New Music: Gorillaz, Paul McCann, Fringe Benefit

New titles featuring Coachella-bound Gorillaz and Irish singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Paul McCann as well as a marvelous reissue of the self-titled release from Fringe Benefit are well worth discovering.

Artist: Gorillaz
Title: Cracker Island (Warner Records/Parlophone)
You might like if you enjoy: Damon Albarn, Bad Bunny, Beck, Tame Impala
Tell me more: Gorillaz' eighth studio album Cracker Island is another enthralling journey showcasing singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn's otherworldly talents fusing art pop, electronica, hip hop and other styles into a signature brew as accessible as it is artistic. On this disc he directs the world's most beloved virtual band to stratospheric heights with collaborations that surprise and expand the project's sonic reach. Surprises abound; just listen to the shimmering "Oil," a track featuring the duel vocals of Albarn and Stevie Nicks. "Silent Running" is a majestic mid-tempo track co-written by Albarn and producer Greg Kurstin featuring guest vocalist Adeleye Omotayo. The hypnotic trip hop romp "New Gold" features the tandem talents of Tame Impala and Bootie Brown to up the quotient. Bad Bunny brings a palpable Latin zest to "Tormenta." The collaboration with Beck, "Possession Island," is a decidedly gorgeous song with a soundscape complete with mellotron, synthesizer, vibraphone, pump organ and acoustic guitar providing the perfect musical backdrop for the song. Even in the absence of outside notables, the magic is fully on display; the trippy "The Tired Influencer," dance-minded "Baby Queen" and dreamy "Skinny Ape" reflect the sparkling joyfulness that immerse the listener across Cracker Island. Information: gorilla.com. 

Artist: Paul McCann
Title: Alter Ego (Kool Kat Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, Beck, Tom Petty, Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Tell me more: Paul McCann's new album Alter Ego is a beautiful and deeply affecting listen inspired by the Irish artist's emotions surrounding the death of his father in late 2018. The themes explored across the 12-track album include loss and love, with McCann extending his expert musical touch to other areas of grief including anger and confusion as well. Recording the album during the global pandemic was a challenge, but this singular moment in time also afforded McCann the opportunity to reach out to a number of legendary musicians to guest on the project; guitar great Jason Falkner (St. Vincent, Beck, The Grays), keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Beck, Air), Charlotte Hatherley (Bat for Lashes, Ash) and Gary Lucas (Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart) all guested on Alter Ego. The strong opener "The World Keeps Turning" offers up a melancholy-draped soundscape with layers of nuanced guitar and burgeoning vocal textures adding to the magic. The driving "Lost In This Moment" is an immediate connection; the alluring original blends reflective lyrics and a propulsive power pop sound that lures in the listener with a single listen. The lovely acoustic Baroque ballad "Love Is All That Matters" and explosive melodic rocker "Divide and Conquer" are other early standouts on the album. The funk-flavored "Where Has The Music Gone," elegant "Red River Run," ambitious "Call Off the Dogs," euphoric "Something Has Changed" and progressive closer "Weight of the Bow" impress on the disc's last half. Information: KoolKatMusik.com. 

Artist: Fringe Benefit

Title: Fringe Benefit (Kool Kat Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Power pop, Paul McCartney, The Hotshots
Tell me more: Fringe Benefit — a Dorset, England-spawned outfit whose self-titled debut was released via Capricorn Records in 1977 — is back again thanks to a newly-issued deluxe edition of Fringe Benefit by Kool Kat Musik. This writer was sadly unaware of the 45-year old gem until I heard the disc's soaring lead-off track "All In Vain" and was instantly hooked. The album's musical riches definitely extend beyond that timeless track; the tuneful Burt Bacharach-mining "Darling" and "Wanna Be With You," psychedelic blues-meets-prog rock foray "Was God an Astronaut," uptempo rootsy reading of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" and enchanting "Let A Light Shine" collectively make a compelling case for adding Fringe Benefit to your music library. The Kool Kat audio CD edition features four previously unreleased bonus tracks. Information: KoolKatMusik.com. 

