New Releases - 7/21/23

Hitting The Racks

Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's

New Releases

Agriculture – Agriculture LP (The Flenser)

What was initially a meeting and subsequent series of jam sessions between Kern Haug and Daniel Meyer, two musicians in the Los Angeles underground noise scene, would eventually manifest as a shared vision to portray the sublimity of the human experience through the vehicle of heavy music. Following the additions of veteran guitarist Richard Chowenhill and bassist/vocalist Leah Levinson to the band's lineup, this idea would crystalize into the "ecstatic black metal" backbone of Agriculture's music.

Blur – The Ballad Of Darren CD/LP (Parlophone)

Britpop legends Blur are back with their first new album in over eight years. The Ballad Of Darren is the band's ninth studio album overall, their first since 2015’s The Magic Whip, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr. Damon Albarn said, "This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now." Graham Coxon adds, "The older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesn't do the job." Alex James shares, "For any long-term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that." Dave Rowntree closes, "It always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we make, the process reveals something new, and we develop as a band. We don't take that for granted." The highly anticipated 10-track collection is introduced by lead track "The Narcissist" which The Guardian says, "chugs along to a motorik beat, rising to an anthemic chorus that seems to be reflecting on the band's career path." [Indie store exclusive blue vinyl.]

Breland – Cross Country LP (Atlantic)

Now available on vinyl. Cross Country is the 2022 debut studio album by musician Breland. The album features guest artists Keith Urban, Mickey Guyton, Thomas Rhett, Ingrid Andress, and Lady A.

Sam Burton – Dear Departed CD/LP (Partisan)

Dear Departed, the second album from Sam Burton, arose from a time of rebirth. In the last few years, Burton basically started over. He temporarily abandoned the life he'd built in Los Angeles and spent time with friends and family friends in rural Utah and California. After all that time wandering, couch-surfing, and writing, Burton emerged with more than enough material for his sophomore outing. He joined up with producer Jonathan Wilson to craft a more intricate, layered sound that recalled the lived-in yet immediate singer-songwriter albums of the '60s and '70s. Together they achieved a sound that didn't descend into retro pastiche, but rather became an evocative echo, a dream of the past. In scope, Dear Departed finds Burton using a far bigger canvas than on his debut, giving the emotions therein a new sense of urgency and intensity. But the album still has an intimacy to it, like Burton and his backing musicians are crammed onto the corner stage of a smoke-filled bar in a long-lost time. [Limited edition white vinyl.]

Cut Worms – Cut Worms CD/LP/Cassette (Jagjaguwar)

As Cut Worms, songwriter Max Clarke's contemporary vision of American heritage rock-n-roll is both pristine and askew. He's been called a modern Buddy Holly and Everly Brothers while also being tagged as "Lynchian." Since 2016, this vision has made Cut Worms fans of Nick Lowe, Norah Jones, Wilco, and other notable powerhouse artists. And on his self-titled third album, we find Clarke refining his craft down to its most crucial elements. [Limited-edition ‘seaglass wave’ vinyl.]

Greta Van Fleet – Starcatcher CD/LP (Republic)

Grammy Award-winning retro rockers Greta Van Fleet follow-up 2021's The Battle At Garden's Gate with their much anticipated third studio album Starcatcher. Produced by the ever in demand Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile) and recorded at the legendary RCA Studios in Nashville, TN, the band utilized the large recording room to capture the pure energy of their world-renowned live performances. [Indie store exclusive white glitter vinyl.] Free sew-on patch with purchase while supplies last!

Guided By Voices – Welshpool Frillies CD/LP (Guided By Voices Inc.)

Welshpool Frillies finds the gang back together, in a Brooklyn basement with producer Travis Harrison. Much of it was recorded live to tape. The catchy ear worms in these new songs are undeniable, as the kinetic energy of the band is captured in its most raw and pure form. The album is brash, no-frills, and punky, inspired by the wiliness of ‘90s-era GBV, specifically the Scalping The Guru compilation that Pollard put together in 2022. [Doyle says this is the best one in a while!]

