Category: New Releases

4/9/21 New Releases

THE EMBARRASSMENT – THE Embarrassment EP LP (Almost Ready)

Yes! Almost Ready Records has reissued the debut EP by the Kansas post-punk legends THE EMBARRASSMENT & we’re pretty excited about it. Top-notch early 80s jangly guitar rock that sits in the middle of bands like THE FEELIES/GO-BETWEENS & the edgier sound of MISSION OF BURMA/GANG OF FOUR. RECOMMENDED!

EXEK – Biased Advice LP/CD (Castle Face)

Reissue of the 2016 album by this great Melbourne band. Post-punk with a heavy dub influence, great bass playing & melodic but angular songs. Fans of early Rough Trade bands, THE FALL, SLITS, ESG, PIL & more recently Anika & BEAK will love this. RECOMMENDED.

THE FALL – Live at St. Helens Technical College, 1981 LP (Castle Face)

Absolutely FANTASTIC sounding soundboard recording of Mark E. Smith and THE FALL from 1981. This is a MUST HAVE for fans we’re not kidding. RECOMMENDED.

FEMALE SPECIES – Tales of My Lost Love LP (Numero Group)

This is a really cool release focusing on two sisters who made music together as FEMALE SPECIES from the mid 60s through the 90s. The early stuff was firmly in the girl group garage style but as they progressed as songwriters they explored 70s AM radio soft rock,country pop etc…& managed to excel at all of the styles. Fans of girl groups & soft rock like Linda Rondstadt, Carole King et al should check this out!

MARY LATTIMORE & MAC McCAUGHAN – AVL LP (New Rain)

This second collaboration between folk harpist MARY LATTIMORE and SUPERCHUNK frontman MAC McCAUGHAN was recorded live in 2019 and released digitally in May of 2020, creating gentle ambient soundscapes out of harp and McCAUGHAN’s Casio as they interacted on stage.

BILL MACKAY & NATHAN BOWLES – Keys LP/CD (Drag City)

The talented & friendly Chicago guitarist Bill Mackay teamed up with the Virginia based banjo player of BLACK TWIG PICKERS for this fantastic duo record. Top notch playing with a mix of traditional sounding folk/bluegrass, nods at 60s British folkies & more. RECOMMENDED!

SILVER SYNTHETIC – Silver Synthetic LP (Third Man) limited color vinyl

This is the debut album by the New Orleans band SILVER SYNTHETIC. Super mellow rock with nods at “Loaded” era VELVET UNDERGROUND, BYRDS, CREEDENCE…etc… & even some nods at powerpop like TEENAGE FANCLUB with great vocal harmonies. 

SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE – Entertainment, Death LP/CD (Saddle Creek) limited color vinyl

We’re really excited to hear some new material from Philly weirdo-pop outfit SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, who mix ethereal psychedelic shoegaze with sample-heavy electronics in the vein of Warp artists like BOARDS OF CANADA and ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER, while remaining strange and ever-evolving in their compositions and styles. You hear bits of death metal, hazy trip-hop and glitchy electro, never settling too neatly into one or the other. This is a fascinatingly abstract pop record from one of the more vital experimental bands currently making music. RECOMMENDED!

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

BELL ORCHESTRE – House Music LP (Erased Tapes)

BENNY SINGS – Music LP/CD (Stones Throw) limited color vinyl

BLACK CROWES – Shake Your Money Maker: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition 4LP (American)

ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS – Moanin’ LP (Blue Note) classic vinyl series

CHEAP TRICK – In Another World CD (BMG) vinyl coming in May

ANGEL BAT DAWID & THA BROTHERHOOD – Live CD (International Anthem) vinyl scheduled for May

DRY CLEANING – New Long Leg (4AD) limited yellow or black back in stock!!

WILLIE DUNN – Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies LP (Light in the Attic)

DVR – Tape 01 + Thru the City LP (XL)

GOLDFRAPP – Seventh Tree LP (BMG) limited yellow vinyl w/ art print

PETER MURPHY – Should the World Fail to Fall Apart LP (Beggars Arkive) blue vinyl

PETER MURPHY – Love Hysteria LP (Beggars Arkive) indigo vinyl

NICO – BBC 1971 LP (Gearbox) import with obi strip

REDS, PINKS & PURPLES – Uncommon Weather LP (Slumberland) blue vinyl

TONES ON TAIL – Pop LP (Beggars Arkive) RSD 2020 title back in stock!

NICK WATERHOUSE – Promenade Blues LP/CD (Innovative Leisure)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Wilcovered LP (BMG) available again on red vinyl

SOME IMPORTANT RESTOCKS

PINK FLOYD – Dark Side of the Moon LP

SUFJAN STEVENS – Come on Feel the Illinoise LP

THE STROKES – Is This It LP

TRIBE CALLED QUEST – Midnight Marauders LP

KANYE WEST – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy LP

3/26/21 New Releases

EL MICHELS AFFAIR – Yeti Season LP/CD/BOX SET (Big Crown) limited blue, black or red vinyl box set with coloring book

The 2021 album from EL MICHELS AFFAIR hooks you right away with the awesome “Unathi” that features the vocals of Piya Malik of THE SHACKS singing in Hindi. The song has a great groove & a 70s Turkish funk vibe. The rest of the album is a mix of classic E.M.A. style instrumental that blend elements of funk, Middle Eastern music & hip-hop & along with a few more vocal tracks that are just as catchy as the opener, especially the song “Murkit Gem” which expands on the Turkish funk sound even more. Fans of the other albums, vintage Middle Eastern funk/psych, KHRUANGBIN etc… should check this out. RECOMMENDED.

FLOATING POINTS & PHAROAH SANDERS w/ THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Promises LP/CD (Luaka Bop) 180g coming hopefully in April!

