Cruel World Festival Announces 2022 Return

Wow! Such an amazing line-up set to arrive at the Rose Bowl next year. Goldenvoice is knocking it out of the park with this line-up of greats gathering on May 14, 2022! Robert Kinsler

CRUEL WORLD FESTIVAL SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022 BROOKSIDE AT THE ROSE BOWL PASADENA, CA

MORRISSEY, BAUHAUS, BLONDIE, DEVO, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS,  VIOLENT FEMMES AND MANY MORE PRESALE REGISTRATION BEGINS NOW HERE PRESALE BEGINS JUNE 11 AT 10:00 AM PACIFIC  TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 11 AT 12:00 PM PACIFIC PRICING AND MORE INFO AVAILABLE AT WWW.CRUELWORLDFEST.COM   LOS ANGELES, CA - Today, Goldenvoice announced the Cruel World Festival taking place Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Brookside at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California featuring performances by Morrissey, Bauhaus, Blondie, DEVO, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, Violent Femmes, The Church and many more. These iconic artists will come together for this single day event which will see new music from Morrissey’s highly anticipated album Bonfire of Teenagers performed live which he’s called “the best album of my life.” Joining him are headlining legends Bauhaus, Blondie and DEVO, artists behind such hits as “Bela Lugosi's Dead,” “Heart of Glass” and “Whip It” respectively. Fans can access the Cruel World Festival presale code here, giving them early access to tickets. Register now with a valid (US/CAN) mobile number to receive a presale code and the link to buy tickets before they go on sale. The presale begins Friday, June 11 at 10:00 AM pacific time. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 11 at 12 p.m. / noon Pacific Time.Prices start at $159.00 plus fees with payment plans also available at $29.99 down. Fans can enjoy a luxurious festival experience with several new ticket package offerings in 2022 which include Clubhouse and Clubhouse Platinum. With the Clubhouse at Brookside package fans have access to an indoor air-conditioned hideaway, centrally located within the VIP area with panoramic views of the festival grounds. This pass also grants exclusive access to an intimate upfront guest viewing area at both stages. The elevated Clubhouse Platinum package is the elite festival experience with all of the comforts of the Clubhouse plus additional exclusive access to the Platinum Lounge, a merch package, private festival entrance and more. For more information on the festival, lineup and ticket options, please visit www.CruelWorldFest.com.  Full Lineup (ABC order):  45 Grave Automatic Bauhaus Berlin Black Marble Blaqk Audio Blondie Christian Death Cold Cave Devo Drab Majesty Echo & The Bunnymen English Beat Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel London After Midnight Missing Persons Morrissey Public Image Ltd. Sextile Soft Kill The Church The Damned The KVB The Meteors The Psychedelic Furs TR/ST Violent Femmes # # #   ABOUT THE ROSE BOWL STADIUM  The Rose Bowl Stadium is the proud home of the Tournament of Roses’ Rose Bowl Game, UCLA Bruins football, AmericaFest Fourth of July Celebration, concerts including Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and U2, international and Premier League soccer matches, and the World’s Largest Flea Market. A National Historic Landmark built in 1922 and known around the world, the Rose Bowl Stadium has earned its world-class reputation by hosting five NFL Super Bowl games, the 1984 Olympic Soccer matches, the 1994 Men’s World Cup, the 1999 Women’s World Cup, four BCS National College Football Championship Games and the College Football Playoff Semi-Final game. ABOUT GOLDENVOICE Goldenvoice, creators of Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, operates successful Los Angeles and Bay Area music venues including the Fonda Theatre, The Roxy Theatre, El Rey Theatre, The Novo, Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, The Regency Ballroom and The Warfield. Goldenvoice holds exclusive booking deals at Brookside at The Rose Bowl, Santa Barbara Bowl, Mountain Winery, Great American Music Hall and Frost Amphitheatre. They also have produced events such as Desert Trip, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Day N Vegas, Porter Robinson’s Second Sky Festival, Just Like Heaven and many more. Beginning as an independent punk rock promoter in the early 1980s, Goldenvoice grew to be the preeminent alternative promoter in Southern California by forging strong relationships with both bands and music fans. Currently, Goldenvoice promotes over 1,600 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada plus recently adding North American tours to their growing list of accomplishments. For additional info, please visitwww.Goldenvoice.com.   Connect with Cruel World Festival Website/Tickets: www.CruelWorldFest.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CruelWorldFest   Instagram: www.Instagram.com/CruelWorldFest  Twitter: www.Twitter.com/CruelWorldFest

New Music: Berlin, Blue Öyster Cult, Embrace, Van Duren, Todd Rundgren

Groundbreaking artists are featured on a collection of fantastic new gift-worthy releases available now.

