Last week was Bandcamp Friday. Yesterday was probably the biggest release date of the year so far. And April 23 is Record Store Day. But right now we’re in the calm between those three storms, so there are only a handful of albums on my to-do list. Not that I’m complaining. Nor should you:
Cancer Bats
Psychic Jailbreak
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Psychic Jailbreak is Cancer Bats’ seventh studio album, but the first to be written and recorded by the current lineup of Liam Cormier (lead vocalist), Jaye Schwarzer (bass and guitar) and Mike Peters (drums), following the departure of founding member and guitarist Scott Middleton. The followup to 2018’s critically acclaimed, commercially successful and Juno-nominated album The Spark That Moves, Psychic Jailbreak sees the beloved metal stalwarts stepping up their game once again, eagerly pushing themselves both musically and lyrically beyond what they have achieved as a band to date. “We knew this album had to be special,” shares Cormier. “Our band has never been one sole member tasked with all the writing. Over the last 15 years of releasing albums, it’s been a collaboration of the four of us forming all musical ideas. That being said, we knew that the three remaining Bats would have to prove our worth with this next album. We wanted to show Cancer Bats fans that an exciting new future was in store for us. To say the stakes were high on this album, would be an understatement. We were all feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as we began tracking the 11 songs that would form this record.”
Rush
Moving Pictures 40th Anniversary Edition
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Moving Pictures, Rush’s eighth studio album, was originally released on Feb. 12, 1981, and its adventurous yet accessible music catapulted the forward-thinking Canadian band to even newer heights as it began navigating the demands of a new decade. The album’s seven songs expertly blended Rush’s intrinsic prowess for channeling its progressive roots into radio-friendly arrangements, a template the band had mastered to a T all throughout its previous album, 1980’s deservedly lauded Permanent Waves. Moving Pictures was also the second of many Rush recording sessions at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec, which was ultimately nicknamed the trio’s own personal Abbey Road recording studio. The album’s leadoff track Tom Sawyer became one of Rush’s most cherished FM favorites in addition to taking its rightful place as a perpetual concert staple for decades to come. The Super Deluxe Edition includes two discs of previously unreleased and newly restored live content newly mixed from the original analog live multi-tracks by Rush’s original producer, Terry Brown, featuring the band’s complete, unreleased Toronto concert from Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on March 25, 1981.”
Kurt Vile
(Watch My Moves)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “On his major-label debut album, Kurt Vile pulls his talents as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer in unexpected directions — and the result is a vibrant, yet meditative record propelled by laid-back charm and curious spirit. Ravenously creative songwriter Vile broke through to mainstream success after years of steadily working on his craft. His laidback and drifting guitar rock took notes from masters like Neil Young, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr., exploring inventive guitar tones on meditative and often self-reflective songs. He co-founded the War on Drugs with friend Adam Granduciel in 2005, but quit shortly after the band got off the ground to focus more on his own music. After several albums on various indie labels, Vile signed with Matador in 2009 and would find increasing success with each new album. His 2013 album Walkin’ On A Pretty Daze broke through bigger than anything before it, taking Vile’s blurry-eyed musings and signature songwriting style to a worldwide audience.”
Edgar Winter
Brother Johnny
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Brother Johnny is a powerful sonic journey, traveling the course of Johnny Winter’s musical life, impeccably directed, as only his brother Edgar Winter could. The guitar-driven album celebrates the expansive styles Johnny was known for — the 17 tracks were carefully curated by Edgar and producer Ross Hogarth to represent Johnny’s evolution as an artist, honoring his great legacy while also incorporating a personal tribute from brother to brother, and for which Edgar penned two new songs. Joining Edgar on the inclusive project is an impressive array of renowned musicians who knew, or were inspired by Johnny, including Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, David Grissom, Taylor Hawkins, Warren Haynes, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, John McFee, Keb’ Mo’, Doug Rappoport, Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Derek Trucks, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Walsh, Phil X, Bob Glaub, Sean Hurley and Gregg Bissonette. There were also invaluable musical contributions from Kenny Aronoff, Tim Pierce, Billy Payne, Doc Kupka, and David Campbell.”
