New music: The Half-Cubes, Dawes, Jimmy Carpenter, Randy Lee Riviere

In addition to Dawes' newly-released ninth album, this column features my reviews of the latest studio albums from the Half-Cubes, Jimmy Carpenter and Randy Lee Riviere.

Artist: The Half-Cubes

Title: Pop Treasures (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, the Half-Cubes, Van Duren, Del Amitri

Tell me more: On the Half-Cubes' ambitious new album Pop Treasures, the duo of vocalist-bassist Gary Frenay and drummer-producer Tommy Allen deliver a rousing sequel to 2023's classic covers collection Pop Masters. This time the duo — along with guitarist Randy Klawon (The Choir, Cyrus Erie) — have enlisted the services of a score of the original artists and revisited two dozen far flung classics spanning from the dawn of the rock era to the 21st Century. There are so many great tracks here; my favorites include the exhilarating take on Jason Falkner's rousing "I Live," the Beach Boys-flavored musical readings of Eric Carmen's "My Girl" and "Someday," a super catchy take on Rubinoos' "The Girl," an irresistible ear candy version of Del Amitri's "Not Where It's At," a sumptuous "She's So Young (The Pursuit of Happiness)," Beatlesque cover of Van Duren's wonderful "Jane" and artful rendition of Sinceros' "Disappearing." Among the high-profile guests who appear on the expansive title to help cover their originals are Bertolf, Danny Malone, Mark Hudson, Moe Berg, Van Duren, John Savannah and the Sighs. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Dawes

Title: Oh Brother (Dead Ringers)
You might like if you enjoy: The Eagles, America, Dawes, Jackson Browne
Tell me more: Oh Brother is Dawes' ninth full length studio album but marks a decidedly new era for the beloved Southern California-based outfit. Indeed co-founding members/brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith parted ways amicably with two bandmates last year following the release of 2022's wonderful Misadventures of Doomscroller; the newly-released nine-track Oh Brother provides a joyful listen as Dawes navigates a mix of folk rock, piano-centered ballads and Allman Brothers-worthy jams with elegance and passion. The recording of the album began with Taylor on guitar and vocals and Griffin on drums, later adding additional studio instrumentation courtesy of touring guitarist Trevor Menear. The lyrical depth, virtuoso chops and marvelous song craft shines across the disc; standouts include the literate opener "Mister Los Angeles," the introspective "Still Strangers Sometimes," playfully nostalgic "House Parties," and poetic closer "Hilarity Ensues." Oh Brother is available everywhere now on Dead Ringers via Secretly Canadian Distribution. The album is available on split color vinyl, as well as via an array of deluxe Oh Brother bundles via the band's official website. Information: dawestheband.com.

Artist: Jimmy Carpenter
Title: Just Got Started (Gulf Coast Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Booker T. & The MG's, King Curtis, blues music
Tell me more: Las Vegas-based singer-songwriter/saxophonist great Jimmy Carpenter's Just Got Started is a winning set of inspired tracks that masterfully blend blues, soul and American styles in spades. The breezy lead track "(Feels Like) I Just Got Started," uptempo instrumental "Jimmy Shimmy," funky Louisiana-flavored "Night People" and fiery blues-drenched cover of Curtis Ousley's "Soul Theme" are among the tracks that shine on the Christoffer "Kid" Andersen-produced album. Carpenter's stellar lead vocals and virtuoso sax work shine across the 12-track set, notably on the R&B cover of Willie Dixon's "My Babe," the original soulful ballad "I Only Gamble With My Heart" and infectious blues track "Working Man." The album closes out with a sublime take on Ousley's bewitching "Midnight Blue," bolstered by Carpenter's nuanced sax along with the expert guitar playing of Andersen. Information: gulfcoastrecords.net.

