New Decemberists Album Out Jan. 18

The Decemberists new album The King is Dead comes out Jan. 18, but the band is taking pre-orders on its Web site now.

There are some pretty cool packages available, including a whopping $165 deluxe box edition that features a one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn de Wilde, a 72-page book, DVD, a limited-edition print, the album on white vinyl, and lots more. This package is limited to 2,500.

A standard vinyl album goes for $19.

When visiting my local indie record store last week, I picked up the new single from the band, which was prominently displayed on the counter. It features the original "January Hymn" backed by a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Row Jimmy." The 45, which cost $2, also came with a $2 coupon for the upcoming full-length release.

To learn more, visit The Decemberists Web page here.

Bright Eyes Album Due in February

Saddle Creek is taking pre-orders for the new Bright Eyes release The People’s Key, which hits stores Feb. 15. It's the much-anticipated follow-up to 2007's Cassadaga.

The vinyl album comes packaged with a CD and album download for $18.

As usual, Saddle Creek has prepared some special bundles as well. The Music Plus package features the album, a T-shirt, and a poster for $31.

The super deluxe package comes with the album pressed on colored vinyl, a seven-inch record with two extra tracks, the T-shirt and two posters. Limited to 2,000, this bundle is $50.

For more information, visit Saddle Creek.

Black Friday Finds

I hope everyone made it to their local indie record store on Friday for all the great special releases.

I made it to Amoeba in Berkeley, Calif., where I picked up The Black Keys' 45 RPM edition of Brothers. The package includes the album on double 45 RPM vinyl as well as a bonus 10-inch disc of six previously unreleased tracks.

In addition, I got U2's Wide Awake In Europe EP, which features three live songs from their recent tour. The first side has the previously unreleased "Mercy," recorded in Brussels.

And, I was able to get the Bruce Springsteen and The Gaslight Anthem 45s. The Springsteen 7-inch features "Save My Love," a new song off The Promise album, and the great song "Because The Night" on the flip side.

The Gaslight Anthem 7-inch features the band covering "Tumbling Dice." The B-side is their own "She Loves You." The single comes in four different colors, with the cover matching the color of the vinyl.

There was a nice little line in front of Amoeba before the doors opened. When folks were let inside, they jammed around the special releases, so you had to be a little aggressive, but everyone was friendly.

It was a good day to hold vinyl lovers over until Record Store Day in April.

Black Friday News

Hi Vinyl Fans:

Shopping on the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for many folks, but I've done my best to avoid the mall crowds over the years, This time, I'm happily heading to the indie record stores on Black Friday. A number of special vinyl releases will be offered that day. Now, it's not officially another Record Store Day, but you will find a number of super-cool releases from Bruce Springsteen, Black Keys, Metallica, and others.

Here's a link to a list of the Black Friday specials.

It's a great way to start the holidays.

Pre-orders Announced for Austin Lucas' Latest

The pre-sale for Austin Lucas' Collection gets under way Nov. 2.

If you have never heard Lucas, I urge you to check him out. He's a terrific singer with an arsenal of killer songs. I recently bought his Somebody Loves You album, which turned me into a fan. I then quickly picked up Common Cold and Putting The Hammer Down.

Lucas is a tough guy to categorize, and that's a good thing. He came of age in the basements of DIY punk and hardcore, but he also has a strong alt-country vibe. It all works together beautifully.

The terrific Suburban Home label reports that Collection will be pressed on two colors—150 on whiskey-coke and 350 on pink. Pre-orders get an automatic digital download.

To listen to Lucas and learn more about the label, visit them at www.vinylcollective.com.

November Releases

Hey, Vinyl Fans:

There's a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks. There's no slow down of good stuff in November.

Here are a few of the albums I'm looking forward to:

Elliott Smith—An Introduction to ... Elliott Smith (Kill Rock Stars) has a Nov. 2 release date.

Bruce Springsteen—A three-disc vinyl package of The Promise hits the streets Nov. 16. That will go nicely with the The Promise:The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set, with its three CDs and three DVDs. There are 21 unreleased songs here. Am I dreaming?

Norah Jones—...Featuring Norah Jones (Blue Note) also has a Nov. 16 release date. The album collects the collaborations that Jones has done during the past decade with everyone from Ray Charles to Ryan Adams.

