New Releases - 6/2/23
Hitting The Racks
Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's
New Releases
Avenged Sevenfold – Life Is But A Dream… CD/2xLP/Cassette (WB)
Avenged Sevenfold’s new album, Life Is But A Dream, is a timeless work of art that blurs genres. Best served as a whole and consumed en masse to truly appreciate its musical breadth and sonic depth, it marks the band's boldest statement and most revolutionary work to date. Written and recorded over the span of four years, it was produced by Joe Barresi and Avenged Sevenfold in Los Angeles and mixed by Andy Wallace in the Poconos, PA. Inspired by Albert Camus’ The Stranger, the album is a journey through an existential crisis; a very personal exploration into the meaning, purpose and value of human existence with the anxiety of death always looming. Immerse into this experience… [Two indie store exclusive versions are available: autographed CD featuring alternate artwork; and a limited-edition vinyl pressing.] Free t-shirts & posters with purchase while supplies last!
Beach Fossils – Bunny CD/LP/cassette (Bayonet)
Brooklyn bedroom-pop trailblazers Beach Fossils' new album Bunny is a triumphant return for one of the 2010s most influential NYC bands. Bunny is a precise blend of the luscious dream-pop atmospheres they notoriously honed on their earliest projects, the post-punk vigor expressed on Clash The Truth, and the warm sophisticated songwriting of Somersault. Composer Dustin Payseur peppers the album equally with descriptions of the joy of fatherhood and the existential pleasure of smoking cigarettes out of a car window with friends - Bunny features Beach Fossils' most personal lyrics to-date. A collection of new favorite tracks for fans of every era of Beach Fossils, Bunny proves to be the culmination of a decade's worth of growth and experience. [Limited-edition powder blue vinyl.]
Bully – Lucky For You CD/LP+MP3/Cassette (Sub Pop)
Lucky For You is Bully's most close-to-the-bone album yet. It's an album that's searing and unmistakably marked by its creator's experiences, while still retaining the massive sound that Alicia Bognanno has become known for over the last decade. Her fourth album draws from personal pain and the universal struggle that is existing, learning, and moving on – and it's all soundtracked by Bognanno's rock-solid melodic sensibilities and a widescreen sound that's impossible to pin down when it comes to the textures explored. These ten songs are simply the most irresistible Bognanno's put to tape yet, making Lucky For You her greatest triumph to date in a career already packed with them. [Loser edition light blue vinyl. All copies at Grimey’s are signed by Alicia! We have a limited number available online and more in the shop!]
Cowboy Junkies – Such Ferocious Beauty CD/LP (Cooking Vinyl)
Such Ferocious Beauty is vintage Cowboy Junkies and another dimension from the lo-fi Canadian band comprised of, well, family. Written between the long isolating summer of 2020 and 2021, Michael Timmins would take leave of his family, travel to a cottage to focus on writing armed with books from DH Lawrence, Walt Whitman, David Whyte, the Bible, the Odyssey and a desire to make sense of this phase of his life. While these ten songs serve as aural Rorschach takes on emotions, life, even fate, an unspoken common ground unites them. From the haunted blues of "Hell Is Real" to the languishing meander of "Knives Are Drawn", both delivered from singer to the listener, observing, cautioning, drawing back the curtain. They eventually come down to the same place: the individual and looking out into the world, asking ‘How do I fit into this? How do I keep my humanity?' [A limited-edition green color vinyl pressing is available.]
Jordan Davis – Bluebird Days LP (MCA Nashville)
Released earlier this year on CD – now available on vinyl. The second album from country music's Jordan Davis features 17 songs including the #1 double-platinum CMA Song of the Year, "Buy Dirt" feat. Luke Bryan.
McKinley Dixon – Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? LP (City Slang)
Blurring the lines between the personal and the political," (Fader) McKinley Dixon calls the late Toni Morrison the greatest rapper of all time; and the way he tackles topics like survival, violence, and religion within the expansive landscape of the Black experience, evokes her novels. It is from the title of Morrison's Beloved trilogy where he finds the title of his album: Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? [Limited-edition color vinyl.]
Bob Dylan – Shadow Kingdom CD/2xLP (Legacy)
Shadow Kingdom finds Bob Dylan performing revelatory 21st century versions of songs from his storied back catalog – including fan favorites like "Forever Young" and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", and deep catalog gems like "Queen Jane Approximately" and "Wicked Messenger". Originally reinterpreted for an exclusive streaming film event, which aired in July 2021, Shadow Kingdom will now be available for the first time on CD and as a double vinyl LP with an etching on the D-side. The album's setlist includes 13 original songs handpicked by Dylan for his Shadow Kingdom performance plus the closing instrumental, "Sierra's Theme".
Eluvium – (Whirring Marvels In) Consensus Reality - Volcanic Earth CD/LP+MP3 (Temporary Residence)
New album by Eluvium - the renowned moniker of prolific modern composer, Matthew Robert Cooper. Taking initial inspirations from T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land and Richard Brautigan's All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace, (Whirring Marvels) inherently deals both with humankind's need for meaning, and the emergence of algorithms reflecting the feedback loops of humankind's interactions with machines themselves. This complicated relationship that we have with technology, automations, and algorithms - and the influence they in turn have on shaping our image of the world - is the mechanized heart and soul of an album that almost instantly establishes itself as a peak in Eluvium's inimitable catalog. [Limited-edition ‘volcanic earth’ color vinyl.]
