New releases from acclaimed Australia legends The Church, singer-songwriter great Paul Rodgers, pioneering songstress Genya Ravan and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Doors are worth adding to your music library.
Title: The Hypnogogue (Deluxe) edition (Communicating Vessel)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cure, Interpol, Tame Impala
Tell me more: While The Hypnogogue is the 26th album release from The Church, it marks the band's first-ever concept album (a lyrically and sonically detailed dystopian tale set in 2054). The newly-issued deluxe edition of the album expands the initial February 2023 standard version of the LP with six additional tracks. The Hypnogogue (Deluxe) is truly an ambitious and stellar disc that finds singer-songwriter/bassist Steve Kilbey and company using their unique blend of modern, alternative, Neo-psychedelic and progressive rock styles to immerse the listener in the sumptuous journey across 19 tracks. They hypnotic rocker "C'est La Vie," shimmering "I Think I Knew," reflective title track, melodic "Aerodome" and luxurious "Realm of Minor Angels" (the latter is among the previously-unissued cuts on the expanded release) are among the immediately captivating tracks on the deluxe edition. More experimental tracks (notably "Succulent," "Antartica," "Second Bridge" and "A Strange Past") reward discerning listeners on repeated listens. The band's fall U.S. tour begins on Sept 28 in Seattle and includes upcoming dates in Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico; concertgoers who come out to the shows can also pick up a The Hypnogogue companion audio CD called Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars which features 15 brand new songs and will only be available at the merch table on the band's U.S. fall tour. Information: thechurchband.net.
Title: Midnight Rose (Sun Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bad Company, The Firm, Paul Rodgers, Queen + Paul Rodgers
Tell me more: One of rock's all-time great talents, Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, The Firm, Queen + Paul Rodgers) is back with Midnight Rose. The British-Canadian singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist's first new solo album since 1999's Electric, the eight-track Midnight Rose showcases that Rodgers voice remains a top-flight wonder at age 73. Rodgers' signature lead vocals shine on the blues-rock opener "Coming Home," the breezy folk-swept title track, Bad Company-styled rockers "Living It Up" and "Take Love," dazzling Renaissance mining "Dance In The Sun," affecting "Highway Robber" and ambitious closer "Melting," the latter casting a strong light on Rodgers' nuanced and artful touch as the song burgeons from a bluesy ballad into a bona fide rocker. Available on both vinyl and audio CD, Midnight Rose was produced by Cynthia Rodgers and Bob Rock; the album was recorded at Roper Recording and The Warehouse in British Columbia. Information: sunrecords.com.
Titles: "Urban Desire" and "...And I Mean It!" (BFD/The Orchard)
You might like if you enjoy: Joan Jett, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Sass Jordan
Tell me more: Groundbreaking rock songstress Genya Ravan's incredible legacy is celebrated via two terrific reissues available now via Bob Frank Distribution (BFD). Armed with a powerful soprano, Ravan's self-produced solo albums Urban Desire (1978) and its follow-up ...And I Mean It (1979) showcase her mighty vocals and shining blues-harp playing. The reissues also serve as the perfect introduction to an artist who deserves more recognition. Born Genyusha Zelkowitz in Poland in 1940, Ravan survived the Holocaust. In America, she forged a path in the male-dominated music industry — including forming the first all-woman rock band (Goldie & The Gingerbreads) in 1963 and subsequently one of the first rock 'n' roll horn bands (Ten Wheel Drive) in 1969. Urban Desire opens with the jubilant rocker "Jerry's Pigeons," with subsequent standouts on the album including the rollicking blues rock nugget "The Knight Ain't Long Enough," acoustic foray "Do It Just For Me," scorching take on The Supremes' "Back In My Arms Again" and rousing "Aye Co'lorado," the latter a wonderful duet with Lou Reed.
...And I Mean It features an equally strong track listing, which includes gems like the heavy blues sortie "Pedal To The Metal," punkish "It's Me," infectious New Wave-tinged "Love Isn't Love," genre-smashing rocker "I'm Wired, Wired, Wired" and her poignant duet with Ian Hunter ("Junkman"). Both albums are available on audio CD and via vinyl. Information: genyaravan.com.
Title: Live at the Matrix, 1967 (Rhino)
You might like if you enjoy: The Doors, Robby Krieger, classic rock
Tell me more: Anytime fans get treated to a new release featuring The Doors there is reason for celebration. The release of the Live at the Matrix, 1967 is truly one of the great audio titles of 2023; the limited edition 3CD box set features the complete and original recordings captured during the band's five-night engagement in March 1967 at the small San Francisco nightclub known as The Matrix. The recordings featured on Live at the Matrix, 1967 were taken from the first-generation 7-inch reels that captured singer Jim Morrison, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and drummer John Densmore just prior to their explosive emergence as one of the most successful and important rock bands of the late 1960s. Standout performances abound across the sets recorded by Peter Abram between March 7-11, 1967 that are featured on the box set. The band's first set on March 7, 1967 features a freewheeling and dynamic version of "Back Door Man," a previously unreleased take on the psychedelic rocker "My Eyes Have Seen You," a mesmerizing run through the Miles Davis-penned instrumental "All Blues" and potent 12-minute take on the classic "When The Music's Over." There are so many incredible moments to be heard across the three discs; a blues-drenched take on Willie Dixon's "Close To You," fiery version of the John Lee Hooker classic "Crawling King Snake" enhanced by Krieger's signature guitar work, the wistful "I Can't See Your Face In My Mind," Baroque pop-meets-blues ballad "The Crystal Ship," several powerful versions of "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" and a otherworldly performance of "Light My Fire" are just a few of the stellar cuts to be heard. Detailed liner notes written by Joel Selvin provide a comprehensive look at the inspired performances and what led The Doors to journey to San Francisco to appear at The Matrix just prior to their impending stardom. Production of the audio CD version is limited to only 21,000 copies worldwide. Information: thedoors.com.
Robert Kinsler
