Singles shine spotlight on forthcoming LPs

Just over two weeks into 2026, a number of highly-anticipated albums loom on the horizon. Here is a roundup of several advance tracks out now that shine a light on forthcoming high-profile album releases.

Artist: Jason Aldean
Song titles: "Her Favorite Color," "Easier Gone," "What's A Little Heartache" (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw
Tell me more: On Jan. 9, country music great Jason Aldean released not one, not two, but three advance tracks from his highly-anticipated album Songs About Us. All three of the outstanding cuts appear to foreshadow another top-tier release from the Macon, Georgia native. "Her Favorite Color" is an emotional love song painted with atmospheric sonics, Aldean's signature lead vocals and poetic lyrics that tap into romance celebrated against an American landscape. The bewitching duet "Easier Gone" features Aldean sharing lead and harmony vocals with his wife Brittany Aldean; the third song "What's A Little Heartache" is a decidedly modern track that blends dance, country and pop into its infectious run. Songs About Us will feature 20 new tracks, and will be available on April 24. Information: JasonAldean.com.

Artist: Mumford & Sons
Title: "The Banjo Song" (Glassnote Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Mumford & Sons, The Jayhawks
Tell me more: Those looking forward to hearing Mumford & Sons' forthcoming sixth album Prizefighter (due Feb. 20) are in luck; the band has just released the sumptuous new song "The Banjo Song." The song was co-written by Aaron Dessner and Jon Bellion, with the track's probing and hopeful message detailed via a luxurious mix of vocal harmonies and nuanced Americana musicianship. "The Banjo Song" follows the previously-issued introductory tracks "Rubber Band Man" and the album's title track. Information: mumfordandsons.com.

Artist: The Jack Rubies
Title: "Boat Rocker" (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: New Order, The Church, power pop music
Tell me more: One of many strong cuts pulled from the Jack Rubies' 21st century reunion album Visions In The Bowling Alley (due Jan. 23 via Big Stir Records), "Boat Rocker" is an upbeat cut that blends '80s indie rock with modern-day power pop. The driving cut recalls the magic of vintage New Order, but comes wrapped in the United Kingdom-based Jack Rubies' own postpunk pop soundscape first established during their 1980s and 1990s run on TVT Records. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Robert Kinsler and TJR discuss the life and legacy of Smiths bassist Andy Rourke

 

Robert Kinsler and TJR are featured on a new episode where they discuss the passing of Smiths bassist Andy Rourke. They discuss his legacy, and highlight some highlights of his influential career. Watch the video HERE.

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

Catching up on 2020: Morrissey, Other Lives, Lettuce, Elbow

In this column I feature a handful of essential 2020 titles I didn't get to last year but are definitely worth exploring.

Artist: Morrissey

Title: I Am Not A Dog On A Chain (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Morrissey, the Smiths

Tell me more: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is an adage that Morrissey smashes to pieces on his aptly-titled album I Am Not A Dog On A Chain. The iconic English singer-songwriter delivers a batch of songs that find his biting appraisal of humanity (including himself), emotional isolation and comedic jabs wrapped up in an expanded soundscape including touches of electronica, blues, soul and other styles new in his work on his 13th solo release. My favorite tracks are the propulsive electronica-rock opener "Jim Jim Falls," dreamy sarcasm-aimed "Knockabout World," reflective "Once I Saw The River Clean," uplifting "Bobby, Don't You Think They Know," the latter featuring Morrissey's signature baritone  blending splendidly with the voice of 74-year-old R&B great Thelma Houston. Information: MorrisseyOfficial.com.

Artist: Other Lives

Title: For Their Love (ATO Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Radiohead, Phosphorescent, DeVotchKa

Tell me more: Other Lives offers up melancholy amidst experimental moodscapes on its outstanding fourth album For Their Love. Band leader Jesse Tabish and company have returned for the first time since 2015's Rituals and the long wait has come with a spirited collection of songs that defy categorization while somehow bridging the art rock of Radiohead with winning alternative Americana of Phosphorescent. The soaring "Cops," edgy "Lost Day," symphonic opus "All Eyes - For Their Love," beautiful "Dead Language," and evocative "We Wait" are among the standouts on the 10-track album. Information: otherlives.com.

Artist: Lettuce

Title: Resonate (Round Hill Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Steely Dan, Tower of Power, Project Tru

Tell me more: Blending funk and jazz with a masterful touch, virtuoso six-member troupe Lettuce returned in early 2020 with the intoxicating Resonate. Delivering a mostly-instrumental serving of original tunes, the funky romp "Blaze," fiery "Good Morning Mr. Shmink," immersive "Mr. Dynamite," shimmering "Silence Is Golden" and soulful "Remember the Children" are among the killer cuts on the disc. Jungle Boogie and Big Tony guest on the grooving "Checker Wrecker"; later Indrajit  Banerjee adds his imaginative Sitar playing on the driving "Moksha." Information: LettuceFunk.com.