What an incredibly exciting collaboration we have here between free jazz legend PHAROAH SANDERS & electronic producer FLOATING POINTS, who, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra, have made a magisterial nine-part odyssey through spiritual jazz and modern classical. Meditative, swirling, grandiose and intimate in equal measure — this will certainly be one of our favorite releases of 2021. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

LUNGFISH – Love is Love LP (Dischord) red vinyl

The classic 2003 album by the D.C. area drone punks LUNGFISH is available once again, remastered & on red vinyl. This record caused quite a stir when it was released back then & thankfully now you can get it again after being out of print for many years. 

MOUNTAIN GOATS – Songs for Pierre Chuvin LP/CD (Merge) limited pink vinyl

Originally released in March of 2020 as a streaming & tape-only album, “Songs for Pierre Chuvin” harkens back to John Darnielle’s salad days as a songwriter, with each of the ten tracks recorded into the same Panasonic boombox used for the first MOUNTAIN GOATS releases. In recapturing the rustic and shambolic feel of his early work, Darnielle translates his developed craft for song in a more immediate context. Available now for the first time on vinyl a year later, this is an obvious get for fans and a solid entry point into their vast catalog. RECOMMENDED.

MANSLAUGHTER 777 – World Vision Perfect LP/CD (Thrill Jockey)

Drummer collab between THE BODY’s Lee Buford and Zac Jones of BRAVEYOUNG, mixing sampled beats with live percussion to explore the territories of industrial, dub, hip-hop and broken beat. This is all unified by textures of static and hiss, making this reminiscent of the harsher side of ATARI TEENAGE RIOT. MARVELOUS.

RENEE REED – RENEE REED LP/CD (Keeled Scales) limited gold or black vinyl

Renee Reed is a singer/songwriter from Louisiana. With tight & efficient fingerstyle acoustic playing & folk songs with a 60s/70s British psych/folk influence, this makes us think of everything from Roy Harper to George Harrison with some vocal similarities to Angel Olsen but really this is some pretty unique stuff. 

SERPETWITHFEET – Deacon LP/CD (Secretly Canadian) limited brown or black vinyl

Josiah Wise returns as SERPENTWITHFEET in 2021. On his first album, Wise attempted to balance his religious upbringing with his sexuality. On “Deacon” he explores similar themes & the album feels even more gospel influenced than the first in some ways. This album has a more mellow & positive feel, sort of like a soulful version of BJORK’S “Homegenic” with some similarities to BLOOD ORANGE, D’ANGELO etc…

WRITHING SQUARES – Chart for the Solution LP/CD limited “hyperdrive” color vinyl or black

WRITHING SQUARES is a duo from Philadelphia featuring Kevin Nickles on sax, flute & synth & Daniel Provenzano or PURPLE HISS on bass & vocals. Their sound is a mix of 70s proto-punk ala CHROME, SUICIDE inspired post-punk, no wave, BIG BLACK, STOOGES, early

TRANS AM etc…

NEIL YOUNG – Young Shakespeare LP/LP box set/CD (Reprise)

We’re the biggest Neil fans on the planet & when we heard about this one coming out we wondered if we needed to hear more early 70s shows or not & you know what, WE DO. This show was recorded after the release of the legendary “After the Gold Rush” & just a few days after the now legendary Massey Hall show. Neil is in top form here singing & playing wise & some of the earliest known versions of songs like “Old Man”, “Needle & the Damage Done”, “Heart of Gold” etc… are featured on here. Another essential release from Neil’s vast archives. RECOMMENDED.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

THE ANTLERS -Green to Gold LP/CD (Anti-) limited color or black vinyl

THE CLEAN – Mister Pop LP (Merge) first domestic US pressing

THE CLEAN – Unknown Country LP (Merge) first domestic US pressing

GALDRE VISIONS – Galdre Visions 12” (Leaving)

FREDDIE GIBBS/MADLIB – Pinata: 1974 Version (Madlib) RSD version with different cover art available again!

SLIM HARPO – Scratch My Back Baby LP (Americana Anthropology) mono reissue

JAMES MCALISTER – Scissortail LP/CD (37d03d)

ANTHONY MOORE – Out LP (Drag City)

ENNIO MORRICONE – Exorcist II (soundtrack) LP (Jackpot) color vinyl remaster

PEACERS – Blexxed Rec (Drag City)

POPCAAN – Fixtape LP (Ovo Sound) 

PYLON – Pylon Box (4CD) New West w/ free signed original show poster while supplies last (at Wicker Park only) 

PYLON – Chomp LP (New West) indie exclusive color vinyl w/ free signed original show poster while supplies last (at Wicker Park only)

PYLON – Gyrate LP (New West) indie exclusive color vinyl w/ free signed original show poster while supplies last (at Wicker Park only)

SAULT – Sault 5 CD (Forever Living Originals) BACK IN STOCK!!

SAULT – Sault 7 CD (Forever Living Originals) BACK IN STOCK!!

SAULT – Untitled (Black Is) LP/CD (Forever Living Originals) BACK IN STOCK!!

SAULT – Untitled (Rise) LP/CD (Forever Living Originals) BACK IN STOCK!!

SPOON – Gimme Fiction LP (Matador) remaster color or black vinyl

JOE STRUMMER – Assembly: The Collection LP/CD (Dark Horse) color or black vinyl

AARON LEE TASJAN – Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! LP (New West)

JANE WEAVER – Flock LP (Fire)

WITCH – In the Past LP (Now Again) color vinyl

XIU XIU – Oh No LP/CD (Polyvinyl)

V/A – Edo Funk Explosion Vol 1. 2LP (Analog Africa)

3/19/21 New Releases

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES – J.T. LP/CD (New West) limited red vinyl

We were shocked to hear of the death of JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE back in August 2020 at the age of 38, but even in a relatively short period of time the young singer-songwriter produced a rich body of work. As tribute to those songs and to the man who wrote them, JT’s father STEVE EARLE compiled a selection of covers performed with his band THE DUKES. These recordings are often heart-wrenching (particularly because many of the younger EARLE’s songs address struggles with addiction and loss), and yet the effect is often also cathartic; his songwriting shines through on these because the material avoids becoming overworked. RECOMMENDED.

