MusicTAP
…essential
Resurfacing I.R.S. Records Bring Questions…And LOTS of Expectations
2January 24, 2012
Before I.R.S. Records, Miles Copeland cut his teeth in the world of Rock and Roll by managing a UK band by the name of Wishbone Ash. Copeland developed an ear for music that would become big hits filling the AM and FM airwaves with unforgettable songs. What started as illegal Records soon became too big for the small label, and I.R. S. (International Record Syndicate) was born.
The legend of IRS Records is well known. Begun in 1979 primarily by Miles Copeland, who, at the time, was manager of The Police, I.R.S. proved to be an energizing force. With diversity within its roster, the label hosted greatness by way of The Police, The Buzzcocks, R.E.M., The Go Go’s. and Squeeze. It also provided equal opportunity to notable bands like Wall of Voodoo, Oingo Boingo, The Cramps (oh that Lux Interior), The Alarm, and The English Beat. I.R.S. Records was also home to important new bands like Skafish (who opened Chicago up to Punk), The Fleshtones, Klark Kent, and Suburban Lawns.
That’s quite a stable of talent to say the least. And we hadn’t even mentioned Fine Young Cannibals, General Public, Timbuk 3 (was our future really THAT bright?), and Lords of the New Church. Yep. Mighty impressive, I.R.S. Records. However, as time will have it, the label lost sight of its original goal in a changing time. Instead of being a game-changer, as it was accustomed to being, it failed in finding the music that we would soon be listening to. By 1996, the label had shuttered its operation closing the door on one of Rock’s great independent labels. A part of Rock and Roll had truly died.
Last year, the label was restarted not by Miles Copeland III, but by Jonathan Daniel and Bob McLynn, who run a NYC-based management company (Crush Management) with a clientele list that includes Fall Out Boy, Hole, Panic! At The Disco, Gym Class Heroes, and Cobra Starship to name a few. The initial reaction to the rebirth of I.R.S. Records brought raised eyebrows. Recently, two bands currently managed by Crush were announced to have albums on the way, both being released on I.R.S. label, which brazenly uses the iconic logo as if the label had never died.
Back in the waning years of the ’70s, and the birth of the ’80s, Rock music was still relatively young. As the ’80s progressed, the new music being experimented with found a home on many important independents (Stiff Records, Factory Records, I.R.S. Records). However, our current musical atmosphere fosters many new ways of pushing new music along the corridors of discovery that greatly diminish the once important label imprint with the best bands. This makes us wonder why I.R.S. Records was revived.
Arriving on January 24, The Church of Rock And Roll, the debut release from Foxy Shazam becomes the inaugural album for the label. The label’s second signing is with Chiddy Bang, whose debut, Breakfast, will arrive on February 28. That’s all fine and good. However, with I.R.S. Records‘ reputation at stake, we have to ask the question – the only one that matters. Are Foxy Shazam, and Chiddy Bang representative of the same kind of magic that lit the fires of the original Copeland-created, Boberg-ran label all these many years ago?
The label debut from Foxy Shazam (their fourth album) suggests a good start. I’m including a complete album stream that is currently being hosted at Rolling Stone. Give it a listen and let’s chat about whether the label should have been rebirthed and whether Foxy Shazam, Chiddy Bang, and any future bands and artists might give credence back to the label, enough to have you keeping an eye on future releases.
(The more I listen to the album, The Church of Rock and Roll, the MORE I like it.) (Yeah, I think I really like it!)
Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen Full Album Stream
0January 23, 2012
Sometimes there are things that just cannot wait, even for an hour. Sony Records have pre-released the full album stream of Old Ideas, the new album from Leonard Cohen, which is slated for release on January 31 in more formats than you can shake a stick at.
Leonard Cohen is in fine form on Old Ideas. I’ve listened to the entire album five times and I’m enraptured already. So, if you’re a Leonard Cohen fan (and I think you are), you’ll be as excited as I am for this new collection of music from the Zen master.
Enjoy. And thanks Sony (and LC), via NPR Radio, for the early listen. [CLICK HERE]
Amen!
Damn, Sick Again
1January 23, 2012
Before last month, it’s been six years since I had been sick. I catch a bug at Christmas, which laid me low. Damn.
Then on Saturday, I start to get ill. It ends up full blown on Sunday.
