Essential vinyl here today! Purity Ring on limited clear vinyl, Of Montreal, Noel Gallagher, Parquet Courts live at Third Man. All except the Parquet Courts also available on CD.

Asleep At The Wheel – Still The King: Celebrating The Music Of Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys CD (Bismeaux Recordings)
Western swing is all things Texas, uniquely American, and loved the world-over. Nine-time
Grammy winners Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel have been the genre’s chief practitioners, conspirators, and caretakers for over forty years, carrying its timeless tradition well into the 21st century. Now with this collection, Benson brings together not only a legendary cast of Texas music contemporaries but also a new generation of Americana artists inspired by the Lone Star State’s favorite son, Bob Wills. Guest include: Amos Lee, The Avett Brothers, Lyle Lovett, Merle Haggard, Old Crow Medicine Show, Pokey LaFarge, The Del McCoury Band, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Buddy Miller, The Devil Makes Three, and many more.

Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste CD (Prospect Park)
“Smile, Chinese Democracy, Detox – the pop music world has never been a stranger to the frustration of the delayed album release. New York rapper and singer Azealia Banks’ Broke With Expensive Taste could have easily earned its own pedestal in such a dubious pantheon. Since she first took music blogs, dorm rooms, and block parties by storm in 2012 with the joyously vulgar earworm 212, Banks has become mired in so many Twitter feuds and record-label publicity flaps that the release of her debut album seemed increasingly unlikely by the month. Instead, she has now presented us with one of the most explosive and intriguing hip-hop releases of the year. We should hardly be surprised — Banks has always demonstrated a precocious talent for confounding expectations.” – Pretty Much Amazing

Buxton – Half A Native CD/LP+MP3 (New West)
Some places you feel like you only sort of fit in and it is this theme that permeates Houston based folk rock band Buxton’s new aptly titled album Half A Native. One of the leading lights of an emerging music scene from a city with a burgeoning youth culture, Buxton have won two Houston Press Music awards as ‘Best Houston Folk/Americana Band’ as well as ‘Best Male’ Vocals (Sergio Trevino). Their new album ventures into vast sonic territories, sometimes pairing atmospheric piano with off-kilter electric guitar, blanketed by Trevino’s heart-clenched voice and melancholic but optimist lyrics.

Ryan Cabrera – Wake Up Beautiful CD (Dynamite Music)
The first new music in nearly seven years from the pop singer/songwriter. Includes the first single “House On Fire.” Wake Up Beautiful is the precursor to a new full-length album due later in the year. Continue reading →

The Airborne Toxic Event – Dope Machines CD/LP (Epic)
“The Airborne Toxic Event has its roots grounded in sunny Los Angeles, California but their sound reminds me of a band out of London, England. The edgy guitar riffs and the melancholy voice of Mikel Jollett give The Airborne Toxic Event a sound that is similar to a hybrid of The Smiths and Muse. After their massive success with All At Once that featured the amazing track, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and their less notable release, Such Hot Blood, The Airborne Toxic Event is looking to make some noise in the alternative music space with Dope Machines. ‘Chains’ is a track that brings The Airborne Toxic Event back to the sound from All At Once with the use of crescendos, decrescendos and varying levels of energy within the song.” – New Alt Sounds

Alien Ant Farm – Always & Forever CD (Executive Music)
“Always And Forever is a good old-fashioned hook-a-thon that proves Alien Ant Farm
are – and continue to be – about more than just the one song.” – Rock Sound Magazine

All That Remains – The Order Of Things CD/2xLP+MP3 (Razor & Tie)
Working for the first time with producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira) All That Remains pushed themselves creatively, continuing to evolve while remaining true to the principals that etched their place as purveyors of hard rock. The diversity on the album ranges from total brutality to a ballad, resulting in a cohesive journey from beginning to end.

BADBADNOTGOOD/Ghostface Killah – Sour Soul CD/LP (Lex)
“Everything about the formula for Sour Soul screams instant classic. Toronto trio BADBADNOTGOOD made a name for themselves over the last couple of years via a retro fusion of jazz and instrumental hip-hop. Part of that notoriety came from whip-smart covers of tracks by the likes of Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame, but also from imaginative, expressive originals — the keys/bass/drums trio acting as a younger generation of The Bad Plus, choosing their covers from the hip-hop and electronic canon rather than pop and rock. Pairing the Canadians with Ghostface Killah, a rap legend who excels over soulful, spacy throwback production, would seem to be beyond a no-brainer” – Consequence Of Sound. (Limited copies pressed on gold vinyl.) Continue reading →