“Coinciding with the launch of their U.S. summer tour, The Dave Matthews Band will release “Walk Around The Moon” it will be their 10th studio album and the follow-up to their chart-topping 2018 album, “Come Tomorrow”. Most of the album’s 12 original songs were recorded with producer Rob Evans. Long time collaborator John Alagia served as executive producer of the album. “Walk Around The Moon” took shape during the pandemic and is as much a reflection on the current times as it is an urge to find common ground.
With a career spanning over 30 years, the Dave Matthews Band are one of the most influential groups in rock history. In 1991, vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews decided to put some songs he had written on tape and sought the assistance of drummer CarterBeauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who were both accomplished jazz musicians in the local Charlottesville music scene.”
The Pretenders have announced a new album, “Relentless”, coming September 1st, 2023, via Rhino. The album marks the band’s return to Warner Music Group after more than two decades having first been signed to Sire Records in America by the legendary Seymour Stein. The news, shared coincided with the release of the first single, “Let the Sun Come In,” featuring Chrissie Hynde’s usual tough-as-nails vocal.
“I enjoy seeing the various meanings and origins of a word,” says Hynde of the album’s title. “And I liked the definition: ‘showing no abatement of intensity.’ So when it came to an album title, it seemed fitting. You know…to keep doing it. I think anyone in a band is constantly questioning if they should keep going. It starts as a youthful pursuit and eventually, it makes you wonder, why am I doing this? It’s the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.
“Relentless” marks the second consecutive full-length songwriting collaboration by Hynde and Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne following 2020’s acclaimed “Hate For Sale”. The two are joined on the album’s twelve tracks by what Hynde has dubbed “The Pretenders Collective,” including Kris Sonne (drums), Chris Hill (double bass), Dave Page (bass), and Carwyn Ellis (keyboards and guitars).
The first single ‘Let The Sun Come In’
In addition, “Relentless” features a landmark collaboration with Academy Award-nominated composer Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead, The Smile), who provides the string arrangement and conducted the 12 Ensemble for the album’s closing track, “I Think About You Daily.”
“I met Jonny a couple of times and we’re obviously big fans of him because he’s done some incredible music over the years,” Hynde says. “I saw him at the Phantom Thread premiere where the film was running on screen with a live orchestra playing. And we spoke afterward and he expressed an interest in doing something one day. I was thrilled and very surprised. So when we had the idea of getting strings on ‘I Think About You Daily,’ he was first choice.
The Pretenders will introduce “Relentless” to fans around the world with an international live schedule, including intimate headline dates Pretenders are excited to announce their brand new album “Relentless!” Out 1st Sept 2023,
The Moody Blues’ fifth album, “To Our Children’s Children’s Children”, will be reissued as a 4CD+blu-ray deluxe edition with new spatial audio and stereo mixes, in addition to rarities and live performances.
Issued in November 1969, the album was the first on the band’s on own label, Threshold Records and had a space exploration theme (inspired by the July 1969 moon landing). The one and only single ‘Watching and Waiting’ wasn’t a hit but the album performed well on both sides of the Atlantic, peaking at No. 2 in the UK.
The box set features a remaster of the original stereo mix of “To Our Children’s Children’s Children” along withnew stereoand 5.1 surround mixes by Stephen W. Tayler, who has also created new stereo and 5.1 mixes of the band’s December 1969 Royal Albert Hall show (stereo mix is on CD 4 while the 5.1 mix is on the blu-ray). CD 2 in this package features B-sides and rarities, including a BBC Radio One Sunday Concert.
The Royal Albert Hall Concert December 1969, featuring live performances of such favorites as “Peak Hour,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights in White Satin” from 1967’s “Days of Future Passed”. The box set features the album’s remastered original stereo mix, along with new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes.
Originally released in November 1969, “To Our Children’s Children’s Children” was the first that The Moody Blues released on their own Threshold Records. The title covered conceptual themes such as space exploration (as the sessions took place as the Apollo 11 moon landing occurred).
The Moody Blues’ “classic seven” albums spanned 1967’s Days of Future Passed, 1968’s In Search of the Lost Chord, 1969’s On the Threshold of a Dream and To Our Children’s Children’s Children, 1970’s A Question of Balance, 1971’s EveryGood Boy Deserves Favour and 1972’s Seventh Sojourn.
