Category: New Releases

8/21/20 NEW RELEASES

AUSCULTATION – III LP (100% Silk)

Joel Shanahan is one of the hardest working musicians out there these days & though you might know him best as GOLDEN DONNA, his work as AUSCULTATION is just as engaging. Dreamy electronics with washes of shoegazy synths & lo-fi beats that owes as much to COCTEAU TWINS as it does that 100% Silk style. RECOMMENDED.

BULLY – Sugaregg LP/CD (Sub Pop) first press loser edition on color vinyl

Alicia Bognanno & BULLY return with this really strong 3rd album. Hooks galore & crunchy guitars with Bognanno’s voice almost veering out of control. This isn’t some grunge wannabe stuff, it sounds really fresh & hearing a band rock this hard right now feels really good. RECOMMENDED.

GUIDED BY VOICES – Mirrored Aztec LP/CD (GBV)

Supposedly “Mirrored Aztec” is album #107 in Bob Pollard’s absolutely bonkers discography. This one is definitely on the rockin’ side with tons of riffs & hooks & imaginative lyrics from Bob like always. Think “Under the Bushes…”era mixed with “Who’s Next” bravado. 

LESS BELLS – Mourning Jewelry LP/CD (Kranky)

The multi-instrumentalist Julie Carpenter returns with her LESS BELLS project for Kranky. This has a sort of “chamber music in the desert” vibe in our opinion, with dusty drones made of strings, arpeggiated synths, pianos & choral vocals that we think will appeal to fans of WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN, 80s TANGERINE DREAM, maestro Steve Reich etc…RECOMMENDED.

MATMOS – The Consuming Flame 3CD (Thrill Jockey)

Split across three movements (and three discs!), MATMOS brings to 2020 a high-concept project, where 99 artists were tasked to perform whatever they wished, so long as it was at a BPM of 99. These submissions were layered onto each other, creating an album less written and more imagined & curated by the Baltimore duo. Featuring the help of DANIEL LOPATIN (aka ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER) MOTH COCK and MARISA ANDERSON – among many others – this project is hard to categorize because those who participate come from everywhere and with different levels of expertise. A thrilling and ambitious project that fits the COVID-stricken time it was made.

RED LIGHTS – Red Lights LP (In the Red)

Wow! Rare, pre-GUN CLUB material by a young Jeffrey Lee Pierce. The group only played a handful of shows & recorded one demo in 1978 which is featured here. Pierce was only 19 when he started the band but you can definitely hear glimmers of the genius that was to come. GUN CLUB fans will definitely want to check this out. INCREDIBLE!

SNEAKS – Happy Birthday LP/CD (Merge)

This fourth release for Eva Moolchan, aka SNEAKS, goes further in developing the interplay between punk, lo-fi electronica and spoken word. Moolchan still draws from the tight, minimalist punk beats of ESG, but there’s a darker, colder atmosphere that reminds us of the sonic experiments of YVES TUMOR. Big time RECOMMENDATION.

X – Alphabetland LP (Fat Possum)

Living legends X return with their first new album with the original line-up in 35 years! Anyone that’s been lucky enough to see these guys recently know that they still sound INCREDIBLE so new songs are much appreciated. The trademark dueling vocals of John Doe & Exene still sound fantastic & the energy is definitely there. Yes, there are good things happening in 2020 from time to time…

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ANTHRAX – Persistence of Time 3LP (Metal Blade) 30th anniversary reissue

BASSNECTAR – Into the Sun LP (Amorphous)

JOHN BENCE – Kill 12” (Thrill Jockey)

BLOOD INCANTATION – Interdimensional Extinction LP (Dark Descent) back in print!

CHARLES BUKOWSKI – Reads His Poetry LP (Real Gone)

THE CRADLE – Laughing In My Sleep LP (NNA Tapes)

THEON CROSS / POKUS – Candace of Meroe / Pokus One 12” (Soul Jazz)

CUT COPY – Freeze, Melt LP (Cut Copy) indie color vinyl should be here next week

BRIAN ENO & JOHN CALE – Wrong Way Up LP/CD (All Saints) 30th anniversary!

BRIAN ENO & JAH WOBBLE – Spinner LP/CD (All Saints) 25th anniversary!

ERASURE – NEON LP (Mute) limited orange vinyl

FANTASTIC NEGRITO – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?  LP (Cooking Vinyl)

GRATEFUL DEAD – Workingman’s Dead LP (Warner) 50th anniversary edition

GUIDED BY VOICES – Vampire on Titus TAPE (Scat)

GUIDED BY VOICES – Alien Lanes LP (Matador) 25th anniversary multi-color vinyl

INCANTATION – Sect of Vile Divinities LP (Relapse) green splatter limited to 300

DAMIEN JURADO – What’s New Tomboy? LP (Mama Bird) indie only color or black vinyl

LEMON TWIGS – Songs for the General Public LP/CD (4AD)

H.C. McENTIRE – Eno Axis LP (Merge)

NIGEL – Tantrum LP (Fake Four)

OLD 97’S – Twelfth LP (ATO) silver vinyl

OM – Conference of the Birds LP (Holy Mountain) gold vinyl pressing

PAVEMENT – Sensitive Euro Man 7” (Matador) over-sized picture disc 

JEFF ROSENSTOCK – No Dream LP (Polyvinyl)

VEX RUFFIN – LiteAce Frequency LP (Stones Throw)

SONIC YOUTH – Daydream Nation LP (Goofin’) back in print!

THE STOOGES – Live at Goose Lake: August 8, 1970 LP (Third Man) back in stock!

STRFKR – Future Past Life LP (Polyvinyl)

SWARVY – Sunny Days Blue LP (Black Focus)

THAT DOG – Totally Crushed Out LP (Third Man) back in stock!

THAT DOG – Retreat From the Sun LP (Third Man) back in stock!

VOZ DI SANICOLAU – Fundo De Maré Palinha 10” (Analog Africa)

BIG‌ ‌JOANIE‌ ‌-‌ ‌Cranes‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌Sky‌ ‌7”‌ ‌(Third‌ ‌Man)‌ ‌limited‌ ‌clear‌ ‌vinyl‌ ‌

Limited‌ ‌edition‌ ‌single‌ ‌&‌ ‌Third‌ ‌Man‌ ‌Records‌ ‌debut‌ ‌by‌ ‌BIG‌ ‌JOANIE,‌ ‌a‌ ‌black‌ ‌feminist‌ ‌punk‌ ‌band‌ ‌from‌ ‌London.‌ ‌Their‌ ‌cover‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌SOLANGE‌ ‌track‌ ‌”Cranes‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌Sky”‌ ‌should‌ ‌certainly‌ ‌turn‌ ‌some‌ ‌heads‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌take‌ ‌that‌ ‌sounds‌ ‌like‌ ‌late‌ ‌90’s‌ ‌Touch‌ ‌&‌ ‌Go‌ ‌bands‌ ‌mixed‌ ‌with‌ ‌60s‌ ‌girl‌ ‌group‌ ‌vibes.‌ ‌ ‌