The Isley Brothers – Make Me Say It Again Girl CD/2xLP (BFD)

2023 release, the 32nd studio album from the soul music icons. Includes "Friends And Family" (featuring Snoop Dogg) and "Make Me Say It Again, Girl" (featuring Beyoncé). [Limited-edition green vinyl.]

Kiana Ledé – Grudges CD (Republic)

Arizona-raised artist Kiana Ledé releases her sophomore album, Grudges. Her relatability and poetic lyrics (set to an alluring blend of early R&B, soul, singer-songwriter, pop and hip-hop) have led to notable success.

Masego – Masego 2xLP (Eqt Recordings LLC)

Masego is an artist who thrives on mixing contemplation with extroversion, smoldering romance with knowing humor, studied musical discipline with exhilarating flights of intuition. For this deeply collaborative work, Masego sought out what he calls the "outliers, the savants" - people like Kelvin Wootan, Louie Lastic, Richie Souf, Monte Booker, WaveIQ and Rocaine. [Limited-edition ‘orange crush’ vinyl.]

Lori McKenna – 1988 CD/LP (CN)

Lori McKenna titled her new album 1988 after the year she married her husband, Gene, yet the ten songs within also serve as a love letter to lifelong friendships, people she's lost, and her family. Recorded with producer Dave Cobb in Savannah, Georgia, 1988 naturally has its nostalgic moments, even if not every ending is a happy one. With more of an electric edge than her past projects, 1988 feels in step with classic ‘90s albums by Sheryl Crow or Gin Blossoms, where the lyrics pulled you in as much as the melody or production. Playing together on acoustic guitars while facing one another in the studio, McKenna and Cobb tracked the album live, giving it a feeling of immediacy and authenticity.

John Mellencamp – Orpheus Descending LP (Republic)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. With a career spanning over 40 years, musician, artist, and activist John Mellencamp releases his 25th full-length studio album Orpheus Descending. It was recorded at his own Belmont Mall Studio and produced by Mellencamp. The album is one of the most personal to date for the outspoken artist as he continues to show that he's one of the best songwriters of his generation, focusing on social issues with standout songs "Hey God" and "The Eyes of Portland".

Necrofier – Burning Shadows In The Southern Night CD (Season Of Mist)

“Featuring current and former members of acclaimed progressive metallers Oceans Of Slumber among their ranks, Texas’ Necrofier has a far different sound and have managed to carve out a legacy in their own right in very short order. Ever since the release of their first EP, Visions Of Fire in 2018, followed by their debut album Prophecies Of Eternal Darkness in 2021, the Houston-based quartet have quickly established themselves with their angular and melody-driven take on black metal, emerging as one of the more promising acts within the US’ vibrant underground scene. Their latest album, Burning Shadows In The Southern Night, is another stunning slab of black metal with a few notable stylistic additions making this not only their best but also their most diverse release to date.” – Danny Sanderson, Distorted Sound

Nothing But Thieves – Dead Club City CD (Awal Recordings)

Nothing But Thieves is back with their fourth album Dead Club City. Through their 11-track album, the band showcase their city-sized members only club Dead Club City. The album's tracklist is formed by different characters and story arcs from in and around the city. Is it a shared consciousness? Another planet? The next corporate wasteland? Heaven? Or somewhere else? Using the club as a focal point, it is easy to imagine the real-world meaning behind Dead Club City. Themes such as advertisement, unity, internet culture, the music industry, ageing and politics, as well as escapism and change are highlighted by the alienation or privilege of a members-only club.

Oxbow – Love’s Holiday CD/LP (Ipecac)

Oxbow is Dan Adams (electrical/acoustic bass), Greg Davis (drums/percussion), Eugene S. Robinson (vocals), and Niko Wenner (guitars/pianos). The San Francisco-born band has released seven studio albums since their inception in 1988, with Pitchfork saying the foursome have created "some of the most eccentric heavy music albums ever." [Indie store exclusive red vinyl.]