VINYL REISSUES

Artist: Elbow

Titles: Asleep in the Back; Cast of Thousands; Leaders of the Free World; Dead in the Boot (Polydor Records / UMC)

You might like if you enjoy: Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, Doves

Tell me more: I discovered Elbow when I caught the English band perform an incredible set at Coachella in April 2011. I subsequently caught the group's headlining performance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles later that year and am a true fan of Elbow's acclaimed discography. Led by lead singer and lyricist Guy Garvey, Elbow's sound is at once very familiar and very unique. Blending the sensibilities of prog rock greats such as Peter Gabriel-era Genesis and Porcupine Tree with the experimental craft of Radiohead, Elbow is one of rock's modern-day treasures. In addition to Garvey, the band includes Craig Potter (keyboards, piano, backing vocals), Mark Potter (guitar, backing vocals) and Pete Turner (bass guitar, backing vocals). Original drummer Richard Jupp was replaced by session drummer Alex Reeves in 2016.

Now Polydor Records has reissued Elbow's early albums on heavyweight vinyl and they sound amazing; the band's wonderful 2001 debut Asleep in the Back, impressive 2003 sophomore follow-up Cast of Thousands and seminal third disc Leaders of the Free World (2005) were issued on Sept. 25, 2020 and are worth adding to your collection. The additional good news is that this now means all eight of Elbow's full-length studio albums are on vinyl. In 2008, Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize for their fourth album The Seldom Seen Kid and they followed up that honor in 2009 by winning the Brit Award for Best British Group. Information: elbow.co.uk.

Robert Kinsler

Cruel World Festival to feature Morrissey, Bauhaus, Devo, Blondie and many more!

This news just in courtesy of Goldenvoice...

Saturday, May 2, 2020  The Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park

Today, Goldenvoice announced Cruel World taking place Saturday, May 2 at The Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, California. This one-day-only event will feature performances by Morrissey, Bauhaus, Blondie, Devo, The Psychedelic Furs, Echo & The Bunnymen, Violent Femmes and many more. Fans can access the Cruel World Fest presale code via the website, 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 Thursday, February 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) pacific time. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 14 at 12:00 PM pacific time. Prices start at $135.00 plus fees with payment plans also available at $19.99 down. More information available at www.CruelWorldFest.com.  ABOUT DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK Dignity Health Sports Park is southern California’s home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG Facilities, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. Dignity Health Sports Park features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,167-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, the five-time MLS Cup Champions. Dignity Health Sports Park is also home of the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) High Performance Training Center, the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and EXOS, an international training center for elite and professional athletes. For additional information, please visit http://www.dignityhealthsportspark.com. 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 the Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach, Santa Barbara Bowl, Great American Music Hall, Slim’s and Frost Amphitheatre. They also produce Arroyo Seco Weekend and Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. 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 1,400 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada plus recently adding North American tours to their growing list of accomplishments with K-Pop sensation, BLACKPINK. For additional info, please visit www.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

Morrissey unveils momentous collection of 1960s/70s classic covers; 'California Son' out May 24 on Etienne Records/BMG

Morrissey's next project sounds interesting to be sure!

MORRISSEY UNVEILS MOMENTOUS COLLECTION OF 1960/70s CLASSIC COVERS -- 'CALIFORNIA SON' OUT MAY 24th ON ETIENNE RECORDS/BMG

The Britpop icon’s latest will include performances with members of Green Day, The Regrettes, Grizzly Bear, Young the Giant, LP and more for the 12-song effort

Morrissey teases monumental collection with first track out today, the Roy Orbison classic “It’s Over” -- LISTEN HERE

Morrissey has returned, and he’s singing songs that made you cry and songs that saved your life. After last year’s “heartfelt” (Rolling Stone) cover of Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang” gave fans a taste of what was to come, Morrissey is releasing a highly-anticipated covers album California Son May 24, 2019 on BMG.

California Son traverses the sonic landscape of the 60s & 70s, covering untouchable luminaries like Joni Mitchell, Dionne Warwick, and Bob Dylan while also delving into more obscure musicians of the time, such as early gay icon Jobriath and political activist Phil Ochs. Paying equal tribute to the marginalized stars as he does household names—and taking on these covers with modern alt-rock royalty guests including Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear), Sameer Gadhia (Young the Giant), and LP — the record serves as a bridge between space, time, and rock music’s past, present, and future. 

In line with a career marked by environmental advocacy and a groundbreaking soundscape of jangly alt-rock melancholia, we see Morrissey playing to his strengths while pushing his sonic limits. The U.K. rocker conjures bombastic stadium anthems ( “Lady Willpower”), messages of environmentalist activism (“Days of Decision”), trip-hop psychedelia (“When You Close Your Eyes” with Petra Haden), and even dives into surf rock on the first track “It’s Over”, a heartbreaking cover of “The Caruso of Rock” Roy Orbison that interpolates church bells, castanets, and operatic vocals amid a sea of reverberated guitar accompanied by stirring operatic vocals courtesy of LP. The record, in short, showcases Morrissey doing what he has done best since his Smiths days: delivering harsh truths with a charming genteel.