 ‌CHESLEY/ALBINI/MIDYETT/LEA‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Music‌ ‌From‌ ‌the‌ ‌Film‌ ‌Girl‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Third‌ ‌Floor‌ ‌‌soundtrack‌ ‌ ‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Touch‌ ‌&‌ ‌Go)‌ ‌

A‌ ‌dark‌ ‌&‌ ‌ominous‌ ‌score‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌2019‌ ‌horror‌ ‌film‌ ‌”Girl‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Third‌ ‌Floor”‌ ‌by‌ ‌Steve‌ ‌Albini,‌ ‌Tim‌ ‌Midyett‌ ‌of‌ ‌SILKWORM,‌ ‌Alison‌ ‌Chesley‌ ‌of‌ ‌HELEN‌ ‌MONEY‌ ‌&‌ ‌Gaelynn‌ ‌Lea‌ ‌of‌ ‌THE‌ ‌MURDER‌ ‌CROWS.‌ ‌Albini’s‌ ‌guitar‌ ‌tone‌ ‌is‌ ‌immediately‌ ‌recognizable‌ ‌&‌ ‌Midyett’s‌ ‌time‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌SUNN‌ ‌O)))‌ ‌touring‌ ‌band‌ ‌is‌ ‌apparent‌ ‌in‌ ‌these‌ ‌pieces‌ ‌mixed‌ ‌with‌ ‌noisey‌ ‌guitar‌ ‌&‌ ‌Chesley’s‌ ‌cello‌ ‌drones.‌ ‌The‌ ‌18‌ ‌minutes‌ ‌plus‌ ‌song‌ ‌”Irish”‌ ‌sounds‌ ‌like‌ ‌FAIRPORT‌ ‌CONVENTION‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌doom‌ ‌realm‌ ‌with‌ ‌haunting‌ ‌vocals‌ ‌by‌ ‌Gaelynn‌ ‌Lea.‌ ‌Some‌ ‌great‌ ‌music‌ ‌that‌ ‌holds‌ ‌up‌ ‌alongside‌ ‌other‌ ‌great‌ ‌contemporary‌ ‌horror‌ ‌soundtracks.‌ ‌RECOMMENDED.‌ ‌ ‌

EDDIE‌ ‌CRISS‌ ‌GROUP‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Undertaker‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Hozac)‌ 

‌Wow!‌ ‌Fantastic‌ ‌proto-punk/glam‌ ‌from‌ ‌1980‌ ‌featuring‌ ‌MC5’s‌ ‌Wayne‌ ‌Kramer‌ ‌on‌ ‌lead‌ ‌guitar!‌ ‌It’s‌ ‌constantly‌ ‌baffling‌ ‌to‌ ‌us‌ ‌that‌ ‌records‌ ‌like‌ ‌this‌ ‌exist‌ ‌&‌ ‌we’re‌ ‌just‌ ‌hearing‌ ‌them‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌time.‌ ‌Really‌ ‌catchy,‌ ‌melodic‌ ‌songs‌ ‌with‌ ‌crazed‌ ‌soloing‌ ‌by‌ ‌Kramer‌ ‌&‌ ‌tight‌ ‌production‌ ‌by‌ ‌David‌ ‌Peel.‌ ‌Fans‌ ‌of‌ ‌post‌ ‌STOOGES‌ ‌punk,‌ ‌MC5,‌ ‌GG‌ ‌Allin,‌ ‌early‌ ‌NYC‌ ‌punk/glam‌ ‌will‌ ‌absolutely‌ ‌love‌ ‌this.‌ ‌RECOMMENDED.‌ ‌ ‌

ANGEL‌ ‌BAT‌ ‌DAWID‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Transition‌ ‌East‌ ‌b/w‌ ‌No‌ ‌Space‌ ‌Fo‌ ‌Us‌ ‌‌7”‌ ‌(International‌ ‌Anthem)‌ ‌

ANGEL‌ ‌BAT‌ ‌DAWID‌ ‌follows‌ ‌up‌ ‌her‌ ‌incredible‌ ‌2019‌ ‌album‌ ‌”The‌ ‌Oracle”‌ ‌with‌ ‌this‌ ‌7″‌ ‌recorded‌ ‌alone‌ ‌in‌ ‌her‌ ‌Chicago‌ ‌practice‌ ‌space.‌ ‌Another‌ ‌killer‌ ‌Int’l‌ ‌Anthem‌ ‌release,‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌must-buy‌ ‌for‌ ‌any‌ ‌fan‌ ‌of‌ ‌forward-thinking‌ ‌jazz.‌ ‌RECOMMENDED,‌ ‌of‌ ‌course!‌ ‌ ‌

REB‌ ‌FOUNTAIN‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Reb‌ ‌Fountain‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Flying‌ ‌Nun)‌ 

‌The‌ ‌talented‌ ‌New‌ ‌Zealand‌ ‌musician‌ ‌Reb‌ ‌Fountain‌ ‌returns‌ ‌with‌ ‌this‌ ‌2020‌ ‌album.‌ ‌Dramatic‌ ‌&‌ ‌sometimes‌ ‌dark‌ ‌songs‌ ‌that‌ ‌will‌ ‌appeal‌ ‌to‌ ‌fans‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌mellow‌ ‌side‌ ‌of‌ ‌Nick‌ ‌Cave‌ ‌&‌ ‌the‌ ‌Bad‌ ‌Seeds,‌ ‌Sharon‌ ‌Van‌ ‌Etten,‌ ‌Patti‌ ‌Smith‌ ‌Etc…‌ ‌ ‌

HOME‌ ‌BLITZ‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌All‌ ‌Through‌ ‌the‌ ‌Year‌ ‌‌12”‌ ‌(Sophomore‌ ‌Lounge)‌

 ‌More‌ ‌demented‌ ‌power-pop‌ ‌greatness‌ ‌from‌ ‌New‌ ‌Jersey’s‌ ‌HOME‌ ‌BLITZ.‌ ‌Like‌ ‌a‌ ‌twisted‌ ‌mix‌ ‌of‌ ‌early‌ ‌90s‌ ‌lo-fi‌ ‌cassette‌ ‌culture,‌ ‌”Dirty‌ ‌Mind”‌ ‌era‌ ‌PRINCE‌ ‌&‌ ‌ROYAL‌ ‌ ‌TRUX‌ ‌&‌ ‌it‌ ‌all‌ ‌works‌ ‌somehow.‌ ‌ ‌

WHITNEY‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Candid‌‌ ‌LP/CD/TAPE‌ ‌(Secretly‌ ‌Canadian)‌ ‌limited‌ ‌blue‌ ‌or‌ ‌black‌ ‌vinyl‌ ‌