Shintaro Sakamoto – Like A Fable LP (Zelone)

Coke bottle clear vinyl pressing. Six years since his last album, Love If Possible, Shintaro Sakamoto has completed his fourth solo album, Like A Fable. The album's ten songs describe everyday life in a world undergoing dramatic changes during a pandemic. Sakamoto continually updates his sound, and with Like A Fable, he has made his best pop album yet.

The Teskey Brothers – The Winding Way CD/LP (Glassnote)

Four years after the boys from Warrandyte's globe-conquering second album, Run Home Slow (2019), which followed their debut album Half Mile Harvest (2017), the artistic vision of vocalist Josh Teskey and his brother, guitarist and engineer Sam Teskey is more defined than ever on their highly anticipated new studio album The Winding Way. The album is a bigger and more adventurous sounding record than The Teskey Brothers' first two albums - but while it's a more studio-oriented release, each track is bursting with life and full of surprises. [Indie store exclusive white vinyl.]

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – City Of Gold CD/LP (BMG)

City Of Gold follows Molly Tuttle's acclaimed 2022 record, Crooked Tree, which won Best Bluegrass Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards and led NPR Music to call her, "a female flat picker extraordinaire with agility, speed and elegance who distinctively brings American roots music into the spotlight," adding that the album "marries the improvisatory solos of traditional bluegrass with singer-songwriter sophistication." Produced by Tuttle and Jerry Douglas and recorded at Nashville's Sound Emporium Studios, City Of Gold was inspired by Tuttle's constant touring with Golden Highway the past few years, during which they have grown together as musicians and performers, cohering as a band. These 13 tracks – mostly written by Tuttle and Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show) – capture the electric energy of band's live shows by highlighting each members' musical strengths. [Indie store exclusive blue vinyl.]

Various Artists – Barbie The Album: Soundtrack CD/LP/Cassette (Atlantic)

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you're a Ken. Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig's (Little Women, Lady Bird) new Barbie film stars Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (Bombshell, I, Tonya) and Ryan Gosling (La La Land, Half Nelson) as Barbie and Ken. Barbie The Album features new tracks from an unprecedented lineup of artists including Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, Lizzo, Karol G, Charli XCX, PinkPantheress, Ava Max, Dominic Fike, Khalid, The Kid Laroi, Tame Impala, Haim, Gayle and Fifty Fifty feat. Kali. Barbie star Ryan Gosling also joins the robust roster of soundtrack artists with his iconic original song performed as his character, Ken. [Limited-edition hot pink vinyl.]

Bella White – Among Other Things LP (Rounder)

Recently released on CD – now available on indie exclusive red swirl vinyl. 22-year-old singer/songwriter Bella White has a one-of-a-kind musical talent: a finespun breed of country/folk both fresh in perspective and wholly steeped in bluegrass tradition, despite her upbringing in the Canadian city of Calgary. Her sophomore album, Among Other Things (produced by Jonathan Wilson), unfolds with gorgeously textured layers encompassing elements of country, folk, indie and classic rock.

Mike Zito / Albert Castiglia – Blood Brothers LP (Sono Recording Group)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Produced by Contemporary Blues Legend Joe Bonamassa, Blood Brothers is a statement of artistic collaboration and friendship. Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are true "Blood Brothers" in life and in the music, they create both individually and collectively, joining forces in a collaborative effort of songwriting and performances to create a total listening experience greater than the sum of its parts.

Reissues, Comps, Live Recordings, Vault Excavations...

Aerosmith – Live! Bootleg [Reissue/1978] CD (Capitol)

Live! Bootleg is a double live album by American hard rock band Aerosmith, released in October 1978. In addition to previously unrecorded covers "I Ain't Got You" and "Mother Popcorn", the album also features a version of "Train Kept A Rollin'" which inserts an uncredited "Strangers In The Night". This reissue has been remastered from the original tapes [Vinyl edition due August 25.]

Ornette Coleman – Something Else!!!! [Reissue/1958] LP (Craft Recordings)

Originally released in 1958 and recorded by legendary engineer Roy DuNann, Ornette Coleman's debut album Something Else!!!! introduced the world to his innovative style and features his band of Don Cherry, Walter Norris, Don Payne, and Billy Higgins.

