On This Day..
1956 Elvis Presley’s single, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was released by RCA Records, who had just purchased Presley’s contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies in its first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis’ first Gold record.
1970 John Lennon wrote, recorded and mixed his new single ‘Instant Karma!’ all in one day. It ranks as one of the fastest-released songs in pop music history, recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios and arriving in stores only ten days later.
1971 David Bowie arrived in the US for the first time; he couldn’t play live because of work permit restrictions, but attracted publicity when he wore a dress at a promotion event.
1998 James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later clamed the drugs were used to help his ‘eyesight.’
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Brand New Music
Craig Clemens & Jonathan Knox
Ty Segall | Self-Titled
Still wearing his influences on his sleeve Ty Segall has resisted the temptation to find a unifying statement when it comes to his work. Instead, after a full nine years of output (either on his own or in the context of supporting another group) Ty Segall remains a compelling musical primer to the things he’s put out over the last half-decade. Stylistically, he’s done away with the sharpness and some of the garage-rock grittiness and created something much more blissful.
Japandriods | Near to the Wild Heart of Life
Vancouver’s Japandroids storm back fresh and invigorated after a 5 year break, with their 3rd full-length album, Near to the Wild Heart of Life. The same fist-pumping energy remains, but on tracks like “I’m Sorry (For Not Finding You Sooner)” and “Arc of Bar” it’s clear the band have somewhat matured their sound – which isn’t a bad thing at all. Throw in some acoustic guitars and synths which add to the variety of sounds, Japandroids sound as great as ever. Fans will welcome tracks like “North East South West” the album’s title track and lead single. It seems that 5 years away has done nothing to shake the focus of one of Canada’s best bands. Instead they’ve made one of the best rock albums in recent memory.
Julie Byrne | Not Even Happiness
A album this strong, this beautiful doesn’t come around more than a couple times a decade. Every track wraps the listener in a warmth and a sort of reassurance. Gentle, peaceful and fully realized from beginning to end, Not Even Happiness is an incredible achievement.
