Concert review: Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Metric thrill in Phoenix

Garbage's singer Shirley Manson, left,
and drummer Butch Vig on June 11, 2023.

Who: Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Metric

Where: Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ

When: Sunday, June 11, 2023

Next: The North American Tour featuring Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Metric continues throughout June and July 2023

Information: Garbage.com

Review and photography by Robert Kinsler

Modern rock lovers were served a full night of stellar music making courtesy of winning sets from Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Metric at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix on June 11.

Emily Haines of Metric

Canadian indie rock quartet Metric opened the bill with a 40-minute set of original material that flawlessly blended synth-pop, alt rock and new wave; singer/keyboardist Emily Haines' distinctive vocals and James Shaw's atmospheric guitar stylings were featured amidst the solid rhythm work of drummer Joules Scott-Key and bassist Joshua Winstead.

A view of Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre at dusk.

The quartet's set was a wonderful introduction for many in the audience who likely were not yet familiar with Metric. The propulsive opener "Gold Guns Girls," melodic "Gimme Sympathy," hypnotic "Help I'm Alive" and bewitching "All Comes Crashing" were early favorites. The ambitious "What Feels Like Eternity" (from the band's wonderful 2022 album Formentera), new wave-flavored "Now or Never Now" with it's message about embracing the here and now, and exuberant closer "Breathing Underwater" all impressed. 

Noel Gallagher, second from left, with his High Flying Birds in Phoenix, AZ.

With every appearance Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds make an increasingly-strong case that a rumored Oasis reunion is not certain nor necessary. During his terrific 70-minute set in Phoenix, Gallagher and company showcased material off the newly-released album Council Skies as well as gems from Oasis (the band fronted by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher parted ways in 2009). The palpable power of the 13-track performance was anchored in Gallagher's riveting songwriting gifts as well as the stylish and gifted work of musicians and backup singers who rendered the material to life.

Stunning graphics and video images projected behind the troupe enhanced the power of the songs as well. From the dynamic opener "Pretty Boy" and soaring "Council Skies" to the Beatlesque "We're Gonna Get There In The End" and anthemic "Open The Door, See What You Find," this writer found the material from Gallagher's new album glorious. The parade of Oasis classics he played later in his set were offered with emotional and musical perfection; the acoustic reading of "The Masterplan," the dynamic ebb-and-flow arrangement of "Little by Little," and one-two punch of his crowd pleasing versions of "Live Forever" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" to finish the set were among the obvious highlights. 

Shirley Manson, left, with drummer Butch Vig.

Like Oasis, Garbage was one of the most original and important rock acts to emerge in the 1990s. Watching Garbage headline in June 2023 is to be fully reminded how timeless and groundbreaking the band was when they released their eponymous album in 1995. The band's lineup — Scottish singer Shirley Manson, multi-instrumentalist Duke Erikson, guitarist-keyboardist Steve Marker and drummer Butch Vig — has remained unchanged for 30 years and has continued to blend alternative rock, heavy electronica and post-grunge styles in ways that inspire and challenge.

Duke Erikson of Garbage.

Performing 16 songs over the course of 80 minutes, Garbage showcased material from across the band's glowing discography. Indeed, the outfit opened the night with the hard rocking "Supervixen" (the first song off their debut album), but an eclectic mix of hits, deep album cuts (notably the bonus track "#1 Crush" with Manson going into the audience during the song) and even a shining cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Cities in Dust" added to the night's magic.

Among the many standouts performed by Garbage was the funk-tinged "The Men Who Rule the World," reworked take on their 1998 hit "Special," driving "Bleed Like Me," blistering "Push It" and lavish reading of "Only Happy When It Rains" (the latter showcasing Manson's signature vocals). 

For an encore, Garbage dipped back to their 2001 album Beautiful Garbage for a delightfully crunchy pop track, "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go)."

Garbage Set List on June 11, 2023

Supervixen
#1 Crush
The Men Who Rule the World
Run Baby Run
Special
Wolves
Beloved Freak
Bleed Like Me
Cities in Dust (Siouxsie and the Banshees cover)
I Think I’m Paranoid
Stupid Girl
Push It
No Gods No Masters
Only Happy When It Rains
Vow

Encore:

Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)

New music: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Metric, Michael Vincent

In this column, I highlight several notable new releases as well as an essential album title I somehow overlooked upon its release in 2022.

