Depeche Mode, U2 & No Doubt
The week in new music & Dig Me Out podcast
New Releases
Depeche Mode - Memento Mori
🎧 Apple Music
Depeche Mode has released their highly anticipated 15th studio album, "Memento Mori," to widespread acclaim. The album, produced by James Ford and featuring additional production by Marta Salogni, was inspired by the early stages of the COVID pandemic and explores a wide range of emotions and textures. Critics have praised the album for its "characteristic musical beauty and lyrical depth," with The Guardian lauding its "perfect blend of ominous mood and electronic textures." The band has embarked on their "Memento Mori World Tour," which includes a North American run, a European stadium tour, and a recently added fall leg in North America. With over 2 million tickets already sold, the tour is set to be one of Depeche Mode's largest to date and one of the biggest worldwide tours of 2023.
Saxon - More Inspirations
🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
More Inspirations is a follow-up covers album by the legendary British heavy metal band Saxon, released after their 2021 album Inspirations. Delving deeper into the band's influences, More Inspirations features renditions of songs by iconic artists such as Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, KISS, and Uriah Heep. Demonstrating their appreciation and respect for these influential acts, Saxon offers their unique interpretations of these classic tracks, infusing their signature heavy metal sound into the mix. More Inspirations pays tribute to the musicians who have inspired Saxon throughout their decades-long career and provides fans with a fresh perspective on some of the most celebrated songs in rock history.
The Bouncing Souls - Ten Stories High
🗳 Bandcamp | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
The Bouncing Souls, an Asbury Park-based punk rock band, have released their new album "Ten Stories High" on March 24. Instead of focusing on their own experiences, the band turned to their fans for inspiration, creating songs based on the stories shared by their true believers. Born out of lockdown-era necessity, the album was created remotely, with the band members living in three different states. The Bouncing Souls joined the Patreon crowd-funding platform, offering a custom song to supporters at one membership tier. The album, produced by Will Yip, showcases the band's knack for turning incredibly personal stories into universally relatable sing-along anthems. "Ten Stories High" features a collection of one-off songs compiled into album form, capturing the essence of the Bouncing Souls' signature sound and message.
Acid King - Beyond Vision
🗳 Bandcamp | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Acid King, a stoner-metal band active since 1993, makes a powerful comeback with their latest album, "Beyond Vision" (Blues Funeral). Initially planned as an experimental collaborative album between lead guitarist and frontwoman Lori S. and guitarist Jason Landrian of Black Cobra, the project evolved into a full-band effort featuring bassist Bryce Shelton and drummer Jason Willer. "Beyond Vision" maintains Acid King's signature raw heaviness while incorporating synths and keyboards, creating a lush psychedelic soundscape. The album marks the band's first release since 2015 and showcases their deep cosmic patience and mesmerizing sound. With a few one-off dates in California and Texas and appearances on the European festival circuit, fans eagerly anticipate Acid King's return to the live stage.
The Van Pelt - Artisans & Merchants
🗳 Bandcamp | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
The Van Pelt, a cult indie band from New York City, released their fourth studio album 'Artisans & Merchants' after a 25-year hiatus. The album is a collaborative effort between Spartan Records in North America, La Castanya in Europe/World, and Gringo in the UK. Recorded and mixed by Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording in Philadelphia, PA in Summer/Fall of 2021, the album features guest appearances by Nate Kinsella and Ted Leo. The band, known for their distinctive minimalist sound, has also announced a series of shows in the UK, EU, and Brooklyn in March and April.
U2 - Songs Of Surrender
🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
"Songs of Surrender is a collection of 40 iconic U2 songs, re-recorded and reimagined for 2023. The Edge curates and produces the album, which includes beloved tracks such as "With Or Without You," One," Beautiful Day," Sunday Bloody Sunday," and "Pride (In The Name Of Love)".
The Edge describes the process of reimagining the songs as a journey through time, exploring how the band's early music would sound with a 21st-century interpretation. Intimacy replaces post-punk urgency with new tempos, keys, chords, and lyrics, giving a fresh perspective on these classic tracks. The 40 newly recorded songs are divided into four separate 'albums,' each represented by a band member."
Kamelot - The Awakening
🗳 Bandcamp | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
The Awakening is the thirteenth studio album by the American power metal band Kamelot. It is the band's first studio album in five years, following 2018's The Shadow Theory, making this the longest gap between two studio albums by Kamelot. It is the first studio album to feature Alex Landenburg on drums following the departure of Johan Nunez.