"We love Morrissey! Morrissey's hair, and melancholy and poetic lyrics always reminded me of my dad. His version of “It’s Over” is great."  - Roy Orbison, Jr.

“When I would think of Morrissey and his music it was always with great respect and appreciation as I’m sure is the case with many of his fans. However, I soon realized when I hung out with him and he played me all the songs he was putting on this record that behind this was the heart of an audiophile and a deep fan of his own musical heroes. He is well versed in so many genres and knows deep cuts of artists I thought I knew so much about. It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm and intellect he brings to people through his own musical journey." – LP

PRE-ORDER ‘CALIFORNIA SON’ HERE

‘CALIFORNIA SON’ TRACK LISTING

1. Morning Starship (Jobriath) with Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear

2. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow (Joni Mitchell) with Ariel Engle of Broken Social Scene

3. Only a Pawn In Their Game (Bob Dylan) with Petra Haden

4. Suffer the Little Children (Buffy St Marie) 

5. Days of Decision (Phil Ochs) with Sameer Gadhia of Young The Giant

6. It’s Over (Roy Orbison) with LP

7. Wedding Bell Blues (The Fifth Dimension) with Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day & Lydia Night of The Regrettes

8. Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets (Dionne Warwick)

9. Lady Willpower (Gary Puckett)

10. When You Close Your Eyes (Carly Simon) with Petra Haden

11. Lenny’s Tune (Tim Hardin)

12. Some Say I Got Devil (Melanie)

SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. thrills in remarkable return at GRAMMY Museum

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. at the GRAMMY Museum
on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Photo: Robert Kinsler 

On Thursday night (May 17, 2018), acclaimed singer-songwriter-keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. headlined his first solo public performance in "a decade" at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles. 

Scott Goldman, the executive director of the GRAMMY Museum, interviewed Manning as part of  "The Drop," an ongoing series of live events held in the museum's Clive Davis Theater. The conversation delved into everything from Manning's childhood and influences (jazz piano, XTC, Elton John, Talking Heads, Thomas Dolby, Leon Russell and many more) to his early career as the co-founder of Jellyfish and his ongoing musical relationship with Beck (as a member of that multi-Grammy winner's touring band and contributing musician on a number of albums dating back to 1998's Mutations) as well as a myriad of projects that have utilized his talents as keyboardist, vocalist and arranger.

"I've been fortunate to accompany people of all kinds and styles," Manning said. 

Indeed, Manning's far-flung contributions include performing on Glen Campbell's 2008 masterwork Meet Glen Campbell, Cheap Trick's 2009 The Latest, Neil Diamond's 12 Songs, Interpol's El Pintor and even contributing orchestral arrangements to Morrissey's latest album Low in High School.

But it was clear from Manning's discussion of his return with new music (as well as the reissue of his first two solo albums The Land of Pure Imagination and Catnip Dynamite) that he was excited to be on stage again performing his own material.

"Realizing my own ideas from start to end; there is nothing more fulfilling to me," said Manning, noting he writes on piano and guitar because the two different instruments lead his songwriting in very different directions and that diversity is important to him. 



Many of the musical ideas on Manning's albums stretch back many years before they are finally completed in the studio. 

"Beck calls it 'Simmering'," Manning noted.

After the interview concluded Manning and his stellar four-man band performed a four-song set of original material touching off his newly-issued EP Glamping (available now via PledgeMusic) his 2006 solo debut Land of Pure Imagination and even a Jellyfish classic.

The players opened with the enticing new track "Operator," the first track off Manning's new Glamping EP. With its melodic structure and textured musical arc, "Operator" captures the sheer pop craft of which Manning is a master. Rooted in the power pop and melodic rock of the 1960s and '70s, Manning's songs featured at the GRAMMY Museum displayed just how successfully he has been able to both capture and expand the musical traditions of that early rock era. 

The next track was the second selection off Glamping, the more driving "Funhouse," a song that reminds me of classic Squeeze enhanced by the dazzling and wonderfully dizzying vocal harmonies of Queen. 

Third up was the title track off The Land of Pure Imagination, an ambitious gem that features Manning's poignant vocals, psychedelic sensibilities, a high-flying chorus and a just-right dose of progressive rock. 

Manning definitely pumped up the adorning crowd with his shining version of the classic Jellyfish track "That Is Why" off his former band's groundbreaking 1990 debut Bellybutton. 

It was sheer joy to be able to see Manning's career and talents celebrated at the GRAMMY Museum last night. Let's hope another decade doesn't pass before he is on stage again playing his own music. And in the meantime, be sure to pick up a copy of Glamping and catch him playing along with Jason Falkner in Beck's terrific band.

Robert Kinsler