New Music: Popular Creeps, Bird Streets, New Riders of the Purple Sage

Three terrific releases are featured in my column this week.

Artist: Popular Creeps
Title: All Of This Will End In Tears (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Strypes, The Replacements, The Plimsouls, Cheap Trick

Tell me more: Detroit-based rock outfit Popular Creeps has released the terrific album All Of This Will End In Tears, one of the last notable new releases of 2022. Popular Creeps' hybrid of melodic songcraft and garage rock bite proves to be a winning formula across the fast-moving 11-track disc. There is an immediacy heard on the straightforward "Black & Blue," "Gone By 45," and "Wait & See" that bewitches with a single listen. Elsewhere the jangly "Window" and "Split Decision," wistful "Keep It To Myself" (the latter enhanced by stunning guitar work including an extended solo to cap the song's rousing finale), countrified folk rocker "Wait Forever," punk rocker "Tear Me Apart" and emotional closer "Favorite Picture" add to the far-flung magic. The members of Popular Creeps (guitarist-vocalist Lenny Grassa, guitarist-vocalist Andrew Colvin, bassist Joe Heaphy and drummer Dave Nantais) have an obvious musical chemistry that is both impressive and palpable. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Bird Streets
Title: Lagoon (Sparkle Plenty Records/Deko Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Jason Falkner, Crowded House, Pugwash, Bird Streets' 2018 self-titled debut

Tell me more: Bird Streets — the moniker for singer-songwriter John Brodeur — is back with the ambitious Lagoon. An album of luxurious and literate songs aimed at "separation, rumination, regret and recurrence," the artistic scope of the dozen track collection is elevated by an incredible list of notable collaborators who guest on the project. Indeed, Brodeur's considerable talents as lead singer and guitarist are bolstered by the likes of Aimee Mann, Jody Stephens (Big Star), Ed Harcourt, John Davis, and Buddy Judge (The Grays) along with the production skills of Patrick Sansone (Wilco), Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple), and Zach Jones (Sting) and Oscar Albis Rodriguez (A Great Big World). While the initial recording of Lagoon spanned from the earliest sessions in Nashville in 2019 through time at Ardent Studios in Memphis in February 2020, the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 global pandemic ultimately found Brodeur turning to Los Angeles-based producer Lockwood to work on the project via remote technology for the home stretch. Each and every song on Lagoon hits its mark; the confessional opener "Sleeper Agent," emotive "The Document" (the latter one of the most striking breakup songs in memory), soaring "Let You Down," haunting "Leave No Trace" (featuring Davis' artful sitar playing), confessional "Disappearing Act" and Baroque pop sortie "Unkind" are among the wonderful songs on the masterful collection. Information: birdstreetsmusic.com.

Artist: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Title: Lyceum '72 (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Gram Parsons

Tell me more: A magical trip back 50 years awaits music fans who check out New Riders of the Purple Sage's Lyceum '72, a previously unissued opening set from the last night of the Grateful Dead's 1972 European Tour. New Riders of the Purple Sage — whose original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead —shine across the 17-track concert recording that was recorded on a 16-track machine by Dead engineers Betty Cantor, Janet Furman, Bob Matthews, Rosie McGee and Wizard. The quintet's take on country music is infectious and many of the selections here are familiar beyond the Americana genre. The rowdy "Hello Mary Lou," uptempo "Truck Drivin' Man," infectious "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)" and countrified take on The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" are among the wonderful tracks on the disc. Lyceum '72 is available on audio CD and digital with packaging containing photographs and a reminiscence from Sam Cutler, tour manager of The Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage.  Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Ambition displayed on new collections

A trio of releases all exploring the sounds of groundbreaking favorites are now available.

