Saturday, May 11, 2024: 6pm ET: Feature LP: Yes – Mirror To The Sky (2023)

Mirror to the Sky is the twenty-third studio album by English progressive rock band Yes, released on May 19, 2023, by InsideOut Music and Sony Music. It is their first studio album with American drummer Jay Schellen as a full-time member following the death of long-time Yes drummer Alan White in 2022, and to whom the album is dedicated.

Yes started work on the album shortly before the release of The Quest, their previous album, in October 2021. Like its predecessor, guitarist Steve Howe resumed his role as producer on Mirror to the Sky and the FAMES Orchestra in North Macedonia provide orchestral arrangements by Paul K. Joyce on some songs.

The album was released on CD, LP, Blu-ray, and digital platforms, with some editions containing additional artwork by long-time Yes cover artist Roger Dean.

1. “Cut from the Stars” 5:25
2. “All Connected” 9:02
3. “Luminosity” 9:04
4. “Living Out Their Dream” 4:45
5. “Mirror to the Sky” 13:53
6. “Circles of Time” 4:59
7. “Unknown Place” 8:15
8. “One Second Is Enough” 4:04
9. “Magic Potion” 4:08

Jon Davison – lead vocals
Steve Howe – guitars, autoharp, backing vocals
Geoff Downes – keyboards
Billy Sherwood – bass guitar, backing vocals
Jay Schellen – drums, percussion
FAMES Studio Orchestra
Oleg Kondratenko – conductor
Paul K. Joyce – orchestral arrangements

Friday, April 26, 2024: 4pm ET: Feature LP: Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds (2023)

Hackney Diamonds is the 24th British and 26th American studio album by British rock band the Rolling Stones, released on October 20, 2023 on Polydor. The album features guest stars Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and former bandmate Bill Wyman. It is the first studio album of original material by the band since 2005’s A Bigger Bang and the band’s first following the 2021 death of drummer Charlie Watts, who contributed to select tracks in 2019. Critics have given the album positive reviews and several have remarked that it is their strongest album in multiple decades. The release was promoted with singles, music videos, publicity stunts, and merchandising that included worldwide fashion retail pop-ups, as well as cross-promotion with several sports teams.

“Angry” 3:46
“Get Close” 4:10
“Depending On You” 4:03
“Bite My Head Off” 3:31
“Whole Wide World” 3:58
“Dreamy Skies” 4:38
“Mess It Up” 4:03
“Live by the Sword” 3:59
“Driving Me Too Hard” 3:16
“Tell Me Straight” 2:56
“Sweet Sounds of Heaven” 7:22
“Rolling Stone Blues” 2:41

Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, guitar, percussion, harmonica on “Rolling Stone Blues”, production
Keith Richards – guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Tell Me Straight”, production
Charlie Watts – drums on “Mess It Up” and “Live by the Sword”
Ronnie Wood – guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
Matt Clifford – keyboards
Elton John – piano on “Get Close” and “Live by the Sword”
Darryl Jones – bass guitar
Steve Jordan – drums
Lady Gaga – vocals on “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”
Paul McCartney – bass guitar on “Bite My Head Off”
Andrew Watt – mixing, production, backing vocals
Stevie Wonder – keyboards and piano on “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”
Bill Wyman – bass guitar on “Live by the Sword”

Wednesday, April 17, 2024: 10:30am ET: Feature LP: The Beatles – 1967-1970 (50th Anniversary) (2023)

The Beatles 1967–1970, also known as the Blue Album, is a compilation album of songs by the English rock band the Beatles, spanning the years indicated in the title. A double LP, it was released with The Beatles 1962-1966 (the “Red Album”) in April 1973. 1967–1970 topped the Billboard albums chart in the United States and peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart. It was re-released in September 1993 on CD, charting at number 4 in the United Kingdom.

