Music Releases 02-19-21

Open Door Policy: is The Hold Steady's 8th full-length studio album and first with Thirty Tigers. It is the follow up to 2019's 'Thrashing Thru The Passion'. Produced by Josh Kaufman (The National, Hiss Golden Messenger, Josh Ritter), this new release once again finds the 6-piece line up in peak form in what Craig Finn describes as "the best band we've ever been".

One of Australia's greatest self-made successes, Tash Sultana is a one-person powerhouse who commands multiple instruments and gear, whether on-sage or in-studio. A globe-trotting sensation with a live show that needs to be seen to be believed, the 25-year-old's second album Terra Firma is a natural evolution of their multi-dimensional jams. The follow-up to 2016's ARIA-winning Flow State was recorded in a custom-built studio over nearly a year. From the expansive 'Coma' to the evocative 'Greed', almost every note was composed, arranged, performed and engineered by Tash. Improving significantly as a singer, player, producer and arranger, the solo star - for the first time - opened up to like-minded collaborators, including Matt Corby and Dann Hume, Jerome Farah, and Josh Cashman. Spiritually, Terra Firma finds the artist reconnecting to their roots, returning to earth after the dizzying heights of success, and reminding themselves who they are and what it means to be human. Musically however, its 14 tracks take root into far-reaching sonic territory, departing from loops and layers towards meditative combinations of soul, funk, RnB, folk, rock, hip hop ' you name it. 

The 2020 solo piano and vocal version of Grandaddy's classic 2000 album The Sophtware Slump.  

Since forming in 2007, Icon For Hire (composed of singer Ariel Bloomer and guitarist Shawn Jump) have quietly amassed a legion of followers. Currently sitting at over half a million monthly listeners on Spotify, Icon For Hire are the sleeping giants of the modern rock scene, and are now ready to step into the forefront with new album ‘Amorphous’.

Icon For Hire’s sound is one that effortlessly blends heavy riffs, elements of electronic production and soaring vocal lines into a powerful & bold sonic explosion.However, at the heart of Icon For Hire’s music is a message of positivity, self-love and personal empowerment from the painfully relatable and rousing lyrics of Ariel.

For Amorphous, the band worked with Grammy Nominated engineer Romesh Dodangoda (known for his previous work producing the last Bring Me The Horizon album as well as acts such as Don Broco, Busted, and Kids in Glass Houses).

The album has been completely funded by fans through Kickstarter. This success was achieved thanks to the band’s highly dedicated ICON Army fanbase that support them on Patreon and have been there for the band though thick, thin, litigation, addiction and more.

Having overcome both personal and professional adversity, Icon For Hire are living proof that you can take control of your life—and that’s perhaps the greatest success anyone can hope to accomplish.

The soundtrack is a perfect complement to the film available on 3 CDs for the Zappa completist. Showcasing 69 total songs, with 12 previously unreleased recordings from archive along with the 1978 Saturday Night Live performance; 24 additional Zappa songs from the catalog spanning 4 decades; songs from Zappa's labels Straight / Bizarre Records; 2 classical compositions by Edgard Varese and Igor Stravinsky; and 26 Original Score cues newly composed by John Frizzell for the documentary.

Mogwai have advanced without a plan since they were teenagers, there have been no secretive meetings to work out the master plan. It is rare to hear a band that has been going for this long, and have this many albums behind them - ten records in and still no disappointments or mistaken creative left turns.You may know what to expect, but you will never get the same. Both transcendent and surprising, As The Love Continues shows that Mogwai are still offering solace from the mundane, supplying the soundtrack to whatever movie you are making in your head.As The Love Continues was originally planned to be recorded in America, but the pandemic led to a relocation to Worcestershire, with producer Dave Fridmann separated by an ocean but appearing like an Orwellian oppressor over the sessions. This pandemic necessity was quickly routine, and it also bought them a little more time. The album features contributions from Atticus Ross ("Midnight Flit") and Colin Stetson ("Pat Stains"), and will arrive almost exactly 25 years after the release of the Mogwai's debut single, "Tuner"/"Lower".Unable to perform the album for the time being, Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite hopes the music can take you from somewhere different to where you are, "unless you are somewhere really amazing and then why are you listening to some weird music like this?"

Hunter And The Dog Star is representative of the rock, folk, and jangle pop sound for which Edie Brickell & New Bohemians is known. The band formed in Dallas in the mid-80s and the current line-up consists of original members, Brandon Aly (drums) and John Bradley Houser (bass guitar, woodwinds), Edie Brickell (vocals, guitar), plus John Walter Bush (percussion), and Kenneth Neil Withrow (guitar). Each of the eleven songs on the album were written by various band members, with Edie Brickell writing, "Horse's Mouth"; the album's producer, Kyle Crushman and musician, Matt Hubbard are additional co-writers.

Vinyl LP pressing. 2021 release. "Trauma Factory is an accumulation of songs written during a confusing time. It is about accepting the present and following your true north through the pain and suffering of human life. I wanted to make an album that was truly genreless and inspire others to challenge themselves artistically. I believe the most inspiring art is unpredictable and unrestrictive. To me, that's what Trauma Factory is."

Double gold and black colored vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. Loathe have been making waves in the British underground heavy music scene since their inception in 2014. Debut full-length The Cold Sun was a heady hybrid of meaty down-tuned riffs, lacerating screams and pile-driving rhythms. I Let It In and It Took Everything retains those elements, albeit delivered with a searing potency and sharpened focus that bests it's predecessor in almost every conceivable way. Rather than existing within one style or taking one approach, Loathe pepper their music with a range of influences and musical motifs that move fluidly and give the Liverpool quintet a dynamism that was merely hinted at before. Their palette has widened significantly and surprises are plentiful; shimmering guitars, layered synths, unhinged guitar effects, a stronger emphasis on ethereal clean vocals and even elements that echo the sheer sonic brutality that epitomizes black metal.

1 CD, 1 Photobook : 158 X 214 X 13 (mm) / 140 pages, Photocard 1 : 7ea, Photocard 2 : 1ea of 8ea / random, 1 Poster : 642 X 471 (mm). Essential Version images included in photo book, poster, and photocards. All sales count towards Soundscan and the US Billboard Charts, as well as the Korean Hanteo and Gaon charts. 

Born in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, singer/songwriter/guitarist Ricky Warwick was cut from the cloth of a mill workers' jacket & raised on a diet of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Thin Lizzy, Stiff Little Fingers, Motown and everything in between. Writing and practicing every free moment he wasn't working on his father's farm, Ricky got a call to join acclaimed U.K. Punk/Folk band New Model Army as rhythm guitarist on their 1987 'Ghost Of Cain' World Tour. Afterward Ricky went on to form The Almighty in Glasgow who enjoyed ten top forty singles and four top twenty albums in the U.K. during the late 80's/early 90's, touring worldwide with such iconic bands as The Ramones, Motorhead, Megadeth and Iron Maiden.In 2002, after relocating back to Ireland, Ricky recorded his first solo album 'Tattoos & Alibis' in Joe Elliott of Def Leppard's studio with Joe also handling production duties. Warwick would go on to release two more solo albums between 2002 -2010 and tour globally opening for the likes of Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, Bryan Adams and Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 2010 Ricky received a call from Scott Gorham who was spearheading a reformation of Ireland's favorite sons Thin Lizzy and wanted Ricky to front the new line up. In late 2012, with a necessity to write and perform new material, out of respect for the Thin Lizzy name, Black Star Riders were born. Black Star Riders have now released four critically-acclaimed and commercially successful albums, the most recent being 2019's 'Another State Of Grace'. They have achieved two U.K. top 15 albums and one U.K. top 10 album as well as mainstream radio play which includes claiming two "singles of the week" on BBC Radio 2. Following 2016's lauded 'When Patsy Cline Was Crazy... And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues', Warwick is getting ready to unleash his 5th solo album in 2021. Titled When Life Was Hard And Fast, it was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Keith Nelson (ex-Buckcherry), who also co-wrote the majority of the songs on the record with Warwick.

WE  ARE  WHO  WE  ARE (ORIGINAL  SERIES  SCORE) featuring music by producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter and vocalist DEVONTÉ HYNES includes 12 score tracks written by Hynes for HBO®’s new  coming-of-age  drama  series, as well as four previously released instrumental tracks from acclaimed composers Julius Eastman and John Adams.  From Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name), We Are Who We Are made its critically-acclaimed debut on HBO and HBO MAX September 14 and airs Mondays at 10:00PM ET.

