Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):

UPCOMING RELEASES:

NOTES:	Counting Crows land their latest, "Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!" on 5/9! Aperature-The Head & The Heart adjust "Aperature" on 5/9! Radioheads Thom York with Mark Pritchard tell "Tall Tales" on 5/9! Garbage drop "Let All That We Imagine Be The Light" on 5/30! Cypress Hill release a live album with the London Symphony Orchestra? It's true! "Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall" arrives on 6/6! Mumford & Sons carve "Rushmere" on 3/28! Bon Iver's "SABLE, TABLE" arrives on 4/11! The Lumineers drop "Automatic" LP on 2/14! My Morning Jacket set date for "is" on March 21st! Lady Gaga creates "MAYHEM" on March 7th! Huster Du's singer, Bob Mould finds his inner "Crazy" on 3/7! Jethro Tull cough's up "Curious Ruminant" March 7th! Erasure's Andy Bell returns with "pinball wanderer" on February 28th! Goo Goo Dolls expand "A Boy Named Goo" on March 14th! Fleetwood Mac box up "1975 to 1987" on 3/28! Motown reissues due on 2/14 include "Puzzle People" by Temptations, "Let The Sunshine In" by Diana Ross & The Supremes and "Changing Times" by The Four Tops! John Mayall box "The Second Generation 1968-1993" arrives on 3/7! Rush release RUSH50 box on 3/21! McCartney & Wings release half-speed remaster of "Venus & Mars" on 3/21! InXS "Listen Like Thieves" gets 3-CD anniversary release on 5/9! Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes expand "Live At The Greek" on 3/14!
NOW ON SALE:	Automatic-The Lumineers Meanwhile-Eric Clapton Eric Clapton Unplugged...over 30 Years later-Eric Clapton (MTV Unplugged show expanded) The Human Fear-Franz Ferdinand Look Up-Ringo Starr (country album from former beatle) Dear Life-David Gray Balloonerism-Mac Miller Bloom-Larkin Poe Hurry Up Tomorrow-The Weekend The Bed Fire-Mogwai Thrill Seeker (20th Anniversary Edition)-August Burns Red Critical Thinking-Manic Street Preachers Katy Lied-Steely Dan (vinyl re-release) Parasomnia-Dream Theatre Universe Room-Guided By Voices Love & Hyperbole-Alessia Cara Sleepless Empire-Lacuna Coil Live At The Apollo-Robert Palmer (vinyl/ CD/ digital re-release) Rhythm & Blues-Robert Palmer (vinyl/ CD/ digital re-release) Drive-Robert Palmer (vinyl/ CD/ digital re-release)
RECENT RELEASES:	Rome-The National (live album) Missionary-Snoop Dogg The Night-Saint Etienne Alan Parsons Project, Pyramid (45 RPM audiophile edition) Blue Oyster Cult, 50th Anniversary Live: Third Night Erasure, Snow Globe; Tomorrow's World; The Violet Flame (vinyl reissues) George Harrison, Brainwashed (vinyl reissue) Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, Bare Bones: The Duo Recordings (3CD box or double vinyl) Little Richard, The Rill Thing (opaque pink vinyl reissue); Lifetime Friend (opaque turquoise vinyl) Various artists, Pulp Fiction: Music From the Motion Picture (30th anniversary reissue) Wham!, Last Christmas 40th Anniversary EP Over There: Live at the Venue, London -- The Complete Concert-The Blasters (expanded reissue) Tango in the Night-Fleetwood Mac (hybrid SACD reissue) Danse Macabre: De Luxe=Duran Duran (expanded vinyl release) Thro' My Eyes: Vertigo Years 1970-1974-Ian Matthews (matthews southern comfort/ fairport convention) (5CD box set) Hear My Song: The Collection 1966-1995-Laura Nyro (19CD box) Mystic Man-Peter Tosh (green recycled vinyl edition) Hackney Diamonds-The Rolling Stones (vinyl reissue) The Definitive Collection-Stevie Wonder (gold double vinyl reissue) The Heart of Saturday Night-Tom Waits (raspberry vinyl reissue) Lazy Days: The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1975-various artists (3CD box with Bad Company, Thin Lizzy, the Kinks, Ian Hunter, Jethro Tull, others)