Robert Kinsler

Music Worth Buying: Greta Van Fleet and Lake Street Dive

Watch the new episode of MUSIC WORTH BUYING where TJR and Robert Kinsler champion the latest albums from Greta Van Fleet and Lake Street Dive. Watch the episode HERE. 

Greta Van Fleet to release 'The Battle At Garden's Gate' tomorrow, April 16

Here is a media release about tomorrow's release of the new Greta Van Fleet album. I reviewed the album in my most recent column available HERE.

GRETA VAN FLEET’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED

THE BATTLE AT GARDEN’S GATE

OUT TOMORROW

 PERFORMS “HEAT ABOVE” ON

“JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!”

photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen

April 15, 2021—The highly anticipated sophomore album from Grammy Award-winning four-piece Greta Van Fleet, The Battle at Garden’s Gate, is out tomorrow, April 16, via Lava/Republic. Pre-order the album HERE, and more info on the album website HERE.

In celebration of the release the band performed the single “Heat Above” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last night; watch/share the performance HERE.

“The Battle at Garden’s Gate is about hope and overcoming the challenges that humanity faces,” says the band’s Sam Kiszka, “We live in a world powered by superficial institutions and this album is a reminder that it’s up to us to sing out of the silence.”

Producer Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Adele) adds, “Hearing these songs evolve into expansive soundscapes took me on an amazing journey. I love that they explored these complex song structures, and the band reached for chords, melodies and lyrics that stretch beyond the usual.  Most of all, I admire that Greta Van Fleet have stayed true to themselves.”

In addition to “Heat Above,” the cinematic album features the previously released tracks “Broken Bells,” “Age of Machine,” and #1 Active Rock Radio single “My Way, Soon.”  Rolling Stone raves that the band “aim to bust down old walls,” while UPROXX describes them as “electrifying.” MOJO hails “GVF are evolving here.” Watch the band perform “My Way, Soon” on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” HERE, and read the Kerrang! cover story HERE. 

The Battle at Garden’s Gate has an elegance unseen yet from the young band, with string orchestras, explorative songs, and the band building a visual story with every pre-release track through videos, merchandise, partnerships and more. The new album explores the boundaries of the group’s artistry and  reflects heavily on the individual members’ personal and spiritual growth during their rapid rise, going from touring the grimy rock bars of Detroit and Saginaw to headlining shows on five continents and selling over one million tickets in just three years. “There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had,” explains vocalist Josh Kiszka. “It’s reflecting a lot of the world that we’ve seen, and I think that it’s reflecting a lot of personal truth,” says guitarist Jake Kiszka.

“Certainly after this, we’ve grown in so many ways,” Josh explains. “This album has taught us a lot, about life in general, about ourselves, about all of us, about the world we live in.”

Forming in Frankenmuth, Michigan back in 2012, Greta Van Fleet consists of three brothers, vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist/keyboardist Sam Kiszka, as well as drummer Danny Wagner. Together they have performed across multiple continents, sold over two million albums worldwide, performed on “Saturday Night Live,” “The Tonight Show” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” topped the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts with their debut single “Highway Tune” in 2017, won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2019 for From the Fires and reached #1 on the Billboard charts with their debut full length Anthem of the Peaceful Army in 2018. To cap off the change-filled era, the quartet moved from Michigan to Nashville, immersing themselves in Music City's rich history.  

The band sold out of The Battle at Garden’s Gate double LP specialty vinyl on their store prior to album release, but some variations are still available while supplies last HERE.

THE BATTLE AT GARDEN’S GATE TRACKLISTING 1. Heat Above 2. My Way, Soon 3. Broken Bells 4. Built by Nations 5. Age of Machine 6. Tears of Rain 7. Stardust Chords 8. Light My Love 9. Caravel 10. The Barbarians 11. Trip the Light Fantastic 12. The Weight of Dreams

Greta Van Fleet shares ethereal new music video

Check out the super cool video / killer advance track ("Heat Above") from Greta Van Fleet's forthcoming album The Battle at Garden's Gate. Good to hear this; such a great song! Robert Kinsler

 

GRETA VAN FLEET SHARES
ETHEREAL NEW MUSIC VIDEO, "HEAT ABOVE"

View the video HERE

Greta Van Fleet presents a brand new music video for the song “Heat Above” from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate, produced by Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Adele) and due out April 16 (Lava/Republic Records).  According to the band:
 
“‘Heat Above’ is theatrical, eloquent, and exaggerated.  This is a dream in the clouds, a moment of peace in the storm.  Thematically, we are dead center in the cult of Heaven, surreal, strange, alive and free.”
 
