Frank Black & The Catholics set to release two new albums on vinyl in 2023

Frank Black & The Catholics set to release two new albums on vinyl in 2023


Frank Black And The Catholics  ‘Snake Oil’ and ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’ both released on vinyl formats for the first time on 20th January 2023 pre-order Here

On 20th January 2023 Demon Records release two Frank Black And The Catholics albums, which have never been previously available on these vinyl formats.  


Both ‘Snake Oil’ and  ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’ are lovingly issued on 140g vinyl: ‘Snake Oil’ has only been released digitally before, while ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’  will be available on 3 LPs featuring the 38 song show in its entirety, including 18 previously unreleased tracks.


Between 1998 and 2003, Frank Black and Co. released six albums under the ‘Frank Black And TheCatholics’ moniker. All recorded live and direct to two track tape, the music created with theCatholics is some of the most energised, raw, and essential of Frank Black’s career. ‘Snake Oil’ is acollection of cover versions recorded in the studio during this prolific period.


Highlights include thunderous takes of Bob Dylan’s ‘Changing Of The Guards’, Bruce Springsteen’s‘I’m Going Down’, and Angst’s ‘Some Things (I Can’t Get Used To)’.


This is the first physical release of ‘Snake Oil’, and has been newly remastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering, with new artwork featuring photographs by Steve Gullick.


Recorded on tour in support of 2001’s ‘Dog In The Sand’ album, ‘Live At Melkweg’ captures Frank Black And The Catholics at the peak of their powers, tearing through an expansive setlist which touches on all corners of Frank Black’s vast catalogue.


An essential release for Frank Black fans, ‘Live At Melkweg’ marks the first time a complete Catholics’ show has been officially released. This newly expanded edition features the 38 song show in its entirety 
Highlights include a haunting take on Pixies ‘Gouge Away’, Frank Black classic ‘Headache’, and selections from the Catholics’ repertoire including ‘I Will Run After You’ and ‘21 Reasons’ which would later be recorded for their acclaimed ‘Black Letter Days’ album.


Newly remastered by Thaddeus Moore at Liquid Mastering, ‘Live At Melkweg’  is housed in a deluxe triple gatefold sleeve with spot UV detailing.


To pre-order ‘Snake Oil’ and ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’ go to: https://frankblack.lnk.to/vinyl

Jesse Malin – ‘Glitter In The Gutter’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Jesse Malin – ‘Glitter In The Gutter’ (Wicked Cool Records)

This is a remastered reissue of Jesse Malin’s third album, ‘Glitter in the Gutter’, originally released in 2007 on Green Day’s Adeline Records and then released on One Little Indian Records pressed on 200g vinyl.  The album has been unavailable for years and has never appeared digitally until now.  The album features Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Adams, Jakob Dylan, and more on various tracks.  It also includes a bonus track, ‘The Angel To The Slave,’ which has never been released.  In the words of Jesse Malin, “I am really happy to have it out there in the world again.”

Glitter didn’t have the wham bang factor of Malin’s debut nor the intrigue of its follow up and whilst people historically referred to the difficult second album I’d go for the third being the difficult one if an artist is lucky enough to make it to a third. Jesse brings out some big-hitting guests on this record to help pique some interest (not in a negative way) like the obvious inclusion of having the Boss in to sing on ‘Broken Radio’ even if Malin alluded to at a recent show he never bigged up the inclusion of Springsteen and didn’t really push it which on reflection was/is strange and more than humble. Now it’s not only included it’s been musically re-recorded for the new release.

It blows my mind that this album came out in 2007 it seems way more recent than that and the songs still sound fresh as Malin leaves behind the punk rock of D Gen way further back in that rearview mirror even if at the core of his solo work is a throbbing punk rock work ethic and core songwriting style. from the off his Noo Yawk vocal style shines through on ‘Don’t Let Them Take You Down’ and the rocker that is ‘In The Modern World’ still gives me a buzz in his live set.

People wondering why they should pick this up on Wicked cool; I’ll offer the rework of ‘Broken Radio’ for a starter and the bonus track that wasn’t on the original ‘The Angel To The Slave’. To be I loved this album when it came out and I still love it now. Its got an effortless rock n roll heart beating away with a carefree attitude on songs like ‘Lucinda’ and the brilliant ‘Love Streams’ and the melancholic yet stunning version of the Replacements classic ‘Bastards Of Young’ is worth purchasing alone.

Malin has always told a fatastic story and his songs are captivating and Glitter is one of his best examples throughout his whole career. Rotating his bands has kept a freshness throughout each album and when he rocks out he does it with style and panache and the reworked inclusion of ‘The Angel To The Slave’ makes you wonder what else he leaves on the cutting room floor. Signing off with ‘Broken Radion 22’ is a wonderful full stop to a fifteen-year-old record that needs to reach a bigger audience because music this good shouldn’t be exclusive in crowd treat. Jesse Malin is one of America’s gifts that keeps on giving time after time and record upon record. Even if you have this on CD, original vinyl or the one little Indian 200g vinyl audiophile version of this album when is enough ever enough? This album would Glitter anywhere never mind in the gutter. Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley