It's reissue season, and this week brings us deluxe versions of Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger, Tori Amos' Boys for Pele, Ween's live album, and R.E.M.'s now-classic Out of Time, whose deluxe edition features new liner notes, 19 never-before-heard demos, an unreleased 1991 live show, plus eight music videos, a 1991 EPK video, and the album itself, natch, remastered.
As for new releases, we've got the eighteenth studio album from Thee Oh Sees, described as a companion LP to A Weird Exits, which came out in August. The band describe it as "delving more towards the contemplative side than the face-skinning aspects" of its predecessor. Find out for yourself when the band plays KEXP's Gathering Space on Friday, November 25th at 1:00 PM. It's also worth noting, the band plan on donating half of their profits from the first pressing to Elizabeth House, a local charity in Pasadena that specifically helps homeless women with children from the San Gabriel Valley get back on their feet.
Other highlights this week include the debut from Cory Hanson, frontman for Wand. KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes it as "a fine set of psych-tinged folk-pop with a spare, acoustic-oriented sound." Solange releases a CD version of her heralded LP, A Seat at the Table (with vinyl being released in December). No surprise, Robert Pollard has a new project, ESP Ohio, a name I hope he cleared with Warren Defever of His Name is Alive, who kinda reigned over the ESP-something moniker in the '90s. Anyway, former-GBV'er current Nada Surf'er Doug Gillard is also on board, as is Travis Harrison and Mark Shue of Beech Creeps (and current GBV bassist). Split Single, side project of Jason Narducy (Bob Mould, Superchunk), share a sophomore LP, again featuring drummer Jon Wurster, and this time recruiting Wilco bassist John Stirratt. And, finally, French electronic duo Justice release their third album, just in time for Seasonal Affective Disorder to kick in. Band member Xavier de Rosnay describes as "joyful and uplifting, like if you're in the car with your best friends, your lovers, or your kids in the summer." Perfect.
Despite being Black Friday, quite a slew of new albums hit the stores last week, including the highly anticipated third album from The Weeknd. It's a star-studded affair featuring guest appearances from Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, Future, and Kendrick Lamar. Swedish psych rockers Dungen share their la…
Ethan J.Nipsey Hussle, Choice, Tha landlord, J.D.U.Fruit Juice, Le Grotto, Dr.
Last Friday gave us a new LP from veteran hip-hop band A Tribe Called Quest, their first in 18 years, and their last, with the passing of founding member Phife Dawg due to complications with diabetes. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says, "It's a strong return to form of often-politically charged hip…
