F.A.B. DISTRIBUTION JUNE/17
THE BATTLE OF SANTIAGO “La Migra” MADE WITH PENCIL CRAYONS
Out now – Toronto-based group the Battle of Santiago combines classic Afro-Cuban rhythms and vocals with a distinctly Canadian postrock spirit and sensibility. The band’s upcoming release La Migra dives deep into Afro-Cuban waters, mixing AfroCuban Yoruba chants with subtle electronica and rumbas with post-rock experimentalism. The sound is more than just Radiohead meets Irakere, there’s some cumbia tinged with dub anthemic Latin rock and even some smooth funk. “The half-Canadian, half-Cuban band led by Michael Owen (bass and production) has a distinctive sound that’s part Canadian art rock and part Afro-Cuban jazz, twisted through a dub lens. And this third release, recorded in the band’s private studio, remains true to that sound. At first play, the 11-track album can be summed up in two words: energetic and pulsating.” - Tahiat Mahboob, CBC
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY “Best Troubador” DRAG CITY
Out now – Best Troubador, is Bonnie ‘Prince Billy’s homage to the late Merle Haggard. From first performing in public playing a Merle Haggard song some 25 years ago to talking to Merle himself for Filter magazine in 2009 – the influence is undeniable. The sessions were endeavored at home, capturing feeling, memory and new expression with the full-hearted playing and singing of the Bonafide United Musicians: Van Campbell, Nuala Kennedy, Danny Kiley, Drew Miller, Cheyenne Mize, and Chris Rodahoffer, with special guests Mary Feiock, Emmett Kelly, A.J. Roach and Matt Sweeney. The songs sung on Best Troubador are pulled from all over — from Haggard’s third album in 1967 through to his 47th in 2011 — this is no simple hits compilation. Bonny chose personal favorites, singing the songs he wanted to sing, to find Merle and himself together in the music. Best Troubador is wistful and bittersweet, a tribute to the triumph of a life spent in unending pursuit of the goal: new and expressive music, as our inspirations and heroes once sang it.
COCK SPARRER “Forever” PIRATES PRESS
Out now – For many, this band needs no introduction, as they are indeed legends in a vibrant punk scene stretching across the world. This fulllength, their sixth, in 45 years as a band, truly exemplifies how incredible and how special this band is. One would assume that this is the last fulllength that we will see from these legends; and a fitting one it is indeed.
JOHN & ALICE COLTRANE “Cosmic Music” SUPERIOR VIADUCT
May 26 – John Coltrane transformed the inner architecture of jazz, from the mid-1950s to long after his premature death at age 40 in 1967. The American musician at the spiritual center of the ‘60s musical universe, Coltrane influenced Albert Ayler, La Monte Young, Jimi Hendrix and everybody in between. Cosmic Music, originally self-released by Alice Coltrane in 1968 and later issued by Impulse!, features two tracks (“Manifestation” and “Rev. King”) by John Coltrane’s legendary final quintet that were recorded in San Francisco on February 2nd, 1966 and two more (“Lord Help Me To Be” and “The Sun”) from Alice Coltrane’s very first session as a bandleader, recorded six months after her husband’s passing. The album also features Pharoah Sanders, Jimmy Garrison and Rashied Ali! As John Coltrane recites on the final track, “May there be peace and love and perfection throughout all creation.”
DANGERDOOM “The Mouse and the Mask: Official Metalface Version” METAL FACE
Out now – Back in 2005, super producer Danger Mouse and masked hip hop supervillain DOOM came together for The Mouse And The Mask, a collaborative album released under the name DANGERDOOM. Among DOOM’s most successful projects both critically and commercially, the album was inspired by Cartoon Network’s latenight Adult Swim programming slate, and includes appearances from several Adult Swim characters, including Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Space Ghost, Harvey Birdman, and more. The full 7-track 2006 DANGERDOOM EP Occult Hymn is included, as well as two previously unreleased tracks, making this the definitive DANGERDOOM collection.
THE MOUNTAIN GOATS “Goths” MERGE
Out now – “The theme this time around is goth, a subject closer to my heart perhaps than that of any Mountain Goats album previous. And while John writes the songs, as he always has, it feels more than ever like he’s speaking for all of us in the band, erstwhile goths (raises hand) or otherwise, for these are songs that approach an identity most often associated with youth from a perspective that is inescapably adult. “- Peter Hughes
OBEY THE BRAVE “Mad Season” EPITAPH
June 2 – The aptly named Mad Season, the band’s diverse and defiant third album, arrives after the most turbulent period of the group’s career. As vocalist Alex Erian puts it: “We’re back stronger
than ever.” Songs that embolden the spirit and exorcise personal demons like “Raise Your Voice,” “Full Circle,” and “Get Real” are quintessential metalcore bangers. Joining shortly into the touring cycle for 2014’s Salvation, Terrence McAuley (guitar) and Cory Wilson (bass) gelled instantly with original members Erian, John Campbell (guitar), and Stevie Morotti (drums). McAuley also served as co-producer, alongside engineer and mixer Dean Hadjichristou. (Protest The Hero , Parkway Drive).
