and lively pop-punk riffs, transitioning towards an alternative/indie rock sound. Through numerous releases, his musical evolution has led him to hone in on traditional songwriting, aligning more closely with the influences of his formative years-whether it’s the stylings of The Cure or Depeche Mode.

Cradle Of Filth – Hammer Of The Witches [Reissue/2015] 2xLP (Nuclear Blast)

New silver colorway. Malevolent kings of British metal. Masters of the darkest arts and crafts. Cradle Of Filth have been firmly ensconced at the forefront of the extreme music scene for the last two decades.

Jim Croce – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim [Reissue/1972] LP (BMG)

Vinyl LP pressing. 2023 remix of this classic album from the singer/songwriter. Includes the hits “Time in a Bottle,” “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels),” and the title track.

Death Cult – Paradise Now LP (Beggars Banquet)

Limited clear w/ splatter color vinyl pressing. In 2023, Death Cult returned and reunited for a handful of epic performances. In 2024, to celebrate 40th Anniversary of The Cult, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy have curated the previously released Death Cult collection Ghost Dance and recompiled the tracks for a 2024 release titled Paradise Now.

Cymande – Promised Heights [Reissue/1974] LP (Partisan)

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Cymande’s Promised Heights, a record that closed out a historic three album run of seminal early ’70s Afro-soul that also included their 1972 self-titled debut and 1973’s Second Time Round. Promised Heights solidified Cymande’s place in music history and contains some of their most-beloved and often-sampled tracks such as “Brothers On The Slide.” Limited-edition pink LP.

Dicks – Kill From The Heart [Reissue/1983] LP (Superior Viaduct)

Dicks’ debut LP has been acknowledged as a foundational statement in punk ever since its initial 1983 release. Following their first single, 1980’s “Dicks Hate The Police,” and a live split with fellow Austinites the Big Boys, Kill From The Heart does not disappoint. Originally released on SST, the album stands apart from the mass of generic thrash-hardcore contemporaries-fueled by the manic, but controlled power of singer Gary Floyd along with the original lineup of guitarist Glen Taylor, bassist Buxf Parrot and drummer Pat Deason.

El Michels Affair – Enter The 37th Chamber [Reissue/2009] LP (Fat Beats)

El Michels Affair – Shimmy Shimmy Ya b/w Incarcerated Scarfaces 7” (Fat Beats)

El Michels Affair – C.R.E.A.M. b/w Glaciers Of Ice 7” (Fat Beats)

El Michels Affair – Duel Of The Iron Mics b/w Bring Da Ruckus 7” (Fat Beats)

Originally released on Fat Beats Records in 2009, El Michels Affair’s landmark album Enter the 37th Chamber is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2024. Featuring reinterpretations of hip-hop anthems from the Wu-Tang Clan, the album took stripped-down, raw hip hop bangers and flipped them into richly arranged instrumentals. Cover versions of tracks such as “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Can It All Be So Simple” instantly sounded as vintage as the records that RZA had sampled to create the originals, with the familiar melodies and driving rhythms elevated by expertly arranged horns and strings. The gritty and bottom-heavy style of these analog recordings-dubbed “Cinematic Soul” – has been both widely celebrated and often imitated. El Michels Affair namesake Leon Michels has since gone on to produce for and collaborate with artists as diverse as Adele, Black Thought, Lana Del Rey, and The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z). Now 15 years from its initial release, Enter the 37th Chamber has proven to be one of the true classic instrumental albums of its era, every bit as enduring as the music it had meant to pay homage to.

Fantômas – Fantômas [Reissue/1999] LP (Ipecac)

Fantômas – Director’s Cut [Reissue/2001] LP (Ipecac)

Fantômas – Suspended Animation [Reissue/2005] LP (Ipecac)

Vinyl reissues of the first, second and fourth albums by the supergroup comprised of Mike Patton Buzz Osborne, Trevor Dunn and Dave Lombardo.