Artist: Randy Lee Riviere
Title: Concrete Blues (Wilderness Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Nils Lofgren, Neil Young
Tell me more: Concrete Blues is an album that finds Randy Lee Riviere fusing Southern, classic and alt rock with electric blues to create a compelling 12-track masterwork. The album opens with the arresting rocker "Mania," a track propelled with a driving rhythm and pulsating guitars. The Tom Hambridge-produced album's powerful and potent strengths never falter; the euphoric and immersive rock gem "Change Is Strange," hypnotic Southern blues sortie "Just Trying To Get Back Home," heavy "Magic Bullet," sparse countrified "Stranger In My Head" and dreamy "It'll Be Alright" are among the top-tier originals that thrill on Concrete Blues. Riviere (pronounced "Re-VEER") has a fascinating life story; in addition to his bona fide powers as a gifted recording artist he is a wildlife biologist who has been involved with large-scale efforts in the past working to protect and restore important elements of the Native American landscape. Additionally, he has a voice and emotive delivery ideally suited to his signature sonic approach. Information: randyleeriviere.com.

Robert Kinsler

John Lennon's 84th Birthday celebrated around the globe with Innovative Releases & Collaborations, including radically reimagined "Meditation Mixes" of Peace-And-Love Anthem "Mind Games"

Today is John Lennon's birthday. Born on Oct. 9, 1940, Lennon's music still resonates strongly more than four decades after his death in 1980...Robert Kinsler 

JOHN LENNON’S 84TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED AROUND THE GLOBE WITH INNOVATIVE RELEASES AND COLLABORATIONS, INCLUDING RADICALLY RE-IMAGINED MEDITATION MIXES OF PEACE-AND-LOVE ANTHEM “MIND GAMES”

John Lennon at Lou Adler's house, 1973 (Credit Yoko Ono)

Los Angeles – October 9, 2024 – The legendary John Lennon would have been 84 today, and his life and enduring legacy as one of the most influential and successful artists of all time is being celebrated in a variety of ways around the world, including mindfulness Meditation Mixes of his classic song, “Mind Games;” the relighting of Yoko Ono Lennon’s IMAGINE PEACE TOWER in Reykjavik, Iceland; several exciting collaborations, including with the Swedish-based audio technology company Teenage Engineering, the London-based mobile game company Beatstar, and American musical instrument accessory mainstay D'Addario; extensive special programming on SiriusXM’s The Beatles Channel, a Tim’s Twitter Listening Party of his revered 1973 album, Mind Games, and more.

MIND GAMES – MEDITATION MIXES John Lennon’s 1973 peace-and-love anthem, “Mind Games,” has been radically reimagined by Sean Ono Lennon (also celebrating his birthday today), for a series of nine Meditation Mixes designed to put the listener in a relaxed, meditative state, to help guide one’s mind into deeper states of consciousness.   Mind Games – The Meditation Mixes are available to download and stream today. They will be released on vinyl as a limited edition 3LP set this Friday, October 11 via Capitol/UMe. The LPs are pressed on 180-gram crystal clear vinyl and packaged in a triple gatefold mirror board sleeve. Side B on LP3 features nine unique 1.8 second mantras that play continually in the vinyl’s run out grooves to create infinite loops. Listen to Mind Games – The Meditation Mixes and purchase the vinyl here: https://johnlennon.lnk.to/MindGamesMeditationMixesPR   To create Mind Games – The Meditation Mixes various sound design techniques and processes have been applied to the original 1973 two-inch multitrack recordings, and in some cases have been enhanced with additional instrumentation from Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono Lennon. They were mixed and engineered by Sam Gannon with additional recording engineered by Scott Holingsworth.

Mind Games – The Meditation Mixes forge their own space while maintaining firm, authentic roots in John Lennon's original recording of the original song.   Each of the nine mixes has been radically altered, slowed down and extended, ranging from 5 to 10 to upwards of 33 minutes, allowing for the musical soundtrack to wash over the listener and provide a relaxing, immersive, deep listening and meditative experience. Four of the tracks are presented as Binaural versions that each focus on different types of brain waves: Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Theta. Dubbed “Mind,” “Space,” “Spirit,” and “Love,” these tracks feature a Binaural Beat, an auditory illusion created within the brain when the left and right ears hear two slightly different frequencies whose difference is perceived as a new frequency which can activate different brain patterns for scientifically proven therapeutic effects.   Mind Games – The Meditation Mixes debuted exclusively on the Lumenate app in May in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month. Each of the nine Meditation Mixes has been paired with a unique, deeply immersive light sequence, using carefully selected flicker frequencies to accompany the mind-and-mood-altering sound. These singular, mind-altering sequences elevate the musical journey, deepen the sense of relaxation, and allow users to see, hear and feel the music like never before.   The Lumenate app uses the flashlight on the back of one's smartphone strobed at research-driven frequencies onto a person's closed eyes to neurologically guide them into a state of consciousness between that of deep meditation and psychedelics.