GUIDED BY VOICES – Propellor LP/TAPE (Scat)

REISSUED AGAIN! “Vampire on Titus” is the record that introduced most of the world to the genius of Robert Pollard & GUIDED BY VOICES but in many ways the album that came out the year before was the album that got the ball rolling for Bob & the boys. Originally self-released by the band with many hand-made cover variants, “Propeller” is one of the best records in their vast discography that includes many classic songs that have been staples in their live sets ever since. Originals still sell for a hefty price & the other reissue isn’t easy to find either. This reissue features a different cover variant than the previous one.  

RECOMMENDED!

HERE LIES MAN – Ritual Divination LP (Riding Easy) now on vinyl!

HERE LIES MAN simplifies things a little this time around. Though there are still some nods at Africanrhythms, this one is more centered in heavy space rock with some hints of HAWKWIND. 

.MAGIC ROUNDABOUT – Sneaky Feeling 7” (Third Man)

MAGIC ROUNDABOUT existed only briefly in Manchester in the 80s & rubbed shoulders with bands like SPACEMEN 3, LOOP & MBV. The only thing they released in their short time as a group was on a rare cassette comp & these 2 songs were only recently discovered by Ian Masters of PALE SAINTS. Those of you that are obsessed with post-Velvets bands, the 80s psych revival, 80s & 90s lo-fi pop, JESUS & MARY CHAIN, SPACEMEN 3, Sarah Records bands etc…will freak over this. RECOMMENDED.

NEW AGE STEPPERS – New Age Steppers LP (On-U Sound)

NEW AGE STEPPERS – Action Battlefield LP (On-U Sound)

NEW AGE STEPPERS – Foundation Steppers LP (On-U Sound)

NEW AGE STEPPERS – Love Forever LP (On-U Sound)

NEW AGE STEPPERS – Avant Gardening LP (On-U Sound)

On-U Sound brings us some very welcome reissues from an essential member of the label’s catalog. NEW AGE STEPPERS embraced the melding of dub and punk that was being explored during the late 70s and early 80s, resulting in a heady, psychedelic sound that fits in with groups like 23 SKIDOO and AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE.

TENO AFRIKA – Amapiano Selections LP (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Amapiano is a relatively new style of electronic music from South Africa. Starting in the 2010s in townships around the country, these bedroom artists & DJs spread their music mostly on WhatsApp. TENO AFRIKA from Pretoria is a young artist & his beats & production will likely be the intro to Amapiano for many people including us. Efficient production with nods at minimal techno & footwork. 

A.R.T. WILSON – Overworld LP (Numero Group)

Vinyl reissue of a 2014 cassette release that was originally composed as a soundtrack for a dance company in Australia. The sounds are a mix of 80s new age cassette releases, 90s video game soundtracks, vaporwave & artists like DISASTERPEACE. 

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

CANDY & THE KISSES – The Scepter Sessions LP (Sundazed) “butterscotch” vinyl

LANA DEL REY – Chemtrails Over the Country Club LP/CD (Polydor) limited yellow or 

    black vinyl

DIALECT – Under – Between LP (RVNG)

FLEET FOXES – SHORE LP/CD (Anti-) limited crystal clear color vinyl with limited lithos 

   while supplies last

GRANDADDY – Sophtware Slump ….. On a Wooden Piano LP (Dangerbird) cloudy clear 

   Vinyl

HERETICAL SECT – Rapturous Flesh Consumed (Gilead)

SOFIA KOURTESIS – Fresia Magdalena 12” (Technicolor)

MAGGOT BRAIN MAGAZINE #4 (Third Man)

MINT JULEP – In a Deep Dreamless Sleep LP (Western Vinyl)

ODISEE – Traveling Man LP (Mellow Music Group) 

PIERCE WITH ARROW – Shatter LP (Dais)

PUBLIC MEMORY – Ripped Apparition LP (Felte)

REAL NUMBERS – Brighter Than LP (Slumberland)

REALLY FROM – Really From LP (Top Shelf) red vinyl

RISE AGAINST – Nowhere Generation 7” (Loma Vista)

TEENAGE HALLOWEEN – Teenage Halloween (Don Giovanni)

3/12/21 New Releases

DON CHERRY – Cherry Jam LP (Gearbox)

A nice reissue by Gearbox of these 1965 recordings of Don Cherry from Danish national radio. Three Don Cherry originals are included along with a cover of the song “You Took Advantage of Me.” 

EYEHATEGOD – A History of Nomadic Behavior LP/CD (Century Media) limited evergreen color vinyl or black

The Louisiana sludge lords EYEHATEGOD return with their first new record in 7 years. Tons of nasty riffs & odd time signatures that make us think of SAINT VITUS & even BLACK FLAG at times. Fans won’t be disappointed with this riff fest!

GANG OF FOUR – 77-81 5LP/TAPE box set (Matador)

Amazing box set features remastered versions of the classic albums “Entertainment!” & “Solid Gold”, an LP of singles, a great sounding live LP from 1980 that’s exclusive to this box & a cassette with 26 outtakes & rarities that have never been released before. The box also includes a 100 page book. RECOMMENDED!

MICROPHONES – Foghorn Tape LP (P.W. Elverum & Sun)

Here’s a limited edition, surprise MICROPHONES LP & it’s an ambient/drone record of a “foghorn” sound that’s actually a pitch-bent bass sound that he uses in the background of “Glow Pt. 2” & some other records. 

