NEW RELEASES 03.18.08 |
TOC
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It's A Cracker ! |
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IT'S
A CRACKER !
IT'S
A CRACKER !
RECENT CRACKERS! THAD
COCKRELL PATTY
HURST SHIFTER BRENDON
JAMES WRIGHT & THE WRONGS TED
LUKAS MARKUS
RILL - Price of Sin (German Import) MARKUS
RILL - Things That Count DELANEY
BRAMLETT - A New Kind OF Blues
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Butch
Ryan portends to be a cautious man on one of the many outstanding tracks on this
2008 release. There are so many hooks, so many moments of transcendence, so many
singularly great musical moments that I fear that I might be able to physically
take it all in if Butch ever just let go. The vocals are full of sadness, reflection
and, thankfully, optimism. Recorded while the band's drummer was suffering (and
finally succumbing) from brain cancer must've put Ryan into a reflective mood.
Tragedy sometimes makes great art. On 'Time To Wait' Ryan and longtime co-producer
Steve Connelly caught the essence of a sad an vulnerable period. Ryan's earlier
work was full of hooks and heart. He has taken a tremendous leap with this record.
-- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)
South
Louisiana's Cortez Del Mar have been called an "anti-jam jam-band" and
"alt-space-folk-indie-country-rockers." There is a coolness to the music
as it flows. The lyrics at times sound as much like non-sense stories as they
feel deeply profound. These are tales of hard luck and hard times. Who's tales?
The band is occupying a rarified musical space, comparing favorably with the most
eclectic Gourds songs. There is an ethereal quality to these songs but they are
simultaneously robust. This album, released in 2005, made several year end best
of lists. - Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)New Releases |
JOE
ELY & JOEL GUZMAN
BIG
DIPPER
SHE
& HIM
SERA
CAHOONE
DESTROYER DEVOTCHKA
JOSEPH
ARTHUR DANIEL
LANOIS ERICA
WHEELER
RYAN
JAMES
MOONEY
SUZUKI
TOO
SLIM & TAILDRAGGERS WALKER
BROTHERS
MISSION
OF BURMA
MISSION
OF BURMA
MISSION
OF BURMA
ADAM
GREEN
GHOST
BUFFALO
SHEL
SILVERSTEIN
SHEL
SILVERSTEIN
MIKE
MORGAN |
Accordionist
Joel Guzman played in the duo setting held at the Cactus Cafe in Austin on December
2006. Among the songs are "Up on the Ridge, "I'll Just Get to You,"
Where Is My Love," "Slow You Down," "Thousand Miles from Home"
and "Letter to Laredo." 
"Aside
from the usual genre stand-bys like jangly fuzz guitar and complimentary vocal
harmonies, the BoDeans can usually be counted on to douse their music with loads
of twang, endearing them just as much to the alt.country contingent. Thus, just
like many prior BoDeans records, Still is equal parts A Hard Day's Night and "Hotel
California." What's here is mainly solid, occasionally sublime, but never
quite spectacular. Listening to Still, I felt much the same as I had listening
to the Gin Blossoms' comeback record. Both are simply solid, unassuming, and unpretentious
sets of songs, not designed for an artistic renaissance or a strong charge back
up the charts, but rather for the purpose of feeding a fan base hungry for new
material and adding new songs to the set lists that are heavily reliant on the
band's established formula. It won't make terribly many critics' album of the
year lists, but those who go to the extra effort to seek Still, hardcore BoDeans
fans and power pop connoisseurs alike, will be well-satisfied." -- Anthony
Saggese, Stereosubversion.com. The album was produced by the legendary T-Bone
Burnett and features 12 new tracks. Track Listing: Pretty Ghost / Round Here Somewhere
/ Willing / Lucille / The First Time / Every Day / Waste A Lifetime / Breathe
/ Wonder Wonder / Hearing / Found Me A Reason / Arms
This
3-CD limited edition set is comprised of 49 re-mastered tracks from the legendary
Boston band's original tapes, plus the mysterious "Faith Healer" video,
all for an incredibly low price. Chronicling Big Dipper's years on the Homestead
label, discs one and two include the 1987 EP "BooBoo" and the LPs "Heavens"
(1987) and "Craps" (1988). Nine little or seldom heard bonus tracks
from that era fill out Disc 2. Disc 3 compiles fifteen previously unreleased tracks
from the band's 1991 and 1992 post-Epic recording sessions. Extensive liner notes
from the original band members and Tom Scharpling (host of The Best Show on WFMU).
