Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

EELS ‘End Times’ [Release Date 18/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494232

2CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494233

The eighth EELS studio album, 'End Times,' is the sound of an artist growing older in uncertain times. An artist who has lost his great love while struggling with his faith in an increasingly hostile world teetering on self-destruction. Largely self-recorded on an old four track tape machine by EELS leader Mark Oliver Everett [aka E] in his Los Angeles basement, it's a "divorce album" with a modern twist: the artist equates his personal loss with the world he lives in losing its integrity. When Everett finds comfort "in a dying world," the 'End Times' he speaks of isn't about "Mayan calendar conspiracy theory bullshit," he says, but, "the state of the desperate times we live in. The bottom line-ness of it all. The end of common decency. The loss of caring about doing a good job. These are tough times. Who can you trust? Walter Cronkite is just a ghost."

While the last EELS album, Hombre Lobo tackled the subject of desire, "the before, the spark that ignites everything," Everett says, 'End Times' is about the other side: the after. And while 'Hombre Lobo' was written from the point of view of a fictional character, 'End Times' is pure real life.

Brutally unblinking, 'End Times' may be the 'Electro-Shock Blues' of break-up albums. While the 1998 EELS album 'Electro-Shock Blues' dealt with the untimely deaths of Everett's mother, father and sister, 'End Times' takes a hard look at losing love.

 

LOSTPROPHETS ‘The Betrayed’ [Release Date 18/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494215

The highly anticipated and hotly tipped follow up to Lostprophets 2006 #1 album 'Liberation Transmission'.

'The Betrayed' has been three years in the making, the band opting to handle production and recording duties themselves, with bassist Stuart Richardson at the helm. For this, their fourth album, Lostprophets have returned to a rawer, yet still commercial sound. While no doubt keeping the old fans happy, 'The Betrayed' is sure to win over hordes of new supporters with its infectious blend of rock mixed with plenty of pop sensibilities. Features the singles: 'It's Not The End Of The World...', and the forthcoming anthem 'Where We Belong'.
 

BIFFY CLYRO ‘Many Of Horror [When We Collide]’ [Release Date 18/01/2010]
C5: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494221

7”: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494223

7”: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494224

Currently riding a wave of success that looks set to confirm their place as one of the biggest and most vital bands on the current rock scene, Biffy Clyro will build on that momentum with the January 18th release of their new single ‘Many of Horror’ on 14th Floor Records.

Produced by GGGarth Richardson [RATM, RHCP], and mixed by Andy Wallace [Nirvana, Coldplay], the soaring power of the hauntingly romantic 'Many of Horror' is one of the many highlights of their critically acclaimed new album 'Only Revolutions' that has earned praise from all quarters of the press.

‘Many of Horror’ will be issued on two coloured vinyl formats as well as CD. Each format will be backed with a brand new B-side.

Coming after the mammoth success of fourth album 'Puzzle', which entered the charts at #2 & marked Biffy Clyro's transformation into a truly world beating band, 'Only Revolutions' is a further step-up for the Ayrshire trio in an album filled with joy, grit and absolute determination.
 

COLD WAR KIDS ‘Behave Yourself’ [Release Date 18/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494236

LP: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494237

COLD WAR KIDS are set to release a five song EP – “BEHAVE YOURSELF” - on 18th January on Downtown / Cooperative Music.

“These songs were recorded some time between ‘loyalty’ sessions and now. They didn’t belong there, but they kept hanging around, starting trouble; made friends, and insisted that their story be heard,” said Nathan Willett, CWK frontman…
 

VANGELIS ‘Who Killed The Dragon: The BYG Sessions’ [Release Date 25/01/2010]
Ltd LP: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494428 
**Strictly Limited to 1000 Copies ONLY**
Having totally freaked-out major labels on both sides of the English Channel with his mind-melting biblical concept LP for Mercury's English prog rock imprint Vertigo, the funding for Aphrodite's Child behemoth Vangelis' next experimental project had to come from an open minded investor, and the struggling BYG, who would take huge risks until the final furlong, gladly promised to stump up the cash for the recording bills at Marquee Studios in London.

Without delay BYG hired a crack team of UK session men who were keen to experiment under Vangelis' Greek / French instructions. Bassist Brian Odgers had previously worked with French musicians (under JC Vannier) on Serge Gainsbourg's seminal 'Melody Nelson', and drummers Micky Waller [Brian Auger Trinity] and Tony Oxley [John McLaughlin] were no strangers to creating experimental tracks for French library labels due to the clampdown on workaholicism in UK production music. Without a title, format or score sheet the custom ensemble ploughed into elongated jam sessions with Vangelis manning a castrated rack of international synthesizers, many of which were incompatible with English studios. Having finally established residency in the UK the mythical composer was instantly greeted with countless unrefusable commissions, which indefinitely delayed the Marquee sessions, in which time BYG ran out of money.

Fifteen years later, Charly Records acquired the tapes of the aborted Vangelis recordings and the unfinished full-length tracks appeared throughout Europe on various independent labels under the titles 'The Dragon' and 'Hypothesis'. The separate releases are defined by two stylistic categories [funk-rock and jazz-funk, perhaps] but with elements of state of the art synth existentialism and deep-grained Byzantine influences, the recordings embody top-drawer Euro prog sensibilities which give the likes of Goblin, Le Orme, Heldon, SBB and late period King Crimson a run for their money.
 

ERLAND AND THE CARNIVAL ‘Erland And The Carnival’ [Release Date 25/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494432

Erland And The Carnival are a British folk rock band, formed in London, England by multi instrumentalist Simon Tong [formerly of The Verve / The Good, The Bad & The Queen], Orcadian folk guitarist and singer Gawain Erland Cooper and Drummer/Engineer David Nock [The Orb, The Cult, The Fireman].

Debut self-titled album from our newest FTH family members, London and Orkney's very own Erland And The Carnival bring you 13 of the finest psych-folk songs around. Includes the stunning 'My Name Is Carnival'.
 

FOUR TET ‘There Is Love In You’ [Release Date 25/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494433

LP: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494434
**Strictly Limited to 500 Copies ONLY**

Four Tet's much anticipated new album, 'There Is Love In You,' is Kieran Hebden's first full length album in over four years, and his fifth album to date.

The new Four Tet music finds Kieran Hebden mixing the tunefulness of his classic 'Rounds' with a more 4/4 oriented pace in keeping with the more club focussed music on the stunning 'Ringer' EP. The recent 'Love Cry' 12" has really announced the return of Four Tet in spectacular fashion, setting dancefloors alight.
 

TINDERSTICKS ‘Falling Down A Mountain’ [Release Date 25/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494435

LP: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494437

After a five-year hiatus, Tindersticks returned in 2008 with a changed line-up, a new album ('The Hungry Saw') and crucially, fully recharged and regenerated; "Tindersticks have proven themselves to be a rare exception to what feels like a general rule of let-down albums by reunited bands" - Under The Radar.

'Falling Down A Mountain', their eighth album, came together in two studios [Le Chien Chanceux in France and ICP in Belgium] over three summer months in 2009. Very much a group effort, aided by the new ideas of fresh additions Earl Harvin and David Kitt, and a rare guest vocal appearance by Mary Margaret O'Hara, it shows a colourful side to Tindersticks: "With hindsight, 'The Hungry Saw' now seems like an album made within the confines of what we knew; 'Falling Down A Mountain' sees those boundaries become irrelevant" – Tindersticks.
 

THUNDER ‘Behind Closed Doors’ [Release Date 22/02/2010]
2CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494444

Formed from the aftermath of Terraplane in 1989, hard rockers Thunder went on to amass 17 Top 40 singles and 2 Top 5 albums in the UK. The Thunder reissue campaign now continues with their third album which has been fully remastered and comes bursting with bonus material.

'Behind Closed Doors' was Thunder's third album, originally issued by EMI on 23rd January 1995. A number 5 UK hit, it was produced by the band's Luke Morley in conjunction with Mike Fraser (famed for his work with AC/DC, Aerosmith and Metallica, among many others), and features the singles 'Castles In the Sand', 'River Of Pain' and 'Stand Up'. This album now features a bonus CD of 16 tracks that originally appeared as single b-sides or bonus tracks, including live versions of the hit singles 'Low Life In High Places' and 'Love Walked In', a demo of 'Dirty Love', plus covers of The Faces' classic, 'Stay With Me' and Janis Joplin's 'Mover Over'.
 