IMAGINE PEACE TOWER   The IMAGINE PEACE TOWER by Yoko Ono Lennon on Viðey, in Reykjavik, Iceland, will be lit for the 18th time on Wednesday, October 9th at 8 pm GMT/4 pm EDT/1 pm PDT. A peaceful ceremony will be held on the island to celebrate the event. Valdimar Guðmundsson and Örn Eldjárn will perform music beside the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER, and the Mayor of Reykjavik, Einar Þorsteinsson, will give a speech. It is customary that as soon as the tower is lit, the song “Imagine” will be played, and people will have the opportunity to take photos. Fans around the world will be able to watch the lighting live at ImaginePeaceTower.com   The IMAGINE PEACE TOWER is an outdoor artwork by Yoko Ono, built on Viðey in 2007 and dedicated to John Lennon. The tower is lit annually on Lennon’s birthday, October 9th, and shines until December 8th, the day of his passing. The artwork is a symbol of Ono and Lennon’s continuing work for world peace. The tower is in the form of a wishing well, with the words “IMAGINE PEACE” inscribed on it in 24 languages. More information is available here: https://www.imaginepeacetower.com/

TEENAGE ENGINEERING AND SEAN ONO LENNON LAUNCH LIMITED EDITION OB-4 SPEAKER FEATURING JOHN LENNON’S MIND GAMES   Teenage Engineering are proud to announce the release of the John Lennon Mind Games Edition OB-4. This special edition of their high-fidelity Bluetooth loudspeaker and radio was developed in collaboration with Sean Ono Lennon. The OB-4 cumes with a custom design inspired by the artwork of John Lennon’s Mind Games album.

In this edition of the OB-4, the “disk mode” comes pre-loaded with extended and remixed mixes of the Mind Games album, along with exclusive new metronome and mantras. The unique integration of Lennon’s work and new sonic elements allows users to experience his music in an immersive and innovative way.   For more information or to pre-order, visit: https://teenage.engineering/store/ob-4-mind-games

D’ADDARIO UNVEILS NEW OFFICIAL JOHN LENNON LICENSED GUITAR ACCESORIES   D’Addario has teamed up with the John Lennon Estate for a handful of new officially licensed guitar accessories including a collection of guitar straps and picks that pay homage to the iconic musician and his legacy.

The line includes various designs inspired by Lennon’s style, album art, lyrics, song titles, and quotes. The straps and picks are part of a licensing agreement with The John Lennon Estate and are developed by D’Addario. For more information or to purchase, visit: https://store.johnlennon.com/collections/daddario-x-john-lennon

JOHN LENNON COMING TO BEATSTAR   Beatstar, the popular mobile music game, has entered into a collaboration with the John Lennon Estate, which will go live in Beatstar on November 15th. More info to come.  SIRIUSXM’S THE BEATLES CHANNEL WEEKLONG CELEBRATION SiriusXM’s The Beatles Channel (Channel 18) is honoring John Lennon’s 84th birthday with exclusive programming this week, including a very special edition of “Fab Fourum” featuring Sean Ono Lennon, and new episodes of the regular shows all dedicated to John.   This week on “Across The Universe,” a weekly show dedicated to the life and music of John Lennon, host Dennis Elsas welcomes other hosts of The Beatles Channel for a Lennon birthday celebration, picking their favorite Beatles songs with John on lead vocals. Meg Griffin will host a special version of “8 Songs A Week,” in which listeners rank their 16 favorite Beatles songs sung by John. Peter Asher plays Beatles songs that John considered his favorites by The Fab Four on “From Me To You With Peter Asher,” and on this week’s on “Way Beyond Compare,” Tom Frangione will play rare songs by John.    Additionally, host David Fricke will welcome a panel of musicians and contributors who worked on John Lennon’s 1973 album Mind Games — Jim Keltner and Rick Marotta (drummers), David Spinozza (guitarist), Ken Ascher (keyboardist), and Bob Gruen (photographer) — for a special conversation.   More information available at: https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/john-lennon-birthday

