Vinyl Releases
As is the state of the state these days, things are getting “pretty interesting” in that the industry’s ability to meet demand is falling short here and there. And, a couple of the Big Box stores are making things more complicated by “demanding” store “exclusives”, which may be comprised of “special colored vinyl” while potentially resulting in “inferior” and problematic pressings. Nevertheless, their “bark” is pretty damn loud and they also like to “bite” when they don’t get their way. The result of all of this is to throw a bunch of curveballs into production and planning schedules.
The sad sad thing is that all of this is causing problems for those of us that absolutely love music and are in this business for “the love of the game” so to speak, while the Big Box enterprises could basically care a less about the music. It’s all about money and getting people in their stores. Believe me … in my former life, I sold product (antifreeze) to a bunch of them and they were NOT very much “fun” to do business with. They beat us up on price; they frequently did not abide by mutually agreed upon terms and contractual agreements; and, they basically told you to take a hike if you didn’t like it!
All of this is a long winded way of letting you know that, in addition to the general supply versus demand equation being out of balance, there is an added “factor” that is affecting supply capability, and that is the pressure being asserted on the suppliers by some of the Big Box stores. Therefore, things will be subject to change until such time as the industry understands what is best for you … the lovers of music.
The following is what we are pretty sure will be available on Friday. Some of it has already been received, and some of it we are expecting to arrive Friday morning before noon.
Finding Wildflowers (Alternate Versions) features 16 studio recordings of alternate takes, long cuts and jam versions of Wildflowers songs as Tom, band members and co-producer Rick Rubin worked to finalize the album in 1994. The release offers fans further deep access into the writing and recording of Wildflowers, as well as realizing the full vision of the project as Tom had always intended. The collection was produced by Tom’s longtime engineer and co-producer Ryan Ulyate who listened to 245 reels of 24-track tape, revealing Tom and his collaborators’ evolutionary process, and finding the group willing to do whatever it took to discover the essence and magic in the material.
Four vinyl LP pressing. On June 20, 2000, Deftones released their third studio album, White Pony, which was immediately acclaimed as a masterpiece by fans and critics alike. Fueled by the successful singles “Change (In the House of Flies)” and “Digital Bath, ” the album is the band’s highest selling album and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The band also won the 2001 Grammy for Best Metal Performance for the song “Elite”. In the twenty years since release, the album has continued to grow in stature and influence. Inspired by DJ Shadow’s Entroducing…, Deftones had the idea to have DJ Shadow reimagine the entire White Pony album, and call it Black Stallion. Twenty years later, Deftones hand-picked a diverse and brilliant collection of artists, including DJ Shadow, to make that idea a reality.
Vinyl LP pressing. 2021 release from the award-winning country music singer/songwriter. The songs on Heart were written and recorded during a 28 day period in the mountains of North Carolina.
Double vinyl LP pressing. 2021 release, the highly anticipated sophomore album from the American rockers. After three years, one-million concert tickets sold across five continents, four consecutive #1 singles, a Grammy Award, and performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live, Greta Van Fleet is hurtling into the future with The Battle at Garden’s Gate. Biblical references and images of war pepper these songs as Josh Kiszka wails over a heavy bed of guitars and drums on “Age of Machine,” “Heat Above,” “My Way, Soon,” “Broken Bells,” “Built by Nations,” “The Barbarians” and more.
“Intimate acoustic folk anchored by butter-smooth close-harmony vocals and minimalist-yet-sophisticated arrangements” – Rolling Stone Country”wonderful… fabulous old-time playing and sibling harmony.” – NPR “natural harmonies and evocative lyricism that reflect a timeless sound and spirit.” – Relix “soulful folk” – Billboard Available in Limited Edtion Green Vinyl. Brooklyn’s The Brother Brothers will release their sophomore album Calla Lily on April 16th. CALLA LILY is the follow-up to real-life siblings The Moss Brothers’ debut album, Some People I Know, which garnered praise from tastemakers including NPR, Billboard and Rolling Stone Country. The album’s lead single, “On the Road Again,” sets mood of the album and showcases the brothers’ warm, immediate harmonies. Ironically, the Moss brothers wrote “On The Road Again” – a quintessential road that explores the life of the touring musician and speaks to one’s longing for the road – before the pandemic hit; it’s a paean to the connection and company of that diasporic artist community forged across stages, festival grounds, and long, winding roads. The music video for “On The Road Again” kicks off with the brothers leaving New York City in the tour van and features a convoy of whimsical animated creatures who are along for the ride, culminating in a cartoon concert along the Hudson River. David Moss says of the track: “There’s no denying that life in motion can leave a person lonesome or aimless, but so can sitting still. The same part of our beings that gets homesick aches for life on the road. This song’s an exploration of that duality – a celebration and a lamentation in one.” CALLA LILY was produced and mixed by GRAMMY-nominated Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile, Vance Joy) at Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville, Washington and mastered by Grammy-nominated Phillip Shaw Bova (Andy Shauf, Father John Misty).