Ben Folds – What Matters Most CD/LP (New West)
"More than anything, I wanted to make an album that was generous, that was useful," says Ben Folds. "I want you to finish this record with something you didn't have when you started." Indeed, Folds' masterful new collection, What Matters Most, isn't so much a statement as it is an offering, an open hand reaching out to all those wounded and bewildered by a world that seems to make less and less sense every day. Recorded in East Nashville with co-producer Joe Pisapia, the album marks Folds' first new studio release in eight years, and it's a bold, timely, cinematic work, one that examines the tragic and the absurd in equal measure as it reckons with hope and despair, gratitude and loss, identity, and perspective. The songs are bittersweet here, hilarious at times, but often laced with a quiet sense of longing and dread: a text message goes unanswered; an old classmate descends into the dark depths of internet conspiracies; a relationship unravels in the middle of a lake. [A limited-edition signed seaglass vinyl pressing as well as an autographed CD version featuring bonus tracks are available. Buy your copy at Grimey’s in the shop or webstore for a wristband to attend our Ben Folds Q&A and record signing on July 12!]
Foo Fighters – But Here We Are CD/LP/Cassette (RCA)
But Here We Are is the new album from Foo Fighters and marks the band’s return after a year of staggering losses, personal introspection, and bittersweet remembrances. A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters have endured recently, But Here We Are is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship, and family. But Here We Are is in nearly equal measure the eleventh Foo Fighters album and the first chapter of the band's new life. Sonically channeling the naiveté of Foo Fighters' 1995 debut, informed by decades of maturity and depth, But Here We Are is the sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that brought them together in the first place 28 years ago, a process that was as therapeutic as it was about a continuation of life. [Limited-edition white vinyl.]
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Council Skies CD/2xCD//LP (Orchard)
From the evocative album title to the cover art, to the lyrics themselves, Council Skies sees Noel Gallagher reclaiming his past and paying homage to his Mancunian roots. His most varied and accomplished solo record to date, Noel's fourth solo studio album is a record framed by confidence, risk-taking, surefooted creative freedom, and great emotional depth. Council Skies was recorded at Noel's own Lone Star Sound Recording Studios in London, with the album's lusciously orchestrated strings recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Produced by Noel with long-time collaborator Paul ‘Strangeboy' Stacey, the album also features performances from Johnny Marr on three tracks, including the single "Pretty Boy". Council Skies takes its title from a book by revered northern illustrator and friend of Noel, artist Pete McKee. It covers themes of youthful yearning, and unbridled ambition. [The deluxe double-CD edition and vinyl version w/ bonus 7” each include a bonus track.]
Ben Harper – Wide Open Light CD/LP (Chrysalis)
"Wide Open Light is a family of songs I've written. I've selected them with the care one might put into a personal photo album. To that effect, I'd call it a sonic family photo album, each track a close relative to the next. The story behind this record is simple. I have been writing songs now for over 30 years. It's what I long to do, love to do, and at times feel I need to do, and hope to continue doing until the ink runs dry and the notes fade. But for now, Wide Open Light. Deliberately minimalist, the songs themselves do as much of the heavy lifting as the production (produced by myself, and my longtime collaborators Danny Kalb and Jason Mozersky). Featured guests on the album include Jack Johnson guitar, vocals on ‘Gone For Good’, Shelby Lynne vocals on ‘8 Minutes’, and Piers Faccini vocals on ‘Wide Open Light’. - Ben Harper
He Is Legend – Endless Hallway LP (Spinefarm)
Deluxe black ice color vinyl pressing. Like a true American classic at this point, He Is Legend resemble an old, dog-eared novel or nearly worn-out VHS tape that you dust off in order take a familiar ride and get thrilled at the same time. Their alchemy of reckless rock 'n' roll grooves, heavy metal unpredictability, and downright indefinable magic continues to enchant, enthrall, and enrapture a devout fan base, quietly bordering on cultlike fascination. The band roars back with their seventh full-length offering, Endless Hallway.
Jelly Roll – Whitsitt Chapel CD/LP (BMG)
Multi-genre phenomenon and current three-time CMT Music Awards nominee Jelly Roll releases his highly anticipated album Whitsitt Chapel. Titled after the church the Antioch-native grew up attending, the album features 13 tracks, including the single “Need A Favor”.
Eric Johnson – The Book Of Making LP (Blue Élan)
Eric Johnson – Yesterday Meets Today LP (Blue Élan)
During the pandemic, some people baked, others indulged in TV binge-watching. Eric Johnson emerged with two albums - The Book Of Making and Yesterday Meets Today - featuring nine songs on each LP. The Grammy-winning, multi-genre guitarist took inventory - both emotionally and musically - delving into the many unfinished tracks, outtakes, demos, and sonic ideas in his archive to compile the 18 songs that ultimately ended up on the albums.
Jack Johnson – In Between Dub CD/LP (Republic)
In March 2020, Jack Johnson reached out to Lee "Scratch" Perry to produce a dub remix album based on Jack's most loved recordings. On August 29, 2021, the project was brought to a halt as Scratch departed this physical world. In 2022, Jack and Subatomic Sound System, Perry's band of the last decade, connected directly and discovered they had all the pieces to bring Lee "Scratch" Perry's three creations to completion. In Between Dub also features dubs from Dennis Bovell, Scientist, Mad Professor, Nightmares On Wax, and more. [Indie store exclusive milky white vinyl.]
