Author: Reckless

Things are winding down for 2019 but there are still some good titles coming in…

DUSTER – DUSTER LP (Mud Guts) First album in 19 years from these slowcore heroes!
The 90s underground slowcore legends were reintroduced to the world in 2018 with some great 
reissues of their back catalog by Numero Group. Perhaps invigorated by the interest they never 
achieved originally, the California band is back with their first album in 19 years. The vocals 
are properly buried in that slowcore style & the tempo is still slow. This kind of makes us thing 
of POLVO on cough syrup & that sounds pretty cool right? 

EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING – All in Good Time LP/CD (Castle Face) 
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 10 years since the last EDDY CURRENT… album. This 
one sort of came out of nowhere & we’re happy to end2019 on a high note with this great record. Straight ahead, no frills garage rock with a few herky-jerky riffs to unsettle things just a little. These guys were trailblazers in the absolute deluge of insanely great bands & artists coming out of Australia over the past 10 years & this should remind you why. 
RECOMMENDED.

PAN AMERICAN – A Son LP (Kranky) now on vinyl!
Mark Nelson, a Chicagoan & member of the legendary 90s drone unit LABRADFORD closes out 2019 with this excellent record. Nelson is a master of restraint & the album seems to float, with crisp guitar instrumentals to soundtrack all-night drives, a few acoustic pieces that sound like nods to the old LABRADFORD days & an overall vibe that is so perfectly mellow. A perfect record for the coming winter months. RECOMMENDED.

REGIS – Delivered Into the Hands of Indifference 2LP (Downwards)
21st anniversary reissue edition of REGIS’s sophomore album on Downwards, originally released in 1998. Newly-remastered and recut with 3 bonus locked grooves. Crucial late ’90s UK techno in an edition of 500.

ANDY STOTT – It Should Be Us 2LP (Modern Love)
ANDY STOTT returns with his first release since 2016. This double-EP is squarely aimed at the dancefloor, keeping things stripped-down, for the heads. Slow, raw productions that bring us back to what lured us to STOTT in the first place. EXCELLENT!

Other important new releases
Avett Brothers – Closer Than Together LP (American)
Hildur Gudnadottir – Joker (Soundtrack) LP
Gunship – Dark All Day (Horsie in the Hedge) 2XCS box set
David Byrne – David Byrne’s American Utopia (Original Cast Recording) LP
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Watchmen Vol. 2 (Soundtrack) LP (DC) very limited
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Watchmen Vol. 3 (Soundtrack) LP (DC) very limited
Max Richter – Voyager: Essential Max Richter LP 4LP boxset (Deutsche Grammophon)

ROBERT ASHLEY – Automatic Writing LP (Lovely Music)
Lovely Music presents a reissue of ROBERT ASHLEY’s ‘Automatic Writing’, originally released as an LP by Lovely Music in 1979. With Automatic Writing, Ashley examines language at a very ‘primitive level’–the human impulse to make sounds to express his inner state. Includes an insert with a transcription of the words. A timeless classic.

BURIAL – Tunes 2011-2019 2CD (Hyperdub)
Will Bevan hasn’t released a full-length record under the BURIAL moniker since 2008’s Untrue, but he has been busy nonetheless. Tunes gathers his post-album tracks taken off of various singles & EPs. A fantastic collection of a producer still at the top of his game!

STEVE HAUSCHILDT – Nonlin LP (Ghostly International) now on color or black vinyl!
STEVE HAUSCHILDT has been a quiet force to be reckoned with for some time, beginning with EMERALDS in the early 2000s, through his ambient and techno solo sounds, to his current zone integrating modular and granular synthesis into the mix. ‘Nonlin’ is an absolutely beautiful, captivating album that constantly surprises and engages. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

INCAPACITANTS – Stupid Is Stupid 4LP (Hospital)
Hospital Productions present a reissue of INCAPACITANTS’ Stupid is Stupid, originally released on cassette in 1993. The seminal document captured T. MIKAWA and F. KOSOKAI’s unrelenting noise, already going 10 years strong at the time. INCAPACITANTS are underrated noise force from the early ’90s and this document deserves all the love you give it. Pure chaos and VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

MATT JENCIK – Dream Character LP (Hands in the Dark)
MATT JENCIK has been a secret weapon in many bands such as DON CABALLERO, HURL and his own IMPLODES of which his solo work feels like an outgrowth of. This lucid dream-fueled album nestles beautifully in the hazy DMZ zone between minimalism, dream pop, shoegaze and drone. Guitars blur with synthesizer, piano and other gauze-like sounds, creating a nice warm refuge. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

JEFF PARKER & THE NEW BREED – Max Brown Part 1 & 2 7” (International Anthem)
Chicago ex-pat & TORTOISE guitarist Jeff Parker is back with some new solo jams. This limited 7″ features this mellow track (split into parts here) with a wonderful blend of 70s jazz & funk that ends on a fantastic synth bass groove. We can’t wait to hear this whole album in early 2020. RECOMMENDED, OF COURSE.

