Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):

UPCOMING RELEASES:

NOTES:	New Steven Wilson box "The Overview" will included tracks featuring Binghamton's own guitar superstar, Randy McStine! Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd team-up for a new blues album and tour! Supertramp releases "Live In Paris '79" a 3LP/2CD package on 2/28! Don Airey teases "Pushed To The Edge" on 3/28! David Lee Roth limited edition 5LP or 5CD boxed set "The Warner Recordings 1985-1994" drops on 2/21! Neil Young to release live album, "Oceanside Countryside" on vinyl only on 2/14/25! August Burns Red re-record "Thrill Seeker" for 20th Anniversary Edition to be release on 1/24! Coheed & Cambria release "Father Of Make Believe" on 3/14/25 Steely Dan to re-release "Katy Lied" on vinyl 1/31/25! Genesis to release a Super-Deluxe version of "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" on 4CD+ blu-ray on 3/28/25! Robert Palmer albums to be re-released on vinyl/ CD/ digital "Live At The Apollo, "Drive" and "Rhythm & Blues" on 2/14/25! Jon Anderson of Yes announces live release with "The Band Geeks" on 3/14! The Doobie Brothers announced a new album, "Walk This Road" will be issued in 2025 and it will feature Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons and John McFee
NOW ON SALE:	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)
RECENT RELEASES:	Dua Lipa Live From The Royal Albert Hall-Dua Lipa Welcome To Shepherd's Bush-The Rolling Stones (4K UHD/ blu-ray + 2CD/ 2CD/ black or white vinyl) The Jethro Tull Christmas Album: Fresh Snow At Christmas-Jethro Tull (remixed and expanded) Lucinda Williams Signs The Beatles From Abbey Road-Lucinda Williams Vicious Creature-Lauren Mayberry (debut solo album for CHVRCHES singer) Rose'-Rose' (solo album from blackpink member) Eric Clapton's 2023 Crossroads Guitar Festival-various artists (including Joe Bonamassa/ Sheryl Crow/ Los Lobos/ John Mayer/ Santana) [4CD/ 2 blu-ray] Live in Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes-Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Mahashmashana-Father John Misty Nobody Loves You More-Kim Deal This Strange Machine-Marillion (expanded edition as a 4CD + 1blu-ray set and/or 5LP boxed set) Dr. Feelgood-Motley Crue (3CD or 3LP boxed sets) Live From The Woods-NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1-NEEDTOBREATHE MMJ LIVE VOL. 4: TERMINAL 5 - NYC - THE TENNESSEE FIRE 10/18/10-My Morning Jacket One Assassination Under God: Chapter 1-Marilyn Manson How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb-U2 (8LP or 5CD box set, includes 5 previously unreleased tracks) Trapeze's The Lost Tapes, Vol. #2-Trapeze FROM ZERO-Linkin Park Bouquet-Gwen Stefani Gratitude-Mary J. Blige Living In The Material World-George Harrison (50th Anniversary edition) Undercover, Vol. #3-The Infamous Stringdusters (ft. Binghamton native, Andy Hall)
Date:	Title-Artist(s):
01/10/25:	The Human Fear-Franz Ferdinand Look Up-Ringo Starr (country album from former beatle)
1/17/25:	Dear Life-David Gray Balloonerism-Mac Miller
1/24/25:	Bloom-Larkin Poe Hurry Up Tomorrow-The Weekend The Bed Fire-Mogwai Thrill Seeker (20th Anniversary Edition)-August Burns Red
1/31/25:	Critical Thinking-Manic Street Preachers Katy Lied-Steely Dan (vinyl reissue)
2/7/25:	Parasomnia-Dream Theatre Universe Room-Guided By Voices
2/14/25:	Oceanside Countryside-Neil Young (live vinyl release only) 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)
2/21/25:	So Close To What-Tate McRae Antibloom-Silverstein Oh! The Ocean-The Wombats The Warner Recordings 1985-1994-David Lee Roth (5LP or 5 CD box)
2/28/25:	Live In Paris '79-Supertramp (3LP/2CD) Alter Ego-LISA [solo album for member of BLACKPINK]
3/14/25:	The Father Of Make Believe-Coheed & Cambria 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)
3/21/25:	The Young Fashioned Ways-Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd Live At The Sydney Opera House-Tommy Emmanuel
3/28/25:	Dreams On Toast-The Darkness 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) Heartbreaker-Mike Campbell (memoir due in bookstores today.)
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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