At the moment, I’m also experiencing problems with the site from my PC. I have an almost completed discussion on the rebirthed I.R.S. Records label. This small piece is being written on my phone. Oh boy.
I’ll be back, I promise. But for now, I just want to be better.
TAPSheet: Release Notes – UK Report – 01/19/2012
5Thank God for the UK!
EMI UK plan a 2CD/DVD Box, as well as a 2LP set that features 17 CD tracks and 10 tracks on DVD for Fields Of The Nephilim, which is called Ceromonies. Ceromonies is scheduled for UK release on March 5.
Fie UK will expand on the September 2011 release of PNO, GTR, VOX, BOX released as a 2CD set that features Peter Hammill with unique live performances from 2010. On February 13, the label will release a 7CD Box that includes the two original 2010 CDs bolstering the set with five additional discs of music from the live experiences. The Box will include a 24-page booklet. The expanded box will only be available in a 2000 copy series so if you want this, don’t delay too long.
EMI will reissue two classic Gentle Giant titles with new 2012 remastering and an added DVD to the package. The titles, Free Hand (1975), and In’terview (1976), will be made available on February 27.
Floating World Records will reissue Preflyte Plus featuring The Byrds on February 27. The label also has Live At Abbey Road from Patrick Moraz on the calendar for February 27.
RCA Records UK plan the release of Weapons from Lostprophets, planning for April 2.
Columbia Records UK will release the next The Ting Tings album, Sounds From Nowheresville, on February 27.
Esoteric Records in the UK will re-release the debut album from Matching Moles, in a 2CD package that features new remastering, bonus tracks of five previously unreleased studio recordings, two single versions of original LP tracks, and two BBC Radio One sessions tracks. the new set wlll add in a new booklet with restored art and a new essay (Sid Smith). Also planned for the same treatment is the 1972 Fripp-produced followup, Little Red Records. Little Red Records will feature four previously unreleased studio tracks, alternate tracks, and live BBC Radio One sessions. Note to US fans: Do NOT wait for US labels to release these Matching Moles classics (it won’t happen). These Matching Moles albums are slated for the UK on February 27.
Watch for region-free (and PAL) DVD and BD video releases of Beacon Theatre: Live From New York featuring Joe Bonamassa, both scheduled for UK release on March 26.
The UK will reissue Human Racing (1983) from Nik Kershaw on February 27.
EMI UK plan a 5CD Box featuring The Michael Schenker Group for February 27. The Box is called The Chrysalis Years: 1980-1984.
Mascot Records will release a 2CD (and 2LP) live set for Black Country Communion called Live Over Europe, scheduled for UK release on February 27.
Music Club Deluxe plan a 2CD collection for Culture Club called The Hits Collection. This set is planned for February 13.
Sony UK plans the re-release of From The Beginning, the 5CD Box collection featuring music from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, on March 5.
Fire Records UK, as part of their emerging Fire Embers reissue campaign, will re-release It (1983) from Pulp in both a CD package and a 180g vinyl package, both scheduled for February 13 as well as Separations (1992). The remastered set of It will also provide four bonus tracks (“My Lighthouse” – single version, “Blue Girls” – alternative mix, “Sink or Swim”, and “Please Don’t Worry”, both previously unreleased 1981 Peel sessions tracks. The remastered set of Separations will offer four bonus tracks (“Death Goes To The Disco”, “Is This House”, “Countdown” – extended version of single, and the previously unreleased “Death Comes To Town”). Both sets offer booklets with new liner notes and essays. Freaks is also planned for 2012 reissue at the same time.
Frontiers Records plan the release of Live From the Living Room featuring Mr Big on February 27.
Sepia Records will release I’ll Cry Tomorrow and Rarities featuring Julie London with 24 tracks scheduled for March 5.
The Store For Music will release Logical Revelations from Uriah Heep on February 27.
The Elusive Albums In Our Lives
17January 17, 2012
in Poll
Since the release news is still a slow affair, I’ve decided to bring up another topic of discussion. We had so much fun with the Worst Album from a Big Name Band Poll, I’d thought I’d at least chime in with a bit of something to read and perhaps get us to talking until we get some more newsworthy issues.
This thought had me stirred for quite a few years actually. And while the existence of the internet, even in its darkest corners, makes the search of at least the audio files a moot point, it was a frustration that plagued me for years. It was the chased after acquisition of an elusive album.