Date:	Title-Artist(s):
3/14/25:	The Father Of Make Believe-Coheed & Cambria The Sunlandic Twins-Of Montreal Moonlight Concessions-Throwing Muses Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live - Perpetual Change-Jon Anderson & the Band Geeks The Overview-Steven Wilson (2CD/ 1CD/ 1 disc blu-ray/ digital/ 2LP red vinyl box ft. Randy McStine on guitar) A Boy Named Goo-Goo Goo Dolls (2LP [regular vinyl or limited edition sea blue vinyl]/ 2CD deluxe edition) {also ten bonus tracks for the 2CD set/ digital formats} Live At The Greek-Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes (3CD set or 6CD Box)
3/21/25:	is-My Morning Jacket I Said I Love You First-Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco The Young Fashioned Ways-Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd Live At The Sydney Opera House-Tommy Emmanuel Venus and Mars-Paul McCartney & Wings (half-speed remaster/ dolby atmos) RUSH50-Rush (7-LP/ 4-CD/ Digital boxed set)
3/28/25:	Rushmere-Mumford & Sons Dreams On Toast-The Darkness Arcadia-Alison Krauss & Union Station Loose Talk-Bryan Ferry The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway-Genesis (4CD + blu-ray Super Deluxe Edition) Pushed To The Edge-Don Airey (keyboards for Deep Purple/ Ozzy Osborne/ Rainbow/ Whitesnake/ Judas Priest/ Gary Moore/ Brian May/ Jethro Tull/ Black Sabbath) 1975 to 1987-Fleetwood Mac (6LP/ 5CD boxed set) Heartbreaker-Mike Campbell (memoir due in bookstores today.)
4/4/25:	Who Believes In Angels?-Elton John & Brandi Carlile Song Of The Earth-Dirty Projectors/ David Longstreth/ stargaze
4/11/25:	SABLE, fABLE-Bon Iver
4/12/25- RECORD STORE DAY:	EXCLUSIVE: Alan Parsons Project, I Robot: Work in Progress (LP) B52's, The B52's (LP Picture Disc) Bruce Springsteen and the Killers, Encore at the Garden (12" Vinyl) The Cure, The Head on the Door (LP Picture Disc) David Bowie, Ready, Set, Go! Live: Riverside Studios '03 (CD/2LP-180 gram) David Gilmour, Between Two Points (12" Vinyl) Dokken, Beast From the East: Live (2LP) Doors, Strange Days 1967: A Work In Progress (LP) Duran Duran, Danse Macabre De Luxe (12" EP) Eddie Vedder, Save It For Later / Room at the Top (12" Single) Elvis Costello, Kings of America Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2LP) Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac (LP Picture Disc) Geddy Lee, The Lost Demos (12" Single) George Harrison, All Things Must Pass (Zoetrope Picture Disc); Be Here Now (RSD Song of the Year with Beck, 12" Single) Grateful Dead, On a Back Porch Vol. 1 (LP); Beacon Theatre, New York, NY 6/14/76 (LP) Hindu Love Gods, Hindu Love Gods (LP) Jethro Tull, Songs From the Vault: 1975-1978 (2LP) John Lennon, Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band and Elephant's Memory, Power to the People: Live at the One to One Concert, New York City 1972 (yellow-vinyl EP) Joni Mitchell, Live 1976 (3LP) Judas Priest, Live in Atlanta '82 (2LP) Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos, Live 3.10.22 (EP) Lou Reed, Metal Machine Music (2LP) Motley Crue, Smokin' in the Boys Room / Home Sweet Home (Vinyl) Neil Finn, Sessions at West 54th Street (2LP) Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets, Echoes: Live (12" Single) Pixies, Bossanova / Trompe Le Mode: Live From Europe 2023 (2LP) Prince and the New Power Generation, Live at Glam Slam (3LP) Queen, De Lane Lea Demos (Vinyl) Ramones, Loco Live (2LP) Replacements, Tim (2LP) Ronnie Wood, Live at Electric Ladyland (LP) Soul Asylum, After the Flood: Live From the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997 (2LP) Starship, We Built This City (12" Picture Disc) Stone Temple Pilots, Live in New Haven 1994 (2LP) Sweet, Desolation Boulevard - 50th Anniversary: Live and Demos (LP) Talking Heads, Live on Tour (2LP) Tesla, Real 2 Reel Vol. 2 (Vinyl) Thin Lizzy, Jailbreak: Alternate Version (LP) Thirteenth Floor Elevators, Houston Music Theatre, Live 1967 (LP) Todd Rundgren, Initiation (2LP) Thompson Twins, Into the Gap: Live! (2LP) Wang Chung, Everybody Have Fun Tonight (10" Vinyl) War, Why Can't We Be Friends: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition (3LP) Warren Zevon, Piano Fighter: The Giant Years (4LP) Yes, Live at the Rainbow, London, England 12/16/1972 (3LP) RSD FIRST Black Sabbath, The Eternal Idol (LP) Collective Soul, Blender (LP) Dave Stewart, Stewart Sings Dylan (LP) Clarence White, Melodies From a Byrd in Flyte: 1963-1973 (LP) Elton John, Live at the Rainbow Theatre (LP) Jerry Garcia Band, Don't Let Go: Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco - May 21, 1976 (4LP) Mark Knopfler, One Take Radio Sessions (LP) Oasis, Time Flies: 1994-2009 (4LP) U2 and Brian Eno, Passengers: Original Soundtracks 1 - 30th Anniversary Edition (2LP) Peter Gabriel, OVO (2LP) Peter Tosh, Greatest Hits (LP) Rage Against the Machine, Live on Tour 1993 (2LP) Rolling Stones, Out of Our Heads: U.S. Version (LP) Roger Waters, The Dark Side Of The Moon Redux: Live (neon pink LP) Scott Ian, Black Knight Sword of Rage: Music From the Original Pinball Soundtrack (LP) Sly and the Family Stone, The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 (LP) Sting, Sting 3.0 Live (2LP) T. Rex, Bolan B-Sides (2LP) Throwing Muses, Live in Providence (LP) Todd Rundgren, The Arena Tour Live (2LP) Tom Waits, Get Behind the Mule: Spiritual / Get Behind the Mule (7" Vinyl) LIMITED / REGIONAL Blasters, An American Music Story: The Complete Studio Recordings 1979-1985 (5LP) Nektar, Remember the Future: 50th Anniversary Remix (LP) Saxon, Wheels of Steel: 45th Anniversary Edition (2LP)
4/18/25:	Thee Black Boltz-Tunde Abebimpe (singer for TV on the radio)
4/25/25:	Everything Must Go-Goose
5/9/25:	Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!-Counting Crows Aperature-The Head & The Heart Tall Tales-Thom Yorke & Mark Pritchard Listen Like Thieves-InXS (3CD 40th Anniversary Edition)
5/21/25:	The Right Person Will Stay-Lana del Rey
5/30/25:	Let All That We Imagine Be The Light-Garbage Hope We Have Fun-Mt. Joy
6/6/25:	Tha Carter VI-Lil Wayne Soft New Magic Dream-Black Moth Super Rainbow Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall-Cypress Hill & London Symphony Orchestra
7/15/25:	"Ghost Notes" memoir from Poison's Rikki Rockett.

