Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):

UPCOMING ALBUM RELEASES 071524:                                                                                                       

NOTES:
Katy Perry drops "143" on 9/20!
Coldplay craft "Moon Music" for 10/4!
Dio drops a Donington box on 7/19!
Offspring gets "Supercharged" on 10/11!
Oceano releases "Living Chaos" on 8/30!
"Skid Row Live In London" arrives on 9/20!
Pete Townshend unloads mega live box, "Pete Townshend Live In Concert 1985-2001" (14-disc box)!
Blur to release "Live At Wembley Stadium" CD on 7/26! Companion documentary on 9/6!
Renegades & Juke Box Heroes, the Styx/ Foreigner tour companion album due on 7/12!
Los Lonely Boys experience "Resurrection" on 8/2!

NOW ON SALE:
Beauty In Your Wake-P!nk
-Imagine Dragons
C. XOXO-Camila Cabello
Megan-Megan Thee Stallion
Strut Of Kings-Guided By Voices
South Of Here-Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Hot Sun, Cool Shroud (EP)-Wilco
Crash-Kehlani
Good Together-Lake Street Dive
From The Mars Hotel-Grateful Dead (Deluxe 50th anniversary edition, with two bonus tracks. The 3CD set includes a 1974 concert on disc 2 & 3)
An Hour Before It's Dark: Live in Port Zelande 2023-Marillion (2CD digipak/ blu-ray digipak/ DVD/ 3LP vinyl)
Timeless-Meghan Trainor
Dopamine-Normani
As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again-The Decemberists
V-Black Country Communion
Hummingbird-Carly Pearce
POPtical Illusion-John Cale
Feats Don't Fail Me Now-Little Feat (expanded 50th Anniversary edition)
Brat-Charli XCX
Forever-Bon Jovi
Eels Time!-Eels
Salvation-Quinn Sullivan

RECENT RELEASES:
Exodus (expanded edition)-Bob Marley
Clancy-twenty one pilots
...Is Committed-Say Anything
Frog In Boiling Water-Diiv
Every New Beginning-Kim Richey
Blue Electric Light-Lenny Kravitz
66-Paul Weller (legendary guitar player for The Jam and The Style Council.)
Drums Of Compassion-Michael Shrieve
Orgy Of The Damned-Slash (blues covers)
Neon Pill-Cage The Elephant
Reunion-John Oates (solo album from member of hall & oates)
On You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To-Knocked Loose
From Hell I Rise-Kerry King (slayer)
Lives Outgrown-Beth Gibbons (portishead singer)
Sam's Place-Little Feat (blues cover album)
Ooh La La-Guster
Still Kids-New Kids On The Block
Lady On The Cusp-Of Montreal
The Avett Brothers-The Avett Brothers
Clancy-twenty one pilots
Gravity Stairs-Crowded House
Anno Domini-Black Sabbath [boxed set of the four Tony Martin albums 1989-1994, plus rare tracks.]

UPCOMING RELEASES:_________________________________________________________________

7/12/24:
Unprecedented Shit-Ani DiFranco
X's-Cigarettes After Sex
Mind Games (expanded version)-John Lennon
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge-Van Halen (expanded 2CD/2LP/2 blu-ray/ 7" singles bundle edition)
Renegades & Juke Box Heroes-Styx/ Foreigner (limited edition picture discs or silver vinyl)

7/19/24:
I Love You So F***ing Much-Glass Animals
=1-Deep Purple
One Way-Michael Hutchence (previously unreleased solo tracks for the late InXs frontman on 10-inch vinyl picture disc.)
The Complete Donington Collection-Dio (5LP box)

7/26/24:
Y2K-Ice Spice
Live At Wembley Stadium-blur (CD/ 3LP-black/ 3LP-teal (sunday show)/ 2LP-highlights/ 2LP-picture disc/ 2-cassette tapes/ digital)
Ill Communication-Beastie Boys (limited edition 3LP/ cassette 30th Anniversary deluxe edition)
Synchronicity-The Police (6CD/4LP Limited Edition Boxed Set w/ 55 previously unreleased tracks!)

8/2/24:
Resurrection-Los Lonely Boys
Sincere-Khalid
Stampede-Orville Peck
Smoke & Fiction-X
No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin-MeshellNdegeocello

8/9/24:
analysis paralysis-Four Year Strong
Faceless-Godsmack (vinyl release on limited release marble vinyl and black vinyl on 2LP 45 rpm vinyl)
Another Day-Fucked Up
Rayo-J Balvin
Flight b741-King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

8/16/24:
F-1 Trillion-Post Malone
Paradise State Of Mind-Foster The People
Miami Moon-Devon Allman
This Is How Tomorrow Moves-Beabadoobee
Popular Monster-Falling In Reverse
Long Way Home-Ray LaMontagne

8/23/24:
Short N' Sweet-Sabrina Carpenter
untitled-Ingrid Michaelson

8/30/24:
The Phantom Five-AWOLNATION
Wild God-Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Living Chaos-Oceano
Definitely Maybe-Oasis (expanded edition)
TELOS-Zedd

9/6/24:
Luck And Strange-David Gilmour (pink floyd guitar player/ singer)
Something Is Working Up Above My Head-Shovels & Rope
Ensoulment-The The
Infinite Icon-Paris Hilton
Embers-God Is An Astronaut
Live At Wembley Stadium-blur (video documentary)

9/13/24:
Indoor Safari-Nick Lowe
The Forest Is The Path-Snow Patrol
Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin-Suki Waterhouse
Moon Mirror-Nada Surf
Live In Manchester-The Damned

9/20/24:
143-Katy Perry
High-Keith Urban
7-Nelly Furtado
Sink Your Teeth-Neon Trees
Like All Before You-Julian Casablances & The Voidz (digital only release)
My Years With UFO-Michael Schenker
Skid Row Live In London-Skid Row
Five Dice, All Threes-Bright Eyes
Flow Critical Lucidity-Thurston Moore

10/4/24:
Moon Music-Coldplay
with you in spirit-Balance & Composure

10/11/24:
Supercharged-The Offspring
No Obligation-The Linda Lindas
The Art Of Letting Go-Myles Kennedy (slash/ alter bridge) [limited edition 1LP gatefold royal blue splatter/ fuchsia/ cristallo w/ signed card/ royal blue/ baby blue/ marble rose/ marble blue/ marble violet black/ solid viola/ black or 1CD limited edition digisleeve box w-notebook-3 pencils-pin/ 1CD digisleeve w/sticker & pick/ 1CD digisleeve/ digital]

10/18/24
Music For People Who Believe In Love-Joe Jonas
Heavy Lifting-MC5

10/22/24:
Brothers-Alex Van Halen autobiography via Harper Collins (only 384 pages).

10/25/24:
Album Of The Year #1 Funkateer-Bootsy Collins

10/28/24:
"Hallowed Be Thy Name: The Iron Maiden Bible " by Martin Popoff hits stores today.

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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