Converge – Axe To Fall [Reissue/2009] LP (Deathwish Inc.)

Vinyl reissue of the seventh studio album by the metalcore band.

Craft – Total Soul Rape [Reissue/2000] LP (Season Of Mist)
Craft – Terror Propaganda (Second Black Metal Attack) [Reissue/2002] LP (Season Of Mist)

Color vinyl reissues (silver and clear, respectively) of the Swedish black metal band’s first two albums.

Jim Croce – Life And Times [Reissue/1973] LP (BMG)

Limited 180gm blue color vinyl reissue of the 1973 studio album. Life And Times reached the Top 10 and is certified Gold. Features the #1 single "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", plus the hit "One Less Set Of Footsteps". This reissue celebrates the album's 50th anniversary - along with what would have been Croce’s 80th birthday this year.

Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlanticism [Reissue/2003] 2xLP+MP3 (Baruk)

The latest in Barsuk’s deluxe vinyl reissues of the indie rock band’s catalogue.

Electric Eels – Spin Age Blasters 2xLP (Scat)

The Electric Eels was the first punk band, full stop. They may not have "started" the genre, but they were the first to tick all the boxes. The eels rejected every 1970s rock convention-professionalism, virtuosity, subject matter, image. Dave E.'s caustic vocals, complete with an aggressive lisp and a head full of snot, would become de rigeur a few years after the group disbanded. Meanwhile, the songs' focus on car crashes, suicide, neuroses, and generally hating people were as far out of the mainstream as possible. [Limited-edition clear w/ black splatter vinyl.]

Don Ellis – How Time Passes [Reissue/1961] CD/LP (Candid)

A fascinating blend of jazz and contemporary classical influences, How Time Passes is the debut album from the envelope pushing trumpeter and composer Don Ellis. Known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly with time signatures, Ellis began his long career in New York City's post-bop and avant-garde jazz scenes of late 1950s. Most notably he appeared on Charles Mingus' Mingus Dynasty, and albums by George Russell and Maynard Feguson. But he also worked with, among others, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, and Woody Herman. On subsequent albums, Ellis would take an even wilder direction. Here, on his first recoding date as a band leader, the experimentation begins. Ellis stretches the boundaries of bop-based jazz playing with time, tempo, and meter.

Mort Garson – Journey To The Moon And Beyond CD/LP (Sacred Bones)

The Mort Garson (Plantasia, Ataraxia, Lucifer) archives have brought to bear yet another awe-inspiring bloom. Journey To The Moon And Beyond is a colorful synthetic dream world consisting of a collection of largely unreleased and unheard material from the Patch Cord Productions archives. Highlights include music from a soundtrack to the 1970 National Geographic special and the live broadcast of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, as first heard on CBS News. [Limited-edition ‘Mars red’ color vinyl.]

John Lee Hooker - ...And Seven Nights [Reissue/1965] LP (BMG)

...And Seven Nights was recorded in London in 1964 and released by the Verve Folkways label the following year. The album features Hooker playing with the British band The Groundhogs.

Jazzanova – Face At My Window (Kyoto Jazz Massive Remixes) / Beyond The Dream (Musclecars' Reimaginations) 12” (BBE)

Taken from the album Strata Records – The Sound of Detroit – Reimagined by Jazzanova, BBE Music, DJ Amir and 180 Proof records present the third single from this monumental project. This release features remixes by Japanese Club Jazz pioneers Kyoto Jazz Massive, and Genre Blending New Yorkers, Musclecars.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts – Up Your Alley [Reissue/1988] LP (Sony Legacy)

Up Your Alley is the sixth studio album from Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The Grammy nominated album, originally released in 1988, features "I Hate Myself For Loving You", "Little Liar", and "I Wanna Be Your Dog".

