New Release Round-Up 07-29-14

Hypnotic Eye is the latest album from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and the first album from the band in four years. "I knew I wanted to do a rock & roll record," Petty told Rolling Stone in April. "We hadn't made a straight hard-rockin' record, from beginning to end, in a long time." The album is available now and you can preview the tracks as well as check out the promotional video which also covers his upcoming US tour here.  Don't forget that if you picked up the recent Indie Exclusive CD Single, American Dream Plan B, then you can go ahead and use that $2 coupon towards the new album.

The Voyager is Jenny Lewis's most deeply personal album to date, documenting her struggle to cope following the death of her estranged father in 2010 and the subsequent break-up of Rilo Kiley. The Voyager's rootsy, golden glow comes courtesy of Lewis and the artists she chose to produce various tracks, including Ryan Adams (who, alongside Mike Viola, produced all but three of the tracks), Beck, and Lewis' longtime collaborator Johnathan Rice. The Voyager finds the always relatable songwriter at her sharp-witted best, singing about her recent experiences with honesty and incisiveness. The album is available now and you can preview the tracks as well as watch the fantastic video for her recent single Just One Of The Guys which features a few of her famous friends taking on band duties. And if you bought the recent Indie Exclusive Single then feel free to make use of that $2 coupon towards the album. 

When Beck originally released his Song Reader project it was inevitable that one day we would hear the recorded versions.  The twist though is that he asked a few of his musical buddies to take the helm. With Beck and music supervisor Randall Poster producing the album, he invited highly regarded musicians such as Jack White, Jarvis Cocker, Laura Marling, Sparks, Loudon Wainwright III, Norah Jones, Fun. and Jack Black to give their interpretations of the songs. There is also a tune by Tweedy, the new band formed by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and his son Spencer.

Eric Clapton has often stated that JJ Cale is one of the single most important figures in rock history, a sentiment echoed by many of his fellow musicians. Cale's influence on Clapton and many of today's artists cannot be understated. To honor JJ's legacy, a year after his passing, Clapton gathered a group of like-minded friends and musicians for Eric Clapton & Friends - The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale). With performances by Clapton, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Derek Trucks and Don White, the album features 16 beloved JJ Cale songs and is named for the 1972 single "Call Me The Breeze."

Installation artist, musician and America's Got Talent finalist William Close explores the relationship between architecture and music while reflecting the heart of The Earth Harp Collective's sound on Behind The Veil. The album features lush Rock/Classical fusions, inspired original tracks & fresh interpretations of beloved coves such as The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me."

Plus there are other great, new releases including Theory Of A Deadman return to their roots with more angst and darkness on their new album Savages which is heralded by the fiery single, Drown, produced by longtime collaborator Howard Benson (Halestorm, My Chemical Romance). The long awaited 2014 album Wastoid from Stardeath & White Dwarfs is here. Their heavy, gods-hammering sound owes as much to sludgy prog-rock influences like King Crimson and Pink Floyd as it does to Uncle Wayne's oeuvre.  Get On Up: The James Brown Story [Soundtrack] features studio and standout live versions of many of Brown's top soul/funk hits- from his first, 1956's 'Please Please Please' to 'Out Of Sight,' 'I Got You (I Feel Good),' 'Try Me,' 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag,' 'It's A Man's Man's Man's World,' and 'Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine.' Cold World, The new album from Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens is a menagerie of Soul music at its finest, untied by the strong message-laden lyrics. Stuck is the third album from American hard rock outfit Adelitas Way and follows their 2011 release, Home School Valedictorian..  And one of the best live albums of all time is about to get considerably better. The Allman Brothers Band's cornerstone LP, At Fillmore East, compiled from the four sets recorded on the weekend of March 12-13, 1971, has been expanded, stretching over six CDs with fifteen unreleased tracks.  The album is also available as an expanded 4LP Edition as well as a 3 Blu-Ray Audio Edition

Plus, Marc Broussard, Shabazz Palaces, Guardians Of The Galaxy, The Best Of 2 Tone, Live At Wacken 2013, Land Observations, Fela Kuti, Jack & Eliza, Jim-E Stack, Karen Mantler, Rick Wakeman, Dream Academy, Bette Midler, Dark Lotus, The Muffs, Cass Elliot, George Tandy, Jr., Bob Dylan, Hooray For Earth, Van Dyke Parks, Ghostbusters [Soundtrack] and Johnny Winter all have new albums today.