The album was instigated by Apple Records manager Allen Klein during his final months before being dismissed from that position. As with 1962–1966, the compilation was created by Apple and EMI/Capitol Records in response to a bootleg collection titled Alpha Omega, which had been sold on television the previous year. Print advertising for the two records made a point of declaring them “the only authorized collection of the Beatles”. The success of the two official double LP compilations inspired Capitol’s repackaging of the Beach Boys’ 1960s hits, starting with the 1974 album Endless Summer.

A deluxe expanded version of the album was released on November 10, 2023, featuring the previously unreleased song “Now and Then”, the final original single by the group. The deluxe edition features the album anniversary remix versions of the songs.

The nine additional tracks are: “Within You Without You”, “Dear Prudence”, “Glass Onion”, “Blackbird”, “Hey Bulldog”, “Oh! Darling”, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, “I Me Mine”, and “Now and Then”.

Six tracks (“I Am the Walrus”, “The Fool on the Hill”, “Magical Mystery Tour”, “Revolution”, “Hey Bulldog”, and “Old Brown Shoe”) received new stereo mixes for this release. The stereo mixes for the remaining tracks were sourced from those created for the following previously released album reissues: 1 (2015), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: 50th Anniversary Edition (2017), The Beatles: 50th Anniversary Edition (2018), Abbey Road: 50th Anniversary Edition (2019), and Let It Be: Special Edition (2021). The album is also available in Dolby Atmos surround sound. On the CD and digital editions, the additional tracks are inserted into the track list in chronological order of each track’s original issue, while on the vinyl edition, the first two LPs retain the track list of the 1973 release, with the additional tracks placed on a third LP. The vinyl edition come in both standard and coloured vinyl with each compilation’s respective colours.

1 Strawberry Fields Forever 4:12
2 Penny Lane 3:00
3 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 2:02
4 With a Little Help From My Friends 2:44
5 Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds 3:30
6 Within You Without You 5:11
7 A Day in the Life 5:07
8 All You Need Is Love 3:49
9 I Am the Walrus 4:35
10 Hello, Goodbye 3:29
11 The Fool on the Hill 3:00
12 Magical Mystery Tour 2:48
13 Lady Madonna 2:18
14 Hey Jude 7:11
15 Revolution 3:21

1 Back in the U.S.S.R. 2:45
2 Dear Prudence 3:59
3 While My Guitar Gently Weeps 4:46
4 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 3:11
5 Glass Onion 2:19
6 Blackbird 2:21
7 Hey Bulldog 3:11
8 Get Back 3:12
9 Don’t Let Me Down 3:34
10 The Ballad of John and Yoko 3:00
11 Old Brown Shoe 3:18
12 Here Comes the Sun 3:07
13 Come Together 4:19
14 Something 3:03
15 Octopus’s Garden 2:52
16 Oh! Darling 3:28
17 I Want You (She’s So Heavy) 7:47
18 Let It Be 3:51
19 Across the Universe 3:49
20 I Me Mine 2:27
21 The Long and Winding Road 3:37
22 Now and Then 4:08

Wednesday, April 17, 2024: 9am ET: Feature LP: Beatles – 1962-1966 [50th Anniversary Edition] (2023)

The Beatles 1962–1966, also known as the Red Album, is a compilation album of hit songs by the English rock band the Beatles, spanning the years indicated in the title. Released with its counterpart The Beatles 1967-1970 (the “Blue Album”) in 1973, the double LP peaked at number 3 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it topped the Cash Box albums chart and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart while 1967–1970 reached the top spot. The album was re-released in September 1993 on compact disc, charting at number 3 in the UK.

Staff Album Pick For 2023

The album was instigated by Apple Records manager Allen Klein shortly before he was dismissed from his position. Even though the group had success with cover versions of songs, particularly “Twist and Shout”, 1962–1966 contains only songs composed by the Beatles. The album omits any George Harrison compositions from the era, such as “Taxman”, as the content is entirely Lennon–McCartney originals.