Ben Folds – WhateverandEverAmen [Reissue/1997] LP (Sony Legacy)

WhateverandEverAmen is the sophomore album from alternative rock trio Ben Folds Five. Originally released in 1997, the album features fan favorite songs like “Brick”, “Kate”, and “Song for the Dumped.”

Free Throw – Those Days Are Gone [Reissue/2014] LP (Wax Bodega)

Vinyl reissue of the emo band’s debut album.

Godsmack – Awake [Reissue/2000] 2xLP (Republic)

Vinyl reissue of the second studio album by Godsmack, originally released in 2000.

GoGo Penguin – From The North: GoGo Penguin Live In Manchester LP (XXIM)

From The North captures the Manchester-based trio at an exciting moment within their trajectory. For this release, the trio decided to re-arrange a selection of seven tracks from Between Two Waves, their first EP on XXIM Records, as well as from their latest album Everything Is Going To Be OK. The live session was recorded and filmed at Old Granada Studios in Manchester, an iconic studio complex that has played a significant part of the band’s own musical history.

Luke Grimes – Luke Grimes LP (Mercury Nashville)

Known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the hit television series, Yellowstone, Grimes has been making music for years and he closed out 2023 with a sold-out tour after playing fairs and festivals around the country, including Stagecoach, Pilgrimage Music, and Cultural Festival, Under the Big Sky Festival and more. Grimes grew up playing music in the church as the son of a Pentecostal pastor. His father also laid the foundation for the music he loves, introducing him to the works of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. [An indie store exclusive clear vinyl pressing is available.]

Hermanos Gutierrez – Low Sun b/w Los Chicos Tristes (El Mechels Affair Remix) 7” (Easy Eye Sound)

Deep, infinite, and spiritual, the single “Low Sun” (from Sonido Cósmico) is an odyssey through lush musical soundscapes, imbued with Hermanos Gutiérrez’s otherworldly guitar interplay, and artfully produced by Dan Auerbach. Includes “Los Chicos Tristes (El Michels Affair Remix),” introducing vocals from Jensine Benitez.

Hampton Hawes – For Real! [Reissue/1961] LP (Craft Recordings)

Hampton Hawes, For Real! was recorded in 1958 but not released on the Contemporary Records label until 1961. Featuring Hawes (piano) alongside Harold Land (tenor sax), Scott LaFaro (bass) and Frank Butler (drums), the album includes a mixture of both jazz standards and originals.

Hermetics – Torna #1 12” (ZZK)

ZZK Records presents Torna, a new series of releases exploring electronic music from a Latin American perspective.

Iced Earth – The Melancholy EP [Reissue/1999] 12” (Limited Run Vinyl)

A melodic power metal/heavy metal album from Iced Earth, The Melancholy EP, has never been released on vinyl – until now.

The Great Commission – Heavy Worship [Reissue/2011] LP (Bombworks)

Yellow colorway. A potent blend of catchy hardcore and metalcore.

The Growlers – Hung At Heart [Reissue/2013] LP (Everloving)

Limited mint green and white color vinyl pressing. The Growlers are gone but not forgotten. They toured relentlessly, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and even Rock In Rio before breaking up. Leader Brooks Nielsen continues to perform those songs alongside his new material to sold-old crowds across the US. Hung At Heart was originally produced by Dan Auerbach but shelved and replace with a hastily recorded album, that included the anthem “One Million Lovers”. This new remastering has brought the album forward in a remarkable way making it a brand-new listening experience.

Jinjer – Live In Los Angeles LP+DVD (Napalm)

Joywave – Permanent Pleasure LP (Hollywood)

Lacuna Coil – Unleashed Memories [Reissue/2001] LP (Limited Run Vinyl)

Experience the darkness, the passion, and the raw emotion of Unleashed Memories for the first time on vinyl.

Leimer / Marc Barreca – Arrhythmian LP (Palace Of Lights)

For their fifth collaboration Marc Barreca and Kerry Leimer set aside their more abstract creative approaches to composition in favor of basing the music of Arrhythmian on beats. Using rhythm as texture, the tracks gravitate to concussive and bass voices, high bpm rates, and constantly evolving timbres shaped by granular synthesis, sampling, heavy processing, audio manipulation, rich distortion, with the maximum dynamic range vinyl can offer.

