RECKLESS RECORDS MARCH 14TH & MARCH 21ST NEW RELEASES
CIRCUIT DES YEUX – Halo on the Inside LP/CD (Matador)
2025 record from Reckless favorite CIRCUIT DES YEUX sees the Chicago-based singer/composer get darker. Drawing from 80s synth-pop and 90s industrial to pair with her unmistakable contralto voice, “Halo on the Inside” lands somewhere within a zone near NINE INCH NAILS, BJORK, ANOHNI & THE JOHNSONS, MINISTRY and the Zion rave scene from The MatrixReloaded. Of course, you KNOW this one comes R E C O M M E N D E D
FUCKED UP – Someday LP (Get Better)
Originally dropped as a surprise in November 2024, FUCKED UP’s “Someday” continues the stormy chaos of their previous “-day” cycle of albums that doesn’t seem as preoccupied with grandiosity as with just taking three minutes to wreck your shit. Features members of HIGH VIS and FIDDLEHEAD.
All of the material by the Austin noise rock legends SCRATCH ACID has been remastered by Bob Weston for these reissues via Touch & Go. The band featured future JESUS LIZARD members David Yow & David Wm. Sims & their abrasive sound was heavily influenced by THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. The origins of the mighty JESUS LIZARD are very clear in these songs. It’s been way too long since these records have been available. Thanks Touch & Go!RECOMMENDED.
MACIE STEWART – When the Distance is Blue LP (International Anthem)
Technically speaking, this is the second solo LP for vocalist & multi-instrumentalist MACIE STEWART, who along with her work in HOMME/OHMME/FINOM has been a frequent collaborator on many recent Int’l Anthem releases. “When the Distance is Blue” eschews the pop songwriting framework of her prior solo affair, casting STEWART as more of a bandleader guiding the listener through an eight-part song cycle that hits on third stream improvisation, ambient drone and electro-acoustic experimentation. The result is both fantastically adventurous and spiritually enriching, so of course this comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
GYEDU- BLAY AMBOLLEY – Simigwa LP (Strut)
AYA – Im Hole LP (Hyperdub)
BEACH HOUSE – Depression Cherry LP (Sub Pop) back in
BROTHER ALI & ANT – Satisfied Soul LP (Mello Music Group)
BURIAL/ KODE9 – Phoneglow 12” (Hyperdub)
CLIKATAT IKATOWI – The Trials & Tribulations Of… 3LP box set (Numero) limited color or black
CROSS RECORD – Crush Me LP (Badabing)
CRADLE OF FILTH – Screaming of the Valkyries LP/CD (Napalm)
DEAD PREZ – Let’s Get Free:25th Anniversary LP (Legacy)
LOU DONALDSON – Say It Loud LP (Blue Note) classic vinyl series
DRUDKH – Shadow Play LP (Season of Mist)
FEARLESS IRANIANS FROM HELL – Die For Allah LP (Boner)
FOLK IMPLOSION – Don’t Be Surprised LP (Joyful Noise)
SELENA GOMEZ & BENNY BLANCO – I Said I Love You First LP/CD (Universal) signed LP copies while supplies last at all locations!
GOO GOO DOLLS – Boy Named Good: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition LP/CD (Warner)
JAPANESE BREAKFAST – For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) LP/CD (Dead Oceans) limited color or black vinyl w/ free customer outer sleeve & poster while supplies last
ROLAND KIRK – Now Please Don’t Cry Beautiful Edith LP (Verve) acoustic sound series
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – X-Ray Eyes 12” (DFA)
MY MORNING JACKET – iS LP/CD (ATO) two different vinyl colors
PARADE GROUND – Golden Years LP (Dark Entries)
JEFF PARKER & ETA IVTET – Way Out of Easy LP (International Anthem) back in stock!
RECKLESS RECORDS FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 7TH NEW RELEASES
KEDR LIVANSKIY – Myrtus Myth LP (2MR)
The Russian artist Kedr Livanskiy continues to evolve & impress on her 2025 album Myrtus Myth. Best known for her production work & artful dance music, Livanskiy has gone in a more avant pop & goth direction on this one. Synth arrangements that remind us of Klaus Schulze, nods at Zola Jesus with some 80s Euro sounding production & some surprisingly straightforward electronic pop songs.
TV GIRL – Death of a Party Girl LP (TV Girl)
TV GIRL – French Exit LP (TV Girl)
TV GIRL – Grapes Upon the Vine LP (TV Girl)
TV GIRL – Who Really Cares LP (TV Girl)
Fans will likely know that these self-released LPs by the California band TV GIRL haven’t exactly been easy to find at stores the past few years. Thankfully they are scarce no more & we have plenty of copies
THE TUBS – Cotton Crown LP/CD/CS (Trouble In Mind)
The fantastic Welsh band THE TUBS return with their second album on Trouble In Mind. We were blown away by their first album, a short record of ALL BANGERS & that trend continues here. Singer Owen Williams’ voice reminds us of Bob Mould or Richard Thompson & their upbeat, jangly guitar songs will appeal to fans of Mould, THE FEELIES, WEDDING PRESENT (who they’re touring with in 2025) with some guitar nods at Johnny Marr.