One‌ ‌of‌ ‌Chicago’s‌ ‌best‌ ‌bands‌ ‌returns‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌collection‌ ‌of‌ ‌covers‌ ‌&‌ ‌they’ve‌ ‌done‌ ‌a‌ ‌fantastic‌ ‌job‌ ‌of‌ ‌making‌ ‌these‌ ‌songs‌ ‌their‌ ‌own.‌ ‌Katie‌ ‌Crutchfield‌ ‌of‌ ‌WAXAHATCHEE‌ ‌lends‌ ‌some‌ ‌vocals‌ ‌to‌ ‌ ‌the‌ ‌John‌ ‌Denver‌ ‌classic‌ ‌”Take‌ ‌Me‌ ‌Home,‌ ‌Country‌ ‌Roads”‌ ‌&‌ ‌they‌ ‌also‌ ‌take‌ ‌on‌ ‌songs‌ ‌by‌ ‌THE‌ ‌ROCHES,‌ ‌Blaze‌ ‌Foley,‌ ‌Damien‌ ‌Jurado,‌ ‌Brian‌ ‌Eno/David‌ ‌Byrne‌ ‌&‌ ‌more.‌ ‌ ‌RECOMMENDED‌ ‌of‌ ‌course.‌ ‌ ‌Other‌ ‌important‌ ‌new‌ ‌releases3‌ ‌

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

CR18‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Minecraft‌ ‌Volume‌ ‌Beta‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Ghostly)‌ ‌

TANYA‌ ‌DONNELLY‌ ‌&‌ ‌THE‌ ‌PARKINGTON‌ ‌SISTERS‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Tanya‌ ‌Donnelly‌ ‌&‌ ‌the‌ ‌Parkington‌ ‌ ‌ ‌Sisters‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(American‌ ‌Laundromat)‌ ‌limited‌ ‌color‌ ‌

14TH‌ ‌WISH‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌I‌ ‌Gotta‌ ‌Get‌ ‌Rid‌ ‌of‌ ‌You‌‌ ‌7”‌ ‌(Hozac)‌ ‌ ‌

BILL‌ ‌FRISELL‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Valentine‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Blue‌ ‌Note)‌ ‌

JERRY‌ ‌GARCIA/‌ ‌JOHN‌ ‌KAHN‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Garcialive‌ ‌Volume‌ ‌14‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(ATO)‌ 

‌KING‌ ‌GIZZARD‌ ‌&‌ ‌THE‌ ‌LIZARD‌ ‌WIZARD‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Mild‌ ‌High‌ ‌Club‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(yellow/blue‌ ‌splatter‌ ‌reissue)‌ ‌

ZARA‌ ‌McFARLANE‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Songs‌ ‌of‌ ‌An‌ ‌Unknown‌ ‌Tongue‌ ‌‌LP‌ ‌(Brownswood)‌ ‌

MAC‌ ‌MILLER‌ ‌-‌‌ ‌K.I.D.S.‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Rostrum)‌ ‌

JONATHAN‌ ‌RICHMAN‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌I,‌ ‌Jonathan‌‌ ‌LP‌ ‌(Craft)‌ ‌first‌ ‌ever‌ ‌vinyl‌ ‌release‌ ‌

WHIRYWHIRLD‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Complete‌ ‌Studio‌ ‌Works‌ ‌1978-1980‌ ‌‌LP‌ ‌(Hozac)‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

8/7/20 NEW RELEASES

MASAKI BATOH – Smile Jesus Loves You LP (Drag City)

The Japanese psychedelic legend Masaki Batoh is back with a playful new solo album. With help from members of his band GHOST & also FUSHITSUSHA, Batoh has created a mellow psychedelic pop album that will definitely appeal to all fans of Japanese psych & folk. 

L-SEVEN – L- Seven LP (Third Man)

Third Man has delivered an excellent LP of previously unreleased material by the early 80s Detroit post-punk band L-SEVEN, not to be confused with the well known 90s group L7. Led by vocalist Larissa Stolarchuk who would later play guitar with LAUGHING HYENAS as  Larissa Strickland, L-SEVEN made rhythmic & angular post-punk that had touches of SLITS & ESSENTIAL LOGIC funkiness to it but a darker tone all around. They only released one 7″ at the time & it was the first release on the TOUCH & GO offshoot label Special Forces. RECOMMENDED!

JASON MOLINA – Eight Gates LP/CD (Secretly Canadian) limited color or black vinyl

In the mid 2000s, Jason Molina moved from the Midwest to London. He had already solidified himself as one of the best American songwriters of his generation & he started his first songs in England that would turn out to be his final recordings. Some songs seem fully formed & others are skeletons of songs, mostly acoustic based with his singing as strained & emotional as ever. It’s amazing that this exists & it’s great that we can all get to hear this now. RECOMMENDED.

BILL NACE – Both LP (Drag City)

The Philadelphia based guitarist & Thurston Moore collaborator & NO/AGE member delivers this excellent slab of guitar improvisations. Cyclical drones & dense noise that will appeal to the  more experimental side of SONIC YOUTH, early Xpressway noise like DEAD C etc…

THE STOOGES – Live at Goose Lake August 8th, 1970 (Third Man) limited edition color vinyl in alternate, silk-screened sleeve

50 years later, the final performance by the original line-up of THE STOOGES is released on vinyl. This soundboard recording is raw in exactly the ways you’d hope. There’s some video on YouTube with lesser sound quality to give you an idea of how wild it must have been. Iggy & the boys perform “Fun House” in its entirety & of course it’s totally crazed. This color vinyl edition is limited to 1000 copies & it comes in a unique, silk-screened sleeve. RECOMMENDED OF COURSE!

WASHED OUT – Purple Noon LP/CD (Sub Pop) Loser edition, first press color vinyl

Ernest Greene & his WASHED OUT Project have returned to Sub Pop for “Purple Noon.” Mellow synth pop with that beachy vibe that so many 80s records had. Think SADE, DURAN DURAN, songs playing in the background while Crockett & Tubbs are settling up on a cocainedeal in a bar on Miami Vice. Good summer tunes…

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

BLACKLAB – Abyss LP (New Heavy Sounds) ltd. “cosmic swirl” vinyl

BRONSON – Bronson LP (Ninja Tune) clear vinyl

COLOURED BALLS – Liberate Rock: Singles & More 1972-1975 LP (Just Add Water) vinyl in alternate, silk-screened sleeve

COLOURED BALLS – Rock Your Arse Off! Live at Festival Hall 10 Nov. 1972 LP (Just Add Water) limited colour or black vinyl

GLASS ANIMALS – Dreamland LP (Wolftone) indie only color or black vinyl w/ limited     print while supplies last

INVENTIONS – Continuous Portrait LP (Temporary Residence) color vinyl

JACUZZI BOYS – Pits 7” (Third Man)

JAYE JAYLE – Prisyn LP (Sargent House)

PUBLIC EYE – Music for Leisure LP (Pop Wig)

KALYANI ROY – Virtuoso of Sitar Vol. I LP (Vishra)

KALYANI ROY – Virtuoso of Sitar Vol. II LP (Vishra)

LINGO SEINI ET SON GROUPE – Musique Hauka LP (Sahel Sounds)

BROTHER THEOTIS TAYLOR – Brother Theotis Taylor LP (Mississippi) 

THAT DOG – Retreat From the Sun LP (Third Man) limited color or black

THAT DOG – Totally Crushed Out LP (Third Man)

THOU – Heathen 2LP (Gilead) 2020 repress!

