New Tune Tuesday
June 16, 2015
Today’s new music releases
• Before This World
James Taylor
Recorded at his home in the Berkshires, Before This World is Taylor’s first new album of original songs in 13 years. Guests include Sting and Yo-Yo Ma, Taylor’s wife, Caroline – who goes by Kim – and Henry, one of their 14 year-old twin sons. The album also includes a tribute to his beloved Red Sox Nation.
• Restless Ones
Heartless Bastards
Restless Ones is the Cincinnati based alt-country bands fifth album. They have several local shows coming up including the Grog Shop in Cleveland on June 19th and the A & R Music Bar in Columbus on June 24th.
•Grand Romantic
Nate Ruess
The first solo album from the Fun. lead singer. Grand Romantic takes a darker and more introspective turn by taking on his struggles with depression and past relationships. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco makes an appearance as well as Beck, who is featured on the song What This World Is Coming To.
• Sing It All Away
Walk Off the Earth
After becoming a YouTube success story (their cover of Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know received 127 million views in 4 months and garnered them a record deal) and wins at the Canadian Radio Music Awards, the Canadian band has released their second full-length LP. Walk Off the Earth is currently playing their pop blend of alternative pop, ska, reggae, rock and Americana in Europe, where they will spend the summer.
Today’s New Tune
Today’s New Tune comes from Beirut.
No No No is the title track from their first new album in 4 years (and only their 3rd overall), set to come out on September 11th, 2015.
BEIRUT – No No No
June 9, 2015
Today’s new music releases
• Drones
Muse
Drones is Muse’s seventh album and first with super-producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange (AC/DC, The Cars). Singer Matthew Bellamy says they’re returning to their original rock sound, after experimenting with other genres on recent albums. Drones is also a concept album, “following a journey from abandonment to indoctrination as a ‘human drone’ and eventual defection.” Whatever that means.
Of Monsters and Men
Beneath the Skin is the second studio album from the Icelandic folk-pop quintet. They are currently on tour in Europe to support the album before coming to North America at the end of July. They will be playing the LC Pavilion in Columbus on Sept. 28th and the Masonic Temple in Detroit on September 29th.
• FFS
FFS
Scottish quartet, Franz Ferdinand, and American rock band, Sparks (brothers Ron and Russell Mael), have been playing together for about a decade. They finally got around to recording their self-titled debut CD last year and are currently touring in Europe in support of the album.
The Rolling Stones
A 2-disc re-release of the classic 1971 album that includes an alternate version of Brown Sugar featuring Eric Clapton, an acoustic version of Wild Horses, and live versions of Honky Tonk Woman and Midnight Rambler. The re-issue also includes previously unreleased material, live performances and a 24 page booklet. The Stones Zipcode tour will hit Comerica Park in Detroit on July 8, 2015.
Today’s New Tune
Today’s New Tune comes from Blur
Ong Ong is the fourth single off of the British band’s album The Magic Whip. The 80’s video game theme was directed by Tony Hung, who also did the cover art for the album.
BLUR – Ong Ong
June 2, 2015
Today’s new music releases
• How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence and the Machine
Their third album and the follow up to 2011’s Ceremonials. Four songs have been released in anticipation of the album, including What Kind of Man and Ship to Wreck.
Jamie XX
The first solo dance album from Jamie XX, best known from the British indie rock band, the XX. As far as touring goes, Jamie XX tells the New York Times, “I’m not going to play gigs at Jamie xx. I’m just going to DJ. I’m not comfortable performing my songs on a stage. It’s not something I think I’m particularly good at”
The Darkness
This is the fourth full length release from the British rockers and the follow up to 2012’s Hot Cakes. The new album is streaming in its entirety on their website and is being released on limited edition color vinyl, CD and digital download. Last of Our Kind marks the first album with new drummer, Rufus Taylor, son of legendary Queen drummer, Roger Taylor.
Dawes
The fourth album from the LA based roots-rockers is getting rave reviews from critics everywhere, including from Jim Farber at the New York Daily News who says, “However familiar this LA story may be, (Dawes) conveys it with fresh wounds, original language and folk-rock melodies you’ll love on first listen.”
Indigo Girls
One Lost Day is the 14th studio album from the folk-rock duo and their first in 4 years. Indigo Girl, Amy Ray, tells Pollstar’s Jay Smith that they had a lot of “good focus on this album,” and because of the time they took between records they “really worked on (their) harmonies and arrangements.” The Indigo Girls tour will be in Ann Arbor, MI on June 19th and in Dayton on June 20th.
Barenaked Ladies
Silverball is the 14th studio album from the Canadian Alt-rock band.
Today’s New Tune
Today’s new tune comes from Tame Impala.
The Australian band’s new album, Currents, will be out later this year.
Check out the first official song, ‘Cause I’m a Man and the trippy video that turned the band into puppets.
