The intoxicating sounds of Southern California's Turn-of-the-Century music scene, as well as the groundbreaking stylings of the 1960s, 1980s and acoustic roots music are revisited thanks to a handful of great 2023 releases.
Rock 'n' Roll Truth
You've reached the home of The MUSIC WORTH BUYING Channel and Robert Kinsler's Rock 'n' Roll Truth Blog
Thursday, June 01, 2023
New music: Sparkle*Jets U.K., Tony Valentino, Jorma Kaukonen, The Mosquitos
'Brian May + Friends: Star Fleet Project' Special 40th Anniversary Edition
Just announced - this is sure to be one of the most-anticipated reissues of 2023!..Robert Kinsler
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
The Stranglers Four CD Boxed Set featuring their classic 1990s albums out July 7, 2023
It's great to see in the wake of the passing of keyboardist Dave Greenfield passing away in May 2020 (he had contracted COVID-19), that the legacy of The Stranglers is being celebrated via an exciting box set coming this summer...Robert Kinsler
Mercury Studios presents THE STRANGLERS
FOUR CD BOXED SET FEATURING THEIR CLASSIC 1990S ALBUMS
ABOUT TIME
WRITTEN IN RED
COUP de GRACE
FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH: LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBUM HALL
PRE-ORDER LINK HERE |
New York, NY (May 31, 2023) — Over the course of five decades, pioneering English rock band The Stranglers – one of the longest surviving bands to emerge from the 1970s UK punk rock scene – have crossed genres and fanbases, amassing 23 UK top 40 singles and 19 UK top 40 albums. On July 7, 2023, Mercury Studios is proud to release The Stranglers, a four CD-boxed set compiling four of their classic 1990s albums: About Time (1995), Written In Red (1997), Coup de Grace (1998), and the live album Friday The Thirteenth: Live At The Royal Albert Hall (1997). These albums, which were all previously released by Eagle Records in the 90s, are now being packaged together for the very first time. Originally brewed in the mid-70s UK pub rock scene, The Stranglers held a certain distinction from their local scene peers. They were ahead of the curve of the UK punk explosion, and though they could channel the aggressive spit-and-snarl of the time, they also harbored a unique musical hunger that kept them unchained to a singular genre. Exploring the wells of art rock, 60s psychedelia, new wave, goth, and pop music, their sound was a blend of underground influence and melodic pop sensibility. This is evident on these crucial 1990s releases, which featured the line-up of Paul Roberts (vocals), Jean-Jacques Burnel (bass, vocals), John Ellis (guitar, vocals), Dave Greenfield (keyboards, vocals), and Jet Black (drums). About Time, their 12th studio album, peaked at #31 on the UK album charts and boasted hits “Golden Boy” and “Lies and Deception.” This was followed by Written In Red, which includes single “In Heaven She Walks” and a cover of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer In The City”, “ Friday The Thirteenth features the band performing a sold out show at the famed Royal Albert Hall in London. The set list features hit tracks like “Golden Brown”, “Skin Deep”, and “No More Heroes” given an emphatic new reinterpretation as the band are backed by the Electra Strings – an eighteen-piece string orchestra. In addition to their hits, The Stranglers deliver a sizzling version of The Kinks’ “All Day And All Of The Night.” Whether a veteran fan or a new listener discovering the band’s music for the first time, this boxed set provides an eclectic, full-bodied presentation of The Stranglers’ music during this time period. About Mercury Studios: |
Saturday, May 27, 2023
TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss their biggest concert nightmares!
TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss some of their most memorable concert nightmares! Watch the episode HERE.
'Favorite Songs of All Time' episode: TJR & Robert Kinsler discuss Songs 61-65
Watch the latest "100 Favorite Songs of All Time" episode where TJR and Robert Kinsler each discuss their respective #61-#65 songs. Watch the episode HERE.
Friday, May 26, 2023
Toad the Wet Sprocket announces 'Bonus Edition' of highly-anticipated 'All You Want' collection
I just saw this news on Toad the Wet Sprocket's official Twitter feed. Here are the details about "All You Want" and how to get the new collection...Robert Kinsler
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'All You Want' Bonus Edition cover artwork |
All You Want (Abe's Records) is a collection of new recordings of fan favorites including Toad the Wet Sprocket's biggest hits including "All I Want," "Walk On the Ocean," "Fall Down" and "Something's Always Wrong," among others. The standard edition (out today, May 26, 2023) includes 11 tracks. The Bonus Edition (the artwork appears above) includes 19 tracks. Pre-order the Bonus Edition on audio CD or vinyl now via the band's official website HERE.
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Toad the Wet Sprocket at The Coach House on Jan. 28, 2020. Photo: Bob Steshetz |
The band states: "Like most bands who recorded for major labels, we didn t actually own many of the recordings we did during that time. 'All You Want' is us reclaiming our past for ourselves. While making this album, we got to look under the hood at the parts we'd written so long ago, pull apart some of the magic of the originals, and in some cases, update arrangements, tempos or attitudes that we thought we could improve upon with the benefit of a little hindsight."
Read my most recent concert review featuring Toad the Wet Sprocket HERE.
Bonus Edition tracklisting for All You Want is below:
Architect of the Ruin
Come Down
California Wasted
The Moment
Good Intentions
Crowing
Transient Whales
Windmills
Starting Now
Best of Me (a new song)
Crazy Life
I Will Not Take These Things for Granted
All I Want
New Constellation
One of Those Days
Something's Always Wrong
Brother
Fall Down
Walk on the Ocean
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Tina Turner Remembered
TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss the passing of acclaimed singer Tina Turner and her incredible legacy. Watch the episode HERE
Essential R.E.M. titles returning to vinyl on July 14, 2023
For those who have not heard R.E.M.'s "Around The Sun" and "Collapse Into Now,", really do highly recommend those albums...Robert Kinsler
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