Artist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Title: Council Skies — Deluxe Edition (Sour Mash Record)

You might like if you enjoy: Oasis, Blur, Johnny Marr

Tell me more: The Deluxe Edition of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' Council Skies is a true masterpiece; the marathon-length set runs approximately 100 minutes and includes 24 tracks — a mix of new studio recordings, instrumental versions, remixes and live radio sessions. Spectacular songcraft is at the heart of the collection, an uplifting listen even when Gallagher and company are captured amidst their most introspective and quiet forays (just listen to "There She Blows!" and "Don't Stop..."). The aptly-titled "I'm Not Giving Up Tonight" is anthemic with a rousing chorus and burgeoning arrangement that artfully builds across the song's bewitching run. The melancholy-mining "Dead To The World" showcases Gallagher's signature vocals (including his tender falsetto) in an especially plaintive offering. The glorious symphony-flavored "Open The Door, See What You Find" and "Trying To Find A World That's Been And Gone Pt. 1," soaring "Easy Now," Beatlesque rocker "Love Is A Rich Man" and reflective "Think Of A Number" are other gems on disc 1 of the set. The sumptuous melody-adorned "We're Gonna Get There In The End," genuinely inspired version of John Lennon's "Mind Games," a Robert Smith-remix of "Pretty Boy" and live radio station performance of Bob Dylan's "You Ain't Going' Nowhere" are among the riches on disc 2. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is currently on tour with Garbage and Metric; the tour includes upcoming stops at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on June 9, at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in San Diego on June 10, and at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ on June 11. Information: noelgallagher.com.

Artist: Metric

Title: Formentera (Metric Music Intl. / Thirty Tigers)

You might like if you enjoy: The Album Leaf, Broken Social Scene, Chvrches, synthpop, indie rock

Tell me more: This writer somehow missed getting a listen of Formentera upon its official release in July 2022, but with Metric headlining at Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 (as well as at a number of larger venues opening for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Garbage), I wanted to catch up on the Toronto, Canada-spawned quartet's latest album now. The eighth studio release from Metric, the nine-track album challenges and rewards the listener at every turn. The ambitious electronica track "Doomscroller" — which clocks in at more than 10 minutes — is a particularly effective track, beginning with a haunting vibe before launching into a propulsive dance soundscape and then touching on other distinct sonic moodscapes along its creative path (including a piano-anchored break where Emily Haines' wonderful soprano is purposefully poignant). The immersive "All Comes Crashing," entrancing indie rocker "What Feels Like Eternity," symphonic-swept "Enemies of the Ocean" and ascending closer "Paths in the Sky" make for a magical and welcome introduction to the stellar talents of Haines (lead vocals, synthesizers, guitar), James Shaw (guitar, synthesizers, theremin, backing vocals), Joshua Winstead (bass, synthesizers, backing vocals) and Joules Scott-Key (drums, percussion). Information: ilovemetric.com.

Artist: Michael Vincent

Title: Electric Fox (Angel Blossom Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Warren Zevon, Joey Molland, Snow Patrol

Tell me more: Michael Vincent's new album Electric Fox (released on May 26, 2023) is a fitting showcase for the Bay Area-based singer-songwriter, with the veteran artist exploring a wide range of styles including alt rock, power pop, blues and roots across the 8-track disc. Vincent's stirring style works well on the inviting folk rocker "Together," uptempo indie rocker "Fool, My Eye" (the latter featuring great lead guitar work from Scott Warren), melodic power pop nuggets "Last Summer" and "Living Room," tender romantic sortie "In a Whisper" and crunchy modern rocker "(Kinda Like) Forever." Information: michaelvincentmusic.com.

Robert Kinsler

Noel Gallagher Gibson J-150, Noel’s go-to acoustic guitar for more than 20 years, available worldwide now on Gibson.com

Check out news on famed singer-songwriter/guitar great Noel Gallagher...Robert Kinsler 

Gibson: Announces Noel Gallagher Gibson J-150 Acoustic Noel’s Go-To Acoustic Guitar For Over 20 Years, Available Worldwide Now www.gibson.com

Above: Noel Gallagher with his Gibson J-150. Photo credit: Jill Furmanovsky. Watch the new Noel Gallagher interview: HERE.   NASHVILLE, TN (June 22, 2021) For 127 years, Gibson has shaped sound across generations and genres and has emerged as the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brand around the world. Gibson is proud to announce it has teamed with world renowned singer, songwriter and guitarist, Noel Gallagher to re-create his beloved Gibson J-150 acoustic guitar. The Noel Gallagher Gibson J-150 has been Noel’s go-to acoustic guitar for over 20 years and is available worldwide now at: www.gibson.com.    “When Gibson brought the prototype down and I saw it there on the floor I was like ‘It looks the bollocks man,’ but then it sounded exactly like mine,” says Noel Gallagher. “I was blown away!”    “Noel Gallagher’s music not only defined a generation, but it also became the foundation to a way of life for many around the world,” says Lee Bartram, EU Head of Marketing at Gibson Brands. “Truly great music has the capability to transport you to a moment in your life…a snapshot in time, one of life’s reference points. Noel’s music does that for millions who listen to his songs and travel to somewhere else, somewhere they believe they can be a rock n’ roll star… even if it’s for that briefest of moments. It’s been an honor to work with such an iconic artist and bringing this project to life is a small token of thanks for that music… and the belief that comes with it.”   Since first making an appearance in the promo video for the classic Oasis song “Little By Little,” the Gibson J-150 has not left Noel’s side and has been seen and heard by audiences around the globe. Gibson is proud to launch a limited run of 200 pieces of Noel’s go-to acoustic guitar with features including an AA maple back and sides and a premium Sitka spruce top all complemented by a hand-rubbed Historic Thin finish. Along with a custom case, signed label, and reproduced hand-written lyric sheet, the Noel Gallagher Gibson J-150 guitar will also include an authorized adidas Trefoil Decalresulting in a guitar that is truly Familiar to Millions.   Watch the new interview with Noel Gallagher re his Gibson J-150: HERE.