RECOMMENDED.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
BANKS – Off With Her Head LP (Her Name Is Banks)
BLACK EYED PEAS – Behind the Front LP (Interscope)
MUIREANN BRADLEY – I Kept Those Old Blues LP (Verve)
CHARLI XCX – Brat & It’s Completely Different LP (Atlantic) green vinyl version
THE CURE – Songs of a Live World Troxy London MMXXIV LP (Capitol)
DARKSIDE – Nothing LP/CD (Matador)
DE LA SOUL – Clear Lake Auditorium LP/CD (Chrysalis) LP shipped late will arrive next week
JASON ISBELL – Foxes in the Snow LP/CD (Southeastern)
JUICE WRLD – The Party Never Ends LP/CD (Interscope)
LADY GAGA – Mayhem LP/CD (Interscope)
NOAH KAHAN – Live From Fenway Park LP (Mercury) red vinyl w/ limited patch in stock at Wicker Park now, other shops on Sunday. We’ll have some blue vinyl next week
KENDRICK LAMAR – GNX LP (Interscope) these are probably the last blue vinyl indie LPs we’ll ever have
RECKLESS RECORDS FEBRUARY 14TH & 21ST NEW RELEASES
BARTEES STRANGE – Horror LP/CD (4AD)
Bartees Cox throws in the whole kitchen sink on his fourth LP “Horror”, drawing in influences of funk, country, hip-hop and (most prominently) driving 00spost punk a la INTERPOL and BLOC PARTY to create an expressive pastiche of all those influences.
CAP’N JAZZ – Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We’ve Slipped On and Egg Shells We’ve Tippy Toed Over LP (Polyvinyl)
The only album from CAP’N JAZZ is one of the most important, possibly the most important Midwest emo albums ever made & the band’s legend seems to only grow more & more. These guys were only teenagers at the time & since then the number of classic albums they’ve released as JOAN OF ARC, AMERICAN FOOTBALL, OWEN, GHOSTS & VODKA etc… just to name a few is staggering. This is the first ever proper reissue of the album & it was remastered in 2024.
CINDY LEE – Diamond Jubilee LP/CD (W.25TH)
Thinking back to more innocent times when Diamond Jubilee was released into the world online back in April 2024. You could still discover great new music like this on Twitter. Imagine that! Now it’s finally here on LP & CD & we’re so incredibly glad to have this in our racks. A truly timeless group of tunes in over 2 hours on 3LP or 2CD. With nods of 60s psych, soft rock & garage, shambolic lo-fi 90s sounds, this record is absolutely PACKED with great ideas. This is one of those albums that people will be talking about many years from now. It’s that good.RECOMMENDED OF COURSE.
HORSEGIRL – Phonetics On & On LP/CD (Matador) indie clear or black vinyl with sticker sheet while supplies last!
We’ve been eagerly awaiting the return of new music from HORSEGIRL ever since they dropped “Versions of Modern Performance” on our heads. The wait was well worth it; “Phonetics On & On” develops the trio’s classic DIY indie sound by digging further into 90s Flying Nun-esque earworm hook-craft (a la THE CLEAN or THE BATS) while approaching the more noisey post punk elements with a dance-y sensibility. Produced by CATE LE BON, this record obviously comes HIGHLYRECOMMENDED.
VULTURE FEATHER – It Will Be Like Now LP (Felte)
VULTURE FEATHER is a band from Northern California that features members of the great early aughts band WILDERNESS. That band was based in Baltimore at the time & heavily influenced by Lungfish (as they should have been). This group has a similar driving sound with nods at that 2000s sound. Great bass playing, ear splitting guitar tones & memorable vocals that will please fans of WILDERNESS, LUNGFISH, SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE, MODEST MOUSE etc… RECOMMENDED.
FACS – Wish Defense LP/CD (Trouble In Mind) limited white or black vinyl
Chicago art rockers FACS return with their 6th album which also sees the return of original bass player Jonathan Van Herik. They also go back to basics arrangement & recording wise. Their last few albums have had a lot of post production & studio trickery but this one sounds like a band simply playing their songs live in a room. We’re not sure how common this knowledge is but this was the final album that Steve Albini worked on before he shockingly left this world.We’re not sure if Albini’s classic, minimal aesthetic influenced the band or not but it seems likely considering the minimalist approach. Six albums these talented vets keep figuring out ways to make things interesting. RECOMMENDED OF COURSE.
GUIDED BY VOICES – Universe Room LP/CD (GBV)
Bob & the gang return in 2025 & this is their (spits out water) 41st album. This one has a little bit more sonic exploration & some surprisingly heavy moments with thick, distorted bass & big sounding drums.
KENDRICK LAMAR – GNX LP/CD (Interscope) indie only blue vinyl or black
When GNX was released, Kendrick was reveling in his victory over Drake, & firmly planting his flag as the most important rapper in pop music today, but GNX is both a victory lap & a mission statement It’s the first for his new label venture pgLang, as well as a showcase for the newest voices & sounds the West Coast has to offer. This is a love letter to California, a regional sound in a world of global connectivity. And… It KNOCKS!
KATHRYN MOHR – Waiting Room LP/CD (The Flenser) color or black vinyl
2025 album by the Oakland artist Kathryn Mohr. Intimate bedroom style recordings mixed with field recordings & some heavy processing on some tracks. Lo-fi & sort of shambolic like early Xpressway Records & Siltbreeze releases with some hints at contemporaries like labelmate MIDWIFE, GROUPER, MOUNT EERIE etc…
THE MOLES – Composition Book LP/CD (Splendid Research)
Richard Davies is one of those ‘if you know, you know’ artists. He’s a hero to post Beatles/Kinks/Syd freaks & 90s/00s indie rock songwriter royalty. THE MOLES don’t release a lot of albums so this is a notable moment. With some help from some female gang back-up vocals, Davies has added another classic to his cannon. For fans of THE MOLES/CARDINAL/Flying Nun especially THE CLEAN & THE CHILLS etc… RECOMMENDED.
