New Release Round-Up 07-24-20
X - ALPHABETLAND - Fat Possum Records
ALPHABETLAND is the eighth studio album by American punk rock band X. Released digitally in April 2020, it is their first studio release in 27 years and the first with their original line-up in the past 35 years. The release has received positive reviews from critics. Alphabetland was recorded across several sessions in 2019 and 2020 with producer Rob Schnapf, who has previously worked with Elliott Smith, Beck, and Joyce Manor. Even though these songs date from a time when the band's only songwriters were vocalist Exene Cervenka and Doe, all tracks are credited to all four members of X and the recording sessions coincided with the individual musicians improving their relationships with one another.
The Naked And Famous - Recover - Somewhat Damaged LTD
The Naked And Famous' album reasserts the group as one of modern indie-pop's most exciting sonic trailblazers, taking them to emotionally inspired depths, while maintaining the fresh effervescence that has led to over 600 million collective streams to date. While they have sonically mastered the art of dreamy, hook-laden synth-pop, The Naked and Famous have stuck to their guns as far as intimate storytelling. Recover is largely an autobiographical record rooted in a powerful sentiment of survival, and of the very human process of self-preservation - of saving, choosing and celebrating oneself in a world constantly trying to put us down.
Neck Deep - All Distortions Are Intentional - Hopeless Records
With this album Neck Deep wants to continue carving out their own unique space within rock, punk, and alternative music. They have no delusions of "saving rock" or being the biggest rock band out there. They just want to remain Neck Deep and be an even bigger, better Neck Deep than before. They understand their roots are in pop punk, but want to expand on their sound in their own way, taking inspiration from artists like The Beatles and Nirvana who did things their own way and still were able to be massive.
PJ Harvey - Dry + Dry Demos - Island
Dry is PJ Harvey’s stark, seminal 1992 debut album ... a fully-formed call-to-arms! Features "Dress" and "Sheela-Na-Gig". Back in print, the LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Dry Demos LP pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Full color outer sleeve, with printed inner sleeves. Includes three previously unreleased photos.
Also Available: Peaky Blinders (Original Music From The TV Series) which features PJ Harvey's haunting rendition of Red Right Hand.
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UPCOMING RELEASES
Paul McCartney - Flaming Pie: Archive Collection - Capitol
As the thirteenth release in the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, this numbered, limited seven-disc (5CD/2DVD) Deluxe Edition Box Set is comprised of the original album remastered at Abbey Road Studios, 32 bonus audio tracks including unheard home recordings and demos, alternative studio recordings, rough mixes and B-sides including selections from Oobu Joobu parts 1-6, Flaming Pie At The Mill CD (Paul’s hour-long tour of his studio), video content including the In The World Tonight documentary, original music videos, EPKs, interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes material, a 128-page book containing previously unpublished images by Linda McCartney, expanded album artwork from the archives and the story behind the album written by Chris Heath – including track-by-track information, recipes and new interviews with Paul, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller and key album personnel, studio notes, handwritten lyrics, the 1997 Flaming Pie issue of Club Sandwich, the official newspaper of the Paul McCartney Fan club, downloadable 24bit 96kHz HD audio, and more.
Flaming Pie is also available on 180g black vinyl 2LP, 3LP, 2CD, Collector's Edition formats.
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Thelonious Monk - Palo Alto - Impulse Records
After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1968, racial tensions across the country rose. Palo Alto, a largely white college town in Cali, wasn't immune. Danny Scher, a junior at the high school, had a dream to have Thelonious Monk perform and help bring about racial unity the community while raising funds for the International Committee. After many twists and turns, the triumphantly successful concert eventually happened. Now available on CD; Softpak w/ booklet & foldable poster.
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For more information on these and other releases out this week, check out our New Releases charts by week section.