God know that I have had many of these over the decades, including one in particular that I just could never get my hands on, Lou Reed‘s self-titled RCA debut. I was a fan during his Velvet Underground days. But with the slow speed of news, and available funds, I seem to have been unable to acquire a vinyl LP version of Lou Reed when it was released way back in 1972, a few years after leaving VU. A few months later, the warmly received Transformer came out and interest waned for the debut. Which made it even more impossible to locate.
For years afterwards, I sought after a copy and was never able to get one. Of course, I can pick one up now (again, thanks to the internet), but, at high prices, and unsure condition, I wonder if I really need it that bad. But I have to say, searching for that LP consumed me for years. Yes, there were others. Some I acquired; others I could not. But any serious collector has a story in their pocket about such an elusive album, or two, or more.
Fact is, I’d like to hear them. So…since the drill is so familiar, and we’re using this fruitless period to entertain ourselves in various ways, let’s revisit those frustrating times and tell each other which album(s) had us wasting our times trying to find them.
(You wouldn’t believe another one that had plagued me for years.)
Also, who remembers what 45RPM single that “Walk And Talk It” was a B-side of? I don’t remember.
Review: Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist
2January 11, 2012
The music found within the expanse of the ten songs of The Great Escape Artist, the fourth studio album from Jane’s Addiction, are representative of a band not sure where they need – or want – to be in this place and time. That’s not to say that we have bad songs on the album. It is to say that the surety that fills Nothing’s Shocking (1988), and their sophomore release, Ritual de lo Habitual (1990), is missing from this new work released in late 2011.
Jane’s Addiction created dark songs with “Jane Says”, “Mountain Song”, “Pigs in Zen” (from Nothing’s Shocking), and “Stop”, “Three Days”, and “Been Caught Stealing” (from Ritual de lo Habitual). To underscore the lyrics of those songs, the music was incredibly spirited, and filled to the brim with Jane’s Addiction magic. Strays (2003) stayed as true to the Jane’s Addiction experience that we know and love.
The songs in The Great Escape Artist does not give you the same chills that its predecessors did. There are songs on the album that get your attention (“Broken People”, “Splash a Little Water On It” (it sounds Beatlesque in a crazy “I Am The Walrus” kind of way), and “Words Right Out Of My Mouth”. But, as an overall experience, the latest album from Jane’s Addiction fails where the first three succeed.
I’m not going to call The Great Escape Artist a bad album. It’s a good listen. It just doesn’t command the same long-lasting attention. And for that, I’m truly disappointed.
“Everybody has their own opinion…”
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Website
Matt Rowe
TAPSheet: Release Notes – UK Report – 01/11/2012
0It’s been quite a while since I’ve visited the other side of the “pond” for a look at what’s coming out. I’ve always said that the UK gets it right. Here’s the latest UK Report of TAPSheet. I hope you find something worth waiting for, or better, something worth picking up right away.
Universal UK will release Sonik Kicks by Paul Weller in several formats scheduling for March 26.
Universal will reissue The Crossing (1983) from Big Country in a 2CD Deluxe Edition. This 34-tracks set will be re-released on February 6.
Universal, who has surprisingly won the Van Halen derby over Warner Brothers for release rights, will release several versions of A Different Kind Of Truth in the UK (and yes, the US) on February 6.
Sweet Sour from Band of Skulls is being scheduled for the UK on February 23 via Electric Blues Recording. Nice!
Universal UK will reissue Nightlife (1974), and Fighting (1975) from Thin Lizzy in 2CD Deluxe Editions, both planned for UK release only on February 27.
Rhino Records UK plan the release of The Lost Sirens, an eight-track mini album from New Order on March 19 in a CD/LP set.
Nova Records UK will release Live At the Fillmore 1969 featuring The Move on February 13. I miss the mention of those old arenas, don’t you?
Concert Live (UK) plan the release of No More Mister Nice Guy – Live! featuring Alice Cooper, and planned for February 13.
Steamhammer (UK) plan the release of Seven Deadly from UFO, scheduling the new title for February 27.
Sony (UK) plans releasing the new Meat Loaf album, Hell In A Handbasket, on February 27, including the US markets.