CURRENT SINGLES

There are also a couple of singles available, including Wiz Khalifa with his Indie Exclusive CD single We Dem Boyz which includes a $2 off coupon for his upcoming album Blacc Hollywood which is due 08/19. Weezer make a strong return with their new single Back To The Shack which is taken from their forthcoming album Everything Will Be Alright In The End which is due to be released 09/30. And The Wind And The Wave release The Heart It Beats The Thunder Rolls, the latest single from the album From The Wreckage which is due 08/05.

EARLY LISTEN AND PREVIEW

Looking ahead to next week's chart, we are excited to present an Early Listen for Depatures, the new album from The Once. Named for a unique Newfoundland phrase that means "imminently," now is indeed the time for The Once. Decorated with awards in Canada, they were nominated for a JUNO in 2012 for the Group: Roots & Traditional Album of the Year and have won 4 Music Newfoundland Awards, 2 Canadian Folk Music Awards and the 2011 ECMA Group Recording of the Year. The Once are about to embark on an amazing journey, spending much of the upcoming year touring the world with chart-topping artist, Passenger. Departures is available now for Pre-Order and you can preview the album here.

For more information on these and other releases out this week, check out our New Releases charts by week section and don't forget that many of these titles are also available on vinyl.

New Release Round-Up 07-22-14

Hot on the heels of their acclaimed album Indigo Meadow, The Black Angels release their new EP Clear Lake Forest featuring 7 entirely new tracks.  Originally released as a limited edition 10" Vinyl for Record Store Day the EP is now available on CD or Limited Edition Clear 12" Vinyl.

Ever since his single War Sweater jettisoned him into stardom five years ago (thanks to a game-changing plug on One Tree Hill), Wakey!Wakey! has built a following that's as passionate as his compositions. Built on broader themes such as rescue and hope, Salvation is the follow-up to Wakey!Wakey!'s acclaimed debut, Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last time I Saw You.

Heaven & Earth is the first YES album featuring new singer Jon Davison along with bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, and keyboardist Geoff Downes and follows on the heels of the successful and acclaimed 2011 release, Fly From Here. The new album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, The Who, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Cars, Foreigner, Journey, Cheap Trick etc.) You can preview the album as well as watch the Lyric Video for the amazing as ever track In A World Of Our Own here.

In the grand tradition of great pop duos like Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, Captain and Tenille, Simon and Garfunkel, Hall and Oates, and Shields and Yarnell; Got a Girl is the blossoming collaboration between Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Smashed; The Spectacular Now) and superproducer Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura (Gorillaz; Deltron 3030).  On their debut album I Love You But I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now, Got a Girl serves up a sweet and sharply carbonated cocktail of the epic, the baroque, the absurd by turns sentimental and postmodern, and in total, utterly irresistible.

Last year Mike Doughty went on tour playing only songs from his old 90's band, Soul Coughing. The last 4 days of the tour, Pete Wilhoit, Catherine Popper, and Doughty himself recorded an album of the Soul Coughing songs they played during the tour performed live.  Live At Ken's House is available now and you can preview the album here and watch the video for his reworking of the track Super Bon Bon. 

Plus there are other great, new releases including Toronto based Alvvays who on their debut album Alvvays have created a sun-splashed record which is loud and clear and sure. Houston-based R&B singer Dominique Henry AKA Love Dominique follows up her critically successful EP Wicked Heart with the self titled album Love Dominique.  ZZ Top underscore their bad and nationwide bonafides with The Baddest, a hit collection packed with many of the biggest songs that have made "that little ol band from Texas" among rock's most legendary groups. Two-time Grammy Award-winning Chicago rapper, actor Common releases his tenth studio album Nobody's Smiling. British synthpop artist La Roux returns with Trouble In Paradise which may well be the best pop album we will hear this year.  And The Raveonettes Pe'ahi is the duo’s finest effort in years and a great example of what shoegazey noise-pop can do in 2014.