Above: the new Noel Gallagher Gibson J-150.   For more than 25 years, Noel Gallagher has been at the forefront of British music and has established himself as one of the world’s most prolific songwriters and performers. As main songwriter, lead guitarist, and occasional lead vocalist of British band Oasisand fronting Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Gallagher has played a tremendous role in shaping British Rock music from the 90’s onwards.    Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds first emerged in 2011 with their eponymous album released in October of that year. The album went double platinum in the UK and has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. By the time a second album was due for release, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds had already played 150 live shows in 32 different countries.  The second album Chasing Yesterday was released in March 2015 - the first album to be produced as well as written by Noel, who followed it up with another 122 shows in 28 countries.

Above: Noel Gallagher. Photo Credit: Sharon Latham.   A third album Who Built The Moon? was recorded in sessions spanning two years with renowned producer, DJ and composer David Holmes in Belfast and London. Chasing Yesterday (2017) debuted in the UK at No 1, making it a hat trick of No. 1 albums for Noel.   Who Built The Moon? was also a record-breaking, 10th consecutive chart-topping studio album in the UK for Noel – no other artist has achieved such a feat.   Live appearances continued throughout 2019 with a host of headline festival dates and tours of the USA and Australia with Smashing Pumpkins and U2 respectively. Release wise, Noel has once again challenged industry norms by releasing a series of multi-genre EP’s over the course of 2019 and 2020. In March 2020, he released the 5-song EP Blue Moon Rising featuring the single “Wandering Star” and two title track remixes. In December 2020, Noel released the demo “We’re Gonna Get There In The End.” On June 11, 2021, the ‘best of’ album Back The Way We Came: Vol1 (2011 – 2021) celebrating 10 years of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was released.   Noel Gallagher: NOEL GALLAGHER.COM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | AMAZON MUSIC   Gibson:   GIBSON.COM | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | GIBSON TV   Epiphone:   EPIPHONE.COM | TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  | FACEBOOK  | YOUTUBE   Kramer:   KRAMERGUITARS.COM | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE   MESA/Boogie:   MESA/BOOGIE.COM  | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK  KRK:   KRKMUSIC.COM | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE     About Gibson: Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 127 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, and KRK, behind great music for over 30 years. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at Gibson.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Gibson TV, and Instagram.

Sights and Sounds: Def Leppard, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Danny Elfman, Varèse Sarabande soundtracks

This month has seen a slew of recommended releases and special collections. Here is a recap of some of the latest high-profile titles available now...Robert Kinsler 

DEF LEPPARD RELEASE LIMITED EDITION BOX SET

‘DEF LEPPARD - VOLUME THREE’

AVAILABLE NOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(LOS ANGELES, CA) Today, legendary British rock ‘n’ roll icons and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees Def Leppard will release Def Leppard – Volume Three, a new limited edition box set UMe/Virgin. 

 

This set marks the third of four volumes of the band’s complete recorded output in both 180gm vinyl and limited-edition CD box sets. They contain all the recordings from the band in the 2000’s and features the original packaging on both formats. To date, X, Yeah! and Songs from the Sparkle Lounge have never been available on vinyl before.

  

The albums were mastered by Ronan McHugh and Joe Elliott at Joe’s Garage with assistance from Andy Pearce and cut by Greg Moore. Housed in rigid boxes the sets also contain a hard-backed book with rare photos by Ross Halfin and notes by Classic Rock Magazine’s Paul Elliott. Band members Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell have also contributed to the set.

 

Def Leppard – Volume Three features 2002’s X, which was the groups sixth consecutive Top 20 record on the Billboard 200 chart and features songs such as “Now,” “Four Letter Word” and “Long Long Way to Go”, 2006’s Yeah!, the band’s first covers album featuring a collection of the groups favorite tracks re-recorded with the iconic Leppard sound, this is the first time this album will be available on vinyl. Also Def Leppard’s tenth studio album Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, released in 2008 the record marked the bands return to their signature sound and hitting the Top 10 both sides of the Atlantic, the album included the hit single “Nine Lives” which featured GRAMMY® Award winning country legend Tim McGraw.

 

Also included are B-Sides, Yeah! Studio Covers and Yeah! Live.  These albums have specially been compiled by Joe Elliott for this limited-edition release. B-Sides contains a rare compilation of B-sides that have never appeared on vinyl before. Yeah! Studio Covers includes some never before released on vinyl covers, Yeah! bonus disc exclusive release tracks and a compilation of the various covers recorded by the band over their career. Yeah! Live is a compilation of live recordings of covers by the band which include both tracks from 2006’s Yeah!, as well as previously unreleased live tracks from the past 30 years.