SQUAREPUSHER – Vortrack 12” (Warp)
SQUAREPUSHER is back after a five-year hiatus, giving us a taste of his upcoming full-length with the cut Vortrack. This frenetic slice of braindance also features a breakbeat-laden “Fracture” remix. Another excellent track from the Warp veteran, making us here pretty excited for the album proper. RECOMMENDED!

WRAITH – Gloom Ballet LP (Southern Lord)
Attention death rock fans! The L.A. band THE WRAITH are the latest non-metal band to sign to Southern Lord. Great songs & musicianship that recalls some of our favorite bands like KILLING JOKE, THE CHAMELEONS, TSOL, etc…Fans of 80s goth & death rock, the excellent “Killed by Deathrock” comps on Sacred Bones etc…will love this. RECOMMENDED.

Other important releases:
EL WALI – Tiris LP (Sahel Sounds)
IDLE RACE – Schizophrenic Psychedelia LP (Run Out Groove)
JOHANN JOHANNSSON – Fordlandia 2LP (4AD) reissue
MARK KOZELEK & PETRA HADEN – Joey Always Smiled 2LP (Caldo Verde)
GARY MALKIN – Unsolved Mysteries: Bizarre Murders/UFOs/The Unknown TV soundtrack
   LP (Terror Vision)
THE RAINCOATS – The Raincoats LP (Kill Rock Stars) 40th anniv. Edition
SUFJAN STEVEN & TIMO ANDRES – Decalogue LP/CD (Ashtmatic Kitty)
CARL STONE – Baroo LP/CD (Unseen Worlds)
V/A – Space Funk: Afro-Futurist Electro Funk in Space 1976-1984 2LP/CD (Soul Jazz)

11/29/19 Important New Releases
This week wasn’t just for RSD Black Friday releases. Some other good stuff came out Friday like this stuff:

CATTLE DECAPITATION – Death Atlas LP (Metal Blade)
ELECTRIC WIZARD – Dopethrone LP (Rise Above) color vinyl reissue
FLAMING LIPS – Soft Bulletin Recorded Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre LP/CD
MERZBOW – Pulse Demon LP (Relapse)
MOTH COCK – If Beggars Were Horses Wishes Would Ride CS (Hausu Mountain)
PRINCE – 1999 (remaster) 2LP/4LP deluxe/CD/2CD/5CD deluxe (Warner) there’s also a super 
deluxe 10LP/DVD edition that we can special order 
STEREOLAB – Margerine Eclipse 3LP expanded remaster (Warp) limited color or black 
   Vinyl
STEREOLAB – Sound Dust 3LP expanded remaster (Warp) limited color or black 
   vinyl

