As we close the final full week of July down, we start to move more firmly into the second half of the year. One of the bad things about this upcoming final quarter is that things tend to slow down as the stuff for next year are being hashed out. Longtime readers of TAP already know this. In fact, that’s how our polls, discussions, and other opinion pieces came into being, during the slow times.
But we’re not there yet. And so we have these:
PolyVinyl Records have the new Of Montreal album (think Green Day, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Blink-182) on the calendar for October 8. The new album will be released on CD, and 180g pink-colored vinyl LP (with DD rights included). The new album, Lousy With Sylvianbriar, is being preceded by the single, “Fugitive Air”, which is the album’s opening track from its eleven songs.
Bright Antenna is releasing Flagship, the debut album from the band of the same name, on vinyl LP and CD. The release date is October 8. Worth checking out.
Rhymes of an Hour Records will release the new Mazzy Star album, Seasons Of Your Day, on CD and vinyl LP with a planned date of September 24.
Capitol Records have Countdown To Extinction: Live from Megadeth on CD and DD, and planned for September 24.
UDR Records will release Unplugged and Strung Up by Saxon on CD, a 2CD Deluxe Edition, and a vinyl LP.
I’ve been notified that I have ignored (forgotten) the upcoming Van Morrison package of Mreoondance. I apologize. The album will be arriving on October 1 in three forms, a single CD issue, a 2CD Deluxe Edition, and a 4-disc set with Blu-ray Audio disc.
Something Music have the new Berlin album (with Terri Nunn) on the calendar for September 17. The new album is called Animal.
Mute Records plan the LP reissue of Red Mecca (1981) from 80’s band, Cabaret Voltaire, on vinyl LP. It’s planned September 17.
Jemp Records have the first Phish studio album, Junta, on the calendar for a 3LP reissue. This album was already re-released for Record Store Day in 2012. This is a “feed the masses” reissue. Expected on October 1.
Fuel Records will release Visit To A Small Planet from Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen on September 17.
Sonorous Records will release Harvest Collection: Five Blind Boys of Alabama featuring this highly rated gospel band on September 17.
Vagrant Records will release the upcoming self-titled Mark Lanegan album on CD, and vinyl LP, planned for September 17.
Fuel Records will issue A Portrait Of A Man And His Woman from Screaming Jay Hawkins on September 17. Fuel will also release Nuevo Wave Live from Sir Douglas Quintet on September 17.
American Records will reissue Divine Intervention from Slayer on vinyl LP scheduled for October 15.
I just wanted to comment on the Van Morrison-Moondance reissue for those who may not know. As soon as this reissue was announced by Warner Brothers, Morrison issued a statement that essentially said “I did not authorize this release and that Warner Brothers went behind my back”. You know, this guy has had his chances over the years to settle his differences with Warner Brothers and work out compromises. Some years back, he also had an outtakes/unreleased songs collection called The Philosopher’s Stone that was ready to go and had his involvement. He then pulled it and it never came out. Though I have my doubts, Morrison is going to have to eventually reach the conclusion that everybody all-around has been losing in this battle for years-including us fans. We have not gotten the expanded early years catalog that we’ve all dreamed of having.
I’m one of those guys who is intensely interested in hearing the artistic process at work. I support this package for what it represents. I wish all of the discs were housed in jewel cases or digipaks with spindle casings. If Morrison would just work things out like other bands have done in the cases where they no longer own the rights to their material, maybe they would listen to him more and possibly work with him for input on this stuff.
Personally speaking, I’d like to see all of the early albums done in this fashion. If they do one for Astral Weeks, I would be incredibly happy. I also wish there was a standard disc for the 5.1 stuff for those of us who still have their universal players and no Blu-ray yet.
Another point I would make, repeating what I said over at Second Disc, is more of a question – doesn’t he still get some revenue from the sale of this reissue? If he does, then at least he is compensated for his artistry. If he doesn’t, that’s a whole different ballgame and perhaps we SHOULD boycott this release.
“PolyVinyl Records have the new Of Montreal album (think Green Day, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Blink-182)…”
Of Montreal sounds nothing like any of those bands! I think you meant:
“PolyVinyl Records have the new Of Montreal album (think Prince, MGMT, Deerhoof)…”
Tanner, I’ll go with your comparisons. Those were suggested “similar” bands.