 

6-CD Box Set

X

1. Now 
2. Unbelievable  
3. You’re So Beautiful
4. Everyday 
5. Long, Long Way to Go
6. Four Letter Word
7. Torn to Shreds
8. Love Don’t Lie 
9. Gravity
10. Cry
11. Girl Like You
12. Let Me Be the One
13. Scar

 

YEAH!

1. 20^TH Century Boy 
2. Rock On 
3. Hanging on the Telephone
4. Waterloo Sunset
5. Hell Raiser
6. 10538 Overture
7. Street Life
8. Drive-In Saturday
9. Little Bit of Love
10. The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll
11. No Matter What
12. He’s Gonna Step on You Again
13. Don’t Believe A Word
14. Stay with Me

 

SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE 

1. Go 
2. Nine Lives
3. C’mon C’mon
4. Love
5. Tomorrow
6. Cruise Control
7. Hallucinate
8. Only the Good Die Young
9. Bad Actress
10. Come Undone
11. Gotta Let it Go

 

B-SIDES

1. Now – (Radio Edit) (B-Side – Now)
2. Long Long Way to Go (Radio Edit) (B-Side – Long Way To Go)
3. Kiss the Day (X – Japanese Bonus Track)
4. 10 X Bigger Than Love (B-Side - Long Way to Go) 
5.  Love Don’t Lie – B-Side – Now (Demo)
6. Let Me Be the One – B-Side – Now (Demo) 
7. Gimmie A Job – B-Side – Long Long Way to Go
8. Now – B-Side – Long Long Way to Go (Live Acoustic Version)
9. Long Long Way to Go – Limited Edition Bonus Track (Stripped Version)
10. Nine Lives – Joe Only Vocal Version 
11. Perfect Girl – Website Exclusive (Phil Collen Demo)
12. Love – Piano Version

 

YEAH! STUDIO COVERS

1. Only After Dark – B-Side – Let’s Get Rocked
2. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – B-Side – Have You Needed Someone So Bad
3. Little Wing – B-Side - Have You Needed Someone So Bad
4. Ziggy Stardust – B-Side - Slang
5. Under My Wheels – B-Side - Goodbye
6. Who Do You Love? – B-Side - Goodbye
7. Rebel Rebel – B-Side - Now
8. Led Boots – B-Side – All I Want is Everything
9. Cause We Ended as Lovers – B-Side – All I Want is Everything
10. Search and Destroy – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 
11. How Does it Feel - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive (iTunes Exclusive)
12. Roxanne – Phil’s Demo (Previously Unreleased)
13. Dear Friends – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 
14. Winter Song – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive
15. American Girl – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive
16. Heartbeat – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive
17. Space Oddity – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive
18. When I’m Dead and Gone – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive
19. Stay With Me – B-Side Now

 

YEAH! LIVE

1. Elected - B-Side Heaven Is
2. Action – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 
3. No Matter What – Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 
4. Rock On – Live 2006
5. Travellin’ Band – Radio Edit (Previously Unreleased)
6. Now I’m Here – B-Side Tonight
7. 20^th Century Boy – 2005 VH1 Rock Awards (Previously Unreleased)
8. All The Young Dudes – Once Bitten Twice Shy Exclusive Track 

 

9-LP Box Set

DISC ONE – X

 

SIDE ONE

Now

Unbelievable

You're So Beautiful

Everyday

Long Long Way to Go

Four Letter Word

Torn to Shreds

 

SIDE TWO

Love Don't Lie

Gravity

Cry

Girl Like You

Let Me Be the One

Scar

 

DISC TWO & THREE – YEAH!

 

SIDE ONE

20th Century Boy

Rock On

Hanging on The Telephone

Waterloo Sunset

 

SIDE TWO

Hell Raiser

10538 Overture

Street Life

Drive-In Saturday

 

SIDE THREE

Little Bit of Love

The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll

No Matter What

 

SIDE FOUR

He's Gonna Step on You Again

Don't Believe A Word

Stay with Me

 

DISC FOUR – SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE

 

SIDE ONE

Go

Nine Lives 

C'mon C'mon

Love

Tomorrow

 

SIDE TWO

Cruise Control

Hallucinate

Only the Good Die Young

Bad Actress

Come Undone

Gotta Let It Go       

 

 

DISC FIVE & SIX – B-SIDES

  

SIDE ONE

Now – (Radio Edit) (B-Side - Now)

Long Long Way to Go (Radio Edit) (B-Side – Long Way To Go)

Kiss the Day – (X - Japanese Bonus Track)

 

SIDE TWO

10 X Bigger Than Love (B-Side - Long Way to Go )

Love Don't Lie - B-Side Now (Demo)

Let Me Be the One - B-Side Now (Demo)

 

SIDE THREE

Gimme A Job - B-Side - Long Long Way to Go 

Now - B-Side - Long Long Way to Go (Live Acoustic Version)

Long Long Way to Go - Limited Edition Bonus Track (Stripped Version)

 

SIDE FOUR

Nine Lives - Joe Only Vocal Version

Perfect Girl - Website Exclusive (Phil Collen Demo)

Love - Piano Version

 

 

