New Releases

Here are the latest announced new releases that I am looking forward to hearing most!

                                              

FEBRUARY 16

The Choir - "Artifact: The Unreleased Album" (legendary Cleveland band records an album of Procol Harum/Left Banke/Bee Gees influenced originals in 1969 that remains unreleased for 49 years! This is the freshest and most vibrant form of time travel!)

Superchunk - "What a Time to be Alive" (Mac McCaughan and co. struggle to make sense of  our poisonous political climate with some of the most poignant and scorching songs in their impressive catalog of music - essential listening!) 

                            NOVEMBER 24

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "Who Built the Moon?"  (The Oasis mastermind gets a little more experimental on his third solo outing but you can bet on some solid melodies and catchy choruses.)

OCTOBER 6

Liam Gallagher - "As You Were" (ex Oasis and Beady Eye singer enlists a small army of musicians/writers/producers and creates a surprisingly cohesive solo debut! He may outshine brother Noel's effort this year!)

SEPTEMBER 8

Alvvays - "Antisocialites" (Led by vocalist/writer/guitarist Molly Rankin, the band returns with the follow up to a fine debut release, honing their laid back melodic pop. "Plimsoll Punks" packs a punch and sounds like a hit!)

Neil Young - "Hitchhiker" (These recordings were made back in 1976 and promptly shelved - until now! Just Neil's voice and acoustic guitar includes early versions of classics "Pocahontas" and "Powderfinger" among these ten vintage gems - some unheard until this release!)

                                      AUGUST 11                                       

Guided by Voices - "How do You Spell Heaven" (The songs come fast and furious as Robert Pollard rolls on with a rejuvenated lineup that includes returning guitarist Doug Gillard! Listen quickly before he releases his next album!)

JUNE 16

Matthew Sweet - "Tomorrow Forever" - (A new release by this power pop favorite - first in six years - is always a cause for celebration. With 17 songs to choose from everyone will have a favorite - mine currently is "Pretty Please".)

APRIL 7

The New Pornographers - "Whiteout Conditions" (the latest from our favorite Canadian supergroup led by A. C. Newman is chock full of their usual quirky, catchy, hook-filled melodies and the vocals of Neko case always raise the bar - another winner!)

MARCH 17

Real Estate - "In Mind" (Martin Courtney and co. continue to refine their shimmery dreamy guitar driven pop to perfection. Their albums are consistently well-crafted and this may be their best!)

MARCH 10

The Shins - "Heartworms" (James Mercer returns with another fine record - with his distinctly sweet vocals and dependably smart songwriting it's easy to take him for granted but that would be a mistake - cool cover too!)

FEBRUARY 17

Ryan Adams - "Prisoner" (His work with the Cardinals remains my favorite but this is a solid collection of confessional roots rock based tunes - the title track is a standout!)

                                        JANUARY 27

Cloud Nothings - "Life Without Sound" (Their most brilliant and polished release yet! Layers of guitar sheen send these beautifully crafted songs deep into your brain. repeated listens are greatly rewarded and opener "Up to the Surface" is a stunner!)

MARCH 25

Bob Mould - "Patch the Sky"  (Continues his amazing career defining roll following stints with Husker Du and Sugar on this third album featuring drummer Jon Wurster and bassist Jason Narducy. He says it's his best band ever and I am not arguing.)

MARCH 4 

Nada Surf  - "You Know Who You Are" (Their first studio album since 2012 and annoints lead guitarist Doug Gillard as a full member of the band. Matthew Caws crunchy guitar pop and voice never disappoint!)

OCTOBER 30 

Martin Courtney - "Many Moons" (First solo album from the singer/songwriter/guitarist of Real Estate. Expect beautifully breezy guitar with tunes that go down easy and invite repeated listens - nice!)

Wavves X Cloud Nothings - "No Life for Me" (Nathan Williams of Wavves and Dylan Baldi of Cloud Nothings issue a long rumored collaboration EP and it's a fuzzed out thing of greatness!) 

Deerhunter - "Fading Frontier" (Deerhunter can be counted on to produce compelling and sometimes transcendent music so a new release is always a welcome event! The single "Snakeskin" oozes with a cool 70s glam groove.)

