New Music Roundup: Garbage, Holsapple & Stamey, The Bablers, 'Big Stir Singles'

June 2021 is proving to be especially rich in terms of new music releases. Here are four highly-recommended titles worth a listen...

Artist: Garbage

Title: No Gods No Masters (Infectious Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Garbage, The Pretenders

Tell me more: Garbage has returned with a deluxe two-disc album Go Gods No Masters, the band's seventh studio album and first full-length effort since 2016's Strange Little Birds. This is an album that finds singer Shirley Manson, co-producer/drummer/guitarist Butch Vig, guitarist Duke Erikson and guitarist Steve Marker tackling hot topics with a no-holds-barred assault. Indeed, the opening sortie "The Men Who Rule The World," electro-goth graced "Waiting For God," dance floor-ready "Godhead" and the title track are especially powerful songs that resonate in the here and now.  From the release of the band's groundbreaking self-titled debut in August 1995, Garbage was celebrated as a unique artist able to artfully blend synth and alt rock sounds with grace and force (a style sometimes referred to by the band as "sci-fi pop"); the new track "Wolves" continues in the tradition as Manson sings "Which one of my two wolves will I give my attention to tonight? Which one will I decide to feed? Which one will I decide to fight?" –  "The Creeps," "Uncomfortably Me" and New Order-mining "Flipping the Bird" are also immersed in that intoxicating fusion of disparate genres. The second disc of the special edition is loaded with bonus tracks that are terrific. My favorites include their 2017 standalone original "No Horses," a brilliant reworking of David Bowie's “Starman”, an inspired take on the Bruce Springsteen/Patti Smith nugget “Because the Night” (featuring Screaming Females) and “Destroying Angels,” the latter a 2018 single with Exene Cervenka and John Doe of the legendary Los Angeles punk band X. Information: garbage.com.

Artists: Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey

Title: Our Back Pages (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The dB's, The Finn Brothers, Alex Chilton, The Continental Drifters

Tell me more: Released as a special vinyl edition on Record Store Day on June 12, the wonderful full-length album Our Back Pages featuring Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey will be released on audio CD and on digital on June 18. Our Back Pages is a 13-track collection where Holsapple & Stamey revisit songs they helped craft while in the dB's as acoustic-styled versions that are simply spectacular. Along with their stellar lead and harmony vocals, the two artists used acoustic guitars, toy piano, a ukulele, a banjo, a harmonium and other instruments in the creation of the revisited songs recorded for the self-produced set. The two artists – who began playing music together while in grade school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the 1960s – found fame when they formed the dB's in 1978. It's almost criminal to celebrate one track on the collection without failing to acknowledge another. The rootsy "Today Could Be The Day," lovely "From a Window to a Screen," shimmering "Black and White," melodic "Picture Sleeve," opulent "Nothing Is Wrong" and wistful "Darby Hall" are among the great songs on "Our Back Pages." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: The Bablers

Title: Psychadilly Circus (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, Badfinger, Crowded House

Tell me more: The Beatles have influenced countless artists over the past 60 years and continue to cast a huge stamp on popular music. Look (and listen) no further than Finland-based quartet The Bablers whose new album Psychadilly Circus is a bona fide celebration of the glorious sonic universe created by John, Paul, George and Ringo. The songs display their magic quickly, from the stirring "Love Is Everything," harmonies-rich "Psychadilly Circus" and expansive "Queen Of Yesterday" to the Lennon-esque "All Because Of You," celebratory "Walking On Sunny Beach" and acoustic "Child Of War." Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Arto Tamminen, guitarist Hannu Pikkarainen, bassist-keyboardist Pekka Gröhn and drummer Janne Haavisto are recognized as "the Finnish Supergroup of Pop," with all four members each holding at least one Finnish Grammy for their work outside of the band. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artists: Various artists

Title: Big Stir Singles: The Tenth Wave (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Pop rock, melodic rock, indie rock