V/A – Eccentric Funk LP (Numero Group) color vinyl, limited

V/A – The World is a Cafeteria: American Soul Music (And One Song From Ghana) 1955-1998 LP (Cairo)

VIDEO AGE – Pleasure Line LP (Winspear) color vinyl

7/31/20 NEW RELEASES

GANSER – Just Look at That Sky LP/CD

This is the 2nd album by the excellent Chicago band GANSER. Aggressive noise rock with snarling guitars, heavy bass & vocals that remind us of the great Ari Up of THE SLITS & KAREN O. Fans of TOUCH & GO, AM REP style noise rock will dig this for sure. 

OHMME – Fantasize Your Ghost LP/CD

The massively talented Chicago duo OHMME are back with their third album. Sima Cunningham & Macie Stewart are both fantastic guitarists, multi-instrumentalists & their vocal harmonies are truly impressive. Crisp & complex songs that almost veer into math rock territory at times. Fans of ST. VINCENT, THE ROCHES, TALKING HEADS, FIERY FURNACES etc… will love this. RECOMMENDED.

MIKE POLIZZE – Long Lost Solace Find LP/CD (Paradise of Bachelors) color or black vinyl

 “Long Lost Solace Find” is the debut solo album by Mike Polizze of PURLING HISS & BIRDS OF MAYA. With help from buds like Kurt Vile & WAR ON DRUGS engineer Jeff Zeigler, Polizze has now made his own classic Philly record. There’s no way you can listen to a song like “Cheewawa” & not hum the melody to yourself for the rest of the day. Mellow acoustic rock that will appeal to KV, WAR ON DRUGS, Steve Gunn, AFGHAN WHIGS, & THE CHURCH will dig this. RECOMMENDED.

THE STOOGES – FUN HOUSE 15LP box set (Rhino) SORRY THESE SOLD OUT!!

Limited edition box set from one of the greatest rock records ever made. This pressing of 1,970 copies (cheeky) comes with a 2LP, 45RPM version of the classic record, the complete Fun House sessions (that was originally released on CD in the late 90s), 2 7”s, 2 posters, a book & a 45 adapter. One of the craziest box sets we’ve ever seen!! 

WYE OAK – No Horizon 12” (Merge) pink vinyl

Baltimore duo WYE OAK dives further into electronics on this idiosyncratic EP, using light synth textures in tandem with a blend of electronic beats and Andy Stack’s precise drumming that can sound at times like 80s PETER GABRIEL. Jenn Wasner’s voice weaves in and out of these rhythms, supported by The BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS. A great, forward-thinking followup to their wonderful 2018 release “The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs”. On Merge and RECOMMENDED.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

LOU BARLOW – Emoh 2LP (Merge) 15th anniversary edition

SHIRLEY COLLINS – Heart’s Ease LP/CD (Domino)

DIRTY PROJECTORS – Flight Tower EP 12” (Domino)

FONTAINES D.C. – A Hero’s Death LP/deluxe 2LP/CD (Partisan)

BOBBIE GENTRY – The Delta Sweete 2LP (Capitol) expanded reissue with bonus tracks

ALEX IZENBERG – Caravan Chateau LP (Weird World)

ALAIN JOHANNES – Hum LP (Ipecac)

GIG MARGARET – Mia Gargaret LP (Orindal) now on color vinyl

ALANIS MORRISSETTE – Such Pretty Forks in the Road LP (Crush)

ALISON MOSSHART (of THE KILLS) – Rise b/w It Ain’t Water 7” (Domino)\

PSYCHEDELIC FURS – Made of Rain LP/CD (Cooking Vinyl) new album!!

SLOWDIVE – Just For A Day LP (Music on Vinyl) limited “flaming” color vinyl

SUFJAN STEVENS – America 12” (Asthmastic Kitty)

SUN RA – Celestial Love LP (Modern Harmonic)

WILLIAM TYLER – Music from First Cow (Merge)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Nu Leaf LP (Numero Group)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Black Riot: Early Jungle, Rave & Hardcore 2LP (Soul Jazz)

THE ZOMBIES – I Love You LP (Craft) reissue

THE ZOMBIES – The Zombies LP (Craft) reissue

THE ZOMBIES – R.I.P.  LP (Craft) reissue

7/24/20 NEW RELEASES

BELL WITCH / AERIAL RUIN – Stygian Bough Volume I LP (Profound Lore) color vinyl

“Stygian Bough” is the collaboration between giants from the Pacific Northwest, BELL WITCH & AERIAL RUIN, the solo acoustic guitar project of Erik Moggridge. The album starts off with a dark acoustic piece & then evolves into heavy, progressive doom that BELL WITCH is now famous for. The album then alternates between those two styles in a truly epic fashion. The last BELL WITCH album “Mirror Reaper” is a good touchstone for this but “Stygian Bough” takes it to a new level for sure. RECOMMENDED.

BLUES CREATION – Blues Creation LP (Audio Clarity)

Reissue of the debut album by the Japanese blues rock band BLUES CREATION. This album was originally released in 1969 & features covers of Sonny Boy Williamson, Blind Willie Johnson, Willie Dixon & more. Their take on the songs is aggressive with heavy bass guitar, intense soloing & raw vocals that put this more in STOOGES & BLUE CHEER territory than LED ZEP or THE ‘STONES. If you like your blues a little more “fried” then this is for you. 

COUNT OSSIE & THE MYSTIC REVELATION OF RASTAFARI – Grounation 3LP (Dubstore)

ESSENTIAL reissue of this classic Rastafarian record by the Jamaican drummer Count Ossie. Rastafarians were considered outcasts in the 50s when Ossie was getting his start but they gradually became accepted in the music scene. In 1973 Count Ossie released this incredible album of music dedicated to the Africans that were brought to Jamaica as slaves. Heavy & repetitive percussion & a almost improvisational jazz feel, this album will appeal to fans of 70s spiritual jazz like Eddie Galem Chicago’s own Philip Cohran & even the early MOONDOG records at times. RECOMMENDED.

ELDER – Omens LP (Armageddon) 

The band of U.S. ex pats now based in Berlin known as ELDER return with their 5th album. Melodic & progressive, metallic hard rock with some tasteful synth programming & soaring vocals. Fans of early MASTODON, TORCHE, BARONESS etc… will eat this up. RECOMMENDED.

GUIDED BY VOICES – Vampire on Titus LP (Scat) color vinyl

BACK IN PRINT!! Though the Dayton legends were already a few albums deep when this came out, “Vampire on Titus” was the album that started it all for them really. This has been out of print for years & it’s definitely one of the most requested GBV records. RECOMMENDED OF COURSE!

JON HASSELL – Seeing Through Sound: Pentimento Volume Two LP/CD (Ndeya)

Second volume of the “Pentimento” series from ambient and experimental trailblazer JON HASSELL following 2018’s stellar “Listening to Pictures”. The trumpet- touched raga of his early work is still present here, but this new series pays even closer attention to the electronic rhythms of modern techno and IDM, as well as drawing from German rock experimentalists like NEU! or CAN – as well as from the sonic textures of post- rock composers like GROUPER or JULIANNA BARWICK. At 83, HASSELL has not stopped pushing at the edges of what “fourth world” can mean, still bringing his listeners into thrilling sonic territory. RECOMMENDED!

