Nine Albums to Watch For in March 2017

March is right around the corner, which means it is time to get excited for all the new albums dropping over the next month. And with all of the big names in rock and pop slated to come out with new collections, there is a lot to be excited about.

This month in particular, we will be seeing new music from artists that have not released an album in a long time, like Jamiroquai (seven years) and The Jesus and Mary Chain (19 years), as well as popular artists following up on their successes, like Ed Sheeran or changing direction, like Nelly Furtado. There is also a lot of new rock to watch out for, with Depeche Mode, Bush and The Shins all releasing albums. There is also a giant release from Bob Dylan that will have you seeing some classic tracks in a completely new way.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, loves new music. That is why we have chosen nine albums coming out in March that we think will be worth getting excited for.

1.       Ed Sheeran, ‘÷’: People have been waiting three years for a new Ed Sheeran album. Now that time is finally here. Judging by the success of “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill,” the album’s first two singles, chances are ‘÷’ will be a massive success and one of, if not THE, biggest album of the year. (3/3)

2.       The Shins, ‘Heartworms’: It has been five years since James Mercer and company released a full length album. But the band is back with new members and a more hands-on approach. With the exception of one song, Mercer produced this album by himself, the first time he has done this since the band’s debut album back in 2001. (3/10)

3.       Bush, ‘Black And White Rainbows’: The seventh album from British rockers Bush, ‘Black And White Rainbows’ is the follow-up to 2014’s well-received ‘Man on the Run.’ For this album, frontman Gavin Rossdale was reportedly more hands on, joining the band during recording sessions, as well as helming the writing and producing of it. (3/10)

4.       Depeche Mode, ‘Spirit’: From the first single, “Where’s The Revolution,” alone, ‘Spirit’ seems like it will be a powerful album. Their first in four years, frontman Dave Gahan told Rolling Stone that the album is deeply affected by what is going on in the world today, although not specifically political. (3/17)

5.       The Jesus and Mary Chain, ‘Damage and Joy’: The Jesus and Mary Chain may technically reunited 10 years ago, but the band has not released new music until now. ‘Damage And Joy’ is the first album from the Scottish alt-rock band in nearly 19 years. The band, led by brothers Jim and William Reid, had been hinting at a new album since 2015, with Jim telling Rolling Stone that he and his brother were finally starting to agree on how to record new music. They released the album’s first single, “Amputation,” late last year.(3/24)

6.       Craig Finn, ‘We All Want the Same Things’: ‘We All Want The Same Things’ is the third solo album from The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn. In a recent interview with Salon, Finn said that much of this new album is about “modern love” and the relationships that occur as time passes. (3/24)

7.       Bob Dylan, ‘Triplicate’: Unlike the other albums on this list, Dylan’s new one is not filled with new songs. Instead, he has gone back to some of the great American classics to record his own takes on them. The result is the singer’s first 3-disc album, ‘Triplicate.’ With titles like ‘ ‘Til The Sun Goes Down,’ ‘Devil Dolls’ and ‘Comin’ Home Late,’ each 10-song disc follows its own theme. Cover albums seem to be a profitable choice for Dylan. His last two albums of American classics, 2015’s ‘Shadows in the Night’ and 2016’s ‘Fallen Angels,’ were both critically lauded and earned the singer Grammy nominations. (3/31)

8.       Nelly Furtado, ‘The Ride’: Furtado’s first album in five years, ‘The Ride’ will be very different sonically from her past albums. Just take a listen to the single “Pipe Dreams,” which has a much more ethereal sound than any of her Timbaland-produced dance-pop ever did. It’s a new, more artistic direction that Furtado told Cosmopolitan was truer to herself. (3/31)

9.       Jamiroquai, ‘Automaton’: With ‘Automaton,’ Jamiroquai’s first new album in seven years, decided to take an even more technological turn, citing to NME that inspiration for the album came from “the rise of artificial intelligence and technology in our world today and how we as humans are beginning to forget the more pleasant, simple and eloquent things in life.” The albums first two singles show both sides of this. First single “Automaton” is a much more robotic and electronic track than second single, “Cloud 9,” which is a bit more melodic. (3/31)

March is going to be a great month for new releases. With top artists putting out new music and others making their comeback, there is a lot to look forward to. Hopefully this list will help get you excited for what’s to come this month.

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Find music from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from with new ones being added to our selection all the time. Browse rows and rows of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes and DVDs, as well as memorabilia and more in store during our newly updated business hours. Still can’t make it to the store, check out our website, vinylbay777.com, and shop online from the comfort of your own home.

Week in Review: Eight New Songs/Music Videos You Need to Check Out (2/19-2/25/2017)

It is once again Saturday and time to take a look back at the new songs and music videos that came out this week. From pop and rock to hip-hop and country, this past week happened to be a great week for new music.

Vinyl Bay 777, Lon Island's top music outlet, has been keeping track of some of the best new songs and videos that came out throughout the week and have chosen eight that we think you will really enjoy. These include great new tunes from the likes of The Chainsmokers, Florida Georgia Line, Seether and Lana Del Rey, as well as new videos from Katy Perry and Highly Suspect. Check these out and start your weekend off right with new music.