Tell me more: Nothing like going out with a melodic bang. Burbank, CA-based Big Stir Records has just issued Big Stir Singles: The Tenth Wave, the final installment in the label's current series of audio CDs collecting their tuneful weekly singles campaign. Loaded with 22 (!) tracks, a diverse field of 11 artists are heard via their A- and B-sides issued in October and November 2020. The set kicks off with the mylittlebrother nugget "Howl" and the hard charging Nick Frater original "California Waits." The momentum and range of material remains strong to be sure; my favorite A sides on the long set also include the splendid take on John Cale's 1973 classic "October Surprise" from October Surprise, D.F.E.'s "I Sy We Take Off And Nuke The Site From Orbit" (which recalls the brilliant style and sound of Bright Blue Gorilla), a lovely version of the 1970 soul classic "O-o-h Child" courtesy of the Popdudes and sing-along "No Weapon But Love" from Icecream Hands. Great B sides featured on The Tenth Wave include Frater's melancholy foray "The Afterparty," Whelligan's sharp "Anyone Who Never Had A Heart," D.F.E.'s joyful "Yellow River," The Speed Of Sound's rousing "No Kicks" and shining Anton Barbeau & Allyson Records track "Octagon." The disc closes out with Icecream Hands' beautiful original "Can You Feel My Love." The Tenth Wave is a great introduction to the Big Stir label and its talented field of talent. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

New Music: Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell, Alan Jackson, Amy Winehouse, 'Winston-Salem Sound'

Four must-hear titles are featured in my column this week.

Artist: Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell

Title: Burn (Atlantic Curve)

You might like if you enjoy: Dead Can Dance, Sigur Rós, Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks, Moby

Tell me more: The new full-length collaboration from Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell titled Burn is a beautiful listen, seamlessly blending sounds spanning the globe and time itself. Gerrard – one of the world's great singers – has joined forces with Maxwell and English producer James Chapman (also known by his moniker "Maps") to craft seven intoxicating compositions that truly immerse the listener. Choral, symphonic and electronica soundscapes converge on the marvelous opener "Heleali (The Sea Will Rise)," with several layers of Gerrard's vocals layered around her primary vocal track. The driving "Aldavyeem (A Time To Dance)" recalls the art rock of Radiohead, while the soaring "Orion (The Weary Huntsman)" somehow spans opera and Neo-classical on its magnificent trajectory. On the title track Gerrard and Maxwell both sing, their triumphant tandem voices artfully dueling with another line sung by Gerrard alone. This is a opulent and sumptuous listening experience from start to finish. Information: https://orcd.co/lisajulesburn.

Artist: Alan Jackson

Title: Where Have You Gone? (UMG Nashville)

You might like if you enjoy: Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard, George Jones

Tell me more: Armed with one of country music's best voices, Alan Jackson brings his signature vocals to the expansive 21-track collection Where Have You Gone? – an album collectively celebrating authentic country music with a master's touch. Indeed, on the opening cut "Where Have You Gone," Jackson sings: "Sweet country music, where have you gone? / Sweet country music, please come back home" with emotional authenticity and a timely aim. Elsewhere his rich baritone mines love (the tender "I Can Be That Something," joyful fiddle- and piano-adorned "Where the Cottonwood Grows," the rowdy "Livin' On Empty"), drinking ("Wishful Drinkin'," "Beer:10") and a fusion of those matters (the lovely "Way Down In My Whiskey," literate "The Boot," touching "So Late So Soon" and "I Was Tequila"). On "Things On Matter," he addresses the fragility of life with a particularly affecting touch, while a father's love is expressed on the beautiful "You'll Always Be My Baby." Other great tracks on the collection include the rip-roaring "Back," bonus track "That's The Way Love Goes (A Tribute to Merle Haggard)" and confessional "The Older I Get." Information: AlanJackson.com.

Artist: Amy Winehouse

Title: At The BBC (Island/UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Tell me more: Featuring the late British singer Amy Winehouse at the height of her vocal powers, the three-disc At The BBC (available on audio CD and vinyl) features more than three dozen tracks recorded between 2003 and 2007. The soulful "Stronger Than Me" (captured on a Jools Holland TV appearance in 2003) kicks off the far-flung set. That powerhouse performance proves to be the first of many with Winehouse's signature contralto impressing on each track of the collection. The dynamic "Take The Box" (from 2004's Mercury Prize Awards) with her vocals spanning from the lower to higher reaches of her vocal register, jazzy "Teach Me Tonight" (from a 2004 appearance on Jools Holland) and blues-styled "Rehab" (from a 2006 performance) are early high marks. The magic displayed on the essential collection continues courtesy on the buoyant jazz offering "Tears Dry On Their Own," a bewitching cover of the '60s Motown standard "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Don't Go To Strangers" (a duet with Paul Weller), the rhythm and blues foray "October Song," reggae-tinged "Just Friends" and lavish "Love Is a Losing Hand" and "I Should Care." Sadly, Winehouse joined the so-called "27 Club" with her death of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011. "At The BBC" is an amazing salute to her remarkable talent. Information: AmyWinehouse.com.