Virgin UK will release a 2CD retrospective of the music of David Sylvian planning the release for February 27. The set will cherry-pick from the best of Sylvian‘s 30-year career (impossible) and will include a new song (“Where’s Your Gravity?”). The album is called A Victim Of Stars: 1982-2012. The following is the track-listing of the set:
CD1:
1. Ghosts (Remix)/ 2. Bamboo Houses / 3. Bamboo Music / 4. Forbidden Colours / 5. Red Guitar / 6. The Ink In The Well / 7. Pulling Punches / 8. Taking The Veil / 9. Silver Moon / 10. Let The Happiness In / 11. Orpheus / Waterfront / 12. Pop Song / 13. Blackwater / 14. Every Colour You Are / 15. Heartbeat (Tainai Kaiki II)
CD2:
16. Jean The Birdman / 17. Alphabet Angel / 18. I Surrender / 19. Darkest Dreaming / 20. A Fire In The Forest / 21. The Only Daughter / 22. Late Night Shopping / 23. Wonderful World / 24. The Banality Of Evil / 25. Darkest Birds / 26. Snow White in Appalachia / 27. Small Metal Gods / 28. I Should Not Dare / 29. Manafon / 30. Where’s Your Gravity? (new track).
Speaking of collections, 4AD (UK) will re-release the 4AD collection of Cocteau Twins tracks called Stars and Topsoil: 1982-1990, this time on vinyl LP (2LP) on February 6.
2CD Deluxe Edition of Cast Of Thousands (2003), and Leaders Of The Free World (2005) by Elbow are both planned for March 5.
Decca Singles1975-1979 featuring tracks by John Miles is on the calendar for release on February 13. I like this!
Mercury Records plan a five-disc, 63-track Box set for James that will come in the way of 3CDs, a DVD, 12″ vinyl LP, an 8GB USB Drive with all James studio albums including non-album tracks and videos, a 16-page booklet with written contributions from each of the band’s members, a 44-page 12″ x 12″ scrapbooks with photos, memorabilia, and all sorts of goodies, and a batch of 4 art cards, 4 badges, and 4 replica backstage passes. The Box set is called The Gathering Sound and is scheduled for February 6.
Music On Vinyl will release a 2LP gatefold edition of the classic record-breaking Peter Frampton live set, Frampton Comes Alive (1976) on February 20.
Salvo Records (UK) will release a Nazareth collection called The Singles, a 2CD set containing 37 tracks on February 20. The Nazareth songs found on this collection will be remastered.
Left Field Media will release a CD featuring Little Feat performing music from their Dixie Chicken album back in 1973. Culled from two shows in Colorado on July 19 (1973), this album’s 14 tracks showcases the finest from Little Feat. American Cutie will release on February 27.
Steamhammer UK will release a Limited Edition digipak of Land of The Crimson Dawn by Freedom Call on February 27.
And finally, Sony UK will release a 2CD collection featuring music from the great Rory Gallagher to be called The Rory Gallagher Collection, releasing on February 20.
Review: Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur
1January 10, 2012
From the very first notes plucked from the heart of the acoustic as “Empty Threat” Kicks off the album, I was captivated by the sound and style of Kathleen Edwards on her new album, Voyageur.
The musical style of this Ottawa native evokes a sense of nostalgia; that ‘at home’ feeling we all get when we play a favorite album to put our minds at ease. From the get-go, Kathleen’s lulling style and applicable lyrics inspires a sense of comfort amongst the chaos of daily life.
Personally, I don’t like referencing musical genres when describing an artist. I find that it unnecessarily categorizes the artist, creating expectations; expectations which I do not believe should exist in music as it is the ultimate expression. I’ll leave the categorizing to you and I’ll just describe what I hear.
The style of Kathleen Edwards uniquely blends the melodic acoustic rhythm with the occasional electric incorporation. What I love about her style is that no instrument, whether it is the guitar, the drums, or the vocals, overshadows the others. It is a harmonious blend of the voices, which creates the perfect full sound. The bluesy, sultry voice of Kathleen Edwards is a reprieve from the far too often nasally vocals of many pop artists, or the airy whisper voice of other female vocalists. Kathleen has a fantastic tone and the power to back it up. It is clear, clean and very alluring to the listener.
The soft, soothing style carries through each track accentuating not only the beauty of the music itself, but also the compilation and arrangement of the album; an art that is too often overlooked. One of my favorite tracks on this album is “A Soft Place to Land”, where a male vocalist is included making the most beautiful of harmonies. Some of the chords and harmonies on this track resonates with magnificence.
