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Vinyl Releases of the Week: September 7, 2011
Post By: Katherine.Eleanor
Thank you to the fine folks at Rhino Records for bringing us not one but FIVE Grateful Dead reissues this week, and to the elusive bearded men at San Francisco’s 4 Men with Beards label for committing two beloved Leonard Cohen albums to 180-gram vinyl.
The Grateful Dead – The Grateful Dead (1967), Anthem of the Sun (1968), Aoxomoxoa (1969), Workingman’s Dead (1970), American Beauty (1970) reissues (Rhino)
Starting with the Grateful Dead’s 1967 eponymous debut, which captures the magic of their early live shows, and working up sequentially to their fifth album and greatest studio acheivement, American Beauty, Rhino Records has honored the spirit of the Dead with this generous reissue series. Documenting the beginning of the iconic San Francisco band’s long history, these titles also rank among the greatest of all time.
Leonard Cohen – Death of a Ladies’ Man, Various Positions reissues (4 Men with Beards)
180-gram vinyl reissues of two phenomenal albums by Leonard Cohen. Death of a Ladies’ Man (1977) features production by Phil Spector as well as back-up vocals from Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg on the track “Don’t Go Home with Your Hard-On”; Various Positions (1985) features the masterpiece “Hallelujah” and “Dance Me to the End of Love.”
Black Sabbath – Sabotage reissue (Rhino)
Originally released in 1975, Sabotage is the British heavy metal band’s sixth album and widely considered one of its best. Features “Hole in the Sky,” “Symptom of the Universe,” and “Am I Going Insane (Radio).”
Hank Williams III – Ghost to a Ghost/Gutter Town, 3 Bar Ranch Cattle Callin’, Attention Deficit Domination (Hank3 Records)
The grandson of Hank Williams and the son of Hank Jr., Hank 3 is known for his love of punk and metal as much as for his love of country. He has never fit squarely into any industry models, so it should come as no surprise that he releases a country album (Ghost to a Ghost/Gutter Town), a speed-metal/”cattle core” album (3 Bar Ranch Cattle Callin’), and a doom-rock album (Attention Deficit Domination) all on the same day. Look out for guest appearances by Tom Waits and Les Claypool on the double LP Ghost to a Ghost/Gutter Town.
Animal Collective – Danse Manatee reissue (Fat Cat)
The imaginative psych-pop band’s second album, originally issued in 2001 as an extremely limited release, has been DMM remastered and reissued as a double 180-gram vinyl LP! This is the first Animal Collective album to feature Geologist (electronics, samples, vocals), who regards it as one of his personal favorites.
TV on the Radio – World Cafe Live (Interscope)
The new live EP from Brooklyn’s TV on the Radio was recorded in Santa Monica, California for NPR’s “World Café” series. Their set features “Caffeinated Consciousness,” “Will Do,” and “Repetition” from latest album Nine Types of Light, “Red Dress” from 2008’s Dear Science, and “Province” from 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain.
The Rapture – The Grace of Your Love (DFA)
The long-awaited third album from the dance-punk band was produced by Philippe Zdar (Phoenix, Beastie Boys, Chromeo) and is available as a double LP. A more mature album for the band, The Grace of Your Love is laced with elements of ’70s soul, disco, and house music.
Bon Iver – “Holocene” 7-inch single (Jagjaguwar)
The second single from Bon Iver’s 2011 eponymous album backed by a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Come Talk to Me.”
Tindersticks – Tindersticks I and Tindersticks II reissues (Plain)
180-gram vinyl reissues of this ’90s British cult band’s first two albums. Both earning rave reviews and topping nearly every British year-end list upon their release (in 1993 and 1995, respectively), these albums really showcase the band’s unique, darkly romantic chamber pop style.
Thrice – Major/Minor (Vagrant)
The Southern California post-hardcore/experimental-rock band returns with its eighth album to date. Released as a double vinyl LP, Major/Minor is a decidedly grunge record and full of analog warmth.
A few highlights from last week that are not to be missed:
Glen Campbell – Ghost on the Canvas (Surfdog)
Recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, music legend Glen Campbell has decided to retire from the music industry after 50 years in show business. Ghost on the Canvas is his farewell album. It features collaborations with Jakob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, Chris Isaak, Robert Pollard, Dick Dale, and Billy Corgan, among others whom he has influenced over the years.
Lenny Kravitz – Black and White America (Roadrunner)
Lenny Kravitz is a huge vinyl fan and it shows on his ninth album. A double LP created with the vinyl format in mind, Black and White America is meant to be listened to as a whole work of art in uncompressed audiophile goodness. Inspired by the great double albums of history (Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, the Beatles’ White Album, Prince’s Sign o’ the Times, etc.), the album leans more towards a classic soul/funk/R&B style and features guest vocals from Drake and Jay Z.
Beirut – The Rip Tide (Pompeii Records)
Since the Balkan folk/indie-rock band released its surprising 2006 debut, Gulag Orkestar, one thing has been certain: Beirut and vinyl are a match made in heaven. On its third album, The Rip Tide, the band’s lush melodies, cinematic strings, vivid horns, and ukulele riffs are all there, as is a new sense of sophistication and pop savvy.
John Doe – Keeper (Yep Roc)
“Punk rock’s golden throat” AKA the former frontman of seminal L.A. punk band X, John Doe has enjoyed an impressive solo career as a songwriter, diving into alt-country, folk, and rock and roll. On his latest album, Doe explores uncharted territory: happiness. “I finally figured out how to write a love song where the people actually get loved,” he says. Keeper was recorded with hit producer Dave Way and features guests Patty Griffin, Don Was, Smokey Hormel, Steve Berlin, Cindy Wasserman, and Jill Sobule. Bonus track “101%” is only available on vinyl.
Tommy Stinson – One Man Mutiny (Done to Death Music)
The Replacements and Guns N’ Roses bassist returns with his second solo album. One Man Mutiny explores everything from bluesy garage rock to jangle pop to country and is already being called Stinson’s best work to date.
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