Rob Crow & Kramer – Hymns 7” (Shimmy Disc)
Eerie Wanda & Kramer – Preludes 7” (Shimmy Disc)
“In 2022, the pandemic seemed to be receding to the point where artists could work together again, literally side by side. So, as a kind of 'follow-up' to my Joyful Noise 2020 Artist-in-Residence box set, I revisited the notion of a limited-edition vinyl box celebrating the joys of collaboration. I thought about it for a good long while, and eventually, it felt good. I then put the idea under a microscope and found that it felt even better when I minimized the project to six 33rpm EP's on 7" vinyl.”
Laraaji & Kramer – Baptismal LP (Shimmy Disc)
Crystal clear vinyl pressing. “As one of the very few true godfathers of ambient music, Laraaji has forged a unique path forward (always, always forward) since his groundbreaking 1980 LP for Eno’s Ambient label, Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance. It remains one of the eternal pillars of the genre. His extraordinary contributions to modern music over the course of four decades highlight his lifelong dedication to the belief that Peace can be achieved through audio serenity. Kramer’s work in ambient music is less universally known, but no less pioneering. His most recent Shimmy-Disc LP, Music For Films Edited By Moths, suggests that his immersion in the genre is now complete. Cerebral yet simple, intoxicating yet tranquil, Kramer’s newest and more elusive body of work gently heralds what lies ahead. His commitment to quiet music is complete.” – Psychedelic Baby Magazine
Matthewdavid - On Mushrooms 12" (Leaving Records)
Leaving Records founderperson Matthewdavid presents the On Mushrooms EP, a primer for the Mycelium Music album. Both works are expressed from the same ecosystem, cut from the same cloth. The following is a listening experience testimonial written by Matt Baldwin - esteemed Californian guitarist, writer, and psychotherapist trained in psychedelic psychotherapy. — — — "An encounter with this music is like finding a trapdoor in the floor of your room and realizing that there has always been an endless network of glittering caves right beneath your feet. And what’s more: the caves are somehow alive and networked with the pale golden filigree of secret sigils inscribed with the subtle fire of moonphased zither song. It’s worth pointing out that in dream analysis, dreams about finding hidden spaces often symbolize an expanding sense of self possibility. Matthewdavid has created a work of art that is the hidden twin of silence and darkness. Not the darkness of fear and isolation but the velvet darkness that germinates, gently caressing new forms into being."
more eaze - Strawberry Season LP (Leaving Records)
While much of twentieth century American popular and folk music may have dwelt on the beauty and plenitude of the prairie, More Eaze applies a similar Romantic focus to the small bursts of fecundity that now hide in plain sight. Blending found sound, generative music, a knack for elegant, classically-informed melodic arrangement, and a sort of Liz-Fraser-by-way-of-hyperpop approach to vocals, Strawberry Season offers unique solace — providing an occasion for the kind of deep listening that our overstimulated and undernourished spirits require if there is to be any hope at all (and of course there must be hope).
Nanna – How To Start A Garden 2xLP (Republic)
Nanna, best known for her success as a writer, producer, vocalist, and guitarist in the chart-topping band Of Monsters And Men, is embarking on a new path with her solo project. Her debut album, How To Start A Garden is a wistful, evocative and ultimately romantic offering from an already accomplished artist, musician, producer, and songwriter. [Indie store exclusive milky clear vinyl.]
Protomartyr – Formal Growth In The Desert CD/LP+MP3 (Domino)
Since their 2012 debut, Protomartyr has mastered the art of evoking place: the grinding Midwest humility of their hometown, as well as the x-rayed elucidation of America that comes with their vantage. The group's sixth album, Formal Growth In The Desert, was recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX with producer Jake Aron. "The desert is more of a metaphor or symbol," singer Joe Casey says, "of emotional deserts, or a place or time that seems to lack life." The "growth" came from a period of colossal transition for Casey, including the death of his mother. But life does go on, and Casey describes the great theme of Formal Growth In The Desert as an embrace and acknowledgment of that fact: a 12-song testament to "getting on with life," even when it feels impossibly hard. [Indie store exclusive blue vinyl with slipmat.]
Pupil Slicer – Blossom CD/LP (Prosthetic)
Blossom is a hard science fiction/cosmic horror concept album with central themes of abject despair, reincarnation, and a fascination of hell. An intense month in the studio with producer Lewis Johns has led to a cohesive and confident sounding album that embraces ethereal singing, electronic breakdowns, and bold experimentation - without ever losing sight of their core tenets. Drawing from influences as diverse as Nine Inch Nails, Deafheaven, Radiohead, and Deftones, Pupil Slicer has molded an album that is effervescent with passion but doesn't shy away from a good hook and a catchy chorus. Through darkness and despair, there is always - at the very least - a glimmer of light in all that they do. Blossom is an album that benefits from being digested as a whole, but within this body of work there are gems that stand out. [Two vinyl colorways are available for special order: indie store exclusive blue and limited-edition blue.]