Taylor Swift—Country's biggest star releases Speak Now (Big Machine) on vinyl also on Nov. 16.

Cowboy Junkies—Renmin Park (Diverse) gets its vinyl release Nov. 16, a busy day indeed.

Rolling Stones—The Rolling Stones unleash a couple of mammoth box sets. The Rolling Stones 1964-1969 (Universal) features nine remastered albums. The notable albums on this collection of early materials include Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed. The Rolling Stones 1971-2005 includes 14 remastered albums. Both sets, which will cost you about $350 each, have a Nov. 22 release.

$18,000 White Stripes Record

A White Stripes' single just sold for a whoppin' $18,000.

The band released its second single "Lafayette Blues" a dozen years ago, with a performance at the Gold Dollar in Detroit. There was a delay in printing the sleeves, so Jack White and David Buick, head of Italy Records, the label that released the single, hand-painted 15 covers. Copies sold for 6 bucks that night. Over time, these precious 45s and their unique covers have been the Holy Grail of White Stripes collectors.

The Third Man Records site reports that one of these records just went for $18k.

Cowboy Junkies Report

The Cowboy Junkies performed last weekend at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco, a terrific venue in North Beach.

There was no "Sweet Jane." No "Cause Cheap Is How I Feel." And, no "Murder, Tonight, In The Trailer Park." No problem. Even without those classic Junkies song, the band played a fabulous, full show.

The evening featured several selections from the band's latest release, Renmin Park, the first of four albums the Junkies plan to unveil during an 18-month period. This first volume in the Nomad Series was inspired by Michael Timmins' recent journey to China. While the song cycle has some Asian influences, it is still very much a Cowboy Junkies album led by Margo Timmins' unmistakable vocals.

The band has always supplemented its rich catalog of outstanding original material with well-chosen covers. The San Francisco show featured the band's "Bea's Song" and "Hunted." The Junkies also performed a beautiful version of the Rolling Stones' "Moonlight Mile" and a terrific performance of Vic Chesnutt's "Supernatural." The next album in the four-part Nomad Series will be a collection of Chesnutt numbers.

Vinyl fans can expect Renmin Park to get the vinyl treatment. Diverse Records reports that it will be out at the end of October and that it sounds amazing.

Never Shout Never Pre-Sale

Never Shout Never's Harmony will be released Oct. 25, according to the Because Sound Matters website.

It will be available on limited-edition yellow vinyl. The first 300 pre-orders get a poster signed by Chistofer Drew.
All pre-orders are automatically entered to win a vintage record player decorated by Never Shout Never.

For more info, visit Because Sound Matters.

At Last, Alice Cooper Nominated

Finally. Alice Cooper has been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

It's about time. Just consider a few of Cooper's classic songs—"I'm Eighteen," "Under My Wheels, "School's Out," "Elected," "Only Women Bleed," "Hello, Hooray," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," and "You And Me."

In a 1978 interview with Rolling Stone, none other than Bob Dylan called Cooper "an overlooked songwriter."

More than that, he's a true original. Born Vincent Furnier, Cooper is one of the first rock shockers with his big sound and outlandish stage theatrics. Like a mad scientist, he mixed rock music and horror movies and came up with a potion that would captivate rock fans for four decades.

He would scare you with guillotines, electric chairs, and boa constrictors and then make you reach for a tissue with a sensitive ballad like "I Never Cry." He was glam before the New York Dolls. He was a rock villain before Kiss and Ozzy.

Before Furnier took the role for his own, Alice Cooper was the name of a band, and it's the group that's been nominated for the Hall of Fame. Open the doors and let them in.

To be eligible for nomination into the Hall of Fame, an act must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2011 Nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1985. Ballots will be sent to 500 voters, who will then pick the acts that will be inducted.

Here's the full list of this year's nominees:

· Alice Cooper
· Beastie Boys
· Bon Jovi
· Chic
· Neil Diamond
· Donovan
· Dr. John
· J. Geils Band
· LL Cool J
· Darlene Love
· Laura Nyro
· Donna Summer
· Joe Tex
· Tom Waits
· Chuck Willis

"Into The Wild" And Other Upcoming Releases

Pearl Jam fans know that one of the toughest albums for them to get on vinyl is Eddie Vedder's excellent soundtrack to Into The Wild. It's a beautifully packaged album, with a gorgeous cover and a book of photos inside. The trouble is the album was very limited and typically goes for about $200 on Ebay.

