If you didn't already know of Glen Hansard before he burst onto the international scene with 2007's Academy Award winning Once, then, you had a lot to dig into. Along with his six albums with The Frames (he released a seventh in 2015), he had already released his first project with Czech singer Maketa Irglova the self titled The Swell Season. That first album produced the smash hit "Falling Slowly" which was the Oscar winning song from Once. With the release of that song, and the success of the film, the world was introduced to one of the most earnest, compelling, voices of the new century.
Canadian singer/songwriter Neil Young rose to fame with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and a steady stream of solo projects over the last 50+ years. Young has received several Grammys and Juno awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once in 1995 as Neil Young, and again in 1997 as a member of Buffalo Springfield. The folk-rock troubadour's most recent release, The Visitor, is B.T.R.C.'s Record of the Month for January's Singer-Songwriter category. Throughout Young's career, we have seen him collaborate often. Sometimes, in a group like CSN&Y, sometimes with his backing band, Crazy Horse. His co-credited albums with the backing band total 11 studio albums and numerous "Live" albums.
It should come as no surprise that one of the greatest figures in modern American history has inspired many in the arts. From paintings, to poems; from literature to songs, Martin Luther King, Jr. has not only been the subject, but in many cases, the muse. It's been 50 years since his death. As we both mourn his passing and celebrate his amazing accomplishments in civil rights for America, B.T.R.C. wanted to take a moment to look at some of the great songs that grew in the shadow of the incredible Martin Luther King, Jr.
Anderson East's Encore is the artist's second release since signing with Elektra Records. His first album, Delilah, was released in 2015 and was produced by Dave Cobb, whose past credits include Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Chris Stapleton (to name a few). The debut LP generated East's first AAA singles "Satisfy Me" and "Devil In Me".
In 1971, Marvin Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf, was starring in the Broadway musical "Hair". It was during this time in NY where Meat Loaf met Jim Steinman who became his principal collaborator on the creation of the album "Bat Out Of Hell". Although they started the album in 1972, it was not released until 1977. During this production window, Meat Loaf played in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (both movie and play) and sang lead vocals on Ted Nugent's "Free-for-All" album when Derek St. Holmes had temporarily quit the band.
Every December, magazines, websites, music bloggers, "social mediaites", and music fans all convalesce around one thing; "Best Of Lists". Blind Tiger Record Club is no different. Just like all of you that gather around tables at the local coffee shop or bars to discuss the best music of 2017, we have been laboring and debating our picks as well. So, without further ado, we are very excited to present the "Blind Tiger Record Club Best Vinyl of 2017"
Swim Team is the sixth studio album from Huntington Beach, California-based Dirty Heads. The guest list of collaborators is diverse and includes 311 guitarist and singer Nick Hexum, Rome (Sublime w/Rome) and writing/production duo HEAVY(Andrew McMahon). What really makes this album stand out isn't the collaborations (as good as they are), but the move towards a more commercial mainstream sound. It's still heavily infused by a unique mixture of reggae, rap, alternative rock and pop, but blended together in a production style that makes it more digestible for a larger audience. "Vacation" charted top 15 this fall at alternative format radio as a result.
From A Room: Volume 2 was a highly-anticipated album for the BTRC staff. Fast fans of From A Room: Volume 1 and Stapleton’s debut Traveller, we knew the record was going to be something special, once again. Chris Stapleton was already an award-winning songwriter working in Nashville prior to his infamous performance at the 2015 CMA’s with Justin Timberlake. In fact, over 150 of his songs have been cut by other artist including six Country number ones.
We are a vinyl record subscription box service. All of our vinyl are new/sealed, full-length 12" records from artists of today. Many are double albums, 180 gram, and in some cases, color-variant and hard-to-find imports. We post each month's curated choice on our home page. You'll also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. No surprises, no music you don't like, no accidental duplicates. You'll always know what you're getting ahead of time.Albums are hand-picked from a selection of hundreds of titles. New 180 gram vinyl from your favorite artists of today. Each vinyl you'll receive is a full-length album, and in many cases are double albums.
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