For a few years, April 26 has officially been known as “Alien Day,” taking its inspiration from LV-426, the fictional setting of Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi/horror classic and James Cameron’s blockbuster action sequel from 1986. With Scott having recently returned to the Alien universe with Prometheus in 2012, and a sequel, Alien: Covenant, due in theaters next month, today’s obviously a special Alien Day indeed. That’s why soundtrack fans should be (chest)bursting with excitement over the news that not one, but two vinyl reissues of Jerry Goldsmith’s classic score to Alien are…
Step Back from That Ledge: Third Eye Blind Expand Debut for 20th Anniversary
Depending on how old you are, the mere mention of Third Eye Blind is enough to elicit wistful memories of their first three, relatively immortal hits, “Semi-Charmed Life,” “How It’s Going to Be” and “Jumper”–all Top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100. Or their inescapability, combined with stories of frontman Stephan Jenkins’ offstage antics, are enough to make you reconsider all ’90s nostalgia. In either case, we have news for you: their debut album is being reissued and expanded for its 20th anniversary. Though it never climbed above the Top 20 of…
Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man: Third Man Issues Rare Bob Seger Tracks for Record Store Day
A fantastic feature on NPR recently set classic rock fans’ hearts aflutter with a serious deep dive on Bob Seger, whose catalogue is famously absent from much of the digital music space. His classic albums were belatedly issued on iTunes several years ago, don’t exist on streaming services, and are even disappearing from record stores (other than, perhaps, 1994’s Greatest Hits album, the best-selling catalogue title of the 2000s, or the more recent Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets). How ironic, then, that Jack White’s vinyl-enthusiast label is issuing a rare…
Got Love If You Want It: More Record Store Day 2017 Essentials
Record Store Day’s 10th anniversary couldn’t be anything less than big. And with articles devoted to April 22’s RSD releases from David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Omnivore Recordings, Legacy Recordings, Prince, Warner Music Group and Real Gone Music, you might wonder what there’s left to say before the big day. But you’d be wrong! We’ve scoured the list to find another 23 must-have titles hitting the vinyl racks at fine independent music stores next month. Which of these favorites are on your list? The Art of Noise, Moments in Love/Beat Box…
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Helium Discography Rising with New Vinyl Reissues
More than two decades after ’90s noise-pop outfit Helium disbanded, Matador Records is celebrating their influence with a pair of vinyl reissues and a new rarities compilation due this spring. Formed in Boston, Helium underwent a variety of lineup shifts before signing to Matador, where the group was comprised of vocalist/guitarist Mary Timony, a singer in the fantastic tradition of Deborah Harry and Kim Gordon; bassist Ash Bowie, and former Dumptruck drummer Shawn King Devlin. Catchy singles like “Pat’s Trick” and “Superball,” driven by fuzzy guitars and soft, ghostly keyboards, netted them…
Warner Music Plans Record Store Day Bonanza
Record Store Day has been an institution for a decade now, so leave it to this year’s 10th anniversary event to be one of the biggest! We’ve already shone the spotlight on releases by David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Prince, Omnivore Recordings and Legacy Recordings; now, it’s time to take a look at Warner Music’s incredibly generous lineup. Over 30 titles will be featured from the label group at independent record stores on Saturday, April 22. There’s really something for everyone: vintage 12″ singles from the likes of Madonna, Jane’s Addiction and Deee-Lite;…
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Hot Thing: Seven Prince Singles Coming for Record Store Day
As faithful Prince fans await more detail about this summer’s long-anticipated Purple Rain reissue, a group of Prince vinyl titles will arrive in stores for Record Store Day, a year and a day after his passing. Seven singles from The Artist’s near-unstoppable run of hits in the ’80s will be represented. Six are “RSD-First” titles, to be made available to general retail in the future, while one highly-collectible picture disc from Prince’s early chart run is coming back just for the 10th annual event on Saturday, April 22. Exclusive to the RSD…
Kick Out the Jams: New Label, Run Out Groove, Lets You Pick the LPs
With nearly a decade of Record Store Day celebrations and a stunning uptick in sales, there’s little question that there’s been some sort of vinyl revolution lately Now, a new label is looking to add to that by putting pressing power in the hands of buyers. Run Out Groove, a recently-launched vinyl boutique label, aims to issue new LP-only compilations with a twist: they pitch you the projects, to be determined by a majority vote. Afterward, a 30-day pre-order period ensues, resulting in an individually numbered, highly limited run of a title….