Altitudes & Attitude – Get It Out Picture Disc LP (Megaforce)
Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) 7″ (Legacy)
Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars – Live in 1956 Allentown, PA LP (ORG)
Avengers – The American In Me 7” (Superior Viaduct)
Chet Baker – It Could Happen To You LP (Craft Recordings)
Beck – Uneventful Days 3” (Capitol) for the RSD3 mini turntable
Chuck Berry – Chuck Berry In London LP (Elemental Music)
James Brown – Live at Home With His Bad Self the After Show LP (Republic)
Jeff Buckley – Live on KCRW: Morning Becomes Eclectic 12″ EP (Legacy)
Canned Heat – Christmas Album LP picture disc (Friday Music)
Cardi B – Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1  LP (KSR)
Chai – WAGAMA-MANIA 12” Picture Disc (Burger)
Cheap Trick – Are You Ready? Live 12/31/1979 LP (Legacy)
Cheap Trick – Gimme Some Truth 7” (BMG)
Eric Clapton – Home For The Holidays 12” (Surfdog)
Les Claypool – Live Frogs Set 1 & 2 LP (Prawn Song)
Patsy Cline – Sweet Dreams: Complete Decca Studio Masters 3LP (Third Man) VERY 
   LIMITED
J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive LP Picture Disc (Legacy)
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe – Asalto Navideño LP (Craft Recordings)
Comet Is Coming – Afterlife LP (Impulse)
Alice Cooper – Billion Dollar Babies Live LP (Roadrunner)
Alice Cooper – Dragontown 2LP (eOne)
Crime – San Francisco’s First & Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Band: Live 1978 7” (Superior Viaduct)
Czarface – Odd Czar Against Us LP (Silver Age)
Miles Davis – Miles in Tokyo LP (Get on Down)
Miles Davis – Early Minor: Rare Miles From The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions LP 
   (Legacy)
Devo – Devo Live! LP (Roadrunner)
Dio – Rainbow In The Dark (Live) 12” picture disc (BMG)
DMX – The Smoke Out Festival Presents LP (earMUSIC)
Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science 7” (Echo)
The Doors – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 2LP (Rhino)
Dr John – Babylon LP (Get on Down)
Edan – Beauty & the Beat LP (Lewis)
Fight – War of Words LP (Real Gone Music)
Ace Frehley – Frehley’s Comet Live… LP (eOne)
Fu Manchu – Live at Roadburn 2003 LP/CD (At The Dojo)
Liam Gallagher – Why Me? Why Not Warner LP picture disc (Warner)
Gov’t Mule – Bring on the Music: Live at the Capitol Theatre: Vol. 3 LP (Provogue)
Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas 4x3” blind box (Craft) for the RSD3 mini 
   turntable
Gun Club – Sex Beat 81 LP (Culture Factory) 
Hall & Oates – Home For Christmas LP (Friday Music)
Albert Hammond JR. – Off Cycle 10″ (Red Bull Records)
Herbie Hancock – Direct Step LP (Get on Down) 
Jimi Hendrix – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 12″ Picture Disc (Legacy)
Hippo Campus – Demos I & II 2LP (Grand Jury Music)
The Hold Steady – Four on Ten 10’ (Frenchkiss)
Insane Clown Posse – Flip the Rat LP (Psychopathic) white vinyl
Blind Willie Johnson – Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground 10”
(Traffic)
Robert Johnson – Sweet Home Chicago 10” (Traffic)
Jonathan Fire Eater – Wolf Songs For Lambs LP (Third Man) VERY LIMITED
Julia Kent – Green & Grey [Expanded Edition] 2LP (The Leaf Label)
Kings of Leon – Day Old Belgian Blues 12” (Legacy)
Freddy King – The Mojo! King Rarities & Obscurities LP (Modern Harmonic)
The Kinks – Arthur 7” (Sanctuary Records) 
Geddy Lee – My Favourite Heachache LP (Atlantic)
Huey Lewis – My Other Woman 7” (BMG)
Jenny Lewis – On the Iphone 7” (Warner)
John Linnell – State Songs LP (Craft Recordings) 
Lizzo – Coconut Oil LP (Atlantic)
Lisa Loeb – Stay (I Missed You) [25th Anniversary] 12” Picture Disc
Nick Lowe & Wilco – Cruel to Be Kind (40th Anniversary Edition) 7” (Yep Roc)
Madonna – I Rise Remixes 12″ (Interscope)
Paul McCartney – Home Tonight  7″ (Capitol)
J.D. McPherson – Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy 7” (New West)
The Monkees – Christmas Party Plus! 2X7” (Rhino)
Monster Movie – Last Night Something Happened: Expanded LP (Graveface)
Larry Mullins + Mike Watt –1969 (parts I and II): a tribute to scott asheton 7″ (ORG)
Nas – Stillmatic (Silver Vinyl) LP (Get on Down)
Naughty By Nature – Poverty’s Paradise 2LP w/ 7” (Tommy Boy)
Willie Nelson – Sometimes Even I Can Get Too High 7″ (Legacy)
Overkill – The Electric Age: Deluxe Edition LP (eOne)
Pearl Jam – MTV Unplugged (3/16/1992) LP (Legacy)
Katy Perry – Never Really Over 12” (Capitol)
Phish – Story of the Ghost  2LP, #’d limited edition (Jemp)
Pink Purple – Red LP (Jackpot) 
Elvis Presley – American Sound 1969 2LP (Legacy)
The Pretenders – UK Singles 1979-1981 8×7″ box set (Roadrunner)
Pylon – Cool / Dub 7” (New West)
Lou Reed – The Raven 3LP (Roadrunner) 
The Regrettes – Holiday-Ish 7” (Warner)
Rockabye Baby – Lullaby Renditions of Snoop Dogg LP (Rockabye Baby)
Rodrigo & Gabriela – Mettal LP (ATO)
Royal Trux – Quantum Entanglement LP (Fat Possum)
The Runaways – Live in Japan Culture LP (Factory)
Todd Rundgren – Bang Bang 7” (Yep Roc)
Buffy Sainte-Marie – Illuminations LP (Craft) color vinyl remaster
Joe Satriani – Surfing With The Alien 2LP (Legacy)
Raymond Scott – The Jingle Workshop: Midcentury Musical Miniatures 1951-1965 2LP/CD (Modern Harmonic)
Slipknot – All Out Life Roadrunner Bruce Springsteen “Western Stars” b/w “The Wayfarer” Legacy 7″ 
Squirrel Nut Zippers – Christmas Caravan LP (Hollywood)
Steppenwolf – Steppenwolf LP (Sundazed)
Steven Universe – True Kinda Love 3” (Cartoon Network) for the RSD3 mini turntable
Sugar Ray – 14:59 25th Anniversary LP (Warner)
Tamba 4 – California Soul LP (Elemental Music)
Tank & the Bangas – Live Vibes EP (Verve)
Cecil Taylor -Indent LP (ORG)
Tenacious D – Don’t Blow It, Kage 7” (Third Man) 
They Might Be Giants – Don’t Let’s Start 12” (Idlewild)
Richard Thompson – The Cold Blue [Original Soundtrack] LP (New West)
Velvert Turner Group – Velvert Turner Group LP (ORG)
Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One) – Get the Money 7” (Funk On Sight)
U2 – Three 12” (Island)
Various Artists – A Slice of Delicious Vinyl: Rare Singles & RMXS LP (ORG Music)
Various Artists – Desperado (Soundtrack) LP (Real Gone)
Various Artists – File #733: UFO – Further Investigation 2LP (Modern Harmonic)
Various Artists – Jazz Dispensary: The Dank D-Funk Blend LP (Craft)
Various Artists – Merry Christmas From King Records LP (Sundazed)
Various Artists – More Oar – A Tribute To The Skip Spence LP (Modern Harmonic)
Various Artists – Motown Rare & Unreleased LP (Motown)
Various Artists – Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams (Soundtrack) LP (Spacelab9)
Various Artists – Rhythm Showcase Vol. 1 LP (Daptone)
Various Artists – Roots of Sublime LP (Geffen)
Venom – Manitou 7” picture disc (Sanctuary Records)
Vitamin String Quartet – Performs Nightmare Before Christmas LP (Vitamin)
Rufus Wainwright – Come a Little Closer 7” (BMG)
Paul Westerberg – Stereo & Grandpaboy Mono LP (Vagrant)
Tony Joe White – That On The Road Look 2LP (Real Gone)
Hank Williams – The 1940 Recordings 7” (BMG)
The Wrens – Silver 2LP (Craft)

