New Releases - 3/7/25
Hitting The Racks
Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's
New Releases
Bdrmm - Microtonic LP (Rock Action)
"I think this is the best thing we've ever done," says bdrmm's Ryan Smith. "It's a proper step up." It's immediately clear that this British band have broken new ground on their latest album. "The last album was essentially like a bridge between the two albums," the band say of 2023's I Don't Know. "With that one we knew what we were trying to do but with this one we've fully cracked it." bdrmm's trademark shoegaze sound hasn't completely disappeared by any means, you'll still find beautifully layered guitars interlocking seamlessly with purring bass and crashing drums to create engulfing waves, but they are now integrated into a broader, more expansive and varied sonic palette. Being asked to support Daniel Avery (British electronic music producer), along with influences that includes Massive Attack and Thom Yorke were instrumental in the band incorporating more dance music elements. Bdrmm's decision to embrace new sounds has also stretched to new collaborators, with Working Men's Club Sydney Minksy Sargeant, along with Olivesque (aka Nightbus), both featuring on the record. [Indie exclusive blue & white marbled vinyl.]
Mackenzie Carpenter - Hey Country Queen CD/LP (Valory)
25-year-old singer/songwriter Mackenzie Carpenter has been steadily making a name for herself as a songwriting force, but the young talent has also been bolstering her own catalog, landing her on Spotify's Hot Country 2024 Artists To Watch and CMT's 2023 Next Women of Country. Her debut album, Hey Country Queen, showcases her multi-dimensionality while paying homage to the beloved "Country Queens" that paved the way for the tongue-in- cheek singer/songwriter to boldly speak her mind and write her truth. [Limited edition red vinyl.]
Combust - Belly of the Beast LP (Triple B)
Marking the New York band's second album and fourth release, Belly of the Beast is 100% pure hardcore. Recorded with Zach Miller at Landmine Studios, the twelve tracks bounce through unique grooves, menacing riffs, and a tough vocal delivery. The guest heavy record showcases community within the hardcore scene and beyond, with features from members of Terror, Mindforce, Crown Of Thornz, Dmize, Imposter, and rapper Rome Streetz. [Indie store exclusive black ice color vinyl.]
A.J. Croce - Heart of the Eternal LP (BMG)
The son of influential folk singer Jim Croce, A.J. Croce has built himself an equally impressive discography over the last 20 years both as a solo artist and as a champion of his father's influential career. On Heart of the Eternal, Croce joins forces with the legendary Shooter Jennings to create a transcendent selection of songs that encompass everything from heartbreak ballads to existential reflections, endlessly illuminating the tremendous depth of Croce's musicality and enduring career.
Fust - Big Ugly LP (Dear Life Records)
Fust-the lyrical powerhouse Southern rock band from Durham, North Carolina-announce their new album Big Ugly, out March 7th on Dear Life Records, the record label that launched the careers of MJ Lenderman and Florry and that has become a haven for contemporary songwriters. Big Ugly arrives after the release of 2024's Songs of the Rail-"one of the best alt-country compilations... in a long, long time" (Paste) - and 2023's standout Genevieve, which unassumingly introduced new listeners to Fust's unmistakable blend of "small-town poetry" (Mojo) with a familiar yet probing "country-tinged folk-rock" (KEXP) that made it "one of the most fun rock records of the year" (Pitchfork). Genevieve was their studio debut, recorded with producer Alex Farrar (Manning Fireworks, Rat Saw God, Tomorrow's Fire) in Asheville, North Carolina.
Glixen - Quiet Pleasures LP (Wichita)
Arriving as a standout group in the current American shoegaze renaissance, Phoenix four-piece Glixen transcend all expectations of what the genre should currently look and sound like. The band creates a profoundly heavy sonic experience with their music, paying respects to their predecessors but resulting in something completely modern. An amalgamation of influences like Björk, My Bloody Valentine, Godflesh, t.A.T.u, and Hum, their sound crawls with intensity and introspection to contrast lead singer Aislinn Ritchie's lulling vocals. [Limited edition clear vinyl LP pressed at 45rpm.]
