Looking ahead, June-July 2018

[Utada Hikaru - Hatsukoi]

I started a new job on May 21, and I’m still getting adjusted to a new routine. I’m not ready to say the hiatus has ended just yet, but I can say new entries should resume before the end of summer. Till then, here’s a preview of upcoming releases.

Emmylou Harris, Ballad of Sally Rose (Deluxe Edition), June 1

I have listened to a lot of Emmylou Harris, and I can say this album is my least favorite. But its underdog status makes me curious about what didn’t make the album. Also, the current CD pressings sound awful, and I hope the remastering rectifies that.

Clannad, Turas 1980, June 8

This live album contains songs never recorded in the studio by the band.

Utada Hikaru, Hatsukoi, June 27

In retrospect, Fantôme was something of a downer. The singles preceding the release of Hatsukoi indicate a bouncier direction. Utada comes full circle title-wise — hatsukoi is the Japanese translation of “first love”.

Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction (Deluxe Edition), June 29

This album hadn’t already received a deluxe edition treatment? I’m not shelling out for anything more than the 2-disc edition.

Leo IMAI, V L P, July 11

I really enjoyed Film Scum, and it’s too bad the full album was only available at his live shows. I look forward to this album nonetheless.

Vinyl

Anne Dudley, Anne Dudley Plays the Art of Noise, June 22

This album receives a physical release in the UK and a digital release in the US. I was impatient and got the Japanese release last year, and Dudley employs some real studio wizardry to interpret the Art of Noise acoustically.

Fishbone, The Reality of My Surroundings, July 13

Trips to Goodwill have allowed me to rediscover this band.

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