SQUID – Cowards LP/LP w/10” (Warp)
British post-punks SQUID get much weirder and more discordant for their third LP, incorporating bright modular synthesis, textured post-rock and ghostly, minimalistic ENO-esque pop, all while covering such topics as bodies, bugs and cannibalism.
The new BANKS album Off With Her Head is out on February 28th & to celebrate we’re hosting a free in-store performance & signing at our Wicker Park location on Saturday March 1st at 4PM. Purchase of the album on LP or CD is required to get it signed. THIS IS A FREE EVENT, NO TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. If anything changes we’ll update in this space. We hope to see you there!
The beginning of the year is always a little slow at the shops so we’ve compiled all of the January releases into one list. 2025 is already off to a great start, at least with good music…
DAMON LOCKS – List of Demands LP (International Anthem)
Friend of Reckless / International Anthem staple DAMON LOCKS releases his first ever album of spoken word and text-based music, landing in a middle zone between LAST POETS / GIL SCOTT-HERON jazz poetry & DOOM-esque vocal gymnastics, all centered on the themes of Black liberation. Featuring contributions from local luminaries like MACIE STEWART, BEN LAMAR GAY and KRISTA FRANKLIN, this one comes obviously VERY RECOMMENDED.
MOIN – You Never End LP (AD93)
MOIN is a London based group & this is their third album. Featuring the VERY BUSY Valentina Magaletti on drums, the group’s sound is a mix of 90s indie rock & slowcore ala SLINT, MOGWAI, CODEINE, GASTR DEL SOL etc…with a more contemporary drum style & recording with vocals contributed by a variety of singers. We love this one!
PRISON – Downstate LP (Drag City)
ENDLESS BOOGIE’s Paul Major is back with another record by his side piece PRISON. Heavy duty psychedelia like LES RALLIZES DENUDES, cock of the block proto punk like IGGY & THE STOOGES, blues jams & more. Is it tight or is it loose???
CLEO SOL – Gold LP/CD (Forever Living Originals)
CLEO SOL – Mother LP/CD (Forever Living Originals)
CLEO SOL – Rose in the Dark LP/CD (Forever Living Originals)
These great records by Cleo Sol have been difficult to find the past few years but they’re back again! This already our 2nd restock of the year on these
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
MATT BERRY – Heard Noises LP (Acid Jazz)
BIG THIEF – Capacity LP (4AD) now on 4AD
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS – Like Someone In Love LP (Blue Note) classic vinyl series
ATLAS MOTH – Master of Blunt Hits LP (Gypsy Blood)
FRANK BLACK – Teenager of the Year: 30th Anniversary LP (4AD) gold vinyl
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY – Purple Bird LP (No Quarter)
BOYGENIUS – Boygenius LP (Matador) back in stock
CELIA CRUZ & FRIENDS – Night of Salsa LP (Universal)
THE CULT – Beyond Good & Evil LP (Rhino)
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – We Have the Facts & We’re Voting Yes LP (Barsuk)
DIO – Very Best of Dio Vol. 2 LP (BMG)
L.S. DUNES – Violet LP (Fantasy)
EYEDEA & ABILITIES – E&A LP (Rhymesayers)
FKA TWIGS- Eusexua LP/CD/CS (Atlantic) two different clear vinyl pressings
GASTR DEL SOL – Camofleur LP (Drag City) classic available again
THE GITS – Frenching the Bully LP/CD (Sub Pop)
GLORILLA – Glorious LP (Interscope)
JEAN GRAE & QUELLE CHRIS – Everything’s Fine LP (Mello Music Group)
GRATEFUL DEAD – Dick’s Picks Vol. 3: Pembroke Pines 5/22/77 LP box set (Real Gone)
GRATEFUL DEAD – Grateful Dead (aka Skull & Roses) LP (Rhino)
VINCE GUARALDI – Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown LP (LMFP)
We’re almost halfway through the friggin’ 20s. How is that possible? 24 was a good one for music for sure. Hoping you all have a great 25!
Luke Dahlgren
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here’s a selection of some records from this year that I loved. All either are, were or will be carried by Reckless unless noted with an ***asterisk***.
