New music: Seal, The Legal Matters, Mumford & Sons, Gorillaz, Johnny Blue Skies

In this column I review fantastic new titles featuring British soul icon Seal, as well as new studio albums from power pop greats The Legal Matters, British Americana troupe Mumford & Sons, groundbreaking collective Gorillaz and genre-defying Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds; all the releases are available now.

Artist: Seal
Title: Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Seal, Trevor Horn
Tell me more: Fans of top-tier artists, immersive concert films and timeless music will all have find plenty to love about Mercury Studios' "Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II." The fabulous new concert film featuring four-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Seal was filmed at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas in 2024 and features stunning live versions of the artist's most beloved material. The 10-track concert film also features some insightful thoughts from Seal interspersed along the way: "I think a song can change peoples lives...in a way that is so profound." That is especially true after seeing Seal and his six-piece band soar through stellar hits including "Crazy," "Future Love Paradise," "Prayer For The Dying" and "Kiss From A Rose." Seal's signature vocals come in the service of a timeless sound that blends soul, R&B, pop and dance. In addition to Seal's incredible vocals, his band features the artist's longtime producer, Grammy Award-winning producer/artist Trevor Horn. Highlights abound on the title, including the sumptuous opener "Crazy," dance-fueled "The Beginning" and "Bring It On," bewitching "Prayer For The Dying," and moving "Kiss From A Rose" and "Love's Divine," the latter two selections finding Seal going into the crowd to sing. Released on Feb. 13, the title is available via multiple formats including a 4K UHD+Blu-ray combo pack, Blu-ray+CD combo, and digital audio and video (the 4K UHD+Blu-ray format is reviewed here). Information: mercurystudio.co.

Artist: The Legal Matters
Title: Lost At Sea (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, ELO, Fountains Of Wayne, Crowded House, Dada
Tell me more: Michigan-based The Legal Matters have returned with a spectacular new album, the 10-track Lost At Sea. The talented trio comprised of Keith Klingensmith, Andy Reed and Chris Richards have collaborated on their first new batch of ambitious, harmony-filled songs since 2021's Chapter Three. The Legal Matters' fourth album includes the sumptuous opener "Everybody Knows" (which delightfully recalls the magic of classic Badfinger), propulsive "The Message," melodic gem "Temporary Thing," driving psychedelic-tinged "It Doesn't Matter,"  Beatlesque "Let Me Explain," and Baroque ballad "Slow Down." Not only does the album sound fantastic, but the songs are literate and tap into modern-day themes at every turn. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Mumford & Sons
Title: Prizefighter (Glassnote Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Hozier
Tell me more: English band Mumford & Sons is back with Prizefighter, another batch of infectious originals bolstered by winning songcraft, shining harmonies, dynamic musicianship and artful arrangements crafted from folk and Americana essentials. Additionally, the group's music making is enhanced by several high-profile names who join along the way on the band's sixth studio LP. The anthemic opener "Here" features country music great Chris Stapleton adding his vocals to the track. On the introspective "Rubber Band Man," Hozier brings his distinctive voice to the cut as he trades verses with Marcus Mumford. There are so many great songs on the disc with the sweeping "Banjo Song," ambitious "Run Together" with its burgeoning arc, the confessional "Shadow Of A Man," soaring "Begin Again" that explores the courage to start over and the gentle closer "Clover" are among this writer's favorites. Information: mumfordandsons.com.

Artist: Gorillaz
Title: The Mountain (Kong Studios Essex Limited)
You might like if you enjoy: Gorillaz, Blur, Damon Albarn
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn has returned with the latest Gorillaz full-length masterwork, The Mountain. The album includes a parade of 15 compelling originals featuring a slew of high-profile guests. Highlights include the instrumental-heavy opener "The Mountain," luxurious trip hop meets hip-hop romp "The Moon Cave," the New Wave-flavored "The Happy Dictator" featuring the iconic duo Sparks, the mesmeric "Orange County," dreamy "The Empty Dream Machine" (the latter featuring guitar great Johnny Marr), electronica sortie "The Plastic Guru," immersive "Delirium" featuring English singer Mark E. Smith, evocative "Casablanca" (featuring Marr and Clash bassist Paul Simonon) and India-minded foray "The Sweet Prince." The album's closing track, "The Sad God," is a wonderful showcase for Albarn's signature vocals and alluring melodic instincts as well as his ability to collaborate with other artists artfully. Information: gorillaz.com.