Tame Impala – ‘Cause I’m a Man
May 26, 2015
Today’s new music releases
Twenty-One Pilots
Blurryface is the sophomore album from the Columbus, Ohio electro-pop duo on Atlantic subsidiary Fueled By Ramen records. After selling out shows at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in April of 2012, they embarked on a tour with Neon Trees and Walk the Moon. 2014 was a big year for the Ohio natives, playing Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Firefly as well as the 2014 MTV Movie Awards and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Blurryface is expected to top the Billboard charts this week.
Lifehouse
After announcing a hiatus in 2013 following their parting with Geffen Records, the members of Lifehouse pursued their own individual projects until March of 2014. They entered the studio in May of that year with Pelle Hillstrom filling in for Ben Carey on lead guitar, officially ending the break. Their seventh studio album, Out of the Wasteland, is their first independent release with the new guitar player. An exclusive album with 4 extra songs is available at Target.
Anti-Flag
American Spring is the 9th album for the Pennsylvania punk rock band and their 2nd on Spinefarm Records. They are currently touring in Europe in support of the album and will head back to the States on June 18th. They will be in Toledo at Frankies on June 24th.
The Vaccines
English Indie rock band, The Vaccines, have described their sound as “50’s rock ‘n’ roll through to ‘80’s American hardcore, and a lot of good pop music.” After touring extensively, opening for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Arcade Fire, the Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Muse, the band is back with their third full length album release. English Graffiti is fairly heavily influenced by mid-‘80s Top 40 pop with catchy tunes that give the album a pleasant, yet melancholy feel.
Today’s New Tune
Today’s New Tune comes from the Vaccines.
Handsome is the first single from the British indie-rockers’ third full-length album, English Graffiti.
THE VACCINES – Handsome
May 19, 2015
Today’s new music releases
Hot Chip
Why Make Sense is the London based electronic band’s 6th studio album. They were nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best Dance Recording and are upping the ante with their newest. You can click the link to stream the album live on their website while playing an addictive color sensitivity game. According to their website, “Every sleeve of the first limited edition will be unique, based on a variation of colour and design.” You can order a unique copy at Domino Records.
Brandon Flowers
Recorded at his Battle Born Studios in Winchester, Nevaday, The Desired Effect is the Killers frontman’s second solo album. The album welcomes notable artists such as Danielle Haim, Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), and Bruce Hornsby.
• Live +
Jeff Beck
Live+ was recorded while Jeff Beck and his quintet were on tour with ZZ Top in 2014. The record spans a 5 decades long catalog and 14 performances as well as 2 new studio tracks, Tribal and My Tiled White Floor; his first new recordings since 2010.
Faith No More
After calling it quits in 1998 with 6 albums under their belt, the band reunited in 2009 to perform live, but only recently laid down tracks in a studio. Produced by bassist Bill Gould, Sol Invictus is the resulting new album, 18 years after their last.
Today’s New Tune
All I Want Is To Be Your Girl
Holly Miranda
The self-titled album is the Detroit singer-songwriter’s third solo endeavor. Formerly of the Brooklyn rock band, The Jealous Girlfriends, She has toured in support of Tegan and Sara and Florence and the Machine. This is her first album with Dangerbird Records.
May 12, 2015
Today’s new music releases
Incubus
The 4-song EP is their follow up to their 2011 Album, If Not Now, When?. The EP is the first of, at least two, that Incubus plans to release this year. The band chose to release EPs so they could release some new songs prior to a tour, then finish the rest of the album when they returned.
David Duchovny
This is the debut album from the X-Files star and all the music and lyrics are credited solely to him. According to Rolling Stone, as of a few years ago, Duchovny had never played guitar, and he’d barely sung a note in public.
Patrick Watson
This is the fifth full-length release for the Canadian artist. It’s made up of a mix of styles including electronica, jazz, reggae, rock, and classical.
• Can’t Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour
Leonard Cohen
The ten songs on the album are Cohen rarities recorded on his recent “Old Ideas World Tour.” Can’t Forget gives listeners a glimpse into Cohen’s intimate rehearsal process, widely known as in-depth ‘concerts before the concert,’ heard by fans for the first time with this new record. It includes two songs not found on any other Cohen album, plus a pair of covers.
Today’s New Tune
Today’s new tune comes from Metric.
The band’s first new song since 2012’s Synthetica
A new LP will be out in September with a June 2nd pre-order date.
METRIC – The Shade
May 05, 2015
Today’s new music releases
Mumford & Sons
M&S have ditched their trademark banjo and gone electric for their third album and first since 2012’s Grammy-winning Babel. James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) produced the 12-song LP, and the band describes Wilder‘s heavier sound—which includes some synths and even a drum machine—as a “natural departure” for the group. Much of the new material was written at the Brooklyn studio of The National’s Aaron Dessner.
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket’s first album since 2011’s Circuital finds the band working once again with producer Tucker Martine. The theme of the record is change, or, as frontman Jim James describes it, “the sound of the page turning and not being sure what’s coming next.”