The band debuted the song last week in an interview with Zane Lowe, who said, “You aren’t ever going to hear anything like this today and probably in the near future, Greta Van Fleet doing it like nobody else.”
 
The Battle at Garden’s Gate, has an elevated elegance unseen yet from the young band.  With string orchestras, explorative songs, and the band building a visual story with every track, it explores the boundaries of the group’s artistry.
 


ABOUT LAVA RECORDS
Lava Records is an artist-first label that offers the best of all worlds:  the attention and commitment of an indie and the global reach and capabilities of the world's largest music company through its partnership with Republic/Universal.  Originally founded in 1995 by Jason Flom, Lava has been the home to many multi-platinum superstars, Grammy winners, and critical darlings.  With a proud heritage and eyes fixed on the future, the label is now home to phenomenal artists including Greta Van Fleet, Hero the Band, Jessie J, and Lorde.

Greta Van Fleet, L-R:

Sam Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Jake Kiszka, Danny Wagner

Photo Credit:  Alysse Gafkjen

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS

A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Black Thought, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Lava Records, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (J Balvin and Karol G).  In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label's catalog and artists. Its first production was the Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.

Greta Van Fleet announces new single - listen now!

Nice to hear some more more new music from rising rockers Greta Van Fleet...Robert Kinsler

GRETA VAN FLEET ANNOUNCES  RADIANT NEW SINGLE, "HEAT ABOVE" LISTEN NOW Full Tracklist Revealed for Upcoming Album The Battle at Garden's Gate, due out April 16, 2021

L-R:  Sam Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Jake Kiszka, Danny Wagner Photo Credit:  Alysse Gafkjen LOS ANGELES, CA - Hot on the heels of "My Way, Soon," the band's fifth #1 single at rock radio, GRAMMY-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet today announces a dazzling new single, "Heat Above."  It is the third track released from the band's forthcoming sophomore studio album, The Battle at Garden's Gate, produced by Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Adele) and due out April 16 (Lava/Republic Records).  "Heat Above" is an ethereal track that opens with a Hammond B3 seeping in slowly to set the tone for a triumphant sonic build.  You can listen to the song HERE. The band first debuted the song with Zane Lowe on "The Zane Lowe Show" via Apple Music 1 in an interview where they discussed what it was like to work with a new producer, the personal growth they've seen over the last three years, and where in the world they've been in the extended downtime away from touring.  In addition, they are the featured artist on New Music Daily on Apple Music today. The band's upcoming album, The Battle at Garden's Gate, is a reflection of their journey into the present.  With string orchestras, explorative songs, and the band building a visual story with every track, it has an elevated elegance unseen yet from the young band.  It explores the boundaries of the group's artistry, with physical copies of the record featuring a stunning 16-page booklet full of mythical, transcendent visuals and metaphysical symbols for each track. "Heat Above" Single Art In three years, Greta Van Fleet - Josh Kiszka/vocals, Jake Kiszka/guitars, Sam Kiszka/bass & keys, and Danny Wagner/drums - went from touring the grimy rock bars of Detroit and Saginaw to headlining shows on five continents with audiences triple their hometown's population.  The band that once attracted crowds of teens to improvised forest concerts, have now sold over one million tickets worldwide. The twelve songs and symbols on The Battle at Garden's Gate were revealed this week and touch upon themes of freedom, self-empowerment, power in community, and respect for Mother Earth.   The Battle of Garden's Gate Album Cover Art   Complete track-listing: 1.  Heat Above 2.  My Way, Soon 3.  Broken Bells 4.  Built by Nations 5.  Age of Machine 6.  Tears of Rain 7.  Stardust Chords 8.  Light My Love 9.  Caravel 10. The Barbarians 11. Trip the Light Fantastic 12. The Weight of Dreams

