In this column I focus on the latest audio releases from The Cranberries, The Black Watch and The Morning Line.
Title: Live at the London Astoria II, 1994 (Island)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cranberries, The Sundays
Tell me more: Recorded in 1994 while the Cranberries were promoting their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, the newly-released Live at the LONDON ASTORIA II, 1994 is a rousing 15-track concert recording sure to please fans of the famed Irish rock quartet. The quality of the remastered recording is equaled by the outstanding performance delivered by the Cranberries (singer-guitarist Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler) in front of an intimate crowd of 1,000 concertgoers. In addition to performing seven selections from their debut, the Cranberries featured six songs from their then-forthcoming sophomore album No Need To Argue; the new commercial release also features two non-studio album tracks ("Liar" and "So Cold In Ireland"). Highlights captured on the Live at the London Astoria, II 1994 album include the lilting "Dreaming My Dreams," captivating hit "Linger" complete with an audience sing-along, the sweeping rocker "Ridiculous Thoughts," atmospheric "Daffodil Lament" and "Everything I Said," bewitching "Dreams," fiery "Zombie" and shimmering "Empty." Live at the London Astoria II, 1994 is available via 2LP limited edition molten lava vinyl, standard black vinyl, audio CD and digital formats. Information: cranberries.com.
You might like if you enjoy: The Cranberries, The Sundays
Tell me more: Recorded in 1994 while the Cranberries were promoting their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, the newly-released Live at the LONDON ASTORIA II, 1994 is a rousing 15-track concert recording sure to please fans of the famed Irish rock quartet. The quality of the remastered recording is equaled by the outstanding performance delivered by the Cranberries (singer-guitarist Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler) in front of an intimate crowd of 1,000 concertgoers. In addition to performing seven selections from their debut, the Cranberries featured six songs from their then-forthcoming sophomore album No Need To Argue; the new commercial release also features two non-studio album tracks ("Liar" and "So Cold In Ireland"). Highlights captured on the Live at the London Astoria, II 1994 album include the lilting "Dreaming My Dreams," captivating hit "Linger" complete with an audience sing-along, the sweeping rocker "Ridiculous Thoughts," atmospheric "Daffodil Lament" and "Everything I Said," bewitching "Dreams," fiery "Zombie" and shimmering "Empty." Live at the London Astoria II, 1994 is available via 2LP limited edition molten lava vinyl, standard black vinyl, audio CD and digital formats. Information: cranberries.com.
Title: The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop (ATOM Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Church, The Cure
Tell me more: The Black Watch are back with their 27th album, the wonderful The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop. The Los Angeles-based indie rock quartet's 11-track studio album includes a slew of immersive originals including the hypnotic opener "Marie Bouzkova," driving moodswept "Never You Mind," propulsive "The Merry Kind," dreamy title track, euphoric "Stars At Last" and alt rocker "Her Halo." The album closes with the infectious "Sorrrow's Crown (dance mix)," which recalls a top-tier track from the new wave era. The Black Watch features the talents of John Andrew Fredrick (guitar, percussion, vocals), Rob Campanella (guitar, bass), Chandler Fredrick (bass, backing vocals) and Andy Creighton (guitar, bass, drums, string arrangements, backing vocals). Information: atomrecords.com.
You might like if you enjoy: The Church, The Cure
Tell me more: The Black Watch are back with their 27th album, the wonderful The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop. The Los Angeles-based indie rock quartet's 11-track studio album includes a slew of immersive originals including the hypnotic opener "Marie Bouzkova," driving moodswept "Never You Mind," propulsive "The Merry Kind," dreamy title track, euphoric "Stars At Last" and alt rocker "Her Halo." The album closes with the infectious "Sorrrow's Crown (dance mix)," which recalls a top-tier track from the new wave era. The Black Watch features the talents of John Andrew Fredrick (guitar, percussion, vocals), Rob Campanella (guitar, bass), Chandler Fredrick (bass, backing vocals) and Andy Creighton (guitar, bass, drums, string arrangements, backing vocals). Information: atomrecords.com.
Title: Stars (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Psychic Rain, Teenage Fanclub, Wilco
Tell me more: Set for release on Friday, Sept. 18, The Morning Line's stellar audio collection Stars shines a welcome light on the San Francisco Bay Area-based indie troupe's signature sound. Somehow masterfully blending 1980s college rock (think early R.E.M. and Let's Active), postpunk (the acclaimed Hüsker Dü and Cracker) and power pop (Matthew Sweet, Psychic Rain, Gin Blossoms) with the masters of melodic '90s alt rock (Teenage Fanclub and Toad the Wet Sprocket come to mind), The Morning Line features the top-tier talents of frontman/singer-songwriter Stephen Smith, guitarist Brian Mello, drummer Peter Craft and bassist David Knupp. Stars is a double-LP length title made up primarily of songs that have appeared on earlier The Morning Line releases; for this ambitious 21-track title all of those previously-issued songs have been remixed by the aforementioned Peter Craft. The wealth of compelling originals bolstered by literate lyrics, Smith's strong lead vocals and potent musicianship include the introspective melodic alt rocker "Anhedonia (Start Again)," snappy power pop nugget "90s Pickup," bewitching "Spellbound," alluring jangle pop cut "All Mine," torn romance-aimed foray "The Minutes," acoustic gem "Last One of the Losers," and the catchy single "Los Angeles." The collection closes with the one-two punch of the thought-provoking "Antennas" and captivating genre-blending "This Lens." Information: bigstirrecords.com.
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Psychic Rain, Teenage Fanclub, Wilco
Tell me more: Set for release on Friday, Sept. 18, The Morning Line's stellar audio collection Stars shines a welcome light on the San Francisco Bay Area-based indie troupe's signature sound. Somehow masterfully blending 1980s college rock (think early R.E.M. and Let's Active), postpunk (the acclaimed Hüsker Dü and Cracker) and power pop (Matthew Sweet, Psychic Rain, Gin Blossoms) with the masters of melodic '90s alt rock (Teenage Fanclub and Toad the Wet Sprocket come to mind), The Morning Line features the top-tier talents of frontman/singer-songwriter Stephen Smith, guitarist Brian Mello, drummer Peter Craft and bassist David Knupp. Stars is a double-LP length title made up primarily of songs that have appeared on earlier The Morning Line releases; for this ambitious 21-track title all of those previously-issued songs have been remixed by the aforementioned Peter Craft. The wealth of compelling originals bolstered by literate lyrics, Smith's strong lead vocals and potent musicianship include the introspective melodic alt rocker "Anhedonia (Start Again)," snappy power pop nugget "90s Pickup," bewitching "Spellbound," alluring jangle pop cut "All Mine," torn romance-aimed foray "The Minutes," acoustic gem "Last One of the Losers," and the catchy single "Los Angeles." The collection closes with the one-two punch of the thought-provoking "Antennas" and captivating genre-blending "This Lens." Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Robert Kinsler
