August kicks off strong with some intriguing jams in its first week. Info and links for the ones you want to know about most below, plus some other ones you may not have heard of (but should know), with audio & video for your listening and viewing pleasure. Click here to check out releases that dropped over the past few months.
Paul Allen and the Underthinkers, Everywhere At Once (Sony Legacy)
Yes, it's that Paul Allen. The 60-year-old philanthropist, Microsoft co-founder, business magnate, investor and overall multi-billionaire plays music, guitar specifically. (In his 2011 memoir, “Idea Man, he wrote, "I’ve rarely gone a week without picking up a guitar ... It’s more than a hobby; it gives me balance and keeps me in the moment, which can be a challenge with all the projects I’m pursuing at any one time… I take music with me wherever I go." His 13-song debut of bluesy guitar rock includes contributions from guests Ann and Nancy Wilson, Chrissie Hynde, Doyle Bramhall II, Joe Walsh, Derek Trucks, David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) and Ivan Neville among others, though Allen wrote or co-wrote every track and plays axe on most. All proceeds from sales of the album support educational programs at the nonprofit pop culture-driven EMP Museum.
Asking Alexandria, From Death To Destiny (Sumerian)
Barbarossa, Bloodlines (Memphis Industries)
Jake Bellows, New Ocean (Saddle Creek)
Bloc Party, The Nextwave Sessions EP (Frenchkiss/Co-op)
Blondes, Swisher (RVNG)
...the physical release...
Glen Campbell, See You There (Surfdog Records)
The Civil Wars, The Civil Wars (Sensibility Music/Columbia)
After a jet-powered launch to stardom following a few Grammy wins for their 2011 debut full-length Barton Hollow, then another for their 2012 collab with Taylor Swift, "Safe & Sound," from The Hunger Games soundtrack, the roots-folk duo (Joy Williams and John Paul White) started recording a second LP, and finished it before going on hiatus indefinitely, citing "internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition." They apparently aren't even speaking at this point, awkward considering today's release date. According to the LA Times review, the turmoil shows...
Eric Copeland, Joke In The Hole (DFA)
Chick Corea, The Vigil (Concord Jazz)
A new outing from the Clearwater-based Grammy-winning jazz fusion artist, with guest appearances by Stanley Clarke and Ravi Coltrane.
The Delta Mirror, Better Unsung (Lightwave)
Produced by Alias (Anticon), and featuring a few guest spots by Blue Sky Black Death, the second album from Chris Acosta-helmed project. Listen to "Undeveloped Unreturn" after the jump along with finding out about the rest of this week's new releases...
Demon Queen, Exorcise Tape (Rad Cult)
The debut record from the project featuring Tucson MC and Machina Muerte crew member Zackey Force Funk singing and rhyming over the fuzzed-out groovadelic production of Tobacco (Black Moth Super Rainbow) and issued on his Rad Cult label. So far, sounds pretty rad... check "Lamborghini Meltdown" below.
Dinosaur Bones, Shaky Dream (Dine Alone)
Brett Eldredge, Bring You Back (Atlantic)
Explosions in the Sky & David Wingo, Prince Avalanche Soundtrack (Temporary Residence)
K.Flay, What If It Is EP (RCA)
The lady rapper-songstress from San Francsico with the husky-slinky flow style and University education that lends an elevated level cleverness to her lyrics is currently on tour with Icona Pop and warms up their date at The Ritz on Aug. 18. Check "Rawks" below.
James LaBrie, Impermanent Resonance (InsideOutMusic)
Hugh Laurie, Didn't It Rain (Warner Bros.)
Iwrestledabearonce, Late For Nothing (Century Media)
Lowland Hum, Native Air (Self-Release)
The debut album of indie roots rock duo husband and wife duo Daniel Levi Goans and Lauren Plank Goans, their gentle-pretty vocals harmonies sailing over pretty piano and acoustic guitar-driven melodies. "War Is Over" video below.
Lumerians, The High Frontier (Partisan)
Medicine, To the Happy Few (Captured Tracks)
Minks, By the Hedges (Captured Tracks)
Moderat, II (Mute)
The second collab from Apparat (Sascha Ring) and Modeselektor (Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary).
Modern Hut, Generic Treasure (Giovanni Records)
Lead singer sounds alot like moldy peaches meets stephen malkmus, heart-tugging self-styled "extreme loner folk" listen to the intellectual ditty "" below. "Calculations were religion, it's how we make decisions, of what to like."
Mree, Winterwell (self-release)
Norma Jean, Wrongdoers (Tooth + Nail)
OFF!, Live at 9:30 Club (Outer Battery Records)
The Polyphonic Spree, Yes, It’s True (Good Records)
The Polyphonic Spree's first studio album of original material since 2007, the quirky Dallas symphonic pop collective delivers its most personally charged work to date while retaining the "exuberance of a heavenly choir" (NPR). Frontman Tim Delaughter describes Yes, It's True as the band's most unorthodox recording to date, producing the album in stages and recording a holiday release midway through tracking. As a result, the 11 tracks are particularly diverse, ranging from the euphoric "You Don't Know Me" and somberly anthemic "Blurry Up The Lines," to the reflective "Battlefield,” which Delaughter describes as his "most personal contribution."
POND, Hobo Rocket (Modular)
The fifth release from the Tame Impala branch-off band, currently comprised of Nick Allbrook, Jay Watson, Joseph Ryan, Jamie Terry and Cam Avery. It's super tasty hard rocking psychedelia; listen to "Giant Tortoise" below.
Pop. 1280, Imps of Perversion (Sacred Bones)
Revocation, Revocation (Relapse)
Amanda Shires, Down Fell the Doves (Lightning Rod Rocks)
Superhumanoids, Exhibitionists (Innovative Leisure)
KT Tunstall, Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon (Blue Note Records/Universal)
Walking Papers, Walking Papers (Loud & Proud)
The Wild Feathers, The Wild Feathers (Warner Bros Records)
Jesse Woods, Get Your Burdens Lifted (Guns in the Sun)
Lo-fi folk music in the vein of M. Ward but with sweeter, higher vocals and more haunted harmonies ala Jim James/MMJ. Very nice. Listen to "Gold in the Air" below.