LINDA SMITH – Another Time: 1988- 1996 LP/CD (Captured Tracks)

Like many independent artists in the 80s & 90s, the 4 track tape recorder was a main weapon & that was certainly the case for the NYC/Baltimore based musician Linda Smith. Smith played & recorded these songs at home & they share a lot of the same charm as other lo-fi artists of the era like SEBADOH, early MOUNTAIN GOATS, Simon Joyner etc… with some post-VELVETS/RAINCOATS 60’s girl group sounds mixed in too. Some of these songs were released on tapes & 7″ by labels like Slumberland & Harriet. RECOMMENDED!

A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN – Invisible Cities LP/CD (Artificial Pinearch) limited “beer” color vinyl

The duo of Adam Wiltzie and Dustin O’Halloran release their score for the stage production of “Invisible Cities”, based on the novel by Italo Calvino. These are gentle and meditative ambient pieces that showcase the pair’s mastery of tone and dynamics. Good stuff!

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ANOHNI – I Will Survive/RNC 7” (Secretly Canadian)

BIG SEAN – Detroit 2 LP (Def Jam)

PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Punisher LP (Dead Oceans) finally back in. we have a bunch!

PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Stranger in the Alps LP (Dead Oceans) finally back in. we have a bunch!

SARAH DAVACHI – All My Circles Run LP (Late Music) limited gold vinyl reissue

EL MICHELS AFFAIR – Murkit Gem/Cham Cham 7” (Big Crown)

NILS FRAHM – Tripping with Nils Frahm 2LP (Erased Tapes)

LAKE STREET DIVE – Obviously LP/CD (Nonesuch) limited color or black vinyl

SUNBURNED HAND OF THE MAN – Pick a Day to Die LP (Three Lobed)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – London is the Place for Me: Trinidadian Calypso in London 1950-56 LP (Honest Jons) back in print!

ROB ZOMBIE – Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse LP/CD (Nuclear Blast)

3/5/21 New Releases

AZITA – Glen Echo LP (Drag City)

“Glen Echo” is the first album since 2012 by the Chicago treasure Azita. The album was written & recorded by Azita & she played every instrument. Fantastic & charming rockers with that shambolic VU charm that so many artists wish they could capture & nods at Drag City greatness over the years ala SMOG & ROYAL TRUX, Azita has brought us a lot of joy with this one. RECOMMENDED.

MIDWIFE – Like Author, Like Daughter LP (Flenser) reissue

Vinyl reissue of this excellent album by the Denver based band MIDWIFE led by the talented Madeline Johnston. This was recorded at the former Denver DIY space Rhinoceropolis where Johnston used to live & make music. Similar to the 2020 Reckless favorite “Forever”, this one is a mix of slow core & shoegaze & will appeal to fans of things like CODEINE, JESUS & MARY CHAIN, JESU Etc…

MOUSE ON MARS – AAI 2LP/CD (Thrill Jockey)

The duo of Jan St. Werner & Andi Toma reteam in 2021 for this project exploring the creative potential of working with artificial intelligence. “AAI” serves as a sort of dialogue with machine learning, building on the musical ideas of an AI by adding polyrhythmic, percussive structure and tweaking its voice as an instrument to more closely resemble humanity, allowing that AI to use the album to tell a story about itself. Very ambitious, but even without the concept this is an exciting and extensive collection of leftfield pop music.

PAINTED SHRINES – Heaven & Holy LP (Woodsist)

PAINTED SHRINES is Jeremy of WOODS & Glenn of SKYGREEN LEOPARDS. Folky indie rock tunes that remind us of Flying Nun greats like THE CHILLS & THE BATS with some hints of 60s West Coast rock like THE BYRDS. 

PRIMITIVE KNOT – Fight the Future LP (Phage Tapes)

PRIMITIVE KNOT is a one-man project from Manchester & it’s kind of hard to pin down. There’s a bunch of releases on Bandcamp, some tape releases, a number of stand-alone cover songs & finally this LP on the Minnesota label Phage Tapes. The first thing you’ll notice is RIFFS. There are tons of great riffs. The guitar sound is super crunchy & there are nods at 80s industrial & proto-punk but there are also elements of NWOBHM, harsh noise & space rock. Imagine a combo of KILLING JOKE, BIG BLACK, BRAINBOMBS, HAWKWIND & MOTORHEAD & MINISTRY & you might have an idea what this sounds like. FANTASTIC STUFF!

75 DOLLAR BILL – Live at Tubby’s LP (Grapefruit)

Almost exactly a year before we’re writing this, the pandemic was on our minds but we didn’t know exactly how it was all going to pan out & 75 DOLLAR BILL was playing a show in Kingston, NY with an expanded group. It’s weird to think back to a small club show full of maskless people enjoying some good grooves but this record should help you remember that at least a little. All of the jams are over 9 minutes & two them clocking in at over 20 & they sound great. The band was backed up by some sax players & viola & of course it rules. RECOMMENDED.

EMILY A. SPRAGUE – Hill, Flower, Fog LP (RVNG)

The California based musician Emily A. Sprague’s 2021 album “Hill, Flower, Fog” is a beautiful collection of chilled-out modular pieces that owe as much to APHEX TWIN’s ambient pieces as they do 80s new age. RECOMMENDED.

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Numero 95: Virtual Experience Software LP (Numero Group)

Like a lot of things when they’re new, 90’s computer music & digital animation, internet culture seemed kind of silly & overly futuristic at the time. But good art stands the test of time & some digital art from that era has aged rather gracefully. A whole genre of music blossomed for love of music, video games & CGI of that era called Vaporwave & this great comp by our friends at Numero examines some of those pre-Vaporwave artists. The LP comes in a replica floppy disc sleeve & the music is appropriately icy & digitized sounding.RECOMMENDED!

