Doesn’t it feel like the May long weekend was just yesterday? TIme to prep for Q4, the big one for the recorded music industry. Things start to pick up this week with single and albums. It is a busy one.
Singles
1. Alkaline Trio/Rise Against, split single (Independent)
This is strangely interesting. These two bands are great friends and are currently on tour. For this split single, Alkaline Trio covers Re-Education (Through Labour), a Rise Against song. Meanwhile Rise Against covers Private Eyes, which is an Alkaline Trio track. I can’t think of another situation where this has been done.
Listen to both songs on Spotfy
2. Blue October, She’s My Ride Home (Up/Down Records)
The press release that accompanied this single described Blue October as a “romantic ambient art rock band.” Um, okay. This is the third brand new video that celebrates the 20th anniversary release of their Foiled album.
3. Editors, Seriously (PIAS)
Birmingham’s Editors have been flying a Joy Division(ish) flag but with more flair since 2002. Now about to release their seventh album Surface, Echo & Sound on October 30, They say that this record is the most “organic” thing they’ve done in years. I never know what to make of a description like that, but this single is another indication of what we’ll get next month.
4. Nix Ironstone, Sincerely Me (coady./Patriam Records)
The first Canadian song on today’s list. Nix (once known as country singer Nicole Raye) now blends alternative with goth pop in a way that might make you think of The Pretty Reckless and Evanescence. Now that’s a pivot.
5. Jordan Klassen, Fall Apart (Fontana North)
More Canada. This song is built around a sample found on a CD-ROM catalogue that dates back to before the internet. Over the years, Klassen has toured with Dear Rouge, Half Moon Run and Silversun Pickups. A full album is coming early next year.
6. The R.E.S.E.A.R.C.H., Go! (The R.E.S.E.A.R.C.H.)
I have no idea if their name stands for anything, but I can tell you that these are three guys out of Vancouver. none of whom are identified by anything more than their first initial and their last names. Everyone works out of Echo Plant Studios. They also say “Our commitment is to provide a platform where artists can collaborate with our writers and producers and bring their next music vision to life.” Okay, then.
7. Royal Bomb, Swallow the Bomb (Black Mammoth/Warner)
The return of Royal Blood continues with another single leading up to the November 13th release of Dead Company.Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher entered the studio to start work on this album eighteen months ago. What did they come up during that time? Well, this for one.
Albums
1. beabadoobee, Pylon (Dirty Hit/Interscope)
The woman with the funnest name to say is back with her fourth album, which features guest appearances that include Hayley Williams, Chino Moreno, Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, among others. If you hear plenty of 90’s style alt-rock, you’re not imaging thing. It’s the decade that just keeps on giving.
2. Beck, Ride Lonesome (Capitol)
It seems like we’ve been talking about Ride Lonesome for at least six months. Beck’s “spiritual companion” to his 2002 album Sea Change is smooth, melodic, and in some spots, easliy mistaken for a David Gilmour solo album. Nothin’ wrong with that.
3. Echo and the Bunnymen, Apples for Isaac (BMG Rights Management)
I thought we’d lost them, but nope. Mac and the rest of the Bunnymen are still with us, even though it’s been twelve years since their last album. Clem Burke, the late drummer of Blondie, appears on 10 of the 11 tracks. This single will take you back to 1984.
4. Five Finger Death Punch, Legacy (Better Noise Music)
The early decision on the band’s tenth album are decidedly split. It runs just 36 minutes with some calling it “commercial gold” and praising the band for sticking to their trademark sound. On the other side, critics call it safe, pandering, and predictable. What say you?
5. Ozric Tentacles, Harmonic Mind (Kscope)
Here’s a name from back in the 80s and 90s. They focus on space-rock-style instrumentals and have released more than 30 albums, none of which have ever been on a major label. A cult band? Yes, but a really interesting one.
6. Team Dresch, Furthermore (Jealous Butcher)
The riot grrrl/queercore legends led by Donna Dresch are back with an album for the first time in 30 years. Let’s go back to what it was like in Portland in 1993.
14. Tove Lo, ESTRUS (Pretty Swede Records / Virgin Music Group)
She’s back with her sixth album. What’s an “ESTRUS?” An animal in heat. I’m afraid to ask what “DNH” stands for.
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