NEW MUSIC
a.s.o. – a.s.o. [remixed] (Low Lying)
Sarah Davachi – The Head as Form’d in the Crier’s Choir (Late Music)
Erika de Casier – Still (4AD)
Masayoshi Fujita – Migratory (Erased Tapes)
*Lb Honne – present future / here there (Project Indigo)
Humdrum – Every Heaven (Slumberland)
Ariel Kalma / Jeremiah Chiu / Marta Sofia Honer – The Closest Thing to Silence (International Anthem)
Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee (self-released / Superior Viaduct)
MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks (Anti-)
*Loidis – One Day (Incienso)
MINING – Chimet (The Leaf Label)
Christopher Owens – I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair (True Panther)
Jessica Pratt – Here in the Pitch (Mexican Summer)
Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn – Quiet in a World Full of Noise (Merge)
Rosali – Bite Down (Merge)
Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (Warp)
SML – Small Medium Large (International Anthem)
*Total Blue – Total Blue (Music From Memory)
REISSUES & COMPILATIONS
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works II [30th Anniversary Edition] (Warp)
Harold Budd / Simon Raymonde / Robin Guthrie / Elizabeth Fraser – The Moon & the Melodies (4AD)
The Cat’s Miaow – Skipping Stones: the Cassette Years (World of Echo)
v/a – Congo Funk! Sound Madness from the Shores of the Mighty Congo River (Analog Africa)
v/a – Motel California: Cosmic American Music (Numero)
v/a – Virtual Dreams II: Ambient Explorations in the House & Techno Age, Japan 1993-1999 (Music From Memory)
PLUS A HANDFUL OF GOOD SHOWS
Robert Lester Folsom @ The Hideout, 6/27
Horse Lords @ The Empty Bottle, 3/13
Jan Jelinek @ Constellation, 11/13
lovesliescrushing @ The Empty Bottle, 9/20
Hailu Mergia @ Constellation, 7/20
Sam Brown
Bondo – Harmonica
P.H.F. – LOAD
Sideshow – F.U.N. T.O.Y.
Her New Knife – chrome is lullaby
Julie – my anti-aircraft friend
Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee
Clairo – Charm
Belong – Realistic IX
Guitar – Casting Spells on Turtlehead
Loving – Any Light
22° Halo – Lily in the Valley
Bella Podowski
best releases in 2024 according to me…
ALBUMS:
CHARM -+> CLAIRO
SELECTED AMBIENT WORKS VOLUME II (EXPANDED EDITION) -+> APHEX TWIN
Various Artists Kiosque D’Orphee: Une épopée de l’autoproduction en France
Various Artists Virtual Dreams II: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age, Japan 1993-1999
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Woodland
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Early Daze
*late 2023 discovery
Shows
blood incarnation/midwife
ml buch
cortex
the damned
kim deal
pj harvey
his name is alive
jessica pratt
steve roach
sun ra arkestra
tired eyes
gillian welch & david rawlings
Andrew Min
the cure – songs of a lost world
wishy – triple seven
friko – where we’ve been, where we go from here
been stellar – scream from new york, ny
porter robinson – smile! 😀
jessica pratt – here in the pitch
charli xcx – brat
blood incantation – absolute elsewhere
jack white – no name
doechhi – alligator bites never heal
honorable mention to
cindy lee – diamond jubilee
nourished by time – catching chickens ep
Em Walker
being dead – eels
nala sinephro – endlessness
sentridoh – really insane
majesty crush – butterflies don’t go away
boys life – home is a highway
julie – my anti-aircraft friend
vampire weekend – only god was above us
the drums – jonny (deluxe)
blair – blair II
the bed i made – the softies
wishy – triple seven
Tim Quinlan
Orquídeas by Kali Uchis
Malegría by Reyna Tropical
The Carnegie Hall Concert by Alice Coltrane
I Hear You by Peggy Gou
Nell ‘Ora Blue by Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats
Here in the Pitch by Jessica Pratt
Acid House + Medusa’s by Scrappy
Hells Welles by Jesse Welles
Fine Art by Kneecap
I Lay Down My Life For You by JPEGMAFIA
Wormwitch by Wormwitch
King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 by Denzel Curry
Floating Mountains by Soshi Takeda
In Waves by Jamie XX
Endlessness by Nala Sinephro
Absolute Elsewhere by Blood Incantation
Love (the) Ominous World by Blu & Exile
You Only Die 1nce by Freddie Gibbs
Open This Wall by Berlioz
Harp, Beats & Dreams by Marysia Osu
Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii
Honorable Mentions (released in late 2023 and were omitted from last year’s list)
Black Classical Music by Yussef Dayes (released in late 2023 and was omitted from last year’s list)
Starpath by Dream Unending & Worm
Jon Massey
~Things we might’ve had:
Total Blue – Total Blue (Music From Memory)
Fred Thomas – Window in the Rhythm (Polyvinyl)
Myriam Gendron – Mayday (Feeding Tube)
Advance Base – Horrible Occurrences (Run For Cover)
*not really “horrible” in the modern sense, but in the etymological
sense of “tending to induce fear and trembling”
Rosali – Bite Down (Merge)
V/A – Synthesizing the Silk Roads (Ostinato)
*Steppe magic at work
Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk (Mom + Pop)
*I think i liked this. don’t remember. not going to re-listen
Cassandra Jenkins – My Light My Destroyer (Dead Oceans)
Molly Lewis – On the Lips (Jagjaguwar)
~Things we did not have:
Matthew Sheeran – Easley Blackwood: Acoustic Microtonal (Cedille)
*deeply uncanny computer-assisted orchestral editions of the
Bach-on-DMT Blackwood etudes…arranged by Ed Sheeran’s brother…
Saphileaum – Mirage (Intervision)
Phillip Golub – Abiding Memory (Self-released)
~Reissues
Majesty Crush – Butterflies Don’t Go Away (Numero)
American Analog Set – New Drifters (also Numero)
*sell your duster LPs and assume the Mantle Of Heaven
Birdie – Some Dusty (Slumberland)
Cat’s Miaow – Skipping Stones (World of Echo)
*They also put out a new EP this year which is very good.
