Record Rack: A round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs.
ARTIST : The Ocean Blue
RELEASE: Ultramarine
BACKSTORY: The reunited indie-pop act this week releases its first album since 2000′s Davy Jones’ Locker on Korda Records, the Minneapolis-based label started by the band’s David Schelzel and some friends. Tracks include “A Rose is a Rose” and “Sad Night, Where is Morning?” (stream full album).
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, digital)
ARTIST : Billy Bragg
RELEASE: Tooth & Nail
BACKSTORY: The alt-folkie this week releases his first new album in five years, a Joe Henry-produced effort that he compares to his Mermaid Avenue records with Wilco. The album was recorded over five days last year in Pasadena, Calif. (see full tracklist).
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, digital)
ARTIST : Karl Bartos
RELEASE: Off the Record
BACKSTORY: The former Kraftwerk member returns this week with his second solo album and his first in a decade, featuring tracks such as “Nachtfahrt,” “International Velvet,” “Without a Trace of Emotion,” “The Tuning of the World” and “The Binary Code.”
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, digital)
ARTIST : Inspiral Carpets
RELEASE: Life: Extended Edition
BACKSTORY: The reunited Madchester vets this week reissue their 1990 debut album, packaged with bonus tracks and the long-awaited DVD release of the band’s out-of-print “21790 Live” concert film. The band currently is performing the full album on a spring U.K. tour.
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (CD/DVD)
