You know, it took some time, but Universal's ICON series is really coming into its own. What began as a limply-packaged, uber-budget-oriented series of single-artist compilations - not a patch on the label's previous 20th Century Masters and Gold series - is really emerging into something unique. It's just a shame it took this many tries […]
Continue ReadingLa-La Land Records is full of surprises. They teased an amount of titles for the San Diego Comic-Con this year, but announced that four of the potential titles had all fallen victim to various delays. So they announced a three-disc expanded edition of the soundtrack to The Golden Child and, fans assumed, would play it by […]
Continue ReadingOn Tuesday, July 19, Rhino is reissuing the first four Ramones albums on 180-gram vinyl with the original artwork and track lists (meaning Leave Home will have "Carbona Not Glue" on Side One). Those who order the first 500 copies of each LP directly from the label will receive a bonus 7" with their respective albums. […]
Continue ReadingBefore he taught us that it was cruel to be kind, and even before he first wondered “what’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding?,” Nick Lowe was one fourth of the groovy lite psych-pop outfit by the name of Kippington Lodge. The group, however, was short-lived, and morphed into pub-rock pioneers Brinsley Schwarz, folk/country/rockabilly […]
Continue ReadingRhino Handmade has announced their latest title, to be released toward the end of summer. Appropriately, it's a hot, swampy one: an expanded edition of Bobby Charles' 1972 debut album for Bearsville Records. While he's best known as the songwriter of "See You Later Alligator" and "Walking to New Orleans," Charles cut his first solo […]
Continue ReadingOne of the most buzzworthy music events of 2010 undoubtedly was Mick Taylor reuniting on disc with The Rolling Stones to contribute new guitar parts to their expanded Exile on Main Street. Even years after leaving the Stones, Taylor remains beloved for his contributions to such classic albums as Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and […]
Continue ReadingWhen Jim Croce died in September 1973, the victim of a tragic plane crash, he was only 30 years old. He truly was in the prime of his career, riding the wave of the singer/songwriter movement with his sensitive, personal brand of storytelling. Croce's vivid songs were alternately upbeat and sorrowful, introspective and AM radio-ready. […]
Continue ReadingOne of the most desired unreleased records of the New Wave era will finally receive an official release, nearly three decades after it was put on the shelf. The Motels' Apocalypso was rejected for its lack of commercial appeal by Capitol Records, which accidentally led the band to a path of brief fame in the 1980s...but […]
Continue ReadingLast week, there was a sort-of funny tempest in a teapot reported by The Los Angeles Times over pop singer Beyoncé's latest album, 4. The paper reported that fans were unhappy with the seemingly low stock of deluxe editions of the album at Target, the chain that was carrying the special version exclusively, as well as […]
Continue ReadingIf you're sharing the same dream to see Billy Ocean's catalogue get some deluxe treatment, next Tuesday is your day: Cherry Pop is reissuing two of Ocean's mid-'80s pop smashes with bonus content. These will be the Cherry Red label group's second and third reissues for Ocean, following Big Break's expansion of 1982's Inner Feelings back […]
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