Lemon Demon – Damn Skippy [Reissue/2005] 2xLP (Oglio)

Before The Ultimate Showdown, there was Damn Skippy. Neil Cicierega created this album in between the hype of Animutation and The Ultimate Showdown.

Lage Lund – Ashes LP (JMI/Outside Music)

From Ike Quebec recommending Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell to Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff to Kenny Drew convincing every jazz star passing through Copenhagen to let Nils Winther record their shows, jazz labels have a rich history of receiving A&R help from musicians already on their label. So, it was when Sasha Berliner raved about Norwegian guitarist Lage Lund. One quick listen to Lage’s fluid, distinctive lines and exquisite taste on guitar and we were hooked. In classic JMI fashion, we matched him in a trio with other favorites we wanted on the label.

Magic Fig – Magic Fig LP (Silver Current)

Bursting forth in a bouquet of dreamlike hooks, choral vocals and Moog pitch-bends, Magic Fig’s debut proves that the technicolor heart of San Francisco’s psychedelic lineage is still beating and as vivid as ever. Featuring alumni from the Bay Area’s best and brightest pop, psychedelic and garage bands (The Umbrellas, Whitney’s Playland, Almond Joy and Healing Potpourri among them) Magic Fig’s debut is full of sonic fireworks, top-shelf musicianship, hooks abound and a distinctive melding of prog rock and pop joy reminiscent of the ’60s / ’70s Canterbury greats. [A blue colorway is available.]

Mannequin Pussy – Romantic [Reissue/2016] LP (Many Hats)

Grey in blue vinyl, first time in retail. Romantic is Mannequin Pussy’s standout 2016 album. Mannequin Pussy is a beloved rock band from Philadelphia. Their music feels like a resilient and galvanizing shout that demands to be heard; across four albums the band has made cathartic tunes about despairing times. Romantic is the band’s second full length album, and it was widely critically acclaimed in NPR, Pitchfork, Stereogum, and many more.

Mike Mitchell – Blaque Dynamite LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“Mike, a Dallas native, is a drummer whom you’d swear has five arms if you’ve ever seen him play. He was part of Stanley Clarke’s band and had done a significant apprenticeship with Derrick Hodge. In November 2019 we recorded Mike, his high school best friend – bassist Max Gerl, and a gaggle of other young musicians at a new Los Angeles analog studio called Space. That session is still unreleased but more on that later. Mike is so different from other drummers we wanted to showcase that difference in the starkest light possible. Solo drums.”

Hank Mobley – Workout [Reissue/1962] LP (Blue Note)

Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley was at the peak of his powers throughout the early 1960s as he produced a staggering run of hard bop classics including Soul Station, Roll Call, Workout, No Room For Squares, and The Turnaround. Recorded in 1961, Workout was an energetic quintet outing featuring Mobley with guitarist Grant Green, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones.

Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Love Bad News [Reissue/2004] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)

Modest Mouse Good News For People Who Love Bad News offers a unique blend of existential lyricism and innovative soundscapes. The album, viewed as an alternative classic in the early 2000s, continues to resonate with listeners years later. In addition to the hit songs “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty,” the 20th Anniversary deluxe edition opaque baby pink & opaque spring green 2xLP includes an alternative album cover, 8-page booklet and five brand new remixes from the likes of Poolside, Jackknife Lee, Dan the Automator and more.

Mortician – Domain Of Death [Reissue/2001] LP (Relapse)

New orange colorway. Unrelentingly grim and gruesome death metal that fractures the speed of sound.

David Murray – Sun/Moon 2xLP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“This LP was a turning point for our label. After nine records, we had our process, confidence, and profile high enough to swing for the fences: the tenor titan David Murray. Murray represented a major step up for JMI as regards his history in this music. With over 200 LPs as a leader and hundreds more as a sideman, not to mention decades of critically lauded performances, Mr. Murray is simply one of our musical heroes. Indeed, during a period of months in 2020, Mr. Mandel did a series of Instagram live shows each Monday, playing only LPs from Mr. Murray’s prolific output. He called the show Murray Mondays. That’s why it was such a happy coincidence that after years of living abroad, Mr. Murray was moving back to New York City and amenable to recording this solo tenor saxophone and bass clarinet session for us.”