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES 

CHET BAKER – Chet LP (Craft)

CHET BAKER – It Could Happen to You LP (Craft)

CHET BAKER – Plays the Best of Lerner & Loewe LP (Craft)

BLACK SABBATH – Heaven & Hell 2LP/2CD Deluxe Edition (Warner) 

BLACK SABBATH – Mob Rules 2LP/2CD Deluxe Edition (Warner) 

CARIBOU – Suddenly Remixes EP 12” (Merge)

IAN WILLIAM CRAIG & DANIEL LENTZ – In a Word LP (RVNG)

FORBIDDEN – Forbidden Evil LP (Combat) blue vinyl limited to 300 or black

FRUIT BATS – Pet Parade LP/CD (Merge) Peak Vinyl coming in April

JUNGLE PUSSY – JP4 LP (Jagjaguwar)

JIMBO MATHUS & ANDREW BIRD – These 13 LP (Wegawam) indie only color or black vinyl

KINGS OF LEON – When You See Yourself LP/CD (RCA) limited indie only color or black vinyl

MUSH – Lines Redacted LP (Memphis Industries)

OFEGE – How Do You Feel LP (Tidal Waves)

NANCY SINATRA – Start Walkin’ 1965- 1976 2LP (Light in the Attic) limited color or black vinyl

SUSS – Promise LP (Northern Spy)

TIGERS JAW – I Won’t Care How You Remember LP/CD (Hopeless) limited color vinyl

TINDERSTICKS – Distractions LP/CD (City Slang) limited blue vinyl

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Field Works: Cedars LP (Temporary Residence)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Rad (Soundtrack) LP (Curb)

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVE RAWLINGS – All the Good Times Past & Gone CD (Acony)

2/26/21 New Releases

CAMILA FUCHS – Kids Talk Sun LP (Felte) yellow vinyl

CAMILA FUCHS is a Lisbon based duo & this 2021 album was produced by Pete Kember of SPACEMEN 3. Epic electronic pop with some experimental touches that will appeal to fans of THE KNIFE, BJORK etc…

CLOUD NOTHINGS – The Shadow I Remember LP/CD (Carpark) spectral light whirl vinyl

Pretty great 2021 album from CLOUD NOTHINGS, who take a return trip over to Electrical Audio to replicate their signature layered-yet-pummeling sound, resulting in a welcome, no-nonsense collection to concise punk songwriting. Featuring contributions from BRETT NAUCKE and MACIE STEWART (of OHMME), this should again appeal to fans of JAWBOX, DRIVE LIKE JEHU and HUSKER DU. No surprise here: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

DISAPPEARS + STEVE SHELLEY + WHITE/LIGHT 2LP (Vampire Blues)

Limited edition 2LP/45RPM release of these epic collab jams from 2009 featuring the first line-up of
DISAPPEARS, SONIC YOUTH drummer Steve Shelley & SONIC YOUTH sound man Jeremy Lemos’ WHITE/LIGHT band that also featured PINEBENDER guitarist Matt Clark. This is very much like DISAPPEARS but more “out” which heavy grooves. Comes in a bootleg style sleeve. We’re the only store in town that has these so get em here! RECOMMENDED.

GENEVA JACUZZI – Lamaze LP (Mexican Summer)

Geneva Jacuzzi is a L.A. based musician & performance artist & “Lamaze” is a collection of recordings from the early/mid 2000s reissued again by Mexican Summer. Hints of 80s dance, new wave & early hip-hop production with great analogue sounds that will appeal to fans of minimal wave, vaporwave, Italo disco & artists like Saada Bonaire, Patrick Cowley, Nina Hagen etc…RECOMMENDED!

PJ HARVEY – Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea LP (Island)

One of our favorite PJ Harvey records is finally available again. Some of her finest songs ever from the early 2000s featuring a great duet with Thom Yorke.

PJ HARVEY – Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea – Demos LP (Island)

MADLIB – Sound Ancestors (Arranged by Kieran Hebden) LP (Madlib Invasion)

“Sound Ancestors” has been out in the world streaming for a few months now & we’re very excited to be able to finally stock these in the racks. This isn’t the first collaboration between MADLIB & Kieran Hebden aka FOUR TET but it’s certainly the most fully realized one. Hebden acts more as an arranger or editor for MADLIB’s beats & samples. The album has a great flow & bounces from psych-rock breaks to soulful vocal passages, a decent variety of guitar samples & some jazzy excursions all combined with MADLIB’s insane knack for digging out the coolest beats. Hebden’s thoughtful arranging gives everything enough room to breathe & it really grows on you with repeat listens. AN INSTANT CLASSIC!

MENAHAN STREET BAND – The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band LP/CD (Dunham) limited green vinyl

Great collection of throwback cuts from these Daptone staples, whose dusty & warm instrumental soul harkens back to artists like THE DELFONICS, THE STYLISTICS, and ISAAC HAYES but with a more leftfield psych twist. Excellent stuff!

NIGHTSHIFT – Zoe LP/CD/TAPE (Trouble in Mind) color or black vinyl

NIGHTSHIFT is a melodic post-punk band from GLASGOW. With nods at early Rough Trade singles & angular groups like THE SLITS, RAINCOATS, THE FALL & more 

recently WARPAINT. 

STEREOLAB – Electrically Possessed: Switched On Vol. 4 3LP/2CD (Warp) #’D mirriboard edition for both formats; LP is very limited!

We are all blessed to receive a fourth installment of the mighty STEREOLABs “Switched On” series after over twenty years since volume three, “Aluminum Tunes”. Featuring rare cuts from 1995 up through 2008, this is an expansive and wide-ranging collection that is sure to remain floating around in your head. MAGNIFIQUE!

NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE – Way Down in the Rust Bucket 4LP/4LP deluxe edition/2CD (Reprise)

2021 is set to be possibly the biggest year yet for Neil’s archive releases. We know of at least 3 that are coming & there are likely more. This 4LP set features the earliest live recordings of the “Ragged Glory” tunes in front of an intimate crowd in 1990. The recordings are raw & excellent sounding. RECOMMENDED!