Greta Van Fleet Official Website

The Bird and The Bee announce release of duo's first holiday music album

I had always hoped The Bird and The Bee might release a holiday album. Based on the two advance tracks, their own jazz-tinged "You And I At Christmas Time" and a artful rocking cover of "Little Drummer Boy" (featuring guest Dave Grohl) this will be one of the season's most festive releases...and couldn't we all use a little cheer in 2020? Robert Kinsler

THE BIRD AND THE BEE

ANNOUNCE FIRST HOLIDAY ALBUM

PUT UP THE LIGHTS

Out 10/23/20 Via No Expectations/ Release Me Records 

Release Original Track "You and I At Christmas Time" 

and 

"Little Drummer Boy (feat. Dave Grohl)"

Pre- Order Now

The Bird and The Bee are thrilled to announce Put Up The Lights, a collection of the duo’s favorite holiday songs alongside new and original compositions, due out October 23 via No Expectation/Release Me Records. Pre-order the album HERE. 

Since forming in 2005, The Bird And The Bee have brought a breezy elegance to their music, putting their own idiosyncratic twist on time-bending indie-pop starting with their beloved Again and Again and Again and Again EP followed by 3 original studio albums. The duo have also mastered the art of the cover song. This mastery can be heard throughout their amazing takes on timeless tracks on 2010’s Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates and 2019’s bombastic Interpreting the Masters Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen, both of which garnered critical acclaim. With Put Up The Lights, The Bird And The Bee aim to spread holiday cheer by putting their own spin on classics like “Deck The Halls” and “Sleigh Ride” alongside originals like “Merry Merry” and “You and I At Christmas Time”.

“I’m so happy it’s finally here,” stated Greg Kurstin. “We included some of our favorite holiday songs and wrote a couple of originals too. One of my favorite songs we wrote is “You and I at Christmas Time” which was written through email. I sent Inara the piano part and I was blown away by what she sang over it.”

While the idea for Put Up The Lights dates back to 2007, it wasn’t until they released Interpreting the Masters Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen in 2019 that they committed to making the album. And then the pandemic hit. While the delightful duo have historically worked together in the studio, the current state of affairs would not allow for that. Instead, Greg would send a track recorded in his home studio in between borrowed moments away from his kids. In turn, Inara moved her recording operation into a closet and recorded all of the vocals on Garageband in between borrowed moments away from her kids. 

“Working on a holiday record during summer is always strange, no matter what the circumstance,” commented Inara George. “But working on a holiday album during the summer, and a global pandemic, worldwide civil rights protesting, historical wildfires and the lead up to the most important election of our lives is really, really strange. Although, I have to admit, it felt like such a sweet little momentary escape singing “Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire…” all alone in my closet. It was a little respite from reality.”

The recording of Put Up The Lights became an unexpected source of calm and joy for the songwriters and gave light to the power of holiday songs. 

“Holiday songs give us such an escape from a time of year that is supposed to be so jolly and happy, but a lot of times can be so stressful and even lonely,” added Inara. “And even more universally, how music in general, always offers that to the listener… an escape, a moment of joy, a feeling of belonging. There’s a song out there for every occasion."

Put Up The Lights Tracklist: 1. You and I At Christmas Time 2. The Christmas Song 3. Sleigh Ride 4. Deck The Halls 5. Little Drummer Boy (feat. Dave Grohl) 6. Christmas Time Is Here 7. Merry Merry 8. Hallelujah Chorus

Follow The Bird and The Bee: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Liam Gallagher shares brand new track "Chinatown"

Make sure to check out the new track "Chinatown" (recorded live at Glastonbury) from Liam Gallagher...I love the live version of "Wall Of Glass" that you can see via the link below too.