Magic in the Night: Springsteen’s First Seven Albums Finally Remastered on CD, LP Box Set
Yesterday, Bruce Springsteen celebrated his 65th birthday. Here in New Jersey, the birth date of The Boss might as well be considered a state holiday; the occasion was marked by various events including a video presentation by Springsteen’s longtime collaborator Thom Zimny at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. (Springsteen was, of course, born in Long Branch and wrote “Born to Run” in a Long Branch cottage.) But today, Springsteen’s fans are the ones receiving a gift for his birthday. The official announcement has arrived confirming that, on November 17,…
Release Round-Up: Week of July 1
Bob Marley, Legend: 30th Anniversary Edition (Tuff Gong/Island/UMe) The best-selling reggae album of all time is back with two unreleased studio rarities and, on Blu-ray, a new 5.1 surround mix. CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Pink Floyd, The Division Bell: 20th Anniversary Edition (Parlophone) The 20th anniversary of the last Pink Floyd album means an Immersion-level box set with a new 5.1 surround sound mix on Blu-ray and bonus vinyl pieces. CD (2011 Discovery Edition): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. CD/BD/Vinyl box set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Bon Jovi, New Jersey: Deluxe Edition (Mercury/UMe) The New Jersey rockers…
Omnivore Succeeds with Reissue of The Posies’ “Failure”
Last week Omnivore Recordings announced their latest title for the late summer: an expansion of the debut album by power-pop idols The Posies. The Washington-based group, built around singers/songwriters/guitarists Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, earned immediate indie acclaim when first album Failure was released on the PopLlama label in 1988 after Scott McCaughey – leader of The Minus 5 and a constant collaborator with R.E.M. since the mid-1990s – was given a self-released copy of the album on cassette. The album opened the band up for widespread success in the next decade;…
And Now for Something Completely Different: A Monty Python Box Set (and More)
Here’s something that’ll hit your doorstep like a giant animated foot: Virgin is releasing a CD and vinyl box set of albums by the iconic comedy troupe Monty Python. The classic BBC comedy sketch series, which ran from 1969 to 1974 and made stars of John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, has had an immeasurable influence on pop culture ever since, from films (Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life) to instant quotables and images…
Release Round-Up: Week of June 24
The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night: The Criterion Collection (Criterion) The first Beatles film gets the luxe treatment for its 50th anniversary – sounds pretty fab! Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Three Dog Night, Three Dog Night: Expanded Edition (Iconoclassic) Iconoclassic remasters and expands the debut album from the band fronted by Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron and Cory Wells! Bonus tracks include two mono single sides and “Time to Get Alone” written and produced by Brian Wilson. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.) Various Artists, Studio Rio Presents The Brazil Connection (Legacy) This fun little release…
Smile! Three Expanded Reissues Coming From The Jayhawks
Years after their early major label discography was expanded on CD by Legacy Recordings, the remainder of the alt-country band’s output for the American Recordings label will be remastered and expanded by Universal this summer. The band’s last three albums for American – Sound of Lies (1997), Smile (2000) and Rainy Day Music (2003) – caught the band in an interesting time of transition. Marc Olson, who with Gary Louris formed the band’s primary singer/songwriter/guitarist unit, unexpectedly left the band after the release of 1995’s Tomorrow the Green Grass, leaving Louris, bassist…
Now They’re Here: Queen Prep Unreleased Shows for “Live At The Rainbow ’74”
After a 40-year wait, a pair of pivotal early shows by Queen will see official release, it was announced yesterday. 1974 saw the British quartet release their second album, Queen II, earn their first U.K. Top 10 single (“Seven Seas of Rhye”) and embark on their first headlining tour. While some critics found a headlining slot at The Rainbow a daunting challenge for such a new band, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor sold even the most skeptical observer at their March date in the fabled venue. Queen would quickly record…
Release Round-Up: Week of June 17
Dave Matthews Band, Remember Two Things: Expanded Edition (Bama Rags/RCA/Legacy) The DMB’s 1993 mostly-live, self-released debut netted them enough exposure for a major-label deal some 20 years, six consecutive No. 1 studio albums and countless tours ago. Now, it’s back on CD with unreleased photos and two unheard studio bonus tracks; plus, for the first time, it’s being released on vinyl (with the bonus tracks available as a download). CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Jimi Hendrix, Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight (Blu-ray Disc) (Experience…
When Two Tribes Go To Pledge: ZTT Crowdfunds Deluxe Frankie Goes to Hollywood Box
