OUT THIS WEEK
Shearwater, “Jet Plane and Oxbow” (Sub Pop). Granted that it’s still early in 2016, but Shearwater’s latest album seems a sure bet for local end-of-year best-of lists. Jonathan Meiburg’s adventurous indie-rock ensemble has long been one of Austin’s most intriguing bands, and they sound energized coming off of 2013’s covers album “Fellow Travelers,” with a full slate of original material that’s both inventive and accessible. The anthemic “Pale Kings” sets Meiburg’s soaring vocals to a chorus of chiming guitars and a marching rhythm; elsewhere, “Only Child” glides down a more lyrical yet no less magical path, and “Radio Silence” electrifies with a captivating drive and verve that extends to nearly seven minutes. Release show Feb. 3 at North Door. Here’s the official video for the electronica-oriented track “Quiet Americans”:
Will T. Massey, “The Weathering.” A quarter-century ago, Massey was riding high on a major-label album produced by Bruce Springsteen keyboardist Roy Bittan. He seemed to vanish as quickly as he’d arrived, but he returned last decade after a 14-year drought and put out a few records before another eight-year absence. True to the new album’s title, Massey’s voice sounds weathered by the years here, imbuing the lyrics of his country-folk and heartland-rock songs with a deeper sense of experience. Check out the song “Weird Again” here. Release show Jan. 24 at Strange Brew, with cellist Mark Williams, percussionist Mike Meadows and backing vocalist Kacy Crowley.
Gary Graves, “The Book of Lost Women and Divine Inspiration.” The blues-based singer-songwriter worked with CoCo Carmel and Bobby Whitlock on the follow up to 2013’s “Till the End of Time.” Graves’ approach to putting out a record is old-school; it’s not available digitally (at least for now), but it’s for sale at Waterloo Records, and he’ll have copies at his release show Jan. 23 at Cactus Cafe.
COMING SOON
JAN. 30: Bryce Clifford & Brother Superior, “Whatever Coach” EP, release show Jan. 30 at Blackheart.
FEB. 9: Magna Carda, “Cirqlation,” release show Feb. 5 at the Belmont.
FEB. 9. Matthew Logan Vasquez, “Solicitor Returns,” solo album by Delta Spirit frontman.
FEB. 9: Wealthy West, “Long Play,” release show Feb. 12 at Tellers.
FEB. 14: Jenifer Jackson, “Cloud Ten,” release show Feb. 14 at Strange Brew.
FEB. 19: Carrie Rodriguez + the Sacred Hearts, “Lola” (Luz/Thirty Tigers), release show Feb. 13 at Texas Union Theater.
FEB. 26: Willie Nelson, “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin” (Legacy), playing March 12 at Rodeo Austin.
FEB. 26: Bill Carter, “Innocent Victims & Evil Companions” (Forty Below), playing Jan. 12 at Saxon Pub.
FEB. 26: 8 Ball Aitken, self-titled, U.S. debut of recently transplanted Australian country-blues performer.
FEB. 26: Kathryn Legendre, “Don’t Give a Damn” EP, release show Feb. 26 at White Horse.
MARCH 11: Penny & Sparrow, “Let a Lover Drown You” (Single Lock/Thirty Tigers), playing April 16 at the Parish.
MARCH 25: White Denim, “Stiff” (Downtown), produced by Ethan Johns, playing SXSW (dates TBA).
MARCH 25: Bayonne, “Primitives” (Mom+Pop), re-branded wider release of Roger Sellers album issued last fall.
APRIL 1: Explosions in the Sky, “The Wilderness” (Temporary Residence).
APRIL 8: Hayes Carll, “Lovers and Leavers” (Hwy 87/Thirty Tigers).
APRIL 15: Calliope Musicals, “Time Owes You Nothing.”
APRIL: Michael Fracasso, “Here Come the Savages.”
APRIL: Charlie Faye & the Fayettes, title TBA.
EARLY 2016: A Giant Dog, title TBA (Merge).
Are you an Austin-area act with a new record coming out? Let us know at musicsource@statesman.com.