Tracks: Faith Healer / San Quentin, CA / What In Sam Hill / Wrong In The Charts
/ Ancers / Loch Ness Monster / She's Fetching / Man O' War / Easter Eve / Humason
/ Lunar Module / All Going Out Together / Younger Burns / When Men Were Trains
/ Wet Weekend / Mr. Woods / Meet The Witch / Ron Klaus Wrecked His House / Insane
Girl / Semjase / Stardom Because / Bonnie / Hey! Mr. Lincoln / Bells Of Love /
Song To Be Beautiful / Golden Shame / Lou Gehrig's Disease / You're Not Patsy
/ San Quentin, CA / Which Would You Rather / He Is God / Guitar Named Desire /
Ron Klauss Demo'd His House / Life Inside The Cemetery / Wake Up The King / Edith
/ Beast / Restaurant Cloud / Missing Time / Beginning Of The End / Lifetime Achievement
Award / Dead River / Silentium / Approach Of A Human Being / Mineral Man / Ghost
Of Emily / Winsor Dam / Nowhere To Put My Love / Extraordinary Worm (Merge)
This
is the musical debut from M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, paired together by director
Martin Hayens to perform the Richard and Linda Thompson tune "When I Get
To The Border" for his film "The Go-Getter". Their match sparked
the idea for "Volume One". Tracks: Sentimental Heart / Why Do You Let
Me Stay Here? / This Is Not A Test / Change Is Hard / Thought I Saw Your Face
Today / Take It Back / I Was Made For You / You Really Gotta Hold On Me / Black
Hole / Got Me / I Should Have Known Better / Sweet Darlin' 
Seattle's
The Stranger wrote of Only, "...a breathtaking collection of sad and dusky
songs that reveal an artist of remarkable depth as well as a truly stunning voice."
Despite being an accomplished guitarist and songwriter, Sera preferred to stay
behind the drum kit (drumming for the likes of Carissa's Wierd, LA musician Patrick
Park, and on the Band Of Horses' debut, "Everything All The Time") until
one tour across the US with Park in 2006. She found herself inspired by the landscape
and she wrote an album in her thoughts as they drove along the blue highways and
back roads of the expansive west and the plains. (Sub Pop)
This release cements Vancouver, BC's Dan Bejar as an artist as quirky and enigmatic
as David Bowie, as symphonic and grandiose as Scott Walker, and as quixotically
literary as Bob Dylan. A collection of songs that is fresh and confounding, yet
befitting the Destroyer canon. "Of all contemporary songwriters, he's been
the biggest influence and inspiration. Because he is pretentious, but in a way
that makes it into a game where we all get to pretend to be so grand" - Okkervil
River's Will Sheff. (Merge)
This
four-piece multi-instrumental outfit fuses gypsy, Greek, Slavic, and mariachi
with American punk and folk roots. Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
chose DeVotchKa to score "Little Miss Sunshine" in 2006, the breakout
indie film of the year, garnering four Academy Award nominations and earning DeVotchKa
a Grammy nod for Best Soundtrack. Their stage set up is fortified by sousaphone,
accordion, piano, violin, a bouzouki, upright bass, percussion, trumpet, drums,
and a Theramin. The band has toured with similar maverick acts such as Calexico
and Flogging Molly and will also appeal to fans of Arcade Fire, Neko Case, and
David Byrne. (Anti-)
EP
1 of 6, 2008. Track List: Rages of Babylon / Morning Cup / Shadow of Lies / Could
We Survive / Walk Away / King of the Pavement (Lonely Astronaut)
'Here
Is What Is' was recorded in Toronto, Los Angeles and Shreveport, LA with drummer
Brian Blade (Joshua Redman, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones) and pianist Garth Hudson
(The Band) and captures Lanois' signature musical sensibilities and virtuosity.