Artist: Mike Peters
Title: STREAM {Hurricane of Change} (LABEL HERE)
You might like if you enjoy: The Alarm, U2, The Waterboys
Tell me more: Poetic and poignant, STREAM  {Hurricane of Change} is an ambitious two-disc work from Alarm singer-songwriter Mike Peters. The 39-track collection is a mix of spoken word chapters and full-length songs, all chronicling the turbulent times and events of the late '80s that helped fuel the creation of that band's classic Eye of the Hurricane (1987), Electric Folklore (1988) and Change (1989) albums. The performances featured on STREAM are forceful to be sure, spanning from Celtic-tinged moments (notably on "A New South Wales" and "Irish Sea") and blues ("Shelter") to folk ("Rose Beyond The Wall," "World On Fire") and driving rockers ("Hallowed Ground," "Only Love Can Set Me Free"). Some of the Alarm's most beloved tracks are included and reworked as part of this concept work, with "Rescue Me" delivered as an introspective foray where Peters' voice is positioned amidst gospel vocals, piano and acoustic guitar. "Rain In The Summertime" is similarly re-imagined in a more folk rock-styled sonic setting. Peters' signature vocals sound as great as they did 30 years ago and his sense of purpose shines across the inspired autobiographical-minded set. Information: alarm.com.

Artist: Jack Russell's Great White
Title: Once Bitten Acoustic Bytes (Deadline Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Great White, Led Zeppelin, Greta Van Fleet
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Jack Russell revisits many of Great White's most beloved hits on the aptly-dubbed Once Bitten Acoustic Bytes, with his top-tier vocals taking center stage on the 10-track collection that pays tribute to Great White's 1987 classic LP. Armed with his powerful voice, Russell guides his band through acoustic-flavored material that simultaneously maintains a propulsive and bona fide rocking spirit. "Gonna Getcha" is bolstered by some fiery lead guitar work on an acoustic guitar, while "Rock Me" has a more playful bluesy vibe than the original recording of the favorite. My favorites on the album are the tender "Save All Your Love" and a first-rate mostly-faithful cover of the classic Led Zeppelin classic "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You." Joining Russell on this LP are the talents of guitarist Robby Lochner (who also produced the album), guitarist Tony Montana, bassist Dan McNay and drummer Dicki Fliszer. Once Bitten Acoustic Bytes is available via digital, on audio CD and via a limited-edition blue vinyl LP. Information: CleopatraRecords.com.

Artist: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Title: Field Trip (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Gram Parsons, the Grateful Dead, the Flying Burrito Brothers
Tell me more: The live recording of New Riders of the Purple Sage featured on Field Trip is a joyful trip into the past. Recorded on Aug. 27, 1972 on the site that now hosts the Oregon Country Fair, this was a wonderfully loose performance of a country-rock band sharing the bill with the Grateful Dead and giving its all. The 17-track performance provides a chance for the band to deliver uptempo countrified nuggets ("Truck Drivin' Man," "Hello Mary Lou"), tender ballads ("Linda," "Lochinvar"), blues-tinged rockers ("Groupie") and mid tempo gems ("Rainbow," "Whiskey"). The 2-LP title was produced by band historian Rob Bleetstein and contains liner notes penned by Ken Babbs last November. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.


Robert Kinsler

Masters featured on November titles

Some of music's most notable heroes and underground names have crucial new collections available now, or as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday celebration being held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019.

Artist: Beck
Title: Hyperspace (Capitol Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Beck, Radiohead
Tell me more: With modern rock no longer a major force in the mainstream, Beck has continued his transformation into the future with his genres-blending fourteenth studio album Hyperspace. Indeed, this is an album that sounds as if it was beamed back in time, dreamt up and recorded years from now. Beck's 2017 LP Colors was a commercial success, but lacked the far-reaching experimental and art rock flourishes that have marked so much of the Los Angeles-based artist's creative output dating back to the early 1990s. The 11-track Hyperspace is a move back in the right direction, thanks to the notable contributions of principal collaborator Pharrell Williams (who co-wrote and co-produced seven tracks on the disc), singer Sky Ferreira (heard on "Die Waiting"), guitar master Jason Falkner, keyboardist-singer Roger Manning, Jr., Coldplay singer Chris Martin (heard on the wonderful "Stratosphere"), and a cast of others. The majority of songs mine probing moodscapes with musical dexterity and emotional depth. The highlight on the album is the Americana-tinged disc closer "Everlasting Nothing," but the future of the sonic-sphere is heard more forcefully on the dreamy "See Through," luxurious "Chemical," blues/electronica/rap mashup "Saw Lightning," confessional "Dark Places" and undeniable single "Uneventful Days." Information: beck.com.