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ALTIN GUN – Yol LP (ATO) limited color or black vinyl

JULIEN BAKER – Little Oblivions LP/CD (Matador) limited color or black vinyl

BLACK CROWES – Shake Your Money Maker LP/2CD remastered

BLANCK MASS – In Ferneaux LP/CD (Sacred Bones) color or black vinyl

BRIJEAN – Feelings LP/CD (Ghostly) color or black vinyl

RAY CHARLES – Best of Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years 2LP (Atlantic)

ALICE COOPER – Detroit Stories LP/CD (Ear Music)

DEFTONES – White Pony: 20th Anniversary Edition 2LP/2CD box set (Reprise)

JIMMY EDGAR – Cheetah Bend LP (Innovative Leisure)

FLEETWOOD MAC – Mr. Wonderful LP (Blue Horizon)

FLEETWOOD MAC – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac LP (Blue Horizon)

FLEETWOOD MAC – Pious Bird of Good Omen LP (Blue Horizon)

FUN. – Some Nights LP (Fueled by Ramen) silver vinyl

HOLD STEADY – Open Door Policy LP/CD (Thirty Tigers) limited indie only color or black vinyl

CHAKA KHAN – Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan LP (Reprise) burgundy vinyl

KILLING JOKE – Killing Joke (Spinefarm) black/clear color vinyl

LIL’ KIM – Notorious Kim 2LP (Atlantic) color vinyl

MARAL – Push LP (Leaving)

MELVINS – Working With God LP (Ipecac) color vinyl

MELVINS – Hostile Ambient Takeover LP (Ipecac) limited color vinyl 

MELVINS – Gluey Porch Treatments LP (Ipecac) color vinyl

PINEGROVE – Amperland, NY LP/CD (Rough Trade)

ROOSEVELT – Polydans LP (City Slang) limited red vinyl

WESLEY SCHULTZ – Vignettes LP (Dualtone)

SIVUCA – Sivuca LP (Real Gone) limited purple vinyl

SMERZ – Believer LP/CD (XL)

KARIMA WALKER – Waking the Dreaming Body CD (Keeled Scales) 

WAU WAU COLLECTIF – Yaral Sa Doom LP/CD (Sahel Sounds)

2/19/21 New Releases

Kind of a slow week and some releases didn’t make it on time because of the weather

BAD BRAINS – Pay to Cum! 7” (Bad Brains)

The legendary first 7″ by the D.C. punks BAD BRAINS is available once again this time on their own label. Supposedly more remastered reissues are on the way. 

MOGWAI – As the Love Continues LP/CD (Temporary Residence) yellow vinyl

The Scottish post-rockers MOGWAI have been at it for 25 years now & this is their 10th album.  These guys are masters of creating atmosphere & considering they recorded this remotely over Zoom, it sounds like they were in the same room or at least the same building. Fans of their epic take on space rock & shoegaze won’t be disappointed. 

ROY MONTGOMERY – Island of Lost Souls LP (Grapefruit) 

The New Zealand experimental legend celebrates 40 years of releasing music with “Island of Lost Souls.”This one finds him writing deep electric guitar songs with a icy chorus sound that sound like COCTEAU TWINS songs with just the guitar solo’d out, WINDY & CARL etc…Pretty cool stuff.

YASMIN WILLIAMS – Urban Driftwood LP (Spinster)

Yasmin Williams is a 24 year old guitarist from Virginia. She uses a unique playing style with the acoustic guitar horizontal on her lap, tapping the fretboard with her left hand & either plucking the strings with her right hand or sometimes a kalimba. Drawing inspiration from everything from Hendrix, the music of West African griots, NIRVANA & legendary black guitarists such as Elizabeth Cotten & Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Williams’ playing sounds more like 80s & early 90s Windham Hill legend Michael Hedges than a lot of people might want to admit & there are even melodic similarities to some complex emo guitarists such as JOAN OF ARC/GHOSTS & VODKA phenom Victor Villareal. We’re not sure why but this record couldn’t come at a better time while we’re snowed in with frigid temps in a pandemic in early 2021. RECOMMENDED. 

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ANOTHER MICHAEL – New Music & Big Pop LP (Run For Cover)

CRUCIFIX – Dehumanization LP (Kustomized) remaster

SHEILA E – Glamorous Life LP (Rhino) color vinyl reissue

ARETHA FRANKLIN – Young, Gifted & Black LP (Atlantic) color vinyl reissue

RYAN HEMSWORTH – Pout LP (Jagjaguwar)

KATY KIRBY – Cool Dry Place LP (Keeled Scales)

NURSE WITH WOUND – Merzbild Schwet LP (Dirter Promotions)

NURSE WITH WOUND – To the Quiet Men From a Dirty Girl LP (Dirter Promotions)

SLEEP PARTY PEOPLE – Sleep Party People: 10th Anniversary Edition LP (Joyful Noise)

SLOWDIVE – 5EP: In Mind Remixes 12” (Music on Vinyl) limited, numbered colored vinyl

PAULINE ANNA STROM – Angel Tears in Sunlight LP/CD (RVNG) color or black vinyl

2/12/21 New Releases

BAILTER SPACE – WAMMO LP (Matador) 25th anniversary orange vinyl

25TH anniversary reissue of this fantastic 1995 album by the oft overlooked New Zealand trio BAILTER SPACE. Famous for their eardrum bursting live shows, BAILTER SPACE were a somewhat beefier sounding version of shoegaze at the time with similarities to contemporaries like CATHERINE WHEEL & SWERVEDRIVER but with a similar willingness to let stuff get sloppy like MISSION OF BURMA. RECOMMENDED.

GORLS – Fall in Love 1992-93 LP (Hozac)

Sloppy, lo-fi early 90s punk with some nods at garage from this Seattle group. Fans of everything from BRATMOBILE to X-RAY SPEX, MUMMIES & even early UK stuff like THEE HEADCOATS/HEADCOATEES will dig this. 