B.B. King – Indianola Mississippi Seeds [Reissue/1970] LP (Elemental Music)

B.B. King's 18th studio album, Indianola Mississippi Seeds, was released in 1970 on ABC Records. Matched with an all-star cast of musicians - including pop luminaries such as Leon Russell, Joe Walsh, and Carole King - he mixed elements of blues and rock music resulting in one of his most critically acclaimed albums. B.B. King himself considered it to be one of his greatest achievements.

Steve Lacy – The Straight Horn Of Steve Lacy [Reissue/1961] LP (Candid)

The "straight horn" referred to in the title of this superb album from 1961 is the soprano saxophone, and Lacy is recognized as one of the greatest to ever play the instrument, ranking alongside John Coltrane and Sidney Bechet. Because of the difficulty involved in mastering its pitch challenges, very few jazzmen concentrated on it. Lacy is widely considered the first "modern" musician to specialize in the instrument. Lacy had a long and prolific career and a fascinating style trajectory. At sixteen he began playing Dixieland with the likes of Pee Wee Russell. In the mid-1950s he played free jazz with Cecil Taylor and appeared with his groundbreaking quartet at the 1957 New Port Jazz Festival. He made a notable appearance on the 1959 Gil Evens, Great Jazz Standards album. Along the way, Lacy became obsessed with the music of Thelonious Monk, working with him several times including the 1963 Big Band and Quartet In Concert album, and devoted much of this life's work to the interpretation of Monk's material.

Charles Mingus – Mingus [Reissue/1961] CD/LP (Candid)

At the time of this recording, Mingus had been working regularly with the piano-less quartet of Eric Dolphy, Ted Curson and Dannie Richmond. The same group featured on the 1960 Candid release, Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus. The Mingus album, also recorded that year, features one track, "Stormy Weather", recorded with that same quartet, and two tracks recorded with a larger group featuring piano and additional horns. Of note, "MDM (Monk Duke & Me)" consumes most of this album. The piece consists of three intertwining themes - Duke Ellington's "Main Stem", Thelonious Monk's "Straight, No Chaser", and Mingus' "Fifty First Street Blue".

Pelican – The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Call [Reissue/XXXX] 2xLP+MP3 (Thrill Jockey)

Pelican and Thrill Jockey present a deluxe edition of the band’s acclaimed 2005 album: The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw, newly remixed, remastered, and featuring special bonus rarities including an early version of “Red Ran Amber”, (previously only available on a split with Mono) and demos of “Autumn Into Summer”, “Last Day Of Winter”, and “Sirius”. The Fire In Our Throats established Pelican as indisputable masters of their craft. Pelican’s ability to alchemize their influences into a sound so wholly original and then expand on that sound into a work of captivating beauty remains a marvel. The album indelibly shifted the paradigm of heavy music, and the ripples of that shift can be heard in the countless bands that have risen to prominence since its release. [An indie store exclusive metallic gold vinyl.]

Phish – Fuego [Reissue/2013] 2xLP (Jemp)

‘Spontaneous combustion’ orange color vinyl pressing of Phish’s thirteenth studio album.

Ike Quebec – Heavy Soul [Reissue/1961] LP (Blue Note)

Ike Quebec's aptly titled 1961 album Heavy Soul was a soul jazz masterclass with the tenor saxophonist joined by Freddie Roach (organ), Milt Hinton (bass) and Al Harewood (drums). Ike's robust horn conjures a variety of moods from up-tempo swingers to sultry slow-tempo stunners closing with a spellbinding duo rendition of "Nature Boy" with Hinton.

Buddy Rich – Birdland [Reissue/2015] LP (Lightyear)

Limited 180gm translucent red color vinyl pressing. Released in 2015 by the Buddy Rich estate, Birdland is a collection of previously unreleased tracks by the Buddy Rich Killer Force band recorded in the mid- ‘70s by saxophonist and engineer Alan Gauvin who was in the band at the time. Featured in the Oscar-winning film Whiplash, this album is a must-have for longtime fans and new, aspiring drummers looking to study the sheer talent and wow-factor that has made Buddy Rich one of the greatest drummers of all time.

