Friday, August 5, 2011

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

wow. lots to get to today, first some great articles about music, some fantastic new album cover art and then the anniversary of two notable album releases, i'm partial to the Beatles and Revolver. i think it is some of their best work and i have never stopped playing my vinyl copy to this day!

on to the news:

the wall street journal online has a detailed look at the music industry from author ANDREW MCKIE

Music Industry Sighs No More

After a Decade of Decline, Album Sales are Starting to Rise and New Artists are Turning the Tables

By ANDREW MCKIE

"ABC, Easy as 1, 2, 3, Simple as do, re, mi..." This cheerful, uncomplicated sentiment, expressed by the Jackson Five to a melody itself so simple that it might have been an attempt to provide a blueprint for the pop song, went to the top of the U.S. charts in 1970.

Some four decades later, the music industry looks a good deal more complicated........

Read the rest at online.wsj.com

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Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS To Collaborate On Book

'Nothin’ To Lose' charting the band's rise will be published in Summer 2012.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, two of the founders of legendary superband KISS, are collaborating with rock journalist Ken Sharp on Nothin’ To Lose, an detailed history of the band’s early years, from its founding in 1973 to the 1975 release of its breakout concert album Alive! The book will include interviews with bandmates Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, other rock stars of the era, and the behind-the-scenes players. The book will feature never-before-published photographs. IT Books, an imprint of Harper Collins is scheduled to publish the book in Summer 2012.

Denise Oswald, editor at IT Books states that Kiss’ status as “one of the most beloved and influential hard rock bands of the last 40 years” is the reason that the need for a book like this exists.

She went on to say, “What is particularly fascinating about this project is about how the band got off the ground, how they came up with the concept of who they were that so defined them and captured the love and imagination of all of their fans.”



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interesting perspective about these types of music releases (i am sure there is a michael jackson album to be put out at some point and have we heard the last from john lennon?)

Posthumous album releases can reward fans but diminish a legacy

By Steven Maxwell and Diane Swanson

That may be the case with Amy Winehouse, the Grammy Award-winning singer who died July 23. Winehouse reportedly left a trove of unreleased material, including an unfinished third album that had been shelved, raising prospects for a posthumous release.

But according to two Kansas State University professors, a posthumous release of unfinished and shelved material can often trivialize a career. Worse, it can also come off as unethical.

"Posthumous releases are both a positive and negative thing," said Steven Maxwell, an assistant professor of music and instructor of a history of rock and roll course at K-State. "On the positive side, it gives fans the opportunity to listen to something new from a musician one last time. The negative side is that many of the releases don't fit into the vision of the artist and in some cases, they diminish the artist's legacy."

Read the rest fo the article at physorg.com

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and rolling stone has a great look at a growing trend. i say, why not? they made the music to be heard (and bought!)

Musicians Split Over Album Reissues

Henry Rollins: 'When the band isn't involved, it usually means the label is looking for sales'

By Patrick Flanary

This year’s Nineties-era reissues — like Nirvana's Nevermind, Pearl Jam's Vitalogy and Alice in Chains' Jar of Flies – may seem like harmless exercises in Gen X nostalgia, but some artists are publicly denouncing what they see as their labels' blatant money-grab.

Read the story at rollingstone.com

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the la weekly has this fine mess, i picked a 'tame' cover, go check out the Top Ten, hope you had your lunch.....

The Ten Bloodiest Metal Album Covers [Gross, but not entirely NSFW]

By Jason Roche

​At Exhumed's Sunday night show absolutely nothing trendy, hip, or fashionable will be on display. Picking up where they left off after a five-year hiatus, the California deathgrind pioneers will headline at the Key Club in support of their comeback release All Guts, No Glory. That title should give you an idea of what we're talking about here.

Song names like "Your Funeral, My Feast" and "Through Cadaver Eyes" pretty much sum up Exhumed.

See their Top Ten at blogs.laweekly.com













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Casiokids New Album Due Oct 11

Norwegian-based group Casiokids have announced their new full-length release,' Aabenbaringen over aaskammen,' which is scheduled for release on October 11 via Polyvinyl. 'Aabenbaringen over aaskammen' ("The Revelation over the mountain") is the band's follow up to their critically acclaimed US singles collection 'Topp stemning på lokal bar '("Great vibe at local bar"), hailed by Pitchfork as "tropic and cosmic...an uncommonly ripened and grounded debut." The upcoming album features a collaboration with labelmates of Montreal and will be released on CD/MP3/LP (Limited Edition of 500 copies 180 Gram Blue Vinyl).