The album also includes philosophical interludes and inspiring conversations with
Brian Eno taken from the film by the same name. (Red Floor Records)
It's
been a long while since Erica Wheeler's last studio release and well worth the
wait. Good Summer Rain is by far her greatest musical achievement. It's a gorgeous,
cohesive, collection of songs about love, loss, and the land. Produced and recorded
by Crit Harmon (Martin Sexton, Mary Gauthier, Lori McKenna), Good Summer Rain
draws on some of the Northeast's finest session musicians. Erica Wheeler is best
known for "cinematographic," imaginative, unforgettable songs about
the American landscape and lives lived there. Good Summer Rain creates a travelogue,
often feeling as expansive as the land itself. Its 11 songs span from the intimate
streets of Greenwich Village to the sweeping vistas of Jackson Hole, reaching
out to where farmland gives way to sprawl; where wilderness meets industrial growth,
and back again. Good Summer Rain was sponsored in part by The Trust for Public
Land, a national organization which works to preserve land for people. -- Signature
Sounds
"Directed
is not only perfectly named, but also corroborates James' rite of passage through
thirteen solid tracks of perfect afterglow. The record was recorded in Nashville
with reappearing producer Tim Lorsch. "Tim brings a nice dimension to any
record he is a part of", explains James, "This record is melodically
endowed and the songs are of a straight feel-good nature. There is nothing depressing
about it". The record also has its sentimental side most prominently displayed
in the title track, "Directed" which sets a cool reflective ambiance
accompanied by a melody as tender and fragile as hard lessons learned. The record
also features carefully selected covers from the writers James most respects.
Keith Gattis' "She's Always Leavin", Sam Baker's "Waves",
and Paul Thorn's "Are You With Me" all appear on this stellar release.
While still basking in the light of his debut release BACK TO THE WIND, which
garnered him two top 10 hits on the Texas Music Chart and a nomination at the
Gruene With Envy Awards, the Ryan James Band deepens their tracks in the music
terrain as they kick off into a high caliber tour just in time for this new record
release. "I like to split the difference between being deep and being fun.
Everyone at my live shows experience every emotion. I like to build it up until
you bang your head then break it down gently"." Track Listing: I Should've
Broke Your Heart / She's Always Leavin' / Directed / Are You With Me / What Am
I Doing Here / Waves / Just Keep Driving / Make It Go Away / Get Busy Living /
I Give All My Love To You / Buckle Down / Matagorda / I'll Get It Right This Time
(Bonus Track)
Freakout,
raved up garage punk from some masters of the genre, who also take it to the nth
degree as they say, Mooney Suzuki. Recorded live at the world famous NYC punk
club, CBGB's on June 29th, 2001, direct from the soundboard. Sweaty, spazzy and
in your face. Track Listing: It's Showtime Pt I / In A Young Man's Mind / Singin'
a Song About Today / Natural Fact / Everything's Gone Wrong / Half of My Heart
/ Oh Sweet Susanna / Make My Way / A Little Bit of Love / I Woke Up This Morning
(MVD)
'Although
generally lumped into the blues-rock arena, Tim "Too Slim" Langford
and his band fall into whatever category a combination of Tom Petty, Creedence
and ZZ Top would create Perhaps swampy Americana is closer to the trio's sound,
especially on this terrific album. . .Langford writes melodies and especially
lyrics that show him to be an under the radar talent who has gone unnoticed for
too long. Vocally his gruff voice is somewhat similar to Top's Billy Gibbons and
this album is a good example of what that Texas band might have sounded like if
they hadn't cheesed out with synths and dance pop in the '80s.' Hal Horowitz,
allmusic.com 
The
British debut for this Los Angeles trio, originally released in 1965. Not actually
brothers, the group of Scott Walker (nee Engel), John Maus, and Gary Leeds made
it big in the UK with beautifully orchestrated pop ballads in the same vein as
those other non-siblings, The Righteous Brothers. Covering tracks from Burt Bacharach,
Randy Newman, David Gates, and Bob Dylan, this is a classic debut and the world's
first introduction to one of pop music's most celebrated eccentrics, Scott Walker.