THE PEACERS “Introducing the Crimsmen” DRAG CITY
June 16 – Introducing The Peacers new album, ‘Introducing the Crimsmen’! Escalating from a disembodied voice to slowly mounting full-band hypnosis, Mike Donovan, Shayde Sartin, Mike Shoun and Bo Moore got a hand into a variety of rock and roll baked goods. Whether gentle psych, basement throb, keening nocturne or groundglass soundscape, it’s all bubblegum boiled in pot, scripted up with stinging street smart, zoloftnagenic reverie and a wink and a chill grin. rainy day flows viewed through a delicate scope, where sounds that seem tossed off are actually as intricately laid out as biology; a circulatory system, with veins full of cool blue-grey blood.
RANCID “Trouble Maker” HELLCAT/EPITAPH
June 9 – Punk legends Rancid presents their ninth studio album ‘Trouble Maker’ to be released on June 9th via Hellcat/Epitaph Records. The followup to 2014’s critically acclaimed …’Honor Is All We Know’, ‘Trouble Maker’ was produced by Rancid’s longtime producer and founder of Epitaph Records, Brett Gurewitz. Emerging from Berkeley, CA in 1991 (out of the ashes of Operation Ivy) Rancid remains fiercely independent, never losing their loyalty to community or each other. Their music confronts political and social issues, while balancing personal tales of love, loss, and heartbreak with attitude. By carrying on the traditions and spirit of the original punk rock bands that came before, Rancid gives their listeners a community where everyone can belong. TOUR DATES WITH DROPKICK MURPHYS: 7/28 – Montreal, 7/29 – Toronto, 8/15 – Vancouver
ROYAL TRUX “Live Platinum Tips + Ice Cream” DRAG CITY
June 16 – Platinum Tips + Ice Cream (scenes from the water park) is a new one from ROYAL TRUX. The songs were written over a span of time as wide as eagle’s wings — but the recordings are new, live, unrehearsed and were presented in real time to a few thousand people in California and NYC. A tedious task, yet imperative — bringing the actual experience and qualities of the performance, the rawness that could be felt and heard LIVE, to a finished form. These recordings conjure the early feral spirit of the band, devouring the sophisticated sound of the later years and coughing up a motherfucking hairball of sound. Platinum Tips + Ice
Cream collects twelve ROYAL TRUX non-sequiturs in tribute not only to the past but the unending nature of the future. As the rhythm punches, the scabrous tone of JENNIFER HERREMA’s vox is matched only by NEIL HAGERTY’s harsh, stinging guitar volleys — and the mad filters passing through the Bass Station. A personal playlist of hits rolls out.
SWANS “Great Annihilator (2017 Remaster)” YOUNG GOD
Out now – The Great Annihilator, originally released in 1995, will be released on double vinyl – the album’s first release on vinyl for decades - and as a 2CD set. Both the vinyl (using a download code) and CD-set will feature Drainland, Michael Gira’s debut solo album recorded at the same time as The Great Annihilator. Remastered with care. “Drainland is a 1995 obscure solo album by me, co-produced by the lovely Bill Rieflin and myself, with musical contributions from Bill and Jarboe. Mostly featuring spare arrangements, it was recorded in Bill’s living room. Some of this is pretty damn good. Some of it isn’t! In all modesty, I think the good outweighs the bad.” - M. Gira 2017
JANE WEAVER “Modern Kosmology” FIRE
Out now – The comfortably claustrophobic opening track of Jane Weaver’s sixth studio album reveals a genuine experimental-pop artist in absolute control of her own intimate vessel. In its sweetness, this is an ability that transcends style, politics and egotism and one that only comes with life-experience. Magnetic, melodic, folkloric, unapologetic and rhythmic is her discipline. Modern Kosmology is second-hand Kraut-rock, female punk, hard-subbed new-wave, synthesizer skip-finds and unpronounceable worldly feminine pop that has finally reached the eureka moment. After the huge critical acclaim of 2012’s Fallen By Watchbird, followed by 2015’s exploratory “Silver Globe” LP winning her unanimous “record of the year accolades”, Jane Weaver’s conceptual trajectory has sent her neo-kosmische penchants to the point of no-return. This album, for many, might be the post-grad psychedelic pop album they never thought would happen.