Album reviews: Michael Ubaldini, Walker Brigade, Sass Jordan, Def Leppard, Ghost Hounds, Florence + The Machine

Amidst the darkness of 2022 comes a long line of marvelous new album releases.

Artist: Michael Ubaldini

Title: Rabbit Foot Carnival (Blackwater Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones' "Exhile on Main Street"

Tell me more: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini is back with Rabbit Foot Carnival, a bona fide masterwork that finds the acclaimed artist using rich melody-adorned songcraft to ignite his literate observations on life, love, death, faith, the frayed American dream and the uncertain forces that propel each of us toward an uncertain tomorrow. Effortlessly dipping into roots rock, Americana, country blues, folk and gospel across 14 original songs, Ubaldini uses that vast sonic canvas along with his signature songwriting to zero in on these especially troubled times. Early standout cuts on the album include the irresistible rocker "Lazarus Blues" (bolstered by the terrific gospel vocals of Julie Harris), spirited celebration of faith "Free If You Want It," rollicking old school rocker "Rats In Your Attic" and haunting acoustic blues sortie "Roadside Prayer." The magic continues with late disc standouts like the driving Rolling Stones-flavored "Sabre Jet," poignant "General Store," and "Love Up Close," and rollicking blues rocker "Black Diamond Train." Ubaldini will celebrate the release of Rabbit Foot Carnival on the date of its June 3 release with a performance at the NAMM Sheraton Park Stage at 6 p.m. as part of the NAMM Show coming to Anaheim. He will also perform at Cooks Corner, 19152 Santiago Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. Information: rocknrollpoet.com.

  

Artist: Walker Brigade

Title: If Only (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick's debut album, Dinosaur Jr., X

Tell me more: Los Angeles-based quartet Walker Brigade's debut album If Only is equal parts hard hitting post-punk and melodic indie rock. The band's winning approach plays out across the outstanding disc, which includes 13 standard tracks along with six bonus cuts. Like groundbreaking Los Angeles band X, Walker Brigade has an effective one-two punch courtesy of the male-female vocals of guitarists Jeff Charreaux and Tracy Walker; their sharp vocals come in service of songs that are catchy and propelled by solid musicianship from the entire band (which also includes drummer Craig Tyrka and bassist Mark Fletcher). Among the highlights on If Only is roaring "Fallout," glam-mining "Tower," genre-defying delight "Judy Holliday," harmonies-anchored lead single "Choker," punk-fueled "Sand In My Joints" and glorious version of Robyn Hitchcock's "I Wanna Destroy You." Information: bigstirrecords.com.  

Artist: Sass Jordan

Title: Bitches Blues (Stony Plain Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Grace Potter, Janis Joplin, Sass Jordan

Tell me more: Following up on her 2020 album Rebel Moon Blues, Canadian songstress Sass Jordan is set to release her latest foray into the enduring genre via the wonderful Bitches Blues. The album puts the celebrated singer's powerful soprano front and center, with her signature vocals enhanced by the work of an amazing cast of players (guitarists Chris Caddell and Jimmy Reid, bassist-harmonica great Steve Mariner, drummer Cassius Pereira, keyboardist-backing vocalist Jesse O'Brien). The album features eight enticing electric blues tracks, including the blistering opener "Still Alive and Well," heartfelt piano-anchored blues ballad "Even," compelling "Still The World Goes Round," Delta-flavored "You Gotta Move," infectious "Ain't No Big Deal On You" and yearning "Change Is Coming."  Bitches Blues will be available June 3 via Stony Plain Records. Information: StonyPlainRecords.com.  

Artist: Def Leppard

Title: Diamond Star Halos (Mercury Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen, T. Rex

Tell me more: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame British rockers Def Leppard have returned with their long-awaited Diamond Star Halos, an album that offers up plenty of new sonic pay dirt while delivering on the distinctive sound (and parade of hits!) forged by the troupe in the 1980s and '90s. Highlights on the 15-track album include the soaring "Take What You Want," reflective "This Guitar" (featuring guest Alison Krauss sharing vocals with lead singer Joe Elliot), the sing-along "Fire It Up" (bolstered by Phil Collen's dazzling guitar work throughout), mellifluous "Liquid Dust," lovely Baroque power ballad "Goodbye For Good This Time" and introspective rocker "Open Your Eyes." A limited edition version of Def Leppard's 12th studio album — not reviewed here and available as an import — features 17 tracks. Information: DefLeppard.com.  