 

BLOOD INCANTATION – Hidden History of the Human Race LP/CD (Dark Descent)
  black or green vinyl
They made us wait until the year was nearly over but the much anticipated second album by the mighty Denver death metallers BLOOD INCANTATION is finally here. We were massive fans of their existential, cosmic horror inspired technical death metal debut “Starspawn” & the group continues to contemplate the void on their follow-up. Complex riffs & stream of consciousness song structure with some very melodic & memorable moments that owe as much to MORBID ANGEL as they do early MASTODON.This is possibly the best metal album of 2019 & if you can’t already tell, we’re TOTALLY STOKED ON THIS ONE. RECOMMENDED.

DANNY BROWN – uknowhatimsayin¿ LP/CD (Warp) now available in physical formats!
After the darkly revelatory Atrocity Exhibition in 2016, lovable weirdo DANNY BROWN returns again to the light with “uknowhatimsayin¿”, a record rooted both in hip-hop formalism and DANNY’s old goofball persona. It’s quite the change from his explorations on isolation, depression, and drug abuse, but we find it refreshing to hear DANNY throw in some goofy lines that rhyme “rental car” with “Pat Benatar”. The sound here owes a good deal to classic hip-hop of the past, with Q-TIP’s executive production allowing for the subtler parts to shine through the bombast. As a result, DANNY’s latest is also his most effortless, natural, and assured, the sound of a rap superstar at the top of his form just having a bit of fun. Also featuring contributions from JPEGMAFIA, RUN THE JEWELS, BLOOD ORANGE and FLYING LOTUS!

DHIDALAH – Threshold LP (Guruguru Brain) 
“Threshold” is the 2019 album from the Tokyo based trio known as DHIDALAH. Fuzzed out space rock with repetitive kraut rock grooves that will appeal to fans of the Guruguru Brain label in general, HAWKWIND, EARTHLESS, the Riding Easy label etc… 

DJ NIGGA FOX – Cartas Na Manga 2LP (Principe)
Lisbon’s DJ NIGGA FOX makes his triumphant return to Principe, following his Warp LP and a trio of deadly 12″s on Principe. Totally weird, rhythm-driven madness from one of the distinctive producers of the last decade. Absolutely devastating soundsystem destruction from one of our favorites. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

LEVIATHAN – Verrater 4LP (Profound Lore)
Previously released on CD in 2002 on the Tumult label, this collection of demos by Jef Whitehead aka Wrest aka LEVIATHAN has been teased as a vinyl release for over a decade & it’s finally here!! All of the music has been remastered for vinyl & comes in a ridiculously fancy 8 panel gatefold sleeve with new art housed in a slipcase style outer sleeve. Hear some of the origins of American black metal on this amazing limited edition set courtesy of Profound Lore. RECOMMENDED.

POLVO – Polvo (Merge) green vinyl
POLVO’s first two EP’s “Can I Ride” and “Vibracobra” set the tone for the spastic noise and alt-rock that would be their calling card throughout the 90s. Here, Merge records – well – “merges” them onto one LP for the first time. ESSENTIAL!

ARTHUR RUSSELL – Iowa Dream LP/CD (Audika)
Iowa Dream is a collection of demos from ARTHUR RUSSELL, which are very straightforward and disarming. Simple, direct songs that are tender and minimalistic, with an emotional depth
and playfulness. Joining RUSSELL here are ERNIE BROOKS, RHYS CHATHAM, HENRY FLYNT and JON GIBSON. Simultaneously heartbreaking and breezy, in just the right way. A revelatory album.

