PORTLAND, Maine — Chris Brown from Bull Moose joined 207 to share some new releases this month. Here's his list:
Ghost – Rite Here Rite Now – CD, LP
Ghost are a Swedish rock band with a growing following. They use a lot of religious and occult imagery in their presentation and lyrics. Their sound is a mix of metal, glam rock, and 80s hard rock with synths. Select indie CD stores, including you know who, received a big photo like you would see at a funeral. The band invited their fans to go to those stores and contribute items to a shrine. Fans who do that are rewarded with a video that can only be viewed on a cellphone in one of those stores.
The next three releases reflect a change in the music industry. Most of the big rock box sets are from 1960s and 1970s artists: The Beatles, David Bowie, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and so on. Gen Xers should prepare to feel old because the big three box sets are from artists from their youth: The Police, Taking Heads, and the Beastie Boys. Let’s take them in chronological order.
The Police – Synchronicity – 6CDs, 4LPs, 2 CDs or 1LP picture disc
The 6CD has the most music and contains the original album remastered, all the B-sides, 3 1/2 CDs of demos and alternate versions, and a complete concert.
The Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (Deluxe Edition) – 2CD+Blu-ray or 2LP
This is an expanded version of the soundtrack album. The Blu-ray does not contain the concert film. That Blu-ray was issued in May. The new Blu-ray has hi-res stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes of the album.
Beastie Boys – Ill Communication (Deluxe Edition) – cassette, 3LP
The cassette, which is green, contains the entire 1994 CD. The original album is spread out over 2LPs. The third LP contains 12 remixes and B-sides. It comes in a nice box, with lenticular art on the slipcase.