Bon Jovi’s new album 2020 is the 15th studio album from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band. The album, due out Oct 2nd, features the new single “Limitless” as well as “Unbroken,” which was featured in the documentary “To Be Of Service”. 2LP pressed on 180-gram gold vinyl.

Sellout is the third full length album from genre-bending artist Koe Wetzel. The album was released digitally on November 20^th, 2020. The physical album on vinyl is available February 19^th, 2021.

 

The Texas-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer continues to unapologetically trail blaze between grunge, country, Americana, and damn near everything else under the sun on Sellout. The album is produced by long-time collaborator Taylor Kimball.

On Wild Pink's third album and first for Royal Mountain Records, A Billion Little Lights, frontman John Ross explores the dichotomy of finally achieving emotional security - of accepting the love and peace he deprived himself of in his twenties - while also feeling existentially smaller and more directionless than ever before. The record is a two-pronged triumph: an extraordinary reflection on the human condition presented through the sharpest, grandest, and most captivating songs Wild Pink have ever composed.

Produced by Prince, this is one of the best albums that came out of the Purple One's Minneapolis funk-rock empire in the 1980s. Featuring the hit title track and “The Belle of St. Mark” (two Prince penned classics), this is another opportunity to celebrate the deeper fabrics within the purple quilt Prince laid across the 80’s pop scene.

Considered as one of her best projects, and a leader in Pro Black Movement albums in the 70’s. Beginning her most Soulful period, the album includes the title track, Rock Steady and Day Dreaming. On yellow vinyl

From Thievery Corporation co-founder Eric Hilton comes "The Impossible Silence", a Director's cut of elegant electronica inspired by vintage film soundtracks of the 1960's and 70's. Crafted at Hilton's Winter Palace Studio, "The Impossible Silence" unspools across 13 atmospheric cuts, a soundtrack to a film that exists in the mind of the composer, and anyone who listens. "The Impossible Silence" - screen it now at an imagination near you. Standard black vinyl, with a download card included.

Donny Hathaway was one of the leading voices of the 70's soul renaissance and one of the more championed songwriters during his short lifetime. Much like Ray Charles, Otis Redding, and other superstars before him, Donny had the necessary ingredients of a stellar voice/musicianship and songwriting acumen which reached across the gospel, soul, rock and pop genres. Hathaway created some of the greatest soul sides ever put to wax for the ATCO label, who awarded him with his first greatest hits collection, The Best of Donny Hathaway in 1978. The 9-song set offers a stunning array of Hathaway's memorable hit singles and album staples, most of which feature the likes of Joel Dorn, Billy Cobham, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, Eric Gale, Bernard Purdie, King Curtis, Doc Gibbs and Cornell Dupree. The Best of Donny Hathaway offers up a heavy menu of his finest moments like the funk infused "The Ghetto," the definitive balladry of Leon Russell's "A Song For You," and of course his chart topping duet with Roberta Flack "Where Is The Love." Even more classics abound with Donny's last chart topping R&B ballad "You Were Meant For Me," standard holiday gem "This Christmas," and milestone song "Someday We'll All Be Free." Colored 180g vinyl LP reissue from Friday Music, mastered by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and Capitol Mastering in Hollywood, CA.

One of the most popular singers of the '60s, Wilson Pickett helped introduce the aggressive, rhythmic style of soul music. Aided immeasurably by the excellent studio bands backing him at the Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals Alabama, Pickett scored a series of timeless R&B and pop hits throughout his substantial career. Jam packed with the original recordings of solid senders like his classics "In The Midnight Hour," "Mustang Sally," "Funky Broadway" and of course "Land Of 1000 Dances," the Top Ten charting 1967 collection The Best Of Wilson Pickett is virtually an encyclopedia of funk-soul! Colored 180g vinyl LP reissue from Friday Music mastered by Joe Reagoso.

Music runs deep in the DNA of Tyler and Shane Fogerty. And true to their heritage, they've created their own strand as Hearty Har, whose debut album RADIO ASTRO is the work of rockers who are seasoned beyond their years and live up to their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lineage with a strand of that DNA they can truly call their own.