Guiltless - Teeth to the Sky LP (Neurot Recordings)
Guiltless released their debut EP, Thorns, via Neurot Recordings in early 2024. Crushing and cheerless, it seemed to welcome the apocalypse looming on our collective horizon. Teeth To Sky was recorded remotely by the members of Guiltless-except for the drums, which were recorded by Travis Kammeyer (Generation of Vipers) at Fahrenheit Studios in Johnson City, Tennessee. The album was mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City in Salem, Massachusetts, and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege in Portland, Oregon.
Caylee Hammack - Bed of Roses CD (Capitol Nashville)
Second full length from Caylee Hammack. She co-wrote all the songs on the new album and has been featured on several tracks with other artists including- Ashley McBride, Miranda Lambert, and others. She has been nominated for the ACM-New Female Artist of the Year.
Tim Hill - Shades of Green LP (Innovative Leisure)
A seasoned musician in all forms, Tim Hill has toured the world as a keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, and drummer, with a long time stint with LA group the Allah Las, and well known acts such as Nick Waterhouse, Curtis Harding, PAINT, and others. All the shades of green. Plants. Water. The absolute necessities of life. Music, too, is an absolute necessity. To capture both color and sound in a bottle to put atop a piano like a houseplant. A clock. A fern. Synesthesia. This music is meant for that. To close your eyes and see green. To drown in the color of piano. A melancholic covey that pulls hard on the heart strings musically and lyrically, brushed over with a plethora of improvisation in smooth watercolors.
Jason Isbell - Foxes In the Snow CD/LP (Southeastern Records)
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jason Isbell is one of the most respected and celebrated artists of his generation. The North Alabama native possesses an incredible penchant for identifying and articulating some of the deepest, yet simplest, human emotions, and turning them into beautiful poetry through song. Isbell sings of the everyday human condition with thoughtful, heartfelt, and sometimes brutal honesty. - After releasing multiple albums and touring the globe with his band, The 400 Unit, 2025 will begin with a change of form with Jason hitting the road on his own, performing at historic music venues across Europe and the US as a solo artist this Winter and Spring. Along with these much anticipated solo concerts, Jason will be releasing a new album which showcases his song craft at it's purest roots with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. Produced by Gena Johnson and Jason Isbell, and recorded at Electric Lady Studios in NYC. [Indie store exclusive metallic gold vinyl.]
Jethro Tull - Curious Ruminant CD/2xCD+Blu-Ray/LP (Inside Out)
After two consecutive new Jethro Tull album releases in 2022 and 2023, another collection - 'Curious Ruminant' - is unleashed on the 7th March 2025. Consisting of nine tracks varying in length from two and half minutes to almost seventeen minutes, this is an album of mostly full band music. Amongst the musicians featured are former keyboardist Andrew Giddings and drummer James Duncan, along with the current band members David Goodier, John O'Hara, Scott Hammond and guitarist Jack Clark.
Cody Jinks - Cody Jinks Sings Lefty Frizzell CD/LP
2025 release from the country singer, a tribute album to Lefty Frizzell featuring songs he wrote and/or recorded. “The first song my Dad taught me to play on guitar was Lefty's Long Black Veil. My favorite country singer/songwriter Merle Haggard was a Lefty fan. If you trace my country music lineage, you can hear a little Lefty in some of my stuff. I Loved making this project!” — Cody Jinks. [Limited edition green vinyl.]
Noah Kahan - Live from Fenway Park 2xLP (Mercury)
Grammy-nominated Noah Kahan celebrates an incredible season of accolades by releasing a live album of his high point thus far – selling out 2 nights at his New England hometown Fenway Park, which saw over 70,000 fans in attendance with special guests Gracie Abrams, The Lumineers and more! Noah debuts many songs on tour as he writes towards his next album. This live album sees the first release of “Pain Is Cold Water,” a song so new that Noah hasn't even recorded it yet. [Indie store exclusive poppy & midnight color vinyl.]
