STAFF PICKS
Lindsay – Lambrini Girls and Whitey Morgan reissue
Dario – Karen Dalton reissue
Kimber – Karen Dalton reissue 
Jake – Karen Dalton reissue 
Zach – Franz Ferdinand 
Ash – Childish Gambino 

CHILDISH GAMBINO – Atavista LP (RCA)
For years, Childish Gambino’s Atavista hid in plain sight. When he released an unfinished version of the record on March 15, 2020, it spent just 12 hours on his website before he pulled it down. Reappearing on streaming a week later as 3.15.20, the project brought up almost as many questions as sparkling neo-soul anthems, which still sounded slicker than the average as raw cuts titled after timestamps.Atavista is an ode to impermanence, never more directly than over the glimmering guitar of “Time” with Grande.  But in Gambino’s capable hands, Atavista also slows down to enjoy the view, the sonic equivalent of a luxe leather-interior BMW cruising an open California highway. “I did what I wanted to,” he revels on the closing track “Final Church.” Atavista took many shapes over the years to reach a final form. In each warm refrain, tight sequence, and carefully chosen collaborator, Gambino demonstrates why some things are worth waiting for.

LAMBRINI GIRLS – Who Let The Dogs Out CD/LP (City Slang)
Who Let the Dogs Out is the debut album from Brighton based noise-punk duo Lambrini Girls. It bottles everything wrong with the modern world and shakes it up. If peppering political songs with humour is like sticking a sparkler in some bread, then Who Let the Dogs Out is like a fireworks display in the factory itself: strange, dangerous, exciting. The album rips through a laundry list of social ills. Sirens blare over a heavy distorted bass and a live drum breakbeat. The band dance between upbeat pop punk, dirty grunge tones and discordant post-punk. With instrumentals that inhale you like a Level 5 tornado and sentiments that make you want to kick the nearest door through, it’s a take-no-prisoners debut from one of the UK’s most fun and fearless bands.

CAVE IN  – Jupiter CD/LP (Relapse)
Relapse Records proudly announces the 25th anniversary reissue of Cave In’s monumental Jupiter. Named one of the best metal albums of the decade by Decibel Magazine, Jupiter marks a significant shift in Cave In’s musical direction that sees the band embark on a post-hardcore space odyssey.

WAR ON DRUGS – Live Drugs Again CD/LP/CASS (Transgressive)
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. Bandleader Adam Granduciel comments, “Live Drugs Again chronicles the evolution of these songs from the studio to stages all over the world; documenting our continued growth as a live band. This series ensures that these versions, and some of our favorite moments on stage, will live on.” As Consequence so accurately hailed, “it’s hard to imagine a musical experience that’s more enveloping and uplifting.” This is hearing a band at its peak.

KAREN DALTON – Shuckin’ Sugar LP reissue (Light In The Attic)
In 1962, Karen summoned Richard Tucker to join her in Colorado, extolling the healthier lifestyle and plentiful gigs at Boulder folk club The Attic. Upon his arrival, the pair solidified their personal and professional relationship, riding horses in the mountains and performing as a duo at parties and venues throughout Denver and Boulder. Stories of the spell they conjured – and rumours of tapes! – have circulated among friends and musicians who witnessed them, but until now, no recorded evidence had turned up.

ANDREW SPARKS – Superfool LP (A Sea Rider Music) 
“Superfool” celebrates the musical career of the late Andrew Sparks in a 2-LP “greatest hits” career-spanning compilation. Andrew’s work fronting Zipperback Monster, AM Radio All Star, A Starlit Pond, and The New California—combined with his horde of self-produced, solo four-track releases–made him seminal figure in the mid-’90s/early aughts Tempe music scene. Lovingly mastered for vinyl by Jamal Ruhe (of One fame), Andrew’s lo-fi, plainsong meditations stand seamlessly beside ambitiously layered, studio showpieces. The resulting collection lays bare the staggering breadth of this truly original local songwriter.

LADYTRON – Light and Magic LP (nettwerk)
Originally released in 2002 by Emperor Norton Records and re-released by Nettwerk in 2011, Liverpool electro poppers Ladytron’s second studio album Light & Magic was written and co-produced in Los Angeles by the band & Mickey Petralia and featured the underground hits “Seventeen”, “Blue Jeans” and “Evil.” White vinyl repress. Formed in 1999, Ladytron sparked an entire movement in music pop culture powered by vintage synths and electro-rock engines.

FRANZ FERDINAND – The Human Fear CD/LP (Domino)
The Human Fear is the sixth studio album from Franz Ferdinand. Produced with Mark Ralph, who previously worked with the band on their 2013 album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, the album showcases Franz at their most immediate, upbeat and life-affirming, unashamedly going for the pop-jugular in classic Franz style. Recorded at AYR studios in Scotland, the 11 songs on The Human Fear all allude to some deep-set human fears and how overcoming and accepting these fears drives and defines our lives.