Plus, Real Friends, Old Crow Medicine Show, Richard Thompson, Anberlin, Freeman, Nico Vega, Rx Bandits, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Test Of Time, Drenge, PS I Love You, (Hed) P.E., Overkill, Within The Ruins, Fozzy, Crown The Empire and The Beatles all have new albums today.

CURRENT SINGLES

There are also a couple of singles available, including British Dance heroes Basement Jaxx who release Never Say Never, the fantastic single taken from their forthcoming album Junto (Out 08/25). Dry The River release Everlasting Light which is taken from their new album Alarms In The Heart (Out 08/25). And Heartist release Ignite, the latest single from the album Feeding Fiction which is due 08/12.

EARLY LISTEN AND PREVIEW

Looking ahead to next week's chart, we are excited to present an Early Listen for Hypnotic Eye, the latest album from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and the first album from the band in four years. "I knew I wanted to do a rock & roll record," Petty told Rolling Stone in April. "We hadn't made a straight hard-rockin' record, from beginning to end, in a long time." The album is available now for pre order and you can check out the promotional video which also covers his upcoming US tour here.  Don't forget that if you picked up the recent Indie Exclusive CD Single, American Dream Plan B, then you can go ahead and use that $2 coupon towards the new album.

The Voyager is Jenny Lewis's most deeply personal album to date, documenting her struggle to cope following the death of her estranged father in 2010 and the subsequent break-up of Rilo Kiley. The Voyager's rootsy, golden glow comes courtesy of Lewis and the artists she chose to produce various tracks, including Ryan Adams (who, alongside Mike Viola, produced all but three of the tracks), Beck, and Lewis' longtime collaborator Johnathan Rice. The Voyager finds the always relatable songwriter at her sharp-witted best, singing about her recent experiences with honesty and incisiveness. The album is available now for pre order and you can check out the fantastic video for her recent single Just One Of The Guys which features a few of her famous friends taking on band duties. And if you bought the recent Indie Exclusive Single then feel free to make use of that $2 coupon towards the album. 

For more information on these and other releases out this week, check out our New Releases charts by week section and don't forget that many of these titles are also available on vinyl.

Old Crow Medicine Show - Remedy - Now Available on Vinyl

The Americana bluegrass string band Old Crow Medicine Show continue to maintain their sound as heard on their previous albums while embracing new techniques and directions on their eighth effort Remedy. This release marks the follow up to 2012's Carry Me Back and includes the track "Sweet Amarillo" which, like previous recording and band signature tune "Wagon Wheel," is a reinterpretation of music by Bob Dylan. You can preview the album here and also check out the album trailer video which gives you a perfect taste of their incredible album.

VINYL AVAILABLE THIS WEEK

BLUE NOTE AUTHORIZED DEALER

As a store who has a particular focus on Blue Note artists, we are very proud to announce that we have teamed up with Record Store Day and the legendary Blue Note Records to celebrate their 75th Anniversary year by signing on at the creation to become a BLUE NOTE AUTHORIZED DEALER.  Blue Note will be reissuing 100 titles from their legendary catalog over the course of the year, and as a Blue Note Authorized Dealer (BNAD), we will be the place to find those reissues, as well as a monthly EXCLUSIVE reissue, which you can find first, and for a limited time ONLY at Blue Note Authorized Dealers. Blue Note Records devotees and folks wanting to learn more about this celebrated label will want to seek out these special releases. 

The 75th Anniversary celebration is being personally guided by Blue Note Records President Don Was, and this big fan of record stores was also involved in the creation of BNADs:  

“It's impossible to overstate the beauty of the serotonin and dopamine rush that one experiences by browsing thru a REAL live Record Store! Speaking as a music fan, I'm so grateful to the independent retailers who've kept this tradition alive. The history of Blue Note is inextricably interwoven with these incredible stores... It's a great honor and a very natural progression for us to partner-up with them in this uber-cool Authorized Dealership program.”

Check out the list of Blue Note Authorized Dealer releases and the special Anniversary reissues HERE.