A wide range of thrilling new releases await listeners who have a hunger for a myriad of sounds and musical styles.
Title: Crash Of The Crown (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Styx, Asia, Tommy Shaw
Tell me more: Styx has returned with Crash Of The Crown, the veteran band's 17th album and first since 2017's brilliant concept album The Mission. The new Will Evankovich-produced disc is another ambitious effort filled with a wonderful range of memorable and enticing originals. Styx (singer-guitarist James "JY" Young, singer-guitarist Tommy Shaw, bassist-vocalist Chuck Panozzo, drummer Todd Sucherman, singer-keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, bassist-vocalist Ricky Phillips) wrote the songs for Crash Of The Crown pre-pandemic and subsequently recorded the album during the challenging time of the COVID-19 outbreak. There is a decidedly defiant and uplifting spirit across the 15-track disc and it unquestionably resonates in an era where the U.S. is emerging from a prolonged and devastating pandemic. On the opener "The Fight of Our Lives," lyrics such as "We will not give in / The game is ours to win" and "This is our moment now / This is the fight of our lives" set to driving synth-adorned rock resound to be sure. Highlights abound across the ambitious set. The fearless rocker "A Monster" and psychedelia-tinged "Reveries" are early standouts, showcasing the band's incredible musicianship and intelligent songcraft. The lush "Hold Back the Darkness" is as beautiful and affecting as any track ever recorded by the classic rock troupe. On "Our Wonderful Lives," a rousing melodic chorus mesmerizes with lavish harmonies, Shaw's banjo playing and the deft drumming from Sucherman adding to the magic. The album's parade of strong songs continues with the reflective "Sound the Alarm," triumphant "Long Live the King" and "Coming Out the Otherside," and fanciful closer "Stream." Information: StyxWorld.com.
Title: State Theater New Jersey 2005 (Purple Pyramid / Cleopatra Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Joe Jackson, Todd Rundgren, Ethel
Tell me more: A legendary 2005 tour teaming singer-songwriter greats Joe Jackson and Todd Rundgren is available to revisit via a special three-disc set available now. State Theater New Jersey 2005 features the two acclaimed artists performing solo sets, as well as several songs together. There is a great mix of hits and deep cuts sure to delight fans of Jackson and Rundgren. There is a warmth and intimacy displayed across the live recording; Jackson impresses on "Steppin' Out," "Is She Really Going Out With Him" and an artfully-reworked cover of the John Lennon-penned "Girl." Rundgren hits sonic pay dirt via the folk rocker "Love of the Common Man," the acoustic ballad "I Don't Want To Tie You Down," yearning "Hello It's Me" and whimsical "Bang The Drum All Day." New York string quartet Ethel also performs a set of instrumental music, and then accompanies the headliners during the concert's finale (notably on a powerful take on The Beatles' George Harrison masterwork "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"). The special eight-panel digipak release includes the full 31-track concert on two audio CDs and a DVD of the event too. Information: CleoRecs.com.
Title: Van Dyke Parks Orchestrates Verónica Valerio: Only In America (BMG Modern Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Van Dyke Parks, Verónica Valerio
Tell me more: Classical, world music and alternative orchestral pop collide in varied and wonderful ways on the exciting new collaboration from composer Van Dyke Parks and singer-harp master Verónica Valerio. Van Dyke Parks Orchestrates Verónica Valerio: Only In America is a 4-song EP that effortlessly brings together the undeniable talents of Parks (best known for collaborating with Brian Wilson on The Beach Boys' "lost" masterpiece SMiLE and on the more recent Orange Crate Art) and Valerio, the latter who is an acclaimed singer-harpist who has performed her songs in Mexico, the U.S., Asia and Europe. "Two years ago, I wrote Van Dyke because he is a sincere person, a selfless communicator, polite, a fighter and great artist," explains Valerio in press notes. The two artists worked together from a distance during the global pandemic for a full year to create the extravagant songs that delight on the EP. Artist Klaus Voorman adds to the magic with a cover design (he created the iconic cover of The Beatles' Revolver album). Information: https://modernrecordings.de.
Title: Catch A Cloud (Zip Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rogers & Butler, Public Image Ltd
Tell me more: Written and recorded pre-pandemic, the release of Edward Rogers' eighth solo album Catch A Cloud was put on hold when Rogers and Steve Butler released their full-length debut Poets & Sinners (issued in June 2020). The 11-track Catch A Cloud – co-produced by Rogers and Don Piper – includes a slew of top-tier guests including guitarist James Mastro (the Ian Hunter Band), guitarist Marty Willson-Piper (formerly of The Church), bassist Sal Maida (Roxy Music, Sparks), drummer Konrad Meissner (The Mammals) and sax player Geoff Blythe (Dexy's Midnight Runners). All that star power comes in the service of a wide-ranging and adventuresome listen; the probing opener "Imaginary Man," sweet-tempered "Button Box" and electro dream pop track "This Bird Has Flown" are among early high marks on the album. The wide range of ideas and observations Rogers fused into his track list continues via the lovely "Catch A Cloud," jazzy foray "Hayley" and disc-ending dark rocker "The Head of the Nail." Information: ZipRecords.com.
Title: Back The Way We Came: Vol. 1 (Sour Mash Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Oasis, Blur, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Tell me more: A year after leaving Oasis in August 2009, singer-songwriter/guitarist Noel Gallagher formed the aptly-titled Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Now comes Back The Way We Came: Vol. 1, which collects Gallagher's favorite cuts released by the collective between 2011 and 2021. In addition to featuring 16 previously-released cuts from the group's first three full-length albums, Back The Way We Came: Vol. 1 includes several new songs (the sumptuous "We're On Our Way Now" and breezy "Flying on the Ground"). This retrospective serves as a great introduction to Gallagher's talents. Many of his greatest songs are featured on the set, including the wistful rocker "Riverman," fiery "Lock All The Doors," haunting "The Dying of the Light" and exhilarating "It's a Beautiful World." A bonus third disc on the deluxe edition reviewed here includes a dozen extras including instrumental versions, acoustic takes and remixes. Information: NoelGallagher.com.
Robert Kinsler
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