As with 1967–1970, the compilation was created by Apple and EMI/Capitol Records in response to a bootleg collection titled Alpha Omega, which had been sold on television the previous year. Print advertising for the two records made a point of declaring them “the only authorized collection of the Beatles”. The success of the two official double LP compilations inspired Capitol’s repackaging of the Beach Boys’ 1960s hits, starting with the 1974 album Endless Summer.

A deluxe expanded version of the album was released on November 10, 2023, containing new remixes of a majority of the tracks and additional tracks not previously included in the original release.

The 12 additional tracks are: “I Saw Her Standing There”, “Twist and Shout”, “This Boy”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “You Really Got a Hold on Me”, “You Can’t Do That”, “If I Needed Someone”, “Taxman”, “Got to Get You into My Life”, “I’m Only Sleeping”, “Here, There and Everywhere”, and “Tomorrow Never Knows”. Additionally, the version of “Love Me Do” with Ringo Starr on drums, originally issued only on first pressings of the 1962 UK single, replaced the version with Andy White on drums and Starr on tambourine formerly used for this compilation.

Thirty out of the 38 songs on the album received a new stereo mix, while the remaining eight used mixes from the 2022 Revolver: Special Edition set. The album is also available in Dolby Atmos surround sound. On the CD and digital editions, the additional tracks are inserted into the track list in chronological order of each track’s original issue, while on the vinyl edition, the first two LPs retain the track list of the 1973 release, with the additional tracks placed on a third LP. The vinyl edition come in both standard and coloured vinyl with each compilation’s respective colours.

Rolling Stone called the original red and blue albums “eight of the most-perfect album sides ever devised” and said that the bonus discs “fix the holes in the originals”, noting the addition of songs written by Harrison, cover songs and more tracks from Revolver. They said tracks in the compilation “have never thundered like this before”. Giles Martin, who mixed the new versions, said of the new mixes, “I never thought it would happen”, as Martin has been credited for stating the early recordings were impossible to work with this kind of mix. He said in an interview, “Technically, on the early tracks, it’s completely mind-blowing to me how we made them sound. I didn’t think it was possible for us to do that to the early tracks. As I’ve told you, I didn’t think that we could do the work we’ve done on things like ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ or ‘All My Loving’ or ‘Twist and Shout.’ The power of Ringo’s drumming, for example, on those early tracks, it’s been unearthed. But the playing is just really good. That’s joy.”[16] The Sunday Times Magazine called the new mixes “extraordinary”, and that, on the Red Album particularly, they “sound so fresh it could be by some up-and-coming garage rock band”. They also quoted Martin “rejecting the cynicism some people have about reissues”.

On November 3, 2023, the 2023 mix of “Love Me Do” was released alongside “Now and Then”.

1 Love Me Do 2:25
2 Please Please Me 2:00
3 I Saw Her Standing There 2:53
4 Twist and Shout 2:34
5 From Me To You 1:57
6 She Loves You 2:22
7 I Want To Hold Your Hand 2:26
8 This Boy 2:19
9 All My Loving 2:08
10 Roll Over Beethoven 2:45
11 You Really Got A Hold On Me 3:01
12 Can’t Buy Me Love 2:13
13 You Can’t Do That 2:33
14 A Hard Day’s Night 2:35
15 And I Love Her 2:32
16 Eight Days A Week 2:44
17 I Feel Fine 2:20
18 Ticket To Ride 3:11
19 Yesterday 2:04

1 Help! 2:19
2 You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away 2:11
3 We Can Work It Out 2:16
4 Day Tripper 2:49
5 Drive My Car 2:28
6 Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) 2:05
7 Nowhere Man 2:44
8 Michelle 2:42
9 In My Life 2:27
10 If I Needed Someone 2:23
11 Girl 2:31
12 Paperback Writer 2:19
13 Eleanor Rigby 2:08
14 Yellow Submarine 2:38
15 Taxman 2:38
16 Got To Get You Into My Life 2:27
17 I’m Only Sleeping 2:58
18 Here, There and Everywhere 2:24
19 Tomorrow Never Knows 2:57