To Our Children’s Children’s Children will be reissued as this expanded 4CD+blu-ray deluxe edition Boxed Set on 12th May 2023, via UMR. The deluxe 4-CD/1-Blu-ray boxed set includes B-sides, alternate versions and the Royal Albert Hall Concert of December 1969, featuring live performances of such favorites as “Peak Hour,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights in White Satin.”
Introducing London-based trio Island of Love, a band that delivers such a remarkably raucous live show that Third Man Records signed them during their cigarette break immediately after seeing them play. Island of Love are the very first band signed to Third Man Records London, and they announce their self-titled debut album today.
Island of Love are the first band signed to the London outpost of Jack White’s Third Man Records, and were signed to the label on the spot after playing the store’s Blue Basement venue in 2021. The four-piece cite Oakland’s Happy Diving as their chief influence, and you can hear that in their thick brand of sludge rock that is clearly also steeped in Dinosaur Jr’s purple ooze. Their self-titled debut album was produced by Fuzzbrain’s Ben Spence and engineered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Jeff Rosenstock, Joyce Manor). Songs like opener “Big Whale” come with hooks and riffs J Mascis might be jealous of, and while you’ve probably heard this all before, Island of Love play with a youthful zeal that sounds like they just invented the fuzz pedal
In September 2021, Island of Love – Karim Newble on guitars/vocals, Linus Munch on guitars/vocals and Daniel Giraldo on bass –were invited to perform at the grand opening of Third Man’s The Blue Basement. It’s a good thing Island of Love showed up to the gig at all, given that the band didn’t even think the email invitation they received to play was real. That very real and not-spam offer not only led to their on-the-spot label signing, but to opening slots for Jack White, and now their exhilarating debut. “Island of Love” is a ferocious and bone-shakingly loud album that marries raw, primal noise led by crunchy guitars with intrinsically melodic sensibilities, and recalls the sound and spirit of peak-era Dinosaur Jr. or Husker Dü.
With influences from the band’s start in the London hardcore punk scene and their DIY community roots, the album is elevated by the shared vocal and song writing duties of Newble and Munch. Produced by Fuzzbrain’s Ben Spence and engineered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Jeff Rosenstock, Joyce Manor), “Island of Love” is an album full of songs that pinball back and forth between tones and styles, and make up one of the most refreshing and fun debut albums you’ll hear in 2023.
This classic 1984 Jethro Tull Radio Broadcast including tracks from Tull’s 15th studio album, “Under Wraps”, which came out September 7th, 1984. The songs’ subject matter is heavily influenced by bandleader Ian Anderson’s love of espionage fiction. It was controversial among fans of the band due to its electronic/synthesizer-based sound, particularly the use of electronic drums. Guitarist Martin Barre has referred to it as one of his personal favourite Tull collections.
“Under Wraps” as an album with its drum machine and eighties keyboard motifs wasn’t altogether a popular album with Tull fans. The live tour though with actual thundering drums from Doane Perry was something else. On the UK leg of the tour before Ian Anderson damaged his vocals the band was on fire. The aforementioned Doane, Peter Vettese on lively keyboards, and wonderful intricate playing from Martin Barre on guitar and Dave Pegg on truly excellent fluid Bass. Anderson himself is in great voice and judging by the stage patter ,He was enjoying himself.
The record reached No. 76 on the Billboard 200 and No. 18 on the UK Albums Chart. The single ‘Lap of Luxury’ reached No. 30. The day after the release, 8th September, Jethro Tull were to be found performing at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, where they put on a stunning show which was broadcast on King Biscuit Flower Hour, This concert is from the band’s second night of three at Hammersmith Odeon, on the ‘Under Wraps `84’ tour.
This release featuring a good selection from the new record, alongside a slew of Tull classics and more recent hits, the show went down a storm with the fans, many of whom still list the gig as among their all-time favourites.
Now released in its entirety on the new 2CD set, this delightful recording is available here for the first time. Eight selections from that particular performance (the 9th) were eventually released on the Raw Fruit Records label, in December 1990, titled as ‘Live At Hammersmith `84’, produced by BBC’s Tony Wilson and Dale Griffin – he of ex-Mott The Hoople fame.
The show feature’s five brand new tracks from the just released ‘Under Wraps’ album, two nearly new from Ian Anderson’s solo album, ‘Walk Into Light’ from the previous year and two from the previous Tull album, ‘Broadsword & The Beast’,
Long-term Tullies will already know that both concerts had been available in decent FLAC quality as free downloads some years ago from Wolfgang’s Vault,
DISC ONE 1 Hunting Girl 7:03 2 Under Wraps #1 5:04 3 Later, That Same Evening 4:19 4 Nobody’s Car 5:11 5 Apogee 5:41 6 Thick As A Brick 7:02 7 Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day 2:44 8 Pussy Willow 4:17 9 Clasp 4:12 10 Living In The Past 4:13 11 Serenade to A Cuckoo 4:39
DISC TWO 1 Band Introduction 1:59 2 Fat Man 6:45 3 Fly By Night 10:40 4 Made In England 5:21 5 European Legacy 3:51 6 Black Sunday 6:30 7 Locomotive Breath 7:14 8 Too Old To Rock And Roll Too Young To Die 8:34 9 Aqualung, Part 1 4:02 10 Aqualung, Part 2 2:33
Well into their sixth decade, Jethro Tull remain one of those rare acts whose work is instantly recognisable. That’s largely down to the vocal presence of founder and chief songwriter Ian Anderson, and the inimitable tones of his trademark flute. The image of him, wild-eyed and demonstrative, stood on one leg like a particularly hirsute flamingo, follows close behind in the mind’s eye. But as this special edition of Record Collector shows as we look back over 23 albums, plus singles, solo works, live LPs, books and videos, he’s always had far more to offer beyond showmanship and woodwind flourishes.
In two exclusive interviews, he colours in their turbulent history as well as offering some background on new Norse-themed album“Rökflöte”. Elsewhere, celebrity fans tell of how they first fell for the band, the top 55 most intriguing rarities are picked out of the archive and there’s an extensive discography to get your teeth into.
The year 1976 was a golden one for the band Little Feat. The iconic classic rockers had some shakeups during their formative years, but by 1976, they had settled into a groove that toed the line between folk rock and New Orleans boogie. After releasing “Dixie Chicken” (1973) and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” (1974), the band was rocking and rolling in style.
While things took a turn in the later 1970s, the band was sitting at the top of the world by May 10th, 1976. On that day, the group headed to the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., where their performance was taped by WHFS and broadcast over the radio waves. The show features Little Feat at their finest, jamming out on classics like “Skin It Back”, “Dixie Chicken”, and a triple encore of “Sailin’ Shoes”, “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now”, and “Teenage Nervous Breakdown”.
Setlist: Little Feat Warner Theatre Washington, D.C. 10th May 1976
Skin It Back, Walkin’ All Night, One Love Stand > Rock and Roll Doctor, Oh Atlanta, On Your Way Down, Romance Dance, Lafayette Railroad > Day Or Night, All That You Dream, Dixie Chicken, Triple Face Boogie
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real fall to their knees before the almighty bottle on their new single, “Alcohallelujah”. The “spiritual” song is the second single from the alt-country outfit’s upcoming seventh album, “Sticks and Stones”.
With the classic Nelson wit he inherited from his father, Willie, Lukas profiles a boozy life on the edge. “Sunday fun day” leads to “headache Monday” and a wife tired of “boozy lovin’”. Praying for forgiveness and asking the barroom congregation for an “Alcohallelujah”, Nelson is “drinkin’ on a prayer” as the jug of communion wine comes by for a holy pull.
Following the band’s emotionally weighty 2021 album, “A Few Stars Apart”, Nelson and Promise of the Real decided to go back to the fundamentals and make a record that’s as fun to hear as it is to play. The album’s lead single, “More Than Friends“, featuring Lainey Wilson, introduced the 12-track album’s new aura, which comes in stark contrast to “A Few Stars Apart‘s” reflection on the distance caused by the COVID pandemic.
“This album is about celebrating the human connection, joy and excitement,” Nelson said. “We went from quiet and introspective on “A Few Stars Apart” to something big and fun to really showcase the band’s talent and performance. You can listen to the album “Sticks and Stones” from start to finish and get the songs to dance to and then the quiet, poignant songs. To me, this album is the perfect setlist.”
Check out “Alcohallelujah”, the latest track from the upcoming Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real album “Sticks and Stones”, available here for pre-order. The album is out on July 14th via 6ACE Records/Thirty Tigers. The band will tour Ireland and the U.K. in June
We recently announced the the July 25th, 2023 publication of our new book “The Gospel Of The Hold Steady: How A Resurrection Really Feels by Michael Hann and The Hold Steady.