Other important releases:
BAD BANANA – Bad Banana 7” (Merge) music from 2010 by Katie & Allison Crutchfield!
BAD RELIGION – Christmas Songs LP (Epitaph) color vinyl
BEATLES – Singles Collection 7” boxset (Capitol)
SCOTT H. BIRAM – Sold Out to the Devil LP/CD (Bloodshot)
BOY HARSHER – Country Girl Uncut LP (Nude Club) reissue w/ bonus tracks
RICHARD BUCKNER – Dents & Shells LP (Merge) reissue
LEONARD COHEN – Thanks for the Dance LP (Columbia)
COLDPLAY – Everyday Life LP/CD (Third Man/Parlophone) indie color or black vinyl
DEERHOOF – Holdypaws LP (Kill Rock Stars) remastered, first time on vinyl
DEERHOOF – Halfbird LP (Joyful Noise) first time on vinyl 
THE FIELD – Here We Go Sublime 2LP (Kompakt) 2019 repress!
FLOORPLAN – Supernatural 2LP/CD (Aus)
FLOWER TRAVELLIN’ BAND – Anywhere LP (Phoenix)
GRATEFUL DEAD – Ready or Not LP (Rhino)
ANTOINETTE KONAN – Antoinette Konan LP (Awesome Tapes From Africa)
GALCHER LUSTWERK – Information LP (Ghostly)
J.D. McPHERSON – Socks LP (New West) back in stock on “snow-globe” vinyl!
HARRY NILSSON – Losst & Founnd LP (Omnivore)
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Songs for the Deaf LP (Interscope)
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Rated R LP (Interscope)
THE RAINCOATS – The Raincoats LP (We Three) ltd. color vinyl, 40th anniversary ed.
THE RAINCOATS – Odyshape LP (We Three) ltd. color vinyl
THE SHINS – Waimanalo 7” (Fug Yep)
TEITANBLOOD – Baneful Choir LP/CD (NoEvDia)
CHRISTOPHER TIGNOR –  A Light Below LP (Western Vinyl)
V/A – Pop Ambient 2020 2LP (Kompakt)

 

FRAN – A Private Picture LP/CD (Fire Talk)
Impressive debut from Chicago’s FRAN, who writes dream- tinged rock and folk that seems to be ensnared by her confessional lyrics; the emotional push and pull from fragile to tensed morphs within the songs themselves, and the music mirrors those emotional shifts perfectly. Needless to say, this is RECOMMENDED.

STEVE HAUSCHILDT – Nonlin CD (Ghostly) vinyl delayed til next month
Steve Hauschildt is one of the most exciting electronic composers going these days. The Chicagoan’s second album in two years was recorded while touring for the
previous record in L.A., NYC, Tbilisi, Brussels & Chicago. His music is often chilly in a digital sense, but Hauschildt also has a wonderful knack for writing melodic hooks that set his music apart from a lot of other contemporaries. RECOMMENDED

MAYHEM – Daemon LP/CD (Century Media) indie only color or black vinyl
Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM have existed in some form or another since 1984 but their 2019 album “Daemon” is only their 6th. The last few records had them exploring more technical realms but they’ve returned to a more traditional sound this time around & it works pretty well. Attila’s Vocals are always unique & Necrobutcher’s bass lines give the songs a unique melodic twist. Fans of the band won’t be disappointed at all. RECOMMENDED.

RUINS – Marea / Tide 2LP w/7” (Music From Memory)
Music From Memory presents a reissue of a lost record by Italian duo ALESSANDRO PIZZIN and PIERGIUSEPPE CIRANNA aka RUINS (no relationship to the Japanese with the same name). Originally released in 1984, this was inspired by Italian painter LUIGI VIOLA. Beautiful synthesizers, metallic chimes and other dreamlike sounds comprise this fantastic album. The 7″ contains 4 unreleased tracks and a printed insert with updated liner notes.

VATICAN SHADOW – Kuwaiti Air Force LP (Hospital Productions)
Kuwaiti Airforce was a very rare VATICAN SHADOW cassette (only 40 made!) and now it appears on double vinyl for the first time. This includes previously unreleased collaborations with SILENT SERVANT and DEMDIKE STARE.

Other important new releases:
THE BAND – THE BAND (50th Anniversary Remaster) 2LP/2CD (Capitol)
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY – I Have Made A Place LP/CD (Drag City)
DJ NIGGA FOX – Cartas Na Manga 2LP (Principe)
DJ SHADOW – Out Pathetic Edge LP (Mass Appeal)
EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Walking Wounded LP (Buzzin’ Fly) reissue
MAKAYA McCRAVEN – In The Moment: Deluxe Edition 3LP (Int’l Anthem) reissue
ANNA MEREDITH – FIBS LP (Moshi Moshi)
CARL STONE – Himalaya LP (Unseen Worlds) now on vinyl
TINDERSTICKS – No Treasure But Hope LP/CD (City Slang)
KAMAAL WILLIAMS – DJ-Kicks 2LP/CD (!K7)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – WXAXRXP SESSIONS LPs (Warp)
   APHEX TWIN – Peel Session 2
   BIBIO – WXAXRXP Session
   BOARDS OF CANADA – Peel Session
   FLYING LOTUS – Maida Vale Session: INFINITY “Infinitum”
   KELLY MORAN – WXAXRXP Session
   LFO – Peel Session
   MOUNT KIMBIE – WXAXRXP Session
   ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER – KCRW Session
   PLAID – Peel Session 2
   