Artists: Chris Stamey, Mitch Easter, Don Dixon, Peter Holsapple, more

Title: Yesterday's Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Let's Active, early R.E.M., dB's

Tell me more: It's great when an album immediately reminds you how much fun rock and roll can be. A new titled Yesterday's Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound does just that. The album was recorded live at the Ramkat on May 12, 2018 and documents a one-time celebration of a relatively small city in North Carolina and its tremendous impact on indie rock. To be sure the performances by indie heroes Chris Stamey (the dB's), Mitch Easter (Let's Active), Don Dixon, Peter Holsapple (the dB's), Will Rigby (the dB's), Lynn Blakey and many others on the disc are inspired and will lead listeners to pursue more exploration of under-the-radar acts such as Sacred Irony, Rittenhouse Square, Little Diesel and Sneakers. But this album is no mere stepping stone; it bristles and shines with nearly two dozen stellar performances. The propulsive rocker "Hot Smoke & Sassafras" dazzles with its garage rock attack and Baroque instrumental guitar break; "Reptilian Disaster" is just as powerful with Easter unleashing a creative flurry of lead guitar work. Just listen to the fiery "Yesterday's Tomorrow" (amazing with its mix of incredible lead guitar, strong lead vocals from Doug Davis and rollicking attack from the rhythm section). Various styles are highlighted on the disc, albeit with a decidedly indie approach; hard rock ("Black Death"), jangly power pop ("S'il Vous Plait," "Condition Red," "Ruby"), indie alt-rock ("Every Word Means No," "Kissy Boys"), blues ("Think") and classic rock (takes on the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life" and Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed," both featuring Dixon) are all magnificent. The package contains detailed liner notes by Stamey and a 24-page color history booklet with rare photos and details about the 2018 event and artists celebrated on the wonderful title. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com. 

Robert Kinsler

New sets celebrate the legacy of essential '70s recordings

A well-known classic from John Lennon comes to life courtesy of a stellar blu-ray while a rediscovered collaboration between Big Star's Alex Chilton and the dB's' Peter Holsapple set for release on Oct. 12 is sure to please fans of those two groundbreaking artists.

Artists: John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Title: Imagine & Gimme Some Truth (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, George Harrison
Tell me more: Eagle Vision has released a stellar title featuring both "Imagine" and "Gimme Some Truth" on a single collection (available on blu-ray, DVD and via digital format). Filmed in the summer of 1971, "Imagine" is a freewheeling "video album" that strings together artful films for the 10 songs featured on John Lennon's second solo album Imagine as well as some short video shorts positioned between many of the cuts. Filmed mostly at John and Yoko's home in Ascot, England and in New York, the film features colorful videos for the inspired "Imagine," countrified "Crippled Inside," "cutting "How Do You Sleep?", tender "Oh My Love" and other favorites. Of equal interest is the GRAMMY Award-winning "Gimme Some Truth," a fascinating documentary providing an in-depth look and listen at the sessions that gave rise to the "Imagine" album. The scenes featuring the creation and recording of the songs "Oh My Love" and "How Do You Sleep?" are of special interest to Beatles fans as they showcase George Harrison playing guitar and working with Lennon in the studio. Bonus features on the blu-ray reviewed here include raw studio out-takes for "Jealous Guy," "How" and "Gimme Some Truth." Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Peter Holsapple and Alex Chilton
Title: The Death of Rock: Peter Holsapple vs. Alex Chilton (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Alex Chilton, Peter Holsapple, Big Star
Tell me more: The rediscovered tracks that comprise The Death of Rock: Peter Holsapple vs. Alex Chilton make for a joyful listen despite the competing interests of the two artists featured on the 19-track collection. Raw and honest in every way that matters, the genesis of the sessions that yielded this mix of tuneful rock and art damage is likely much easier to process in 2018 than when the cuts were recorded in 1978. Peter Holsapple, who contributes detailed liner notes on the collection, recalls he was chasing the legacy of power pop pioneers Big Star when he left his home in North Carolina and rolled into Memphis and was able to meet and work with that band's co-founder/lead singer Alex Chilton. The Death of Rock is broken down into sections featuring each artist. Holsapple's material is the more tuneful, better capturing the melodic rock style he was honing (just listen to the enticing "Bad Reputation" yearning "House Is Not A Home" and winning garage rocker "The Death of Rock"). Chilton was simultaneously turning his back on the power pop of Big Star's seminal first two albums and was interested in tapping into the burgeoning punk rock movement; indeed his material is loose and intentionally unpolished (as evidenced by a near-destruction of the blues classic "Train Kept A Rollin'," and his low-fi originals "Tennis Bum" and "Marshall Law"). As Holsapple notes in the revealing liner notes: "I caught Alex exiting a world of sweet pop that I was only just trying to enter, and the door hit me on the way in, I guess." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.



