Music Releases 04-06-18
The band worked with GRAMMY award-winning producer Jay Joyce (Cage The Elephant, Sleeper Agent) on their Elektra debut, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall
Pigeonholing Blackberry Smoke has never been easy. Since emerging from Atlanta in the early ‘00s, the quintet – vocalist/lead guitarist Charlie Starr, guitarist/vocalist Paul Jackson, bassist/vocalist Richard Turner, drummer Brit Turner and keyboardist Brandon Still – has become known for a singular sound indebted to classic rock, blues, country and folk. Find A Light, Blackberry Smoke’s sixth studio album, doubles down on diversity. Songs hew toward easygoing roots-rock (“Run Away From It All”) and Southern rock stomps (“The Crooked Kind”), as well as stripped-down acoustic numbers (“I’ve Got This Song”) and bruising alt-country (“Nobody Gives A Damn”). Rich instrumental flourishes – keening fiddle, solemn organ and bar-band piano boogie – add further depth and resonance.
Elton John
Restoration: Reimagining The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin
New CD: $13.99 Buy
Some of the world’s biggest pop, rock and country artists are celebrating Elton John’s most beloved and legendary catalogue of hits with two albums Revamp (Island Records) and Restoration (Universal Music Group Nashville)to be released on April 6. The superstar lineup features artists both new and iconic reinterpreting the timeless songs of the over 50 year writing partnership that Elton and Bernie Taupin share. These renditions and artists show the depth of the catalogue these two icons have created, which can easily cross musical genres and their unparalleled influence across popular music of all styles. Restoration highlights countries biggest stars with thoughtful interpretations by Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris, Miley Cyrus, Vince Gill and Don Henley, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton and Lee Ann Womack. “'It's always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it,” adds Elton John. “As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp & Restoration choose to add their own unique twist in the process. It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences. We're humbled and thank them all for their generosity.”
Philadelphia natives The Wonder Years return with their new studio album Sister Cities, a collection of testimonials on love, loss, and finding commonalities in the human experience despite cultural differences. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli (Manchester Orchestra, Morrissey, The Strokes), the album expands on the band's unique brand of emotional rock that has gained them a massive cult following since their start in 2007. Sister Cities is the follow up to 2015's No Closer To Heaven, an album that debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard Top 200, No. 1 on the LP Vinyl Albums Chart and went on to sell over 45,000 units in the U.S.
The Eels's 12th studio album was performed by E (Mark Oliver Everett) and longtime collaborators Koool G Murder and P-Boo alongside The Deconstruction Orchestra & Choir. It was produced by E, with some songs produced by Mickey Petralia for the first time since 1998's Electro-Shock Blues. Eels mastermind E says of the new album, ''Here are 15 new EELS tracks that may or may not inspire, rock or not rock you. The world is going nuts. But if you look for it, there is still great beauty to be found. Sometimes you don't even have to look for it. Other times you have to try to make it yourself. And then there are times you have to tear something apart to find something beautiful inside.''
British duo Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker have built up an avid following as one of Britain's biggest folk acts with thanks to what The Guardian calls their "beautifully textured twilit songs." For Seedlings All, the duo continues to experiment with arrangements, textures, grooves, and exploring genres outside of the realm of traditional folk to create a sound all their own.
Mint (M)
180 gram Translucent Royal Blue, Double Gatefold Jacket, Double sided record sleeve, & Bi-Fold Lyric booklet with 6 double sided photo inserts.
Following LORDEs highly-anticipated return with the new single Green Light, the singer sets the release of her second full-length album Melodrama for June 16 via LAVA/Republic Records. Melodrama includes the brand new track Liability, produced by Lorde and Jack Antonoff, and the current single Green Light, produced by Lorde, Jack Antonoff, and Frank Dukes.
Green Light immediately launched the GRAMMY® Award-winning singer to the top worldwide trending topic on Facebook and Twitter, amassing an incredible 2 billion impressions on Twitter alone within its first 24 hours.
Rolling Stone praised her return single as a reflection of her own emerging adulthood and The FADER declared the track as a true pop anthem made for both earbud strutting and the club. Pitchfork named Green Light best new track, concluding the euphoria of Green Light is a new look for this 20-year-old who first appeared as a shadowy teenaged mystic. She doles it out carefully, true to her inability to find closure. But when it hits, she is radiant.
Mipso’s indie-Americana sound is influenced by the contradiction of the band’s progressive Chapel Hill, NC home and the surrounding rural southern landscapes. Edges Run is the band’s fifth album release. US tour dates this spring. LP is 180g black vinyl.
Ever since their early beginnings, singer and guitarist Rick Parfitt had been a pivotal member of legendary British rock band Status Quo. Standing abreast of Francis Rossi, the two made up the creative core of the band and therefore birthed more than 60 UK chart hit singles and 32 studio albums. Astonishing career highlights include being an opening act at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985 and being appointed an OBE.
When the awful news broke on Christmas Eve 2016 that legendary rocker Rick Parfitt had passed, fans around the world were devastated that one of rock s most iconic performers had been silenced. However, unknown to almost anyone, Rick had in fact virtually completed his first solo album whilst undergoing a period of recuperation after his heart attack in July. Featuring 10 brand new songs, including the title track that broke hearts anew when it was played at Rick s funeral, this is an album of depth and passion. Created by Rick Parfitt and Producer Jo Webb, the record is a true labor of love and
showcases the softer side of Rick as a writer, artist and performer away from the Quo maelstrom as well as the purest rock and roll sound of earlier Status Quo records. Despite the fact Rick Parfitt had finished recording his guitar and vocal parts, a recording session was planned to happen in February 2017. Certain tracks were not totally finished when Rick died. The call to help ensure that his work could be completed, so that the world could hear it was answered by musicians of the caliber of Queen s Brian May and Muse s Chris Wolstenholme, both of whom were close to Rick. Rick s son, Rick Parfitt Jr, was also involved in the creative process, as were John Rhino Edwards and Alan Lancaster, among many others and mixed by top producer Ash Howes. Available on CD Digipak/180 gram vinyl & Digital.
FILE UNDER: CASH,JOHNNY
Mint (M)
Mint (M)
Years solidifies the point: Sarah Shook & the Disarmers have moved from getting people's attention to commanding it. The bands' new album-with it's sharpened songwriting, unique perspective, deepened sound and roll-up-your-sleeves attitude-will grab you by the collar and put a defiant finger to your chest. It is resolute, blunt, and unflinching.
Mint (M)
22 year-old South-East Londoner Tom Misch will be releasing his debut album "Geography" on March 9th, 2018 via his own label Beyond The Groove/Kobalt Music Recordings. Tom's music is an intrepid and invigorating adventure in sound, bursting with inventiveness. This highly talented, multi-instrumentalist has built an auspicious online fanbase and has earned the reputation as one of the best UK producers! Tom has self-released several Eps and Mix Tapes to date (Beat Tape 1, Beat Tape 2 and Reverie) as well as the unique project '5 Day Mischon", which was recorded over a period of five consecutive days in his bedroom where he collaborated with the likes of Carmody, Novelest, Will Heard and more.