Heavenly: Highway To Heavenly

In the lead up to the release of their comeback album cult band Heavenly put out three singles that were so good and on point that it was hard to believe that 30 years had passed. Now that the full album is here, it is safe to conclude that their signature blend of twee pop with razorsharp lyrics is all over Highway To Heavenly.

Sounding chipper and upbeat, but also taking a scalpel to everything that bothers them or really pisses them off, shows that they haven't slowed down a bit or have mellowed with age. Excuse Me about a former class mate who sold out is scolded with glee. Press Return is a stab at tech-bros, who force their twisted fantasies down people throats with algorithms from Hell. Their tale about a toxic relationship in Deflicted hits hard, as it should be, because sugarcoating would have plain wrong.

The Claypool Lennon Delirium: The Golden Egg of Empathy

The Claypool Lennon Delirium have announced their third album - a concept one - The Great Parrot-Ox and The Golden Egg of Empathy, due for release on May 1st via ATO Records. Les Claypool and Sean Lennon share a love weird tales and the single The Golden Egg of Empathy proofs that their twisted take on psychedelic art-rock is in full force. The album comes with 24-page comic book created with director and drawing maestro Rich Ragsdale, who also made the video.

The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy, is a cautionary tale of what could be in store for humanity if we continue to favor machines over men. It is a tale of a technocracy eclipsed by paperclips; a young man destined to unravel the fabric of his father’s folly, and a sacred feathered Goddess (played by WILLOW), who holds the egg-shaped key to their future.

Ella van der Woude: How to Shoot a Ghost

photo: Olivier Lovey

Dutch-Swiss composer Ella van der Woude wrote the music for Charlie Kaufman's short movie How to Shoot a Ghost, a stroy about two lovers who find each other again after their deaths. In the briefing she was tld not to hold back, but to consider the music as an important character for the tale as well. The result: a record that can stand on its own with the instruments doing the talking, taking listeners by the hand to show them a movie of their own invention if they are willing to let go and let the music wash over them. It does not sound that difficult to write - and perform - music like that, but it is quite hard to pull off.

This soundtrack will set comfortably next to the compostions of Zbigniew Preisner for Krzysztof Kieślowski's Trois Couleurs trilogy. Strong emotions - melancholy, loss, love and despair - abound, using tension and release, with a few snippets of dialogue thrown in, acting as signposts to the next scene.

Bill Evans: "At The BBC: The Complete 1965 London Sets" 2LP for Record Store Day

At The BBC: The Complete 1965 London Sets captures jazz pianist Bill Evans with his trio at the historic Jazz 625 show at the BBC Television Theatre in Shepherd's Bush, on 19th March 1965. It will be released as 2LP for Record Store Day (April 18). Liner notes by author and journalist and Marc Myers. 2LP in a gatefold sleeve. 3500 copies worldwide.

Honey Blonde: Honey Blonde

Dutch-Cypriot pink-punk band Honey Blonde crammed three high energy songs on their debut EP, singing about girl trouble, boys of all ages being annoying and stupid, and night life in general. Semeli Theodosiou, Jade Bogaart, Valentina Charalampous and Eva Burger have an instant rapport, playing fast and loose, in sync with the second wave of riot grrrl sound.

Their mix of bravado and awkwardness is pretty damn irresistible. There must some A&R folks out there willing to offer them a fair deal. Pressing these songs on vinyl should be at the top of the to do list.