Best Coast
The Los Angeles-based indie-rock duo of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno make the jump to a major label for the first time with this third album, which is their first full-length release since 2012’s The Only Place.
Django Django
After picking up a Mercury Prize nomination for their self-titled debut album in 2012, the London-based art-rockers return today with a follow-up.
Frank Black and the Catholics
Black Francis of The Pixies’ other band, formed in 1997. This is a box set that compiles all six of the band’s studio albums as well as the unreleased 2000 album Sunday Sunny Mill Valley Groove Day and a disc of demos and alternative takes of songs.
Today’s New Tune
Today’s new tune comes from indie pop band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.
SSLYBY’s new album The High Country is set for a June 2nd release.
The second release from the album is Trevor Forever.
Not only does the video feature footage from an episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, but it also gives a behind-the-scenes look of their album being mass produced at the largest cassette manufacturing plant left in the world, National Audio Company, in Springfield, MO.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Trevor Forever
April 28, 2015
Today’s new music releases
Blur
After flirting with reunions over the past six years, the Britpop band announced earlier this year that they had completed work on a new album. It was recorded in Hong Kong in five days, but was fine-tuned over the course of the past year. The Magic Whip is Blur’s first studio LP since 2003’s Think Tank.
Everclear
This is a modern and heavier true follow-up to 1995′s Sparkle & Fade (although they released six albums after it).
The Weepies
The husband and wife indie folk duo’s first release in 5 years. Their past few years have included cancer, hospitals and “helping angels everywhere”.
They explain the album’s title: “Sirens were mermaids that led sailors to their doom with their sweet voices. It’s also a reference to an ambulance siren, and together they summed up the feeling of the year: otherworldly, hopeful, terrible”
Zac Brown Band
The first album in three years for the country rockers, and their first with their new record label. This one leans more heavily on the rock side of country-rock and includes guests Chris Cornell and Sara Bareilles.
Eric Clapton
A 51 song, three-disc, greatest hits compilation.
Today’s New Tune
Calexico’s Edge of the Sun album was released on April 14th and began with a song writing retreat to the Mexico City borough of Coyoacán.
It includes musicians from a different backgrounds, origins, and genres, including Sam Beam from Iron and Wine, Nick Urata from Devotchka, Carla Morrison, Gaby Moreno, Amparo Sanchez, multi-instrumentalists from the Greek band Takim, and Neko Case.
This is the second single from the album featuring Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses.
Calexico – Falling From the Sky
April 21, 2015
Today’s new music releases
Alabama Shakes
After receiving three Grammy nominations for their 2012 debut album Boys & Girls, the Alabama-based returns with their follow-up.
• Glean
They Might Be Giants.
The band’s been posting a new song every Tuesday to DialASong.com, the relaunch of their old Dial-A-Song service, where they’d record songs onto an answering machine and advertise the phone number.
Joywave
the debut album from indie rockers
• Kindred
Passion Pit
The 10-song Kindred is the third album for Michael Angelakos & co., following 2012’s Gossamer.
Speedy Ortiz
The Massachusetts indie rockers return after their 2013 debut Major Arcana, with a second album.
Today’s New Tune
Saturday was Record Store Day 2015, and Garbage recorded a song especially for this year’s event. The Chemicals is a duet they recorded with Brian Aubert from the Silversun Pickups.
The limited edition album was only available for RSD 2015, but you can see the video here.
April 14, 2015
Today’s new music releases
• Heavy Blues
Bachman
Debut album from the new rock trio formed by Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
• Edge of the Sun
The album began with a song writing retreat to the Mexico City borough of Coyoacán.
Includes musicians from a different backgrounds, origins, and genres, including Sam Beam from Iron and Wine, Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses, Nick Urata from Devotchka, Carla Morrison, Gaby Moreno, Amparo Sanchez, multi-instrumentalists from the Greek band Takim, and Neko Case. Listen HERE.
• Kids in Love
For The Mowgli’s sophomore album the group teamed up with producer Tony Hoffer [The Kooks, Silversun Pickups, Fitz & The Tantrums] as well as their prior collaborators known as Captain Cuts and Matt Radosevich.
• In The Wilderness
Debut album from Cat Martino and multi-instrumentalist/co-producer Sven Britt, each of them recorded and produced each other.
The album has guest appearances from Sufjan Stevens, Christopher Powell, Darby Cicci, and Reggie Pace, among others. The album is streaming HERE.
• Infinite House
The bands sophomore album. They list their influences as SWV, Raincoats, Fugazi, and Prince. They’ve been compared to The Talking Heads and Sly & The Family Stone. Listen to what that sounds like HERE.
BONUS!
Saturday, April 18
Record Store Day is an annual event, founded in 2007, and held on the third Saturday of April each year to celebrate independently owned record stores. A number of records are pressed specifically for Record Store Day, and are only distributed to participating shops.
The latest installment of Record Store Day includes Violent Femmes’ four-song Happy New Year EP