SAXON REISSUES [Release Date 01/02/2010]
Saxon have been one of the leading forces in British Heavy Metal for over three decades and are as active now as when they formed in 1977, releasing their 19th studio album in 2009 – the continual touring and release schedule has ensured that they have maintained a fantastically loyal fanbase.

This is the third batch of Saxon albums to be given the complete remastering treatment and the original albums now come bursting with previously unreleased demos, live tracks, rare, unseen photos and all feature liner notes written by Kerrang!, Classic Rock and Metal Hammer journalist Malcolm Dome in co-operation with lead singer Biff Byford.

‘Innocence Is No Excuse’: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494448

Saxon's seventh studio, and first for EMI, was originally issued in 1985. Featuring the singles 'Back On The Streets' and 'Rock n' Roll Gypsy', this edition features seven bonus cuts, including the otherwise unavailable studio b-sides 'Live Fast Die Young' and 'Krakatoa', live versions of 'Gonna Shout' and 'The Devil Rides Out', plus a 10 minute medley of Saxon classics that originally appeared as the b-side of the 12" version of 'Rock n' Roll Gypsy'. Featuring liner notes from Malcolm Dome, this release is completed by a previously unreleased version of 'Back On The Streets' recorded in concert for Tommy Vance's BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show in 1985.

‘Rock The Nations’: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494449

Saxon's eighth studio LP was originally issued by EMI in 1986. Featuring the radio-friendly singles 'Waiting For The Night' and 'Northern Lady', the latter featuring guest piano from none other than Elton John, this released is now expanded by the inclusion of 7" single edits, as well as the otherwise unavailable b-side 'Chase The Fade'. It also features live versions of 'Everybody Up' and 'Dallas 1pm', recorded in Madrid, and is rounded off by three tracks from their Saturday 23rd August headlining appearance at the 1986 Reading Rock festival.

‘Destiny’: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494450

Saxon's melodic ninth studio album, Destiny, saw the band go for a more polished route than their grittier, New Wave Of British Heavy Metal roots. Opening with what at the time was a surprising take on Christopher Cross's 'Ride Like The Wind', this edition is expanded with the addition of the 12" mix of radio friendly rock ballad 'I Can't Wait Anymore', as well as its respective b-sides 'Broken Heroes' and 'Gonna Shout', both recorded live in Madrid. This set also includes a live take of 'Rock The Nations' recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, which originally appeared as the b-side to 'Ride Like The Wind', plus two previously unreleased early monitor mixes.
 

TIMOTHY B. SCHMIDT ‘Expando’ [Release Date 18/01/2010]
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=494588

Timothy B. Schmit - the legendary Eagles bassist - is set to release 'Expando', his first solo album in eight years. Written and produced by Schmit, 'Expando' features some of his most autobiographical and musically diverse solo work to date.

Schmit recorded the album entirely at his home studio near Los Angeles and hand-picked the musicians who worked with him, including Keb' Mo', Graham Nash, Kid Rock, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Band's Garth Hudson, Van Dyke Parks, Dwight Yoakam, The Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench, and Timothy's son, Ben.

"I feel like after all these years, I'm finally tapping into all that experience," Schmit went on to say. "This time, I decided to do it all on my own. I come from a folk and early rock background, so that's how I started every one of these songs - on acoustic guitar."

Timothy B. Schmit is one America's most prolific musicians, with a solo recording career that has produced four albums prior to Expando – 'Playin' It Cool' [1984], 'Timothy B.' [1987], 'Tell Me The Truth' [1990] and 'Feed The Fire' [2001].

He has appeared on a multitude of other artists' recordings including Steely Dan, Vince Gill, Dan Fogelberg, Clint Black, Crosby Stills & Nash, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffett, Ringo Starr, Elton John, and Warren Zevon, as well as his contributions to Poco and the Eagles. Timothy has won three GRAMMY Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Eagles.