WHAT’S NEW – EARLY November
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WELL, here I am – finally – with a new “WHAT’S NEW”. Talk about overdue?! If yr interested in the reason why it’s been two months here’s some of it in one half sentence: death of mother, too much work, 100 year-flooding in our area, overwhelm and a bit of mild depression and mid-life re-evalution, honestly. That’s another story! ;-P (I’m fine, I’m fine…thanks for wondering/asking.)
Anyway, I have been gathering up news the last few months. There’s a lot. I’ll do the first half here and then the second half for November later in the month. Let’s get to it.
OMNIVORE RECORDINGS continues to amaze as they continue troll deep into the Jellyfish catalog. As a person responbile for the release of the 2002 4-CD “Fan Club” box set from he band, it warms my music soul to the core. The label will release Radio Jellyfish, a 10-track collection of acoustic radio performances, on December 10, 2013. Nine of the tracks have never before been released. Only the lead off track has been released before(appearing on “Fan Club”), the rest – never released. Information on order is at THIS LINK.
RADIO JELLYFISH — Live radio broadcasts 1993
1. New Mistake
2. She Still Loves Him
3. I Can Hear the Grass Grow*
4. Baby’s Coming Back
5. The Man I Used To Be
6. Joining a Fan Club
7. The King Is Half Undressed
8. The Ghost at Number One
9. That Is Why
10. No Matter What
THE GRIP WEEDS – New album arriving in a few weeks and it’s called “Inner Grooves”. It contains 11 songs that are remixed versions of singles, B-sides and compilation tracks along with unreleased outtakes and demos. A must for most of you reading here. There’s a great deluxe package offer – CLICK HERE to get more info on all the package options and order a copy. (click on the image below to expand the display)
From the “Dangerous Mind” blog: “Of all the “isolated vocals” tracks going around the Internet these days, one of the most beautiful of all, I think, comes from The Turtles’ “Happy Together.” I just stumbled across this looking for something else and man, it’s just… glorious. It’s one of the best known, most beloved, best pop songs PERIOD and you’ve never heard it quite like this before.” Click HERE to read more and watch ‘n listen below – be prepared to hear this song in a way you’ve never heard before – indeed, the sounds of angels.
THE PILLBUGS – One of the most consistently outstanding power pop/psych pop bands in the last 15 years, The Pillbugs have totally remastered their entire catalog(5 albums) and have released a “Best Of” CD/digi-album, which if you’ve not heard the band before, is something you need to fix. The band is mind-numbingly expansive, constantly taking detours down exciting new roads while making everything they do insanely melodic and listener, while sounding fresh and new. Not easy. Main website: http://thepillbugs.bandcamp.com/ and the “Best Of”:
http://thepillbugs.bandcamp.com/album/the-pillbugs-best
GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR – I’m sure most of you know they got back together two years ago, recorded and released a very good album and played a lot shows in 2013(though, none in Colorado by me…drag.) Next up for the band is…a KICKSTARTER campaign. This is a good one, too.
It’s going to be a 6-CD box set featuring complete live performances from 1976 to 2012. The centerpiece of this project is a brand new, never before heard professionally recorded and mixed COMPLETE concert from 2012 – The Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota. This was the final show of the 2012 tour and you will only be able to hear this if you buy the box set. I’m most interested, honestly, in the classic-era. Four of the six discs will focus on 1976-1979. The campaign is over but stay aware when comes out in early 2014! I pre-ordered the moment I heard about the campaign a few weeks ago. Check out here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1810414258/graham-parker-and-the-rumour-official-bootleg-box
NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY – BLACK FRIDAY – It’s here again and if you are still one of those touched music fans who can’t let go of your love of vinyl and you still go to record stores to buy vinyl and….actually play it, then this years’ “Black Friday” promotion is gonna have plenty to offer. A list of the special releases coming up at the end of this month is HERE.
JULIANA HATFIELD and MATTHEW CAWS of NADA SURF have a new project out under the name of MINOR ALPS. I picked it up and am very impressed. It’s been along time since Hatfield held my attention, honestly and Nada Surf – well, they are pretty damn rocking pop band always so it’s no surprise that this one is keeper. Check it out on AMG at THIS LINK.
ROBBIE RIST: Truly, a ‘wonderboy'(sic, for those in the know)…ROBBIE RIST is, without question in my mind, one of the most talented musicians in power pop. He can do and does it all, on all instruments. Of course, he was and still is an actor for almost all of his life and with the video below, Robbie discusses and shares stories in his acting(and in places, music) career. If you are a fan of his music, you’ll enjoy this interview and getting to know Robbie.
NEW MUSIC ALERT: Long-time power pop veteran Greg Roberson has two new projects that have just been released and from the sounds of what I’ve heard from the links below, they are both worthy of special attention by Pop Pioneers here at Pop Geek Heaven. Listen and stream the albums:
THE TRASHED ROMOEOS: https://www.facebook.com/thetrashedromeos/app_204974879526524
SCISSORS & THE CUTS: http://trashycreaturesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/3-july