HIS NAME IS ALIVE – Hope is a Candle: Home Recordings 1985-1990 Vol. 3 LP (Disciples)

Third and final collection in the series of early tapes from Warren Defever, aka HIS NAME IS ALIVE, which still focuses on ambient sketches and manipulated recordings, but starts to develop more recognizable song structures that the project would mold into. RECOMMENDED!

TIZIANO POPOLI – Bruciare La Notte/Burn the Night 2LP (RVNG)

Minimal electronic music from 1980s Italy by Tiziano Popoli. Using a DX-7, Roland 909 drum machine & samples, Popoli made dark & experimental pop music that owed as much to early industrial like THROBBING GRISTLE as it did to Japanese electronic masters YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA. RECOMMENDED

PUSHUPS – Pushups is Pop 1979-80 LP (Hozac)

Heads up power pop fans! Great synth heavy pop from San Francisco that will appeal to fans of THE CARS, TUBEWAY ARMY etc… featuring ex-members of ZOLAR X. 

TY SEGALL & CORY HANSON – She’s a Beam 10” (Drag City)

Ty & WAND’s Cory Hanson team up for two psychedelic pop tunes that remind us of the more mellow side of T.REX & early Bowie. 

SLINT – Breadcrumb Trail/ Good Morning, Captain 12” (Tough & Go) limited color vinyl

This is a repress of the 2020 Record Store Day 12″ that featured two alternate “dry” takes of these classic “Spiderland” songs. The differences are subtle but there’s enough there to warrant careful listening. Light green vinyl is limited to 1500. RECOMMENDED OF COURSE.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

CANNONBALL ADDERLY – Somethin’ Else LP (Blue Note) Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series

BLACK SABBATH – VOL 4 SUPER DELUXE 5LP/4CD (Rhino)

CHRIS BROKOAW – Puritan LP (12XU)

CARCASS – Reek of Putrefaction (MMXX Edition) LP (Earache)

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH – New Fragility LP/CD (CYHSY) limited color or black vinyl

FOLTERKAMMER – Die Lederpredigt Lp (Gilead)

GOAT GIRL – On All Fours LP (Rough Trade)

JOE HENDERSON – Page One LP (Blue Note) Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series

LONGSTOCKING – One Upon a Time Called Now LP (Jealous Butcher) remastered

CURTIS MAYFIELD – Roots LP (Rhino) orange vinyl

CURTIS MAYFIELD – There’s No Place Like America LP (Rhino) orange vinyl

PUBLIC ENEMY – Power to the People & Beats LP (Def Jam)

RADIOHEAD all catalog back in stock on vinyl! 

RUINS OF BEVERAST – Thule Grimoires 2LP (Van)

RUN DMC – Raising Hell (Original Master Recording) 2LP (Mobile Fidelity) 45RPM remaster (these are almost gone!)

SPILLAGE VILLAGE – Spilligion LP (Interscope) limited splatter vinyl

V/A – Cuba: Music & Revolution: Culture Clash in Havana – Experiments in Latin Music 1975-1985 3LP (Soul Jazz)

WEEZER – Ok Human LP/CD (Atlantic) limited indie only color or black vinyl

1/29/21 NEW RELEASES

JOSH ABRAMS – Natural Information LP (Eremite) reissue

2010 album from Chicago multi-instrumentalist Joshua Abrams. A good deal of the record is centered around the guimbri, a three stringed animal hide bass used by the Gnawa in North Africa in healing ceremonies. The sound of the album is a mix of African rhythms, psychedelics & 60’s free jazz. SANDY BULL is the first thing that comes to mind, mainly because of the Eastern influenced scales but hints of POPOL VUH & even DON CHERRY pop in from time to time.

JOSH ABRAMS – Represencing LP (Eremite) reissue

Second album from Chicago Jazz bass great Joshua Abrams who has played with all sorts of great acts like David Boykin, Nicole Mitchell, The Roots, Will Oldham, Neil Hagerty and just about every Chicago jazz muscian. But under his own band he really shines. This really is unclassifiable music. True music made by a true music lover. And what a great band! Chad Taylor, David Boykin, Emmett Kelly, Mikel Avery, Lisa Alvarado, Tomeka Reid, Nicole Mitchell, Jason Stein, Jeff Parker & Michael Zerang. RECOMMENDED!

JOHN CARPENTER – Lost Themes III LP/CD (Sacred Bones) limited red or black vinyl

The legendary filmmaker & composer John Carpenter returns with the third volume in the “Lost Themes” series. Along with his son & Cody & Daniel Davies (son of Dave Davies of THE KINKS), Carpenter started the series as “a soundtrack for the movies in your mind.” Fans of his legendary soundtracks & other 80s sci-fi & horror soundtracks will love this of course. 

DANNY KROHA – Detroit Blues LP/CD (Third Man) limited color vinyl!

Danny Kroha of THE GORIES pays tribute 60s blue & folk with his 2021 solo album “Detroit Blues.” Trad sounds that fit perfectly on Third Man!

ORWELL – ORWELL 1995 LP (Expert Work)

Limited edition & already out of print at the label LP release of the complete recordings by the short-lived mid 90s Chicago emo band ORWELL. The band burned brightly for just a year & then burned out & splintered into many bands over the years like BRAID, HAYMARKET RIOT, HEY MERCEDES, HUBCAP & TRAITORS. The band never made a proper album so all of these songs were released on compilations or never released until now. Features long-time Reckless employee Billy Smith on the trap kit! Fans of 90s Midwest emo & melodic punk will definitely want to check this out.  RECOMMENDED!

