Let’s face it: At this time of year, we all have more important things to do than sift through a bajillion new albums. Not that there’s a whole lot of stuff to sift through anyway — unless you count all the reissues and box sets and live albums and holiday songs and EPs and whatnot. Still, I found a few new (and new old) titles worth checking out. You can easily squeeze them in between all those holiday parties and shopping trips.
Basil’s Kite
Chewing Bread
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “For their second record, Australian prog oddballs Basil’s Kite have written an anti-mindfulness manifesto. This album contains eight different ways your brain can explode while the world explodes around you. It’s not only unavoidable, but disastrous to avoid difficult realities in favour of comfy platitudes. Chewing Bread was written entirely using custom-made, one-of-a-kind microtonal instruments.”
The Doobie Brothers
Toulouse Street: Quadio Blu-Ray Audio Reissue
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductees The Doobie Brothers really hit their stride on sophomore full-length Toulouse Street. After landing in July 1972, it climbed to No. 21 on the Billboard 200. It also took flight as the first album to showcase a solid two-drummer foundation with the addition of Michael Hossack accompanying John Hartman. Among many highlights, opener Listen To The Music ranks among their most popular material, generating a staggering 622 million streams and counting. This version was transferred from the original half-inch four-channel masters to Blu-Ray Audio, with both quadraphonic and hi-res stereo mixes. It is available as a standalone quad release for the first time in 50 years.”
Foghat
Energized: Quadio Blu-Ray Audio Reissue
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Foghat made big waves with Energized when it landed on Jan. 6, 1974. It reached the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 and boasted hits such as Honey Hush and That’ll Be The Day. It garnered a gold certification from the RIAA. This version was transferred from the original half-inch four-channel masters to Blu-Ray Audio, with both quadraphonic and hi-res stereo mixes. It is being released in this format for the first time.”
The J. Geils Band
Bloodshot: Quadio Blu-Ray Audio Reissue
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Worcester, Mass., boogie-rock powerhouses The J. Geils Band leveled up with their breakthrough album Bloodshot. Released on April 12, 1973, it vaulted to No. 10 on the Billboard 200. Powered by Peter Wolf’s seismic vocals and the late J. Geils’ fiery guitar, it yielded the fan favorites Give It To Me and (Ain’t Nothin’ But A) House Party, among others. This version was transferred from the original half-inch four-channel masters to Blu-Ray Audio, with both quadraphonic and hi-res stereo mixes. It is being released in this format for the first time.”
Jefferson Starship
Dragon Fly: Quadio Blu-Ray Audio Reissue
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The world formally met Jefferson Starship with the release of the group’s debut, Dragon Fly, in October of 1974. Tunes like Ride The Tiger and Hyperdrive only reaffirmed the inimitable chemistry and power of the creative union shared by Grace Slick and Paul Kanter following their six years together in Jefferson Airplane. Produced by the band and Larry Cox, it surged to No. 11 on the Billboard 200. This 50th-anniversary version was transferred from the original half-inch four-channel masters to Blu-Ray Audio, with both quadraphonic and hi-res stereo mixes. It is being released in this format for the first time in five decades.”
The National
Rome
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The National‘s Rome is a 21-track double album recorded live (without overdubs) on June 3, 2024 at the Italian city’s Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone. Mixed by longtime collaborator Peter Katis, it spans the band’s 20-plus years of songwriting and reveals how each song has taken on a new life in its live performance. Rome showcases scintillating versions of beloved songs like Bloodbuzz Ohio, Don’t Swallow the Cap, I Need My Girl, The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness, England and Fake Empire; plus sharpened readings of recent tracks Eucalyptus, New Order T-Shirt, Tropic Morning News and the boundary-pushing Smoke Detector. ‘You have to see this band live’ is often said about The National, and now, Rome is the next best thing to actually being there.”
Snoop Dogg
Missionary
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Although Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have worked together plenty of times over the years — and left a lasting legacy across rap and pop culture — Missionary is only their second time completing a full body of work together. The first? Snoop‘s 1994 classic debut album Doggystyle. The album includes a stacked list of features from hip-hop heavyweights including Eminem, 50 Cent, Jelly Roll, Method Man, along with the late Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and more.”