Artist: Berlin

Title: Strings Attached (August Day Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Berlin, No Doubt

Tell me more: Orange County, California-spawned synth pop favorites Berlin have returned with Strings Attached, a project that finds the trio's beloved 1980s line-up featuring singer Terri Nunn, singer/multi-instrumentalist John Crawford and multi-instrumentalist David Diamond performing classic and new tracks with the backing of a full orchestra. The versions of enticing New wave classics such as "The Metro," "No More Words," "Masquerade" and "Sex (I'm A...)" as well as the enduring #1 hit ballad "Take My Breath Away" don't supplant the original recordings but do add a contemporary touch that will please long-time fans while likely introducing Berlin's groundbreaking sound to a new generation (writer's tip: it is a blast to listen to this disc with headphones). Other great songs on the set include the defiant symphony-meets-synth dance track "Now It's My Turn," gorgeous "On My Knees" and lush "You Don't Know." A limited edition 4-disc box set of the collection (complete with a signed postcard from the band) is available exclusively for a limited time via the group's official website. Information: BerlinPage.com.

Artist: Blue Öyster Cult

Title: Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016 (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

You might like if you enjoy: Blue Öyster Cult, Rush 

Tell me more: Like Rush, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young, classic rock greats Blue Öyster Cult has continued to dip into their recordings vault to issue an ever-growing number of exceptional archival treasures. Look no further than Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016, a terrific performance captured on the second day of the Rock of Ages Festival in Seebronn, Germany in July 2016. The Stony Brook, New York-spawned troupe's set is fiery and polished, and includes their most beloved cuts representing their singular hybrid of prog, classic and hard rock styles. The ambitious styles-blending "Golden Age of Leather," driving harmonies-adorned "Burnin' For You," blues rocker "OD'd On Life Itself," electrifying "Harvest Moon," primal sing-along "Godzilla" and marathon take on "Don't Fear (The Reaper)" all are performed with power and artful perfection on the title. The multi-format title Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016, issued on Dec. 4 for the first-time ever, is available on CD+DVD, stand-alone Blu-ray or via 2LP vinyl. Information: BlueOysterCult.com.

Artist: Embrace

Titles: Out Of Nothing; This New Day (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Travis, Keane

Tell me more: Two of the best rock albums of the first decade of the 21st century, Embrace's 2004 album Out Of Nothing and 2006 follow-up This New Day have each received their first-ever vinyl reissue. Yours truly has the limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of "Out Of Nothing" and it's truly glorious; the anthemic "Ashes," graceful "Gravity," wistful "Someday" and beautiful "Looking As You Are" sound spectacular. The long-sought-after reissues of the English rock quintet's #1 U.K. albums were cut at London's Metropolis Studios and include printed inner sleeves. Each vinyl reissue also includes a download card of the album. Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Artist: Van Duren

Titles: Are You Serious?; Idiot Optimism (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, Big Star, the Raspberries 

Tell me more: Memphis underground hero Van Duren is celebrated on two terrific full-length releases; new reissues of his 1978 debut Are You Serious? and the originally-ignored sophomore follow-up Idiot Optimism make a remarkable case for a renewed look at a singer-songwriter whose talents as top-tier singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist draw comparisons with Alex Chilton of Big Star, Todd Rundgren and Paul McCartney. Coming from the rich scene that yielded Big Star and Chris Bell, Duren's recordings reveal themselves with timeless song craft and an otherworldly connection with melody. The yearning "Chemical Fire" and "Waiting," soulful "Grow Yourself Up" and "New Year's Eve," dreamy "So Good To Me (For the Time Being)," potent "Yellow Light" and McCartney-flavored "The Love That I Love" are among the undeniable songs on Are You Serious? 

Idiot Optimism — recorded in 1979 and 1980 — was not released until it was issued in Japan without any input from Duren in 1999. The 2020 remastered reissue sets the record straight with 14 tracks (one a medley of two songs), new album artwork, and many previously-unseen photos featured along with detailed new liner notes.The songs here are as strong as on Duren's debut; the rocking "Bear With Me All The Way," heartfelt "Tennessee, I'm Trying," passionate "That," fervent "Life In Layers," joyful "Torn In Half," tuneful "Andy, Please" and a rousing cover of Chris Bell's "Make a Scene" further certify Van Duren's brilliance and instincts as an artist.

The two titles are available on audio CD, LP, limited-edition colored vinyl and digital. The artist's self-penned liner notes bolster the power of these important reissues. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Todd Rundgren

Title: Flappie (Cleopatra Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Danny Elfman

Tell me more: The new Todd Rundgren single "Flappie" is a true surprise sonic stuffer. The holiday song — the original recording is a perennial favorite in The Netherlands penned by Dutch comedian Youp van 't Hek — was released by Rundgren on Dec. 2, 2020. It chronicles a unsettling Christmas holiday in 1961 and Rundgren's approach is in the spirit of the decidedly dark tune. Information: ToddRundgren.com.

Album reviews: Women in the spotlight on new releases, reissues

Dolly Parton's #1 album "Pure & Simple" is one of a number of strong artistic returns featuring the voices of female artists whose voices and unique artistry are featured across must-hear titles available now.