The good news is that an import press of the soundtrack, with a new cover, is set to be released Sept. 21. Retailers have been listing this vinyl version for about $35.

Some other notable releases to look forward to:

Neil Young's Le Noise has fans giddy with excitement. Set for a Sept. 28 release, the album features just Young singing and playing guitar. Acclaimed producer Daniel Lanois adds his special touch.

Antony and the Johnsons return with Swanlights on Oct. 12.

We've also learned that Sugarland's next release, The Incredible Machine, will get a vinyl treatment. The album has a Oct. 19 street date. Jennifer Nettles isn't just one of the best singer's in country music. She's one of the best singers period. And, it's nice to see some new country albums coming out on vinyl. The genre has been behind indie rock and jazz in doing this.

Also, set for an Oct. 19 release is the Elton John and Leon Russell collaboration, The Union. Elton has made it clear that Russell is his hero, so this could be special. Elton still makes good music when he's inspired. T Bone Burnett, the busiest man in music, produces.

Black Keys 45 Back In Stock

The Black Keys 7-inch of "The Moan" and "Have Love Will Travel" is back in stock at Alive Naturalsound Records. The single sells for $6 and is on purple vinyl.

Black Keys fans know that the record has been a popular item on eBay. Now's your chance to own a copy.

Vinyl Finds No. 5

Hey Vinyl Fans:

It's been a while since I posted a list of the latest vinyl records that I've picked up so here goes:

New stuff:

The Weepies—Be My Thrill (Nettwerk)
Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs—God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise (RCA)
The Black Crowes—Croweology (Silver Arrow)
Brian Wilson—Reimagines Gershwin (Disney)
Austin Lucas—Somebody Loves You (Suburban Home)
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Soundtrack (Abkco)

Old stuff:

Dusty Springfield—Dusty (Philips)
The Lounge Lizards—Live in Tokyo (Island)
Leonard Cohen—Songs From A Room (Columbia)
Neil Young—After The Gold Rush (Reprise)

So far, I'm most excited about the Austin Lucas album. His songs burst with a stream of words. He has so much to say that you can't help but be taken in by his stories and his use of language. His music includes elements of folk, country, and rock, but Lucas has melded them into his own style. Somebody Loves You comes in a hand-numbered silkscreen cover. I ordered it off the fine Vinyl Collective Web site.

This is my favorite song off the album:

Tegan And Sara Vinyl Collection Released

Tegan and Sara have packaged their five albums—Sainthood, The Con, So Jealous, If It Was You, and This Business of Art—and a special bonus record of home recordings into one gigantic vinyl collection.

The $99 set is currently available at Because Sound Matters.

Tegan and Sara are on tour and have scheduled several record store appearances in September. Check out the dates here.

Springsteen's Darkness Package Coming

Mark Nov. 16 on your calendars.

That's the day Bruce Springsteen releases The Promise box set.

The set features a three CD/three DVD package of the remastered Darkness On The Edge Of Town album, never-before-seen studio and live footage, an 80-page notebook, 21 previously unreleased songs, and a much-anticipated documentary.

A 1978 Houston performance is part of the package, according to the press release.

While Born To Run will always be the most magical of all Springsteen releases, Darkness is his workhorse, with such staples as "Badlands," "The Promised Land," and "Prove It All Night." The Darkness songs have served as cornerstones for his live performances and remain among his most powerful compositions.

There will be something for vinyl fans here. Springsteen reports that there will be an edition that consists of only the unheard complete songs on two CDs or four LPs, along with lyrics and the new essay.

A clip of the documentary and a stream of the unreleased song "Save My Love" are running on Springsteen Web site.

Introducing Dylan LeBlanc

There is not a more impressive debut this year than Dylan LeBlanc's Paupers Field.

The 20-year-old Shreveport, La., native has released a fantastic album that has people likening him to everyone from Townes Van Zandt to Neil Young. These early comparisons are well deserved. He's got a storyteller's touch to his lyrics and a soulful ache to his voice.

