Finally getting cool weather in Chicago. Let’s hope it lasts through the weekend!
Friends decided to get back together again to rerelease their debut record as Teen Runnings. “Make It Better” was on the original and remains a fun surf pop song with a complementary waves and beach party video courtesy of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC.
Temporary Residence will release Mono’s newest album For My Parents in North America on September 4 (Japan release is August 22). The 5-track album is about traveling the world and giving your parents a hug and includes support from the The Wordless Music Orchestra. Preorder the album at Amazon or Temporary Residence, where they already sold out of a few vinyl pressings.
Hit the jump for North American tour dates and a journey through Iceland.
Mono will release a live album/DVD titled Holy Ground: NYC Live With The Wordless Music Orchestra in April. It will be released in Japan April 6 and in the US on April 27 via Temporary Residence. The DVD/CD chronicles the band’s sold-out shows in NYC in 2009 in tribute to their first show in NYC ten years ago. This is also the first time the band played with a full orchestra. Tracklisting is below and you can pre-order it here.
On this blog, I like to talk about what Japanese albums are getting a US release. So, I’d like to introduce a page I’ve been working on since the beginning of this year, the 2009 US Release Calender. It’s been live all this time, but considering it has only gotten 39 views so far, I have to assume no one knows it exists. It’s a very simple list of what came out this year, followed by a link to where to buy it and their myspace if applicable. I only include albums that were released on CD or vinyl. MP3 downloads are too numerous and really take no effort to release. I like physical media. It gives me a sense of ownership that MP3s will never, ever have.
https://croquiscrisis.wordpress.com/2009-us-releases/
What I’ve bought this year (just 2009 releases):
Vinyl– Hush and Transparence 10″ by Asobi Seksu and Hymn to the Immortal Wind by Mono
CD: self titled albums by FACT and parms, P-POP HIGH SCHOOL by Peelander-Z, and Utada’s second English album This Is The One
DVD: A Knot Of by Dir en grey
I also have 9dw’s self titled LP. It came moments ago, that’s why it’s not in the picture. There’s also a couple other things I have on order. Right now, albums I’m most looking forward to later this year are Armonica Hewa by OOIOO, Rewolf by Asobi Seksu, and Dir en grey’s music video collection. I also have to applaud Maru Music for getting their releases on Hot Topic shelves. I was able to buy Versailles’ debut album from there a few months ago.
I’m constantly updating this page, I added three releases yesterday alone, so be sure to bookmark it. Also, be on the lookout for a This Month In J-Rock announcement next week.
Mono have released their first official PV ever for their upcoming album Hymn to the Immortal Wind. The video was shot in Paris, France and directed by Dimitri Galuret. The album can now be preordered from Temporary Residence, LTD.
Mono’s fifth studio album Hymn to the Immortal Wind will be released March 4 in Japan on Human Highway Records and March 24 on Temporary Residence Limited in the US. The album was recorded and mixed in Chicago by Steve Albini. A full orchestra was used in at least 75% of the album.
They will be playing in New York City on May 5 in support of their album with a 23-piece orchestra. This will be their only North American performance of the year.
Track list:
Good Friday. The Friday before Easter. The day Jesus died on the cross. As I was raised Catholic, I celebrate this day every year. One song that always gets me in the mood is Mono’s “The Flames Beyond the Cold Mountain.” Whether it be the haunting intro that sounds exactly like the music played on Good Friday services or the utter breakdown at the end, its hard not to classify this song as a spiritual journey. Close your eyes and be transported to another world.
Download: The Flames Beyond the Cold Mountain
Temporary Residence is set to release abyssal, the new E.P. by hardcore band Envy on January 22, 2008. On the same day, they will reissue All the Footprints You’ve Ever Left and the Fear Expecting Ahead and A Dead Sinking Story. In addition, they will release Compiled Fragments 1997-2003 which was never released in the US. All four of these new additions to Temporary Residence’s catalog will be available in CD and vinyl format. Currently, they are having a sale on their website which includes all four (CD or vinyl) and the new dvd from Mono, The Sky Remains the Same As Ever, for $60.
Mono’s new album, Gone, will be released on September 11th through Temporary Residence. This album contains rarities and non-album tracks from their e.p.s throughout their career. They will be on tour in America this fall.
09-20 San Diego, CA – Casbah *
09-21 El Ray – Los Angeles, CA *
09-22 Phoenix, AZ – Brickhouse Theater *
09-23 Albuquerque, NM – Lanch Pad *
09-25 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit *
09-26 Dallas TX – Granada Theater *
09-27 Austin, TX – Emo’s *
09-28 Houston,TX – Meridian Red Room *
09-29 New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks *
10-01 Knoxville, TN – Blue Cats *
10-02 Athens, GA 40 – Watt Club *
10-03 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel *
10-04 Wilmington, NC – Soapbox *
10-05 Richmond, VA – Toad’s Place *
10-06 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live *
10-07 Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts *
10-08 New York, NY – Webster Hall *
10-09 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg *
10-11 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Down Stairs *
10-12 Providence, RI – Living Rome *
10-13 Montreal, QC – Les Saints *
10-14 Toronto, ON – Opera House *
10-16 Buffalo, NY – Showplace Theater *
10-17 Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop *
10-18 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick *
10-19 Chicago, IL – Double Door *
10-20 Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon *
10-21 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue *
10-24 Vancouver, BC – Richards on Richards *
10-25 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe *
10-26 Portland, OR – Dante’s *
10-28 San Francisco, CA – Independent *
10-29 San Francisco, CA – Independent *
* – w/ High on Fire
J-Rock Explosion 