OCTOBER 2 

Wavves - "V" (Eleven blasts of alternative west coast punk/pop from Nathan Williams. A busy year that also boasted collaborations with Cloud Nothings and Best Coast!)

SEPTEMBER 4 

Tommy Keene - "Laugh in the Dark" (The Power Pop legend and guitar whiz is back with another collection of  ringing melodic Rock 'N' Roll! Destined to be a year end favorite!)

JULY 14 

Radioactivity - "Silent Kill" (Jeff Burke and Mark Ryan, formerly of Marked Men, rip through their second album of twelve frenetic punk pop delights in thirty minutes! Models of efficiency with maximum effect.)

MAY 5 

                                    

Mikal Cronin - "MCIII" (The highly anticipated follow-up to the excellent "MCII". Songwriter/Singer/Producer/Instrumentalist/ This guy does it all well - amazing!)

Best Coast - "California Nights"  (Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno are poised to deliver their latest big blast of summer - and not a moment too soon!)

MARCH 31

Death Cab Cutie - "Kintsugi" (Death Cab are pretty infallible when it comes to crafting beautiful pop songs and this is looking like their strongest release in years.) 

MARCH 25

                               

Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms - "Heart String Soul" (Detroit basement rocker returns with a guitar rush of Power Pop gold! The two songs I've heard are absolutely brilliant!)

MARCH 5

Nick Piunti - "Beyond The Static" (follow-up to one of my favorite albums of 2013 "13 in My Head". There must be something in that Detroit water - see above...)

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "Chasing Yesterday" (Former Oasis leader is sure to produce another high quality Brit-Rock gem, if you like that kind of thing - and luckily I do!)

FEBRUARY 17

Juliana Hatfield Three - "Whatever, My Love" (Hatfield reunites with her trio of 21 years ago from the classic album "Become What You Are". The first single "If I Could" is shiny pop perfection and a tour to follow - I'm there!)

JANUARY 20

The Decemberists - "What a Terrible World, What a Wonderful World" (Each time I think I've had enough of  their preciously literary songwriting Colin Meloy & Co. prove me wrong. First studio album since 2011.)

NOVEMBER 18

TV On The Radio - "Seeds" (Their first album following the death of bassist Gerard Smith shines with the same quirky spark of their best work! Lead single "Happy Idiot" is an instant earworm.)

Bryan Ferry - "Avonmore" (He's been off my radar for quite a while but this release is championed as a return to the smooth post glam era Roxy Music sound - welcome back!)

OCTOBER 7

Johnny Marr - "Playland" (Former Smiths songwriter/guitar legend returns with a quick follow-up to 2013's dazzling "The Messenger"). It's Johnny "F**ckin' Marr!

SEPTEMBER 30

Weezer - "Everything Will be Alright in the End" (Billed as a return to form after some self-acknowledged clunkers. The single "Back to the Shack" is encouraging!)

SEPTEMBER 9

Paul Collins - "Feel the Noise" (Former drummer of The Nerves and self-proclaimed "King of Power Pop" returns with a new collection of tunes guaranteed to brighten your day!) 

Ryan Adams - "Ryan Adams" (lead single "Gimme Something Good" reminds me of his rockin' work with the Cardinals - that's something good!)

Interpol - "El Pintor" (These guys do the big, dark, brooding 80s sound in the best way. Check out the masterful "Turn on the Bright Lights" or "Antics" albums for proof)

Avi Buffalo - "At Best Cuckold" (Sophomore bedroom project by 23 year old Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg. Fine debut from 2010 contained the awesome single "What's in it For?")

AUGUST 26

The New Pornographers - "Brill Bruisers" (Title track sparkles with the melodic fire of their best work! Anxiously awaiting to hear what A.C. Newman, Neko Case and crew have up their collective sleeves!)

JULY 29

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - "Hypnotic Eye" (promises a return to the rocking sounds of the early albums after 2010's forgettably drab "Mojo" - let's hope it's true!)

JUNE 3

Bob Mould - "Beauty & Ruin" (After the guitar rush of "Silver Age" and a world tour Mould serves up another helping of Sugar era noise and melody. Sure to be one of the year's best!)

