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Vinyl Releases of the Week: June 1, 2011
Post By: Katherine.Eleanor
New music from My Morning Jacket and Death Cab for Cutie, Ozzy Osbourne picture disc vinyl, and a surprising “new” album from Kate Bush are just a few of the highlights this week.
My Morning Jacket – Circuital (ATO)
Frontman Jim James and crew returned to their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky to record this new album in an old church gymnasium. On it, they explore the circuit-like journey from birth to death and return to their psychedelic-tinged Southern rock style after the funk jams of 2008’s Evil Urges. 180-gram double LP.
Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys (Barsuk)
For this particularly hopeful and inviting seventh album, Death Cab for Cutie veer from their usual guitar-based indie rock tunes to explore analog synths and strings. Says guitarist Chris Walla, “It feels very Seventies electronic. We wanted to explore how bands were using machines in the pre-computer era.” They also recruited producer Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Smashing Pumpkins) to mix the album. 180-gram double LP in gatefold sleeve.
Kate Bush – Director’s Cut (Fish People Import)
After finally getting clearance to use passages from James Joyce’s Ulysses in her song “The Sensual World” (a request that had been rejected some 20+ years prior, forcing her to paraphrase Molly Bloom’s soliloquy), Kate Bush was inspired to remake that track and revisit 10 others from 1989’s The Sensual World and 1993’s The Red Shoes. She re-records all the lead vocals and drums, and transforms some songs completely (“Deeper Understanding, “This Woman’s Work,” and the aforementioned “The Sensual World,” now re-titled “Flower of the Mountain”). Another noticeable difference is her use of analogue recording techniques on these once digital tracks.
Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman (Sony Legacy)
Remastered vinyl reissues of Ozzy Osbourne’s first two solo albums, both featuring the late guitarist Randy Rhoads. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their release, Sony Legacy is also offering them on picture disc vinyl! Blizzard of Ozz (1980) is Osbourne’s best-selling solo release to date, featuring classics like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” and Diary of a Madman (1981) is Ozzy’s own personal favorite, containing the singles “Over the Mountain, “Flying High Again,” “Believer,” and the title track.
Flogging Molly – Speed of Darkness (Borstal Beat Records)
The Celtic punk ensemble’s new album features some of their most beautiful compositions and spirited rockers. Written in Detroit, Michigan, it deals with the human aspect of the U.S. economic crisis through first-hand observation, capturing both the bleak and resilient blue-collar reality there in the Motor City, and garnering comparisons to Bruce Springsteen.
Warren Haynes – Man in Motion (Stax)
An album of soul and R&B songs recorded at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales with an all-star band featuring Ivan Neville, Ian McLagan, Ruthie Foster, George Porter Jr., and Ron Holloway.
Stevie Wonder – Talking Book (MoFi)
Limited-edition vinyl reissue of Stevie Wonder’s 1972 masterpiece featuring “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” and “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever”). Part of Mobile Fidelity’s Silver Series, this vinyl pressing features the utmost realism and warmth.
Aretha Franklin – Electrifying Aretha / A Little Bit of Soul (101 Distribution Import)
This limited deluxe package includes a 180-gram pressing of Aretha Franklin’s 1962 album Electrifying, her previously unreleased 1965 album A Bit Of Soul, and a bonus 10-inch vinyl EP.
Elvis Costello & the Attractions – Get Happy!! (MoFi)
Paying homage to classic soul and R&B, Get Happy!! features the songs “High Fidelity,” “Riot Act,” “Motel Matches,” and “The Imposter.” Half-speed mastered from the original master tapes and pressed on two 45RPM, 180-gram LPs.
Frank Sinatra – Concert Sinatra, Swing Along with Me (MoFi)
180-gram audiophile reissues of two of the Chairman’s greatest albums. Concert Sinatra is a 1963 collaboration with Nelson Riddle and a 60-piece orchestra. Though not a live album as its title suggests, this collection of songs from popular stage musicals features “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “Soliloquy,” and “Ol’ Man River.” Swing Along with Me was originally released in 1961 and promoted as “twelve of the most uninhibited things Sinatra ever recorded.” It pairs the legendary singer, in the midst of his Rat Pack days, with arranger Billy May and his orchestra, and features the hit “Granada.”
Boz Scaggs – Silk Degrees (Music on Vinyl Import)
180-gram audiophile vinyl reissue of this 1976 hit album, which linked Boz Scaggs with the session musicians that would later form Toto. Features the hit singles “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle,” “What Can I Say,” and “We’re All Alone.”
B-52’s – Wild Planet (MoFi)
Another limited-edition reissue from Mobile Fidelity’s Silver Label series, this 1980 New Wave classic features “Private Idaho,” “Runnin’ Around,” and “Strobe Light.”
UFO – No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession (101 Distribution Imports)
Released in 1976, 1977, and 1978, respectively, these three albums represent the pinnacle of the British hard rock band’s studio career and are reissued here on 180-gram audiophile vinyl.
Nina Simone – Black Gold (Music on Vinyl Import)
180-gram audiophile reissue of Nina Simone’s 1969 live performance at New York’s Philharmonic Hall. Features the first recording of her Civil Rights anthem “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.”
Alison Moyet – Alf (Music on Vinyl Import)
180-gram vinyl reissue of the 1984 solo debut from one half of the British electro-pop duo Yazoo/Yaz, on vinyl again for the first time since the ’80s. A No. 1 album in Britain, Alf features the international hits “Love Resurrection,” “Invisible,” and “All Cried Out.”
Primal Scream – Xtrmntr (Music on Vinyl Import)
180-gram audiophile vinyl reissue of Primal Scream’s definitive 2000 album.
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