Double colored vinyl LP pressing. A comprehensive career retrospective of country and pop legend, the great Patsy Cline. It’s unspeakably tragic that the span between Patsy’s first hit and her death was six years. Her golden voice would have graced countless future classics we never got to hear, but this collection brings us 23 performances that, thankfully, we did. The beauty of her singing extends to the packaging: two colored vinyl LPs in a lovely gatefold jacket featuring detailed personnel credits. Her immortal breakthrough smash “Walkin’ After Midnight” joins “Life’s Railway to Heaven,” “Walking Dream,” “Try Again,” “Fingerprints,” “Never No More,” “Cry Not for Me,” “The Heart You Break May Be Your Own,” “Honky Tonk Merry Go Round,” “Three Cigarettes (in the Ashtray),” “Too Many Secrets” and more.
Limited four vinyl LP box set. Octane Twisted on vinyl for the first time across 7 sides in a 4LP box set with a new etching from long term designer Carl Glover. Regarded as one of the most impressive experimental/progressive/psychedelic rock bands to emerge from the UK since it’s inception in 1991, Porcupine Tree enjoyed a successful recording career spanning over 15 years. The release of ‘The Incident’ in 2009 was followed with a lengthy tour before the band entered a hiatus, giving band members Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri, Colin Edwin & Gavin Harrison time to work on their various solo careers and other collaborations. Octane Twisted features The Incident album in it’s entirety, recorded in Chicago. The end of the album contains 5 classic PT tracks also recorded in Chicago along with 3 highlights from the band’s landmark show at Royal Albert Hall. Octane Twisted really captures the atmosphere and energy of a Porcupine Tree live concert experience. Recorded at a time when the band had the set well ‘played in’, you can hear the interaction between the band members as well as the audience as they navigate their way through The Incident and many other older songs too. One copy in stock!
Double vinyl LP pressing. Wagram music present a release chock-filled with jazz tunes that have been appropriated and live on in the sample-heavy world of hip-hop! Includes tracks by Nina Simone, Bob James, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and many others.
Vinyl LP pressing. One of a handful of albums Sun Ra released on the legendary Impulse! Label in the early ’70s, Astro Black provides a comprehensive picture of where the Arkestra was around the time, drawing to the end of their ultra-free period and beginning to investigate more traditional jazz forms, and even the fringes of funk.
Music on Vinyl double vinyl LP pressing. Tony Joe White was an influential musician in the ’60s and ’70s swamp rock scene. As one of the creators of this sound he recorded different hit songs, like “Rainy Night In Georgia” and “Polk Salad Annie”. The exclusive Collected title covers his music from the ’60s until the ’00s, including duets with different artists.
Compact Disc Releases
Tom Petty – Finding Wildflowers (Alternate Versions) 2021 archive release. Finding Wildflowers (Alternate Versions) is a collection of Tom Petty music, curated with help from his loving family, bandmates and collaborators. This release features 16 studio recordings of alternate takes, long cuts and jam versions of Wildflowers songs as Tom, band members and co-producer Rick Rubin worked to finalize the album in 1994. The release offers fans further deep access into the writing and recording of Wildflowers, as well as realizing the full vision of the project as Tom had always intended.
After three years, one-million concert tickets sold across five continents, four consecutive #1 singles, a GRAMMY Award, and performances on “The Tonight Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” Greta Van Fleet is hurtling into the future with it’s second album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate. Indie Exclusive version includes autographed insert inside CD. Limited Edition.
More Compact Disc titles were ordered. For right now, the two listed above is what I have a handled on at the moment. I’ll update the list later as I gather more information about what is coming in and what may have been delayed. As The Kinks proclaimed in song many many years ago … “Life is SOOOOO complicated!”.