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Erasure Reveal Cover Art For New Release

Classic synthpop duo Erasure have revealed the artwork and tracklist for their first new album in four years, the nine-song 'Tomorrow’s World' which also will come packaged in a special deluxe edition with a second CD loaded with as-yet-undisclosed “remixes, demos and a bonus track.” The album’s artwork was designed by Tom Hingston using sculptures made by Kate MacDowell.

Tomorrow’s World, to be accompanied by a 25-date North American tour, arrives Oct. 3 in the UK and Oct. 4 in the US on CD and as a digital download. No word whether they will do a vinyl release, look for more news at a later date.

Tracklist:

1. “Be With You”
2. “Fill Us With Fire”
3. “What Will I Say When You’re Gone?”
4. “You’ve Got To Save Me Right Now”
5. “A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot”
6. “When I Start To (Break It All Down)”
7. “I Lose Myself”
8. “Then I Go Twisting”
9. “Just When I Thought It Was Ending”

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CONDEMNED Completes Work New Album

San Diego, California-based death metallers CONDEMNED are scheduled to release their second album, 'Realms Of The Ungodly' this coming November 8th on Unique Leader Records. According to a press release:

"This barbaric creation has taken huge steps ahead of their debut with more devastating brutality fused with dark visions of ancient evil, bestial figures and barren worlds of tormented spirits. CONDEMNED ravages through scores of enfeebled souls to bring to you the heaviest death metal release of the year. The [CD] was recorded by engineer Samur Khouja of Seahorse Sound Studios and mastered by Scott Hull of Visceral Sound Mastering, giving the final product a massive and high-quality sound. Phenomenal art concept created by the famous Jon Zig."

sounds cool









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FALLUJAH To Release New Album In November

Northern California's FALLUJAH is set to release its new album, 'The Harvest Wombs,' on November 22 on Unique Leader Records. According to their press release, the follow-up to 2009 s "Leper Colony" EP is "the apex of nearly two years of musical and ideological progression the band has hoped to achieve. Hailing from the musically and aesthetically vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, the band is finally prepared to make this release the quintessence of their sound. Recorded by Sam Pura at Panda Studios and mixed/mastered by Logan Bennet, 'The Harvest Wombs' is the largest leap forward for a band quickly developing and refining the sound of atmospheric death metal. Expect something fresh, complex, and thought-provoking."

cool, again....









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and in music history for August 5:

In 1957, American Bandstand first aired on US television. Dick Clark had replaced Bob Horn the previous year, when the show was still called Bandstand. The first record Clark played on the network debut show was "That'll Be the Day" by Buddy Holly and his first guests were the Chordettes. The smooth talking Clark hosted the show until 1989 when he was replaced by David Hirsch, but the show would be cancelled five months later. Countless acts appeared on the show over the years, including ABBA, The Doors, Talking Heads, Madonna, Otis Redding, R.E.M. and Pink Floyd.

"When I Grow Up to Be a Man" was recorded by the Beach Boys in 1964.

In 1967, Pink Floyd released their debut album, "The Piper At the Gates of Dawn", which would reach #6 in the UK. The LP did not contain the two singles released earlier in the year, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play". It only managed to climb to #131 on The Billboard Hot 200 and took nearly 27 years to be certified Gold when it received the honor in March, 1994.

In 1968, American country guitarist Luther Perkins died at the age of 40 as a result of severe burns and smoke inhalation. Perkins fell asleep at home in his den with a cigarette in his hand. He was dragged from the fire unconscious with severe second and third degree burns. Perkins never regained consciousness. He worked with Johnny Cash and The Carter Family and featured on the live album At Folsom Prison.

In 1969, George Harrison had his new Moog synthesizer brought into the studio for The Beatles to use in finishing their forthcoming album Abbey Road.

Aerosmith signed to Columbia Records in 1972 by Clive Davis.