Purr – Who Is Afraid Of Blue LP (ANTI-)
An indie pop duo whose music has a cool retro vibe buoyed by smooth melodies, a naturalistic sound, and warm harmonies, Purr is a collaboration between songwriters, musicians, and longtime friends Eliza Barry Callahan and Jack Staffen. The two previously worked together as Jack + Eliza, but while that project emphasized spare and stripped-down accompaniment, Purr's recordings feature a fuller sound with a larger palette of instrumental flavors that often references '60s pop. Purr introduced themselves to the world with a 2018 single, "Bad Advice" b/w "Painted Memory", that showed off their talents as both writers and vocalists, and they further refined their style on their first full-length album, 2020's Like New and continue that on new album Who Is Afraid Of Blue?.
Rancid – Tomorrow Never Comes CD/LP+MP3 (Epitaph)
Carrying the same raw energy since their 1991 inception, Rancid has been deemed by Stereogum as "incapable of making a bad album." The Berkeley, California, punk stalwarts continue that streak with the release of their highly anticipated tenth studio album Tomorrow Never Comes. The 16-track collection was produced by longtime collaborator, Bad Religion guitarist and Epitaph founder, Brett Gurewitz. Their first new music since 2017's Trouble Maker, the band introduces Tomorrow Never Comes with the exhilarating title track and lead single. Highlighting their collective ear for melodic rock hooks and catchy, sing-along choruses, the song is complete with the familiar wailing guitars and punishing punk rock rhythms that have solidified Rancid as the legends they are. [Indie store exclusive eco-mix vinyl with poster.]
The Revivalists – Pour It Out Into The Night CD/LP (Concord)
The Revivalists make the kind of rock ‘n' roll that grabs you and doesn't let go. On their fifth full-length release, the New Orleans outfit was inspired to create a life-affirming album that in many ways connects to the original seed of inspiration for the band's name. Introduced by the single "Kid", Pour It Out Into The Night is a celebration of resilience, living for who you are and what you're about. With an infectious melody and piano peeking through bright acoustic guitar, intricate layers of the band's distinctive instrumentation power a euphoric chantable chorus: "Hey kid/ Just sing the songs that wake the dead then/ You keep them ringing in your head, yeah/ You gotta get it off your chest/ Don't worry about the mess." As the world came to a standstill in the years since their last album, Take Good Care, personal experiences and life challenges abounded, with band members having their first children, getting married, and navigating the mental hurdles of lockdown. [Indie store exclusive ‘sun marble’ vinyl.]
Rival Sons – Darkfighter CD/2xLP (Atlantic)
Rival Sons play rock ‘n' roll in its purest form without apology or pretense. Instead, they simply plug in, turn up, and rip on a path of their own. Along the way, they've architected a critically acclaimed catalog, including Pressure & Time [2011], Head Down [2012], Great Western Valkyrie [2014], Hollow Bones [2016], and Feral Roots [2019]. The latter represented a creative and critical high watermark, scoring a pair of Grammy Award nominations in the categories of "Best Rock Album" and "Best Rock Performance" for the single "Too Bad." Elevating the band to another level, "Do Your Worst" vaulted to No. 1 at Rock Radio as their biggest hit to date. Speaking to their impact, Rolling Stone attested, "Rival Sons have done their part to introduce new fans to rock." Ultimately, Rival Sons aren't here to tell you exactly what to think or what to feel, but they'll give you one hell of a ride if you let them. That ride twists and turns like never before on their 2023 full-length LP, Darkfighter kickstarted by the single "Nobody Wants to Die". [Limited edition transparent vinyl.]
Ruen Brothers – Ten Paces CD/LP (Yep Roc)
Henry and Rupert Stansall, known as Ruen Brothers, are saddling up from their home of Scunthorpe, England to ride into unmarked territory. Inspired by their love of noir and neo-western films, their cinematic new album Ten Paces exhibits the rich, sonic versatility of the brothers, as every instrument heard on the album is performed by Henry and Rupert. The anthemic build of "The Fear" to the lonesome balladeering of "Bullet Blues" showcases these two outlaws at their creative peak. [Limited-edition yellow vinyl.]
Jake Shears – Last Man Standing CD/LP+MP3 (Mute)
On Last Man Dancing, Jake Shears turns his lifelong love affair with club culture into his most ambitious pop music to date. The album was brought to vivid life by Jake Shears and a close crew of collaborators, including head-turning features from Kylie Minogue, Jane Fonda, Iggy Pop, Amber Martin, and a pre-Renaissance turn from the iconic Big Freedia. The album is a life affirming record for anyone who has felt lost - out of love, on a night out, or in the modern world - but kept moving anyway. [Indie store exclusive orange marbled vinyl.]
Surprise Chef – Friendship 12” (Big Crown)
Friendship is a six song 12" EP that picks up where the last album left off and pushes their sound in new directions as they take on different energies and make them their own. The EP opens with "Rosemary Hemphill", a gorgeous yet haunting tune that takes the listener through a myriad of musical changes and moods. "Friendship Theme" is a bouncy and energetic number with an infectious and driving topline that is sure to move dancefloors around the globe. [Limited-edition sky blue vinyl.]
Tinariwen – Amatssou CD/LP+MP3 (Wedge)
Some people have commented that Tinariwen have always been a country band, albeit a North African take on that most North American of genres. That idea is magnified on new album Amatssou, which finds the Tuareg band's trademark snaking guitar lines and hypnotic rhythms blending seamlessly with pedal steel, piano and strings from guest musicians including Daniel Lanois, the embellished arrangements lending the songs an epic, universal application. Full of poetic allegory, the lyrics call for unity and freedom. There are songs of struggle and resistance with oblique references to the recent desperate political upheavals in Mali and the increasing power of the Salafists. [Limited-edition white vinyl.]
