First to blast out the speakers this week is The Mars Volta’s ninth studio album, which represents a significant milestone for a band that has been continually reinventing itself for more than 20 years. With Lucro sucio; Los Ojos del Vacio, they deliver an album that celebrates their roots, allowing them to reconnect with their origins. Fans are invited to embark with them on a musical journey.
At a time when rock music is constantly (and incorrectly) written off, powerhouse UK rock band Those Damn Crows prove it’s actually more alive than it has ever been. Their new album, God Shaped Hole, is the sound of a band at the very peak of their powers but determined to keep building on their achievements. The track ‘No Surrender’ pulses with defiance and intent – it’s drawn from bitter experience but, like all the best Those Damn Crows songs, it finds positivity in the struggle.
The Complete Recordings 1981–1984 collects the two original albums – I Advance Masked and Bewitched – recorded by Andy Summers and Robert Fripp plus a new album, Mother Hold the Candle Steady, compiled from previously unreleased or recently discovered recordings, all in DTS-HD MA Surround (5.1) and 24/96 hi-res stereo. There is also a wealth of additional treasures, new mixes and an audio documentary taken from Fripp’s tapes, packaged in a 10-panel book-sized digisleeve with new sleeve notes by Sid Smith and notes on the recordings by King Crimson producer David Singleton.
One of the most influential albums of the ’90s gets a welcome reissue on 180g vinyl in its original 1993 packaging. Siamese Dream – the 1993 album from The Smashing Pumpkins – features the hit singles ‘Today’, ‘Disarm’ and ‘Cherub Rock’. This was the album that broke the alt-rock quartet led by Billy Corgan in a big way.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Anastacia’s iconic debut album is now available for the first time on double vinyl with additional tracks. Not That Kind captures the essence of Anastacia’s powerful voice and distinctive style that made waves back in 2000. With tracks like the infectious ‘I’m Outta Love’, the soulful ‘Not That Kind’ and the empowering ‘Cowboys & Kisses’, Anastacia redefined pop and dance music.
Our release of the week is SABLE, fABLE, the stunning new album from Bon Iver. Radiant, ornate pop music gleams around Justin Vernon’s voice as he focuses on a new and beautiful era. It’s a portrait of a man in love, flooded and overwhelmed by that first meeting. This is someone filled with light and purpose seeing an entire future right in front of him: a partner, new memories, maybe a family. But fables aren’t hinged on happy endings; they’re here to instill a lesson. As the album winds to a close, he acknowledges the need for patience and a commitment to put in the work. There’s a selfless rhythm required when you’re enmeshing yourself with another person. He’s ready to find that pace.
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