Lady Gaga - Mayhem CD/2xLP (Interscope)
13-time Grammy-winner, Academy Award-winner, and two-time Golden Globe-winner Lady Gaga returns with MAYHEM. Includes previously released singles “Die With A Smile” and “Disease.” [Very limited, signed double LP edition, available for in-store/in-person purchase only, no holds, only one per customer, it’s probably already gone.]
Hamilton Leithauser - This Side of the Island CD/LP (Glassnote)
Hamilton Leithauser's 5th studio album This Side of the Island (co-produced by Aaron Dessner of The National) boldly turns away from the folk-rock vibes of his two previous records and introduces a groovier, bass-heavy, modern sound - a sound undoubtedly influenced by several decades of music. Inspired by events in Hamilton's personal life, the album's lyrics showcase his unrelenting optimism and biting wit and as they consider heavy themes of solitude, love, loss, and resilience. [Indie store exclusive aqua blue vinyl.]
Livingston - Hometown Odyssey CD/LP (Republic)
Music means many things to Livingston. It's an escape from the trials and tribulations of daily life. It's a blank canvas for dreams to manifest upon. Most of all, it's proof that anything is possible. Akin to building a rocket ship in a suburban backyard, the 21-year-old singer, songwriter and producer from Denton, Texas creates handcrafted outlier pop teeming with big screen-worthy orchestration, arena-size ambition, open-hearted lyricism and sky-high hooks. His words strike a deep chord, whether booming through your speakers or sung from the stage to a sold-out crowd. An uncanny ability to empower listeners to realize their potential has accelerated Livingston's ascent as a world- building alt-pop music maverick.
Bob Mould - Here We Go Crazy CD/LP (BMG)
Alt-rock legend Bob Mould returns with his new album, Here We Go Crazy. The former frontman of Hüsker Dü and Sugar delivers 11 slices of anthemic, emotional driving alternative rock. [Indie store exclusive multicolor smush vinyl.]
SASAMI - Blood on the Silver Screen CD/LP (Domino)
Two Sasamis exist in harmony. First is Sasami Ashworth, the conservatory-trained classical French horn player, producer, and composer—an artist with a studious approach to craft. And then there is all-caps SASAMI, the fearless performer and protagonist of her three increasingly audacious albums. For Blood On the Silver Screen, these two sides fused for her most epic and realized music to date: the all-out Sasami pop record. [Indie store exclusive blood red vinyl.]
Silver Synthetic - Rosalie LP (Curation Records)
If the sanguine cedar scent of Cosmic Americana and the bright jingle jangle of Neo-Psych Rock has led you through the last couple of years, then chances are good you’ve had a brush with Silver Synthetic. The members of the New Orleans band ditched the dirtier riffs of their past projects (Jeff The Brotherhood, Bottomfeeders) for a West Coast curl that balanced country twang and honeyed harmonies with a rhythmic stomp that fishtailed through the speakers with glee. An eponymous full length on Third Man fully distilled the scope of their sound, turning stage-battered ballads and barroom burners into one of 2021’s most promising debuts. They return for a second salvo, honed with a tour-tight symbiosis and some ace drop-ins from southern slingers Luke Schneider (pedal steel) and Rex Gregory (sax, flute). Rosalie finds Silver Synthetic refining their sound, softening their approach, and letting a breeze of ‘70s AOR weave among the country swagger. Between the tanned riffs, the band also balances societal burnout with sunshine, transforming scoffs and sneers into smoke-curled sighs draped in a windows-down aura. They make their way to Curation Records for the new outing, a welcome home for the band’s sun-streaked Americana, turning ‘Preflyte’ Byrds, JJ grooves, beach-bound Neil, and ‘Water of Love’-era Dire Straits into an album that smooths the seams and steers the listener towards new horizons. [Limited edition green vinyl.]
Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea CD/LP (Rise Records)
Spiritbox's sophomore album, Tsunami Sea, builds on the band's massively successful 2021 debut album, Eternal Blue, which topped charts and dominated critic's year-end lists, and 2023's Fear of Fear EP, which earned the band two consecutive Grammy nominations. The album, co-produced by Spiritbox's Mike Stringer and Dan Braunstein, features the band's signature visceral sound, elevated to new heights of intensity and musicality. [Indie store exclusive black, white & grey vinyl.]
Swervedriver - The World’s Fair 12” EP (Outer Battery)
First new Swervedriver music in over 5 years and damn, was it worth the wait! Four brand new tracks: 2 recorded with Ride's Mark Gardener in Oxford and the other 2 recorded in Rick Beato's studio in Atlanta, the World’s Fair EP is a triumphant return to the studio by Swervedriver. [Limited edition orange vinyl.]
Benmont Tench - Melancholy Season CD/LP (Dark Horse Records)
Benmont Tench’s new album, The Melancholy Season, is his second solo record after four decades at the keyboards in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Released on Dark Horse Records, The Melancholy Season is Tench's true arrival as a singer-songwriter, without compromise or doubt. It was produced by Jonathan Wilson (an acclaimed singer-songwriter and touring guitarist for Roger Waters), Father John Misty and Margo Price. The album's core studio band included Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith on guitar, Sebastian Steinberg of Soul Coughing on bass and Wilson on drums, among other instruments, with contributions from Jenny O. and Sara Watkins. [Indie exclusive translucent blue vinyl.]
Vundabar - Sugery & Pleasure CD/LP (Loma Vista)
Formed by Brandon Hagen (guitar, vocals) and Drew McDonald (drums), and later joined by Zack Abramo (bass), Vundabar forged their sound in mythical underground venues in the early 2010s. Musically, they meld post-punk, math-rock, surf-guitar, jangle-pop and grunge scuzz into sharp, compact songs. On Surgery and Pleasure, their sixth album and first for Loma Vista Recordings, the trio have created their most urgent and visceral collection yet across 11 new tracks. [Limited edition milky clear vinyl.] *Don’t miss Vundabar when they rock the shop here at Grimey’s next Tuesday, March 11th, at 4PM!
Whitechapel - Hymns in Dissonance CD/LP (Metal Blade)
It's about building his cult of followers. Only the most heinous and vile people on the planet. Showing their devotion to their lord. Committing horrible acts and the leader showcasing his power and his purpose. To commit the seven cardinal sins to resurrect their lord. To replace divinity with evil. (Phil Bozeman) - Mostly written by Phil on guitar, it has a few riffs and tweaks thrown in by the rest of us. [Limited edition Eternal Eclipse vinyl - black in white marble.]
Reissues, Comps, Live Recordings, Vault Excavations...
Altar Bridge - One Day Remains 2xLP (Craft Recordings)
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Alter Bridge's Gold certified debut One Day Remains with a deluxe 2LP edition. Originally released in 2004, the album includes fan favorites like Metalingus "Open Your Eyes, and Th Loving Memory This expanded edition offers six bonus tracks, including rarity Save Me, and a five-song 2005 live set from Phase One Studios in Toronto, featuring never before released performances.
Curtis Amy & Frank Butler - Groovin’ Blue LP (Blue Note Tone Poet)
Tenor saxophonist Curtis Amy's second Pacific Jazz album, Groovin' Blue, was a hard-swinging date co-led with drummer Frank Butler that was also one of the earliest recordings to feature vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Rounding out the band are trumpeter Carmell Jones, pianist Frank Strazzeri, and bassist Jimmy Bond. This stereo Blue Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.
