Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):

UPCOMING RELEASES:

NOTES:	Van Halen releases "Live At Wembley 1995" as a 2LP black vinyl album or a 1CD disc, originally released on the expanded version of "Balance" on 1/9/26! Tori Amos expands "Strange Little Girls" on 2/20/26! Gorillaz move release date of "The Mountain" up to 2/27/26! Prince's estate reissues two phases of "HITnRUN" on 1/30/26! Devon Allman acquires "nightvision" on 1/2/26! Nothing release "Decay" on 2/27/26! Illenium's "Odyssey" begins on 2/6/26! Asia "Live In England" arrives on 3/13/26! Faith-George Michael (30th Anniversary limited-edition vinyl variants on Red or Black Marble vinyl/ picture disc/ 1LP/ 2LP/ blu-ray) on 2/20/26! The Dandy Warhols post "Pin Ups" on 3/20! Ex-Motley Crue singer, Corabi greets "New Day" on 4/24! The Sensational Alex Harvey Band unloads a 21CD box on 4/10, "Good Evening Boys & Girls" The Kid LAROI move "Before I Forget" up a week for release on 1/9/26! Status Quo's Francis Rossi releases solo album, "The Accidental"
NOW ON SALE:	Peter Criss-Peter Criss Sea Songs EP-Dorothy The Great Escape (30th Anniversary Edition)-blur The Crown Jewels-Andy Bell (erasure) Year Of The Goat-Fucked Up Wish You Were Here 50-Pink Floyd Wisconsin Death Trip (25th Anniversary Edition)-Static-X Live After Death-Iron Maiden (vinyl reissue) The Best Of The Band-The Band (reissue) Born To Do It-Craig David (25th Anniversary Edition) Telekon-Gary Numan (Deluxe Expanded Edition) Wisconsin Death Trip-Static-X (25th Anniversary Edition) What's The Story Morning Glory?-Oasis (7" vinyl singles box) title tbd-Nas and DJ Premier A To H-NoFX Aurora Gory Alice-Letters To Cleo (reissue) Wholesale Meads and Fish-Letters To Cleo (reissue) Love & Fear-Zac Brown Band There Is Nothing In The Dark Which Isn't There In The Light-Tom Smith (the editors) Stories Of A Stranger (20th Anniversary Edition)-O.A.R. Live From Glastonbury (A BBC Recording)-Olivia Rodrigo Labcabincalifornia-The Pharcyde (30th Anniversary edition) The Last Ship-Sting (expanded edition) The Collection-Ultravox (deluxe edition) Stories Of A Stranger-O.A.R. (20th Anniversary Edition) The Factory Singles-Happy Mondays Memento Mori: Mexico City-Depeche Mode Mr. Bad Guy-Freddie Mercury (vinyl reissue) The 60's Singles-Judy Collins Live God-Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds The Navy Album-Roddy Ricch Labcabincalifornia-The Pharcyde (30th Anniversary Edition) Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere-Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (jeremy allen white) Passages: Artists In Solidarity With Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers-Various Artists Cook-Lettuce The Leaks-Lil Baby
RECENT RELEASES:	PULSE EP-Benson Boone (vinyl release) Rum Sodomy & The Last-The Pogues (Deluxe Edition) Live From The Vic in Chicago-Cage The Elephant (vinyl release) Quarantieme: Live a Paris-Dream Theatre Don't Tease Me With A Good Time-Jessie J Tonights The Night-Neil Young (50th Anniversary Edition) Fly From Here (Return Trip)-Yes (1CD/ 2LP/ blu-ray) [Super Deluxe alternate version of 2011 album] The Live Anthology-From The Vaults, Vol. #1-Tom Petty Copper Blue-The Singles Collection-Sugar Around The World In A Day: The Singles-Prince and the Revolution Rewiring Genesis-A Tribute To The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway-Nick D'Virgilio Bedtime Stories: The Untold Chapter-Madonna Metal Machine Music: Power To Consume, Vol. 1-Lou Reed/ various artists Fleetwood Mac Live 1975-Fleetwood Mac (vinyl release) The Original Freewheelin' Bob Dylan-Bob Dylan Live From Long Island-Billy Joel (vinyl reissue) Sister Sweetly-Big Head Todd & the Monsters (vinyl reissue) Broadcasting The Blues: Live From Germany & Sweden-B.B. King Live At The Bayou-Bad Brains One More Time EP-Aerosmith & Yungblud Live (vinyl reissue)-Alison Krauss & Union Station Leo Rising-Danko Jones Best Of Creed-Creed FYC40-Fine Young Cannibals See You On The Other Side (vinyl reissue)-KoRn Journeyman: Deluxe Edition-Eric Clapton (CD/LP, includes four new bonus tracks) Live Era: '87-'93-Guns N' Roses (Remastered 4LP box) Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance-The Doors See You On The Other Side-KoRn (vinyl reissue) Everyone's A Star-5 Seconds Of Summer Another Miracle-Of Mice & Men