Dig These Discs: Bastille, KT Tunstall, Ramones, Alunageorge, July Talk

Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone changed the scene when they released their self-titled debut in 1976, laying the foundation of punk rock music. Now, 40 years later, fans can get a hold of what Rolling Stone called "the greatest punk album of all time" in an amazing gift-worthy collection. The British indie pop crew Bastille releases their second studio album this month, co-produced by Mark Crew. London duo AlunaGeorge -- singer Aluna Francis and George Reid -- release their eagerly awaited sophomore album, recorded in focused bursts of creativity in LA and London. After four international albums and a vow to never return to music, Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall returns with her fifth studio album, "Kin," a collection of 11 tracks. And Canadian band July Talk bring their sophomore album to the world. Dig goes international in this installment of Dig These Discs!

"Ramones: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition 3-CD/1-LP Set" (The Ramones)

Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone changed the scene when the released their self-titled debut in 1976. Their primal sound laid the foundation for punk rock music. Now, 40 years later, fans both grown-up and wet behind the ears can get a hold of what Rolling Stone has called "the greatest punk album of all time" in an amazing collection. And all 14 of the hits are there, from "Blitzkreig Pop" (eh, oh, let's go!) to 1-2-3-4 "Judy Is a Punk," "Havana Affair" to "Listen to My Heart." As their early press releases touted, the instrumentals really do sound like dental drills in "Chain Saw." Contents of the individually-numbered set includes three CDs, a vinyl LP, extensive production notes, and pictures taken by Robert Bayley, whose iconic photo of the band graces the cover. The first disc includes remastered stereo versions of their first album, plus a mono mix. Said original producer and mixer Craig Leon, "We had an idea to record at Abbey Road and do both a mono and stereo version of the album, which was unheard of at the time. I'm thrilled that now, 40 years later, we followed through on the original idea." The second disc spotlights outtakes, single mixes, and demos, several of which have never been released, including "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" and "Loudmouth." The third disc captures The Ramones performing two live sets at The Roxy in West Hollywood on August 12, 1976, the first time the second set has ever been released. Completing the set is the LP containing the mono mix of the album. This is an amazing set, worthy of the contribution The Ramones made to the history of music. It also makes a hell of a nice gift; pick one up for your favorite Ramones fan today!
(Rhino Records)

"Wild World" (Bastille)

The British indie pop crew Bastille releases their second studio album this month, co-produced by Mark Crew. The album flows from R&B to guitar with many of its 14 songs examining current affairs. It's been three and a half years since their last album, "Bad Blood," during which they toured the album around the world. Of their new single "Good Grief," lead singer Dan Smith said, "I wanted to write about how bizarre grief and loss are -- the layers of depression, shock and euphoria, how mad that process can be. I hope it will make people feel good." It launches with an audio clip from "Weird Science." They also tackle politics in their second track, "The Currents," inspired by the rise of Donald Trump, with the imagery of wanting to come up for air. It's a pounding, electronica-studded tune with lyrics like, "We're living in the currents you create, we're sinking in a pool of your mistakes." "An Act of Kindness" juxtaposes messages of a girl who "warmed me to my core and left me wanting more" with a grinding stop-and-start rhythm. "Warmth" is another song about public events, asking, "Tell me, did you see the news tonight?" They're passing drinks from hand to hand in "Glory," which stretches the limits of Smith's high vocal register. "Did you really think I'd fall to my knees to pray for some sweet simplicity?" Smith asks in the pop/rock cut "Power." In another slow cut, he's the lesser of "Two Evils," saying, "it pays to be the nice guy sometimes." He wants to be free, and asks for help to "exercise my mind" in "Send Them Off!" Like many of the other cuts on the album, "Lethargy" relies on interspersed audio clips to create the topography of the song. They're faced with two wrongs in "Four Walls (The Ballad of Perry Smith)" and Smith wants to waste all his time with you in "Fake It." The pounding bass drum of "Snakes" gives it a Celtic rock feel, as Smith sings, "because it's easier to bury my head in the sand sometimes/ I know it's not the right way to go, but I pray for the ground to swallow me whole." They end the album with "Winter Of Our Youth," praying they didn't waste it, or drink it away.
(Virgin Records)

"I Remember" (AlunaGeorge)