DISC SEVEN & EIGHT – YEAH! STUDIO COVERS

 

SIDE ONE

Only After Dark - B-Side - Let’s Get Rocked

You Can’t Always Get What You Want - B-Side Have You Needed Someone So Bad

Little Wing - B-Side Have You Needed Someone So Bad

Ziggy Stardust - B-Side – Slang

 

SIDE TWO

Under My Wheels - B-Side - Goodbye

Who Do You Love? - B-Side - Goodbye

Rebel Rebel - B-Side - Now

Led Boots - B-Side - All I Want is Everything

Cause We Ended as Lovers - B-Side - All I Want is Everything

 

SIDE THREE 

Search and Destroy - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

How Does It Feel - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive (iTunes Exclusive)

Roxanne - Phil's Demo (Previously Unreleased)

Dear Friends - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

Winter Song - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

 

SIDE FOUR 

American Girl - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

Heartbeat - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

Space Oddity - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

When I'm Dead and Gone - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

Stay with Me - B-Side Now 

 

DISC NINE – YEAH! LIVE

  

SIDE ONE

Elected - B-Side Heaven Is

Action - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

No Matter What - Yeah! Bonus Disc Exclusive 

Rock On - Live 2006

 

SIDE TWO  

Travellin' Band - Radio Edit (Previously Unreleased)

Now I'm Here - B-Side Tonight

20th Century Boy - 2005 VH I Rock Awards (Previously Unreleased) 

All the Young Dudes - Once Bitten Twice Shy Exclusive Track 

 

 

LP BOX SET

 

LP SET ONE: X

LP SET TWO: Yeah! (2-LP)

LP SET THREE: Songs from the Sparkle Lounge

LP SET FOUR: B-Sides (2-LP)

LP SET FIVE: Yeah! Studio Covers (2-LP)

LP SET SIX: Yeah! Live

 

CD BOX SET

 

DISC ONE: X

DISC TWO: Yeah!

DISC THREE: Songs from the Sparkle Lounge

DISC FOUR: B-Sides

DISC FIVE: Yeah! Studio Covers

DISC SIX: Yeah! Live

 

DEF LEPPARD 

With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, two prestigious Diamond Awards in the U.S., 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees, Def Leppard – Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick "Sav" Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar) and Rick Allen (drums) — continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career the band has produced a series of classic ground-breaking albums that set the bar for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group’s spectacular live shows and arsenal of hits have become synonymous with their name, leading Def Leppard to be heralded as an institution in both the music and touring industry. Def Leppard’s influential career includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums—including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria, capturing the group’s legendary tracks, bringing together classic Leppard hits such as “Rock of Ages,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Foolin.” The band’s 2015 self-titled studio album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums and Top Independent Albums charts. The album also took the No. 5 spot on Billboard’s Top Current Albums and No. 10 spot on the Top 200, as well as claiming 15 top 10 debuts around the world.  For the first time, in January 2018 Def Leppard debuted their full recording catalog worldwide via streaming and download platforms. As they did with the original release of their records, Def Leppard dominated the worldwide charts again.  Chart stats saw their albums charting in the iTunes Top 10 in more than 30 countries, including Hysteria at No. 3 in the U.S., and No. 5 in the U.K.  Def Leppard had the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 records on the U.S. catalog albums chart. 

 

FOLLOW DEF LEPPARD

www.defleppard.com

www.facebook.com/defleppard

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www.instagram.com/DefLeppard

