Apache Relay - s/t (So)

With a sound described as "big enough to fill up arenas" and "a band you need to know", Apache Relay's sound continues to grow as they take on 2014. Produced by Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids, Valerie June, Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros), the album was recorded in Van Nuys, CA at Fairfax Recordings (formally known as the legendary Sound City Studios).

Augustana - Life Imitating Life (Washington Sq)

Led by front man Dan Layus, Augustana has released three full length albums. From the first song, the melodic, piano-driven Ash and Ember, to the beautiful vocals on the album's close, Remember Me, the album is a shimmering blend of rock, folk, and country, all of which manage to sound both modern and timeless together. It's sure to resonate not only with current fans, but with new fans who will no doubt be won over.

Death - Death III (Drag City)

Death III slams the door on the vault with a powerful set of songs that bring equal amounts of rock and ethereal soul-searching, in high-fidelity, rich bottomed, studio-grade sound. Alongside songs from 1975, 1976 and 1980, Death III contains 2 songs from 1992, as the Hackney brothers reconvened nearly a decade after they'd stopped playing together. Death III serves as a companion piece of sorts to the A Band Called Death documentary, tracking the band's movement from spiritual young rockers to older and wiser, bruised-but-undefeated brothers, in pure musical terms. Also available is a slick box to house all 3 Death LPs!

Eels - Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett (PIAS)

The introspective new release from the ever-changing project of Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) is being described as "an extraordinarily vivid and intimate document of a personal struggle." This marks the 11th full-length release for Eels, whose debut Beautiful Freak was released in 1996. In addition to the recordings, Everett has embarked on a number of non-musical projects as well, including his acclaimed book Things The Grandchildren Should Know and the multiple-award winning Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives documentary film about Everett and his quantum physicist father, Hugh Everett III, broadcast on PBS' Nova Series.

G Love & Special Sauce - Sugar (Universal)

Sugar reunites G. Love, upright bassist James "Jimi Jazz" Prescott and drummer Jeffrey "The Houseman" Clemens for the first time in 8 years. Tracked largely at Brushfire Records' Solar Powered Plastic Plant studio in LA, the disc also features Ben Harper, Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo, Merry Clayton - best known for her duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" - and others.

Kelis - Food (Ninja Tune)

'Food' is a startling combination of Kelis' most frank and vulnerable vocals to date, and David Sitek's inimitable sonic imprint. Littered with transcendent, Spector-esque lift, warm bottom ends and vast depth, the music is the perfect backdrop for Kelis' unique voice. The latter has only improved with time and experience, and the album candidly explores pain, happiness and everything in between. The new album mints a sound that's rootsy without ever being self-consciously retro, that pitches live horns and gospel organ against electronics, that for all its classic soul and funk influences, couldn't have been made any time but now.

Margot & The Nuclear So & So's - Sling Shot to Heaven (Mariel)

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's formed in Indianapolis in 2004 as an umbrella under which a rotating group of friends could come together to record Edwards' vast array of songs. Edwards' goal for the band's fifth album was to "make a record that came across like a sci-fi dream about my decade of touring and making records obsessively while slowly becoming an adult or at least something vaguely resembling one."

Scharpling & Wurster - Rock Rot and Rule LP (Flannelgraph)

While they are now known, revered and loved for having entertained thousands upon thousands of loyal listeners to The Best Show on WFMU from 2000 to 2013, at the time of this first Jon Wurster on-air call to Tom Scharpling's (pre-Best Show) WFMU radio show in 1997 the recognizable Wurster timbre was unknown to listeners. This allowed for the routine, hilarious in itself, to be made even more enjoyable when upset listeners call in, taking Wurster's character at face value as he is interviewed by Scharpling, the greatest straight man in the business, on the true worth of hundreds of musicians and bands.

Semi Precious Weapons - Aviation (Redzone)

Forming in NYC, Semi Precious Weapons quickly developed a cult-like following with their songs, live performances, and visual style. Eventually the buzz the band created touring the country with the likes of Ladyhawke, Ida Maria and The Sounds. Lady Gaga then went on to invite them to join The Monster Ball World Tour as her opening act for a worldwide 18 month run. SPW's profile grew in this period, leading to featured performances at Lollapalooza, The Isle of Wight festival, and opening for Ke$ha.

The Whigs - Modern Creation (New West)

For their fifth album, the Athens-bred/Nashville-based power trio the Whigs wanted to find the exact midpoint between raw and rehearsed. After more than a decade together during which they've released 4 critically lauded studio albums and toured constantly as either headliners or openers for the likes of the Drive-By Truckers, Kings of Leon, and MGMT, the three members all agreed that they wanted to flex their muscles a bit: write some good songs, get them down as tight as possible, hit, and tear it up.

Tape & Vinyl & Print Zone

Beauregarde - Testify 7" (Jackpot)
Bored Games - Who Killed Colonel Mustard LP (Flying Nun)
The Chills / Verlaines / Sneaky Feelings / Stones - Dunedin Double LP (Flying Nun)
Kode 9 & Spaceape - Memories of the Future LP (Hyperdub)
Ray Lamontangne - Supernova (RCA)
David Lynch - The Air is on Fire LP (Sacred Bones)
Tayla Lynn - Coal Dust 7" (Victor House)
Man Man - The Man in a Blue Turban With A Face LP (Ace Fu)
Marc Mulcahy - Fathering LP (Mezzotint)
Phosphorescent - Songs for Zula LP (Dead Oceans)
Marnie Stern - Is My Name 7" flexi (Joyful Noise)
Toxic Reasons - Ghost Town 7" (Beer City)
Toxic Reasons - Live Berkeley Square 1981 LP (Beer City)
Toxic Reasons - War Hero 7" (Beer City)
220 Breakers - s/t tape (self)
Doc Watson - Southbound LP [reissue] (Vanguard)
Whirlwind Heat - Do Rabbits Wonder LP (Third Man)

Also Released This Week

Jake Bugg - Live at Silver Platters (Island)
Michael Chapman - Playing Guitar the Easy Way (LITA)
Chvrches - Bones Of What You Believe [deluxe] (Glassnote)
Fear of Men - Loom (Kanine)
Flaming Lips - I Drank Blood T-Shirt (WB)
Jack Ruby - Hit & Run (Saint Cecilia Knows)
Keb Mo - Blues Americana (Kind of Blue)
The Menzingers - Rented World (Epitaph)
The Seldom Scene - Long Time (Folkways)
To Kill A King - Cannibals With Cutlers (Xtra Mile)
VA - Gipsy Rhumba (Soul Jazz)