Liam Gallagher shares song song titled "Chinatown"

Tracklisting Revealed For Debut Solo Album As You Were

New album set for release on October 6 on Warner Bros. Records/Parlophone

June 30, 2017 (Burbank, CA) - The return of Liam Gallagher gathered pace with a sensational show at Glastonbury last weekend. NME described it as "a swaggering, emotional moment," "worth the hype" and "one of Glastonbury's finest moments," before concluding, "never underestimate the man, he was made for moments like this."Between Glastonbury, his recent sold-out underplay tour of the U.K./Ireland, and an emotional performance at One Love Manchester, Liam Gallagher has demonstrated that he's back to his very best. Click here to view and share Gallagher's performance of "Wall Of Glass" from last weekend's Glastonbury performance. Click here to view and share an interview with Gallagher from Glastonbury.

Now Gallagher continues to build anticipation for the October 6 release of his debut solo album As You Were by sharing the brand new track "Chinatown" and revealing the album's tracklisting. Click here for single and album information.

In contrast to the punchy first single "Wall Of Glass," "Chinatown" is an atmospheric, psychedelic slow burner in which he utilises the more tender side of his inimitable vocal stylings. As a pairing, the two tracks hint at what to expect from As You Were, with Gallagher adding a modern sheen to his passion for a wide range of influences from the 60s and 70s.

After Gallagher ignited the writing process with the heavy duty soul-rock of "Bold," As You Were was recorded in two locations. Greg Kurstin performed all of the instruments on the four songs that he produced in Los Angeles ("Wall Of Glass," "Paper Crown," "Come Back To Me" and the psychedelic whoosh of "It Doesn't Have To Be That Way"), while Dan Grech-Margueratproduced the remainder of the album at Snap! Studios in London.

"I didn't want to be reinventing anything or going off on a space jazz odyssey," says Gallagher. "It's the Lennon 'Cold Turkey' vibe, The Stones, the classics. But done my way, now."

One of the most striking aspects of As You Were is that all the songs have a purpose. There's no flab, nothing to cut. They all feel directed at something or someone, setting the record straight or getting his side of the story over, be that the swinging, Bo Diddley-like "Greedy Soul," which incinerates someone who's the "ungrateful dead" or the mega-ballad "For What It's Worth," which serves up the album's biggest chorus.

The tracklisting for As You Were:

1. 1.      Wall Of Glass
2. 2.      Bold
3. 3.      Greedy Soul
4. 4.      Paper Crown
5. 5.      For What It's Worth
6. 6.      When I'm In Need
7. 7.      You Better Run
8. 8.      I Get By
9. 9.      Chinatown
10. 10.   Come Back To Me
11. 11.   Universal Gleam
12. 12.   I've All I Need

Bonus tracks on deluxe album editions:

1. 13.   Doesn't Have To Be That Way
2. 14.   All My People / All Mankind
3. 15.   I Never Wanna Be Like You

The As You Were cover features an iconic new portrait of Liam, which was taken by the influential photographer, fashion designer and creative director Hedi Slimane.

As You Were is now available to pre-order from https://l-gx.com/lg_asyouwere with "Wall Of Glass" and "Chinatown" provided as an instant download. It will be released on digital (standard and deluxe), CD (standard and deluxe) and vinyl (standard 12" and limited edition color 12" formats).

A special boxset is also available from https://wbr.ec/lg-store-dlxboxset. It compiles a color 12" vinyl of the album, an exclusive 7" format of "For What It's Worth," a print designed by Klaus Voorman (the artist behind The Beatles' Revolver album cover) and additional collectors' items.

As previously announced, Liam Gallagher and band will tour North America this fall:

Nov 13             San Francisco, CA        Warfield

Nov 18             Denver, CO                  Gothic

Nov 20             Minneapolis, MN           First Avenue

Nov 21             Chicago, IL                   The Riviera

Nov 23             Toronto, ON                 Rebel

Nov 25             Boston, MA                   House of Blues

Nov 27             New York, NY               Terminal 5

Nov 29             Washington, DC           Lincoln Theatre

Nov 30             Philadelphia, PA            Union Transfer

Joining Liam Gallagher on the road will be Jay Mehler on guitars, Mike Moore on guitars, Christian Madden on keyboards, Drew McConnell on bass, and Dan McDougall on drums.