but there’s no physical copy of it
Lidia Villa
The Cure
Album: Songs Of A Lost World
Favorite track: Alone
Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Album: The Future Is Our Way Out
Favorite Track: The Future Is Our Way Out
Twin Tribes
Album: Pendulum
Favorite Track: Monolith
Amethyst
Album: Throw Down the Gauntlet
Favorite Track: Embers on the Loose
Early Moods
Album: A Sinner’s Past
Favorite Track: Soul Sorcery
Molder
Album: Catastrophic Reconfiguration
Favorite Track: Catastrophic Reconfiguration
Vorlust
Album: Lick the Flesh
Favorite Track: 13th Circle
Necrot
Album: Lifeless Birth
Favorite Track: Cut the Cord
Total Hell
Album: Killed by Evil
Favorite Track: Banished to the Tombs
Dream Division
Album: A Rose in the Garden of Winter
Favorite Track: Technicolor Terror
Kip McCabe
Shellac “To All Trains” (Touch & Go)
Grita Exclamacion “S/T”
Kim Deal “Nobody Loves You More” (4AD)
Cure “Songs of a Lost World” (Polydor)
Jeff Parker “Way Out of Easy” (International Anthem)
Max Richter “In a Landscape” (Decca)
Papa M “Ballads of Harry Houdini” (Drag City)
Jessica Pratt “Here in the Pitch” (Mexican Summer)
Masiyohi Fujita “Migratory” (Erased Tapes)
Jolie Thompson
Mrs. Ladyships and The Cleanerhouse Boys by The Smashing Times
So You Like Slippers? by Slippers
Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker
Open this wall by Berlioz
The Collective by Kim Gordon
Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal
The Night by Saint Etienne
Here in the Pitch by Jessica Pratt
Rong Weickness by Fievel Is Glauque
Opaque by Mo dotti
Pass The Loofah by Naked Roommate
Every Heaven by Humdrum The Gabys II by The Gabys
Workers Comp by Workers Comp
Ten Brocades by Sad Eyed Beatniks
Believe by Men Seni Suyemin
Turns to Gold by trust blinks.
Fairweather Friend by the Umbrellas
The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel by Chime School
Brat by Charli XCX
STEVEN RAHMAN
The Yonce – Act II Cowboy Carter:
The thing is, it’s kinda hard for me to talk about this record with resorting to a bit of hyperbole. It does some “capital A” Art things. It’s an intersectional theorists playground with a thousand different angles to analyze, but that’s only as important as the music itself. & this record is full of great music. Whatever genre you want to call it, it’s hit after hit, after hit.
Willow – Empathogen:
Willow Smith is a really good musician. At its heart Empathogen is a fusion record. It’s infectiously poppy, but it’s got weirdo time signatures, wild harmonies & unconventional song structures. It’s a very contemporary record that feels really youthful. If you like Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society & Solange’s A Seat at the Table you should give this a listen.
LL Cool J – The F.O.R.C.E / Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1
I’m putting these two together because they represent something similar to me. The ability to age & adapt over time, but each of these artists have done it in very different ways. Comm & Pete have worked together before & that would make you think that this sounds dated, but it’s more of a refinement on past ideas. Still boom-bap soul & jazz sample based music but with more technical capability. On the other hand Q-Tip’s experiments & deep digging make for some unusual soundscapes for one of rap’s earliest superstars. One record is a modern take on the basics, & the other an voyage into the unknown.
‘Latto – Sugar Honey Iced Tea:
I was absolutely prepared not to like this, but it knocks. Latto is a pretty talented rapper, & a very good songwriter, but what stood out to me on the first listen was the production. It’s immaculate. It SOUNDS so good & it’s perfectly sequenced.
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
What is there to say. GNX isn’t Kendrick’s best work, it’s more of a victory lap. King Kendrick won the biggest battle of the modern hip hop era, & then went on to remind everyone how dope the West Coast is. GNX is reference overdosed with vocal performances that mimic Tupac, song ideas that reference blues musicians & songs that take ideas from Nas tracks GNX manages to sound like the West unfailingly.
Vince Staples – Dark Times
Michael Mayo – Fly
Leon Thomas III – Mutt
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Marv Won – I’m fine thanks for Asking
Milton & Esperanza
Previous Industries
Ghetts – On Purpose With Purpose
Rapsody – Please Don’t Cry
Megan Thee Stallion – Megan
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
Tyler the Creator – Chromakopia
Colin Blanton
Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
Full of Hell – Coagulated Bliss
Drug church – Prude
High Vis – Guided Tour
Chat Pile – Cool World
Total Blue – S/T
Spectral Voice – Sparagmos
Paysage D’Hiver – Die Berge
Belong – Realistic IX
Puli – Swirling
Nathan Brown
ALBUMS
kendrick lamar – gnx
clairo – charm
nala sinephro – endlessness
jpegmafia – i lay down my life for you
hiatus kaiyote – love heart cheat code
hollowhenry – hollowhouse recordings vol.i
mike – pinball
dj harrison- shades of yesterday
jazz dispensary – golden hour
schoolboy q – blue lips
zoomo – absolution
yours, avery – the light shines from the trap door
kaytranada – timeless
mf doom – mm food (20th anniversary)
tyler, the creator – chromokopia
roc marciano – the skeleton key
MOVIES
Monkey Man
Deadpool Vs. Wolverine
Ricky Stanicky
Eric (Netflix original series)
Dylan Sowle
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II (Warp) [FINALLY a proper LP reissue of this classic!]
Reckless Records 11/22/24, 11/29/24, 12/5/24 NEW RELEASES
We still have some black friday titles in stock. If you search “Black Friday 2024” you can see what’s left. We still have plenty of the Olivia Rodrigo, some of the Beatles 3” records with the carrying case & more Billie Eilish & Grateful Dead on the way
CAN – Live in Keele 1977 LP/CD (Mute)
Live In Keel 1977 is a legendary CAN bootleg & it’s been cleaned up & released as the alleged final release in the live archive series. This late period gig shows the band at their most playful with Jamaican bassist Rosko Gee (TRAFFIC) on bass which freed up Holger to make a bunch of noise & weird sounds. The results are incredibly funky, almost electric Miles funky. RECOMMENDED.
KIM DEAL – Nobody Loves You More LP/CD (4AD)
We honestly couldn’t be more excited for this solo KIM DEAL debut, many years in the making and following THE BREEDERS’ 2018 return – as well as their tour support of OLIVIA RODRIGO – both of which thrust DEAL and her bandmates back into the public eye. Some of the oldest recordings here stretch back to 2011, as well as a lot of recordings with STEVE ALBINI at Electrical Audio in 2022. “Nobody Loves You More” is an arresting combo of chamber pop, heartfelt balladry & dub experimentation, all tied together by DEAL’s recognizable voice (which doesn’t appear to have changed a bit). Featuring help from BREEDERS bandmates KELLEY DEAL and JIM MacPHERSON among others, this comes OBVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED!
MINOR THREAT – 1ST 7” (Dischord)
One of the most legendary hardcore singles (or singles in any genre really) has finally been reissued in 7” form by Dischord in 2024. We’re not sure how long these will last so get em while they’re hot!
PAPA M – Ballads of Harry Houdini LP (Drag City)
During down time from touring as the live guitarist for GANG OF FOUR, David Pajo wrote, recorded & mastered these new songs. Pajo’s voice keeps getting more & more gravelly like a younger Tom Waits & there’s some fun, almost kraut rock esque instrumentals. David’s such a gifted musician & his records are always worth checking out.
JEFF PARKER – Way Out of Easy LP/CD (International Anthem)
If you were around in the 2000s you might have seen one of Jeff Parker’s week night residency gigs at Rodan in Wicker Park. Those were great gigs with revolving line-ups & cool guest appearances. Fast forward to 2016, Jeff started a residency at the ETA venue in Highland Park in L.A. Originally starting out with standards, Jeff & the ETA 4tet band gradually expanded their sound into lengthy compositions & jams.In 2023 they recorded one of their sets not knowing that ETA would soon face a similar fate as Chicago’s Rodan & shut its doors. Anna Butterss leads a lot of the songs with solid, repetitive bass lines & Jeff’s flowing leads & Josh Johnson’s almost Ethio jazz influenced alto sax melodies make for a wonderful late 2024 release. RECOMMENDED.
TRISTWCH Y FENYWOD – Tristwch Y Fenywod LP (Night School)
One of our most anticipated records of the year is finally here. The Leeds trio TRISTWCH Y FENYWOD (“The Sadness of Women”) consists of two zithers, bass guitar & drum machine with lyrics sung in Welsh. The result sounds like a lost 4AD band recently uncovered like the first DEAD CAN DANCE album, the darkest CURE songs, THIS MORTAL COIL, COCTEAU TWINS & later things like TROPIC OF CANCER or INCA ORE. The whole record is truly amazing. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION POSSIBLE!
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
THE BEATLES – Beatles 65 (Mono remaster) LP (Capitol)
THE BEATLES – Beatles Second Album (Mono remaster) LP (Capitol)
THE BEATLES – Early Beatles (Mono remaster) LP (Capitol)
THE BEATLES – Hard Day’s Night LP(Capitol)
THE BEATLES – Meet The Beatles LP (Capitol)
THE BEATLES – Something New LP (Capitol)
THE BEATLES – 1964 U.S. ALBUMS IN MONO 8LP box set (Capitol)
BLACK STAR – No Fear of Time LP/CD (Rhymesayers)
BLOOD INCANTATION – Absolute Elsewhere LP (Century Media) back in stock!
BOYS LIFE – Home Is a Highway 4LP box set (Numero Group)
JAMES BROWN – The Complete James Brown Christmas 3LP (Jackpot)
BILL CALLAHAN – Holy Grail: Bill Callahan’s Smog Dec. 10 2001
Here’s what we’ll have on Friday. There always is something that falls through the cracks and this year for us it’s the Sun Ra. Supposedly a large chunk of the Sun Ra pressing was lost. If you’re looking for this please look elsewhere. Otherwise we hope we have what you’re looking for. See you at 10AM on Friday and Happy Thanksgiving
Allman Brothers Band – Manley Field House, Syracuse NY April 7 , 1972
Amigo The Devil – The Wiltern (Live)
Asking Alexandria – The Black
Angelo Badalamenti – Music From Film And Television
Joe Bataan – Riot
Better Than Ezra – Deluxe
Big Brother & The Holding Company – Live at the Grande Ballroom Detroit; March 2, 1968
Big Freedia – Hitz Vol. 2 2010-2020
Biohazard – Mata Leão
Born Jamericans – Kids From Foreign
The Byrds/Buffalo Springfield – Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival
Circa Survive – Descensus
Christopher Cross – A Christopher Cross Christmas
Cypress Hill – Live at Rock im Park 1999
Jesse Ed Davis – Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day–The Unissued Atco Recordings 1970-1971 WICKER PARK ONLY
Dead Prez – RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta
DJO – DECIDE (Deluxe)
The Doors – Live in Detroit 4LP box set
Dave Douglas – Gifts WICKER PARK ONLY
Earl Sweatshirt – Feet of Clay (5th Anniversary Edition)
Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon 12”
Echo & The Bunnymen – Silver 12”
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft (Isolated Vocals)
Engine Kid – The 1993 Steve Albini Sessions
The English Beat – Special Beat Service
Bill Evans Trio – Live At Kongsberg 1970
Explosions In The Sky/Steve Jablonsky – Lone Survivor Original Soundtrack
The Flamin Groovies – Let It Rock!: Live from the San Francisco Civic Center October 26, 1980
Jerry Garcia – Electric on the Eel: August 29th, 1987
Ghostface Killah – Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) Live From Echo Mountain
Grateful Dead – Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT 5/5/77 4LP box set
Harry Gregson-Williams – Gladiator II (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) BELMONT/WICKER PARK ONLY
David Grisman Dawg ’90 (Deluxe)
Eramus Hall – Lost and Found WICKER PARK ONLY
Beres Hammond – Just A Man
Herbie Hancock – Possibilities
Isaac Hayes – Truck Turner (Original Soundtrack)
Helmet – Betty
Jimi Hendrix – Songs For Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts
John Lee Hooker – Don’t Turn Me From Your Door
Whitney Houston – LOVE IS (Live From South Africa) and more 12”
Illenium – Awake Seeking
Jane’s Addiction – Imminent Redemption 12”
Al Jarreau – Wow! Live in Performance at the Childe Harold 1976
Scarlett Johansson – Anywhere I Lay My Head
Jungle – Back on 74 12″ Single
Noah Kahan – Town Hall (Stick Season Collaborations)
King Missile – Happy Hour
B.B. King – In France: Live at the Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival (1977)
Lacuna Coil – The EPs: Lacuna Coil & Halflife
Lamb of God – Ashes of the Wake Live
LSD – (Labrinth, Sia and Diplo) Labrinth, Sia & Diplo presents… LSD (The Remixes)
Steve Martin – King Tut 12” picture disc
Merry Marvel Marching Band – Merry Marvel Marching Society
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday 25th Anniversary: Original Art
MF Doom- Operation: Doomsday 25th Anniversary: Alternate Art
The Minus 5 – Down With Wilco
Joni Mitchell – Hejira Demos
Modest Mouse – Baron Von Bullshit Rides Again
Morphine – B-Sides and Otherwise
Keith Murray – The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World: 30th Anniversary Edition
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Into The Well
Paul Ngozi – Viva Ngozi
Norma Jean – Wrongdoers
Ohgeesy – GEEZYWORLD Atlantic Records
Orgone – Bacano
Buck Owens – I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail
Charley Patton – The Father of Delta Blues: Selections from Paramount Recordings
Pearl Jam – RSD Song of the Year 12”
Daniel Powter – DP
Raekwon – Immobilarity: 25th Anniversary Edition
Rage Against The Machine – Democratic National Convention 2000
Ramones – Greatest Hits
Emily Remler Live at the 4-Queens (1985-88) BELMONT & WICKER PARK ONLY
Bebe Rexha – Expectation
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – Boys NoizeChallengers (MIXED) by Boys Noise
Max Roach = Deeds, Not Words (MONO)
Olivia Rodrigo – Guts Spilled
The Rolling Stones – Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! w/ LITHOGRAPH
Mykal Rose, Subatomic Sound System & Hollie Cook – Rockin’ Like A Champion WICKER PARK ONLY
Todd Rundgren – Todd Rundgren’s Utopia
Santana – Let The Guitar Play
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson – From South Africa To South Carolina
Sahib Shihab – Sahib’s Jazz Party & After Hours SHIPPED LATE BUT SHOULD ARRIVE IN WICKER PARK ON FRIDAY
Bobby Shmurda – Shmurda She Wrote
Slaughter Beach, Dog – Live At The Cabin
Snoop Dogg – Live at Forest National 2005
Soul Dog – Movin’ On BELMONT & WICKER PARK ONLY
Souls of Mischief – No Man’s Land
The Carl Stalling Project – The Carl Stalling Project: Music From Warner Bros. Cartoons 1936-1958
Cat Stevens – Saturnight: Cat Stevens Live In Tokyo
Genevieve Stokes – Catching Rabbits
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple Rarities
Stress Eater – Everybody Eats!