Tanya Tucker – Sweet Western Sound CD (Fantasy)
Sweet Western Sound is Tanya Tucker's first album of new music since 2019's 2x Grammy Award-winning, While I'm Livin', the re-introduction that revitalized her career and brought her music to a new generation of fans. While that album's stripped-down, singer-songwriter approach leaned toward the acoustic side, Sweet Western Sound's framework is more muscular, evoking, at times, the vintage West Coast country-rock productions of the '70s and '80s. Produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings. [Vinyl version due September 8.]
Rufus Wainwright – Folkocracy CD/2xLP (BMG)
Rufus Wainwrigh returns with Folkocracy, a star-studded album of folk music reinventions that sees the 2x Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter joined by a spectacular collection of friends, family members, and other special guest artists that includes Brandi Carlile, John Legend, David Byrne, Sheryl Crow, Nicole Scherzinger, Chaka Khan, Andrew Bird, ANOHNI, Susanna Hoffs, Van Dyke Parks, Madison Cunningham, and many more. Produced by longtime collaborator Mitchell Froom (Paul McCartney, Crowded House), Wainwright says "This album is almost like a recorded birthday party and birthday present to myself. I just invited all the singers that I greatly admire and always wanted to sing with."
Eleri Ward – A Perfect Little Death LP (Ghostlight)
Released last year on CD – now available on vinyl. Eleri Ward is a New York City-based actor, singer, and musician. In early 2021, she recorded, produced, and released her first full-length indie-folk Sondheim album to much critical acclaim. Now Eleri is back with her second album of indie-folk Sondheim covers, Keep A Tender Distance. The album "captures in her performances is the vast, unquenchable longing at the heart of the master's work" (The New York Times).
Roger Waters – The Lockdown Sessions CD/LP (Legacy)
The Lockdown Sessions was recorded at home during the Covid lockdown between 2020 and 2021. The collection includes five seminal tracks from across Roger Waters' time with Pink Floyd and his solo career; "Mother" and "Vera" from The Wall; "Two Suns In The Sunset" and "The Gunner's Dream" from Waters' final Pink Floyd album, The Final Cut; and "The Bravery Of Being Out Of Range" from his highly acclaimed solo album, Amused To Death. Waters' new version of the classic Pink Floyd song "Comfortably Numb", which was recorded during the recent This Is Not A Drill tour features as the final track.
Juan Wauters – Wandering Rebel LP (Captured Tracks)
Blue color vinyl pressing. There's freedom to be found in consistency. Until recently, Juan Wauters may not have agreed with this statement. As a touring musician and multinational citizen, transience had always come naturally to him. Circumstance, however, recently prompted him to reconsider the benefits of staying in one place. His most introspective work to date, Wauters' sixth solo album Wandering Rebel finds the artist taking stock of how he's changed, how the world sees him, and what he wants out of life. Written mostly during an extended break from touring, the songs on Wandering Rebel are candid reflections on subjects like career ("Wandering Rebel"), romantic commitment ("Amor Amor"), mental health ("Nube Negra") and the personal toll of touring ("Let Loose").
Wicca Phase Springs Eternal – Wicca Phase Springs Eternal LP (Run For Cover)
Clear w/ black splatter color vinyl. Wicca Phase Springs Eternal has been the moniker and creative persona of Pennsylvania-based singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Adam McIlwee for over a decade. The name is as enigmatic as McIlwee's work, a fittingly esoteric umbrella for his ever-growing and ever-evolving catalog of music that's been released at a stunning quality and pace. So, it's with great intention that the name is now also the title of McIlwee's latest full-length: Wicca Phase Springs Eternal offers the musician's most finely honed and welcoming songs to date, but it's more than just a self-titled album-it's a portal, an entryway into an entire world.
Witch – Zango CD/LP (Desert Daze Sound)
Witch was the first band in Zambia to release a commercial album - 1973's Introduction. Blending the rock and roll sounds of UK rock bands like The Rolling Stones, Cream, and The Beatles together with more traditional African rhythms, Witch pioneered a new genre dubbed Zamrock, and during their brief yet prolific existence, Witch (an acronym for We Intend To Cause Havoc) were the most revered band in the country. Zango is the band's eighth studio album and was recorded at the same studio where the original band's sensational 1975 album Lazy Bones had been made some 46 years prior: DB Studios. [Limited-edition yellow vinyl.]
y La Bamba – Lucha CD/LP (Tender Loving Empire)
Lucha, y La Bamba's seventh album, is a thematic narrative that explores multiplicity - love, queerness, Mexican American and Chicanx identity, family, intimacy, yearning, loneliness. Born out of isolation during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the album reflects the artist's struggles and growth as a person and artist. The album is a battle cry to fight to be seen and accepted and is a collection of sonically sprawling and bold tracks that document the parallel trust the artist has built with herself to allow the songs to guide how they should be sung or sound.
Reissues, Comps, Live Recordings, Vault Excavations...
