New music: Johnny Marr, New Earth Farmers, Max Hightower

In this column, I review the latest releases from singer-guitar great Johnny Marr, California roots rock outfit New Earth Farmers and bluesman Max Hightower.

Artist: Johnny Marr
Title: The Age Of Everything (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: The Smiths, Johnny Marr, Jason Falkner
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/guitar great Johnny Marr has released The Age Of Everything, an ambitious 10-track LP that taps into the energy and spirit of his hometown of Manchester, England. A genuinely inspired album of spirited originals, Marr's fifth solo studio album includes the rousing opener "Spin," hypnotic "Beyond The Rain" bolstered by a driving beat and jangly guitar textures, driving "It's Time" (the latter recalling the magic of the classics he crafted with The Smiths), sumptuous "How Come," immersive rocker "In And Out Of Love," soaring "Fire With Fire" and glorious aptly-titled "All In A Life." Armed with his winning lead vocals and artful signature guitar playing, Marr's The Age Of Everything reveals its magic more with each listen. Information: johnnymarr.com.

Artist: New Earth Farmers
Title: Cure For The Late Bloom (Windfall Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Phosphorescent, Neil Young
Tell me more: Leave it to California-based quartet New Earth Farmers to tear off the roof courtesy of the band's rousing fourth studio album Cure For The Late Bloom, a 10-track disc that blends Americana, trance blues and roots rock with a perfect touch. The downright fiery opener "Atmosphere," psychedelic '60s-tinged "Be All The Love," dreamy "How Did You Find Me?" and introspective rocker "Everything Is Nothing" are among my faves on the early part of the disc. The funk-meets-rock cut "Hustle Is Dead," classic rock flavored "Live Like This?" and tender "Shadow" impress on the album's last half. A tender take on Neil Young's "Borrowed Time" adds to the album's masterful reach. New Earth Farmers features the talents of songwriters/vocalists/multi-instrumentalists Paul Michael Knowles and Nicole Storto, lead guitarist James DePrato and drummer Nigel Twist. Information: newearthfarmers.com.

Artist: Max Hightower
Title: The Blues Chooses You (MoMojo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Charlie Musselwhite, Joe Moss, Leon Russell
Tell me more: Bluesman Max Hightower is back with the newly-released album The Blues Chooses You, a 12-track disc that is as enticing as it is authentic. Recorded live to analog tape at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, the cast of players includes Hightower (lead vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar), Joe Moss (lead guitar), Rob Davis (piano, Hammond B3, Wurlitzer), Steadman Fleetwood Williams Sr. (bass) and Brandon Phelps (drums). The album is loaded with a slew of great cuts including the Louisiana-dipped opener "Dedicated Fool" (anchored by some terrific piano work from Davis), Chicago meets New Orleans-flavored "Train Smoke" (bolstered by Hightower's powerful blues harp magic), the Johnny Shines-penned "I Don't Know," fast-moving romp "Sherlock Holmes," a nuanced musical reading of Guitar Slim's "Things I Used to Do" and the dynamic "Moonshine & Magnolias." Information: momojorecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Omnivore announces Record Store Day Black Friday Exclusive LPs for November 27, 2026

Some pretty exciting titles from Jason Falkner, The Knack and NRBQ are set to be released by Omnivore Recordings as part of Record Store Day Black Friday, coming Nov. 27, 2026...Robert Kinsler

Omnivore Recordings Announces Record Store Day Black Friday LPs Out Friday, November 27: Jason Falkner – Presents Author Unknown The Knack – Zoom: Special Vinyl Edition NRBQ – Christmas Wish (Fan Club Fun Version)