The
posthumous album, originally released in 1984, has never been available on CD
until now. The vinyl has been unavailable since the 1980s. Re-mastered and restored
to its correct sequence with three bonus tracks. 32-page booklet contains ephemera,
photos, and interviews. Vinyl is true all-analog, HQ-180 pressing. Salon.com wrote,
"Combining rock 'n' roll's traditional fetish for pure, unmediated feeling,
with a more modern sort of artistic calculation, Burma's music could evoke everything
from the Beatles' ecstatic run of Hamburg rock clubs in the early 60s to the lightning-speed
hardcore punk that was developing in the US during Burma's tenure. In this sense,
Burma can be said to have blithely encapsulated punk's overarching mission: to
draw a line connecting rock rebels past and present, and, in doing so, re-imagine
and re-establish the music's anarchic condition" DVD Features: Live at the
Bradford Ballroom, Boston, March 12, 1983 (evening show) (Matador)
Out
of print on CD for three years and unavailable on vinyl since the 80s, this debut
record is back with remarkable extras, including two unreleased studio tracks,
a DVD of concert footage at The Space and The Underground in Boston in 1979 and
1980, and a 32-page booklet with interviews and ephemera. Vinyl is true all-analog,
HQ-180 pressing. "The moment punk turned into art" - Salon.com. DVD
Features: DVD content: 'Live at the Space and at the Underground, Boston, 1979-80
(Matador)
The
second and final studio album, released in 1982 just months before the band broke
up, at the pinnacle of their songwriting and performing skills. Unavailable on
CD for three years and out of print on vinyl since the 1980s. Bonus DVD contains
the entire afternoon set from the final show in Boston in 1983. Fully re-mastered
from the original tapes. 32-page booklet contains ephemera, photos, and interviews.
Vinyl is true all-analog, HQ-180 pressing. "The almost-pop architecture is
opposed by almost-Wagnerian sonic density, a dichotomy between blueprint and chaos
- the competition indicated by the album's title" - Village Voice. DVD Features:
Live at the Bradford Ballroom, Boston, March 12, 1983 (afternoon show) (Matador)
Green
is formerly one half of Moldy Peaches (with Kimya Dawson). This is his fifth solo
album. His music is reminiscent of Bacharach and Brel, and he's created his own
brand of playful pop while refining it with each release. He's toured with the
likes of The Libertines, Badly Drawn Boy, Ben Kweller, and The Strokes. "A
queasy mix of super-sharp realism, clammy surrealism, and elegant melody"
- Mojo. "It always amazes me how he can express such deep meaning with such
twisted humor. Adam is eccentric and down to earth, with newfound technical proficiency
over a wider spectrum of styles. I love it" - Julian Casablancas, The Strokes.