Kelsea Ballerini – Subject To Change LP (Black River Entertainment)
Released last year – now available on double yellow color vinyl. The two-time Grammy nominee previously teased Subject To Change in April, and said that the '90s-tinged "Heartfirst" set the tone for what's to come. "There is a lot of nostalgia to this record," she said. "It does sound really '90s-inspired, '90s country and '90s pop... I just wanted to start this next chapter with something that feels good. It's breezy, it's happy, and I hope people hear that." [Indie store exclusive yellow vinyl.]
Björk – Fossora LP/Cassette (One Little Independent)
Fossora is Björk's tenth album – originally released last year and is now available on standard black vinyl and cassette. The album was partially inspired by the 2018 death of Björk's mother, Hildur Rúna Hauksdóttir, particularly the songs "Sorrowful Soil" and "Ancestress". The album features contributions from American singer Serpentwithfeet, Björk's two children Sindri and Ísadóra, Indonesian dance duo Gabber Modus Operandi, and a bass clarinet sextet.
Black Sabbath – Live Evil [Reissue/1982] 4xCD/4xLP (Rhino)
When Live Evil was released at the end of 1982, it represented an accurate and powerful memento of Black Sabbath Mk2 on their second world tour. Although it was hailed by influential heavy metal magazine Kerrang! As "one of the greatest live albums of all time" in 1983, the band was never completely satisfied with the original mix. This new 40th anniversary version includes a new mix of the entire album, remixed from the original analog multi tracks by longtime associate of the band, Wyn Davis.
Donald Byrd – Slow Drag [Reissue/1967] LP (Blue Note)
Donald Byrd's 1967 album Slow Drag was one of the last pure hard bop records the trumpeter would make before his music began evolving towards fusion. Byrd flies high on this gratifying set featuring alto saxophonist Sonny Red, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker & drummer Billy Higgins. Part of Blue Note’s Tone Poet Series featuring all-analog remastering and luxe packaging.
Chiodos – All’s Well That Ends Well [Reissue/2005] LP (Equal Vision)
Vinyl reissue of this 2005 release by the post-hardcore band.
De La Soul – Stakes Is High [Reissue/1996] 2xLP (Chrysalis)
Stakes Is High is the fourth studio album by De La Soul, originally released in 1996. Stakes Is High was critically lauded for its music, lyricism, and its overall message concerning the artistic decline rap music began to face in the mid- ‘90s. The title track and first single was produced by J Dilla and the album's second single, "Itzsoweezee (HOT)", with only Dave on vocals, was accompanied by a creative music video. The album spawned a third single "4 More", featuring Zhane. The album did provide a launching pad for future star rappers and actors Mos Def, who appeared on the track "Big Brother Beat" and Common who is featured on "The Bizness".
Desmond Dekker – Essential Artist Collection 2xLP (Trojan)
Long before Bob Marley's rise to pre-eminence, the title of the world's leading reggae performer rested firmly with another young singer from Kingston, Jamaica: Desmond Dekker. Between 1967 and 1970, Desmond enjoyed a succession of international hit singles, breaking new ground with singles such as “007”, the first Jamaican-produced single to break into the UK top twenty, and “Israelites”, the first reggae single to reach the Number One spot in Britain and to breach the US chart. Further triumphs followed thereafter, with major chart hits including “It Mek”, “Pickney Gal”, “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Sing A Little Song”, all of which cemented his place in history as Jamaica's first global superstar.
Detritus – If But For One [Reissue/1993] CD/LP (Retroactive)
Tossing aside the by-the-numbers thrash, Detritus catapulted into one of metal's most innovative outfits.
Dr. John – Dr. John: The Montreaux Years CD/2xLP (BMG)
Dr John: The Montreux Years is a musical trip for fans, who can immerse themselves in the unique styles and recordings of one of music’s greatest icons. With references to New Orleans boogie piano, the record begins with “Professor Longhair Boogie” and “You Ain’t Such A Much”. Delving further into Dr. John’s iconic repertoire, Dr. John: The Montreux Years includes the 1973 top 10 “Right Place, Wrong Time” and “Makin’ Whoopee”.
Steve Forbert – Streets Of This Town: Revisited CD/LP (Blue Rose Music)
After 28 years, Steve Forbert's 1988 album, Streets Of This Town, was his first opportunity to record and release an album after several years of a legal impasse with CBS. Moving to NYC from his native Mississippi, Forbert bust on the scene with "Romeo's Tune" in 1979 and put out several more albums with his label, CBS, before reaching an impasse with them. The songs on Streets Of This Town were written during his 1984 to 1988 during this period, giving him years to develop and road test the material. He moved from Greenwich Village to Nashville, continuing to write and tour with his band, The Rough Squirrels, and caught the ear of E Street bassist Garry Tallent, who brought the band into his Long Branch, NJ studio to produce Streets Of This Town. The songs chronicle the the trials and tribulations of four years of recording-artist purgatory and became Forbert's first album for Geffen Records. [Includes bonus track.]
The Go! Team – Thunder, Lightning, Strike [Reissue/2004] LP+MP3 (Memphis Industries)
“One sick party record bursting with overdriven guitars, triumphant trumpet lines, and battling drum assaults that seem to break through walls with the barreling force of a thousand Kool-Aid men” (Pitchfork 8.7 BNM). The Go! Team burst onto the scene back in 2004 with their debut album Thunder, Lightning, Strike putting the disco in discordant abd red limiting all the levels. They scored Pitchfork Best New Music, a Mercury music prize nomination and, from a small bedroom concert in Brighton, UK, emerged to take on the world, lighting up stages on every continent. Nineteen years later The Go! Team, led by main man Ian Parton and MC Ninja, are still releasing brilliant, ever more eclectic albums.