Pig Destroyer – Prowler In The Yard [Reissue/2001] LP (Relapse)

Deluxe vinyl reissue. Prowler in the Yard is the second studio album by grindcore band Pig Destroyer, originally released in 2001. The album follows a dark and twisted story of love, obsession, and gore.

Pink Siifu – Negro Deluxe LP (Pink Siifu)

On his album Negro Deluxe, Siifu trades in soulful rap for punk, fueled by the Black experience in America followed by spiritual jazz and poetry. A beautiful chaotic collage of sounds that reflect the black man’s thoughts on the day-to-day. [A red with black spatter colorway is available.]

Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation: Live Amsterdam 07/11/22 4xLP (Sony)

Limited four 180gm transparent vinyl set. Following a career spanning an excess of 20 years, and with 10 studio albums under their belt, Porcupine Tree has long-established an undiminishing reverence held by fans and critics alike. Hailed as a genre leading, and defying alternative rock band, their inimitable sound effortlessly flirts between a multitude of styles including the classic rock songcraft, downturned metal and expanding electronics. Closure/Continuation Live includes live recordings of much of their 2022 reunion album (including the singles Harridan and Of The New Day) as well as classic tracks like “Trains”, “Fear Of A Blank Planet” and “Anesthetize”.

Posture & The Grizzly – Busch Hymns [Reissue/2014] LP (Joyful Noise)

Busch Hymns stands now as a document of the cult punks’ early days, a transitional period from their throat-shredding demo days to their all-too-brief time as a pop-punk juggernaut. It’s clearer than ever with the Busch Hymns remaster that Posture & The Grizzly was meant to sound like this, was meant for more than basement shows and beer-soaked floors. In this light, Busch Hymns is more than a transitional period; it’s a glimpse into the greatness to come.

The Primitives – I Won’t Care b/w Everybody Needs Somebody To Hate 7” (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)

The Primitives return following up last year’s massive hit EP Don’t Know Where To Start with a new two song 7″ single “I Won’t Care” b/w “Everybody Needs Somebody to Hate.”

Quasi – When The Going Gets Dark [Reissue/2006] LP (Touch And Go)

Gold metallic colorway. “When The Going Gets Dark was tracked in a local Portland studio called Audible Alchemy. Our hope was that without the stresses and logistical difficulties of being musicians and engineers simultaneously, we would be liberated enough to propel our playing to a new level. This did in fact happen. Our takes were some of the most daring and expansive of our career. We captured sounds that were powerful, unrepeatable, and unmistakably psychedelic. Images began to emerge, centered on dreams, memories, and defiance, and it seemed our record was coming together. But problems and frustrations with the studio slowed us down, and by mixdown, the sessions came to a halt. We let sleeping dogs lie for a while, and then I had the bright idea to call Dave Fridmann, the genius who produced The Woods for my other band Sleater-Kinney. He agreed to take the tapes to his studio in Fredonia, NY (Tarbox Road Studios). It was like winning the lottery. He understood the intensity and beautiful chaos we had captured. He made the mixes powerful and unpredictable. He enhanced the swirling, layered, psyche feel, and I swear, sprinkled fairy dust on our record.” – Janet Weiss, drummer

Radio Moscow – New Beginnings LP (Svart)

New Beginnings is the fifth studio album by psychedelic rock band Radio Moscow.

The Rolling Stones – Got Live If You Want It! [Reissue/1966] LP (Abkco)

Got Live If You Want It! is an album of live recordings by the English rock band The Rolling Stones. It was originally released in November 1966 by London.

Fabio Santanna – ASA 2xLP (Dippin’)

Straight from Rio de Janeiro, Dippin’ Records introduces the studio album ASA, by the sizzling hot modern Brazilian Multi-instrumentalist/Producer Fabio Santanna. This is the flyest modern Brazilian tropical disco-boogie you’ll find in the market.