The album opener, "Low," is a gorgeous number that serves a wonderful introduction to LeBlanc. The song carries on the old singer-songwriter tradition, yet still manages to sound completely contemporary. Emmylou Harris provides backing vocals on "If The Creek Don't Rise." The album has quickly become one my favorites.

Paupers Field, which is on the Rough Trade label, is available on vinyl and comes with a digital download.

Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack Goes Red

Greetings Vinyl Fans,

Just a quick note today to let you know that the Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World soundtrack is out on red vinyl as an exclusive to indie record stores.

It's a terrific album featuring Beck, who has two songs under his own name and four as Sex Bob-Omb. The soundtrack also includes Frank Black, Black Lips, T-Rex, Broken Social Scene, The Rolling Stones, and others.

Check it out.

Ray LaMontagne's New Album Plus More

Hey vinyl fans,

Here's some news from singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne, who is earning raves for his Aug. 17 release, God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise.

Fans can get the album on 180-gram double vinyl in gatefold packaging plus a download version of the album for $21.98 through his Website.

LaMontagne has also put together some exclusive materials. Fans can receive the vinyl album, digital download, plus a screen print for $30.

There's also a $55 package that includes the vinyl record, digital download, the new screen print, and three beautiful reprints of LaMontagne's concert art.

Saddle Creek Announces Azure Ray Packages

Saddle Creek is a terrific label with a great list of artists. It also puts together some killer packages for fans.

It's latest release involves the folk-pop duo Azure Ray. Fans can pre-order a vinyl copy of the band's new release, Drawing Down The Moon, for $13.

But that's not all. Saddle Creek has put together a nice "Music Plus" package that lets people receive either a CD or LP plus a T-shirt, signed poster, sticker, button, advanced stream and digital download of the album, and a download of a three-track digital single containing two non-album B-sides. It costs $25 for the CD package and $28 for the LP package.

Wait ... there's more. There's also the "I Want It All" deal for $50 and limited to 100. This package comes with everything above plus some exclusive items, including a custom-woven friendship bracelet, devotional candle, canvas tote, and imprinted corkscrew.

Check it out at Saddle Creek.

She & Him to Release Limited 45

She & Him, the musical duo of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, are releasing a limited edition 7-inch of their single "Thieves" backed with the vinyl-only bonus track "I Knew It Would Happen This Way."

The 45 will be released Aug. 31, but Merge is taking pre-orders. The disc costs $5.98. Shipping is free on U.S. orders.

Joanna Newsom-Robin Pecknold Duet

Here's a fun YouTube video for you:

Do you recall the Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock duet from a while back? The song was called "Picture." It was a hit but not one of the more memorable musical unions that comes to mind. However, Joanna Newsom and Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes remembered the song and made it an unlikely cover at Newsom's Aug. 2 show at The Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif.

Vinyl Finds No. 4

I've been on a vinyl buying spree and picked up a few more records this week.

I'm ridiculously happy about getting a beautiful copy of Dolly Parton's first album, Hello, I'm Dolly. The 1967 release on the Monument label is still in the shrink. Even in these very early sessions, Parton shines as a singer and a songwriter. The album opens with a great song, "Dumb Blonde," which was written by Curly Putnam. Parton wrote or co-wrote most of the other songs on the release, including "Something Fishy," and "I Don't Want To Throw Rice."

There are few country artists bigger than Parton. But even with all the success that she's had, she's still underrated as a songwriter. This early release demonstrates how good she has always been.

I also bought Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses' Roadhouse Sun. The 2009 release from the Lost Highway label is outstanding. Bingham's world-weary voice suits his hard-bitten songs. He recently won an Oscar for his song "The Weary Kind," from the film Crazy Heart. Look for a new album from Bingham in September.

And, rounding out the recent vinyl picks: Cyndi Lauper's Memphis Blues, which comes with a free digital download, and the soundtrack to "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist."

Vaselines LP Available for Pre-Order

In July, I posted that The Vaselines are releasing a new album.

Well, Sub Pop is taking pre-orders now, www.subpop.com. The vinyl goes for $15, the CD for $12.

If you are among the first 200 people to pre-order Sex with an X by Sept. 14th, you’ll receive a bonus 7-inch, featuring “White Chapel” b/w “Picked a Cherry,” demos both recorded by Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub)—the latter not available on the new record.

