Gord Downie & Bob Rock, Therapy?, & The Afghan Whigs
The week in new music and Dig Me Out podcast
1 Minute Reviews
New Releases
Smashing Pumpkins - Atum: Act Three
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The third and final act of Smashing Pumpkins' rock opera, ATUM, has been released, completing the ambitious follow-up to the iconic albums Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Machina/The Machines of God. ATUM, pronounced "autumn," is the band's 12th album and features 33 tracks, released in three parts, with the first two acts having arrived in November and January. Fans can now order a boxset with 10 bonus tracks alongside the complete project. In an interview with Kerrang!, frontman Billy Corgan described the album as diverse, with a third being heavy, another third similar to their recent work, and the remaining third more esoteric. ATUM follows the Smashing Pumpkins' 2020 album, CYR, and is accompanied by the podcast Thirty-Three, in which Corgan discusses his influences with various guests. The band will embark on "The World is a Vampire Tour" this summer alongside Interpol and Stone Temple Pilots.
Gord Downie & Bob Rock - Lustre Parfait
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"Lustre Parfait," a collaboration between the late Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip and renowned producer Bob Rock, has been released after more than a decade in the making. The duo began working together when Rock produced The Tragically Hip's 2006 album "World Container" and its follow-up, "We Are The Same." From 2009 to 2017, they recorded material for "Lustre Parfait" in various locations, including Maui, Vancouver, Toronto, and Los Angeles. The album features 14 passion-filled tracks and showcases the unique blend of Rock's compositions and Downie's lyrics. In an interview with The Toronto Star, Rock revealed that they were so passionate about the project that Downie had written a screenplay based on the album's songs, but it is uncertain if the film will ever be produced. Rock fulfilled his promise to Downie to share the album with the world, focusing on Downie's vocals and lyrics in its completion.
Jughead's Revenge - Vultures EP
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Los Angeles skate punk band Jughead's Revenge, which disbanded in 2001 due to a lawsuit with Archie Comics, has returned with their new EP, "Vultures," released on May 5 via SBÄM! Formed in 1990, the band first released a self-titled full-length album before partnering with BYO Records in the US and Do It! Records in Germany in 1992. After multiple US and European tours, they signed with Nitro Records from 1996 to 2000, releasing three full-length albums and four singles. In 2020, they released the single "American Gestures" on People Of Punk Rock Records, coinciding with the reissue of former Nitro titles "Image Is Everything" and "Just Joined." Jughead's Revenge has also announced a series of tour dates in Europe for June.
The Album Leaf - Future Falling
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Returning from a seven-year hiatus, The Album Leaf has released "Future Falling" on the classic label Nettwerk, which is also experiencing a resurgence. Jimmy LaValle, who has been making music since 1999, offers a slightly nostalgic touch in some tracks, reflecting his genuine connection to the music of that time. The album features two vocal tracks, including "Afterglow," a trip-hop tune that exudes warmth despite addressing a breakup. The ethereal Bat for Lashes sings in another track, hinting that the album may represent the processing of a relationship or an era. With ten tracks selected from over two hundred demos, the album takes listeners on a journey from "Prologue" to "Epilogue," encapsulating a seven-year story in an aural form. The LP flows gently from beginning to end, offering advice and reflecting on the experiences of LaValle as both a solo artist and a member of a band.
Therapy? - Hard Cold Fire
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Northern Irish rock band Therapy? has just released their highly-anticipated studio album 'Hard Cold Fire'. The album, released on May 5, 2023, via Marshall Records, features ten tracks of grunge-rock and a towering melody that sees the trio steadfast and reinvigorated. The band has also announced intimate UK in-store dates coinciding with the album's release. Fans can find more information for in-store tickets and pre-order limited edition 'Hard Cold Fire bundles on the band's website. The album was written and pre-produced during an unprecedented time for music, but it's hefty, compact, and accessible. It's a distillation of everything that has made them what they are – hewn from County Antrim basalt, still possessed of their stoicism, but casting a renewed focus on catharsis and healing. The band has worked once more with renowned producer Chris Sheldon, who has been a consistent good-luck charm for Therapy? dating back to 1994’s breakout album Troublegum.
Dave Lombardo - Rites Of Percussion
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Dave Lombardo, the renowned drummer for Slayer and Mr. Bungle, has just released his debut solo album, Rites of Percussion, on May 5th via Ipecac Recordings. Lombardo had been toying with the idea of a drum album since 1998 when his Mr. Bungle bandmate Mike Patton introduced him to Tito Puente’s Top Percussion album. He produced the entire project in his home studio during the pandemic while Mr. Bungle's touring was on hold. He used various percussive instruments, including a large concert bass drum, timpani, grand piano, and many more. The album’s “Journey of the Host” lead single is rhythmically dense and features Lombardo's masterful drumming skills. Lombardo described the experience of working on the album as one of the greatest he has ever had, and he is excited to share the results with the world.
Brian Eno and Fred Again.. - Secret Life
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Brian Eno and Fred Again.. have teamed up to release their collaborative album "Secret Life" on Four Tet's label, Text Records. The album, set to be released on May 5th, marks the first official release for Eno and Fred Again.. since working together on Eno's albums "Someday World" and "High Life" in 2014. Four Tet has described the album as "the most beautiful album of 2023." The trio has also created a Secret Life radio station, which plays static-filled white noise and goes live daily at 10 p.m. BST. Eno praised Fred Again.. for his non-linear approach to music and his tendency to build history into his recordings.
New 90s Podcast
The Afghan Whigs ended the 1990s on a high note with their sleek and sexy nod to New Orleans and nightlife with 1998's timeless album 1965
By the end of the 1990s, The Afghan Whigs were critical faves without the breakthrough single that propelled some of their contemporaries into the platinum or multi-platinum stratosphere. While 1993's Gentlemen and 1996's Black Love explored the dark, 1998's 1965 turned on the light long enough to find the party and get down to feeling good, as lead singer Greg Dulli sings on the opener "Somethin' Hot." Much about the record is a change-up from previous efforts - guitars are dialed down. At the same time, horns, pianos, and backing vocalists make their presence known on a record that shows off the band integrating the New Orleans vibe of their surroundings during recording. The result bridges what the Whigs were and what Dulli and new collaborators would explore in the 2010s as The Twilight Singers. Special guest: Special Guest - Marisa Buxbaum - DMO UNION
Coming Soon
May Album Review Tournament - Group 1 of 3
Will it be XTC's "Nonsuch," Pedro The Lion's "It's Hard to Find a Friend," The Lemonheads' "Come on Feel the Lemonheads," Entombed's "Wolverine Blues," Truly's "Fast Stories From Kid Coma," Cave In's "Until Your Heart Stops," Red Hot Chili Peppers' "One Hot Minute," Sugar Shack's "Charmer," or Spot's self-titled album? Help us decide which album to feature on a future episode of Dig Me Out! We present nine suggested albums weekly for you to vote on. The top two winners from each group will advance to a final poll at the end of the month. Cast your votes and make your voice heard!