There was very little about Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s debut album, Welcome to The Pleasuredome, that wasn’t grandiose. From their outsized, obsessively cultivated image (thanks to ZTT Records, the No. 1 home for bizarrely cultivated musical images in the 1980s), to their peppy British dance-pop hooks and glistening production by Trevor Horn to their stunning two-year run of hit singles, including the No. 1s “Relax,” “Two Tribes,” and “The Power of Love” (and the spectacular title track, a near career-ender at “only” No. 2), Frankie did it in a big way for quite…
Release Round-Up: Week of June 3
Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin I / Led Zeppelin II / Led Zeppelin III: Deluxe Editions (Swan Song/Atlantic) Anyone ever heard these albums? Interesting stuff. I don’t know about you, but I’d predict big things for these guys. Led Zeppelin 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2CD/3LP Super Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Led Zeppelin II 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2CD/2LP Super Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Led Zeppelin III 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 2CD/2LP Super Deluxe: Amazon…
Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright: Classic Bob Marley Set Remixed in Surround
The biggest reggae album of all time is getting bigger – 5.1 channels bigger. Island/Tuff Gong/UMe will reissue Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Legend for its 30th anniversary. The posthumous compilation album (Marley had died of cancer three years earlier at only 36) has been a stalwart of catalogue music since its release in 1984, becoming the highest-selling reggae album of all time (15 million copies certified shipped by the RIAA alone, and some 27 million worldwide) and spending 992 non-consecutive weeks on Billboard‘s charts, second only to Pink Floyd‘s Dark Side…
Release Round-Up: Week of May 19
Oasis, Definitely Maybe: Chasing The Sun Edition (Big Brother/Ngrooves) Oasis’ debut album is remastered and expanded; the first in a planned series of multi-format reissues from the legendary Britpop band. 1CD remaster: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.2LP remaster: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.3CD deluxe edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.3CD/2LP/1 x 7″ box set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Billy Joel, A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia (Columbia/Legacy) The Piano Man’s 1987 sojourn to the USSR is chronicled anew, with expansions of both the original KOHUEPT album and video program and a newly-filmed retrospective documentary on Billy’s trip. 2CD/1DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.2CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. DVD: Amazon…
Release Round-Up: Week of May 13
Michael Jackson, Xscape (Epic) Where was this three years ago? This collection of eight outtakes, augmented with tasteful future-retro production by Timbaland, Stargate, L.A. Reid and others, is possibly the best project to escape the MJ vaults yet. For the discerning fan, Epic’s done you a solid, offering a deluxe package with the same songs in their untouched demo form. It’s really something. Standard CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Deluxe CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Brain Salad Surgery: Deluxe Edition (Sony Music U.K.) One of ELP’s defining albums is now available…
Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Dave Matthews Band’s Debut Makes Vinyl Premiere
For many, it’s just not summer without a Dave Matthews Band tour, and on May 16, the favorite sons of Charlottesville, Virginia will kick off their latest U.S. trek on which fans can expect to hear band favorites in freshly improvised style. While the tour will likely feature contemporary and vintage material, the group will revisit where it all began on June 17 with the Bama Rags/RCA/Legacy Recordings expanded reissue of Remember Two Things. The 1993 album, primarily consisting of music recorded live at three venues, was the first official release on…
Release Round-Up: Week of April 29
Grace Jones, Nightclubbing: Deluxe Edition (Island/UMe) Pull back up to the bumper with a generously expanded version of the almighty Jones’ most beloved album. 2CD: Amazon U.K. 1CD: Amazon U.S. 2LP: Amazon U.K. / Amazon U.S. Blu-Ray Audio: Amazon U.K. / Amazon U.S. Diana Ross & The Supremes, Sing and Perform Funny Girl: Expanded Edition (Motown Select) A digital-only expansion of The Supremes’ 1968 album of the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill musical, featuring the original LP alongside a brand-new remix and a pair of live cuts. (Amazon U.S.) Funny Girl: Original Broadway Cast Recording – 50th Anniversary Edition (Capitol/UMe) Speaking of…
WE HAVE A WINNER of a Complete Set of Omnivore Recordings’ Record Store Day Exclusives!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER, ***SCOTT LESLIE***!
The Second Disc’s Record Store Day 2014 Must-Haves
If you’ve been following these pages for the past few weeks, you’ve likely noticed an awful lot of coverage about Record Store Day! Well, the day is nearly here! Tomorrow, Saturday, April 21, music fans and collectors will flock to their local independent record stores to celebrate both the sounds on those round black platters and the very concept of shopping in a physical retail environment. To many of us, both are a way of life. We’re doubly excited this year because one special title was co-produced by our very own Mike…