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NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS  RELEASE BEST OF ALBUM  BACK THE WAY WE CAME: VOL 1 (2011-2021) NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS TO APPEAR ON CBS THIS MORNING: SATURDAY AND THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have released Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021), a definitive 18 track "best of" package, and a timely reminder of the breadth and depth of songs from the first decade of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. To mark the occasion, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will be appearing on CBS This Morning: Saturday, for Saturday Sessions on June 12th and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on June 17th.  Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021) features the band’s two most recent releases, “Flying On The Ground” and “We’re On Our Way Now.” The tracks were accompanied by music videos directed by Dan Cadan and Jonathan Mowatt for Rankin, both of which were inspired by French New Wave cinema. Curated and compiled entirely by Noel, the tracklisting of Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021) encompasses songs from High Flying Birds’ three UK Number One albums (Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Chasing Yesterday and Who Built The Moon?) and the three acclaimed EPs (Black Star Dancing, This Is The Place and Blue Moon Rising).  Since establishing Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds post the legendary success of Oasis, Gallagher has never sat still creatively. He’s mastered the art of embracing an instinctive sonic evolution and creative freedom whilst never neglecting the songcraft. From the New Orleans brass powered blast of debut single “The Death Of You And Me” to the self-produced psych-pop and space bound experimentation of Chasing Yesterday and the disco saturated, sonic veer of Who Built The Moon? at the hands of renowned producer David Holmes and the subsequent EP releases, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have proven time and time again to be unshackled by genre and expectation. That Gallagher has so successfully married this bold and blistering approach with huge commercial success (over 2.4 million albums sold internationally with three UK Number One albums - marking a record breaking ten UK consecutive Number One studio albums across his career), coupled with relentless touring globally, is testament to Gallagher’s unerring ability to marry lazer guided melodies and fearless creativity. Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021) is available now on the following formats: Standard 2 CD Deluxe 3 CD Double heavyweight LP Formats Limited edition Deluxe Box Set including set of deluxe vinyl, etched 7” plus 12” coffee table photo book with deluxe CD set Online store exclusive - Double LP picture disc and cassette   Listen to Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021) https://noelgallagher.lnk.to/btwwcpr   Tracklisting:   Disc 1 1. Everybody’s On The Run 2. The Death Of You And Me 3. AKA … What A Life! 4. If I Had A Gun … 5. In The Heat Of The Moment 6. Riverman 7. Lock All The Doors 8. The Dying Of The Light 9. Ballad Of The Mighty I 10. We’re On Our Way Now   Disc 2 1. Black Star Dancing 2. Holy Mountain (Remastered) 3. A Dream Is All I Need To Get By 4. This Is The Place 5. It’s A Beautiful World 6. Blue Moon Rising 7. Dead In The Water (Live At RTÉ 2FM Studios, Dublin) 8. Flying On The Ground   Bonus Disc 1. It’s A Beautiful World (Instrumental) 2. If I Had A Gun … (Acoustic Version) 3. Black Star Dancing (Skeleton Key Remix) 4. Black Star Dancing (12” Mix Instrumental) 5. The Man Who Built The Moon (Acoustic Version) 6. International Magic (Demo) 7. Blue Moon Rising (Sons Of The Desert Remix) 8. The Dying Of The Light (Acoustic Version) 9. This Is The Place (Skeleton Key Remix) 10. This Is The Place (Instrumental) 11. Black Star Dancing (The Reflex Revision) 12. Be Careful What You Wish For (Instrumental)   https://www.noelgallagher.com/ // https://www.facebook.com/noelgallaghermusic/ // https://www.instagram.com/themightyi/ // https://twitter.com/NoelGallagher

INNOVATIVE COMPOSER DANNY ELFMAN RELEASES  NEW DOUBLE ALBUM ‘BIG MESS’ TODAY, LISTEN HERE ELFMAN’S FIRST SOLO ALBUM IN THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS LISTEN TO ELFMAN’S CAREER-SPANNING  ‘WTF WITH MARC MARON’ INTERVIEW

Credit: Sarah Sitkin

ELFMAN TO PERFORM LIVE-TO-FILM ‘NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ CONCERT EXPERIENCE AT LA’S BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM ON OCTOBER 29 After releasing a series of singles and videos over the past few months, renowned composer Danny Elfman is releasing his new double album Big Mess today, his first solo record in thirty-seven years. “I knew from the start that this wasn’t going to be a neat, easy-to-categorize record,” says Elfman. “It was always destined to be this crazy cacophony, because that’s who I am. The Big Mess is me.” Listen to the album HERE.  Big Mess was almost entirely created spontaneously during quarantine in 2020. It began as an experiment Elfman had been considering which combined aggressive rock band and orchestral strings in a way that had not been heavily explored. “Once I began writing,” he explained, “It was like opening a Pandora’s box and I found I couldn’t stop. None of it was planned. I had no idea how many songs I would write but from the start it quickly became a 2-sided project with heavily contrasting and even conflicting tones.” Clocking in at 18 tracks, the sprawling, ambitious double album finds the 4x Oscar nominated, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer breaking bold new ground as both a writer and a performer. He is joined on the album by drummer Josh Freese (Devo, Weezer, The Vandals), bassist Stu Brooks (Dub Trio, Lady Gaga, Lauryn Hill), and guitarists Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses) and Nili Brosh (Tony MacAlpine, Paul Gilbert). The songs on Big Mess combine both harmonically complex arrangements and simple high energy driving music with biting, acerbic wit as they reckon with the chaos and confusion of the modern world. And while the anger, frustration, and isolation of it all is palpable in his delivery, Big Mess is about more than simply blowing off steam. In making the space to truly sit with his emotions and write without limitations, Elfman achieved a kind of artistic liberation on the record that had been eluding him for decades, rediscovering his voice and reinventing himself all at once in the process. Album opener “Sorry” showcases that frenetic electricity, with driving strings and swirling vocals giving way to bruising drums and snarling guitar. Like so much of the record, the song is eerily off kilter, full of unsettled tension that threatens to explode at any moment. The sardonic “Happy” twists an upbeat pop melody into a bitter social commentary, while the searing “Love In The Time Of COVID” taps into the simmering angst of life under lockdown, and the slow burning “True” faces down hopelessness and despair head on. And a reworked Oingo Boingo song, “Insects”, transforms itself into a meditation on the greed and sickness of the American ruling class. Elfman’s vocals are gritty and growling here, and his raw unfiltered delivery only adds to the emotionally charged atmosphere.  “I hadn’t really sung anything as myself in 25 years,” he explains, “and to my surprise, I found that I could do things now that I couldn’t have done when I was younger. It was like discovering I had a whole new voice.” This fall, Elfman will return to the stage as Jack Skellington with a live-to-film concert experience of Disney’s timeless holiday classic “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas”. Taking place on October 29 at Los Angeles’s Banc of California Stadium, tickets are available HERE.

Listen to ‘Big Mess’ 1. Sorry 2. True 3. In Time 4. Everybody Loves You 5. Dance With The Lemurs 6. Serious Ground 7. Choose Your Side 8. We Belong 9. Happy 10. Just A Human 11. Devil Take Away 12. Love In The Time Of Covid 13. Native Intelligence  14. Better Times 15. Cruel Compensation 16. Kick Me 17. Get Over It 18. Insects Watch the videos at the links above

(Photo Credit: Jacob Boll)

DANNY ELFMAN   https://www.dannyelfman.com/ Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify JUNE 2021 CD CLUB TITLES   AVAILABLE NOW   FROM VARÈSE SARABANDE RECORDS:      THE MATRIX (THE COMPLETE EDITION)   Music by Don Davis     PAYCHECK (THE DELUXE EDITION)   Music by John Powell            (June 11, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA) – Varèse Sarabande Records is thrilled to announce its June 2021 CD Club titles: The Matrix (The Complete Edition) by Don Davis and Paycheck (The Deluxe Edition) by John Powell. These titles are available today, June 11, exclusively on VareseSarabande.com and internationally on Intl.VareseSarabande.com. The CD Club launched its official start in 1989 and has been a staple of the label ever since, relaunching classic titles from renowned composers such as John Williams and Ennio Morricone, among many others.   The Matrix (The Complete Edition):   Few blockbusters can claim to be as influential as The Matrix (1999), written and directed by the Wachowskis. From its super high concept that has wormed its way into the public’s imagination (what if we’re all just living in a computer simulation?), to Keanu Reeves’ iconic hero Neo, to the brilliant, jaw-dropping and story-based visual effects, The Matrix delivered on all fronts. Its three films grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, and a fourth is on the way.   The Matrix demanded a score that was as unique, sophisticated and imaginative as its concept and action—and that’s exactly what composer Don Davis delivered. Davis, who scored the Wachowskis’ Bound (1996), reinvented the symphonic language of the action blockbuster by drawing on cutting-edge concert-hall minimalism and his own background as an avant-garde composer, while maintaining the energy, pace and density required of a studio action film.   From the clashing-brass “reflections,” to the racing strings, pounding percussion and flittering, repeating musical “cells,” the Matrix score fits hand-in-glove with the film’s concept of a computer-controlled reality—and offers a unique musical thumbprint that is recognizable sometimes only from a single note or chord. It is the rare commercial triumph that is also an artistic landmark.   “One thing the Wachowskis did want was something new and different. Every director will tell you they want that something new and different until they actually hear it. But I took that to heart, and it was clear that a unique approach really was right for that film. I’ve kept my hand in composing concert music from the beginning, so I was aware of what was going on in that arena. [We] were working in a style that some were calling ‘postmodern,’ which seemed to be fitting for a postmodern film like The Matrix. And I saw this as an opportunity to take it in a stylistic direction that wouldn’t work in other films but specifically did work in this film,” says composer Don Davis.   The Matrix was released by Varèse Sarabande at the time of the film, and then in a Deluxe Edition that fit as much of the score as possible on one CD. By popular demand, this new 2-CD set presents the complete score. This version is also available through Record Store Day 2021 as a 3-LP set releasing on July 17. Visit RecordStoreDay.com to find a participating retailer. Liner notes feature a new interview with Don Davis conducted by Kaya Savas.   *Standard CD limited to 2,000 copies *SACD limited to 1,000 copies   PURCHASE U.S. 2-CD – https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/don-davis-the-matrix-the-complete-score-2-cd   U.S. 2-SACD – https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/don-davis-matrix-the-the-complete-score-2-sacd   Int’l 2-CD – https://intl.varesesarabande.com/products/don-davis-the-matrix-the-complete-score-2-cd?currency=USD   Int’l 2-SACD – https://intl.varesesarabande.com/products/don-davis-matrix-the-the-complete-score-2-sacd     The Matrix: The Complete Edition (Regular and SACD): Original Motion Picture Score Music Composed, Orchestrated & Conducted by Don Davis   Disc One: Logos / The Matrix Main Title (0:55) Trinity Infinity (6:00) Neo Con Brio (0:32) Follow The White Rabbit (0:15) Neo On The Edge (3:24) Through The Surveillance Monitor (0:59) Unable To Speak (1:14) Bait And Switch (3:16) Switched For Life (3:36) Switched At Birth (2:43) Switches Brew (2:27) Cold Hearted Switch (1:40) Nascent Nauseous Neo (4:00) A Morpheus Moment (1:39) Bow Whisk Orchestra (1:23) Domo Showdown (1:13) Switch Or Break Show (1:05) Shake, Borrow, Switch (0:39) Switch Works Her Boa (0:56) Bring Me Dinner (0:39) The