Tuesday, April 16, 2024: 8pm ET: Feature LP: Smashing Pumpkins – Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts (Act Three) (2023)

Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts is the twelfth studio album by American rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. The album was released in three separate installments of 11 songs—Atum: Act One was released on November 15, 2022, Atum: Act Two was released on January 31, 2023, and Atum: Act Three was released on May 5, 2023. A physical box set consisting of all 33 songs, along with a group of 10 additional exclusive songs, was released in early May 2023. This is the band’s final studio album to feature guitarist Jeff Schroeder, before his departure in October 2023.

Atum: Act Three

1. “Sojourner” 7:41
2. “That Which Animates the Spirit” 3:55
3. “The Canary Trainer” 3:57
4. “Pacer” 5:24
5. “In Lieu of Failure” 3:26
6. “Cenotaph” 3:04
7. “Harmageddon” 4:20
8. “Fireflies” 3:26
9. “Intergalactic” 8:58
10. “Spellbinding” 4:06
11. “Of Wings” 5:28

Billy Corgan – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards
Jimmy Chamberlin – drums
James Iha – guitar
Jeff Schroeder – guitar, keyboards
Katie Cole – backing vocals
Sierra Swan – backing vocals
Linda Strawberry – backing vocals

Thursday, March 28, 2024: 5pm ET: Feature LP: Steve Nicks – Rarities (2023)

Complete Studio Albums & Rarities is a new 10CD box set featuring the solo output of Stevie Nicks. The singer-songwriter has released eight solo records since her 1981, and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, first as a member of Fleetwood Mac and then as a solo artist in 2019. We’ll feature the Rarities releases. Released July 28, 2023

The box set features the following eight albums, with half of them newly remastered (from the analogue tapes):

Blue Lamp 3:51
Sleeping Angel 4:42
Garbo 3:30
Violet and Blue 5:04
One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star 4:49
Battle of the Dragon 5:18
Real Tears 4:43
Sometimes It’s a Bitch 4:38
Love’s a Hard Game to Play 5:02
Desert Angel 5:23
Mirror, Mirror 4:34
Inspiration 3:29
Thousand Days 4:45
God’s Garden 5:59
Somebody Stand By Me 5:07
Free Fallin’ 5:35
Reconsider Me (with Don Henley) 3:49
If You Ever Did Believe 4:10
Crystal 5:54
Touched by an Angel 4:24
Not Fade Away 3:58
My Heart 4:12
For What It’s Worth 4:44

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 7pm ET: Feature LP: Alison Goldfrapp – The Love Invention (2023)

The Love Invention is the debut solo studio album by British singer and musician Alison Goldfrapp. It was released May 12, 2023 as her first full-length project under her own name, away from her efforts as part of electropop duo Goldfrapp. Singles from the album include “Digging Deeper” featuring Claptone, “Fever” featuring Paul Woolford, and “So Hard So Hot”.

1. “NeverStop” 4:34
2. “Love Invention” 4:19
3. “Digging Deeper Now” 4:16
4. “In Electric Blue” 3:19
5. “The Beat Divine” 5:09
6. “Fever (This Is the Real Thing)” 4:43
7. “Hotel (Suite 23)” 4:35
8. “Subterfuge” 3:13
9. “Gatto Gelato” 4:36
10. “So Hard So Hot” 4:27
11. “SloFlo” 3:39
12. “Fever” (with Paul Woolford) 3:48
13. “Digging Deeper” (with Claptone) 3:17
14. “Impossible” 3:11
15. “Gatto Gelato” (niina remix) 3:45

Alison Goldfrapp – vocals, art direction
Toby Scott – keyboards, programming (track 4)

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 10pm ET: Feature LP: Dire Straits – Live 1978 – 1992 (On The Night) – Part 2