PROTOMARTYR – Ultimate Success Today LP/CD (Domino) ltd. blue vinyl

Since their inception twelve years ago, Detroit’s own native sons PROTOMARTYR have always channeled the profound anguish of alienation, both interpersonal and institutional. 2017’s “Relatives In Descent” shot that alienation through the lens of American life at large, exploring the winnowing of opportunity laid bare after the 2016 election. Now, when those themes could not be more clear, PROTOMARTYR builds upon them on “Ultimate Success Today”. The band’s signature rhythmic punk and washed out crescendos continue to get larger, punchier and more poignant, supporting the weight of the lyrics with grace. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

SKELETON – Skeleton LP/CD (20 Buck Spin)

This is the debut album from the Austin, TX band SKELETON. Melodic but crushing metal that scratches so many itches for us. There are so many memorable riffs on here, tons of tempo changes & even some clean intros that would make James Hetfield blush. Things that come to mind are CRAFT’s excellent “Fuck the Universe”, later DARKTHRONE, MOTORHEAD, SLAYER etc…This is definitely going to be on our end of the year list. RECOMMENDED.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

LIZA ANN – Bad Vacation LP (Arts & Crafts)

DEVENDRA BANHART – Vast Ovoid LP (BMG)

BLUES CREATION – Blues Creation LP (Audio Clarity)

DRAB CITY – Good Songs for Bad People LP (Bella Union)

PJ HARVEY – Dry LP (Island) the PJ Harvey vinyl reissues are finally starting! 

PJ HARVEY – Dry – Demos LP (Island) the PJ Harvey vinyl reissues are finally starting! 

JESUS & MARY CHAIN – Barrowlands Live LP/10”/CD (Demon)

KLEIN – Lifetime LP (Ijn)

LET IT COME DOWN – Songs We Sang in Our Dreams LP (Shimmy-Disc/Joyful Noise)

BARBARA LYNN – The Atlantic Years LP (Run Out Groove)

MANSIONS – Big Bad LP (Bad Timing)

NIHILOXICA – Kaloli  (Crammed Discs)

MIGUEL NOYA – Canciones Intactas LP (Phantom Limb)

NECK DEEP – All Distortions Are Intentional LP (Hopeless)

100 GECS – 100 Gecs & the Tree of Clues LP (Dog Show) ghostly “green” vinyl

LAURENCE PIKE – Prophecy LP (The Leaf Label) ltd. yellow vinyl

QUICKSAILS – Blue Rise LP (Hausu Mountain) 

SELENA – Ones LP (Capitol)

PATRICK SHIRIOSHI – Descension LP (Thin Wrist)

STRAITJACKET FITS – Hail LP (Flying Nun)

WAQWAQ KINGDOM – Essaka Hoisa LP (Phantom Limb)

WINTER – Endless Space LP (Bar None)

7/10/20 NEW RELEASES

BING & RUTH – Species LP/CD (4AD)

“Species” is the 2020 album from BING & RUTH. Trance inducing compact organ dirges with minimal clarinet & bass accompaniment. Masters like Terry Riley & Steve Reich are easy comparisons to make along with fellow compact organ devotees BITCHIN’ BAJAS. Recommended.

DEHD – Flower of Devotion LP/CD (Fire Talk) Chicago exclusive red & blue vinyl! comes with bonus 7”

Local legends DEHD follow up last year’s breakthrough LP “Water” with another collection of … shall we say elegantly trashy jangle-pop. “Flower of Devotion” has the band leaning into more detailed and syncopated rhythms that can at times remind us of the B-52’s. Other tracks seem to draw from the dusty Americana of early ANGEL OLSEN records. Whichever way you want to slice it, DEHD has taken a step forward in both their writing and production, making this the best release of their young career.

BOB DYLAN – Rough & Rowdy Ways 2LP (Columbia) now on indie only gold or black  vinyl!

 Who would have thought that a 16+ minute Bob Dylan song about the Kennedy assassination would be one of our favorite quarantine songs? Well here we are folks. Bob seems to have found the next level & this 2020 record has some truly inspired moments from the living legend. A great record that will certainly appear on many 2020 year end lists if we make it that far. RECOMMENDED.

JARV IS – Beyond the Pale LP/CD (Rough Trade) LP/CD limite color of black vinyl

“Beyond the Pale” is the first new material by the former PULP frontman in over a decade. Jarvis always makes things seem larger than life & this is a big sounding record. Tons of catchy songs that vary between Leonard Cohen crooners, serious Bowie esque vibes & like always dripping with glam. Great stuff.

POLE – 123 (7LP box set) Mute

The now legendary first three albums by POLE are available once again in this limited edition box set. These are the first vinyl reissues in almost 20 years & it’s welcome because the originals are difficult to find. These albums caused quite a stir back then with their stark, monochromatic artwork that perfectly complemented the glitchy, minimalist, dub influenced electronic music. This box set also includes the “Raum” 12″ originally released in 1998. Don’t miss out on this one. RECOMMENDED.

THE SOFT PINK TRUTH – Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? LP/CD (Thrill Jockey)

MATMOS’ Drew Daniel has been releasing music solo as THE SOFT PINK TRUTH for nearly twenty years, and in 2020 has put out the most remarkable release of his career. “Shall We Go On Sinning …” draws from deep house, techno, classical minimalism and even shades of black metal to create a sonic kaleidoscope of ecstacy, anguish and renewal, not leaning too heavily into one category but instead making a liminal piece of home listening that is at once both extreme and accessible. Daniel enlisted the help of Angel Deerdorian (ex-DIRTY PROJECTORS), Andrew Bernstein (HORSE LORDS) and Colin Self – among others – to help contribute organic sound to balance with the more electronic elements, and so the project feels less like the work of one man than a massive collaboration. One of the most rewarding LPs of the year. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

YAEJI – What We Drew LP (XL)

“What We Drew” is the fantastic album from the Korean-American artist Kathy Lee aka YAEJI. Alternating back & forth between Korean & English lyrics, Lee often quietly sings over lush & mellow beats & playful electronic production. Some of this feels like nerdier Awkwafina or Billie Eilish if she got into house music. It’s all really fun, effortless & refreshing sounding.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ALLMAN BETTS BAND – Down to the River LP (BMG)

AMNESIA SCANNER – Tearless LP (color vinyl)

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE – Sung Tongs LP (My Animal Home) back in print!