Look at the Sky' is the fourth single to be released off of Porter Robinson's upcoming album, 'Nurture', set to release in 2021. Porter originally teased this track during his performance at his virtual festival, Secret Sky, in May 2020 to its 4 million virtual attendees. With its hopeful message, 'Look at the Sky' quickly became the highlight of his performance and a trending topic on Twitter.  In Porter's own words: "I see Look at the Sky as a mantra to remind myself that there's good reason for hope, and that people can meaningfully improve themselves and the world."  

On Amidst Voices that Echo in Stone, OMINOUS RUIN brings a breath of fresh air to the Technical Death Metal world. With intense, fast and dissonant 8-string guitars, dynamic 6-string fretted and fretless basses, punishing drums and incredibly dynamic and unique vocals. Each song is unique, yet the cumulative effect is one guaranteed to keep the listener interested from beginning to end! CD packaging includes large poster style booklet.

Lamaze is Geneva's 2010 debut-an analog pressing of 4-track & 8-track recordings documenting the development of her musical style: from her first appearance in 2004 up to 2009. The collection is venerated as canon among devotees, becoming a coveted relic among fans and pop artifacts/rarities collectors. The recordings from this period are largely electronic pop songs that are typical minimalist constructions with dance floor tempos that trot around at about 100 BPM. LP includes a Download Code.

6 7" singles / 1cd

dirt is the latest EP from Hand Habits, the songwriting project of Meg Duffy. Comprised of two songs, '4th of july,' a simmering swell of chaos and beauty and 'i believe in you,' a favorite of Duffy's from the Neil Young cannon, the EP finds the songwriter exploring themes of growth and finding ways to let go of the parts of their past that no longer serve them.Duffy recently relocated to a shared living situation in Los Angeles with musicians Sasami Ashworh and Kyle Thomas (King Tuff), which also housed Thomas' studio. The resulting songs showcase this creatively collaborative environment, with Ashworh co-producing the title track and Thomas co-producing 'i believe in you.' Such is the strength of this relationship, in fact, that this new single just may serve as a bridge toward a greater body of work the three will ultimately create together.

We have all become experts in the imbalance of uncertainty these days, newly accustomed to canceling plans and tentatively rescheduling them for some future we can only imagine. For Austin Crane - the ruminative songwriter, riveting guitarist, and singular voice - such a sense of uncertainty has emerged as his steadfast companion these last few years, a period of profound transition. This flux is the anchor for the gorgeous and felicitous When the Day Leaves. Driven as it is by departure, When the Day Leaves marks the arrival of Valley Maker as a trustworthy narrator for these shaky times. Crane synthesizes these complex feelings into single, "No One Is Missing." All these thoughts are rendered with newfound lyrical richness, balancing intimate tidbits with universal ambiguity.

The Famous California Jam Concert Now On Double Vinyl LP!

On April 6, 1974 Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake & Palmer headlined a legendary music festival called California Jam in Ontario, California, aired live on ABC. About 400,000 people attended this record-breaking concert; it employed the loudest amplification system ever used and was the highest-grossing festival ever at the time.

The concert itself is the stuff of legend. For one, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore locked himself in his room and refused to go on stage when the band was scheduled to perform, fearing that the band's light show would be ruined by the daylight outside. When ABC brought in the sheriff to arrest him, Blackmore agreed to play the set, but ended up smashing equipment, destroying an ABC camera with his guitar, and setting off a pyrotechnic device in one of his amps. The band had to escape via helicopter to avoid the authorities. What a show!

Cal Jam - Live In California '74

Cool Dry Place is Katy Kirby's long-awaited debut album. The 9 songs here are equal parts driving indie-pop and artful folk songwriting in the vein of Waxahatchee, Lucy Dacus, and Frankie Cosmos. Intimate, vulnerable lyrics give way to anthemic choruses, true earworm, and memorable vocal melodies.

Following the critically acclaimed, Through A Window, and their contributions to the album Jem Records Celebrates John Lennon, The Gold Needles deliver the eagerly anticipated What's Tomorrow Ever Done for You? The album contains twelve tracks with three covers done in true Gold Needles style. Harder, darker but still full of melody and rocking from first to last. Much of the album was inspired by the iconic movie set piece from the Harold Lloyd-starring silent film Safety Last where he hangs from a giant clock.