History Of Local Releases from Binghamton Area Artists:

...got an album by a Binghamton area artist to add?  Please send your submission to: Info@Radio2Point0.com. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Nowhere But Down-Woodshed Prophets

---If The Woodshed Prophets self-titled debut was their shot at proving themselves to be a viable recording entity, and not just a cover band, then "Nowhere But Down," sees the band getting more comfortable with the place they've carved out. 

----They refer to their style as "Power Twang," so with that in mind this album is a little more twang and a little less power, while their first disc was a little more power.  That's not such a bad thing.  The songs are still strong, but while they rock a bit less, they are still celebratory.  This is closer to a good time party album.  It gets a bit mellow at the end, but what party doesn't? 

---"Nowhere But Down" opens with the raucous, party anthem "Moonshiners Ball," but from that high, descends into an almost happy, but not quite "let's get drunk to forget our broken hearts" ballad, that would make Jimmy Buffett proud.  Also, this song has something that you would think more of the "Prophets" songs would have had...steel guitar.

---"Dancing In The Kitchen" is sentimental, but not sappy, with a hook that radio and DJ's in particular should love.  It's an Alabama style ballad, with a little boogie at the end. Too bad it's corporate managers that make the decisions these days.  This has a chance to be a legitimate hit.

---"Can’t Take It" gives a bouyant voice to bubbling-under frustration.  This mid-to-uptempo melody, driving harmonica and vocal harmonies almost make frustration seem like a good thing, but the desperate vocals betray the songs good time feel, and echo it's true intent.

---"Jesus Saves" gives voice to beer-goggles mentality by putting us in a car with a stoned, cigarette smoking and drunk driver, more worried about being busted by the cops than dying in a car crash on the highway, because he knows he'll go to heaven in the crash.  The song doesn't mock this mindset, or attempt to judge it, but it is scary because most people know someone just like this guy.

---Musically "Sandy" brings together The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen-esque riffs that make for an excellent piece of working man's rock.  The opening alone melds an "Already Gone" style riff, with the E-Street Bands' signature chugging rhythm section's style, while paying tribute to a barmaid who stays cool. 

---"Bottle Of Whiskey" finds the band breaking out the steel guitar again, in a jamming piece of country rock during verses, that morphs into rockin' country during the chorus, it not only works, but it has one of the best sing-along choruses of the whole disc. 

---"Ladybug" isn't about a bug at all, but a woman who needs to "fly on home," 'cause her husbands out drinkin', messing around and her kids are alone, sung from the perspective of friend that maybe wants to be something more.  It's a bit sad, but lovely, too.

---"My Front Door," is an ode to those who can't stop their mind from racing, featuring Eagles-like harmonies.  It's a great hangover recovery song.

---"Two Steps Closer" is a rousing anthem for trailer trash in a bad relationship.

---"Lorraine" is little bit of Texas boogie and blues that sounds like it was written for Z.Z. Top.

---I suppose that a band that plays as many country bars as The Woodshed Prophets, had to record a song like the album's finale, "Land Of The Fourth Of July."  It is a smoldering, minimalistic piece...just keyboards, piano and two part harmony.  No percussion whatsoever, but doesn't the opening piano part remind you of "Strange Magic," by ELO? 

---"Nowhere But Down" shows the "Prophets" a little more mature, a little more comfortable, but still a lot of fun.  It's a great ride for country rockers of any age!

---Dr. Dave 10/12/13

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ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Metaphors For Love-Brenna Swanger:

---At age 15, most teenagers are trying to keep up with their homework, school sports or the latest trends on YouTube.  Not Brenna Swanger.  At age 15 she's  made an album, and surprise, it's a credible album.  Now let's put this in perspective...this is an album that features songs from the point-of-view of a teenage girl, by a teenage girl for teenage girls.  There are songs about love, losing at love, victimized by love, love fantasies, etc.  That being said, this is a well crafted pop album.  Swanger didn't overstep her abilities...she kept things simple.  Most songs feature her vocals (overdubs for harmony and/ or effect here and there.) either a keyboard or guitar, or both, and electronic drums, but she wrote all the lyrics, contributed on the music and of course sang on everything.  Some songs feature some violins and there are a few guest appearances, for example a smokin' guitar solo, by her guitar teacher and Rooster & the Roadhouse Horns guitarist, Paul Knapik on "It's You," and even a somewhat out of place verse of rap over the bridge of "A Million Lies," by Joey C.  Mary Falvo also plays lead guitar on "Victim Of Your Love." 

Overall, this album reminds me of Tiffany.  I know I'm dating myself, but this sounds like an album that Tiffany could have made back in the late '80's.  Maybe Brenna should start singing in malls.  That Swanger accomplished this at her age and contributed as much as she did is amazing.  It speaks to her abilities not just as a singer, but a songwriter, too.  Most artists at this level are performing songs by other artists.  That she already has ten originals on an album is nothing short of incredible.  Let's not sell her strong, clear vocals and decent vocal range short either.  

