I don’t what it looks like where you are, but outside the Tinnitist bunker, spring is just around the corner. That’s definitely something to look forward to. But there’s more: A flood of new releases from artists big and small. I’ve whittle down the hundreds of entries to 36 to put at the top of your to-do list. If you want to see the entire mammoth roster, visit the Upcoming Releases page. Meanwhile, get ready to crank open the windows, put the parka back in storage and spring forward to these sounds:
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Pearl Jam
Gigaton
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Pearl Jam will release their much-anticipated eleventh studio album, Gigaton, on March 27. Produced by Josh Evans and Pearl Jam, Gigaton marks the band’s first studio album since the Grammy Award-winning Lightning Bolt, which was released in 2013. “Making this record was a long journey,” explains Mike McCready. “It was emotionally dark and confusing at times, but also an exciting and experimental road map to musical redemption. Collaborating with my bandmates on Gigaton ultimately gave me greater love, awareness and knowledge of the need for human connection in these times.” Gigaton’s cover features Canadian photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist Paul Nicklen’s photo Ice Waterfall. Taken in Svalbard, Norway, this image features the Nordaustlandet ice cap gushing high volumes of meltwater.”
MY TWO CENTS: I’ve heard it (in fact, I’m listening to it again as I write this). I’m not allowed to review it yet, but I don’t think anybody will mind me saying that I’m digging it. Some of it sounds like classic PJ and some of it doesn’t — which won’t be news to anyone who checked out some of the previews below.
ALSO ON THE WAY
March 6
Body Count | Carnivore
Cornershop | England is a Garden
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds | Blue Moon Rising EP
Rory Gallagher | Check Shirt Wizard: Live in ’77
Luke Haines & Peter Buck | Beat Poetry For the Survivalists
James Hunter Six | Nick of Time
Mark Kozelek with Ben Boye and Jim White | 2
Stephen Malkmus | Traditional Techniques
Moby | All Visible Objects
Swamp Dogg | Sorry You Couldn’t Make It
Tricky | 20,20 EP
March 13
Big Freedia | Louder EP
Boomtown Rats | Citizens of Boomtown
Deap Lips | Deap Lips
D.O.A. | Treason
Sass Jordan | Rebel Moon Blues
Peter Bjorn & John | Endless Dream
March 20
Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela | Rejoice
Roger & Brian Eno | Mixing Colours
The Grateful Dead | June 1976 Box
Alicia Keys | Alicia
Gordon Lightfoot | Solo
Morrissey | I Am Not A Dog On A Chain
The Weeknd | After Hours
March 27
Basia Bulat | Are You in Love?
Depeche Mode | Spirits In The Forest
Brain Fallon | Local Honey
Lilly Hiatt | Walking Proof
Jim Lauderdale | When Carolina Comes Home Again
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real | Naked Garden
The No Ones | The Great Lost No Ones
Jessie Reyez | Before Love Came To Kill Us
Daniel Romano & The Outfit | Okay Wow
Sufjan Stevens & Lowell Brams | Aporia
Waxahatchee | Saint Cloud
