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Codes and Keys (Album of the Day)
Seven albums into their illustrious career, the members of Death Cab For Cutie decided to try a new direction on CODES AND KEYS. “Living off in the woods for a month away from family isn't something we want to do,”explained frontman Ben Gibbard; the solution was to record in short bursts at eight different studios along the West Coast. The Atlantic collection is also unusual for its emphasis on keyboards over guitars and a brighter lyrical outlook (that may owe something to Gibbard's marriage to actress Zooey Deschanel). What hasn't changed is Death Cab's knack for the thoughtful, melodic songwriting displayed on “You Are a Tourist,” “Home Is a Fire” and the title track. Released 10 years ago today, CODES AND KEYS was a Top 10 Billboard debut and earned a well-deserved Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
Stretchin' Out In Bootsy's Rubber Band (Album of the Day)
William “Bootsy” Collins came to prominence as part of James Brown's band before boarding the George Clinton mothership, and the bassist is joined by several others who left the J.B.'s for P-Funk in Bootsy's Rubber Band. The group's debut for Warner Bros., STRETCHIN' OUT IN, was co-produced by Clinton at Detroit's United Sound Systems, and it's clear from first listen that a star has been born. With an irrepressible personality and nimble fingers pumping out grooves, Bootsy stretches from uptempo floor-fillers to balladry across these 7 originals, including such highlights as the R&B hit title track, “Psychoticbumpschool” and the much-sampled “I'd Rather Be With You.” Released 45 years ago this month, STRETCHIN' OUT IN BOOTSY'S RUBBER BAND is by common consensus one of Collins' very best.
Tom Tom Club (Album of the Day)
In the wake of REMAIN IN LIGHT, Talking Heads bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz launched a side project that proved lighter in tone but equally alluring. Drawing their name from a dancehall in the Bahamas, the pair convened a small collective of like-minded musicians (including guitarist Adrian Belew) at Nassau's Compass Point Studios to cut their self-titled 1981 debut. Fun is the order of the day on the gold-certified TOM TOM CLUB, a gleeful fusion of new wave and hip-hop. The Sire set includes a cover of “Under the Boardwalk” and a pair of No.1 Dance Chart hits in “Wordy Rappinghood” and “Genius of Love”; the latter's breathy vocals and chirpy electronic keyboard riff would be sampled frequently over the years.
Narrow Stairs (Album of the Day)
After two years of touring behind their major label debut, alt-rockers Death Cab For Cutie returned with 2008's NARROW STAIRS. Guitarist Chris Walla's production brings the quartet back to its indie roots, though the melodies and instrumentation retain the upbeat appeal of PLANS. Thematically, things are a different story. NARROW STAIRS descends to some rather dark places; as singer-lyricist Ben Gibbard put it, “So much of the negativity in my life got funneled into it.” The 11 tracks here include tales of a natural disaster (“Grapevine Fires”), a melancholy bride (“Cath...”) and an 8-minute epic about a stalker (“I Will Possess Your Heart”) - and those were deemed singles. Despite the heavier subject matter, NARROW STAIRS was a success, becoming the band's first No.1 album and earning two Grammy nominations, and it's our pick of the day in honor of Gibbard's birthday.
Metallica (Album of the Day)
Metallica was already the greatest heavy metal band of the 1980s when they went to work with producer Bob Rock on their fifth studio collection. Released 30 years ago today, the self-titled “black album” would become the band's biggest ever, entering the chart at No.1 and eventually selling more than 13 million copies in the U.S. alone. Metallica's commercial breakthrough owes much to one of the quartet's strongest sets of songs – the dozen originals include “Enter Sandman,” “Sad But True,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters” and “Wherever I May Roam” - all of which were successful singles. Now available exclusively at Rhino.com, the Deluxe METALLICA Leather Jacket Bundle includes the remastered original album, a picture disc, three live LPs, 14 CDs and six DVDs, plus a 120-page hardcover book and a leather jacket inspired by the one made for the band and their family during their early '90s tours.
Live By Request (Album of the Day)
Born Kathryn Dawn Lang in Alberta, Canada, k.d.lang has long combined torch and twang in her music, and both sides are heard to terrific effect on LIVE BY REQUEST. Made as part of A&E TV's performance series of the same name, the singer-songwriter's first concert release plays like a greatest hits collection, with such signature songs as “Crying,” “Miss Chatelaine” and “Constant Craving” joining 11 more fan favorites. Well recorded (at New York City's John Jay College of Criminal Justice), the album is a perfect showcase for one of adult contemporary's greatest voices. Released 20 years ago this month, k.d. lang's LIVE BY REQUEST was among A&E's highest-rated specials, and you'll rate this spellbinding set highly as well.
The Long Goodbye (Album of the Day)
Among the most acclaimed dance-rockers of the new millennium, LCD Soundsystem may have been a bit premature when they declared their April 2011 appearance at Madison Square Garden would be their last, but the Brooklyn band nonetheless played a concert to remember. Produced and mixed by founder and frontman James Murphy, THE LONG GOODBYE (LCD SOUNDSYSTEM LIVE FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN) is the ultimate audio document of the legendary sold-out show. The new 3-CD collection finds the LCD core live band of Murphy, Pat Mahoney, Nancy Whang, Al Doyle, Gavilán Rayna Russom and Tyler Pope joined by a choir, string and horn sections - plus special guests including Win Butler and Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire. A career-spanning, near-4-hour performance, THE LONG GOODBYE is an essential document of a singular moment in the history of LCD Soundsystem and New York City’s musical life.
The Exciting Wilson Pickett (Album of the Day)
Wilson Pickett's debut album for Atlantic announced the arrival of a major soul star, but his follow-up, THE EXCITING WILSON PICKETT, might be even better. Recorded in Memphis and Muscle Shoals (with such greats as guitarist Steve Cropper and pianist Spooner Oldham among the backing instrumentalists), the collection reflected the Wicked One's stage act at the time, balancing sizzling covers with original songs. The dozen tracks include four classic hits - “Land of 1000 Dances,” “In The Midnight Hour,” “634-5789” and “Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)” - but even the deeper cuts here are amazing. Released 55 years ago this month, THE EXCITING WILSON PICKETT is the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at his most electrifying.
Coral Fang (Album of the Day)
Though The Distillers have reportedly returned to the studio, 2003's CORAL FANG remains the most recent release by the L.A. punk heroes. The band's major label debut following a pair of indie releases, the Sire set features frontwoman Brody Dalle unleashing a torrent of rage and despair on 11 originals including “Drain the Blood,” “The Hunger” and “Beat Your Heart Out.” You can credit producer Gil Norton (The Pixies, Foo Fighters) for adding some polish without dampening The Distillers' power, building on top-notch songs and the quartet's fiery performances. Hailed by outlets including Kerrang!, Blender and Q upon release, CORAL FANG still goes for the jugular.
How The West Was Won (Album of the Day)
Along with their remarkable studio albums, Led Zeppelin conquered America with relentless touring, a fact driven home on HOW THE WEST WAS WON. The quartet was “going to California” on this leg of their 1972 trek and the 3-CD set gathers highlights from shows at the L.A. Forum and the Long Beach Arena, including classics from their then-new fourth album, as well as epic versions of “Dazed and Confused” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Guitarist Jimmy Page produced the 2003 collection, and his assessment that the group was at its artistic peak at the time of its recording is borne out by the music. The platinum-certified HOW THE WEST WAS WON debuted at No.1 on the Billboard chart and we'll give it another spin now to wish frontman Robert Plant a happy birthday.