Look for a U.S. tour in October.

Southern Lord Launches Vinyl Subscription

The Southern Lord label has announced that it is offering 550 of its fans a subscription to its new vinyl releases.

For a one-time fee, members will received continued mailings of the label's records, starting with Black Cobra's Chronomega and Ascend's Ample Fire Within. Members will then get Pelican's What We All Come To Need. After that, a new vinyl release will arrive about every month. Members will receive seven albums in all.

All records will be 180 gram colored vinyl exclusive to the series. It also sounds like some of the vinyl releases will have exclusive songs not on the CD.

The cost for U.S. Subscribers is $170. For more info, visit www.southernlord.com.

I like the idea of label's offering a special vinyl series.

Jack White's Third Man Records has its Vault series, which offers very exclusive vinyl pressings available only to its members. Cool stuff.

Upcoming releases-August 2010

Let's talk about some vinyl releases coming in the next several weeks.

The Black Crowes' Croweology is going to be a monster three-disc set. The band's Web site is taking pre-orders for delivery the first week in August. This is the band's first album of acoustic material.

Brandon Flowers' solo album Flamingo is scheduled for release in September, but the 10-inch single will be available Aug. 3.

Also coming out in August: John Mellencamp's No Better Than This, which was recorded in three notable locations—Sun Studios in Memphis, where Elvis and Johnny Cash made their early albums; the historic First African Baptist Church in Savannah; and Room 414 in the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, where blues legend Robert Johnson first recorded. The album is produced by T Bone Burnett. How can this be bad?

Vinyl Finds 3

I picked up a few more vinyl discs recently, including Gaslight Anthem's American Slang.
I got this one on the green/black vinyl from SideOneDummy Records. It's also available as a standard vinyl release.
It's a terrific album with a great classic rock sound. It's their best yet.

I also received a couple of albums that I ordered from Third Man Records, Jack White's label. First, there's Karen Elson's The Ghost Who Walks. Yeah, she's a model, and she's married to White, but don't hold that against her. She's put together a decent record that covers several styles. The title track has a spooky retro vibe while other songs have a strong country flavor. White plays drums on the album.

Not sure why but I also picked up Jon Wayne's Texas Funeral, a reissue on Third Man. You have to be in the right mood to listen to this cowboys-gone-punk release. It's funny, offensive, and rude, sometimes all at the same time. There's a song about a Middle Eastern gas station attendant and another about a Texas jail cell.

And, I'm just really digging Third Man these days. My local record store had a copy of The Raconteurs' The Consolers Of The Lonely. It's a beautifully packaged two-disc album, with old-style photographs of each of the band members included.

White's label is producing some of the nicest vinyl records around. Check out more at www.thirdmanrecords.com

Vinyl Finds 2

Hey Everyone:

I did some vinyl shopping in Berkeley the other day and picked up some great stuff at Amoeba and Rasputin.

I bought copies of Hacienda's Loud Is The Night and Big Red & Barbacoa, both on the Alive label. Big Red & Barbacoa is on a limited edition of 500 red vinyl. If you haven't heard Hacienda, I recommend checking the Texas quartet out. Dan Auberbach of The Black Keys, who produced the albums once described the band as "Mexican-Americans who are obsessed with the Beach Boys." There are some great harmonies here.

Amoeba also had an import copy of The White Stripes' Elephant so I picked that up as well. It's nice to have it on vinyl.

At Rasputin, I bought The Swell Season's Strict Joy. It's a good Sunday morning album, nice and mellow with a Van Morrison kinda vibe.

Last but not least, I also bought Liz Phair's great Exile In Guyville. It's a special 15th anniversary reissue that comes with a 45 of previously unreleased material. This album is a classic.

20 Years Later, A New Vaselines Album

Sub Pop has announced a new release from The Vaselines. Sex With An X is set to drop Sept. 14.

It is only the duo's second release, and it comes just 20 years after the first album. Most people know the band through fan Kurt Cobain, with Nirvana covering the band's "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam."

Here's a track list:
Ruined
Sex With An X
The Devil Inside Me
Such a Fool
Turning It On
Overweight But Over You
Poison Pen
I Hate the ‘80s
Mouth to Mouth
Whitechapel
My God’s Bigger Than Your God
Exit The Vaselines

I'm looking forward to this release on vinyl.

