STAFF PICKS
Lindsay –Innocence Mission, Penrose comp, and Cunningham / Bird
Dario – Simon Joyner
Kimber – The National
Jake – Cunningham / Bird
Zach – Simon Joyner and Daft Punk reissue
Ash – Nina Simone reissue

Madison Cunningham & Andrew Bird – Cunningham Bird CD/LP (Loma Vista)
Cunningham Bird / Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham’s new album, Cunningham Bird, reinvents the classic ’70s gem Buckingham Nicks. With a fresh, modern twist, they blend their distinct folk and indie sounds, creating a compelling homage to the original. Bird’s intricate violin work and Cunningham’s soulful vocals transform the timeless melodies, offering both a nod to the past and a vibrant, contemporary flair. Fans of both artists and the original album will find this collaboration a rewarding journey and ode to a classic! [A transparent forest green color vinyl pressing is available.]

The National – Rome 2xCD/2xLP (4AD)
Rome is the definitive live document of The National. Recorded live (without overdubs) on June 3, 2024 at the architecturally stunning venue Parco Della Musica Ennio Morricone, named for the famed Italian film composer, the 21-track LP showcases scintillating versions of beloved songs like “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “Don’t Swallow the Cap,” “I Need My Girl,” “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” “England” and “Fake Empire”; plus sharpened readings of recent tracks “Eucalyptus,” “New Order T-Shirt,” “Tropic Morning News” and the boundary pushing “Smoke Detector.” [A white color vinyl pressing is available.]

Various – Penrose Showcase Vol II LP (Penrose)
We are pleased to present the second installment of the Penrose Showcase series. Featuring 14 more souldies from the ever-growing Penrose family, get down with this one-stop-shop for some of the best groups on today’s soul scene: Thee Sacred Souls, The Altons, Los Yesterdays, Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat, Junior Scaife and the Penrose Scholars, Johnny & the Escapers and Jonny Benavidez.

Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Bare Bones: Volume 1 – Master Takes 3xCD/2xLP (ATO)
The recordings of David Grisman & Jerry Garcia; a debut volume in a new series exploring the foundation of their beloved studio recordings. The collection assembles the master takes originally recorded as duos, which were later embellished with various instrumentation before released on Garcia/Grisman, Shady Grove, Been All Around This World, and Not for Kids Only. They are presented here for the first time in their original unadorned state. [A purple color vinyl pressing is available.]

The Innocence Mission – Midwinter Swimmers CD/LP (Therese)
The first album from The Innocence Mission in five years, Midwinter Swimmers sounds immediately like an old friend. At the same time, it feels like a new kind of adventure for the beloved Pennsylvania band of high school friends Karen Peris, Don Peris, and Mike Bitts, having both an expansive, cinematic quality and a lo fi, strange beauty of a newly discovered vintage folk pop album. Early reviews have called Midwinter Swimmers a truly special album, linking it especially with Befriended, the band’s classic LP from 2003. Songwriter Karen Peris looks closely at everyday moments as miraculous worlds of their own, with a particular sense of place and detail, as a way of joining in a conversation with other people about universal experiences of change and loss, and of love, hope and gratitude.

Simon Joyner – Coyote Butterfly CD/LP (Grapefruit)
Coyote Butterfly is the first album of new songs in two years from singer-songwriter, Simon Joyner, following the overdose death of his son, Owen, in August of 2022. Drawing on the kaleidoscopic nature of grief, Joyner explores his loss through a series of imagined dialogues and raw confessions. The album is a tribute to Owen, but what Joyner generously delivers is an intimate glimpse at his attempt to comprehend the incomprehensible. The album is bookended by field recordings overlaid with minimalist guitar laments. 

The War On Drugs – Live Drugs Again CD (Transgressive/Firebird Music)
The War on Drugs, “one of the premier live bands of their generation” (Pitchfork), announce Live Drugs Again. Recorded on tour between February 2022 through December 2023 in America, UK, Europe and Australia, Live Drugs Again follows 2020’s Live Drugs and represents The War on Drugs at their ragged, righteous best. [Vinyl and cassette versions due January 10.]

The Nefilim – Zoon CD/LP (Beggars Banquet)
THE NEFILIM formed in 1992 and developed after a fragmentation of Fields Of The Nephilim. In 1996, the only Nefilim album, Zoon was released. Carl McCoy spent four years pursuing his vision and created an aural assault on the senses. Created in isolation, it is a deep, dark , industrial album tainted by death metal. A statement of great intent and transition. The vinyl version is pressed onto red vinyl across 2 LPS. Four bonus tracks have been added to all formats.

Daft Punk – Discovery (Interstella 5555 Edition) [Reissue/2014] 2xLP (Daft Life)
Double vinyl LP pressing housed in gatefold jacket. Includes sticker sheet. For the first time reissued In its original Japanese version. Cover art by Leiji Mastumoto (Interstella 5555). Includes the Daftcard to access the Daftclub.

Fleet Foxes – Live On Boston Harbor 3xLP (ANTI-)
Peach Vinyl. Fleet Foxes’ Live On Boston Harbor serves as the live album companion to the band’s concert broadcast in 2022, marking the autumnal equinox and coinciding with the second anniversary of the GRAMMY-nominated studio album Shore. Recorded at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts, Live On Boston Harbor documents the Shore world tour with a two-hour career-spanning set across 3 LPs. 