The book features stories from the band and some of our favuorite writers, as well as contributions from The Unified Scene.
Especially for you International Customers, you can now preorder a LIMITED EDITION package for the book directly from our non-US store, located here. Options include:
• A copy of the book signed by the band • A copy of the limited edition, full colour chapbook TJK on THS, featuring candid, behind the scenes photographs of the band members by Tad Kubler from the last 20 years of The Hold Steady. This volume has an intro by Craig Finn and is signed by Tad.
After releasing two albums under his own given name, Trevor Powers has revived his Youth Lagoon moniker and is releasing a new album under that name, “Heaven Is a Junkyard”, on June 9th via Fat Possum. Now he has shared the album’s third single, “The Sling,” via a music video. Tyler T. Williams directed the video.
Powers had this to say about “The Sling” in a press release: “For years, I’ve been chasing a phantom. This feeling of an unseen world deep inside of me. It’s why I make music. I have a compulsion to understand myself. Or learn to love myself. Maybe that’s the same thing. I’ve been asked by multiple people to describe ‘The Sling’—where does it come from? What does it mean? Every time I start an explanation, I contradict myself. I’d consider it a song about time. And love. That I can say with confidence. I wrote it one night I felt trapped. The next morning I was free.”
When “Heaven Is a Junkyard”was announced, Youth Lagoon shared its first single, “Idaho Alien,” via a music video.
Then he shared the album’s second single, “Prizefighter,” via a music video, and announced he would be playing some tour dates.
As Youth Lagoon, Powers released three excellent albums: 2011’s “The Year of Hibernation”, 2013’s “Wondrous Bughouse”, and 2015’s “Savage Hills Ballroom”.
Then he retired the name in 2016 and released two albums simply as Trevor Powers: 2018’s “Mulberry Violence” and 2020’s surprise-released “Capricorn”.
“I felt like I was in a chokehold,” Powers said in a previous press release of the initial name change. “Even though it was my music, I lost my way. In a lot of ways, I lost myself.”
He added: “My mind has always been a devil. It tells me terrible things—like I’m worthless, ugly, or broken. It’s like a motel TV stuck on a channel that won’t shut off, with static and endless late-night ads and preachers screaming about the end of the world.”
Things took a turn for the worse in October 2021, when Powers had a bad reaction to an over-the counter medicine that a press release says turned his stomach into a “non-stop geyser of acid” and coated Powers “larynx and vocal cords for eight months.”
“I saw seven doctors and multiple specialists. I lost over 30 pounds. No one could help me,” said Powers. By Christmas that year, he could no longer speak. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to speak again, let alone sing,” he said. “It all felt symbolic in a way. I’d been swallowing fear all my life and now here it was coming back up.”
Following this trying time, Powers had a renewed focus on his song writing, writing about home rather than the larger world. “Family, neighbours, and grim reapers,” said Powers. “I’ve always written about far away things, but the best material has been right in front of me this whole time in Idaho.”
That included the album’s first single, “Idaho Alien.” Of the song, Powers said: “I’ve always loved old hardboiled crime novels. They’re twisted but pure. ‘Idaho Alien’ comes from that space. Home often feels like a Jim Thompson book. One of my neighbours smokes meth all day and mows the lawn at 2:00 am. Her boyfriend lived in a tent in her backyard, and one day she locked him out of the house so he went as far as trying to stab her. He got sent to prison for 10 years. She told me she still loves him, and I told her she deserves better. The last time I asked her not to mow the lawn at 2:00 am, we wound up talking about aliens and Subway sandwiches. Every November, a church group rakes her leaves and tells her about Jesus. I don’t think it’s working.”
Summing up the album, Powers added: “Heaven Is a Junkyard” is about all of us. It’s stories of brothers leaving for war, drunk fathers learning to hug, mothers falling in love, neighbours stealing mail, cowboys doing drugs, friends skipping school, me crying in the bathtub, dogs catching rabbits, and children playing in tall grass.”
releases June 9th, 2023
All songs written and performed by Trevor Powers (aka Youth Lagoon). “Heaven Is a Junkyard” Due Out June 9th via Fat Possum
The Fat Angel Sings 