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Virtual Dreams: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age, 1993-1997 LP/CD (Music From Memory) 

The great Music From Memory label has made some of our favorite compilations over the past few years & for their 50th release they’ve tackled the electronic music that was the response to the raves & wild parties of the late 80s “summer of love.” These electronic sounds were almost the opposite of the music played at all night raves, instead this music was for when you were coming down & or needed that “chill-out” time. Inspired by ambient & new age music, changed the sound of dance & electronic music forever. RECOMMENDED.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE – Bridge to Quiet EP (12”) Domino

BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD – For the First Time LP/CD (Ninja Tune) white vinyl

THE BUG (ft. DIS FIG) – In Blue 2LP (Hyperdub) blue vinyl

COMMON – Beautiful Revolution PT 1 LP/CD (Loma Vista) indie color or black vinyl

EMPEROR – Anthems to the Welkin Dusk LP (Spinefarm) half-speed master

EMPEROR – Emperor LP (Spinefarm) half-speed master

EMPEROR – IX Equilibrium  LP (Spinefarm) half-speed master

EMPEROR – Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise LP (Spinefarm) half-speed master

FOO FIGHTERS – Medicine at Midnight LP/CD (RCA) limited indie color or black with free slipmat while supplies last!

RUDOLPH JOHNSON – Spring Rain LP (Real Gone) remastered

SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS – Just Dropped in (to See What Condition my RENDITION was in!) LP (Daptone) RSD title available now on black vinyl!

KILLING JOKE – Singles Collection 1979-2012 4LP (Spinefarm)

BILL LOOSE – Cherry… & Harry & Raquel (Soundtrack) LP (Real Gone) red vinyl

BILL LOOSE – Vixen (Soundtrack) LP (Real Gone) green vinyl

CHARLIE PARKER – Mercury & Clef 5X10” box set (Verve)

PEEL DREAM MAGAZINE – Moral Panics LP (Slumberland) yellow vinyl

SCREAMING FEMALES – Chalk Tape LP (Don Giovanni)

TELE NOVELLA – Merlynn Belle LP (Kill Rock Stars) limited green vinyl

WEATHER STATION – Ignorance LP (Fat Possum) limited silver vinyl

1/29/21 NEW RELEASES

THE BODY – I’ve Seen All I Need To See LP/CD (Thrill Jockey)

Big time return for this Portland duo. THE BODY departs a bit from the power electronics of their more recent albums, zeroing in on a live presence based around Lee Buford’s pummeling drums and Chip King’s thunderingly resonant guitar sheets of noise. Amazingly, this is one of the heaviest records in their catalogue; but more importantly that heaviness provides space to explore subtleties in the vicious crackling distortion. An absolute mind-melter! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

CLOUD NOTHINGS – Turning On LP (Carpark) 10th anniversary edition

A true lo-fi masterpiece, CLOUD NOTHINGS’ debut LP has finally gotten the repress treatment it deserves.  This is Cloud Nothings at their grittiest and most distilled form.  Dylan Baldi’s songwriting is witty, effortless, and genuine.  Although these tracks could benefit from a full backing band (Baldi recorded all the instruments himself), the lo-fi production instantly charmed fans and began to define CLOUD NOTHINGS’ sonic fingerprint. It’s all killer no filler and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ! ! !

SLOWDIVE – 5 EP (Music on Vinyl) pink/purple marble vinyl

Music on Vinyl continues to reissue the SLOWDIVE EPs & this 12″ is one of our favorites. On this one, the band explored minimal electronic beats with their trademark verb’d & delay’d guitar sounds & the result is the nearest they’d get to a dance record. RECOMMENDED.

TRIBULATION – Where the Gloom Becomes Sound LP/CD (Metal Blade)

The great Swedish goth metallers TRIBULATION are back with their 5th album & shockingly, the final album with main songwriter Jonathan Hulten who amicably left the group after finishing the record. Similar to their last few albums, this one owes as much to goth & death rock as it does to their early metal sound. Great songs & dark vibes that will appeal to their fans, stuff like SISTERS OF MERCY, CHRISTIAN DEATH & the classic Swedish sound. RECOMMENDED.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

BESNARD LAKES – Are the Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings LP (Fat Cat)

PAUL CHAMBERS – Bass on Top LP (Blue Note) tone poet series remaster

NAHAWA DOUMBIA – Kanawa LP (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS – Gilded Palace of Sin LP (A&M)

FONTAINES D.C. – A Hero’s Death LP (Partisan) limited clear vinyl

MARTIN GORE – The Third Chimpanzee EP/CD (Mute)

GRATEFUL DEAD – One From the Vault 3LP (Light in the Attic)

GRATEFUL DEAD – One From the Vault 4LP (Light in the Attic)

GRATEFUL DEAD – One From the Vault 4LP (Light in the Attic)

HALLOWS EVE – Tales of Terror LP (Metal Blade) classic back in print!

PJ HARVEY – Is this Desire? LP (Island)

PJ HARVEY – Is this Desire? – Demos LP (Island)

MIKE KROL – Mike Krol is Never Dead: The first Two Records 3CD (Merge) now with bonus tracks!

DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO – I Told You So LP (Colemine)

LNZNDRF – II LP (Lnzndrf)

MASMA DREAM WORLD – Play at Night LP (Northern Spy) limited gold vinyl

LEE MORGAN – Rajah LP (Blue Note) tone poet series remaster

LON MOSHE & SOUTHERN FREEDOM ARKESTRA – Love is Where the Spirit Lies 2LP (Strut) remastered

PINK FAIRIES – Never Never Land LP (Music on Vinyl)

JOHN PRINE – Bruised Oranges LP (Asylum)

JOHN PRINE – Pink Cadillac LP (Asylum)

JOHN PRINE – September 78 LP (Oh Boy)

JOHN PRINE – Storm Windows LP (Asylum)

PRONG – Prove You Wrong LP (Music on Vinyl) silver/black marble vinyl

VIS-A-VIS – Odo Gu Ahorow LP (We Are Busy Bodies) rare Afrobeat!

VIS-A-VIS – Obi Agye Me Dofo LP (We Are Busy Bodies) rare Afrobeat!