Lucinda Williams, Raven, & Holly McFarland
The week in new music & Dig Me Out podcast
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Holding a secret 90s rock gem? Let it shine on Dig Me Out podcast. Nominate lost and forgotten 90s rock albums for an in-depth review episode.
1 Minute Reviews
New Releases
Raven - All Hell's Breaking Loose
Raven, the Newcastle heavy metal pioneers, have just released their electrifying new album "All Hell's Breaking Loose" on June 30, 2023, via Silver Lining Music. This marks the band's 15th studio album. The band, formed by the Gallagher brothers, John on bass and vocals, and Mark on guitar, is completed by the drummer extraordinaire Mike Heller. Together, they have created an album featuring 10 tracks of crisp, visceral metal classics, each packed with riffs, twists, turns, and chaos. Among the stand-out tracks is the lead single "Go For The Gold," which embodies the album's mission statement of “100% full-on RAVEN lunacy,” according to John Gallagher. The album was recorded at Heller’s Heaven And Heller Studios in Los Angeles. "All Hell's Breaking Loose" is available in various formats including 12” Black Vinyl, 12” Limited Edition Green Vinyl, CD Digipak, Tape Cassette, Digital Formats, and special D2C bundles1.
📦 Vinyl & CD | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Lucinda Williams - Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart
Three-time Grammy Award winner Lucinda Williams releases her highly anticipated new album, Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart, on June 30th via Highway 20 Records and Thirty Tigers. The album marks a triumphant return for Williams, who faced several challenges in recent years including a stroke that affected her motor skills. Despite these difficulties, she is in great form as heard on her new single “New York Comeback,” which features backing vocals by Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen. The album has been produced by Williams, Overby, and Ray Kennedy, and includes guest backing vocals by Jeremy Ivey, Jesse Malin, Buddy Miller, Angel Olsen, Margo Price, and Tommy Stinson. Williams, who traditionally wrote her songs using the guitar, had to alter her songwriting process due to her impaired motor skills. She began writing collaborations with her husband and manager, Overby, and teamed up with singer/songwriter Jessie Malin, who co-wrote three tracks on the album. Her longtime road manager, Travis Stephens, also co-wrote six songs. Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart comprises 10 melodic rock songs, including tributes to rock legends Tom Petty and Replacements’ co-founder Bob Stinson. Throughout the album, Williams's fortitude and perseverance are evident, and her classic touch in moving songs like “Last Call for the Truth,” “Jukebox,” and “Never Gonna Fade Away” is also present1.
📦 Vinyl & CD | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
The Baseball Project - Grand Salami Time!
"The Baseball Project" has just released their fourth album titled "Grand Salami Time". This supergroup consists of members Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon. It’s been nine years since their last album, and this release is described as a homecoming for the band. The album was produced by the legendary Mitch Easter, who had previously worked with band members Buck and Mills. The album was recorded at Easter's Fidelitorium Studios in Kernersville, North Carolina, with the entire band performing live together in the same room. The record also features guest appearances by Stephen McCarthy and Steve Berlin. The Baseball Project is known for their live performances in major league parks across the United States, where they have performed full sets along with the National Anthem and "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." They have also thrown out first pitches at these games. The album packaging features stories behind the songs from the band members. "Grand Salami Time" is described as the home run that music fans have been waiting for1.
📦 Vinyl & CD | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
Virgin Steele - The Passion Of Dionysus
Virgin Steele has just released their brand new album titled "The Passion Of Dionysus" on June 30th, 2023. This highly anticipated album is available worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer in various formats including CD DigiPak, which includes a poster and a 24-page booklet, a 2LP Gatefold version in purple-violet vinyl, and a CD/LP bundle with a shirt available exclusively at the Steamhammer Shop. Additionally, fans can access the album through digital download and streaming platforms. "The Passion Of Dionysus" showcases the brilliant creativity of David DeFeis, who takes on the role of vocalist, keyboardist, bassist, and orchestrator. The album also features Edward Pursino on the 6-string guitar and Josh Block on the 7-string guitar. With an epic theme that delves deep into human history, the album deals with the concept of duality, and through its tracks, narrates an epic struggle between control and freedom. This release marks Virgin Steele's return eight years after their acclaimed studio opus 'Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation'. The tracklist includes songs such as "The Gethsemane Effect", "Spiritual Warfare", and "Black Earth & Blood". David DeFeis describes Virgin Steele as a way of life, a vehicle through which he traverses vast oceans of experience, always doing things their own way1.
📦 Vinyl & CD | 🎧 Apple Music • Spotify
New 90s Podcast
Holly McNarland - Stuff
On her 1997 debut Stuff, Holly McNarland successfully finds the balance between Alanis Morissette angst and Sarah McLachlan adult pop
After her 1996 self-released EP was picked-up and re-released by MCA, Holly McNarland set out to make her debut album Stuff. In the wake of the success of fellow Canadian singer/songwriters Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan, the table was set for McNarland to make similar waves even if the alternative rock field was getting more crowded by the day. While there is no "You Oughta Know" or "Building a Mystery" on Stuff, there is McNarland's voice, which finds the balance between on edgy angst rockers one moment and soaring pop balladry the next. Backed by a solid band, including then ex-Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago in the studio, the songs are elevated beyond straightforward singer-songwriter material to deeper depths thanks to occasional cello and synths popping in and out of tracks. But while the first half is full of knock-out material, the back half left us divided on experiments with trip-hop and Seattle grunge. Special Guest: Darren Leeman - DMO Union
Coming Soon
Spot - Spot
27 albums entered and the DMO Union at Patreon has chosen Spot by Spot as the album they want to hear featured on Dig Me Out. Willie Dillon’s suggestion edged out some big hits like Green Day “Dookie” to win our June Album Tournament.
Spot released their eponymous album "Spot" through the esteemed Ardent Records in the mid-90s. The talented line-up consisted of Reggie Rueffer on bass and vocals, Earl Darling on drums, and Chad Rueffer on guitar and vocals. The album was engineered at the renowned Ardent Studios by the experienced duo of John Hampton and Skidd Mills, who skillfully captured the band's raw energy and powerful sound.
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