Artist: Ghost Hounds

Title: You Broke Me (Maple House Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Guy, Dennis Jones Band, Vintage Trouble, 

Tell me more: Fans of both Chicago and Southern blues will find plenty to love about Pittsburgh troupe Ghost Hounds. I was fully impressed when I caught the band open for The Rolling Stones in Austin last year, and the sextet fully delivers on the energy they displayed in concert via their new album You Broke Me. Lead singer Tre Nation's potent lead vocals are the central attraction, but the contributions of the rest of the band shine bright across the wonderful nine-track disc; guitarist Johnny Baab, guitarist Thomas Tull, bassist Bennett Miller, drummer Blaise Lanzetta and keyboardist Joe Monroe add magic on every track. The mighty blues cut "Through Being Blue Over You," smoking title track, infectious blues rocker "Baby We're Through" and blistering version of Howlin' Wolf's 1956 classic "Smokestack Lightning" are among the highlights on You Broke Me. Information: GhostHounds.com.  

Artist: Florence + The Machine

Title: Dance Fever (Republic Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Kate Bush, Florence + The Machine, Japanese Breakfast

Tell me more: Florence + The Machine's new album Dance Fever marks the first release by British songstress Florence Welch and company since 2018. The ambitious album fully delivers on the artist's far-flung themes and musical powers across its wonderful 14-track run. Written and produced across the span of two COVID-related lockdowns, work on the disc was completed in London and New York with producers Jack Antonoff and Dave Hayley (of Glass Animals fame). The majestic opener "King" (bolstered by all manner of sonic shifts), propulsive electronica-tinged "Free," soulful "Dream Girl Evil," anthemic "Cassandra," driving "Daffodil," acoustic "The Bomb" and intoxicating "My Love" are among the many standouts on the terrific return. Welch is a singer armed with a soprano that is both powerful and expressive, and the track listing across Dance Fever is the perfect expression of those marvelous gifts. Florence + The Machine are set to embark on a North American tour on Sept. 2, 2022, including two dates at The Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. Information: florenceandthemachine.net.

Robert Kinsler

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame® Inducted Icons & Rock Legends Def Leppard are back with new album 'DIAMOND STAR HALOS' on May 27

Def Leppard is set to return with a new album this spring! Robert Kinsler

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME® INDUCTED ICONS & ROCK LEGENDS 

DEF LEPPARD 

ARE BACK WITH NEW ALBUM DIAMOND STAR HALOS

 ON MAY 27, 2022

PRE-ORDER HERE

DEF LEPPARD SHARES NEW SINGLE “KICK” - LISTEN HERE

 

FEATURING 15 NEW TRACKS WITH A VERY SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE ON TWO TRACKS FROM MULTI-GRAMMY WINNER ALISON KRAUSS

 

DEF LEPPARD’S 36 CITY US & CANADA STADIUM TOUR WITH MÖTLEY CRÜE SET TO KICK OFF ON JUNE 16^th IN ATLANTA, GA

 

Ready to ignite 2022, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®-inducted icons and rock music legends Def Leppard return with their twelfth full-length album, Diamond Star Halos [UMe], on May 27^th, 2022. It marks the band’s first new work since 2015’s chart-topping self-titled, Def Leppard. It is available for pre-order now in multiple configurations, including a Deluxe Edition, 2-LP Vinyl, Digital formats and more. Exclusive bundles including newly designed album merch have also launched. Pre-order on the band’s official store—HERE.