I adore the lyrical intelligence that prevails in each track. I find the songs to be both relevant and most importantly, relatable. It’s easy to get lost in a song when you can place yourself in the situation or subject being expressed. This is what makes a song an experience as opposed to simple background noise.
The only thing that I could point out that I didn’t particularly care for is that although the melodies of each track are both musically sound and very well orchestrated, several of the tracks do sound similar. Some people like this in an album; I’m not all that accepting of it. I generally find it to be redundant. It can turn an experience into background noise. I like to see an artists’ range. Nothing makes me respect a musician more than when the artist can challenge themselves by taking on several styles of music and putting their own personalized spin on that style. Having said that, if this album did have a variety of styles in it, then it wouldn’t have the same calming and relaxing effect that I’ve found myself to be so fond of. So in this instance, I find the similar tracks to be more than forgivable.
All around, Kathleen Edwards has proven herself to be an exceptional artist, and her album reflects exactly that. From a personal standpoint, this is a great album to have in your musical collection.
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Website
Shauna Henderson
TAPSheet: Release Notes – 01/10/2012
4January 10, 2012
in TAPSheet
I apologize if you didn’t know this and more so because I just now got around to announcing what some may consider an anticipated release BUT…Van Halen will release their new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, on February 7 via Interscope Records. A Deluxe Edition version of A Different Kind Of Truth will contain a bonus DVD with four new acoustic performance tracks (The Downtown Sessions) that include “Panama”, “You And Your Blues”, “You Really Got Me”, and “Beautiful Girls”. The lead-off single is “Tattoo” from the 13-track album. You can hear a 30-second teaser from YouTube below. [Thanks to Blabbermouth for the details]
Eagle Rock Entertainment has announced the release of With the Wild Crowd! Live In Athens, GA. a video featuring The B-52s. The BD, and DVD are planned for release on March 20.
Savoy Records will release Floratone II from the team of Bill Frisell & Floratone. This album follows up 2007′s Floratone release on Blue Note Records. Floratone II is planned for March 6.
Nonesuch Records have Leaving Eden from Carolina Chocolate Drops planned for release on February 28.
The Flaming Lips will have five titles coming to vinyl LP, all on February 14. The Warner Brothers Records titles include Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002); Hit To Death In The Future Head (1992); Transmissions From the Satellite Heart (1993); The Soft Bulletin (2LP) (1999); and Clouds Taste Metallic (1995).
Hip-O Select plant he release of 25 by Blues Traveler scheduling the album for March 6.
Cooperative Music will release Start The Revolution Without Me from Kaiser Chiefs with the album on the calendar for March 6.
Quinlan Road have Troubadours On The Rhine by Lorenna McKennitt planed for CD on February 28.
Nonesuch Records will release Live at Carnegie Hall featuring Caetano Veloso and David Byrne on CD scheduling for February 28.
429 Records have Covered by Macy Gray arriving on March 27.
A 7″ vinyl single from Florence & The Machine featuring the track, “Shake It Out” is planned for February 14 via Universal Republic Records.
Atlantic Records will release Felony Flats from Anya Marina on March 13.
Shout! Factory have Live At The US Festival, 1983 featuring Waylon Jennings planned for CD release on February 28. The new series will also release one for Willie Nelson on the same date.
Real Gone Music plan the release of The Complete Epic Recordings for Ricky Nelson on February 28. Also from Real Gone Music is The Complete Columbia Singles of Mark Lindsay, same date. Real Gone Music plans a 160g LP (vinyl ONLY) release of Songs For Rounders featuring Hank Williams, which is planned for February 28.
cliffl
I'm with you! That Foxy Shazam is great! Never heard of them before! Just ordered it from Amazon. Thanks! Long live I.R.S.
Most […]
3 days ago
Brian Sherman
Hopefully this will open the door to remasters of the Tony Martin years of Black Sabbath.
3 days ago
Matt Rowe
Bastard! 
4 days ago
RAY JUDSON
One that plagues me in the pre-internet years was Whitford/St. Holmes. I could not find this anywhere!!!! Now that I have it I realize I […]
4 days ago
Shaun
Hang in there, Matt... Take all the time you need to recover.
4 days ago