LISTEN TO MIND GAMES WITH TIM’S TWITTER LISTENING PARTY   The John Lennon Estate and Tim’s Twitter Listening Party will team up once again for a communal listening of John Lennon’s classic 1973 album, Mind Games. Fans are encouraged to tweet their tributes to John and Mind Games with their own memories and memorabilia on his birthday while listening to the album together. The event will begin at 9:15 pm BST/4:15 pm EDT/1:15 pm PDT and will be available to replay after at timstwitterlisteningparty.com   To participate, follow @johnlennon, @yokoono, @LISTENING_PARTY and @Tim_Burgess on Twitter/X and use the hashtag #TimsTwitterListeningParty to join in.

MIND GAMES – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION   The acclaimed Mind Games – The Ultimate Collection, the definitive, deep dive into John Lennon’s oft-overlooked and underappreciated 1973 album, Mind Games, was released in July digitally, on vinyl, CD, and in two lavish box sets – a Standard Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition – part art piece, part time capsule and part puzzle.   The collection has received rave reviews, especially for its sterling new remix of the original album, which has been produced by Sean Ono Lennon and mixed by triple Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer Paul Hicks to sonically upgrade the sound and bring John’s vocals front and center.

Rolling Stone exclaimed in their four-star review, “The star here is the ‘Ultimate Mixes,’ which reimagine each song in a wider stereo spectrum, effectively undoing Lennon’s Phil Spector fixation… The final mixes came off claustrophobic and tinny, as if Spector’s Walls of Sound had closed in on him… the new mixes place greater emphasis on Lennon’s voice and lyrics, often adding new depth to the songs.”   Goldmine enthused, “Sonically leaves all previous reissues in the shade. There’s a clarity and greater depth to the new Ultimate Mixes that make you feel like you’re listening to a different record, a great improvement over the muddy quality of the original mix… A welcome upgrade that buffs up the reputation of this underappreciated album.”

ABOUT JOHN LENNON John Lennon is arguably the greatest songwriter of his generation. As founder and leader of The Beatles and also as a solo artist, Lennon has won seven GRAMMY® Awards, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards, Five BRIT Awards including two Special Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music, 21 NME Awards, 15 Ivor Novellos and an Oscar (Academy Award). He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked Lennon in the Top 5 of the magazine's '100 Greatest Singers Of All Time' list. johnlennon.com / @johnlennon ABOUT SEAN ONO LENNON Sean Ono Lennon is a British-Asian-American musician, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist, actor and polymath. He is the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono and brother to Kyoko Ono and Julian Lennon. He has been a member of Cibo Matto, Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Plastic Ono Band and guested with many other bands. He is a prolific songwriter, film score composer and producer and runs independent record label Chimera Music with partner Charlotte Kemp Muhl. chimeramusic.com / @sean_ono_lennon (Instagram) @seanonolennon (Twitter)

MIND GAMES – THE MEDITATION MIXES 3LP TRACKLISTING LP1 Side A 1. Mind Games Meditation Mix - MIND (Binaural Gamma Waves 100Hz) (10:02) 2. Mind Games Meditation Mix - MAGIC (10:58) Side B 1. Mind Games Meditation Mix - SPACE (8Hz Theta Binaural) (5:42) 2. Mind Games Meditation Mix - SEED (5:59) 3. Mind Games Meditation Mix - YES (6:03) LP2 Side A 1. Mind Games Meditation Mix - SPIRIT (15Hz Beta Binaural) (5:36) 2. Mind Games Meditation Mix - LOVE ().5Hz Delta Binaural) (12:32) Side B 1. Mind Games Meditation Mix - SURRENDER (23:41) LP3 Side A 1. Mind Games Meditation Mix - PEACE (23:55)   Side B (ALL TRACKS 1.8 SECONDS) 1. MANTRA 1 (0:018) 2. MANTRA 2 (0:018) 3. MANTRA 3 (0:018) 4. MANTRA 4 (0:018) 5. MANTRA 5 (0:018) 6. MANTRA 6 (0:018) 7. MANTAR 7 (0:018) 8. MANTRA 8 (0:018) 9. MANTRA 9 (0:018)