System (0:37) Freeze Face (1:52) Switch Woks Her Boar (2:07) Cypher Cybernetic (0:59) Ignorance Is Bliss / Cyber Cyphernetic (1:51) See Who? (0:26)   Disc Two: Switch Out (3:01) Boon Spoy (1:08) Oracle Cookies (1:30) Threat Mix (6:05) Exit Mr. Hat (2:57) On Your Knees, Switch (4:43) Mix The Art (2:10) Whoa, Switch Brokers (4:01) The Cure (1:35) It’s The Smell (1:57) The Lobby (0:27) No More Spoons (1:02) Dodge This (1:08) Fast Learning (0:44) Ontological Shock (4:16) That’s Gotta Hurt (5:17) Surprise (4:06) He’s The One Alright (6:56)   +++   Paycheck (The Deluxe Edition):   John Powell burst into film scoring with a magnificent, emotional and modern soundtrack to John Woo’s iconic hit, Face/Off (1997). Six years later, Woo and Powell reunited for Paycheck (2003), a sci-fi techno-thriller based on a 1953 short story by Philip K. Dick (Blade Runner, Total Recall).   Ben Affleck stars as a programming engineer who undergoes a voluntary memory wipe to protect his client’s secrets—but upon going to collect his paycheck, he is given an envelope of seemingly random trinkets and items. He must use these clues to unearth the terrible secrets of his own project.   By 2003, John Powell had already scored The Bourne Identity and had his finger on the pulse of the modern action-thriller score. Paycheck blends synth and pop-rhythms with orchestral scope and, most importantly, Powell’s impeccable sense of taste. Despite almost non-stop action and suspense, he focuses on emotion and utilizes melody to elevate the proceedings.   “I’ve always wanted to do a ballet, so I had been fascinated by choreographers and dance for quite some time. I utilized that conversation with John [Woo] as an inspiration to create the drama of a danced story,” says John Powell.   He explains, “This album has everything on it. It gives me a slight panic attack looking at how much music there is on this album. It all sounds very good to me and at the same time like utter nonsense. I’ve always tried to be better at harmony. A lot of composers I admire have this incredible sense of harmonic flow and flexibility. When I achieve that on occasion, it makes me happy.”   Paycheck was released by Varèse Sarabande at the time of the film. This 2-CD set Deluxe Edition greatly expands the playing time to over 95 minutes, and features new liner notes by Daniel Schweiger, incorporating new interview comments with Powell.   PURCHASE U.S. – https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/john-powell-paycheck-the-deluxe-edition-2-cd   Int’l – https://intl.varesesarabande.com/products/john-powell-paycheck-the-deluxe-edition-2-cd     Paycheck (The Deluxe Edition): Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Music Composed by John Powell   Disc One: Paycheck: Main Title From The Motion Picture (3:29) A Kiss Of Flexible Morality (1:10) Memory Wipe (0:54) A Good Life (1:05) Party Of Two (0:32) Portents Of Crystal Balls (2:11) Injection (0:32) A Second Chance (1:54) You’re Done (1:16) Freeze Frames (1:59) Hot Seat (7:39) The Ring (0:42) That’s You (0:31) Twenty Items (5:39) Lucky Number (2:01) Wolfe Pack (4:01) The Third Rail (3:28) Reservations (3:25) Mirror Message / Imposter (8:43)   Disc Two: Hog Chase, Part 1 (3:18) Hog Chase, Part 2 (4:06) I Don’t Remember (1:33) I Don’t Remember (Alternate Version) (1:35) Tomorrow’s Headlines (4:27) Return to Allcom (3:13) Future Tense (7:58) Bio Lab Bash (3:08) Fait Accompli (6:39) One Big Payback (5:37) Uma’s Tune (Bonus Track) (2:55)   ###    ABOUT VARÈSE SARABANDE RECORDS    Varèse Sarabande is one of the leading and most prolific producers of film and television soundtracks. The label was formed as a merger between Varèse International Records (named for composer Edgar Varèse) and Sarabande Records (named after a musical dance form). The label’s iconic logo – a frequent curiosity of fans around the globe -is actually an inkblot created by blowing a straw on a piece of paper with India ink.    Initially a classical label, Varèse Sarabande released its first album of film music in June 1978. Since then, Varèse Sarabande has released thousands of soundtracks and new recordings of classic film scores conducted by celebrated composers with the world’s best-known orchestras.    The label upped the ante for fans by creating the Varèse Sarabande CD Club—releasing exclusive limited-edition deluxe soundtracks featuring rare and long-requested titles. The CD Club ran initially from 1989–92 and was restarted in 2001, and Varèse continues to create Deluxe Editions of cherished scores that might otherwise never see a release.     Since joining Concord in 2018, Varèse Sarabande continues to release new television and film scores, high-quality vinyl and Deluxe Edition soundtracks.      Follow:  twitter.com/varesesarabande    Watch:  youtube.com/varesesarabande    Listen:  open.spotify.com/user/varesesarabanderecords    Like:  facebook.com/varesesarabanderecords    Buy:  varesesarabande.com / intl.varesesarabande.com