Marcia Griffiths – Essential Artist Collection 2xLP (Trojan)
Arguably the greatest female singer in the history of Jamaican music, Marcia Griffiths first made her mark the Jamaican music scene with several popular singles during the late ‘60s, before finding international fame in 1970 alongside her long-term friend and sometime collaborator, Bob Andy. Bob & Marcia's uplifting reggae version of Nina Simone's inspiring song, “(To Be) Young, Gifted & Black” hit number 5 in the UK pop chart, with the single proving to be the first of two British chartbusters, with their exuberant interpretation of Pied Piper' just missing out on a Top 10 placing the following year. Soon after, Marcia became a member of Bob Marley's famed backing group, the I Threes, while also continuing to enjoy solo success with numerous Jamaican hits for a variety of record producers throughout the remainder of the Seventies and well beyond.
Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts [Reissue/2012] CD/2xCD/LP/3xLP (Blue Note)
Norah Jones defied expectations with her fifth studio album Little Broken Hearts, a striking collaboration with Danger Mouse that arrived a decade after her debut Come Away With Me, prompting SPIN to call it "the 2nd essential record of Norah Jones' career." [The Deluxe Edition – on CD and vinyl - features an expanded 31-track set curated by Jones with rare bonus tracks, alternate versions, remixes, and a previously unreleased live version of the album recorded for Austin City Limits in 2012.]
Jorma Kaukonen – Live At The Bottom Line 2xCD (Omnivore)
Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen is a renaissance man. As co-founder of Jefferson Airplane in the mid-'60s, he was a driving force through the sounds of the Summer of Love and beyond. His side project, Hot Tuna - with Airplane bassist Jack Casady, transitioned from their initial acoustic-based repertoire and became an electric, live powerhouse. Kaukonen's 1974 solo release, Quah, pushed his musical boundaries even further. Rolling Stone magazine named him one of their 100 Greatest Guitarists, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. In Kaukonen's long and storied career, he has never stopped evolving, creating, or recording. His 2002 Blue Country Heart album was nominated for a Best Traditional Folk Album Grammy. To celebrate that release, he embarked on a solo tour accompanied by Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin and Cindy Cashdollar on steel guitar. One stop the trio made was at New York's legendary Bottom Line club in 2003. Now, two decades later, that performance is available.
Mild High Club – Timeline [Reissue/2015] LP (Stones Throw)
Mild High Club is the solo project and live band helmed by Alex Brettin, a Los Angeles-based musician originally from Chicago. Influenced by AOR and jazz, Brettin began working on Mild High Club material in 2012 by himself, using guitars, keyboards, computers, and a four-track recorder, while shuttling between Chicago, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday…Roman Reloaded [Reissue/2012] 2xLP (Republic)
Roman Reloaded is the sophomore album from Nicki Minaj, the most successful female rapper of all time. Released in 2012, it was her second consecutive chart-topping album and has been certified double platinum. It features the Top 5 hit, "Starships" and the singles "Right By My Side (feat. Chris Brown)", "Beez In The Trap (feat. 2 Chainz)", "Pound The Alarm", and "Va Va Voom".
Thelonious Monk – The Classic Quartet LP (Candid)
This recording is the audio portion of a television show recorded in Tokyo during Monk's 1963 tour of Japan. Not to be confused with the live album of that same 1963 tour, Monk In Tokyo, released on Columbia Records. It also should be noted that the recordings here were previously released as Thelonious Monk 1963 Japan, at various times, by various labels. This version has been remastered by Award Winning Engineer Bernie Grundman. It is the first time this album has been released on vinyl in over 35 years.
The Oh Hellos – Through The Deep, Dark Valley (Ten Year Anniversary) CD/LP (No Coincidence)
"When we first wrote Through the Deep, Dark Valley [2012], we wanted the album to flow like a narrative," says Tyler Heath. "Ever since, it's been a pattern we've found ourselves leaning into more and more with every record. To celebrate that original narrative spirit a decade later, we wanted this anniversary reissue to feel a little like a pop-up storybook that draws you in for the journey. We also enlisted the talented Charlie Kramsky to shine up our old recordings into a new Ten Year Anniversary Remaster." Through The Deep, Dark Valley is a self-contained concept album, so for the best results should be listened to in its entirety, in order, in one sitting. [A limited-edition deluxe orange color vinyl pressing with alternate artwork is available.]
Old Crow Medicine Show – Live At Third Man Records LP (Third Man)
Live LP recorded direct-to-acetate at Third Man Records Nashville's Blue Room venue on April 22, 2023, during the band's sold-out release show for their (then) new album, 2022’s Paint This Town.
Passion Pit – Gossamer [Reissue/2012] 2xLP (French Kiss)
Double color vinyl pressing (including an indie store exclusive pressing). Gossamer is the second studio album by electropop band Passion Pit, originally released in 2012. Recorded in 2011 in Los Angeles and New York City, the album was produced by Chris Zane and lead singer Michael Angelakos.