Grant Green – Visions [Reissue/1971] LP (Blue Note)
Grant Green embraced R&B and jazz-funk on his 1971 album, Visions, featuring Billy Wooten, Emmanuel Riggins, Chuck Rainey, Idris Muhammad, Ray Armando and Harold Caldwell. The guitarist’s distinctive tone and melodicism elevate songs by The Jackson 5, Chicago, The Carpenters, Mozart and Quincy Jones’ “Maybe Tomorrow,” which was later sampled by Kendrick Lamar.

Art Pepper – Gettin’ Together [Reissue/1960] LP (Craft Recordings)
Art Pepper’s third album on the Contemporary Records label, Gettin’ Together was released in 1960. Featuring a selection of both standards and originals, the album also includes Conte Candoli (trumpet), Wynton Kelly (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Jimmy Cobb (drums).

Art Pepper – Intensity [Reissue/1963] LP (Craft Recordings)
Recorded in 1960, Art Pepper’s fifth album release on Contemporary Records, Intensity, was released in 1963. A collection of seven jazz standards, the album features Dolo Coker (piano) along with Jimmy Bond (bass), and Frank Butler (drums). 

Shakey Graves – And The War Came [Reissue/2014] 2xLP (Dualtone Music Group)
Celebrating a decade of Shakey Graves’ breakout debut album, And The War Came, a deluxe 2xLP vinyl set with new gatefold art, photos, liner notes, and a personal letter from Alejandro Rose Garcia himself is now available. The B-disc contains unearthed demos, alternate versions, and fan-favorite tracks available for the first time. 

Nina Simone – In Concert [Reissue/1964] LP (Verve)
“Mississippi Goddam” staked out Nina Simone’s support of the Civil Rights movement when this album debuted in 1964, helping make it probably the most personal album that Simone issued during her stay on Philips during the decade.

Television – Television [Reissue/1992] LP (Ohoo)
The eponymously named third and final studio album from Television was recorded and released in 1992, fourteen years after the band’s sophomore album Adventure (and subsequent breakup) in 1978.

Ben Webster – See You At The Fair [Reissue/1964] LP (Verve)
Ben Webster’s final American recording was one of his greatest. At 55, the tenor saxophonist was still very much in his prime but considered out of style in the States. He would soon permanently move to Europe where he was better appreciated. Webster’s tone has rarely sounded more beautiful than on “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” 

Destroy Boys – Make Room LP (Epitaph)
Destroy Boys’ catalog vinyl is back in stock! 2024 has been a big year for the band with the release of their new album, Funeral Soundtrack #4 (available on Hopeless Records) and Epitaph Records are harking back to these two seminal vinyl releases from the band’s early days.

Iron Maiden – Killers LP reissue (BMG)
Iron Maiden -“Killers” [180g LP] [2015 Remaster] Iron Maiden’s classic second album, KILLERS, was their first to feature guitarist Adrian Smith and the last to feature vocalist Paul Di’Anno. Released in 1981, it was Iron Maiden’s first album to chart in the US, hitting #78 and is RIAA-certified GOLD. Includes the classic tracks, “Wrathchild,” “Twilight Zone,” and “Purgatory.” 2015 Remaster, 180g LP. 

Screaming Trees – Weird Things Happening (Ellensburg Demos 86-88) LP (Project M)
Ellensburg, Washington is known for the world’s 3rd largest three-day rodeo, 90’s NFL legends Brian Habib and Drew Bledsoe and as the hometown of seminal Northwest band Screaming Trees. In the late 80’s, Ellensburg residents were often confronted with the strangely primitive sounds of the band emanating from their headquarters in the back room of the Conner family’s Main Street store, New World Video. Here was the scene of creation of songs from the band’s early Velvetone and SST albums. During this prolific time, much of the band’s music never made it beyond their own ears but was fortunately captured on Gary Lee Conner’s 4 track cassette recorder. Those cassettes have survived, intact, down to this day and have now made their way to this recording. So now, transport yourself back to New World Video, in late 80’s Ellensburg, and hear the weird things happening.  

Royal Trux – Untitled (remastered) LP
1992’s ‘Untitled’ brought the band’s third album that re-cemented the duo once again as the progenitors of the “lo-fi” genre. This breakthrough set transitioned “The Trux” into a never ending all-inclusive rotating cast of musicians. Continuing Fire Records’ series of classic remastered albums from Royal Trux, ‘Untitled’ is released on white vinyl and features updated monochrome and silver artwork.

Snoop Dogg – Missionary CD/LP (Aftermath)
Snoop Dogg’s new album, Missionary, produced entirely by Dr. Dre, brings together a lineup of legendary collaborations. Featuring Eminem, Jelly Roll, 50 Cent, Sting, Jhene Aiko, and more, this project is packed with undeniable greatness. [A limited-edition picture disc vinyl pressing is available.]

COMING NEXT WEEK!
ELECTRIC WIZARD – Black Magic Rituals + Perversions Vol 1 CD/LP
MAGAZINE – Magic Murder and The Weather LP reissue
MAGAZINE – No Thyself LP reissue
MAGAZINE – Rays and Hail LP reissue
KAREN DALTON – Shuckin Sugar LP reissue
MERIDIAN BROTHERS – Cumbia Siglo XXI LP
MEAT PUPPETS – Live In Montana LP
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS – Beast Of Horns LP