Dire Straits – Live 1978-1992, Released November 3, 2023
On The Night

1 Calling Elvis 10:31
2 Walk Of Life 5:05
3 Heavy Fuel 5:19
4 Romeo And Juliet 10:07
5 Private Investigations 9:41
6 Sultans Of Swing 11:51
7 Fade To Black 4:14
8 Your Latest Trick 5:28
9 When It Comes To You 5:52
10 I Think I Love You Too Much 6:49
11 You And Your Friend 6:48
12 On Every Street 6:52
13 Two Young Lovers 5:10
14 Tunnel Of Love 15:39
15 Telegraph Road 12:05
16 Money For Nothing 6:22
17 Brothers In Arms 8:57

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 8pm ET: Feature LP: Dire Straits – Live 1978 – 1992 (Alchemy) – Part 1

Dire Straits – Live 1978-1992, Released November 3, 2023
Alchemy
1 Once Upon A Time In The West 12:48
2 Industrial Disease 5:52
3 Expresso Love 5:12
4 Romeo And Juliet 8:11
5 Love Over Gold 3:27
6 Private Investigations 7:33
7 Sultans Of Swing 10:55
1 Twisting By The Pool 3:42
2 Two Young Lovers 4:43
3 Portobello Belle 7:22
4 Tunnel Of Love 13:55
5 Solid Rock 5:35
6 Telegraph Road 12:56
7 Going Home – Theme From ‘Local Hero’ 5:06

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 4pm ET: Feature LP: Kesha – Gag Order (2023)

Gag Order is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Kesha. It was released on May 19, 2023, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. This album marks her final release under her contract with both labels, which she signed when she was 18 years old. The announcement of the album came in late April 2023, with Kesha serving as the executive producer, a role she took on for her previous two albums. She primarily worked with producer Rick Rubin, who helped her dive deep into her more vulnerable side to create the project. Other producers on the album include familiar collaborators such as Stuart Crichton, Stint and Drew Pearson, as well as new collaborators like Jussifer, Hudson Mohawke, Kennedi, and Jason Lader.

1. “Something to Believe In” 3:29
2. “Eat the Acid” 4:03
3. “Living in My Head” 3:06
4. “Fine Line” 3:26
5. “Only Love Can Save Us Now” 2:34
6. “All I Need Is You” 3:01
7. “The Drama” 4:23
8. “Ram Dass Interlude” 1:14
9. “Too Far Gone” 2:17
10. “Peace & Quiet” 2:57
11. “Only Love Reprise” 1:15
12. “Hate Me Harder” 2:48
13. “Happy” 4:22

Kesha Sebert – vocals
Luke Reynolds – acoustic guitar, bass guitar (track 1); piano, programming (12)
CJ Camerieri – French horn, trumpet (1)
Tom Kahre – drum machine (2, 7, 10), synthesizer (2, 7); bass guitar, keyboards (2); piano (9), guitar (10)
Heavy Mellow – guitar (3)
Hudson Mohawke – programming (3, 10)
Jason Lader – acoustic guitar (5), bass guitar (6), keyboards (10); guitar, shaker (13)
Jeremy Hatcher – acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drum machine, keyboards, programming, synthesizer (5)
Ashley Williams – background vocals (5, 11)
Clay Porche – background vocals (5, 11)
Steve Epting – background vocals (5, 11)
Jussifer – drum machine (5), guitar (5)
Stint – drums, guitar, piano, programming (5); keyboards (6)
Cory Henry – piano (5)
Richie Kirkpatrick – guitar (7)
Jon Pfarr – keyboards (7)
Carl – vocal effects (7)
Charlie – vocal effects (7)
Mr. Peeps – vocal effects (7)
Queso – vocal effects (7)
Drew Pearson – drums, synthesizer (9)
VantaBlaqJungleKat – flute (11)
Luna Rose Sebert Sampayo – vocals (11)
Mary Lattimore – harp (13)
Benny Bock – piano (13)
Rob Moose – viola, violin (13)

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 4pm ET: Feature LP: Olivia Rodrigo – Guts (2023)

Guts is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, released on September 8, 2023, by Geffen Records. The album was written by Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro, alongside Julia Michaels and Amy Allen.