Artist: Tim Buckley
Title: Live at the Electric Theatre Co. Chicago, 1968 (Manifesto Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley
Tell me more: Although Tim Buckley died of a heroin overdose at the mere age of 28 in June 1975, he left an enduring legacy as a groundbreaking artist who explored folk, rock, blues, jazz fusion, funk and other styles over his short career. Fans of the late artist have been rewarded with the release of Live at the Electric Theatre Co. Chicago, 1968, a collection of 14 acoustic songs recorded over the course of a two-night stint at the venue in May 1968. Described in the liner notes as "works in progress", the selections are potent even when heard via this sparse forum where Buckley (on vocals and 12-string guitar) is backed by a bassist and conga player. The lovely "Sing a Song For You," haunting "Danang," a cover of the Helen Deutsch/Bronislaw Kaper co-write "Hi Lily, Hi Lo" (the latter bolstered by Buckley's high-reaching falsetto vocals), a terrific take of Johnny Cash's "Big River" and the intoxicating "Gypsy Woman" are highlights on disc one; his renditions of Fred Neil's "Dolphins" and "Looks Like Rain," as well as his own "Happy Time" and "The Father Song" shine on disc two. Live at the Electric Theatre Col. Chicago, 1968 includes liner notes about the Chicago shows along with remembrances from Buckley collaborators songwriter Larry Beckett and guitarist Lee Underwood. Information: manifesto.com.

Record Store Day's Black Friday Releases

Artist: Paul McCartney
Title: In A Hurry / Home Tonight
Tell me more: The swirling psychedelic-meets-Baroque pop gem "In A Hurry" and infectious "Home Tonight" are featured on a forthcoming Paul McCartney double A-side single set for release on Nov. 29, 2019 as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday. "In A Hurry" is the more interesting of the tracks, with its artful build and the use of creative background vocals and diverse instrumentation. The poppy "Home Tonight" recalls some of McCartney's '70s folk rockers and is as catchy as anything he has recorded in recent years. Fans of McCartney's 2018 Egypt Station will enjoy adding these memorable tracks to their library. An important note: only 12,000 copies of the 7-inch vinyl picture disc will be distributed worldwide at brick-and-mortar music retailers on Nov. 29; it will be very difficult to score a copy of the colorful single to be sure. Information: RecordStoreDay.com.

Artist: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Title: Thanksgiving in New York City (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: the Grateful Dead, Gram Parsons
Tell me more: Recorded live at the Academy of Music in New York City on Nov. 23, 1972, New Riders of the Purple Sage's Thanksgiving in the City should be on every music lover's Black Friday shopping list. The two-disc release serves as both a perfect introduction and an essential addition for those seeking to discover – or learn more – about the legendary American country psychedelic rock band. There is a winning spirit displayed across the recording, with great lead and harmony vocals and top-tier musicianship coming in the service of great strong country- and Americana-styled rock songs. The tender "Leaving on Her Mind," freewheeling take on the classic "Hello Mary Lou," lovely "Contract" and "Linda," a wistful cover of "Long Black Veil" and stylish reworking of the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" are among this writer's favorite tracks on the collection. Speedy guitar work courtesy of lead guitarist-vocalist David Nelson and pedal steel player Buddy Cage (as evidenced on "Henry") are among the draws on a terrific collection, but the nuanced work provided by rhythm guitarist-vocalist John Dawson, bassist-vocalist Dave Torbert and drummer Spencer Dryden add to the power of the New Riders of the Purple Sage's timeless sound. Information: OmnivoreRecording.com.

Editor's note: In addition to "Thanksgiving in New York City," Los Angeles-based Omnivore Recordings' other Record Store Day/Black Friday releases include the previously-unreleased  Alex Chilton cut "My Rival" (recorded in 1975 and engineered by Big Star co-founder Chris Bell) and a vinyl Christmas single from the Peter Holsapple Combo. 

Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Record Store Day, the global celebration of the culture of the record store, takes place annually in April. Record Store Day’s Black Friday event takes place on November 29, 2019. For more info, visit RecordStoreDay.com.

Robert Kinsler