Artist: Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds
Title: Mutiny After Midnight (High Top Mountain Records/Atlantic Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Sturgill Simpson
Tell me more: Following up the release of Johnny Blue Skies' 2024 debut Passage Du Desir, singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson (aka Johnny Blue Skies) and The Dark Clouds are back with the sophomore followup Mutiny After Midnight. The dance-minded disc is filled with left-leaning political-minded originals that simultaneously are aimed at getting everyone out on the dance floor. The rousing opener "Make America Fuk Again," rapid-fire rock-styled "Excited Delirium," Americana-rooted "Don't Let Go" (the latter featuring nuanced sax playing from Raw B), funky "Stay On That" and "Ain't That A Bitch," and country-tinged "Viridescent" all explode out of the speakers. The nine-track album is available on vinyl, as well as via audio CD and on cassette. Information: sturgillsimpson.com.

Robert Kinsler

Billy Idol to team with NHL to honor U.S. Armed Forces in January 2015

Billy Idol's 2014 resurgence continues with this year-end update...I really recommend that rock fans not only listen to his "Kings & Queens of the Underground," but also read his 2014 autobiography "Dancing With Myself."

BILLY IDOLTEAMS WITH THE NHL TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCESAND THE NATION’S CAPITAL DURING PRE-GAME FESTIVITIES AT THE2015 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC® TELEVISED LIVE AT 1 P.M. ET ON NBC-TV 

IDOL’S “KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND LIVE” WINTER NORTH AMERICAN MONTH-LONG TOUR TO KICK OFF JANUARY 21 IN NEW ORLEANS, LA 

DATES ARE IN SUPPORT OF IDOL’S CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED2014 ‘KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND’ ALBUM

  

BILLY IDOL will kick off the new year with a performance at the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®--the New Year’s Day outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks® and the Washington Capitals®--at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.. which will be televised live at 1 p.m. ET on NBC (along with CBC and TVA).  This performance will come as IDOL prepares for his 2015 tour in support of his critically acclaimed 2014 album KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND which features the anthemic lead single “Can’t Break Me Down” and its evocative video.

IDOL’s pre-game performance from the main stage at home plate before puck drop will pay tribute to the United States Armed Forces during the pre-game and in-game festivities on January 1.  Following his performance, IDOL will be joined near the stage by more than 150 members of all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, who will be attending the game as honored guests of the NHL, for a special salute. 

IDOL’s 2015 theatre tour of the U.S. and Canada throughout January and February is the latest leg of IDOL’s “Kings & Queens Of The Underground Live” world tour which included a run of European shows this past in November.  Tickets for almost all of the North American shows (see full itinerary below) are sold out.

KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND--IDOL’s first studio album in almost a decade--was released in October on BFI Records via Kobalt Label Services.  The album was primarily produced by Trevor Horn, with Greg Kurstin also contributing as producer to two songs, including “Can’t Break Me Down.” Upon the album’s release, USA Today named “Can’t Break Me Down” their song of the week, declaring “with its punkish drive, sneering vocals and roaring Steve Stevens guitar, Can't Break Me Down could have made a great follow-up to latter-day Idol hits.” 

BILLY IDOL WINTER 2015 U.S TOUR DATES

January 21: House Of Blues, New Orleans, LAJanuary 22: The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GAJanuary 24: Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PAJanuary 25: Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DCJanuary 28: Beacon Theatre, New York, NYJanuary 29: Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ  January 31: Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MAFebruary 3: Metropolis, Montreal, QCFebruary 4: Massey Hall, Toronto, ONFebruary 6: The Fillmore, Detroit, MI      February 7: Riviera Theatre, Chicago, ILFebruary 9: Paramount Theatre, Denver, COFebruary 12: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BCFebruary 13: Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WAFebruary 15: The Fox Theatre, Oakland, CAFebruary 18: The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CAFebruary 19: The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CAFebruary 21: The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NVFebruary 22: The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA

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About Billy Idol:From punk pioneer to global superstar, William Michael Albert Broad, aka BILLY IDOL, has left an indelible mark in popular music and remained a household name for over three decades. IDOL is currently set to kick off a North American tour in January 2015 following the successful October 21 release of Kings & Queens of the Underground, his first album of new material in nearly a decade. IDOL’s autobiography DANCING WITH MYSELF (also released in October) entered the New York Times bestseller list at #13.His style, music, and attitude have transcended time and trend.  Born in 1955 in Stanmore, North London, IDOL spent several formative years living on Long Island, NY as a child before returning to the UK and emerging as a central figure of the British punk movement.  As part of the infamous Bromley Contingent and a fan of the Sex Pistols, IDOL was inspired to front the pioneering British punk band Generation X from 1976 until the band’s split in 1981. Determined to break through in America, IDOL hooked up with guitar genius Steve Stevens and a crucial musical partnership was forged. IDOL created some of rock’s most enduring anthems including “White Wedding,” “Dancing With Myself,” “Flesh For Fantasy,” “Hot In the City,” “Eyes Without A Face,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Cradle of Love,” among others.  BILLY IDOL is the original punk rocker who found a way to take that sneering punk attitude into the pop and rock mainstream, carving out songs that have lasted a lifetime.  For all the latest BILLY IDOL updates and information, visit BillyIdol.net.