Aleksander Sever, Omer Govreen, Floris Kappeyne, Wouter Kuhne – Maya LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“During the Summer of 2021, we received an email from Omer Govreen, a twenty-something Israeli bassist living in Amsterdam. He sent a quartet recording of original songs he made with his friends at the all-analog studio Lullabye Factory in Amsterdam. We were floored. We bought the tapes and made an agreement to release the album. Featuring Slovenian prodigy Aleksander Sever on vibraphone and Dutch players Wouter Kühne on drums and Floris Kappeyne on piano, this is elegant but still propulsive and melodic music of the highest order. With a cover photo of Iceland (half Europe, half North America, get it?) by Hedi Mandel.”

Antero Sievert – The _Underscore [Reissue/2019] LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

Antero Sievert – Bob James [Reissue/2019] 12” (JMI/Outside In Music)

Antero Sievert – Dear Bossa (JMI/Outside In Music)

Antero Sievert – Happiness Is A Warm Gun [Reissue/2022] 12” (Outside In Music)

“During many late nights in 2018, we broadcast many hours of Instagram live shows. These shows, complete with guests, coalesced a network which grew out of the Suga Steve nickname bestowed on our co-founder on account of his role on the popular Questlove Supreme podcast. During one such Instagram live show, we interviewed and heard a bit of piano playing from a Seattle-based student at Evergreen College. His name is Antero Sievert, and he had a delicate, deliberate, and abstractly beautiful tone on the piano. We brought him to NYC in the Summer of 2018 to record a solo piano album, but he arranged a few of the songs with strings, led by the great violinist Yoo-Jin Park, and trombone, ably played by Jeffery Miller. The cover photo is of a statue which has been in New York’s Central Park for decades. It’s a long story.”

Sasha Alex Sloan – Me Again LP (Virgin)

Written and recorded in Nashville, Sasha Alex Sloan’s third album, Me Again is a portrait of an artist in a state of unrest. “With this album, I wanted to be more honest, because I was f***ing sad.” The title track illustrates that bottomless depression: “I can’t wait to want to brush my hair / I can’t wait to want to go somewhere.” The album includes singles like “Me Again” and “Highlights,” as well as a variety of genre-bending tunes that encompass the existential feeling of being in your 20s.

Chuck Strangers – A Forsaken Lover’s Plea LP (Lex)

Coke bottle green colorway. A pivotal force in the early ’10s NYC rap revival, now L.A.-based rapper, and producer Chuck Strangers steps into the limelight on new solo LP A Forsaken Lover’s Plea. The album sounds markedly lush, candid rhymes bolstered by a slew of guest producers-including The Alchemist, Animoss and Strangers himself. Chuck’s own production feels current without ditching its previous homeliness, a seamless complement to his honest, lived-in raps. A collection of fellow New York rap torchbearers laces the album with guest verses, including Pro Era comrade Joey Bada$$ and Flatbush Zombies’ Erick the Architect.

Catriona Sturton – Night Bell LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“In about the middle of the Instagram Live run of The Suga Network, Catriona Sturton began watching and broadcasting. Ms. Sturton came with a beautiful, wild Canadian vibe studded with interesting facts, e.g. she was an assistant to Dolly Parton and helped write the song on which the comic book and movie Scott Pilgrim vs The World were based. Oh. She also taught English in Japan. After a series of musical performances on Instagram, including her de facto anthem for all night owls “We Bloom at Night”, we brought Catriona out of the Canadian wilds to New York City, She killed, ably aided by Giveton Gelin on trumpet and Ray Angry on keyboards, string arrangements and conducting. A curio in our catalog to be sure, but one which will move and engage you as deeply as anything we’ve released.”

