The Conjuring (2012)

Shih’s (b. 1950) music seeks to express intense psychological states, often beginning in despair or distress, but offering at least some hope of progress toward light and redemption. The substantial orchestral pieces, Crossing the River and Separation, consist of organically evolving soundscapes, punctuated by tolling or thundering percussion effects, with, as one commentator has written ‘almost complete abandonment of melody and measure’ and indeed a considerable degree of license afforded to the performers in matters of pitch and ensemble. Harsh dissonances, clusters and extended techniques abound, and the results are undeniably impressive, especially the massed textures of Separation, with its organ clusters and 1960s-Penderecki sonorism.

Presented in a 2CD lift-top box, Countdown to Extinction s new commemorative edition pairs the remastered original album with a 1992 concert, recorded live at San Francisco s Cow Palace, which has never before been released in its entirety. The concert audio has been newly remixed for this release. The lift top box includes a booklet with a new liner notes essay by music journalist Kory Grow, a 24 x 36 poster and four collectible postcards.

As the series of interviews they've given in recent months suggests, the Swedish band Goat is hilarious: In September, before their performance at Britain's Supersonic, the Quietus published its second talk with the ever-vague group. When writer Joe Clay asked who might headline the festival of that unnamed member's dreams, they answered, "If Holger Czukay and Geezer Butler had a son, it would be him. Just him playing bass for a couple of days." The Goathead described the band's live performances as "the harvesting of souls," and its lifestyle as "invocations, prayers, and total rejoice!"

Here is the long awaited debut platter from Brooklyn's most blues wailing stompers Daddy Long Legs! Trust us – there's no Fedora hat, no third rate wanky, watered down Chicago blues in these grooves! For fans of Howlin' Wolf, Captain Beefheart, Little Walter, Flamin Groovies, Kid Thomas and Dr. Feelgood! A dozen pounding workouts!..