Ghost
Buffalo's The Magician marks the new age of country-punk rockers' devolution back
to rock from the y'allternative mold. Dropping most of the cowpunk meets post-hardcore
sounds that marked 2006's self-titled debut (Suburban Home), The Magician picks
up the traces of late-'90s Chicagoland indie rock (everything from Smashing Pumpkins'
love of humongous riffs to Sarge's knack for a heart-melting vocal) that snuck
into its early material. If you're desperate to find some vestigial alt-country
you can successfully dig for it (it's closest to the surface in the shimmering,
folksy "Choke"), but on The Magician, Ghost Buffalo's love for alt-rock
and pop is laid ever more bare than it was on its debut. -- Matt Schild, aversion.com
(Suburban Home)Back In Stock |
JASON
EADY
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Jason
Eady`s smooth twang, expertly supported by his band The Wayward Apostles, effortlessly
flows across "tears in your beer" songs, hard country, and introspective
folk. Name any style that falls under the big umbrella of Americana and Eady expertly
handles the vocals. While many out there can take on the technical task of singing,
Eady is an artist at work. Call him a young Steve Earle, or compare him to Ray
Wylie Hubbard. Pick your favorite Texas singer-songwriter. Someday, possibly,
Eady`s name could be among them. Wild Eyed Sernade`s 12 tracks are all gems. --
Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released) New LPs |
RAY
DAVIES
DESTROYER
DYNAMITES
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"Ray
Davies returns to chart-land for the first time since he was wounded by an attacker's
bullet in America last year.And if anything, the former Muswell hillbilly is in
even better voice. His sonorous delivery, deeper and more resonant, adds to the
poignancy of songs dipped in remorse and not a little rage at the Noughties. Change,
consumerism and the insidious transformation of Blighty high streets into mini-American
malls get the elegant, eloquent Davies treatment. The curator of all things quintessentially
English, his ability to wring out heart-catching songs continues to charm as with
the title track, One More Time, and the sublime Imaginary Man. In a recent interview
with a national newspaper - not the one he first cut a deal with to release this
album - he confesses he misses the dynamics of his band, the legendary Kinks.
It's a palpable yearning that seeps through this solo showcase." -- Tony
Kelly, York Press (New West)
"The
surprise of the year is a new funk 'n' soul album: Kaboom! by the Dynamites. This
10-piece Nashville band's debut album is due in June from Outta Sight Records,
an imprint run by Doyle Davis, owner of Grimey's, Music City's.. The group is
fronted by the amazing Charles Walker, who cut sides back in the '60s with his
New York outfit Little Charles and the Sidewinders. Listen to his six-minute epic
`Dig Deeper` and marvel that such throat-tearing deep-soul singers still exist..."
-- Chris Morris, lacitybeat.com (Thirty Tigers)DVDs | ||
REV.
GARY DAVIS
INMATES
ROBBEN
FORD
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Over
the years I have searched for films and videos of my teacher, Rev. Gary Davis.
His playing has influenced many fingerstyle guitarists. His words and warmth were
especially important to his handful of dedicated students. In this collection
I have put together all the footage that I have found to date. The recording quality
ranges from excellent to poor but the music is always superb. Hopefully you will
enjoy this collection as the genius of Rev. Gary Davis will fill your TV screen
with inspiration and joy. -- Stefan Grossman 
1st
Inmates DVD ever released! Two fantastic performances from '80, the heyday of
this excellent maximum R&B/garage group. Includes their US/UK Hot 100 hit
(a killer version of The Standells "Dirty Water"). This DVD features
excerpts of two performances (Dingwalls in London, Nelsons in Wimbledon) from
1980, the heyday of this wonderful group. These historical audio/visual recordings
have been restored from existing source tapes. The Inmates were formed in North
London in 1977 and soon established themselves as one of the capital's most popular
live groups. Their influences included The Animals, The Pretty Thing and The Rolling
Stones. They arrived at the tail end of the pub-rock movement, but still managed
to find success with their mix of originals and covers of classic R&B and
Rock & Roll tunes. Of the latter, a version of the Standells' "Dirty
Water," included on the band's 1979 debut First Offence, became a hit on
both sides of the Atlantic (reaching #51 on The Billboard Hot 100). Capitalizing
on chart success throughout Europe & North America, the early eighties saw
the band confirm their international status. They continue to tour successfully
throughout Europe. This DVD serves as an important document of the Inmates and
their contributions to Rock n Roll.