Ginger Baker Trio - Going Back Home LP (Real Gone)
Legendary drummer Ginger Baker was in a trio with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. But would it be sacrilege to suggest that perhaps that outfit was the not the, ahem, cream of the crop when it comes his career's musical threesomes? For the Ginger Baker Trio, first heard on the 1994 album Going Back Home, featured Charlie Haden on bass and Bill Frisell on guitar! And that record lived up to it's pedigree with a fascinating blend of British folk, and jazz, propelled by Baker's astonishing jazz chops on his double bass kit and shot through with Haden's melodic bass work and those impressionistic guitar textures that could only come from a Frisell axe. In short, if you're a fan of any of these three guys, this album's a must, and we've had it remastered for vinyl (by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision) for it's LP debut. Pressed on forest green vinyl.
David Bowie - Young Americans LP (Rhino)
New, limited edition 50th anniversary reissue of Young Americans, available as a half-speed mastered LP and a picture disc LP with a poster pressed from the same master. The album saw Bowie broaden his musical horizons once more, embracing what he called 'Plastic Soul' and would give Bowie his first number one single in the U. S., ‘Fame’, co-written with John Lennon and Bowie's then guitarist, Carlos Alomar. This new pressing was cut on a customised late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from 192kHz restored masters of the original Record Plant master tapes, with no additional processing on transfer. The half-speed was cut by John Webber at AIR Studios.
Jeff Buckley & Gary Lucas - Songs to No One 2xLP (Partisan)
Following the success of the Record Store Day 2024 vinyl reissue of Songs To No One, Knitting Factory Records is making Jeff Buckley & Gary Lucas' incredible album available again on blue denim (LP1) and white (LP2) color vinyl. This album captures Jeff Buckley at the very beginning of his devastatingly short career. Jeff is accompanied by his original writing partner, guitar virtuoso Gary Lucas. These recordings form the intimate foundation of Jeff's incredible body of work.
Doug Carn - Spirit of the New Land LP (Real Gone)
Of all the artists who recorded for the Black Jazz label, keyboardist and composer Doug Carn was the most prolific, releasing four albums for the imprint. 1972’s Spirit of the New Land was his second Black Jazz release, but the first one (of two) to co-feature his wife, vocalist Jean Carn, in the album title; we’ve chosen to lead with this record from Carn’s catalog not only because it’s the most collectible of the bunch, but also because it showcases his innovative approach of adding lyrics to jazz standards. Thus, both Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green” and Lee Morgan’s “Search for the New Land” are blessed with spellbinding vocals from Jean Carn set to her husband’s words, while Doug Carn originals like “Arise and Shine” and “My Spirit” soar with spiritual fervor on the wings of his wife’s five-octave range. Along for the ride are a stellar cast of players, including trumpeter Charles Tolliver, co-founder of the Strata-East label; saxophonist George Harper, who played with Herbie Hancock and Jimmy Smith among others; trombonist Garnett Brown, who appears on albums by Roland Kirk, Albert Ayler, and Art Blakey among his hundreds of album credits; tuba player Earl McIntyre, whose discography spans from Carla Bley to the Band; and drummer Alphonse Mouzon, founding member of Weather Report.
Celia Cruz - Son Con Guaguanco LP (Craft Recordings)
Celia Cruz's first solo album released in 1966 on Tico Records, now reissued on vinyl for the first time in the U.S. since it's original pressing. Featuring (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, this reissue arrives in honor of the Queen of Salsa's centennial. Standout songs like "Bemba Colorá," "Oye Mi Consejo," "Se Me Perdió La Cartera" and the title track are staples of Celia's incredible repertoire.
