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Submarine Bells (Album of the Day)
New Zealand in the 1980s was a hotbed of alternative pop, and among that scene's leading lights were The Chills. Following a series of acclaimed releases for local imprint Flying Nun, the band signed to Warner Bros. subsidiary Slash and issued the equally wonderful SUBMARINE BELLS in 1990. From the aptly titled opener “Heavenly Pop Hit,” it's clear that singer-songwriter Martin Phillipps and company have lost none of their talent for memorable melodies, atmospheric arrangements and quirky-but-resonant lyrics; coupled with punchy production (courtesy of Gary Smith), these dozen originals are pretty much irresistible. SUBMARINE BELLS may have only topped the chart in New Zealand, but indie fans everywhere ought to have this one on their radar.
Soul Men (Album of the Day)
Among the most successful R&B duos of all time, Sam Moore and Dave Prater were at the top of their game when they cut SOUL MEN in 1967. Recorded at the Stax studio in Memphis, the pair got strong support from ace instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's and producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The Hayes-Porter team also contributed material to the collection, most notably the Top 10 title track, which earned Sam & Dave a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It's the most famous of these 11 songs, but far from the sole highlight; “Hold It Baby,” “Broke Down Piece Of Man” and “I've Seen What Loneliness Can Do” all put the performers' gritty, gospel-infused style to excellent use. There's not a dull moment on SOUL MEN, making it an ideal tribute to Prater, who passed away 30 years ago today.
Back in the U.S.A. (Album of the Day)
Some of the most exciting music made in America at the end of the 1960s came from Detroit, thanks to bands like The Stooges, The Alice Cooper Group … and the MC5. The “Motor City Five” had already kicked out the jams on a live album before heading into the studio with producer Jon Landau to see if they could capture their high-energy attack in a more controlled setting. The resulting 1970 album, BACK IN THE USA, answered that question with a resounding “yes.” Along with nods to rock's raucous past (like the Chuck Berry-penned title track) and the MC5's revolutionary roots (“The American Ruse”), the set provided a template for the punk rock to come with such driving songs as “Tonight” and “Shakin' Street.” Packed with incendiary power, BACK IN THE USA was named one of the 500 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone.
Chicago: VI Decades Live (Album of the Day)
Chicago has been a concert force for more than 50 years, thrilling its legion of fans with performances that never disappoint. The new CHICAGO: VI DECADES LIVE (THIS IS WHAT WE DO) celebrates the hitmakers' live legacy with previously unreleased concert recordings including several deep cuts that have never appeared on any of the band's live albums. The songs on the 4-CD/1-DVD collection were recorded between 1969 and 2014, and feature the band's entire 1970 Isle of Wight show along with select performances spanning six decades. The DVD features a concert that was originally broadcast on the German music television show Rockpalast in 1977. Chicago's ability to amaze audiences is one reason the band is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and that talent is on full display on CHICAGO: VI DECADES LIVE.
Aladdin Sane (Album of the Day)
From its iconic cover shot to the final notes of “Lady Grinning Soul,” ALADDIN SANE captures David Bowie near the peak of his glam rock powers. Once described by the performer as “Ziggy goes to America,” the 1973 collection was recorded with the classic Spiders from Mars lineup (guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder and drummer Mick "Woody" Woodmansey) and reflects Bowie's experiences on the road in the U.S. the preceding year. Ranging from the fractured jazz of the title song to such tough rockers as “Panic in Detroit” and hit single “The Jean Genie,” these 10 tracks brim with invention and self assurance. Released 45 years ago today, ALADDIN SANE has been cited by Pitchfork as one of the greatest albums of the 1970s, and we couldn't agree more.
Technical Ecstasy (Super Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
In the summer of 1976, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward headed to Miami to make TECHNICAL ECSTASY at the famed Criteria Studios. Coming off a world tour where their live performances had evolved to include keyboards and synthesizers, Black Sabbath incorporated these sounds into the new recording. The Warner Bros. collection encompassed a wide range of styles, from the hard charging “Back Street Kids” and ballad “It’s Alright,” to the funky “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” and progressive “Gypsy.” Now available as a 4-CD or 5-LP set, TECHNICAL ECSTASY: SUPER DELUXE EDITION includes the original album newly remastered, a brand new mix of the album by Steven Wilson, plus previously unreleased outtakes, alternate mixes and live tracks.
The Very Best of the Everly Brothers (Album of the Day)
Phil and Don Everly had earned a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before the ink had even dried on their Warner Bros. contract; later Top 10 singles like “Cathy's Clown,” “Walk Right Back” and “Crying In The Rain” only added to their legacy. That fact was reflected on THE VERY BEST OF THE EVERLY BROTHERS collection, whose dozen tracks were split evenly between songs from their earlier Cadence period and their WB hits. While these versions of those Cadence classics (including “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream”) are re-recordings, they're faithful to the original arrangements, feature some of the original session men and capture the siblings' matchless harmonies with much greater fidelity in true stereo versions only available here. THE VERY BEST OF THE EVERLY BROTHERS features some of the most well-crafted and memorable pop-rock of the pre-Beatles era.
Absolution (Album of the Day)
“I think that absolution is not necessarily a religious word,” noted Muse frontman Matt Bellamy of the title of their third studio set. “I think it's just suggesting that the act of making music is a way of understanding things.” By the sound of the 2003 album, the British trio were grappling with some heavy issues, the Iraq War, fears of societal collapse and more among them. Counterbalancing the intense lyrics are epic arrangements mixing art rock, progressive metal and orchestral flourishes on such highlights as “Stockholm Syndrome,” “Time Is Running Out,” “Butterflies and Hurricanes” and “Hysteria.” Listeners responded to the band's ambition; it topped the U.K. album chart and went gold in America, establishing Muse's fanbase stateside. Anyone who enjoys dark, dramatic music played with go-for-broke grandeur should seek ABSOLUTION.
Winds of Change (Album of the Day)
Jefferson Airplane was one of the bands that built the city of San Francisco on rock and roll in the 1960s, and by the next decade was leading the charge as Jefferson Starship. WINDS OF CHANGE was the seventh studio set under that moniker and saw legendary singer Grace Slick back in the fold for a full album following a brief hiatus. She and fellow vocalist Mickey Thomas are in top form on these nine originals including “Can't Find Love,” “Be My Lady” and the title track. The latter two songs were both Top 40 hits, and though the 1982 collection is radio/MTV-friendly, the group can rock out with the best of them – just listen to Craig Chaquico's guitar work on “Black Widow.” Let the gold-certified WINDS OF CHANGE fill your sails!
Tango in the Night (Album of the Day)
TANGO IN THE NIGHT, to date the final studio album released by the classic mid-1970s quintet. The disc started out as a Lindsey Buckingham solo album before morphing into a group release (he shares production credit with Richard Dashut) and all five members get to shine here, with Buckingham, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks each penning fine originals and the band's namesake rhythm section of drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie providing a strong pulse. The 1987 collection presents Fleetwood Mac as a hit-making machine, featuring four Top 20 singles: “Big Love,” “Little Lies,” “Seven Wonders” and “Everywhere.” With more than 15 million copies sold worldwide, TANGO IN THE NIGHT became the second-best selling record of the band's career after RUMOURS.