October 7, 2026: Omnivore Recordings has announced three special vinyl releases for Record Store Day Black Friday 2026. On November 27, the label will issue Jason Falkner’s Presents Author Unknown, The Knack’s Zoom and NRBQ’s Christmas Wish (Fan Club Fun Version).   Jason Falkner – Presents Author Unknown Without question, Jason Falkner stands among the most gifted musicians, songwriters, and producers in modern popular music. Beyond the acclaimed recordings he has made as a solo artist and with his influential bands—The Three O’Clock, The Grays, and TV Eyes— Falkner’s extraordinary talents have been sought out by an impressive roster of artists including Beck, Paul McCartney, Aimee Mann, St. Vincent, Noel Gallagher, Brendan Benson and Air. Born in San Francisco and raised in Southern California, Falkner was a classically trained piano prodigy whose musical gifts emerged at an early age. He first gained widespread recognition as a member of the pioneering Paisley Underground band The Three O’Clock, whose final album, Vermillion, was released on Prince’s Paisley Park Records. Soon afterward, he formed the highly influential pop-rock group The Grays alongside Jon Brion.   Yet Falkner’s true artistic destiny lay in his solo work. In 1996, he signed with Elektra Records and released two critically celebrated albums: Presents Author Unknown and Can You Still Feel? Written, produced, and performed by Falkner himself, both records showcased his remarkable ability to blend sophisticated songwriting, inventive arrangements, and flawless musicianship. Decades later, they remain touchstones for fans and fellow musicians alike.   Jason Falkner performing at John Anson Ford Theatres in Los Angeles in 2017. Photo: Kim Kinsler Omnivore Recordings is proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Falkner’s landmark debut, Presents Author Unknown. For this special edition, Falkner returned to the original multitrack tapes to create an all-new remix, revealing greater depth, punch, and sonic detail while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original release. The bonus tracks for this expanded edition feature the outtake “My Home Is Not A House” and three 4-track demos of songs from the album.   Also included are new liner notes from Falkner, reflecting on the album’s enduring significance and the creative motivations behind revisiting and remixing the record three decades later. Thirty years after its original release, Presents Author Unknown remains a shining example of timeless songwriting and fearless musical craftsmanship. This new remix not only reaffirms the album’s lasting brilliance—it reminds us why Jason Falkner continues to be regarded as a musician’s musician, an artist whose creativity, vision, and passion remain as vital as ever.   See tracklisting here: http://www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/presents-author-unknown   The Knack – Zoom: Special Vinyl Edition Nearly 20 years after their iconic debut, The Knack returned proclaiming “Pop is dead! Bring your shovel!” But, Zoom proved this was anything but the case. With new drummer Terry Bozzio (Missing Persons, Frank Zappa), Doug Fieger, Berton Averre, and Prescott Niles delivered the album Knack fans had been waiting for—one Fieger often cited as his favorite.   The album’s original 14 songs are joined by six bonus tracks — “She Says” along with covers of “Girls Talk,” “That Thing You Do!,” “Teacher Teacher,” and “I Knew The Bride” were recorded during the Zoom sessions. All of these recordings are now making their first appearance on vinyl, with the original album (sides 1–3) cut from the original 1/2” master tape.   Also included as a bonus track is a stunning instrumental version of “Mister Magazine.” These round out the remastered audio program, which includes set-list staples like “Pop Is Dead,” “Can I Borrow A Kiss,” and “Harder On You.” With updated artwork and new liner notes including “20 Questions With Doug Fieger” which accompanied the original 1998 Zoom press release.   It’s time to get The Knack again—and this exclusive crystal-clear vinyl pressing of Zoom takes its rightful place as an essential part of their catalog!   See tracklisting here: http://www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/zoom-lp   NRBQ – Christmas Wish (Fan Club Fun Version) What do you get when you cross NRBQ and Santa Claus? One of the coolest, craziest, most fun, classic Christmas compilations of all time! The NRBQ Christmas album that should be under everyone’s tree returns expanded with previously unissued holiday delights.   Does this new version contain all the tracks from the New Rhythm And Blues Quartet’s 1978 EP Merry Christmas From NRBQ? Of course, it does! The single track, “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” from 1980? Yes! From home recordings to proper studio tracks to live recordings, the holiday happiness on this new release reaches back to the ’70s and runs straight on up into the 21st century!   Beyond all the tracks you know and love are unissued delights like a live “Silent Night” recorded live in Peoria, Illinois, right around Christmas 2012 (December 23 to be exact!) and to bring it all home, a private recording of “Auld Lang Syne” with Terry on dulcitone! So make a “Christmas Wish” and send that message straight to the North Pole for your happiest musical holiday go-to album yet, Christmas Wish (Fan Club Fun Version).   See tracklisting here: http://www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/christmas-wish ###     For more information about Omnivore Recordings, visit their website.