New titles featuring American rockers Creed, genre-defying outfit The Speed Of Sound, punk rock outfit U.K. Subs and alt country great David Serby are available now.
Artist: Creed
Title: Greatest Hits (Record label)
You might like if you enjoy: Creed, 3 Doors Down, Live
Tell me more: With Creed newly reunited and set to embark on an ambitious North American tour beginning on July 17, the band's multi-platinum selling Greatest Hits has just made its widespread debut on vinyl courtesy of Craft Recordings. Originally issued a decade ago as a limited-edition pressing, the 13-track compilation Greatest Hits spans the Tallahassee, Florida-spawned hard rocking hitmaker's first three albums (1997's My Own Prison, 1999's Human Clay and 2001's Weathered). Enduring hits such as "Higher," "With Arms Wide Open," "My Sacrifice" and "One Last Breath" have never sounded better. Human Clay remains one of the best selling rock albums of all time (the disc has sold more than 20 million copies); the Billboard Hot 100 number one single "With Arms Wide Open" also won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.
Title: Minerva (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tom Petty, the Jim Carroll Band, Blondie, Lou Reed
Tell me more: In celebration of Manchester, England-based quintet The Speed Of Sound's 35th anniversary, Big Stir Records has issued A Cornucopia, an ambitious 3-disc set available on audio CD and limited-run vinyl. The first disc on the set features the album Minerva, a 14-track collection that showcases the group's freewheeling approach that blends power pop, indie rock, New Wave, psychedelia and punk rock stylings with artistic firepower and sonic grace. The band's signature sound is anchored by the winning dual male and female lead vocals of guitarists Ann-Marie Crowley and John Armstrong respectively (imagine an outfit headed by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Debbie Harry and Lou Reed); the rest of the talented band includes bassist Kevin Roache, drummer John Broadhurst and pianist Henry Armstrong. Great tracks on the album include the brisk opener "West Wind," the gentle Renaissance folk foray "The Harvest," tuneful "Bodysnatchers," lush ballad "Trickledown," punk rocker "Clickbait" and melodic "So Faux." My favorite original on Minerva is "The Great Acceleration," a bewitching and hypnotic rocker that demands repeated listens. Beyond the joy of simply listening to a lusty mix of material is the lyrical ambition found on the tracks as well. Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: The Last Will And Testament of U.K. Subs (Cleopatra Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, Sham 69
Tell me more: Fans of old school British punk rock will celebrate the release of U.K. Subs' The Last Will And Testament of U.K. Subs, available now as a special CD + DVD combo edition. Recorded live at The 100 Club in London, England on Sept. 29 and 30, 2023 as part of the band's farewell tour, the essential title features 70 minutes of the incendiary quartet — formed at the dawn of punk rock explosion in 1976 — performing a mix of of its groundbreaking hardcore and street punk rock originals in an intimate setting where audience members are allowed right up to the edge of the stage. The Charlie Harper-led outfit delivers including the hard-hitting "Scum Of The Earth," infectious "Fear Of Girls," aptly-titled "Rockers" blending punk and early heavy metal styles (and featuring ferocious guitar work from Steve Straughan), daring "Fragile," as well as fan favorites "Warhead" and "Stranglehold." Two full encores are performed by U.K. Subs, highlighted by the high-octane "I Live In A Car," "I Couldn't Be You" (the latter finding Harper adding powerful blasts of harmonica) and scorching closer "Teenage." Bonus features on the DVD include insightful interviews with Harper, Straughan, bassist Alvin Gibbs and drummer Stefan Häublein. Information: cleorecs.com.
Title: Low Hanging Stars (Blackbird Record Label)
You might like if you enjoy: Chris Hillman, I See Hawks in L.A., Gram Parsons, Michael Ubaldini
Tell me more: Los Angeles-based alternative country hero David Serby is back! Low Hanging Stars marks Serby's first collection of new music in a decade and the good news is that not a moment is wasted on the terrific 10-track set. Serby's literate and observant tales of streets stretching from Hollywood east to the Salton Sea are matched by the rousing music making where the talented singer-songwriter-guitarist is joined by his longtime producer and lead guitarist Ed Tree, bassist Greg Boaz (currently a member of Mavis Staples' band), drummer Dale Daniel (formerly of the Hacienda Brothers), and keyboardist-vocalist Darice Bailey. Additionally, Carl Byron (of celebrated Hot Club of Los Angeles) contributes Hammond B3 organ, accordion and keyboards on select tracks. The high flying "Fishtail Cadillac," breezy country folk nugget "Lonely Motel Days," rollicking "Low Hanging Stars" and the beautiful ballad "Another Chance to Dream" are early highlights on the disc. Later, the dance-minded honky tonk cuts "The Jukebox is Broken" and "Why Leave Los Angeles," bittersweet country rocker "I Bought the Ring," and sublime accordion-adorned "Trying to Get to Encinitas" bewitch with a mix of melody, stellar song craft and stylish grace. The album closes with the driving "Is it Lonely in Here," a confessional romantic foray whose lyrical and propulsive musical sweep impresses more with every listen.
Serby will perform at Lost Parrot Cafe in South Pasadena, CA at 7 p.m. on July 3. He will also perform at DiPiazza's in Long Beach, CA at 8 p.m. on July 27. Information: davidserby.com.
Robert Kinsler