London duo AlunaGeorge -- singer Aluna Francis and George Reid -- release their eagerly awaited sophomore album, recorded in focused bursts of creativity in LA and London. They keep their sonic sound, while pushing forward into new territories, and sharing their work with the world. "It started to feel a bit like we had all these friends in music that we liked hanging out with but we haven't shared AlunaGeorge with anyone else, and at some point we were like 'why not?' Let's open it up a bit more. We wanted to let people in a bit more now that we're more confident in our sound." The resulting dozen hits are an excellent example of everything that's popular in music now. They start with "Full Swing," a pop song with a great trill effect, and a cool rap break that has Francis urging you to put her body in full swing, her mind like a machine. The trip-hop vibe of "My Blood" offers funky distortion effects, and "Not About Love" adds deep bass drums to the electronica for a track that really grooves. The snap track keeps "Hold Your Head High" moving along at a brisk clip, as Francis sings, "Storm coming in the night, stop running, stand and fight." She sounds like club queen Christine W. in "Mean What I Mean," a no-means-no song with lyrics like, "Macaroni Tony in a ditch, because he grabbed my ass and called me a bitch." In the next track, she realizes she's just a distraction, and tells him not to act like he's "Jealous." Popcaan is featured in the hit single "I'm In Control" and "I Remember" features cool mash-up audio effects as Francis recalls the early days of a romance. "In My Head" features cool lo-fi sound effects, and "Mediator" is a slow jam about commitment. "Stick wid it like a taxi driver," she commands in "Heartbreak" adding, "keep your eyes on the road." The duo finishes up a truly excellent second album with "Wanderlust," a song with a cool trance effect. AlunaGeorge just finished up their "I'm in Control" tour, and head out with Sia for her "Nostalgic for the Present" tour, kicking off on September 29.
(Interscope Records)

"KIN" (KT Tunstall)

After four international albums and a vow to never return to music, Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall returns with her fifth studio album, "KIN," a collection of 11 tracks produced by Tony Hoffer. "The truth is, I've finally made peace with being a pop songwriter," said Tunstall. "This record was very much embracing my dharma as an artist, which is to write positive songs that have muscle, but also show their vulnerability." It's been over ten years since Tunstall released her multi-platinum debut, and this album gets back to that stripped-down, primal rock and roll sound. Her first track (and second single), "Hard Girls," is a pop stunner with an infectious beat, and lyrics like "nothing changes; just be yourself." Her husky voice shines on "Turned a Light On," creating amazing harmonies with herself. The lead single, "Maybe It's a Good Thing," was released this summer, on July 15, and has Tunstall avowing that she can't see what's coming -- and maybe that's not so bad. It was followed later by "It Took Me So Long To Get Here, But Here I Am" on August 19. She tackles the sinister in her fast-moving, rollicking cut "Evil Eye," and tries a ballad in "My Star," singing, "I'd take hold of your hand and together we'd dream of our future plans/ Look into the darkness all full of stars and endlessness." Tunstall teams up with 2016 Grammy nominee James Bay for the duet "Two Way," singing, "Hide yourself away, make light of the situation... don't do what you say you will, despite all the conversation." She's been feeling happier lately in the acoustic pop tune "Run On Home," and loves the unconditional love she gets in the title track, "KIN." "I'm sitting ringside and in the middle," she sings in the bifurcated track "Everything Has Its Shape." She wraps up the album with "Love Is An Ocean," singing, "It's easy to forget, and I'm not gonna let that happen to me." Thanks for breaking your vow and making more music, KT.
(Caroline Records)

"Touch" (July Talk)

Toronto-based band July Talk bring their sophomore album to the world, a collection of 10 songs in the theme of pairs, like "Push + Pull," "Beck + Call," "Johnny + Mary," and more. "It seems to get easier every day to disconnect from the people around you," the band's Peter Dreimanis said, explaining the meaning behind the upcoming album. "Leah [Fay] and I started to see human touch as this pure thing -- this antidote to a world that had become obsessed with mirrors and screens. We became fascinated with that moment where two bodies can actually touch and experience each other honestly." Rounding out the band are guitarist Ian Docherty, bassist Josh Warburton, and drummer Danny Miles. The band has a reputation for its explosive live shows, and has spent a lot of time in the past few years on the road. Now, they're back with another full-length album. They kick things off with "Picturing Love," with Dreimanis growling, "I'm tired of pictures on a screen, I'm tired of picturing love." His gruff, demonic sound is juxtaposed by Fay's soft, sultry vocals. "Beck + Call" has the quintessential fight song instrumentals, as Fay sins, "We're not the first to fall, to feel unknown, still we jump at your beck and call." Dreimanis brings his growl down to a whisper in "Now I Know," as Fay sings, "shed the skin we've been living in, we can be new again." This tune has excellent percussion and echo effects. In "Johnny + Mary," Dreimanis plays the part of Johnny, whose "little death was the talk of the city," while Fay sings Mary, who "rolls her eyes at all the girls in the mirror" posing for "cameras that aren't really there." It's a classic punk tune. The fug of their moody "Strange Habit" cedes to the intense "Push + Pull," whose sing-song, nursey rhyme intro belies a dark tune that has Dreimanis saying, "I don't wanna wait; you know that I'll take, take anything." A cool guitar picking intro opens the rocking cut "Lola + Joseph," who meet at the liquor store and ride out together. "Is it enough to be in love with your reflection?" Fay asks in "So Sorry" They justify their wrongs in "Jesus Said So" and finish strong with "Touch," that has Dreimanis instructed to "fit right in where I was needed most." Thanks a ton, Canada. Like your over-the-counter codeine, now there's one more thing for the U.S. to be jealous of.
(Sleepless Records/Island)