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – Ghosteen LP/CD (Bad Seeds Inc)
“Ghosteen” is the first Nick Cave album of entirely new songs since the death of his son Arthur in 2015. The tragedy was addressed in some parts of “Skeleton Tree” & the companion film that went with it, but the grief & sorrow of losing his child is spread throughout this incredible album. The mood is obviously sombre at times but there is a sense of hope & healing to be found. There aren’t any drums or much rhythm at all here, instead the mostly synthesizer based songs flow along, almost in a stream of consciousness way that fits perfectly with the often spoken lyrics & choir backing vocals. The album feels like a person trying to work through their grief & pain in their head & how sometimes brief moments of happiness will appear then get erased almost immediately in guilt. No doubt this is heavy affair but it’s a beautiful one too. RECOMMENDED.

GENE CLARK – No Other LP/CD/2CD deluxe (4AD)
The 1974 album by THE BYRDS front man Gene Clark didn’t cause much of a stir when it was originally released but over the years it’s slowly built a cult following. Now reissued & remastered by 4AD, this incredible psychedelic folk rock record sounds fantastic. The title track is an epic psych-rock jam with some fuzzed-out bass & keyboards that sound futuristic even now. The record has a pretty dark vibe, reminding us of Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Graham Nash’s excellent first few solo albums, Terry Reid etc… Fans will want to pick this up for the remastered sound & we’d imagine a lot people will be stoked to hear this for this first time. RECOMMENDED.

GARY DAVENPORT – Scattered Thoughts LP (Numero)
Numero gives us a quick little 13-track comp from San Antonio’s GARY DAVENPORT, founder of Closet Records and accomplished musician in the local scene. Really nice late 70’s lo-fi guitar pop in the vein of CLEANERS FROM VENUS and TELEVISION PERSONALITIES. 

HAVE A NICE LIFE – Sea of Worry (The Flenser)
The Connecticut band HAVE A NICE LIFE are known for their nihilistic lyrics & dark post-punk sound. Despite those descriptors, the bands music can actually be pretty melodic & that’s the case on a lot of the tunes on their 2019 album “Sea of Worry.” The recording is a little lo-fi & reminds us of early WILD NOTHING, Kranky era DEERHUNTER, BELONG, DIIV etc… Fans of  this band will not be disappointed. RECOMMENDED.

PETER IVERS – Becoming Peter Ivers 2LP/CD (RVNG)
RVNG gifts us with a beauty of a collection from the late PETER IVERS, gathering demos, rehearsals, studio sessions and more that dig closer to the root of IVERS’ haunting outsider folk, glam-laden pop and leftfield sonic experiments. IVERS was tragically murdered under mysterious circumstances in 1983, lending an added air of melancholy to these tracks. Fortunately, RVNG has found these previously unheard recordings, which strip away production pretenses and lay bare the brilliance of his songwriting. 

LAPALUX – Amnioverse 2LP/CD (Brainfeeder)
Fourth full-length on Brainfeeder for Stuart Howard, aka LAPALUX, and this one builds its foundation from more fragile and organic materials. Howard constructed these tracks using snippets of voice from friends and family, layering them with recordings of wind, rain and fire. But make no mistake, this is not field recording alone. Howard gives us a dance record with rich modular synths, breakbeats and breezy analog percussion, making something far more theatrical than he’s ever done.

MOOR MOTHER – Analog Fluids of Sonic Black Holes LP/CD (Don Giovanni)
Camae Ayewa returns for her third record under her moniker MOOR MOTHER, and her first since 2017’s “The Motionless Present”. Ayewa has kept busy, working as vocalist for free jazz unit IRREVERSIBLE ENTANGLEMENTS, collaborating with ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO, and most recently provided a remix for noise metal duo THE BODY. It’s hard to truly categorize MOOR MOTHER’s music, but “Analog Fluids” is the most clearly “hip-hop” of her career, utilizing more beat-driven cadences and adding broken beat production that often resembles leftfield peers like CLIPPING or JPEGMAFIA. Is this hip-hop in the most conservative sense of the term? It’s pushing against that boundary into the realm of free poetry and sound collage. This is killer stuff for those with an ear towards forward-thinking music.

CHARLES RUMBACK & RYLEY WALKER – Little Common Twist LP/CD (Thrill Jockey)
This local collaboration between high-demand free jazz drummer CHARLES RUMBACK and the bad boy of fingerpicked guitar RYLEY WALKER explores the boundless free improv that both excel in, while still being tied together by their intuitive sense for cooperation. RECOMMENDED for fans of BERT JANSCH or JOHN RENBOURN, as well as avant jazz along the lines of SUN RA or the AACM. For those maybe scared off by this description – this is still very accessible and endlessly rewarding music.