My favs on this album are the ballad, "Lullaby," followed by "Be There," "Invisible Love," anyone of which could be a single, but "Lullaby" in particular, is the most mature and broadly appealing song in this package.

Can't wait to hear how her abilities grow on her next album.

---Dr. Dave 9/28/13.

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CD REVIEW: Obscuriosity-Stephen Lawrenson

Lawrensons third album is another collection of smart, jangly alt-pop, that will remind you at times of ELO, or John Lennon's post-Beatles solo work.  The opening track, "Your Karma," is especially Jeff Lynne-esque with it's heavy reverb and harmonies.  The title track is bouncy and you'll find yourself amazed at how many words actually rhyme with "Obscuriosity."  "Edge Of The World" features a more laid back groove that owes a lot to The Beatles, as does "Words To Say," and "Small White House."  Lawrenson obviously wears his influences on his sleeve.

"2^nd Time Around" sees the production value and the reverb stripped back a bit revealing a sound closer to Toad The Wet Sprocket, than ELO and perhaps a lot closer to the real Stephen Lawrenson.  The songs remain irresistibly pop and extremely catchy.

On "Ordinary" the production value is upped a little on what is possibly the second best song on the album. 

"Forever And A Day" is a straight forward love song, which features some nice mandolin and/or banjo work.  The drumming is minimized with emphasis on picking and lyrics with harmonies for accent.  This could be a hit pop song.

The production value comes roaring back on "Thank You," and on the albums conclusion, "Pale Yellow," which reminds me of the way that ELO ended their landmark album, "Out Of The Blue"...with a soft yet bombastic goodbye. 

The songs are extremely catchy and excessive listening could lead to whistling, or even singing along.  Lawrenson is clearly one guy who can write a hook. 

Originally published: 9/21/13

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Album Review:

Band: Esquela

Album name: "Are We Rolling?" 

Release Date: 6/14/13

Esquela is a band that plays country rock...which always strikes me odd, because with a name like Esquela, it seems like they should be a mariachi band, but forget the name for a moment, forget that it's really just a nickname for the bands founder and get into their sound.  This is a country rock band, with a blistering female singer, who sounds like a cross between Dale Krantz Rossington and Linda Ronstadt, and musically the band is tight, with a sound that recalls some of Rolling Stones best country rockers, but the songs on "Are We Rolling?" seem written right out of a conservative right-wing playbook that would make Dick Cheney proud, denouncing welfare on "Free Bird," (which was replaced over a decade ago by President Clinton's workfare program), Union corruption (on "Too Far Left"--as if the left are the only ones capable of abusing power.), and the sin of laziness on "My Friend."  There are some songs on the album that strike a more broad appeal, like "Free Beer," which addresses religious intolerance..."Frozen Chosin" heralds Korean War vets..."Phone Home" gives a cheater the heave-ho..."Genesee Fever" references the Loomis Gang in the 1800's and is one of only two songs on the album that don't seem to have a political agenda...and the closing track (the other track that is not political) is the classic "Tossin' And Turnin' " originally made popular in the 60's by Bobby Lewis. 

This band was built to be a good time rockin' blues band, and the songs are uptempo and jangly, but the lyrics just appeal to a narrow audience.  It'll probably play well in small town conservative bars and pubs, but it may have a hard time finding a wider audience.  Too bad, because this band can play and given the right songs, they could break out nationally.  Singing about religion and politics usually doesn't help, in fact that's why the best songwriters try to write songs so that they're open to interpretation, so that they'll appeal to listeners across the country and around the world.  So, consider this album a lesson in writing lyrics.  I'm hoping that on the next album, the lyrics will live up to the band, because this band really can play...they just need songs that live up to the caliber of these fine musicians.  They need their own, "Honky Tonk Woman," for example.  Not that they need to cover that particular song, they just need a song that will do for them, what that song did for The Stones.  They just need songs that reflect the attitude that this band evokes...a good rockin' good drinkin' good time, and when they find those kinds of songs, I hope they'll let me review that album, too.  In fact, I'm looking forward to it. 

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