FIONA APPLE – Fetch the Bolt Cutters 2LP/CD (Epic) indie only color or black vinyl

GENEVIEVE ARTADI – Dizzy Strange Summer LP (Brainfeeder)

ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS – Just Coolin’ LP (Blue Note)

FELT – FELT 3: Tribute to Rosie Perez: 10th Anniversary LP (Rhymesayers)

FU MANCHU – Fu30, Pt. 1 10” (At The Dojo) orange vinyl

MARVIN GAYE – His Classic Duets LP (Motown)

INEXORUM – Moonlit Navigation LP (Gilead)

JOY DIVISION – Atmosphere 12” (Factory) amazing sounding 45RPM 12” available 

JOY DIVISION – Love Will Tear Us Apart 12” (Factory) amazing sounding 45RPM 12” 

JOY DIVISION – Atmosphere 12” (Factory) amazing sounding 45RPM 12” 

JOY DIVISION – Closer LP (Factory) 40TH Anniversary edition on crystal clear vinyl

KLLO – Maybe We Could LP (Ghostly)

LIANNE LA HAVAS – Lianne La Havas LP (Warner)

LARAAJI – Sun Piano LP (All Saints)

LAWRENCE ARMS – Skeleton Coast LP/CD (Epitaph) these will be at Lakeview &  Wicker Park on Saturday

 JENS LEKMAN & ANNIKA NORLIN – Correspondence LP (Secretly Canadian)

GALCHER LUSTWERK – Proof 12” (Ghostly)

GIA MARGARET- Mia Gargaret LP (Orindal)

ENNIO MORRICONE – Themes: Psycho 2LP (Music on Vinyl) color vinyl, numbered

   limited edition

RIE MURAKAMI – Sahara LP (Ship to Shore) more Japanese City Pop!

TJO (TARA JANE O’NEILL) – Songs for Peacock LP (Orindal) color vinyl

PATRICIA – Maxyboy 2LP (Ghostly)

PRETENDERS – Hate for Sale LP/CD (BMG)

Hiroshi Sato – Supermarket LP (Ship to Shore) more Japanese City Pop!

THE SHAGGS – Shaggs’ Own Thing LP (Light in the Attic)

SVEN WUNDER – Eastern Flowers LP (Piano Piano)

SVEN WUNDER – Wabi Sabi LP (Piano Piano)

JIM WHITE & MARISA ANDERSON – The Quickening LP (Thrill Jockey) green vinyl

ZOMBI – 2020 CD (Relapse) vinyl should be here next week

7/10/20 NEW RELEASES

THE BETHS – Jump Rope Gazers LP/CD (Carpark) tangerine vinyl

An absolute  K I L L E R  power pop release from THE BETHS, hailing from Auckland, NZ. “Jump Rope Gazers” has shades of contemporaries ALVVAYS and BEACH BUNNY, but with some thrilling THIN LIZZY or Blue Album WEEZER-esque guitar work peppered in. We’re only halfway through 2020 , but this will be easily one of this year’s best rock albums. They don’t get much more RECOMMENDED than this thing right here. GET IT GET IT GET IT!

RANDY HOLDEN – POPULATION II (Riding Easy)

Agghhh…here it is, a true holy grail of hard rock finally available again. Holden recorded this album circa 1970 & very few copies were made & most that are out there are often bootlegs.  Now in 2020, we can marvel again at Holden’s blistering guitar solos in all their sludgey goodness.  The sound clearly echoes BLUE CHEER, of which Holden was briefly a member playing on one side of “New! Improved!” BLUE CHEER style stoney rock with Hendrix caliber guitar solos.There’s a showy almost VAN HALEN quality to some of this too. RECOMMENDED!

MOMOKO KIKUCHI – Adventure LP (Ship To Shore) 

Light in the Attic continues their exploration into the magical world of Japanese City Pop. This one is from 1986 by the artist Momoko Kikuchi. Like most City Pop, this has a high production value with the top studio & music gear of the era, great artwork etc… This is the first ever vinyl reissue & it comes with a large poster.

TAL ROSS – Giant Shirley 2LP (Tidal Waves) violet vinyl, limited to 250

ATTENTION PARLIAMENT/FUNKADELIC FANS! Tal Ross was a founding member of FUNKADELIC that left the group in 1971 after a bad LSD trip. Having played on some ofthe group’s classic albums such as the first one, “Osmium”, “Maggot Brain” & “Free Your Mind…” Ross was totally immersed in that style of psychedelic funk & this stuff fits in there right along with it. Some of this leans towards the blues & even stoned-out rock jams but P-FUNK fans will definitely dig this stuff. 

SILVER SCROLLS – Music For Walks LP (Three Lobed)

Former POLVO members Dave Brylawski and Brian Quast are SILVER SCROLLS, and “Music For Walks” is a concept album sprawling across psych, blues, math rock, drone and other leftfield styles. The concept is … well, music that you can walk to! Seemingly simple, but the ideas here take you to incredible places. RECOMMENDED!

HIROSHI YOSHIMURA – Green LP/CD (Light in the Attic)

Back in early 2017, we received a reissue of a wonderful early 80’s album by the Japanese musician Hiroshi Yoshimura called “Music For Nine Postcards” & we were entranced. Since then Yoshimura’s music has become more widely known outside of Japan & now the highly anticipated reissue of this excellent 1986 album “Green” is here. Made on classic Yahama synths of the era, this is a beautiful album of soothing instrumentals that owe as much to 80s new age as they do to 80s TANGERINE DREAM film scores & 20th century minimalism like Steve Reich. RECOMMENDED.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

JULIANNA BARWICK – Healing Is A Miracle LP/CD (Ninja Tune) LP comes with signed art print!

CHARLES BRACKEEN / RHYTHM X – The Music of Charles Brackeen LP (Pure Pleasure)

APOLLO BROWN – Reset: 10 Year Anniversary Edition LP (Mello Music Group) color vinyl

DIRTY PROJECTORS – Windows Open EP 12” (Domino)

DISTURBED – Sickness: 20th Anniversary reissue LP (Warner)

BOB DYLAN – Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid: Original Master Recording LP (Mobile Fidelity) 

ENSLAVED – Blodhemn LP (Osmose) color vinyl

ENSLAVED – Eld LP (Osmose) color vinyl

INTER ARMA – Garbers Day Revisited LP (Relapse) orange/black vinyl limited to 250 or black

JAYHAWKS – XOXO LP (Sham) white vinyl w/ bonus CD

MOMOKO KIKUCHI – Adventure LP (Ship to Shore) with poster

THE MIDNIGHT – Monsters 2LP (Counter) ltd. purple swirl vinyl

MONKEES – Mike & Micky Show 2LP (Rhino)

PAINT – Spiritual Vegas LP (Mexican Summer)

CAROLINE POLACHEK – Pang LP (Caroline Polacheck) 180grm reissue w/ poster

MARGO PRICE – That’s How Rumors Get Started LP/CD (Loma Vista)

MARGO PRICE – That’s How Rumors Get Started LP  (Loma Vista) first pressing w/ 7”

BRIGID MAE POWER – Head Above The Water LP (Fire) ltd. white vinyl

EARL SWEATSHIRT – Feet of Clay LP (Warner) indie only tan or black vinyl

LITHICS – Tower of Age LP/CD (Trouble in Mind) ltd. color or black vinyl

2020 album by the Portland post-rockin’ group LITHICS.Angular, jagged & rhythmic songs with dueling guitars battling it out with brittle precision. Hints of THE SLITS, RAINCOATS, WIRE, Chicago’s HECKS, PARQUET COURTS etc…Fantastic stuff.