Nina Simone – You’ve Got To Learn CD/LP (Verve)

The Newport Jazz Festival had always brought the best out of Nina Simone. On July 2, 1966, the audience was treated to the full range of her artistry – from the opener, a breathtaking version of "You've Got To Learn" to a swinging take on "Mississippi Goddam". After a sustained standing ovation, her fans were rewarded with the show-stopping encore, "Music For Lovers". This previously unreleased recording makes it clear why hearing Nina Simone in concert was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. [Indie store exclusive bone color vinyl.]

Lonnie Smith – Turning Point [Reissue/1969] LP (Blue Note)

One of the funkiest and most creative organists of all time, Dr. Lonnie Smith was first brought into the Blue Note fold by alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson who featured the B3 virtuoso on late-1960s soul jazz classics including Alligator Bogaloo, Mr. Shing-a-Ling, and Midnight Creeper. Smith went on to sign with Blue Note and lead his own dates beginning with his excellent 1968 label debut Think! In January 1969, Smith returned to Van Gelder Studio to record the follow-up Turning Point with a dynamic 6-piece band that packed a punch with a three-horn frontline featuring Lee Morgan on trumpet, Julian Priester on trombone, and Bennie Maupin on tenor saxophone.

The Temptations – The Temptations Sing Smokey [Reissue/1965] LP (Elemental Music)

This is the second studio album by The Temptations for the Motown label, released in 1965. As its name implies, The Temptations Sing Smokey is composed entirely of songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson, and other members of The Miracles. Several songs are covers of songs Robinson produced for The Miracles or Mary Wells, while the rest were originally recorded by The Temptations. Among these are three hit singles: "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "It's Growing", and the group's signature song, "My Girl".

Unrest – Imperial F.f.r.r. LP (Teenbeat)

Imperial f.f.r.r. is Unrest’s breakthrough album in 1992. It has withstood the test of time and is now considered an indie-rock classic and one of the best albums of the 1990s. Formed in 1984, at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, the band started releasing homemade cassettes on their own Teenbeat label. Imperial f.f.r.r. is their sixth album and marked the arrival of original Velocity Girl vocalist Bridget Cross joining drummer Phil Krauth and singer/guitarist Mark Robinson.

The Vandals – Hitler Bad, Vandals Good. [Reissue/1998] LP (Craft Recordings)

The Vandals’ punk rock classic Hitler Bad, Vandals Good includes such favorites as the poignant breakup tune “My Girlfriend’s Dead”, the Oscar-worthy “Idea For A Movie”, and the catchy opener “People That Are Going To Hell”, as well as a skillful interpretation of The Sound Of Music classic “So Long, Farewell".

Muddy Waters – Muddy, Brass And The Blues [Reissue/1967] LP (Elemental)

The classic 1967 Chess album Muddy, Brass And The Blues, adds horns and prominent organ to Muddy Waters' basic band format. Waters' earlier work had been built around his returning to sounds and influences from his past. Here, the label tried to give him a new sound. Stripped of his guitar, Waters proves what a great R&B singer he was. Featuring Otis Spann on piano, and Sammy Lawhorn and Pee Wee Madison on guitar.

Saul Williams – Saul Williams [Reissue/2004] LP (Fader Label)
Saul Williams – The Inevitable Rise And Liberation Of Niggy Tardust [Reissue/2007] 2xLP (Fader Label)

First establishing himself as an influential poet, then an award-winning screenwriter/actor, Saul Williams then went on to become an MC. His approach to McIng, though, wasn't exactly in line with the traditional school of hip hop. His rhymes weren't really rhymes, but rather his poetry delivered in a frenzied, spoken word manner that was more rhythmic than alliterate. [Color vinyl pressings of each album are available.]

Johnny Winter – Guitar Slinger [Reissue/1984] LP (Alligator)

Originally released in 1984, this Grammy-nominated album marked Winter's return to his blues roots, sparking a career renaissance that lasted the rest of his life. Cut with the cream of Chicago bluesmen, Guitar Slinger features fan favorites like "Don't Take Advantage Of Me", "Trick Bag", and "Boot Hill".