Guts spawned three singles. The lead single, “Vampire”, was released on June 30, 2023. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, scoring Rodrigo her third number-one single in the United States. The second single, “Bad Idea Right?”, was released on August 11, 2023. It reached the top 10 in the US and UK. “Get Him Back!” was released as the album’s third single on September 15, 2023. Guts received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised the vocals, songwriting, and production. To support the album, Rodrigo will embark on the Guts World Tour in 2024.

1. “All-American Bitch” 2:45
2. “Bad Idea Right?” 3:04
3. “Vampire” 3:39
4. “Lacy” 2:57
5. “Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl” 3:23
6. “Making the Bed” 3:18
7. “Logical” 3:51
8. “Get Him Back!” 3:31
9. “Love Is Embarrassing” 2:34
10. “The Grudge” 3:09
11. “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” 3:19
12. “Teenage Dream” 3:42

Olivia Rodrigo – writer, lead vocals, backing vocals
Daniel Nigro – writer, producer, engineer, vocal producer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, percussion, drum programming, synths, backing vocals, guitar, piano, Juno-60, Melotron, Moog, Nashville guitars, drums, mixer
Dave Schiffman – engineer
Jasmine Chen – engineer
Sterling Laws – engineer, drums
Sam Stewart – engineer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guitar
Austen Healey – assistant engineer
Ryan Linvill – bass, engineer, saxophone, additional production, acoustic guitar, Moog, synths, backing vocals
Mark “Spike” Stent – mixer
Matt Wolach – assistant mix engineer
Dan Viafore – engineer
Michael Harris – engineer
Chris Kasych – engineer
Benjamin Romans – piano
Paul Cartwright – violin, viola
Serban Ghenea – mixer
Bryce Bordone – assistant mix engineer
Dani Perez – engineer
Chappell Roan – backing vocals
Mitch McCarthy – mixer
Erick Serna – electric guitar
Julia Michaels – writer
Alexander 23 – co-producer, engineer, slide guitar, drums, synths, bass, backing vocals
Ian Kirkpatrick – co-producer, engineer, synths, drum programming
Garrett Ray – drums
Amy Allen – writer
Derek Stein – cello

Friday, February 2, 2024 4pm ET: Feature LP: Graham Nash – Now (2023)

Now is the seventh solo studio album by British singer-songwriter Graham Nash, released on May 19, 2023 through BMG Rights Management. It was co-produced by Nash and Todd Caldwell. It is Nash’s first album of new material in seven years and received generally favorable reviews from critics.

Graham William Nash OBE (born February 2, 1942) is an English-American musician, singer and songwriter. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

1. “Right Now”
2. “A Better Life”
3. “Golden Idols”
4. “Stars & Stripes”
5. “Love of Mine”
6. “Theme from Pastoral”
7. “In a Dream”
8. “Stand Up”
9. “It Feels Like Home”
10. “Buddy’s Back”
11. “Follow Your Heart”
12. “I Watched It All Come Down”
13. “When It Comes to You”

Graham Nash – vocals, acoustic guitar (3,4,10), harmonica (5,9,11) nylon string guitar (5), hand claps (10)
Todd Caldwell – Hammond B3 organ (1,2,3,4,8,13), piano (1,3,7,13), electric piano (2,3,4,5,8,9,11), celeste (10), hand claps (10), string arrangements (6,7,12)
Shane Fontayne – electric guitar (1,4,8,10), lap steel (1,3), mandolin (4), slide guitar (4)
Thad Debrock – electric guitar (1,2,3,13), acoustic guitar (1,3,9,10,13), pedal steel (1,2,4,9), harmonium (1,9,11), mandolin (2,3,9), baritone guitar (4,13), nylon string guitar (11), bass (11)
Adam Minkoff – bass (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,13), drums (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,13), percussion (1,3,5,7)
Allan Clarke – vocals (10)
Brett Bass – upright bass (10)
Toby Caldwell – drums (10)
Beth Callen – hand claps (10)
Hiroko Taguchi – violin (6,7,12)
Whitney La Grange – violin (6,7,12)
Jocelin Pan – viola (6,7,12)
Alon Bisk – cello (6,7,12)
Michael Olatuja – bass (6,7,12)