Robert Kinsler

Music heroes come alive on the printed page

Fans of power pop and progressive rock as well as "Deadheads" all have some choice titles to check out.

Title: Play On! Power Pop Heroes: Volume No. 4
Author: Ken Sharp
Publisher: Jetfighter
Softcover: 528 pages
Tell me more: Play On! Power Pop Heroes: Volume 4 marks the fourth installment of author-musician Ken Sharp's ambitious series celebrating the legacy of the power pop genre. This volume features a number of artists who scored enduring commercial and/or cult success with melodic rock in the 1980s and '90s. This volume allows some of the genre's best (and best-known) architects to tell their story via their own words courtesy of insightful interviews conducted by Sharp and exclusive to Play On! Power Pop Heroes: Volume 4. There are also specific albums highlighted, where the artists provide a track-by-track overview of the songs. Several of this writer's favorites – The Bangles' All Over the Place and Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend – are among the classics featured. What's more, the hefty title is adorned with rare photographs and images of handwritten lyrics ("Blood and Roses" by The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio and  "Warren in the '60s" by Tommy Keene immediately come to mind). Among the other greats featured in the essential volume are Crowded House, the Go-Go's, Michael Penn, Teenage Fanclub and The Three O'Clock. Other memorable artists profiled in the book include the dB's, the Producers, and Redd Kross. The book is available for a limited time only and available exclusively at: http://www.goodmusicguy.com/play-on-power-pop-heroes-volume-4/
Information: ken-sharp.com.

Title: Close to the Edge: How Yes's Masterpiece Defined Prog Rock
Author: Will Romano
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Softcover: 304 pages
Tell me more: With Yes finally set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017, now is a perfect time to catch up on the British band's history with a read of the enthralling tale of the progressive rock troupe's seminal 1972 masterwork Close to the Edge. Author (and well-known music journalist) Will Romano takes a look back at the events 45 years ago that shaped the creation of the London-spawned ensemble's fifth studio album, using both archival and original interviews with guitarist Steve Howe, singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire and other key players to provide rich insight into the album's creation. Romano's well-written book not only gets inside the creation of the album, but really provides insight into each of the players and their own far-flung backgrounds that ultimately provided the necessary ingredients for Close to the Edge. Information: backbeatbooks.com.

Title: Gratefully Deadicated Pin Art Coloring Book
Authors: Art by Gary Kroman with Leslie D. Kippel
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Softcover: 96 pages
Tell me more: When it comes to the Gratefully Deadicated Pin Art Coloring Book, the proof is in the pages. With an introduction about artist and a short history of "cloisonné pin art," Leslie D. Kippel gets things off to a quick start before music fans will get to delve in and complete the forty-six Gary Kroman illustrations featured in the book. The images (including many of the late great singer-guitarist Jerry Garcia) are featured on single-sided printing on high-quality paper to reduce the chance of bleed-through. Information: backbeatbooks.com.

Title: Fifty Years of Deadhead Art
Authors: Art by Gary Kroman with Leslie D. Kippel
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Softcover: 96 pages
Tell me more: The Fifty Years of Deadhead Art coloring book is the perfect companion to the aforementioned Gratefully Deadicated Pin Art Coloring Book. This volume features some amazing images created by artist Gary Kroman that capture the legacy and imagery associated with the '60s and '70s counterculture embraced by the Grateful Dead and their dedicated fans. A brief introduction by Leslie D. Kippel (the long-time editor of the Grateful Dead fan publication Dead Relix) provides insight into the psychedelic stylings featured in the book. Information: backbeatbooks.com.




Robert Kinsler