Steven Bird

Beginning their career as the most popular surf band in the nation, the Beach Boys finally emerged by 1966 as America's preeminent pop group, the only act able to challenge (for a brief time) the overarching success of the Beatles with both mainstream listeners and the critical community.

Some older fans looked askance at Lightbulb Sun, feeling it was verging on overt commercialism (and admittedly, the near power ballad solo on "Where We Would Be" is a bit odd!). Then again, given Wilson's own explorations of avant-garde pop with No-Man, who's to say why a slightly more radio-friendly stance can't work? "Shesmovedon" may have been a single, but there's no question who wrote and performed it – the elegant cascade of backing vocals on the chorus shows that much. Certainly Wilson hasn't turned into Max Martin or anything – it's still very much Porcupine Tree, in its lyrical turns of phrase and general sense of exploration…

Say you start a group called the Society for New Music, commission composer-stars-in-the-making and do it for thirty years straight, you might expect your scrapbooks to be quite interesting. What you might not realize is that your efforts now constitute a major segment of the backbone of contemporary American concert music and you have premiered a boatload of chamber works by composers who have gone on to distinguished careers. Such is the case with Syracuse’s Society for New Music founded by Neva Pilgrim, who opened their treasure chest of commissioned works from 1972 – 2002 and has put them together as the 5-CD set entitled “American Masters for the 21st Century.”

In honor of what would have been John Lennon’s 75th birthday, Blackbird Presents and AMC brings you Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert, an all-star concert event celebrating the music and message of the legendary music icon. Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert features captivating performances, in-depth interviews, and compelling behind-the-scenes action with Aloe Blacc, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Brandon Flowers, John Fogerty, Peter Frampton, Juanes, Kris Kristofferson, Pat Monahan, Tom Morello, Willie Nelson, The Roots, Spoon, Chris Stapleton and Steven Tyler.

XTC - Nonsuch (1992) {CD+BLU-RAY Ape Records The Surround Sound Series APEBD110 rel 2013}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 457 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 161 Mb
BLU-RAY -> 32.4 Gb | English DTS-HD MA 5.1 / English LPCM 24/96 | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 33 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1992, 2013 Geffen / Virgin / Ape Records | APEBD110
Rock / Alternative / Indie

A new edition of XTC’s classic 1992 album, the first in a series of XTC albums to get the deluxe remix treatment. Featuring new stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes made from the original multitrack tapes by Steven Wilson. Also included is the original stereo mix, instrumental mixes, and other bonus material. SW produced the new mixes with the input of founder band member Andy Partridge and the full approval of the band.

Prana Tones, Lemongrass, Eskadet, Dub Mars, Roberto Bronco, Five Seasons and many more.