STEELDRIVERS – Muscle Shoals Recordings LP (Down The Road)
The SteelDrivers are more than the launching pad of Chris Stapleton’s career and the home-base to the multi-talented musician and songwriter Tammy Rogers. They’re an ever-evolving group of seasoned veterans who have reinvigorated bluegrass by mixing in their individual influences and histories. Stirring Southern soul, Nashville country, deep blues, and wooden-church gospel into bluegrass, The SteelDrivers created a hybrid old as the hills and fresh as morning dew. Or, as a slack-jawed Vince Gill described their sound more directly, “an incredible combination. This is a reissue of their first Grammy Award and landed them another #1 Bluegrass album. In every way, The Muscle Shoals Recordings was a major step forward for the group. Former bandmember Chris Stapleton contributed a new song, “Drinkin’ Alone,” and longtime fan Jason Isbell shows up on a few tracks as co-producer and guitarist. The core of the SteelDrivers stepped up as well, with even richer and more evocative songs and performances that cut deeper than ever. It sounds like an album that should have always existed on vinyl but somehow never was. Until now.

BROWN SPIRITS – Cosmic Seeds LP (Soul Jazz)
Sounds like Can meets Hawkwind! Unbelievably killer and super, super heavy brand-new Psych/Krautrock album coming out of nowhere from Brown Spirits, new on Soul Jazz Records! Brown Spirits are from Melbourne, Australia. Their stripped down and tight musical unit is a trio (think Cream or Hendrix!) of raw bass, drums and shared guitar/keyboards meets the D-I-Y attitude and punk/post-punk intensity, giving them a unique hi-octane sound.

WHITEY MORGAN – Whitey Morgan and the 78s LP reissue (Bloodshot)
Whitey gets the reissue treatment after the world discovers his music via Yellowstone or whatever popular TV is now breaking the good underground country of today. !5 year reissue on red vinyl!

HAYES CARLL – Little Rock CD/LP [Reissue/2004] (HWY 87)
First time on vinyl! Hayes Carll displays an outlaw’s attitude and a poet’s soul. This is the kind of music many claim to make but few rarely achieve. Little Rock, his second album, was recorded in Nashville with producer R. S. Field (Billy Joe Shaver, Allison Moorer, Webb W.). [A brown color vinyl pressing is available.]

MARY OCHER –  Your Guide to Revolution CASS (Related Records)
Cassette release of Ocher’s 2024 full-length Your Guide to Revolution. Accompanied by a text on survival for artists and other nonconformists titled A Guide to Radical Living. Catch Mary Ocher on January 17 at MySpace in Phoenix! 

MARY OCHER –  Approaching Singularity CASS (Related Records)
Limited cassette release of Ocher’s 2023 release Approaching Singularity.

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS – The Spine Surfs Alone: Rarities 1998-2005 LP (Idlewild)
Limited red vinyl pressing. Rarities from 1998-2005

ROSANNE CASH – The Essential Collection 2xCD (Thirty Tigers)
Beginning in the 1970s and continuing to the present day, Cash has staked out a distinctive place in American music. Her songs have drawn on rockabilly rhythms, the truth-telling of folk-rock songwriters, West Coast country-rock energy, new wave flash and deeply rooted country music. A four-time Grammy winner, her hits include “Seven Year Ache,” “Blue Moon with Heartache,” “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me,” “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party,” “It Hasn’t Happened Yet,” “Tennessee Flat Top Box, “No Memories Hangin’ Round” and “Never Be You,” among others. Throughout her career, she has maintained an unwavering artistic spirit and vision. In 2021, Cash became the first female composer to receive the MacDowell Medal, awarded since 1960 to an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to American culture. The Essential Collection creates a space, one in which Cash controls the stories she tells, the masks she wears, the light shed. These two discs represent over 40 years of work- of songwriting, singing, and collaboration, and of struggle, loss, renewal, insecurity, power, longing, and curiosity.

EARLY JAMES – Medium Raw CD/LP (Easy Eye Sound)
Early James’ new album, Medium Raw, produced by Dan Auerbach, is his most compelling work yet. The album blends blues, rock and folk with an unfiltered edge, capturing Early James’ soulful storytelling and powerful vocals. An endlessly gifted lyricist, he weaves dark, emotional narratives with a sardonic wit, showcasing his ability to craft poignant, vivid imagery juxtaposed with wry humor. A must-listen for fans of authentic Americana, promising a gripping, unforgettable listening experience.

COMING NEXT WEEK!
MAC MILLER – Balloonerism CD/LP/CASS
GRACIE ABRAMS – Secret Of Us LP reissue
WEATHER STATION – Humanhood CD/LP
CELIA CRUZ – A Night Of Salsa LP
HOT WATER MUSIC / QUICKSAND 12″
LOW – Exit Papers LP reissue
SONGHOY BLUES – Heritage CD/LP
SONGS: OHIA – Travels In Constants LP
MILES DAVIS – Birth Of The Blue LP
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT – Dream Requiem CD/LP
FRANK BLACK – Teenager Of The Year LP reissue
LOS STRAITJACKETS – Jet Set LP
LOS STRAITJACKETS – Supersonic Guitars in 3-D LP
SOUL COUGHING – Ruby Vroom LP reissue
YO LA TENGO – Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo
NICOLAS JAAR – Piedras 1+2 LP
JUSTICE – Neverender 12″
ELA MINUS – Dia LP
VINCE GUARALDI – Be My Valentine LP
SUN RA – Lights ON A Satellite: Live at the Left Bank LP