De La Soul - Clear Lake Audiotorium CD (Chrysalis)
De La Soul's Clear Lake Audiotorium is one of their most sought-after releases by super fans. The holy grail of de la Soul albums, it was released in 1994 exclusively as a promotional item to A-list DJs. It features four tracks from the group's Buhloone Mindstate album and two new tracks - "sh. Fe. Mc's" featuring A Tribe Called Quest and "Stix & Stonz" featuring The Fearless Four, Grandmaster Caz, and Prince Whipper Whip). While only 500 copies were pressed of the original, this legendary collector's item is now available as a limited edition release. CD is here now. We’re still trying to find out when the vinyl will arrive…
Disturbed - The Sickness CD/LP (Reprise)
Celebrate 25 years of Disturbed's debut album, The Sickness, with a limited edition green vinyl reissue and 2CD set with bonus content.
Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ - Live in Hollywood - March 8, 1992 2xLP (Drivin n Cryin)
Recorded Live At The Troubadour - Hollywood, CA | March 8, 1992
Jad Fair & Samuel Lockeward - Pure Candy LP (Shrimper)
Pure Candy is an album of love songs and is the feel good album of the Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall. The music was composed and performed by Ward who's love of pop music and avant stylings offer seventeen unexpected turns over the course of a three minute song. The vocals and lyrics are by Fair, lyrics overflowing with words of love, joy, happiness, tenderness, hope and inspiration. Uplifting words for a time dearly in need of some upliftings. As with the previous two albums by Fair and Ward, this album was mixed and mastered by Jonathan Hansen and is being co-released on LP by Shrimper Records (who last worked with Fair on his collaborative three cassette box set Wonderful World) and Chicago's Stationary (Hearts) Recordings.
The New Stan Getz Quartet featuring Astrud Gilberto - Getz Au Go Go LP (Verve Acoustic Sounds)
Recorded in 1964 during two concerts at the venerable Greenwich Village venue, Cafe Au Go Go, two months after Astrud Gilberto's "Girl From Ipanema" became a Top 5 pop single. The focus of these sets, however, moved away from the Brazilian flavored fare, bringing Gilberto into the realm of a decidedly more North American style. The band features a young Gary Burton (vibraphone), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Gene Cherico (bass), and Joe Hunt (drums). There are a few personnel substitutions, with Helcio Milito (drums) and Chuck Israels (bass), respectively, filling in. Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.
Lee Hazlewood - Love and Other Crimes LP (Real Gone)
Lee Hazlewood made his bones producing and co-writing with guitarist Duane Eddy during the '50s, and then cemented his immortality with the classic sides he produced for Nancy Sinatra during the '60s. Over the past few decades, though, attention has turned to Lee's idiosyncratic solo work, the heart of which he recorded for the Reprise label and his own LHI Records. Issued in 1968, Love and Other Crimes is one of his Reprise releases, and it's one of the weirdest records in his entire catalog. Recorded in Paris with such legendary Wrecking Crew members as guitarist James Burton and drummer Hal Blaine, Hazlewood sounds every bit the bon vivant (read: half drunk) as he swings from country ballads to lightly psychedelic pop highlighted by his rockin' cover of Bonnie Dobson's "Morning Dew." Other highlights include "Rosacoke Street," which presents him at his most psychedelic lounge lizard-esque, (think a Hunter Thompson character from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) and his moving "Wait and See," an apology for bad behavior to an absent lover. We've enlisted Mike Milchner to remaster this one for vinyl... don't miss Lee's stream-of-consciousness back cover notes, either. Pressed in sea blue viny.
Joe Henderson - Multiple LP (Craft Recordings)
Multiple finds saxophone virtuoso Joe Henderson operating in the sonic space between fusion and free jazz, joined by a world-class ensemble featuring Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Larry Willis, and James "Blood" Ulmer, who all heavily contribute to the momentum that makes the album a meeting of giants. This Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf reissue of Multiple was cut from the original analog tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, and comes packaged in a tip-on jacket.