PAYSAGE D’HIVER – Im Wald 4LP/2CD (Kunsthall)

PAYSAGE D’HIVER is the project of the mysterious Swiss artist Tobias Mockl aka Wintherr. Over the past 20 years, there have been 10 albums & multiple split releases by PAYSAGE D’HIVER with a very limited amount of information about them released. Some of the records are lo-fi black metal, some are full ambient synth records, some a mix of both but all of them are cold & grim in their own way. This one is over 2 hours of wind sounds, frigid sounding field

recordings, guitar ambience & freezing cold, lo-fi black metal. This is a very intense listen & we can imagine some people’s sanity being pushed to the bring if they made it through in one listen. If you’re into this sort of thing, we can’t imagine there’s anything better than this for you out there right now. RECOMMENDED.

PURE X – PURE X LP (Fire Talk)

After a six-year hiatus, cult indie band PURE X retunswith this self-titled outing, a perfectly focused LP that marries the dusty, washed-out psychedelia of their previous albums with a tightly locked-in sense of rhythm and melody. Quite a welcome return!

ROLLING BLACKOUTS C.F. – Sideways to New Italy LP (Sub Pop) first press loser edition on color vinyl

The talented Melbourne group ROLLING BLACKOUTS C.F.return with their second album. They continue to honor great 80s guitar groups like R.E.M., THE FEELIES, GO-BETWEENS etc… with an acoustic constantly strumming along in the background driving the mostly upbeat songs. 

WINTER – Into Darkness: Expanded Edition 2LP (Svart) 

Expanded reissue of this classic 1990 doom/death album from the NYC band WINTER. Morose & slow songs that perfectly fit the vibe of their name with an almost goth leaning later CELTIC FROST vibe at times. This expanded version comes with a bonus LP of their “Eternal Frost” demo.

WIRE – 10:20 LP (Pink Flag)

“10:20” is the 2020 album by the legendary WIRE. On this one, the band went back through tracks that were abandoned over the years & revisisted & re-recorded them. There are some songs you probably know like “German Shepherds” from “IBTABA” but these are all new versions & it truly listens like a new record. More great music from WIRE!

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

CASSIE – Change My Image 7” (Reminder)

CHERYL – Killer Kiss 7” (Reminder)

THE CHICKS – The Sound of… LP (Sundazed)

CURRENT 93 – Horsey 2LP (House of Mythology) remastered & expanded edition

CURRENT 93 – Sleep Has His House 2LP (House of Mythology) remastered & expanded 

DIET CIG – Do You Wonder About Me? LP (French Kiss) limited pink vinyl

DREAM WIFE – So When You Gonna… LP (Lucky Numbers)

HOLY HIVE – Interloper LP (Reverb Appreciation Society)

EUGENE MCDANIELS – Outlaw: 50th Anniversary LP (Real Gone) color vinyl

WILLIE NELSON – First Rose of Spring LP/CD (Legacy)

JILL SCOTT – Who is Jill Scott? 2LP (Hidden Beach) blue vinyl reissue

SYMARIP – Skinhead Moonstomp LP (Music on Vinyl)

TENNGER – Nomad LP (Beyond Beyond is Beyond)

ALBERT AYLER – New Grass LP (Third Man)

Third Man gets into the jazz game with this reissue of the classic but often misunderstood 1969 album by saxophone legend Albert Ayler. A mix of his free jazz style with some groovy soul tunes, electric bass, spoken word passages, gospel inspired backing vocals & more. It’s easy to imagine that this must have turned a lot of heads back in the day, especially withstuffy critics. RECOMMENDED.

CORIKY – Coriky LP/CD (Dischord)

This one couldn’t have landed at a better time! CORIKY is a new trio from D.C. featuring Ian Mackaye on guitar, his partner Amy Farina on drums & Joe Lally on bass & there’s a lot to like here. In a lot of ways this is exactly what you probably would imagine & we mean that in the best way possible. It’s like a more stripped-down FUGAZI & simultaneously a more expanded EVENS. Joe Lally is just as important in driving this band & as he was in FUGAZI & his bass lines interact with the guitar & drums perfectly. Ian & Amy trade off & share vocals & their voices sound excellent together. This is the closest we’ll get to a new FUGAZI record any time soon & it’s simultaneously its own thing. We didn’t realize how badly we needed a record like this until we heard. RECOMMENDED.

COUNTRY WESTERNS – COUNTRY WESTERNS (Fat Possum)

COUNTRY WESTERNS are a trio from Nashville that doesn’t play country western music. Their sound owes more to 80’s Minneapolis bands like THE REPLACEMENTS & early SOUL ASYLUM than any Grand Ole Opry performers. The band features members of SILVER JEWS, JESSE & former Reckless alum & STATE CHAMPION member Sabrina Rush. HELL YEAH!

KHRUANGBIN – Mordechai LP/CD limited pink or black vinyl. We also have some free patches to give away while supplies last

The 2018 album “Con Todo El Mundo” by the Houston band KHRUANGBIN started out slow at the store but once it picked up, the hype started to build gradually around the band & it’s become one of our best sellers of the past 2 years. Now the talented trio is back with “Mordechai”, an album that should solidify them as one of the most exciting bands going right now. Using melodic elements of Middle Eastern, Thai & South American psych rock & surf & funk with a super tight rhythm section, they create timeless & infectious sounding songs. This one has a lot more singing but like the rest of the arrangements, it’s efficient & no notes feel wasted. Another amazing album by KHRUANGBIN. RECOMMENDED.

MIDWIFE – Forever LP (The Flenser)

“Forever” is the 2020 album by the Denver based  project of Madeline Johnston called MIDWIFE. The album is a memorial for a friend of Johnston’s that passed recently & though the album does have some heavy vibes, it’s also bittersweet & hopeful. Johnston lived at the legendary Denver art space Rhinoceropolis & that’s where a lot of the MIDWIFE sound was formed. Expertly crafted slow core/shoegaze that will appeal to fans of JESU, CODEINE, JESUS & MARY CHAIN, HAVE A NICE LIFE etc…RECOMMENDED.

POTTERY – Welcome to Bobby’s Motel LP/CD (Partisan) w/ lyric booklet

Montreal’s POTTERY explodes with energy on their first full-length, channeling the funk-punk of the New York scene in the late 70s / early 80s (KONK, BUSH TETRAS, LIQUID LIQUID) as well as the titans of the off-kilter we all know and love — DEVO, all while never taking themselves or their lyrical content all that seriously. “Bobby’s Motel” embraces its own excess, with the odd songwriting and vocal delivery bolstered by massive percussion and juicy guitar hooks. RECOMMENDED!

REDD KROSS – Red Cross EP 12”/CD (Merge) 40th anniversary ed. w/ bonus tracks

40th anniversary of the debut release from REDD KROSS, recorded when the Brothers McDonald were only mere teens. Tracked in the studio in one day with each song clocking in at around a minute apiece, this self-titled EP is an explosive, uninhibited document of raw punk energy, foretelling the future of RK. RECOMMENDED!!

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Louis Wayne Moody High LP (Numero Group)

An excellent compilation of mysterious underground garage rock tunes from the 60s. Like the best genre compilations, this one has a really specific vibe & the songs sound excellent together. This one sort of reminds us of the excellent “Anxious Color” comp on Mississippi. RECOMMENDED.

