Human

The McCoys enjoyed a massive international hit with their first shot in the big leagues - after producers Richard Gottehrer, Jerry Goldstein, and Bob Feldman discovered them when they shared the bill with the Strangeloves in Ohio, the McCoys landed a deal with Bang Records, and their first single for the label, "Hang on Sloopy," went all the way to number one. But the McCoys had grander musical ambitions than their patrons at Bang were willing to nurture, and in 1968 they signed with Mercury Records, where they were given complete creative freedom as they cut their final two albums, Infinite McCoys and Human Ball. The McCoys' musical approach took a 180-degree turn with these two albums, which blended psychedelic meanderings with jazz piano pieces, country melodies, sunny pop, extended blues workouts, and a few pieces that defy conventional explanation…

DEATH, the heavy metal institution founded, realized, and helmed by legendary guitarist Chuck Schuldiner, released its legendary fourth studio album Human (’91) to massive worldwide critical acclaim. The album’s complex and progressive music and introspective lyrics marked a massive stylistic change away from the more primitive early material for the group, and Human went on to become one of the most influential metal records in the history of the genre. Now remixed under the watchful eye of longtime DEATH producer Jim Morris, Human 2011 represents the fully-realized version of this epic album. Now remixed, remastered, repackaged and featuring over an hour of newly unearthed and previously unreleased early demo tracks, Human 2011 is the definitive edition of this true metal classic.

Distancing himself still further from the howling guitars and shoegazer drones of his old band, the Verve, on his second solo effort, Richard Ashcroft maintains the stripped-down, introspective aesthetic of 2000's Alone with Everybody. Human Conditions focuses on the same spiritual battle of religion and love versus desperation and disillusionment—it's a conflict Ashcroft has been waging with himself and the world since the Verve's intensely sad 1995 release, A Northern Soul. Whether he's winning or losing these psychic skirmishes is still in question, but songs like "Paradise" ("How long can I stay here? How long can I pray here?") and "Lord I've Been Trying" indicate a deepening spiritual inspiration.

From its vaguely disturbing cover photo to the arty gloom contained within, the Human League's 1979 debut album is considerably different from the smooth pop singles which later made them stars...

Canned Heat & Henry Vestine - Human Condition Revisited & Used To Be Mad! (2006) {2CD Blue Label SPV-97942 rec 1978, 1981}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 795 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 269 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 381 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1978, 1981, 2006 Blue Label / SPV | SPV 97942
Rock / Blues Rock / Blues / Boogie Rock

Canned Heat's 1978 release, Human Condition, was an important one in the band's overall discography, as it was the last studio effort to feature original singer Bob Hite fronting the band (Hite would pass away in 1981). In 2006, the album was expanded with a pair of live tracks from 1985 and retitled Human Condition Revisited, and was packaged as a double disc that also featured the overlooked 1981 solo effort by Canned Heat guitarist Henry Vestine, I Used to Be Mad! (But Now I'm Half Crazy).