Sunn O))) – Black One (Deluxe Edition)
Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5)
T. Rex – Tanx PICTURE DISC
Tangerine Dream – Live at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow 1974: 50th Anniversary Edition
Cecil Taylor – Live At The Cafe Montmartre
Tegan and Sara – So Jealous (20th Anniversary)
Thievery Corporation – The Richest Man In Babylon
Charles Tolliver – Music Inc Live at the Captain’s Cabin
Too $hort – Cocktails
Tribe – Dedication
U2 – How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb
Ultravox – Lament [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
Various Artists – The Elephant 6 Recording Co. (Soundtrack)
Various Artists – Jazz Dispensary: The Golden Hour
Various Artists – The Soul And Songs Of Young Curtis Mayfield: The Spirit Of Chicago
Various Artists – The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie – Music from the Movie and More…
Van Halen – Live in Dallas 1991
The Veronicas – Hook Me Up
Vitamin String Quartet – VSQ Performs BTS
WAR – The Vinyl 1977-1994 Rhino 5LP box set
Wolves In The Throne Room – Black Cascade (15 Year Anniversary Edition)
Yes – Fragile Outtakes
7”S/10”s/CD
The Beaches – Blame Jocelyn 7”
The Beatles – All My Loving 3″ Record and Carrying Case
Bluey – Rug Island 7″ Picture Disc
Phil Collins – Live From The Board… The Official Bootleg Rhino 10″ EP
Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come: The Diamond Edition 7″ Single
Cypress Hill – Live at Rock im Park 1999 BELMONT & WICKER PARK ONLY
Dead Or Alive – You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) 40th Anniversary 7″ Picture Disc BELMONT & WICKER PARK ONLY
Gaslight Anthem – Live at Park Ave (15 Year Anniversary) 10″
GROUPLOVE – I want a little bit more 10” WICKER PARK ONLY
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday 25th Anniversary: Original Art Longbox CD
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday 25th Anniversary: Alternate Art Longbox CD
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday 25th Anniversary: Original Art Cassette
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday 25th Anniversary: Alternate Art Cassette
Motley Crue – Dr Feelgood: 35th Anniversary 7″ Single Boxset BELMONT & WICKER PARK ONLY
Stevie Nicks -The Lighthouse 7″ Single
ZZ Ward – Put The Gun Down (Reimagined 2024) 10″ Die Cut Vinyl
BLACK SABBATH – Cross Purposes LP/CD (Rhino) black or color vinyl
BLACK SABBATH – Forbidden LP/CD (Rhino) black or color vinyl
BLACK SABBATH – Headless Cross LP/CD (Rhino) black or color vinyl
BLACK SABBATH – Tyr LP/CD (Rhino) black or color vinyl
These late period BLACK SABBATH albums have been difficult to find on any format for many years & thankfully they’re available again. No these don’t really stack up against the Ozzy or Dio albums but there is some great stuff in here. Our mantra always is if Tony is playing guitar it’s worth checking out.
BLOOD INCANTATION – Astral Spells: Promo 2014 10” (Doomentia) black, red or white vinyl
2024 is the year that BLOOD INCANTATION truly broke with their album “AbsoluteElsewhere” which is easily one of the best albums of the year. 10 Years ago the Denver group released their “Astral Spells” demo & it has now been remixed & issued with some rare live tracks for this limited edition 10” release. These won’t last long so get it now!
PAYSAGE D’HIVER – Die Berge LP/CD/CS (Prophecy)
The Swiss black metal enigma PAYSAGE D’HIVER is back with a bleak new album for these very bleak times. “Die Berge” aka the mountains does a good job of placing you in the center of a harsh Swiss Mountainous environment with swirling snow & frigid temps. Ominous & bleak sounding black metal that almost descends into noise at times like being trapped in a swirling blizzard. What else would you want??
SIP – Leos Ultras LP (Not Not Fun)
Chicago synth wiz Jimmy Lacy is back with a new record under the SIP moniker. Melodic & playful synth pieces with some occasional melodica, flute & other wind instruments & minimal rhythms. Think stuff like Mamman Sani, BITCHIN BAJAS, MIND OVER MIRRORS, HARMONIA etc… RECOMMENDED.
GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS – Woodland LP/CD (Acony)
Absolutely stellar 2024 album by one of the most wonderful duos going these days, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. “Woodland” is named after their Nashville studio that was nearly destroyed by a tornado in 2020. Thankfully most of their gear & all of their tapes survived the damaging twister. Their harmonies have always been tear jerking but there’s something about hearing them in 2024 with this expanded instrumentation that is just stunning. This is without a doubt one of our favorite albums of the year. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONPOSSIBLE.
ODDISEE – People Hear What They See LP (Mello Music Group)
ANDERSON PAAK – Venice LP (Obe)
PAYSAGE D’HIVER – Schnee LP/CD/CS (Prophecy)
PIERCE THE VEIL – Misadventures LP (Fearless)
RATT – Out of the Cellar LP (BMG)
JIMMY REED – I’m Jimmy Reed LP (Craft) Bluesville Acoustic Sound Series
CHAPPELL ROAN – Good Luck Babe 7” (Island) finally available again!
CHAPPELL ROAN – Pink Pony Club 7” (Island) finally available again!
SCREAMING FEMALES – Rose Mountain LP (Don Giovanni)
SMASHING TIMES – Mrs. Ladyships & the Cleanerhouse Boys LP (K Records)
ELLIOTT SMITH – From a Basement On A Hill LP (Kill Rock Stars)
SOULED AMERICAN – Notes Campfire LP (Scissor Tail)
OTIS SPANN – Walking the Blues LP (Candid)
ST. VINCENT – Todos Nacen Gritando LP/CD (Total Pleasure) w/ signed print while supplies last in Wicker Park
THE SUNDAYS – Reading, Writing & Arithmetic LP (Geffen) finally back in print on grey vinyl
GWEN STEFANI – Bouquet LP (Interscope)
TALKING HEADS – Talking Heads 77: Deluxe Edition 2LP/4LP box/3CD (Rhino) with limited lithograph while supplies last. Ask at counter
TSUNAMI – Loud Is As 5LP box (Numero)
TV ON THE RADIO – Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes: 20th Anniversary LP
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Hosono House Revisited LP (Stones Throw)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Like Someone I Know: A Celebration of Margo Guryan LP/CD (Sub Pop)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Virtual Dreams: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age, Japan 1993-1999 LP (Music From Memory) sold out but we’ll have more soon