Artist: Dolly Parton
Title: Pure & Simple (Sony Music Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris
Tell me more: At 70, Dolly Parton has long been an icon as well known for her theme park, movie roles, Dollywood Foundation-related philanthropy and distinctive brand as for her music. But the Tennessee native's new album Pure & Simple rightly puts the focus back on Parton, who wrote every song on the disc. On the lead-off title track, Parton display's her sweet soprano is fully intact and able to deliver romantic lines with tenderness and artful dexterity. "Outside Your Door" finds the singer exploring the more visceral thrill of love, her voice again up to the challenge. Pure & Simple is likely Parton's strongest album in years, with the singer setting her romance-minded tales amidst smart arrangements varying from sparse acoustic settings to piano and fiddle-anchored soundscapes. The Cracker Barrel deluxe version includes two bonus tracks (versions of Parton's hits "Jolene" and "9 To 5" recorded live at the 2014 Glastonbury Festival); the unique collection also includes a 48-page ZinePak magazine filled with photos and interviews with the artist. Information: DollyParton.com.


Artist: Michelle Mangione
Title: Ponies (Michelle Mangione)
You might like if you enjoy: Grace Slick, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Grace Potter
Tell me more: Michelle Mangione's new album Ponies is a wonderful achievement, and not just because it's an independent release. The Southern California-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has a knack for blending a number of musical styles in the service of insightful songs that are crafted via dynamic and melodic songcraft  "Jolie" blends folk rock and power-pop via a bouncy 12-string guitar-driven song that is in tune with summertime. Her original "Ride" is a beautiful and sonically-fitting Americana-styled tribute to the late Levon Helm; "The Edge of Madness" (a song Mangione co-penned with legendary Jefferson Airplane singer-songwriter Grace Slick) captures the sounds of New Orleans with a tapestry of drums, fiddle, horns and a chorus of voices that includes Slick, Martha Davis of the Motels and Teri Nunn of Berlin. Other standouts on the 15-track disc include the rocking "Queen of Hysteria" and countrified "The Criminal In You." Information: MichelleMangione.com.




Artist: Mary Chapin Carpenter
Title: The Things That We Are Made Of (Lambent Light Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Shawn Colvin, Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris
Tell me more: Middle age is explored with depth, warmth and honesty across Mary Chapin Carpenter's stunning The Things That We Are Made Of. Once known as a country music hit maker, Carpenter has increasingly joined the ranks of Emmylou Harris and Rosanne Cash as an artist who uses her voice in the service of songs that resonate deeply via explorations of the deepest reaches of the human experience. Carpenter has written all 11 songs on The Things That We Are Made Of, and each conveys a wealth of emotional riches. Beautiful and telling titles abound here; "The Middle Ages," "What Does It Mean to Travel," "Map of My Heart" and "Deep Deep Down Heart" are among the many treasures on this astounding collection. Information: MaryChapinCarpenter.com.




Artists: Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt
Title: The Complete Trio Collection (Rhino)
You might like if you enjoy: Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt
Tell me more: When it comes to super groups, few have attained the majestic heights that were reached when country music singers Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt joined forces to record Trio (1987) and an equally-compelling follow-up disc Trio II (1999). The three-disc "The Complete Trio Collection" set includes Trio I, Trio II and a bonus disc of 20 rare and previously-unreleased tracks. The bonus material is especially exciting, ranging from an alternate take of the tender "Wildflowers" recorded in 1986, the bewitching country ballad "Waltz Across Texas Tonight" (tracked in 1994) and an unreleased 1994 recording of the spiritual "Softly and Tenderly." Everywhere the beautiful and distinctive voices of Parton, Harris and Ronstadt shine, whether taking solo turns or joining in the most lovely of harmonies. Information: rhino.com.




Artists: Judy Henske & Jerry Yester
Title: Farewell Aldebaran (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Frank Zappa
Tell me more: Farewell Aldebaran is among the most eclectic and genre-defying albums recorded in the anything-goes 1960s. The fact that Judy Henske & Jerry Yester's Farewell Aldebaran mixed folk, rock, psychedelia, baroque and jazz pop, theatrical-styled songs and more didn't likely help the 1969 release, which seemed destined to languish in obscurity. But a new reissue of Farewell Aldebaran remastered from the original master tracks  is a must-have for discerning music fans. Like the Zombies' now-classic Odessey and Oracle, Farewell Aldebaran is an exciting and intoxicating listen. The art damage rocker "Snowblind," sweeping "Three Ravens" and country-bending "Raider" are just a few of the joyful discoveries here. In addition to the original 10-song album, the new Omnivore Recordings reissue includes five previously unissued bonus tracks. The physical CD version includes a full-color 20-page booklet packed with liner notes, lyrics and photos. A new LP pressing on starburst vinyl with gatefold jacket and eight-page booklet is also available. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler