It’s a bold move to be a veteran band with a two decades-long reputation of being a helluva live band to release a live album of strictly new songs, but Raul Malo’s long-running band The Mavericks has done just that. But don’t worry, these new songs have quickly earned their place among the band’s classic material.
How We Live was the second-chance band of an artist whose first band had been screwed over by record label politics. That this new band would soon face the same fate is frustrating, but the story of How We Live does have a happy ending–and a rare third chance for success in an industry that is resistant to giving anyone a second chance. That their sole album Dry Land happens to be one of the finest lost jewels of the Eighties only makes this story even more (bitter)sweet.
Taken from the Universal reissue, Guitar Town (Thirtieth Anniversary Deluxe Edition).
British-based soft-pop duo Chad & Jeremy might not have made the loud, raucous rock of their British Invasion contemporaries, but in spite of their lack of UK success, they had a modest and successful career in the United States. This compilation rounds up their earliest–and most successful–recordings.
Taken from the forthcoming Cherry Red anthology, Pictures In My Mind: Anthology 1984-1994
In reviewing the deluxe anniversary edition of Hammock’s sophomore album, Raising Your Voice…Trying To Stop An Echo, I was reminded of an interview I did with leader Marc Byrd, wherein we discussed said album. Here is said interview, reprinted in its entirety.
Taken from the Big Break Records reissue, Turn Me Loose (Expanded Edition).
This delightful two disc set captures the zeitgeist in England during the era of the Profumo affair, and offers some of the finest comedy and musical numbers produced during the decade.
Taken from the forthcoming Omnivore Recordings release, Complete Third.
Tennessee ambient duo Hammock’s 2006 sophomore release didn’t so much represent a change in direction from their debut album Kenotic as it did reinforce its greatness. Ten years later, this deluxe edition expands it with nearly an hour’s worth of unreleased material. Still sounds otherworldly.