For more information, visit www.subpop.com/artists/the_vaselines

Vinyl Finds 1 (In Chicago)

I'm sorry I haven't updated the blog lately. I've been busy with work, including some business travel that landed me in Chicago for a few days.

During my visit, I had a chance to walk to Reckless Records. I was hoping to find a vinyl copy of Gaslight Anthem's latest but no such luck.

I did pick up two used albums though: a nice original copy of Joni Mitchell's Blue and an original copy of Dr. John's 1973 release In The Right Place.

Blue is just a classic. The 1971 release remains the quintessential singer-songwriter album. It includes "Carey," "California," and "River." Not a weak song in the bunch.

On In The Right Place, Dr. John is backed by The Meters. The album is also produced by Allen Touissant. Now, that can't be bad.

Best of 2010 So Far

It is the end of June, which calls for a list of the best albums of the first half of the year.

In no particular order:

The Black Keys-Brothers: The duo's raw, bluesy sound gets a nice polished finish with this one. A classic. The vinyl album comes with a poster along with a CD version of the album.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings-I Learned The Hard Way: The soul singer's finest so far.

Kurt Vile-Square Shells: The Philadelphia singer and guitarist has made several good low-key albums. His latest doesn't disappoint, giving listeners a bit of everything. Vile remains someone to watch.

Joanna Newsom-Have One On Me: I admit that her earlier releases didn't connect with me, but I've become a fan with Have One On Me, her most accessible effort, yet. "Good Intentions Paving Company" is my favorite song of the year.

The vinyl version comes in a nice three-album package for about $30.

Titus Andronicus-The Monitor: A beautifully packaged album that has a loose Civil War theme. While rich in historic references, the album still captures the band's punk attitude.

The Mynabirds-What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood: A nice country-tinged rock album. I got a copy autographed by singer Laura Burhenn from the Saddle Creek label's Web site.

New Releases Coming From The National, Black Keys

There will be some hot new releases in the next two weeks.

The National is set to come out with High Violet on May 11. Select indie record stores that will be carrying the vinyl version will get one copy with a $50 gift certificate hidden inside. The lucky buyer that finds the certificate will be able to redeem it at the store. Pretty cool.

The Dead Weather also releases its sophomore release, Sea of Cowards, on 180-gram vinyl the same day.

The Black Keys is scheduled to deliver Brothers the following week on May 18. The vinyl release is said to be packaged with two LPs and a CD.

"Up In The Air" Soundtrack

We're really enjoying the Up In The Air soundtrack, which comes on clear blue vinyl and has different artwork than the CD.

The soundtrack hasn't gotten nearly as much notice as did the music from director Jason Reitman's other film, "Juno," but we like it even better.

Highlights include Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' striking, soulful version of "This Land Is Your Land," which opens the album. There's also Dan Auerbach's fine "Goin' Home." Auerbach is one-half of The Black Keys. Elliott Smith, Sad Brad Smith, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are also featured. Rolfe Kent did the score.

Perhaps, the best story is about the album's closing number. "Up In The Air" is written and performed by Kevin Renick, who had been laid off his job, not unlike some of the poor souls in the movie. He slipped Reitman a cassette of the song at one of the director's appearances. Reitman listened to it, liked it, and included it here.

Titus Andronicus: "The Monitor"

The latest Titus Andronicus album, The Monitor, has been out for a little while, but we just picked it up last week.

It's a terrific album on the XL label, and it comes in a beautifully packaged two-disc vinyl version. Named after a legendary Navy battleship, the album marries a loose Civil War theme with the frustrations of modern life. The gatefold opens to have a fantastic photo of Abraham Lincoln. Very cool. You gotta love an album that comes with a suggested reading list.

While the songs have plenty of historic references and quotes, there is nothing stilted about the music. The band flexes its rock muscles by way of guitars and drums while adding bagpipes, fiddle, and other instruments for a big, weighty sound.

Check out the album opener, "A More Perfect Union." The New Jersey band gives a nod to the state's favorite son, with singer Patrick Stickles spewing out the line, "Tramps like us, baby, we were born to die."