Recommended new releases: Lone Justice, The Doors, The Strypes

By Robert Kinsler

Two of Los Angeles' most beloved bands are celebrated via essential new retro-mining collections, while a young brash Irish outfit is set to unleash its retro rock brew in the U.S in early 2014.

Artist: Lone Justice

Title: This is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983 (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Hot Club of Cowtown, Emmylou Harris, Johnny and June Carter Cash

Tell me more: Long before modern-day Americana outfits such as the Civil Wars and Lumineers launched the global roots revival, Los Angeles' own Lone Justice paved the way with a formidable mix of authentic country, rockabilly and rock that became a centerpiece of the early '80s music scene. Now, This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983 celebrates Lone Justice and the band's pioneering alt-country sound. Recorded live to two-track tape by engineer David Vaught, the 12-song collection features potent originals ("Soap, Soup and Salvation," "Dustbowl Depression Time") and artful covers (including a fiery take on Johnny and June Carter Cash's "Jackson"). Since the majority of the tracks on the disc have never been released, This is Lone Justice is truly a dream come true for fans of this seminal outfit that helped launch the still-thriving roots and alt country music scene that extends from L.A. to Europe. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Get This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983

Artist: The Doors

Title: R-Evolution (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: The Doors, the Zombies

Tell me more: Available on DVD and Blu-ray, the latest Doors release is more than a simple documentary. R-Evolution chronicles the Doors' use of television to help shape and project their unique brand of rock to the world. Featuring well over two hours of television appearances (the highlight being an incredible live performance of "Touch Me" on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour aired on Dec. 15, 1968), concept music films (notably a potent "The Unknown Soldier") and a myriad of extras (a performance of "Break On Through To the Other Side" filmed at the Isle Of Wight in August 1970 is a real gem), R-Evolution not only celebrates the Doors' timeless sound but confirms the group's continuing impact more than 40 years after the death of Jim Morrison. Information: TheDoors.com.

Buy R-Evolution on DVD or Blu-ray

Artist: The Strypes

Title: Blue Collar Jane (Photo Finish Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Kinks, the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones

Tell me more: The Strypes have been tearing it up in their native Ireland for the past few years and are finally ready to make their splash here in America. The quartet's rousing blend of early rock and rhythm & blues is nothing short of intoxicating as evidenced on their U.S. debut EP Blue Collar Jane (coming Jan. 21). The members of the band (singer-harmonica player Ross Farrelly, lead guitarist Josh McClorey, bassist Pete O'Hanlon, drummer Evan Walsh) conjure up that hard-edged sound first mined by the Kinks, Yardbirds and the Rolling Stones, but unleash their own songs with a modern flair that is the Cavan-spawned band's own. The Strypes embark on their first-ever U.S. tour on Jan. 20, and will be appearing at the legendary Troubadour in Los Angeles on Jan. 28. I caught the Strypes when they opened for Blur last summer and the young band is terrific. Read my review of that show here. Information: TheStrypes.com.

Get Blue Collar Jane