The Long Ear

New Release Round-Up 01-26-24

The Menzingers - Some Of It Was True

The Menzingers - Some Of It Was True - Epitaph
Strawberry Shortcake Splash LP (Indie Exclusive). The Menzingers are an absolute institution. The Philadelphia punk legends' multi-decade reputation as road warriors with an unbeatable catalog is cemented as hard truth-and their seventh album, Some Of It Was True, stands as their most immediate-sounding and energetic record to date. The follow-up to 2019's sensational Hello Exile accomplishes the daunting task of capturing the Menzingers' distinctive live energy in the confines of the studio, resulting in a sound that's both rich, raw, and complementary to the group's increasingly prismatic songwriting approach. More than 15 years in, the Menzingers are still holding their listeners square in the immediate present, and Some Of It Was True documents that power in thrilling fashion.

"We wanted to make a fun record and write songs that we wanted to play live, and that's exactly what we did," co-vocalist/guitarist Greg Barnett says "We've always said that we want every album to sound live, but we never recorded an album live before. This was the first time we committed to that idea. We wanted to sound like how our band sounds onstage." Making the process easier: Grammy-nominated producer Brad Cook (Bon Iver, the War on Drugs, Waxahatchee), who joined the Menzingers in El Paso's legendary Sonic Ranch studios and lent his incredible ear for raw, immediate sound to help the band achieve Some Of It Was True's in-the-room live feel. "The Menzingers are as real as it gets," Cook says on his time in the studio with the band. "I had an absolute blast working with these guys and was moved to tears many times. They are truly dedicated to artistic growth, and to each other, in ways I found both refreshing and beautiful. I am now a lifer."

Early Listen Available Video Available PlayArt Enhanced

Alkaline Trio - Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs

Alkaline Trio - Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs - BMG
Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs - Alkaline Trio / New album produced by Bill Stevenson of All, Descendents, Black Flag, whose credits include As I Lay Dying, Rise Against, NOFX, Against Me! And many more-Guest appearance from Tim of Rise Against! - Alkaline Trio

Video Available

Katy Kirby - Blue Raspberry

Katy Kirby - Blue Raspberry - Anti
Blue Raspberry is Katy Kirby’s follow up to her renowned debut album Cool Dry Place, which came out in February 2021. Singer/songwriter Katy Kirby introduced her warm, articulate vocals, perceptive lyrics, and playful adult-alternative style on her debut album as she toured tirelessly supporting bands like Waxahatchee, Andy Shauf, Julia Jacklin and Alex G.

That record was a tried-and-true folk collection, perfectly displaying the chops of a young songwriter and emanating the warm feel of a band in a room; Blue Raspberry, made with the same band and producers (Logan Chung and Alberto Sewald) , hits the gas and enters completely new territory as we see Katy truly step into her own as a songwriting force. She fearlessly leans far into baroque piano pop on tracks like ‘Redemption Arc’ and the title track ‘Blue Raspberry’, and lyrically she explores themes of loss and queer love. Very few are able to capture the same emo- tional, theatrical magic of artists like Fiona Apple, Tom Waits and Joanna Newsom but Katy pulls it off on this record; standout ‘Drop Dead’.

Early Listen Available Video Available PlayArt Enhanced

NCT 127 - Winter Special Single ‘Be There For Me’

NCT 127 - Winter Special Single ‘Be There For Me’ - SM Entertainment Co., Ltd.
NCT 127 Winter special single ‘Be There For Me’ comprises a total of 3 songs, including the title track of the same name, ‘Home Alone’, and ‘White Lie’. 127 STEREO Ver. is available in 2 versions: A Side and B Side. 127 STEREO Ver. includes a *Photobook(72p), *CD, *Polaroid, *Post Stamp, *Postcard *Sticker and *Photocard. (*Assets unique to each version).

Video Available

Mac Saturn - Hard To Sell

Mac Saturn - Hard To Sell - Saturn Records
Bursting out of Detroit Rock City and hailed by The Michigan Daily as "the past, present, and future of rock n' roll," Mac Saturn has grooves at its heart, playing with a buoyant energy that makes dancing a command rather than an option. As drummer-turned-frontman Macc -- who sings everything with the assurance and swagger that’s as much Harry Styles as Mick Jagger -- puts it: “The songs are rock, but they’ve got that other thing going on — that funky, dancey, Motown, whatever you want to call it — that makes them our own thing.”

The six-piece covered a lot of ground on its last year's debut EP Until the Money Runs Out, from the hip-swiveling “Diamonds” and “Mr. Cadillac” to the urgent punch of “Persian Rugs." Since then, they've become known for their electrifying live shows that harken back to the glitz and glam of 70s rock stars. Their own sold-out headlining shows are packed with fans singing along with every word - even to songs that haven't been released yet - and their tours with The Struts and Dirty Honey have only inspired more people to enter Mac Saturn's orbit.

A vibrant and irresistible earworm, "Mint Julep" is the first single off their upcoming debut album, Hard To Sell (releasing January 2024). The album was produced by The Rust Brothers - aka Al Sutton, Marlon Young, Herschel Boone - at Rust Belt Studios (Greta Van Fleet, Electric Six, Mark Foster) and mastered by Bill Skibbe (Jack White, Franz Ferdinand, Wallows).
Early Listen Available Video Available PlayArt Enhanced

Celtic Woman - 20

Celtic Woman - 20: 20th Anniversary
Celtic Woman returns with a brand-new album to celebrate this incredible 20-year milestone. 20 (20th Anniversary) – the CD – features 18 new recordings and is the group’s first new studio album since 2021’s Postcards From Ireland. It features new arrangements of beautiful and iconic songs, some new compositions and, of course, some fan favorites.

Video Available 

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

The Smile - Wall Of Eyes
Future Islands - People Who Aren't There Anymore [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Clear LP]

Benny The Butcher - Everybody Can't Go
Sarah Jarosz - Polaroid Lovers [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Blue & Green Splatter LP]

Office Dog - Spiel [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Clear Violet LP]

Kevin Gates - The Ceremony [Indie Exclusive CD]

Conner Smith - Smoky Mountains

Karate - Some Boots [Transparent Light Blue & Grey LP]

Lil Durk - Almost Healed

Rod Wave - Nostalgia

& More .....

For more information on these and other releases out this week, check out our New Releases charts by week section.

UPCOMING RELEASES

Paul McCartney And Wings - Band on the Run: 50th Anniversary [Half Speed Master LP]

Paul McCartney And Wings - Band on the Run: 50th Anniversary - Capitol

Video Available

The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Singles 1966-1971

The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Singles 1966-1971- ABKCO

Video Available

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