MAY 13

Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Days of Abandon" (NY indie/pop darlings return with another disc full of jangly guitar melodies and twee harmonies)

MAY 6

Lykke Li - "I Never Learn" (Swedish chanteuse releases the long awaited follow-up to the sensational updated haunting girl group sound of "Wounded Rhymes")

APRIL 1

Cloud Nothings - "Here and Nowhere Else" (A brilliant guitar-crashing, drum-bashing, teeth-gnashing, eardrum-slashing soundtrack of youth!)

MARCH 4

Real Estate - "Atlas" (Melodic, jangly, indie-pop artists follow-up to their beautiful "Days" album of 2011)

FEBRUARY 25

Beck - "Morning Phase" (Billed as a companion to "Sea Change" my favorite Beck album. Should be filled with harmonious gorgeousness)

OCTOBER 22

Best Coast - "Fade Away" (Beautiful last blast of summer echoing the sound of their wonderful debut album "Crazy for You")

AUGUST 20

Superchunk - "I Hate Music" (The founders of Merge Records return with a follow-up to the stunningly brilliant "Majesty Shredding")

MAY 7

 Deerhunter - "Monomania" (Plenty of that great hypnotic and melodic Deerhunter haze featuring low-fi production. Bradford Cox is a rare talent and rarely disappoints)

MARCH 26

Wavves - "Afraid Of Heights" (Clean, strong, well-produced record with great songs and vocals) 

MARCH 19

Phosphorescent - "Muchacho" (Matthew Houck lays down more of his signature laid back mellow goodness)

JANUARY 22

Joy Formidable - "Wolf's Law" (follow-up to their magnificent "Big Roar")

OCTOBER 30

Neil Young - "Psychedelic Pill" (That fuzzed-out squall you hear is Neil reunited with Crazy Horse producing a double disc of epic jams and mind numbing guitar bliss. Just what the doctor ordered)

OCTOBER 9

Tame Impala - "Lonerism" (Kevin Parker roars back with more masterful psychrock goodness from downunder)

SEPTEMBER 25

Green Day - "Uno!", "Dos!" and "Tre!" (Pop Punkers blast back onto the scene with a trio of albums)

SEPTEMBER 18

Band of Horses - "Mirage Rock" (Melodic Americana from the great northwest)

SEPTEMBER 4

Bob Mould - "Silver Age" (Sugar and Husker Du frontman returns with a brilliantly blazing wall of deafeningly beautiful guitar noise) 

Ian Hunter - "When I'm President" (Mott the Hoople songwriter and vocalist continues his run of outstanding solo albums. He's 72, listen and be astounded!)

JUNE 12

Tallest Man On Earth - "There's No Leaving Now" (Excellent follow up to the acclaimed "The Wild Hunt")

JUNE 5

Japandroids - "Celebration Rock" (Aptly titled release from these 2-piece noise rockers)

MAY 22

Joey Ramone - "...Ya Know" (Reverent posthumous release from the legendary punk singer)

JANUARY 24

Cloud Nothings - "Attack On Memory" (Dark pop/punk produced by Steve Albini)

Nada Surf - "The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy" (my favorite melodic pop rockers return)

DECEMBER 6

The Black Keys - "El Camino" (Akron duo return with their best disc in years)

AUGUST 2

Fountains of Wayne - "Sky Full Of Holes"(power pop/rock masters return)

MAY 31

Death Cab For Cutie - "Codes and Keys" (7th release from this uniquely brilliant band)

MAY 3

Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues" (blissed out vocals from the great northwest)

APRIL 12

Alison Kraus & Union Station - "Paper Airplane" (bluegrass superstars first studio album in 7 years!)

MARCH 29

Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Belong" (jangly indie-poppers return)

Radiohead - "The King of Limbs" (World's biggest indie trendsetters strike again)

MARCH 15

Joy Formidable - "The Big Roar" (sophomore release from great noise rock trio)

Mother Mother - "Eureka" (Canadian pop/rockers first since the great "Oh My Heart)

MARCH 8

R.E.M. - "Collapse Into Now" (first studio album since 2008's awesome "Accelerate")

Wye Oak - "Civilian" (beautiful brooding pop)

MARCH 1

Beady Eye - "Different Gear Still Standing" (3/4 of Oasis return)

Lykke Li - "Wounded Rhymes" (LOVE the first single - "Get Some")

FEBRUARY 15

Yuck - "Yuck" (debut from England's newest indie rockers)