Nevermind Super Deluxe Edition
Think you've got the ultimate release of Nevemind because you scored a vinyl copy? Think again. Arriving slightly after the album's 20th anniversary, the Nevermind Super Deluxe Edition ($135) includes the remastered classic in its entirety, studio and live B-sides, the first-ever full release of the pre-Nevermind demos recorded at Butch Vig's Smart Studios, boombox recordings of rehearsals, and the Devonshire mixes, or Nevermind as produced and mixed by Vig, instead of the Vig produced, Andy Wallace mixed version that became one of the best albums of the '90s, as well as a 90-page book and a DVD of a 1991 Paramount show. If you want in, you'd best hurry — only 10,000 copies will be available in North America, while the rest of the world has to fight over the remaining 30,000.
I'm With You by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Frusciante might be gone, but if you thought that was going to stop Flea, Kiedis and Co. from carrying one, you haven't been paying attention. I'm With You by Red Hot Chili Peppers ($10) is the band's tenth studio album, and finds RHCP in fine form, continuing to crank out funk-infused rock that, thanks to the arrival of guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, includes some new influences that kinda, sorta, make up for the missing member.
Newermind
We're fast approaching the 20th anniversary of the release of Nirvana's seminal masterpiece Nevermind, and as such we're seeing an explosion of retrospective articles, videos, and... tribute albums? Newermind ($Free) was put together by the folks at SPIN and features all thirteen of the original album's tracks — including the hidden "Endless, Nameless" — covered by such artists as the Meat Puppets, Surfer Blood, and The Vaselines. All you have to do is "Like" their Facebook page. And you've drunkenly "Liked" worse stuff than that, right? [Scouted by Sean]
Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Unless you lost your wallet or are otherwise incapacitated after the long holiday weekend, fire up your favorite browser — oh wait, you've already done that — and get your pre-order in for Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West ($12-$15). This collaborative effort is available in a 10-song regular version or a 14-song deluxe edition, either as an MP3 download or an old-school CD. We've only heard one song so far — it has something to do with ham — but given the track record of these two, we're pretty sure you won't be disappointed.
Made-to-order Timepieces by Refined Hardware
The Los Angeles based craftsmen at Refined Hardware have finally released their second edition of luxury timepieces. These industrial conceptions are the ideal extension for the modern man, and follow the highly sought after, and sold-out, 'P1' edition. The 'P2' will showcase a flying tourbillon movement encased in your choice of billet stainless steel, PVD black steel, or a hand-finished bronze. A necessity for any connoisseur, only 33 pieces of each variant will be crafted so you better order yours today.
Bon Iver
Normally, when a singer known for his folksy sound takes on more electronic influences in production, the result is still good, but loses something in the translation. Thankfully, that's not the case with Bon Iver ($8). This eponymous follow-up to For Emma, Forever Ago keeps the most intimate, important piece of the prior recipe — Justin Vernon's voice — while expanding the band's repertoire and scope, mixing in bits and pieces of other genres until it culminates in a final track that'd be perfectly at home alongside '80s ballads yet never sounds derivative.
Codes And Keys by Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab's last effort wasn't the band's best — we deemed it "probably sappy enough to get you laid" — so its nice to see them return to form. Codes And Keys by Death Cab for Cutie ($10) sees Gibbard and co. continue their melodic journey with songs that are noticeably less guitar-driven, a little '80s-ish, and even occasionally happy — which is fitting for a band that's older, more mature, and more successful.
The Dark Side Of The Moon Immersion Box Set
Argue all you want about whether or not it was actually meant to sync up so well with The Wizard of Oz — it's undeniably one of the most influential albums of the last 40 years. The Dark Side Of The Moon Immersion Box Set ($130) gives Pink Floyd's ground-breaking album the attention it deserves — and then some — by offering up a digitally remastered version of the classic on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray, in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound, as well as various other mixes of the album, live versions of all the songs, concert screen films, a documentary, a 40-page booklet, a book or original photos, and plenty of other trinkets and baubles. All that's missing is tickets to a Dark Side laser light show at the local planetarium.
Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
Most bands' second albums are prone to the sophomore slump: similarly-sounding songs that lack the energy and focus of the initial release. Luckily, that's not the case with Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes ($10). Available for streaming online, this twelve-track opus goes beyond the band's eponymous debut with more haunting melodies, deliberate pacing, just a hint of anger, and some experimental jazz thrown in for good measure. It might not be the soundtrack to the summer, but it will go down as one of the best albums of 2011.
Rome by Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi
Danger Mouse has never been apprehensive when it comes to teaming up with other artists, but his new tie-up with Italian composer/arranger Daniele Luppi might be the most ambitious yet. Inspired by their love of classic Italian film music, Rome by Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi ($10) plays like the soundtrack to an imaginary movie, featuring musicians from the scores of Sergio Leone's iconic films, recorded using vintage equipment, and buoyed by three tracks each sung by the likes of Jack White and Norah Jones.
Wasting Light by Foo Fighters
The Fighters of Foo have traveled a long road since their founding in 1994, only to return to where they started. Recorded entirely in Dave Grohl's garage using analog equipment and produced by Butch Vig — who also produced a little album called Nevermind for Grohl's former band — Wasting Light by Foo Fighters ($10) is the band's seventh studio album, and also reunites Grohl with former band- and tour-mate Pat Smear.
Hot Sauce Committee Part Two by Beastie Boys
We're not going to pretend to know exactly what's up with the Beastie Boys and their eighth album. Just know that it's called Hot Sauce Committee Part Two by Beastie Boys ($11-$75), that Part One is delayed indefinitely, that it's available in packages ranging from a simple download to a deluxe edition with vinyl, a poster, and a t-shirt, and that it'll be accompanied by a hilarious video starring the likes of Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen, John C. Reilly, Danny McBride, and other notorious trouble makers.
Gimme Some by Peter Bjorn and John
You've gotta love a band that goes by the abbreviation PB&J, and it only helps matters that they're from Sweden, that stronghold of catchy tunes from across the sea. Gimme Some by Peter Bjorn and John ($13) eschews the darker sound of their last effort, Living Thing, instead offering up 11 tracks filled with foot-stomping beats, satisfying hooks, and upbeat tunes that are perfect for long drives on sunny days, or for brightening up a decidedly gray, nasty day.
