Encore Records

Best Coast

The Only Place

Bethany Cosentino aka Best Coast is prepped to return with another album of melodic beach punk with second album The Only Place.

The pre-released title track and first single, a jangly ode to California as a place that has “the ocean, the babes, the sun, the waves,” asks the question “Why would you live anywhere else?” If its fuzz bass and slightly ‘90s alt-rock underpinnings are any indicator of the rest of the album, The Only Place will be a catchy hook-fest.

Beach House

Bloom

2012 release, the fourth full length album from Baltimore-based Beach House. It builds on 2010’s Teen Dream to further develop their distinctive sound yet stands apart as a new piece of work.

Bloom is meant to be experienced as an album, a singular, unified vision of the world. The many layers of Bloom are uncomplicated and meticulously constructed to ensure there is no waste.

Uncut / Mojo / Classic Rock / Classic Rock Prog

.

The June 2012 issues are now in stock !!

Elvis Costello

Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook

CD, DVD, or CD/DVD set.

Elvis Costello returned to the stage in 2011 with his celebrated Spinning Wheel tour and now comes the definitive document of this tour:

Costello once again allowed his set list to be chosen by The Spectacular Spinning Songbook, a monumental game-show type wheel spun by select fans and featuring songs from his latest critically acclaimed release National Ransom, plus new renditions of hits, rarities and very unexpected covers.

Recorded over a two night stand at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on May 11 and 12, 2011, the CD recording was culled from both nights’ performances.

The DVD is from Costello’s show on May 12, 2011 and includes a special guest appearance by the Bangles.

Florence and the Machine

Unplugged

CD / DVD set.

2012 release that finds the British band stripping down their heavenly sound to the divine essentials.

The set list boasts favorites from both of her Universal Republic Records releases.

There’s a hypnotic rendition of her breakout double platinum single “Dog Days Are Over” as well as a chillingly beautiful cover of Johnny Cash and June Carter’s “Jackson” featuring Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures singer Josh Homme.

In addition, she gives a wonderful take on Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” for this performance.

Esperanza Spalding

Radio Music Society

Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes bonus DVD. 

Among its many strengths, Radio Music Society is a celebration of the men and women who have helped cultivate Spalding’s talent, as well as those who have nurtured her vision and inspired her along the way. In addition to longtime partners Joe Lovano, keyboard player Leo Genovese and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the ranks contain Jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart; guitar heroes Jef Lee Johnson and Lionel Loueke.

Zeus

Busting Visions

With the help of vintage gear and a stellar ear for melody, Zeus’ debut Arts & Crafts album Say Us earned the band XM The Verge’s Album of the Year award and was long-listed for Polaris Music Prize.

The lead single from Busting Visions, “Are You `Gonna Waste My Time”, continues in the fashion of their first record, with smart pop hooks, sweet harmonies and jangling electric guitars.

Joel Plaskett

Scrappy Happiness

Rather than follow the now common schedule of write, record, manufacture, release over a period of a year or so; Joel is taking the album out of the incubator, one song at a time.

During Jan. 10 - March 13, 2012, Joel has one week to record and produced on a strict weekly schedule that have premiered on CBC Radio2.

Scrappy Happiness is the culmination of this latest project.

The Shins

Port Of Morrow

The Shins’ first studio album in five years is the first to be released through James Mercer’s own Aural Apothecary label, and features an all new backing band that includes fellow songwriters Jessica Dobson and Richard Swift, Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer, and Yuuki Matthews from the Crystal Skulls.

VCMG

Ssss

VCMG is the collaboration between two British electronic pioneers, Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) and Vince Clark (Yazoo, Erasure).

Concentrating on their love of electronic music, the pair create the ten-track album Ssss, which crackles with rhythmic and Teutonic fusion - perfect dancefloor sounds for the early-hours.