Hank Mobley - Third Season LP (Blue Note Tone Poet)
Recorded in 1967, Hank Mobley's Third Season was a typically high-caliber hard bop outing by the tenor saxophonist with a 7-piece band, featuring James Spaulding (alto sax), Lee Morgan (trumpet), Sonny Greenwich (guitar), Cedar Walton (piano), Walter Booker (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums). This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
Modern Life Is War - My Love. My Way. LP (Deathwish Inc)
Modern Life Is War re-release their 2003 album, MY LOVE MY WAY, which was championed by many as one of the best contemporary hardcore albums in recent history. MY LOVE MY WAY now includes revamped packaging, bonus tracks, as well as a complete remastering job.
Sonic Youth - Hold That Tiger CD/2xLP (Superior Viaduct)
In October 1987, four months after the release of their critically acclaimed Sister LP, Sonic Youth showcased their latest work in a blistering set at Cabaret Metro, Chicago. The concert was introduced by Big Black's Steve Albini (who at the time was banned from the venue) and subsequently released as a semi-official bootleg under the title Hold That Tiger on writer/provocateur Byron Coley's impishly Geffen-baiting label Goofin' (years later the band would use this nom de guerre for their own imprint). Hold That Tiger's sterling reputation among the Sonic Youth faithful is well deserved. In fact, it isn't a stretch to suggest that the album is to the first handful of SY releases what It's Alive is to the first three Ramones LPs - a feral and liberatory public snapshot of a band's blossoming imperial phase. Indeed, HTT is the sound of a group at the peak of their powers, presenting new songs alongside a handful of older ones with the kind of wild, cathartic enthusiasm common to rock 'n' roll's most revered live albums.
Various Artists - The Best of Asona Records 2xLP (bbe)
A couple of years back, UK-based House DJ Jerry Frempong’s wife Katie was doing a spring clean at the family home. At the bottom of the garden, amongst a pile of rusty garden tools, she discovered a couple of mysterious bin-bags. She was about to assign them to the skip with everything else, but a sixth sense persuaded her to check the contents. It was a huge pile of rare soul, funk, disco, boogie and- yes – Ghana Highlife records. Katie brought this to the attention of Jerry, who immediately understood the significance of the treasure trove. Jerry’s Father, Anthony Roberts Frempong, who had passed away in 2011, was the founder of one of the most significant Ghanaian record and music companies anywhere in the world: Asona Records. Asona was founded in the mid-80s, with little fanfare, in Peckham, South East London. It was a label with a firm mission: Burger Highlife. No, not a swanky fast-food chain, nor a 5-star German hotel chain, but a record label devoted to the new African dance music genre that was sweeping Europe, North America and West Africa at the time – Electric Highlife.
Various Artists - Great Lakes Gospel Vol. 1: Cleveland LP (Numero)
An overflowing chalice of funky gospel gems from the Forest City. You could start a church with this thing. PULPIT NOT INCLUDED
Neil Young - Oceanside Countryside LP (Reprise)
Oceanside Countryside is the latest of Neil Young's great "lost" albums to be released as part of his Analog Original Series. The album was recorded from May to December 1977, preceding the release of Comes A Time in 1978. The two albums share the same country/folk sound, and three songs ("Goin' Back", "Human Highway" and "Field of Opportunity") appear on both albums. The vinyl release of Oceanside Countryside includes some tracks that are on the CD of the same name in Neil Young's Archives Vol. III. However, this track list is how Oceanside Countryside was originally planned to be released. Recorded on tape, these are the original mixes done at the time of recording. All the songs on "Oceanside" are performed solo by Neil Young. On "Countryside," Young is joined by a band of his friends: Ben Keith (Steel Guitar), Rufus Thibodeaux (fiddle), Karl T. Himmel (drums), Joe Osborne (bass). On "The Old Homestead" Tim Drummond plays bass and Levon Helm plays drums. "Pocahontas" is Young solo. Please note that while the songs on Oceanside Countryside appear on Archives Volume III, the versions are not always the same and the track list is the running order for the original Oceanside Countryside album. [Indie store exclusive clear vinyl.]