This
"revisited" gig at "Ohne Filter" took place in 1997 in Baden-Baden,
Germany. At this time (Ford's second TV guest performance on the show) his highly-acclaimed
album "Tiger Walk" was ready to go. Here he shared the stage with three
established musicians from Alanis Morissette's stable. The sound Ford creates
on his guitar with his nimble fingers reveals a deep understanding and appreciation
for the blues... He has also accompanied some blues legends, such as Charlie Musselwhite
and Jimmy Witherspoon. You can discern the ability of this sought-after musician
to transform himself. He once belonged to the founders of the fusion band Yellowjackets
and toured with stars like Joni Mitchell or George Harrison. During this particular
performance, the audience experienced a true virtuoso, who continuously reinvents
himself.March 2008 Releases |
Upcoming Releases |
SLIM
CESSNA'S AUTO CLUB BOILED
IN LEAD INDIVIDUALS
COLIN
MELOY
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'For
the course of 11 tracks, Earle takes listeners on a sweeping tour of southern
music, from Gulf coast to Carolina Piedmont. And he's captured it all at a breakneck
pace; the whole album clocks in at just over 40 minutes. Along the way, he convincingly
explores everything from tragic Civil War ballads ('Lone Pine Hill') and blues
organ riffs ('South Georgia Sugar Babe') to lonesome Hank Williams-esque numbers
('What Do You Do When You're Lonesome') and the Muscle Shoals sound ('Far Away
in Another Town'). . . Earle's voice slides into just the right grooves for whatever
genre he's exploring, whether blazing above the light accompaniment of his own
guitar, as in the lamenting self-analysis of 'Who am I to Say?' or weaving among
the backing of multiple instruments on tracks like 'Hard Livin'.' . . .Whatever
the style, Earle leans tall and heavy into the mike. You can almost smell the
Dapper Dan in his hair and the sweat on his brow. It's easy to imagine hearing
'The Good Life' spilling out of the tinny speakers of a vacuum-tube '30s Philco
between the latest episodes of 'Little Orphan Annie' and 'Dick Tracy.'' - Casey
Phillips, timesfreepress.com
Cipher
features sixteen tracks, strung together loosely by a recurring refrain. As always,
Slim Cessna's Auto Club lays out an intricate arrangement of handmade stringed
instruments (guitar, double bass, banjo, mandolin, etc.) with flawless musicianship,
as well as the curious push-and-pull vocals by the co-frontmen Slim Cessna and
Munly. The songs have a darker, heavier tone compared to their previous efforts--though
quite a few still maintain the rollicking country gospel vibe that compel some
spectators to form mosh pits at their shows. To solicit audience participation
of a different sort, as its title suggests, Cipher includes coded messages in
its artwork.
For
25 years, Boiled In Lead have been '...the prime purveyor of a style of Celtic
music infused with punk-rock attitude.' (The Onion). Now, the 'classic' BiL lineup
returns to the studio with SILVER. From the dark side of traditional songs to
powerful instrumentals that merge noise and finesse, BiL are '...the most important
folk-rock band to appear since the 1970s... required listening...' -- MusicHound
A
fourteen-song set documenting The Decemberists' lead singer/songwriter's 2006
solo tour. Meloy was heralded by Rolling Stone as "a master of improbable
juxtaposition: arcane, detailed fictions of star-crossed passion and avenging
bloodshed dressed up in indie rock jangle, la-de-da choruses, and vintage prog-rock
bombast" in a review of The Decemberists' show in NY's Central Park last
spring. By contrast, the live solo album presents him in a stripped down, acoustic
setting. Of the thirteen Meloy originals, two are previously unreleased compositions,
"Dracula's Daughter" and "Wonder". Along the way, he employs
snippets of songs from The Smiths, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, and REM. The collection
also captures ample between-song banter. Tracks: Devil's Elbow / We Both Go Down
Together / "Evoking a Campfire Singalong" / The Gymnast High Above the
Ground / Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect > Dreams / Dracula's Daughter / Wonder
/ "A Brief Introduction to Shirley Collins" / Barbara Allen / The Engine
Driver / On The Bus Mall / "A Skull, a Ship, and a Sheep" / California
One/Youth and Beauty Brigade > Ask / The Bachelor and the Bride / A Cautionary
Song / Red Right Ankle / Bandit Queen Payment Options |
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