New Music: The Zombies, Peter Case, The New Pornographers

The long-awaited return from The Zombies as well as new releases from acclaimed singer-songwriter Peter Case and indie rock heroes The New Pornographers make for an especially strong field of essential new albums released on March 31, 2023.  

Artist: The Zombies

Title: Different Game (Cooking Vinyl)

You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent

Tell me more: The Zombies have returned with the magnificent Different Game, the groundbreaking British band's first new studio album since 2015's Still Got That Hunger. Delayed by the arrival of the global pandemic — the band members had decided from the beginning of the process in 2019 after their well-deserved induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that they would record the songs together to capture the energy of their legendary live performances — Different Game continues to find the quintet conjuring up the magic of their past performances while embracing the future. The 10-track album's stellar track listing spans from the opening title track (a gorgeous Baroque pop gem that includes a lush instrumental finale), jazzy "Dropped Reeling & Stupid" (the latter bolstered by a particularly sophisticated organ solo from Rod Argent that segues into a marvelous turn showcasing guitarist Tom Toomey), the lovely ballad "You Could Be My Love" featuring Colin Blunstone's amazing tenor vocals and sumptuous rocker "Merry-Go-Round." Other standouts include the shimmering "Love You," the rousing blues-rocker "Got To Move On" and tender closer "The Sun Will Rise Again." The work of the Q Strings quartet (Laura Stanford, Ellie Stanford, Amy Stanford and Jess Cox) adds magic across the marvelous disc, notably on the aforementioned title track and "I Want To Fly," the latter where they provide the full accompaniment for Blunstone. Information: thezombiesmusic.com.

Artist: Peter Case

Title: Doctor Moan (Sunset Blvd. Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Warren Zevon, The Waterboys, Dr. John

Tell me more: Peter Case is back. The legendary singer-songwriter's 16th solo album Doctor Moan finds the top-tier artist tackling original material anchored by his piano playing — this is a departure from Case fronting modern rock favorites The Plimsouls in the late 1970s and '80s and subsequent solo career marked by more guitar-focused material. To be sure the 11-track Doctor Moan is a rich tapestry that serves the New York native's literate and compelling songcraft fully at every turn. Standouts abound on the 11-track disc; the uptempo jazz-tinged "Downtown Nowhere's Blues," absolutely beautiful "Eyes of Love," Dr. John-flavored "The Flying Crow" and reflective "Girl In Love With A Shadow"; "Wandering Days" is the lone guitar-anchored track and the breezy cut is another highlight on the album. In addition to his outstanding piano and acoustic guitar work, Case utilizes harmonica (in spades on the bluesy "Give Me Five Minutes More") and mellotron; the album also features the talents of Jonny Flaugher on electric and acoustic base, and Chris Joyner on B-3 organ. Information: PeterCase.com.

Artist: The New Pornographers

Title: Continue as a Guest (Merge Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, Beck, Gorillaz

Tell me more: The New Pornographers have returned with another batch of far-flung and stellar songs, proving ambition and evolution works wonders for the Canadian collective. Bandleader A.C. Newman along with Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancy, John Collins and Joe Seiders are exploring new sonic territory across their ninth studio album, having added a bit of rawness to their well-known melodic pop sheen (just listen to the urgent "Pontius Pilate's Home Movies"). The challenges of recording during the pandemic may have elevated the magic here; just listen to the soaring "Bottle Episodes," probing experimental-tinged title track, sweeping "Really Really Light," opulent "Marie And The Undersea" and genre-defying "Cat And Mouse With The Light." Information: TheNewPornographers.com.

Robert Kinsler

Coachella-bound Mavis Staples' new album 'Livin' On A High Note' out now

It is wonderful to see legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples getting so much well-deserved attention related to her new album, 'Livin' On A High Note,' available now. I caught Staples when she performed at Doheny Blues Festival in 2011 and she was fantastic; if you are going to be at Coachella, make sure to catch her on either Friday, April 15th or Friday, April 22nd...

Robert Kinsler

Mavis Staples performing at Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point
in May 2011. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

MAVIS STAPLES’ NEW ALBUM LIVIN’ ON A HIGH NOTE
OUT NOW

M. Ward Produced-Record Features Compositions by Nick Cave, Neko Case, Justin Vernon and More, Written for Mavis

MAVIS!, the first feature documentary on the singer, directed by Jessica Edwards, Premieres February 29 on HBO.

Mavis Staples enjoying herself (and thrilling
crowd) at Doheny Blues Festival in May 2011.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

It’s an electrifying time for Mavis Staples. Her much anticipated new album Livin' On A High Note has just been released to critical raves, she picked up her second Grammy Award earlier this week and a feature-length documentary on her life is poised to premiere on HBO on February 29.

The New York Times recently called Staples’ late-career creative output an “extraordinary productive streak” that reaffirms her  “lifelong messages — faith, family, freedom, honesty, perseverance — as she both reaches back to the sound of the Staple Singers and tries some new twists.” Rolling Stone writes, “Staples says she's entering a new chapter. The proof comes in the form of High Note. While the material on Livin' on a High Note draws on the personal and spiritual, there are a few tracks that harken back to the Staple Singers' protest songs.”

In the last few weeks Staples has been profiled by The New Yorker, The Chicago Tribune, Guardian, USA Today, Playboy, Newsweek, Paste, The Wall St. Journal and many more, all heralding a mix of spirituality, musicality and vitality that makes Staples a unique and transcendent figure in American music.

On the M. Ward-produced Livin' on a High Note, Staples performs an assortment of songs written for just for her by some of today’s greatest songwriters including Nick Cave, Justin Vernon, Neko Case, Ben Harper, Tune-Yards, Benjamin Booker, Aloe Blacc and others. As Newsweek writes, “she always followed the lead of her musician father, Pops, in her long career by staying open to change.”

“I’ve been singing my freedom songs and I wanted to stretch out and sing some songs that were new,” says Mavis. “I told the writers I was looking for some joyful songs. I want to leave something to lift people up.”

Early Acclaim For Livin’ On A High Note

"It takes some chances while bringing out the pleasure and righteousness of her singing.” - New York Times

"Mavis Staples takes her comeback higher still here.” - Rolling Stone

“Her voice has lost none of its ecstatic expressiveness…She can still swing low into a baritone range, and she can still soar into a churchly higher register. But really it’s the way she shapes her words that makes these songs so distinctive: The way she fawns over a word like "darling" makes you want to wrap the syllables around you like a warm blanket.” - Pitchfork

“This fine album reached way beyond the church” - Q

"After more than six decades in the spotlight, Mavis Staples is still one of music’s most soul-stirring voices.” - Garden and Gun

“The album feels stunningly fresh and cutting edge; expect to see it on some Top Ten lists later this year.”  Boston Globe