The Black Crowes - The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker Live
🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Celebrating their 2021-22 reunion tour, The Black Crowes release "The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker Live". The album commemorates the band's reunion and features the best performances from their "Shake Your Money Maker" tour, including each track from the original album, and all their hits performed live. The record, available digitally, on CD, and vinyl via Silver Arrow, also includes two bonus tracks of The Black Crowes covering "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)" by The Rolling Stones and "Rock & Roll" by The Velvet Underground. With a lineup featuring Chris and Rich Robinson, Sven Pipien, Brian Griffin, Joel Robinow, and Isaiah Mitchell, fans can expect more performances and festival dates in North and South America throughout 2023.
The Lords Of Altamont - To Hell With Tomorrow The Lords Are Now (Live in Utrecht)
The Lords Of Altamont have released their first live album, "To Hell With Tomorrow The Lords Are Now!", a raw and energetic recording captured not on stage but in the studio. Reminiscent of Live at the BBC or a Peel Session, the album features a carefully chosen selection of songs that showcase the band's journey over the past 23 years. With a no-nonsense approach, the album offers a true representation of a Lords live recording, focusing solely on the power of their rock 'n' roll performance. The Lords Of Altamont, founded by Jake "The Preacher" Cavaliere in late 1999, have seen numerous lineup changes over the years, including the late Michael Davis of The MC5. The band has evolved its sound while staying true to its roots, drawing influences from the high-energy rhythms of Detroit's beer-soaked venues and the scruffy clubs along L.A.'s Sunset Strip, as well as mid-'60s London R&B and '70s New York City punk.
Bill Janovitz - Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time's Journey Through Rock & Roll History (Book)
📦 Hardcover
"Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time's Journey Through Rock & Roll History" is a comprehensive biography of the legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell (1942-2016), authored by Bill Janovitz. The book delves into Russell's incredible career, which spanned over five decades and saw him collaborate with numerous renowned artists from various genres, including George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Willie Nelson. Janovitz's meticulously researched account takes readers through Russell's life, from his early days as an in-demand session pianist and his influential solo albums with the Shelter People band to his work as a player and arranger on countless iconic songs and albums. The book also explores Russell's personal life, including his physical handicap, mental struggles, and complex romantic relationships. After reading this definitive biography, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the extent of Russell's talents and contributions to the world of music.
Delerium - Signs
🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Delerium, Front Line Assembly members Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber's prolific side project returns with their new album Signs. Formed in 1986, Delerium has explored various aspects of electronic music, evolving and traversing genres in pursuit of the exquisite. With Signs, Leeb and Fulber continue their journey through hypnotic rhythms and enveloping ambience, enlisting the vocal talents of Mimi Page, Phildel, KANGA, and Inna Walters. Each singer brings their unique voice to the album, adding layers of aching beauty and romanticism. Focused initially on voiceless industrial soundscapes with militant drumming, Delerium gained widespread recognition after shifting towards ethnic electronica and New Age influences, similar to Enigma. Their chart-topping single "Silence," featuring Sarah McLachlan, garnered significant attention after being remixed by various trance acts. Since then, Delerium has mainly operated as an electro-pop band, collaborating with numerous renowned vocalists.
Flogging Molly - ‘Til the Anarchy’s Restored EP
🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Flogging Molly, the Celtic punk band known for their energetic performances, has announced the release of their new EP, 'Til The Anarchy's Restored, on March 10. The EP comes on the heels of their seventh album, Anthem, produced by Steve Albini. 'Til The Anarchy's Restored features the new single of the same name and two live versions of classic tracks "Drunken Lullabies" and "What's Left of the Flag." These live recordings, also produced by Albini, were captured in a single take during the Anthem sessions. The band is touring the U.S. and will embark on a European tour in late spring, appearing at several festivals. Flogging Molly has received high praise for their latest album, with critics describing it as a "ripper" and a testament to its decades-long career.
1 Minute Reviews
New 90s Podcast
No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom
On our first Diamond episode, we revisit 1995's Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt and dive into the album tracks of this ten million selling album
Diamond-certified records, which have sold ten million or more albums in the United States, are a rare achievement that few bands and artists can claim. But as important as it is to talk about obscure and underappreciated 90s rock albums, we thought it was time to go in the opposite direction for a new series diving into the full albums of 90s rock Diamonds. With that, we start our Diamond series with the 1995 album Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt. Was there any escaping "Don't Speak" in 1996? No, there wasn't. Every media outlet covered the chart-topping single for its chart performance and the drama surrounding the band. Along with the huge singles "Spiderwebs" and "Just a Girl," Tragic Kingdom was in the cultural zeitgeist for years after its release, but how many people listened to the whole album? We didn't, and we're here to correct that oversight.
Slide into the Discord
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