All Washed Up-Cheap Trick Some Hearts (20th Anniversary Edition)-Carrie Underwood Flowers-The Devil Wears Prada Coming Home Live-The Scorpions The Definitive Decoration Day-Drive-By Truckers The Best Of Everything But The Girl-Everything But The Girl Psychocandy (40th Anniversary Edition)-The Jesus & Mary Chain Gala (35th Anniversary Edition)-Lush Hecklers Choice: Big Gums & Heavy Lifters-Pavement Pavements (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)-Pavement Black And Blue-The Rolling Stones (2025 expanded reissue) Songs From The Big Chair (40th Anniversary Edition)-Tears For Fears Amorica-The Black Crowes (deluxe edition) The Definitive Decoration Day-Drive-By Truckers All Right: The Worldwide Singles 1980-1988-Christopher Cross Warning-Green Day (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Familiar To Millions-Oasis (reissue) FYC40-Fine Young Cannibals Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness-Smashing Pumpkins (30th Anniversary Edition) Around The World In A Day-Prince (40th Anniversary Edition)
Date:	Title-Artist(s):
1/1/26:	Stranger Things: Soundtrack From The Netflix Series, Season 5-Original Soundtrack
1/2/26:	nightvision-Devon Allman
1/9/26:	AB-Alter Bridge Selling A Vibe-The Cribs Quicksand Heart-Jenny On Holiday (Jenny Hollingsworth from Lets Eat Gramma) Before I Forget-The Kid Laroi Live At Wembley 1995-Van Halen (2LP/1CD)
1/16/26:	Live From Suffocate City-The Funeral Portrait After Hours-Richard Marx Don't Be Dumb-A$AP Rocky
1/23/26:	Redux EP-Cat Power I'm Your Vampire-Tom Hamilton (joe russo's almost dead) World's Gone Wrong-Lucinda Williams Spirit Of Eden-Talk Talk (vinyl reissue) Not Like Eerybody Else-The Damned How Did I Get Here?-Louis Tomlinson Nine Lives-Goldfinger Megadeth-Megadeth Symphonic Live-Yes The Power Station-The Power Station (robert palmer/ andy & john taylor of duran duran/ tony thompson of chic supergroup 40th Anniversary 3CD Edition)
1/30/26:	Wormslayer-Kula Shaker The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965-Miles Davis World's Gone Wrong-Lucinda Williams IM30-Infected Mushroom The Accidental-Francis Rossi (of status quo) HITnRUN phase one-Prince (reissue) HITnRUN phase two-Prince (reissue) Howl-Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (20th Anniversary Deluxe Box)
2/6/26:	Sunday Best-Nick Jonas BRITPOP-Robbie Williams Tenterhooks-Silversun Pickups Normal Isn't-Puscifer Odyssey-Illeniium Weapons Of Beauty-Jay Buchanan (rival sons singer solo debut) Tales From The Topographic Oceans-Yes (Super Deluxe Edition)
2/13/26:	Prizefighter-Mumford & Sons Wuthering Heights-Charli XCX What A Time To Be Alive-The Lone Bellow We Mean It, Man!-Gogol Bordello Look Who's Back-The Nude Party A.R.S.O.N.-Story Of The Year
2/20/26:	Listen Up!-New Found Glory Luck...or something-Hilary Duff Country Sides-Band Of Heathens My Ego Told Me To-Leigh-Anne (little mix singer) Faith-George Michael (vinyl reissue) Strange Little Girls-Tori Amos (expanded edition)
2/27/26:	Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs (20th Anniversary Edition)-Andrew Bird Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance-Chuck Corea The Great Satan-Rob Zombie The Mountain-Gorillaz A Short History Of Decay-Nothing
3/6/26:	Whatever's Clever-Charlie Puth Trixies-Squeeze Awake-Godsmack (25th Anniversary Edition)
3/13/26:	Only You Left-The Orielles Asia-Live In England-Asia
3/20/26	Boxing The Compass-Haircut 100 Pin Ups-The Dandy Warhols (covers album) Billie Eilish movie "Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour (Live In 3D)" will be released in theatres.
3/27/26:	RISE-Melissa Etheridge
04/10/26:	Hope And Fury-Joe Jackson Dopes To Infinity-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) God Says No-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) Powertrip-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) Superjudge-Monster Magnet (vinyl reissue) Good Evening Boys & Girls-The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (21CD Live box)
4/17/26:	Hotlife-Tiga You Got This-Skindred
4/24/26:	Toy With Me-Meghan Trainor New Day-John Corabi (ex-motley crue singer)
5/1/26:	Sweat-Melanie C (spice girls)
5/15/26:	Hell Awaits-Slayer (40th Anniversary Edition)

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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