As september always tends to be a busy month for new releases, we have a ton of new products in stock. Since there are so many things to mention, I will just list the items:

HEAVENS “Patent Pending” CD

DRAFT “In A Million Pieces” CD

THE STATIC AGE “Blank Screens”

CATFISH HAVEN “Tell Me” CD

HELLA “Acoustics” CD

MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO. “Fading Trails” CD

MATCHES “Decomposer” CD

MONO & WORLD’S END GIRLFRIEND “Palmless Prayer” CD

NOW ITS OVERHEAD “Dark Light Daybreak” CD

PINBACK “Nautical Antiques” CD

WOVEN HAND “Mosiac” CD

Of the above list, I highly recommend checking out the Heavens, Draft, and Pinback! I still have yet to listen to a bunch of the above though.

VARIOUS ARTISTS “Hair: Chicago Punk Cuts” CD

Do you remember when compilation CDs were sought after? Maybe you don’t, but I do. I devoured any new compilation I could find as I would always hear a new band I hadn’t yet heard and get stoked about picking up some new music. Those days for the most part are gone, but lucky for us, Thick Records are still making an effort to showcase and highlight new, exciting artists. Thick has close ties to their hometown scene of Chicago, Illinois and have always done an incredible job of documenting the musical landscape. “Hair” follows other compilations they have put out that are reasonably priced, full of unreleased songs, and showcasing a diverse musical scene. Artists include Much the Same, Allister, The Killing Tree, The Bomb, Split Habit, Ryan’s Hope, Collosal, and much more.

YO LA TENGO “I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass” CD

What could quite possibly be the greatest album name ever imagined, Yo La Tengo are back with their 5 millionth album. This bold, eclectic, 80-minute album is the pinnacle of the band’s twenty-year career. From eleven-minute guitar jams to gorgeous ballads to winsome horn-drenched pop songs, this album is all over the map, in a very good way. Features the talents of longtime Nashville producer Roger Moutenot, violinist Dave Mansfield of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review, and the jacket artistry of Gary Panter (Raw, Jimbo). Here are a couple of mp3s to check out:

Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind

Beanbag Chair

CAT POWER “the Greatest” Slipcase Edition CD 

This reissue version comes in one of three beautiful slip covers which we have named Guitar, Lite Background, and Hands. The retail price is much lower, too! This is not a greatest hits album, despite the title. It contains all-original songs written by Chan Marshall (professionally known as Cat Power), and features the great Memphis session musicians Teenie Hodges on guitar, Leroy Hodges on bass (Al Green, Hi Rhythm Section), drummer Steve Potts, and more. The combination of Marshall’s superbly evocative and flexible voice plus some of the greatest Southern soul players, has produced a masterpiece. These songs explore themes of Southern loss, longing, and marginality.

I really like this album a lot, but my favorite Cat Power album has to be “You are Free”.