In 1975, the band that would become the Runaways was formed by Kim Fowley.

Stevie Wonder signed a $13 million contract with Motown in 1975, the largest contract to date.

The #1 single in the US in 1978 was "Miss You" by the Rolling Stones (1 week).

Def Leppard signed with Polygram in the UK in 1979.

In 1992, Jeff Porcaro, drummer from Toto, died at age 38. His death has been the subject of controversy: some say the attack was caused by an allergic reaction to garden pesticide, while others say Porcaro’s heart was weakened by smoking and cocaine use. Porcaro also worked with many other acts, including Sonny and Cher, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Steely Dan, Paul Simon and Boz Scaggs.

In 1993, Randy Hobbs, bassist for The McCoys on their 1965 hit, "Hang On Sloopy", passed away at the age of 45.

In 1999, music written by Johann Sebastian Bach was found in the Ukraine. The music was thought to have been destroyed over 50 years ago during World War II. The material was found in the musical estate of Carl Phillipp Emanuel Bach, who was on of J.S. Bach's children

In 2005, a report by 560 UK undertakers revealed that bereaved families preferred Pop songs to Hymns at funerals. "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler was the most requested song, along with Robbie Williams "Angels", Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and Elton John's "Candle In The Wind". Among the most unusual songs played was Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust". my song choice? old man, by neil young

In 2009, plans for a free show to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock music festival were cancelled by Michael Lang, one of the original promoters. Lang told Rolling Stone magazine that the reason for the cancellation was "Money. No sponsors." they can never duplicate the original, so why try?

birthdays today include (among others) Rick Huxley (Dave Clark Five) (69), Pat Smear (Germs, Nirvana) (52), Adam Yauch (Beastie Boys) (47) and Rick Derringer (64)



has to be in my top ten favorite Lps of all time, these classic two to three minute songs are just peerless!

The Beatles album "Revolver" was released in the UK on this date in 1966.

Revolver was the seventh studio album by the the Beatles, released on 5 August 1966 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin. Many of the tracks on Revolver are marked by an electric guitar-rock sound, in contrast with their previous LP, the folk rock inspired Rubber Soul (1965).

In Britain, the fourteen tracks from Revolver were released to radio stations throughout July 1966, "building anticipation for what would clearly be a radical new phase in the group's recording career".

It reached number one on both the British chart and American chart and stayed at the top spot for seven weeks and six weeks, respectively. The album was remastered 9 September 2009 for the first time since its 1987 digital compact disc release. Placed at number 3 in the Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the album is often regarded as one of the greatest achievements in music history and one of The Beatles' greatest studio achievements.

The cover illustration was created by German-born bassist and artist Klaus Voormann, one of the Beatles' oldest friends from their days at the Star Club in Hamburg. Voormann's illustration, part line drawing and part collage, included photographs by Robert Whitaker, who also took the back cover photographs and many other images of the group between 1964 and 1966, such as the infamous "butcher cover" for Yesterday and Today. Voormann's own photo as well as his name (Klaus O. W. Voormann) is worked into Harrison's hair on the right-hand side of the cover. In the Revolver cover appearing in his artwork for Anthology 3, he replaced this image with a more recent photo. Harrison's Revolver image was seen again on his single release of "When We Was Fab" along with an updated version of the same image.

Side one

1. "Taxman" 2:39
2. "Eleanor Rigby" 2:08
3. "I'm Only Sleeping" 3:02
4. "Love You To" (Harrison) 3:01
5. "Here, There and Everywhere" 2:26
6. "Yellow Submarine" 2:40
7. "She Said She Said" 2:37

Side two

1. "Good Day Sunshine" 2:10
2. "And Your Bird Can Sing" 2:02
3. "For No One" 2:01
4. "Doctor Robert" 2:15
5. "I Want to Tell You" 2:30
6. "Got to Get You into My Life" 2:31
7. "Tomorrow Never Knows" 2:57

Notable Achievements:

In 2000 Q magazine placed it at number 1 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. The same magazine's readers placed it at number 4 of greatest albums of all time in 2006.

In 2001 the TV network VH1 named it the number 1 greatest album of all time

In 2002, the readers of Rolling Stone ranked the album the greatest of all time.

In 2006, the album was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 best albums of all time