Helen Sung with Marquis Hill – Everybody’s Waltz [Reissue/2021] LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

“One late Summer evening in 2018, our co-founders were wandering around aimlessly in New York City’s West Greenwich Village neighborhood when they came upon an underground club called Mezzrow. Named after the prolific marijuana dealer and trombonist Mezz Mezzrow, the club was owned and operated by the folks who run Small’s Jazz club down the block. In the 1990s, the location had been a bar which served drinks in test-tubes. But on this sultry night, the place featured a duet with one of our favorite musicians, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and Helen Sung, a Texan pianist of whom we hadn’t heard before. We ambled down the stairs and over the next hour or so were entranced by Helen’s fast and precise piano playing, which poured off the instrument like beautiful and complex webs of sound. Marquis Hill had blown us away a couple years earlier with his definitive album statement on the current Chicago jazz scene The Way We Play.”

Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso [Reissue/2014] 2xLP (Psychic Hotline)

Recorded in a little bedroom studio out in Durham, North Carolina, Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn’s debut LP as Sylvan Esso arrived in 2014 at the juncture of pop and experimental. Even now, years later, the LP remains an urgent and fitting introduction to a push-and-pull that would go on to inform the duo’s sound – a thoughtful headiness that also wants you to get out on the dance floor. A blend of analog and digital, Meath and Sanborn were two unexpected puzzle pieces fitting together with singular ease, producing a ten-track LP that was both minimalist and shimmering, with dark undulations rippling beneath the synthy-surface and crystalline quality of Meath’s voice. Black w/ white colorway.

Jacky Terrasson – Moving On LP (Naïve)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Introduced in The New York Times in 1994 as “one of the thirty artists poised to shape the trajectory of American culture in the following three decades,” pianist Jacky Terrasson has lived up to this acclaim by becoming the most widely heard French jazz musician.

Cal Tjader – Huracán [Reissue/1978] LP (Liberation Hall)

In 1978, Cal Tjader recorded these six tracks at the infamous Filmways Wally Heider recording studios in Hollywood, California. At the session was an all-star band including Gary Foster and Kurt McGettrick on saxophones, Robb Fisher on bass and Latin music legends Ponco Sanchez on congas and Willie Bobo on timbales. The recording has been unavailable for many years and is available again on vinyl.

Totally Slow – The Darkness Intercepts LP (Joyful Noise)

Totally Slow offers up razor sharp, no-frills punk music, with angry lyrics that show how the personal is inseparable from the political when the country is on the brink of chaos. The band has combined the melodic anthems of 1980s SoCal bands like The Adolescents, Agent Orange and The Faction, with the skewed rawk of ’90s San Diego bands Drive Like Jehu and Truman’s Water, and the righteous conviction of classic DC hardcore like Dag Nasty, Gray Matter and Fugazi.

Pete Townsend – All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes [Reissue/1982] LP (UMe)

Pete Townsend – White City: A Novel [Reissue/1985] LP (UMe)

All The Best Cowboys was Pete Townshend’s second solo album and was released in 1982. It was produced by Chris Thomas at various recording studios around London. All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes contains compositions that were salvaged from later albums by the Who and was released just under three months before their album It’s Hard. White City: A Novel was released in 1985 by Atco Records. The album was produced by Chris Thomas and it was recorded by Bill Price at three separate recording studios in London, England: both of the Eel Pie studios, and A.I.R.

Stanley Turrentine & 3 Sounds – Blue Hour [Reissue/1960] LP (Blue Note)

Alfred Lion’s inspired idea to pair tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine with The Three Sounds-the trio featuring pianist Gene Harris, bassist Andrew Simpkins, and drummer Bill Dowdy-on 1960’s Blue Hour produced one of most deeply soulful hard bop outings in the Blue Note catalog. Both Turrentine and The Three Sounds were in the early days of their lengthy associations with the label at the time, the saxophonist having just recorded his leader debut Look Out a few months prior and the trio having debuted in 1958 with Introducing The 3 Sounds.

U.D.O. – Thunderball [Reissue/2004] LP (AFM)

U.D.O. – Misson No. X [Reissue/2005] LP (AFM)

U.D.O. – Mastercutor [Reissue/2007] LP (AFM)

U.D.O. – Metallized [Reissue/2007] LP (AFM)

New color vinyl pressings of four cornerstones of heavy metal.