Pennywise – Unknown Road [Reissue/1993] LP+MP3 (Epitaph)
Translucent orange color vinyl pressing. On Unknown Road, Pennywise steps up their songwriting, maintains all their fury and intensity, and lays out their philosophy of independence and the importance of daring to live every moment to its fullest. This album featured several songs that played on tons of skate, surf and snowboarding videos, making this, and other PW records to come, the soundtrack to the exploding extreme sports board scene.
Kenny Rogers – Life Is Like A Song CD/LP (UMe)
A collection of unreleased songs from Kenny Rogers' archives that tells the story of the love, life, loss and faith between Kenny and his wife, Wanda, and their two children. The album features the long sought after "Goodbye" written by Lionel Richie, interpretations of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" and "I Wish It Would Rain" originally recorded by The Temptations, and "Tell Me That You Love Me" a lost duet between Kenny and Dolly Parton.
Helene Smith – I Am Controlled By Your Love LP (Numero)
Teenage melancholy from the original Miami Sound Machine. Backed by the infamous FAMU Marching 100 Band and Frank Williams' crack shot players The Rocketeers, I Am Controlled By Your Love compiles sides from Helene Smith's '60s tenure with the Deep City, Lloyd, Reid, and Blue Star labels. A sweltering album of twelve deeply soulful, alternate universe hits from the First Lady of Miami Soul. [Limited-edition metallic silver vinyl.]
Tomahawk – Mit Gas [Reissue/2003] LP (Ipecac)
Tomahawk – Anonymous [Reissue/2007] LP (Ipecac)
Vinyl reissues (including indie store exclusive colorways) of Tomahawk’s second and third albums. Tomahawk is an experimental alternative metal/alternative rock supergroup from the United States. They formed in 2000 when Fantômas, Mr. Bungle and Faith No More singer Mike Patton and The Jesus Lizard guitar player Duane Denison started swapping tapes with the intention of collaborating. Duane Denison then recruited ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier (also playing with Battles), while Mike Patton brought Melvins/Cows bass player Kevin Rutmanis into the fold.
Molly Tuttle – but I’d rather be with you [Reissue/2020] LP (Compass)
Pink color vinyl pressing. In March 2020, Nashville-based artist Molly Tuttle experienced the devastating tornado that tore through much of East Nashville, followed by the global pandemic. Tuttle, who grew up in California and has toured as a solo artist for years, suddenly found herself - along with the rest of the musician community - sheltering at home. She found solace in revisiting favorite songs to "remind myself why I love music." She conceptualized an idea for a record with renowned L.A. producer Tony Berg (Phoebe Bridgers, Andrew Bird) to be recorded over 2,000 miles apart. Tuttle taught herself how to use Pro Tools, recorded and engineered all of her parts alone at home before sending them to Berg in Los Angeles, who enlisted legendary session musicians to add instrumentation in their respective home studios. The result is 10 tracks that cross the musical spectrum and the decades, from FKA Twigs to Cat Stevens, from Rancid to Karen Dalton.
McCoy Tyner – Time For Tyner [Reissue/1969] LP (Blue Note)
On his third Blue Note album, pianist McCoy Tyner assembled a quartet with Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone), Herbie Lewis (bass), and Freddie Waits (drums) for an album rich in ethereal textures that deliver visceral performances of three expansive Tyner originals and three radically reinvented standards. Part of Blue Note’s Tone Poet Series featuring all-analog remastering and luxe packaging.
Unruly Child – Unruly Child [Reissue/1992] 2xLP (Real Gone Music)
Red color vinyl pressing. Not only did the 1992 debut from L.A. band Unruly Child never come out on vinyl here in the U.S., but when it was originally issued on LP in Europe, the powers-that-were decided to stuff this approximately 54-minute record on to a single platter. This edition – released as originally intended, showcases the band's unique brand of melodic metal spearheaded by vocalist Marcie (formerly Mark) Free, who first gained fame singing with Carmine Appice in King Kobra.
Various Artists – Yo! Boombox - Early Independent Hip Hop, Electro And Disco Rap 1979-83 3x12”+7”+MP3 (Soul Jazz)
Yo! Boombox is the new instalment of Soul Jazz Records' Boombox series on the early days of hip-hop on vinyl, featuring some of the many innovative underground first-wave of early rap and disco rap records made in the USA between 1979-83. The album includes the first releases of seminal groups such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and The Funky Four Plus One More, through to rarities and little-known obscurities such as the Carver Area High School band's “Get Live 83”, an awesome record made at a Chicago high school. [An indie store exclusive pressing featuring a bonus 7” is available.]
Tom Waits – Closing Time (50th Anniversary Edition) 2xLP (ANTI-)
2023 marks fifty years since Tom Waits released his landmark debut album Closing Time. Called "a minor key masterpiece filled with songs of late-night loneliness" by All Music Guide, Closing Time features the distinctly lyrical storytelling and blending of jazz, blues and folk styles that would come to be associated first with Waits. This 50th anniversary edition is presented on double 180gm LP cut at 45 RPM with half speed mastering by London's Abbey Road Studios. [Indie store exclusive clear vinyl.]
Link Wray – Sings And Plays Guitar [Reissue/1964] LP (Sundazed)
Pink color vinyl pressing. Unquestionably one of the most iconic rock guitarists of all time, Link Wray rumbled out of the gates with a string of instrumental hits starting in the late '50s. This album presents another side of Link with nary an instrumental in sight, this time pairing his blistering fretwork with vocal tunes perfectly suited for the teen hops that Link and company tirelessly played for years.