Thursday, January 11, 2024 7pm ET: Feature LP: Anastacia – Our Songs (2023)

Our Songs is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released on September 22, 2023, through German-based label Stars by Edel. Anastacia’s first album release since Evolution (2017), it features mostly translated interpretations of German rock songs.

1. “Best Days” 4:32
2. “Now or Never” 3:18
3. “Beautiful” 3:20
4. “Still Loving You” 5:33
5. “Monsoon” 3:58
6. “Born to Live” 3:28
7. “Cello” 3:30
8. “Just You” (duet with Peter Maffay) 4:40
9. “Symphony” 4:50
10. “Supergirl” 4:03
11. “Forever Young” 3:17
12. “An Angel” 3:53

Friday, January 5, 2024 2pm ET: Feature LP: Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Hana (2023)

Hana is the seventh studio album by English singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released through Cooking Vinyl on June 2, 2023. The album is her third and final to be produced by Ed Harcourt, alongside Wanderlust (2014) and Familia (2016). Musically, Ellis-Bextor sought to create a fantastical world for the album, inspired by a trip to Japan shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Hana is an album exploring themes such as optimism, adventure and mortality. It was supported by the singles “Breaking the Circle”, “Everything Is Sweet” and “Lost in the Sunshine”. Reviewers praised the individuality of the album and found it a fitting addition to Ellis Bextor’s discography, but held mixed opinions on the results of her continued collaboration with Harcourt.

1. “A Thousand Orchids” 4:36
2. “Breaking the Circle” 4:13
3. “Until the Wheels Fall Off” 4:07
4. “Everything Is Sweet” 4:50
5. “Lost in the Sunshine” 4:04
6. “Tokyo” 3:23
7. “Beyond the Universe” 4:13
8. “He’s a Dreamer” 5:06
9. “Reflections” 3:22
10. “Hearing in Colour” 4:01
11. “Broken Toy” 3:32
12. “We’ve Been Watching You” 4:37
13. “Blossom of the Night” 3:46
14. “Hypnotized” (with Wuh Oh) 3:02

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – vocals
Richard Jones – bass guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals
Jackson Ellis-Leach – drums, percussion
Seton Daunt – electric guitar
Pablo Tato – electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Ed Harcourt – piano, synthesizer, samples, organ, backing vocals
Simon Byrt – synthesizer
Gita Langley – violin (track 9)

Thursday, January 4, 2024 5pm ET: Feature LP: Be Your Own Pet – Mommy (2023)

Mommy is the third full-length studio album by American punk/garage rock band Be Your Own Pet, released August 25, 2023 via Third Man Records. Mommy marks the group’s first recorded material in almost fifteen years following the release of their second studio album, Get Awkward and subsequent break-up in 2008.

The album was preceded by four singles, “Hand Grenade”, “Worship the Whip”, “Goodtime!” and “Big Trouble” released March 30, May 31, June 28, and July 26, 2023 respectively.

1. “Worship the Whip” 3:01
2. “Goodtime!” 2:48
3. “Erotomania” 2:06
4. “Bad Mood Rising” 3:30
5. “Never Again” 2:23
6. “Pleasure Seeker” 3:52
7. “Rubberist” 4:30
8. “Big Trouble” 3:05
9. “Hand Grenade” 2:57
10. “Drive” 3:27
11. “Teenage Heaven” 4:08

John Eatherly – drums, percussion, backing vocals, production
Jemina Pearl – vocals, production
Jonas Stein – guitar, backing vocals, production
Nathan Vasquez – bass guitar, backing vocals, production