VICTIMS – Victims LP (In The Red)
It’s kind of insane that it’s taken this long for official reissues of the legendary recordings by the late 70’s Aussie punkers THE VICTIMS to see the light of day. There have been reissues here & there of the singles but now the classic 7″s are here with a full side of previously unreleased demos. The featured Dave Faulkner (listed as Dave Flick here) who would later go on to THE HOODOO GURUS. Catchy as hell tunes with a similar menace to early SAINTS with hints of  60s garage. SO RECOMMENDED!!!

V/A – Strain, Crack & Break: Music from the Nurse With Wound List Volume 1 (France) 2LP (Finders Keepers)
The NURSE WITH WOUND list has been a touchstone for record collectors for years and now, finally, NWW’s STEPHEN STAPLETON has partnered with FINDERS KEEPERS to present the ‘right tracks’ for the public to feast on. Artists include JACQUES THOLLOT, LARD FREE, ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN, JEAN COHEN-SOLAL, Z., PIERRE HENRY and more. Official, authenticated, legal and cool.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

THE COMET IS COMING – Death to the Planet LP (Leaf) reissue
LUCY DACUS – 2019 LP (Matador)
MARIE DAVIDSON – Chasing the Light 12” (Ninja Tune)
FKA TWIGS – Magdalene LP/CD (Young Turks)
GREET DEATH – New Hell LP/CD (Deathwish) indie color or black vinyl
IRON AGE – The Sleeping Eye LP (20 Buck Spin) reissue
MONO – Before the Past: Live at Electrical Audio LP/CD (Temporary Residence)
NO VACATION – Phasing LP (Top Shelf)
REGIS – Necklace of Bites 2LP (Downwards)
SLAYER – Repentless Killogy: Live at the Forum in Inglewood, CA 2LP (Nuclear Blast) 
    Ltd color vinyl
TEEBS – Annica LP/CD (Brainfeeder)
TEMPERS – Private Life LP (Dais)
THOU – Ceremonies of Repetition 2LP (Gilead)
V/A – Nigeria Soul Power 70: Afro-Funk, Afro-Rock, Afro-Disco 2LP/CD (Soul Jazz)
V/A – Onda De Amor: Synthesized Brazilian HIts That Never Were (1985-94) 2LP (Soundway)
V/A – Too Late to Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots LP/DELUXE LP/CD (Bloodshot)

 

PATRICK COWLEY – Mechanical Fantasy Box LP/CD (Dark Entries)
San Francisco’s Dark Entries continues their noble campaign of releasing or reissuing the works of PATRICK COWLEY. Mechanical Fantasy Box mines more reel-to-reels from COWLEY’s unissued archives, alongside a journal chronicling COWLEY’s sexual discoveries at the time and his post-Stonewall liberation. This also includes photo collages and doodles, so if you’re a COWLEY fanatic like most of us here are, this is ESSENTIAL!

ITASCA – Spring LP (Paradise of Bachelors)
Since the release of the excellent 2016 album “Open to Chance”, Kayla Cohen transplanted from L.A. to a small adobe house in New Mexico for two seasons to write “Spring.” Having just spent some time in Santa Fe & Albuquerque myself, I can very much understand the draw of writing & recording in that magical place. There’s a certain slowness to everything there, almost like everyone understands that you need to take some time out to appreciate the landscape that is beautiful as it is harsh & amazing sunsets that are so difficult to describe. Cohen seems to have absorbed those New Mexico qualities as the songs seem to be in no hurry to present themselves, they just are what they are, simple & pure. With some help from a number of current & ex Chicagoans including Cooper of CAVE/BITCHIN’ BAJAS, Jim Elkington on string arrangements & Mark Riordan on piano amongst others, Kayla Cohen has created a masterpiece. RECOMMENDED.

LINDSTRØM – On A Clear Day I Can See You Forever LP/CD (Smalltown Supersound)
Disco revivalist LINDSTRØM returns with a minimalist piece of synth worship, utilizing hardware instruments exclusively to craft lean, moody tracks. Certainly less danceable, but no less cosmic or gripping.

MID-AIR THIEF – Crumbling LP/CD (Top Shelf)
Top Shelf Records gifts us the first physical edition of MID-AIR THIEF’s stunning LP available outside of self-released editions from their native South Korea.  “Crumbling” is a bizarre mixture of ethereal folk a la Japan’s GHOST with cosmic psych-pop that utilizes both drum machines and analog synthesizers. The result is one of the most thrilling and unique records of this past decade, able to pull from past influences to draw them together in a swirling collage of new sounds. The music here is filled with pathos, as profound as it is uncategorizable.

OM – BBC RADIO 1 2×10” (Drag City)
Four songs from “Advaitic Songs” & “God Is Good” recorded at BBC Radio 1 in May 2019. This is a great sounding session featuring Tyler from WATTER on synths.