WOODS – Strange to Explain LP (Woodsist)

The now bi-coastal band WOODS returns with a new album for these pandemic times in 2020. These guys have been at it for 15 years now so they know how to write a song & there are a lot of good ones on here. This one is pretty “rootsy” with acoustic driven ballads that remind us of early SHINS, mellow rockers backed with some Rhodes piano & overall pretty chill vibes. 

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

ARCHERS OF LOAF – Talking Over Talk b/w Cruel Reminder 7” (Merge) new AoL songs!

BLANCK MASS – BLANCK MASS 2LP (Sacred Bones)

THE FALL – Reformation Post TLC LP (Cherry Red) color vinyl reissue

FANNY – Fanny LP (Real Gone) ltd. white vinyl reissue

ART FEYNMAN – Half Price at 3:30 LP (Western Vinyl)

FIERY FURNACES – Down at the So & So On Somewhere 7” (Third Man)

GORDI – Our Two Skins LP (Jagjaguwar)

ERIK HALL – Music for 18 Musicians LP (Western Vinyl)

BECCA MANCARI – The Greatest Part LP (Captured Tracks)

NAEEM – Startisha LP (37d03d) red vinyl

PARK HYE JIN – How can I 12” (Ninja Tune)

PROF – Powderhorn Suites LP (Rhymesayers)

PUBLIC PRACTICE – Gentle Grip LP (Wharf Cat)

JOSEY REBELLE – Josey in Space 12” (Beats in Space)

REIGNING SOUND – Home For Orphans LP (Merge) 15th anniversary ed.

ROLLING STONES – Living in a Ghost Town 10” (Polydor) new song on orange vinyl

ROLLING STONES – Bigger Bang LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Black & Blue LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Bridges to Babylon LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Dirty Work LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Emotional Rescue LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Exile On Main Street LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – It’s Only Rock n Roll LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Some Girls LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Sticky Fingers LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Tattoo You LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Under Cover LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

ROLLING STONES – Voodoo Lounge LP (Polydor) half-speed remaster

SOFIE – Cult Survivor LP (Stones Throw)

SQUID – Sludge b/w Broadcaster 10” (Warp)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Field Work: Ultrasonic LP (Temporary Residence) 

WETWARE – Flail LP (Dais)

6/19/20 NEW RELEASES

ANIMATED EGG – ANIMATED EGG LP (Music on Vinyl) limited color vinyl

Legendary/groovy fuzz 60s fuzz rock album once again! Jerry Cole was a musician & producer who worked on “Pet Sounds” & some BYRDS hits & he also a member of the psych rock band THE ID. Outtakes from an ID session were then STOLEN by a different producer & repackaged as THE ANIMATED EGG, something Cole wasn’t aware of until just before he died in 2008. Though some of it is somewhat dated sounding, there are some killer fuzz solos & some great playing. Think Harvey Mandel’s 60s albums & you’re on the right track. RECOMMENDED!

PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Punisher LP/CD (Dead Oceans) color or black vinyl

Phoebe Bridgers is one of the most talented young songwriters right now & her second record couldn’t land at a better time. A nice mix of upbeat pop punk, orchestral indie folk & tear jerking ballads. She released a comment the day before the release & we think it speaks for itself:  I’m not pushing the record until things go back to normal because I don’t think they should. Here it is a little early. Abolish the police. Hope you like it.” RECOMMENDED.

BOB DYLAN – Rough & Rowdy Ways CD (Columbia) vinyl coming later this summer

Who would have thought that a 16+ minute Bob Dylan song about the Kennedy assassination would be one of our favorite quarantine songs? Well here we are folks. Bob seems to have found the next level & this 2020 record has some truly inspired moments from the living legend. A great record that will certainly appear on many 2020 year end lists if we make it that far. RECOMMENDED.

HAROLD GROSSKOPF – Synthesist 2LP (Bureau B) 40th anniversary color vinyl

Bureau B presents the first solo album by ASHRA drummer HARALD GROSSKOPF, originally released in 1980 on Sky Records. This LSD-influenced album is one of the classics of German electronic music.Absolutely beautiful and liberating. A MUST! This 40th anniversary edition is pressed on color vinyl & features a bonus LP of various artists giving their takes on the songs.

SUN CITY GIRLS – Live at the Sky Church: September 3, 2004 LP/DVD (Twenty One Eight Two)

This is the first new SUN CITY GIRLS music released in about 10 years. This was recorded live in Seattle in 2004 & displays the full force of these legendary free jazz/rock/psych masters. 

NEIL YOUNG – Homegrown LP/CD (w/ print) CDS are already sold out & we’ll probably run out of vinyl soon. We’ll have more cds soon, more vinyl in July

We all need something to look forward to these days & for us it’s been this previously unreleased album by Neil Young recorded in 1974/75 as his relationship with Carrie Snodgress was coming to an end. Neil was already a few albums into his now legendary “ditch trilogy” & the label was looking for a more upbeat, radio friendly album & this would have fulfilled that request but Neil felt it was too personal & decided to move on. Since then he’s had a change of heart & actually apologized for not releasing it before. Neil already blew us away with the previously unreleased “Hitchhiker” album but this one is even better. This isn’t a throwaway outtakes record, in fact it’s maybe one of his best, fitting in nicely next to “Comes a Time” or “Harvest”. Featuring members of THE BAND on a few songs as well as CRAZY HORSE members, there’s now ANOTHER classic album to add to Neil Young’s already ridiculous discography.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES

DON BRYANT – You Make Me Feel LP (Fat Possum)

CRO-MAGS – In the Beginning LP (Mission Two)

DARKSTAR – Civic Jams LP (Warp)

DEERHOOF – Future Teenage Cave Artists LP/CD/TAPE (Joyful Noise) with free tape of 

  the band covering the VOIVOD album “Angel Rat!” These are at Wicker Park

ANDREW HILL – Smokestack LP (Blue Note)

HOLY HIVE – Float Back to You LP/CD (Big Crown) color or black vinyl

LAMB OF GOD – Lamb of God LP (Epic) limited red swirl vinyl

OKKYUNG LEE – Yeo-Neun LP (Shelter Press)

MAN MAN – Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between LP (Sub Pop) color vinyl 

    “Loser Edition”

THE NATIONAL – High Violet 3LP 10th Anniversary Edition LP (4AD)

OTHER LIVES – Tamer Animals LP (ATO)

OWEN – Avalanche LP (Polyvinyl)

LUKE SCHNEIDER – Altar of Harmony LP (Third Man) very limited, already out of print

   color vinyl that comes with an incense set!

THE SCRUFFS – Teenage Tragedies 1974-1979 LP (Mono-Tone)

SWORD – Conquest of Kingdoms LP (Craft)

VILE CREATURE – Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! (Prosthetic)

WAILIN STORMS – Rattle LP (Gilead Media)

JESSIE WARE – What’s Your Pleasure LP (Interscope)

LARRY YOUNG – Into Somethin’ LP (Blue Note)

ZELIENOPLE – Hold You Up LP (Miasmah) back in stock!