The Catherine Wheel, Ian Hunter, & The 6ths
The week in new releases and Dig Me Out podcast
1 Minute Reviews
New Releases
The Catherine Wheel - The Norfolk Remasters - She's My Friend
🎧 Apple MusicÂ
Shoegaze icons Catherine Wheel, on hiatus since 2000, have recently stirred up anticipation among fans. The band, known for their 1992 debut album "Ferment," rereleased the album in 2010 while individual members pursued various projects, such as bassist Brian Ellis working with Serafin and Iggy Pop. In January 2022, Catherine Wheel launched a new Instagram account and began teasing something with cryptic posts featuring the numbers "8365," the words "It's Time," and two dates: April 18, 2023, and May 30, 2023. While fans speculated about a reunion, new music, or a reissue, it was revealed that the band would be bringing two early vinyl-only EPs, "She's My Friend" and "Painful Thing," to streaming services for the first time. These releases are collectively called "the Norfolk remasters collection," with "She's My Friend" becoming available on April 18 and "Painful Thing" following on May 30.
Everything But The Girl - Fuse
🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Pop duo Everything But the Girl, consisting of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt, makes a comeback with the release of "Fuse," their first studio album in 24 years. Known for their 1994 hit "Missing," the English duo went on an amicable and indefinite hiatus in 2000. They began working on "Fuse" in March 2021, focusing on open-minded playfulness and receptiveness to invention, without putting pressure on themselves to create a specific sound. Released on April 21, 2023, "Fuse" marks a triumphant return for Everything But the Girl, who have successfully re-emerged after more than two decades away from the music scene.
Triple Fast Action - Triple Fast Action
🗳 Bandcamp | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Triple Fast Action collects 32 rare and unreleased tracks, including many previously unheard songs recorded by the band in their practice space in 1994 while recording demos for Capitol. These tracks were transferred from the original 1/2“ tapes and remixed by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Redd Kross, Sonic Youth, Horsegirl) for this collection.
Ian Hunter - Defiance, Pt. 1
📦 Vinyl & CD | 🎧 Apple MusicÂ
Rock legend and former Mott The Hoople frontman Ian Hunter returns with his latest album, Defiance Part 1, an 11-song star-studded set featuring guest appearances from Jeff Beck, Taylor Hawkins, Ringo Starr, Mike Campbell, Joe Elliott, Billy F Gibbons, Duff McKagan, Todd Rundgren, Slash, Jeff Tweedy, Robert Trujillo, Waddy Wachtel, Brad Whitford, and many more. Born from the pandemic era, Hunter and his longtime collaborator, guitarist/producer/multi-instrumentalist Andy York, created a series of new songs while in lockdown. With quarantine rules preventing them from recording with The Rant Band, they reached out to fellow musicians who contributed their unique talents to the demos. Despite its pandemic origin, Defiance Part 1 is a lively and passionate album, showcasing Hunter's unwavering spirit. The album will be followed by Defiance Part 2, featuring another range of special guests and a different thematic approach.
Son Volt - Day of the Doug
📦 Vinyl & CD
Son Volt's "Day of the Doug" is now available exclusively at participating record stores as part of Record Store Day. The album serves as a tribute to Doug Sahm, featuring 12 songs that span Sahm's solo career as well as his work with the Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados. Alongside the main tracks, the album includes intro and outro segments with phone messages Doug left for Jay over the years. "Day of the Doug" is pressed on RSD-exclusive opaque green vinyl, with only 1,700 copies in circulation. For more information and to find participating stores, visit the Record Store Day website.
Garbage - Garbage Witness To Your Love
📦 Vinyl & CD
Garbage's "Witness To Your Love" EP is now available as part of Record Store Day 2023. Released on April 22, 2023, this exclusive EP is produced by BMG and includes rare and unreleased tracks. For the first time on vinyl, fans can enjoy the 2008 track "Witness To Your Love," as well as a cover of Siouxsie & The Banshees' "Cities In Dust" and more. The EP features a total of four songs, including two previously unreleased tracks from the "No Gods, No Masters" sessions. Pressed on transparent red vinyl, this limited edition release has a quantity of just 1,600 copies. Don't miss the chance to get your hands on this exclusive Garbage EP during Record Store Day 2023.
New 90s Podcast
The 6ths - Wasp’s Nests
Though The 6ths are a side-project for Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, the 1995 debut is just as engaging as his other work
Often side-project bands don't live up to the hype of the artist or band's main gig. But for Stephin Merritt, this isn't the case with several of his non-Magnetic Fields bands. With The 6ths, he's taken on the challenge of writing the songs but handing them over to guest vocalists. On the 1995 debut Wasps' Nests, that means a wide array of contributors, including Lou Barlow from Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr., Mary Timony of Helium and Ex Hex, Dean Wareham of Galaxie 500 and Luna, Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo, Mac McCaughan of Superchunk, Mitch Easter of Let's Active, and more. The musical landscape shifts from song to song, one minute aping the motortik of Stereolab and next the harmony sunshine of Laurel Canyon in the 1970s. But it's all in Stephin Merritt's wheelhouse, utilizing an array of synth and keyboard sounds over minimalist rhythms that reveal layers upon repeated listens. AUTHOR & SPECIAL GUESTS: David Gorgos - DMO UNION
🎧 Listen Now
Coming Soon
April Album Review Tournament - Final
We've been showcasing suggested albums over the past few weeks and asking for your votes to help us choose which ones to move forward. Now it's time for the final round, and your vote will decide the album we’ll feature on Dig Me Out! So check out the finalists and pick the one you think would make the best episode. Remember, you only get one vote, so make it count!
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