Various Artists [Shygirl] – Fabric Presents Shygirl 2xLP+MP3 (Fabric)

Double yellow colored vinyl pressing. Includes digital download. Shygirl has been making waves in the music industry with her innovative sound and unapologetic approach. Recently honored with a prestigious MOBO Award, and with an impressive 1.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a devoted following of 287k on Instagram, her influence knows no bounds. Her recent single “thicc” has been receiving extensive radio play on renowned stations such as Radio 6 and Radio 1, cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary music scene.

Various Artists – Soft Summer Breezes LP (Numero)

Following in the wake of baroque chart toppers by the Zombies, Beatles, and the Left Banke, a dandier approach to garage rock flowered in the back half of the ’60s. Awash in majestic harpsichords, lilting guitars, melancholic organs, and middle school orchestras, Soft Summer Breezes captures the decade’s last gasps of optimism via 16 gentle moments of soft psychedelia. [A yellow color vinyl pressing is available.]

Waxahatchee – American Weekend [Reissue/2012] LP (Don Giovanni)

Limited red color vinyl pressing. Katie Crutchfield, under the name Waxahatchee, made her debut album during a snowstorm in the winter of 2012. She dedicated it “to anyone who had woke up and realized their identity is blurry, has had to clumsily get to know themselves, has hit a bottom, has felt self-deprecating and vagrant, and to anyone who has ridden out a shitstorm.” She called it American Weekend. She means “American Weekend” in the same wide way that Kurt Cobain means “Teen Spirit,” less social construct than natural phenomenon. This is a lo-fi masterpiece in the league of Lou Barlow and the Softies.

Steve Wilson/Ray Angry/Ben Williams/Willie Jones III – Sit Back Relax & Unwind [Reissue/2017] LP (JMI/Outside In Music)

JMI-1 is the culmination of years of obsession. Obsession with the lyrical, immersive style of master alto and soprano saxophonist Steve Wilson. Obsession with the discographies of historic labels like CTI, WATT, Steeplechase and current powerhouses Blue Note and ECM. Obsession with the fact that Wilson had no vinyl releases. Obsession with showcasing Ray Angry in a small band. Obsession with working with perennially underrated Willie Jones III. Who says obsession is always bad? And we’re off!

Yemanjo – La Misma Fuente LP (Wonderwheel)

La Misma Fuente’ is an album that could have only come from the mind of Yemanjo, and the music here reveals producer/musician Ben Harris in the full bloom of his artistic promise. With guest singers and musicians from Mali, Colombia, Argentina, Hungary, and beyond, La Misma Fuente pulsates with an irresistible combination of cracking electronic beats, hypnotic synths and bass, traditional acoustic instruments, and vocals in many languages.

John Zorn – New Masada Quartet LP (Tzadik)

New Masada Quartet is one of the best groups Zorn has ever had. Bristling hot guitar master Julian Lage, bass wizard Jorge Roeder and 30-year Zorn veteran Kenny Wollesen perform with a crackling live energy that brings the Masada music to life like never before! Led by Zorn’s versatile sax and stop-and-start conducting, the music is filled with burning solos, telepathic group interaction, heartfelt lyricism, and hypnotic grooves. Please purchase this limited-edition LP and help Tzadik continue its mission to support and document new music in the 21st century.

LaMonte Young/Mariah Zazeela – Dream House 78’17” [Reissue/1974] LP (Superior Viaduct)

Originally released in 1974 on Shandar, Dream House 78’17” is the second full-length album by La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela. This first-time US edition reproduces the original gatefold sleeve with beautiful calligraphy by Zazeela and liner notes by Young and French musicologist Daniel Caux.

Cassettes:

Have A Nice Life – Voids [Reissue/2011] (The Flenser)

Kerry King – From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix)

From Hell I Rise is the highly anticipated debut studio album from legendary Slayer guitarist Kerry King.

Seafood Sam – Standing On Giant Shoulders (drink sum wtr)

Zayn – Room Under The Stairs (Republic)

New Releases for May 17, 2024

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