The Darkness, Alex Lifeson, Michael Schenker Group & Thelonious Monster
Catch up on the week in new releases and Dig Me Out podcasts
Latest Podcasts
Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack | 80s Metal Revisited
There’s a time in every rock fan’s life when the budget cassette bin turns into a goldmine.
Thelonious Monster - Beautiful Mess | 90s Rock Revisited
Close your eyes and breathe it in: Los Angeles, early ‘90s. The air is thick with smog and promise. Echo Park is buzzing—half-glamorous, half-broken. You might stumble into a backyard jam with misfit royalty and find Bob Forrest right in the middle, cracked but magnetic. This was when dreams and overdoses collided, and Thelonious Monster made chaos feel…
New Releases
If you’ve ever shouted “I believe in a thing called love!” at full volume, debated which Teenage Fanclub album reigns supreme, or caught yourself wandering through the shimmering dreamscapes of Luna, this list is for you.
My Morning Jacket – is
In the early 2000s, My Morning Jacket carved out a sound that didn’t sit neatly in one box. Southern rock muscle met swirling psychedelia, all wrapped in cavernous reverb and indie experimentation.
The Darkness – Dreams On Toast
Wait—the glam-rock jesters who dominated the early 2000s with catsuits and Queen-sized hooks are still at it? Yep, and Dreams On Toast proves they’ve still got that fire. This album weaves ‘70s bubblegum, ‘90s alt, and even country twang into their larger-than-life DNA. “The Longest Kiss” wouldn’t sound out of place on a Jellyfish deep cut, and “Don’t Need Sunshine” is a mid-tempo monster begging for fists in the air. It’s playful, sure, but it’s also one of their most sonically adventurous records yet.
Butler, Blake & Grant – Self-Titled
You hear those names and think: Wait, that Butler? That Blake? Yes. Bernard Butler (Suede), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), and James Grant (Love and Money) quietly teamed up—and the result is beautifully understated. No ego trips here, just three seasoned pros crafting warm, melody-driven songs that feel timeless. Think: Sunday morning listening with just enough edge to keep your ears perked.
Dean Wareham – That’s The Price Of Loving Me
Dean Wareham's back, and this time he’s channeling Bacharach, Gainsbourg, and his own dreamy brand of melancholy. From the opening track—“You Were the Ones I Had to Betray”—it’s clear Dean’s not phoning this in. Lush strings, gentle harmonies, and that unmistakable whisper of a voice… it’s a slow-burn heartbreaker with orchestral pop elegance. For fans of Galaxie 500 or Luna, this is Wareham expanding his palette while staying emotionally dialed in.
Phil X & The Drills – Pow!! Right In The Kisser
If you know Phil X as Bon Jovi’s secret weapon, get ready to meet him unfiltered. Pow!! Right In The Kisser is full-on, no-brakes rock. It’s got funk grooves, monster riffs, and zero patience for filler. “Heal” burns with classic hard rock swagger, while “Find a Way” lets the funk fly. This album is loud, fun, and deeply committed to the craft of guitar-driven songwriting. It’s also weirdly catchy—in the best way.
Alliance – Before Our Eyes
Alliance (Gary Pihl of Boston, Robert Berry, and David Lauser of Sammy Hagar's band) bring their decades of experience to the table, but Before Our Eyes doesn’t sound like a throwback. It's melodic rock with fresh teeth. Hooks? Check. Harmonies? You bet. Pihl’s solos are tasteful and sharp, Berry’s bass work growls, and Lauser keeps things moving with power. It’s classic rock for folks who still crave new stories in old languages.
Envy of None – Stygian Waves
Alex Lifeson of Rush could’ve retired and no one would’ve blamed him. Instead, he formed Envy of None—and it rules. Stygian Waves is not your typical prog project. It’s textured, moody, and exploratory, layering synths and atmosphere over subtle guitar work. Lifeson’s playing is here, but it’s the restraint and the ambition that impress. It’s music for late-night headphones—full of slow reveals and strange beauty.
Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty
Still heavy. Still fast. Still melodic. Arch Enemy is back with their 12th(!) studio album. Blood Dynasty won’t convert non-believers, but if you’re already in the fold? You’ll find plenty to sink your teeth into. It’s got the polished aggression they’ve perfected over the years, with a few curveballs to keep things interesting. Think: blast beats and clean production living in harmony.
Destroyer – Dan’s Boogie
Dan Bejar doesn’t do “predictable”—and Dan’s Boogie might be his strangest, most hypnotic move yet. This record is part synth opera, part dream-journal confession, part boozy lounge act. It shouldn’t work—but somehow, it does. The arrangements shift from balearic pop to something like marching band glam, with Bejar crooning like he’s hosting a variety show in a crumbling theater. It’s bold, beautiful, and totally Destroyer.
80s Metal Album Tournament | Vote
We’ve pulled four albums out of the Hopper—each one a listener pick, each one begging for a deep dive. Now it’s in your hands: which album should we queue up next? Cast your vote and help us decide what gets the full Dig Me Out treatment. Let’s find out what forgotten gem or cult favorite deserves the spotlight.