To herald the arrival of Diamond Star Halos, the UK quintet—Joe Elliott [vocals], Rick Savage [bass], Rick Allen [drums], Phil Collen [guitar], and Vivian Campbell [guitar]— have just shared a powerful and rip-roaring new rock single entitled “Kick.” The song thrusts into an anthemic stadium-ready frenzy kickstarted with driving guitars and bombastic drums woven into its musical fabric. Meanwhile, the chorus has all the makings of another iconic Leppard hit with its skyscraping vocals and melodies the band has become synonymous for. The artwork for Diamond Star Halos is art in itself. The design follows pedigree with their instantly recognizable album covers from their celebrated past. With images by world renowned photographer and director Anton Corbijn, styling concepts by Maryam Malakpour and graphics by the UK based Munden Brothers, the design truly follows the band’s influence through their eyes today. 

Stay tuned for the premiere of the music video very soon. Following the album’s release, Def Leppard will co-headline the massive 36 city The Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe joined by special guests Poison and Joan Jett. 

Over the past two years, Def Leppard recorded Diamond Star Halos simultaneously in three different countries with Joe in Ireland, Sav in England, and Phil, Vivian, and Rick in the United States. Without the pressure of timelines or a fixed schedule, they poured all of their energy into crafting 15 meaningful tracks with a mixture of classic spirit meets modern fire. Thematically, they nodded to their earliest collective influences such as David Bowie, T. Rex, and Mott The Hoople, among others. The title itself notably references T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On).” However, they didn’t embark on this journey alone. The multi-Grammy award winning and legendary artist Alison Krauss lent her instantly recognizable and angelic voice to “This Guitar” and “Lifeless,” while David Bowie pianist Mike Garson performs on “Goodbye For Good This Time” and “Angels (Can’t Help You Now).”

Check out the full tracklisting below.  

2022 is the year of Def Leppard.  

TRACKLISTING

1. Take What You Want
2. Kick
3. Fire It Up 
4. This Guitar [feat. Alison Krauss]
5. SOS Emergency
6. Liquid Dust
7. U Rok Mi
8. Goodbye For Good This Time
9. All We Need
10. Open Your Eyes
11. Gimme A Kiss
12. Angels (Can’t Help You Now)
13. Lifeless [feat. Alison Krauss]
14. Unbreakable
15. From Here To Eternity

 

TOUR DATES:

6/16 Atlanta, GA   Truist Park

6/18 Miami Gardens, FL  Hard Rock Stadium

6/19 Orlando, FL   Camping World Stadium

6/22 Washington, D.C.  Nationals Park

6/24 Flushing, NY   Citi Field

6/25 Philadelphia, PA  Citizens Bank Park

6/28 Charlotte, NC   Bank of America Stadium

6/30 Nashville, TN   Nissan Stadium

7/2 Jacksonville, FL  TIAA Bank Field

7/5 St. Louis, MO   Busch Stadium

7/8 Chicago, IL   Wrigley Field

7/10 Detroit, MI   Comerica Park

7/12 Hershey, PA   Hersheypark Stadium

7/14 Cleveland, OH   FirstEnergy Stadium

7/15 Cincinnati, OH   Great American Ball Park

7/17 Milwaukee, WI   American Family Field

7/19 Kansas City, MO  Kauffman Stadium

7/21 Denver, CO   Coors Field

8/5 Boston, MA   Fenway Park

8/6 Boston, MA   Fenway Park

8/8 Toronto, ON   Roger’s Centre 

8/10 Orchard Park, NY  Highmark Stadium

8/12 Pittsburgh, PA   PNC Park

8/14 Minneapolis, MN  U.S. Bank Stadium

8/16 Indianapolis, IN  Lucas Oil Stadium

8/19 Houston, TX   Minute Maid Park

8/21 San Antonio, TX  Alamodome

8/22 Arlington, TX   Global Life Field

8/25 Glendale, AZ   State Farm Stadium

8/27 Inglewood, CA   SoFi Stadium

8/28 San Diego, CA  Petco Park

8/31 Seattle, WA   T-Mobile Park

9/2 Vancouver, BC  BC Place

9/4 Edmonton, AB   Commonwealth Stadium 

9/7 San Francisco, CA  Oracle Park

9/9 Las Vegas, NV  Allegiant Stadium

Photo Credit: Anton Corbijn

 

FOLLOW DEF LEPPARD

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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

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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