PURPLE MOUNTAINS – PURPLE MOUNTAINS LP (Drag City) vinyl finally back in stock
We’d imagine that most people reading this know that former SILVER JEWS front man, poet & singer David Berman took his own life in the summer of 2019. Listening to the record posthumously is a pretty strange experience because the lyrics have so much wore weight & everything is laid bare for all to hear. It’s such a tragic story but we suppose we should all feel lucky that David left us this last gift.

RODAN – Hat Factory LP (Quarterstick)
More RODAN? Don’t mind if we do! These recordings were made at the Hat Factory studio in Baltimore in 1993. These are early versions of songs that would end up ontheir classic album “Rusty.” These aren’t just demos though, these are excellent quality recordings with some different energy & vibes. RECOMMENDED!

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO – Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto LP (Wewantsounds)
Wewantsounds present a reissue of RYUCHI SAKAMOTO’s first solo album ‘Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto’, originally released in 1978 on the sought-after Better Days label. SAKAMOTO was a member of YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA at the time, but the group hadn’t released their first album yet. Features SAKAMOTO on a wide range of synthesizers. This album was a blueprint for the YMO sound.

MAMMAN SANI – La Musique Électronique du Niger LP (Sahel Sounds)
MAMMANI SANI ABDULLAYE is a legendary name in Niger’s avant garde. These mesmerising keyboard instrumentals are absolutely the stuff of dreams. Originally used in radio broadcasts and TV segues, these will put listeners in another world. ASTONISHING!

SUDAN ARCHIVES – Athena LP/CD (Stones Throw) 
After a pair of stellar EPs, we finally get the first full-length from SUDAN ARCHIVES. The LA-via-Cincinnati violinist has made a name for herself with a palette that bridges beat production and Sudanese fiddle music together into very idiosyncratic R&B. The result is music that expertly maneuvers between bold, delicate, defiant and confessional. This will undoubtedly make its way onto many “Best Of” lists, including for those of us here at Reckless.

A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN – The Undivided Five LP/CD (Ninja Tune) 
 “The Undivided Five” is the fifth overall release from A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN, following their debut,two film scores and an EP. The duo of Dustin O’Halloran and former STARS OF THE LID member Adam Wiltzie bring more of their detailed arrangements and sweeping chords to this project, drawing comparisons to MAX RICHTER, TIM HECKER or the late great JOHANN JOHANNSSON. “The Undivided Five” is based conceptually on the patterns of the number five – whether it be the five senses, the divine interval or a harmonic perfect fifth – drawing inspiration from artist Hilma af Klimt, who belonged to a group of women called “The Five” who stressed keeping connections with the spiritual realm. That oughta give you an idea of the immense heights reached by the duo on this record.

Other important releases:

ALTIN GUN – On LP (ATO)
CHEAP QUEEN – King Princess LP (Columbia)
COLDPLAY – Arabesque b/w Orphans 7” (Third Man)
BRADFORD COX/CATE LE BON – MYTHS (Mexican Summer)
DELTA 5 – Singles & Sessions 1979-1981 LP (Kill Rock Stars)
BOB DYLAN – Travelin’ Thru 1967-1969: Bootleg Series Volume 15 3LP/3CD (Legacy)
NILS FRAHM – All Encores CD (Erased Tapes)
MICHAEL KIWANUKA – Kiwanuka LP/CD (Polydor)
LIFETIME – Jersey’s Best Dancers LP (Jade Tree) color vinyl reissue
JEFF LYNNE’S ELO – From Out of Nowhere LP/CD (Columbia)
CHARLIE MEGIRA – Tomorrow’s Gone 2LP (Numero)
MOON BROS – Easy Way Is Not Hard Enough LP (Western Vinyl)
NIRVANA – Unplugged In New York: 25th Anniversary Edition 2LP (Geffen)
OMNI – Networker LP/CD (Sub Pop) loser edition color vinyl
R.E.M. – Monster: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition 2LP/LP/2CD (Concord)
ROLLING STONES – Let it Bleed: 50th Anniversary Edition LP/CD (Abkco) 5
TY SEGALL – Pig Man Lives Volume 1: Demos 2007-2017 4LP (Drag City)
SOCIAL DISTORTION – Mommy’s Little Monster LP (Craft) reissued!
SOCIAL DISTORTION – Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past LP (Craft) reissued!
SOCIAL DISTORTION – Sex, Love & Rock & Roll LP (Craft) reissued
TURNOVER – Altogether LP/CD (Run For Cover) available in purple or “black & yellow galaxy vinyl!
VETIVER – Up On High LP/CD (Mama Bird)
V/A – Congo Revolution: Revolutionary & Evolutionary Sounds from the Two Congos 1955-1962 2LP/CD (Soul Jazz)
V/A – Pakistan: Folk & Pop Instrumentals 1966-1976 CD (Sublime Frequencies)
V/A – Something Weird: Spook Show Spectacular A-Go-Go LP (Modern Harmonic)