1.       The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”: “Something Just Like This” is distinctly a Chainsmokers song, much more than it is a Coldplay song. The use of Chris Martin’s voice on the track is a reminder that The Chainsmokers are DJs, not pop singers and that they don’t need to be singing on the track themselves to make decent music. (video)

2.       Seether, “Let You Down”: “Let You Down” is the first taste of Seether’s upcoming album, ‘Poison the Parish,’ set for release on May 12. The song sounds pretty typical for Seether, with hard-yet-melodic guitars and meaningfully sung lyrics. However, the video is kind of dark and disturbing, shot in black and white and featuring a little person running around with a clown-ish face mask and bear suit and everyone else wearing pale white face paint with black accents similar to stitches. Even creepier, there is a guy in there whose dying by a tree with arrows stuck in him. (video)

3.       Jidenna, “Bambi”: I really enjoyed the storytelling on this reggae-tinged hip-hop track. Jidenna has an amazing voice. The video follows the lyrics exactly, showing the singer getting drunk missing his girl who is about to marry someone else. The storyline of the video makes the song even more poignant. (video)

4.       Florida Georgia Line & The Backstreet Boys, “God, Your Mama, And Me”: I love The Backstreet Boys, so this collaboration was right up my alley. This song combines both bands’ sounds perfectly, so fans of both the country duo and the 90s boy band will feel right at home listening to this. The video has a great concept too, showing each of the seven guys filming themselves doing something romantic with and/or for their wives. It’s a bit raw, but makes sense for a video and song that are supposed to be about the love they have for their wives and children. (video)

5.       Highly Suspect, “My Name Is Human”: This song was released a while ago and was even up for a Grammy Award earlier this month, but Highly Suspect just released the video for their single “Humans” this week, and it was definitely worth the wait. Showing lead singer Johnny Stevens in an empty room creating an army of life-like robot women, the video calls into question what is “human” in the first place. Stevens stands so still at certain points, it is hard to tell if he might be a robot himself. (video)

6.       Katy Perry, “Chained To The Rhythm”: Perry released the video for “Chained To The Rhythm” just days after she performed the song on the Grammys. Taking place at a futuristic 60s-themed amusement park, the video gives off this 1984 Apple Commercial vibe, where everyone at the amusement park is zombified to dress and react a certain way and Perry is the only one that finds this odd. However, there is no relief, we’re just left to see Perry confused and surrounded by people who are just going along with the rhythm of the park. (video)

7.       Lana Del Rey, “Love”: Last week, Del Rey was teasing new music with posters she put up around Los Angeles, relenting just a day later by releasing the song “Love,” her first new song since 2015. “Love” is soft, sweet and atmospheric; detailing what it is like to be in… well, love.  The video is just as atmospheric as the song, filmed in sepia and blue tones to look like old footage. (video)

8.       Leonard Cohen, “Traveling Light”: A video featuring Cohen’s song “Traveling Light” from last year’s ‘You Want It Darker’ was released this week as a tribute to the late singer. Showing never-before-seen footage of Cohen discussing getting older, the video adds another layer to the song, one that will almost make you cry when you think about the lyrics and his unexpected death. (video)

These are just some of the incredible new music and videos that came out this week. Check these out to get your weekend off to a rocking start. And if you're still looking for more new tunes, extend your weekend listening with new tracks from Blondie, Eisley, The Maine, John Mayer, Jamiroquai and Spoon.

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Come check out what’s new at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com this weekend. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from with new music being added all the time. Featuring a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and cultural memorabilia, you never know what you will find in-store and online. 

Live Show Round-Up: Seven Must-See Live Shows in New York This Weekend (2/24 to 2/26/2017)

There’s nothing like going to see your favorite artist live in concert. From the great music and atmosphere in the venue to the feeling of belonging to that musical community, seeing a live show is the perfect way to spend your weekend.

Vinyl Bay 777 loves live music and knows that you love it too. That’s why we’ve highlighted seven shows happening this weekend for your entertainment. If you enjoy pop, rock, metal or hip-hop, check out these shows and get ready for a good time.

1.       Ariana Grande: Arguably the biggest show happening this weekend, actress-turned-singer Ariana Grande will be bringing her Dangerous Woman tour to Madison Square Garden tonight for the second of two dates. Support for the tour comes from Little Mix and Victoria Monet. Grande recently released a lyric video for her single “Everyday,” from 2016’s ‘Dangerous Woman’ album. She also recently released a collaboration with John Legend on the theme from the new live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ (Friday, Madison Square Garden)

2.       We The Kings: We The Kings is currently on a North American tour celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the band’s self-titled debut album. The band released their last album, ‘Strange Love,’ in 2015 and is currently working on a new one. Tour support comes from Cute Is What We Aim For, Plaid Brixx and Astro Lasso. (Friday, Playstation Theater)

3.       Emo Night Brooklyn: Emo Night is making its return home to New York after successful events elsewhere around the country. Featuring DJ sets with the best of 1990s and 2000s “emo” and guest appearances from the genre’s arbiters, you never know what will happen or who you will see there (for example, at the last Emo Night in LA, From First To Last reunited with Sonny Moore, a.k.a. Skrillex). So far, artists that are set to perform are The Skatalites and Organically Good Trio, but never expect this to be the final line-up. If you want to relive your scene youth, this should be a great night of music and dancing. (Friday, Brooklyn Bowl)

4.       Whitechapel: Metal Blade Records is celebrating their 35^th anniversary as a label this year with a U.S. tour. Headlining the tour is Whitechapel, who have been releasing music on the label for the last eight years, the most recent of which was 2014’s ‘Our Endless War.’ Also performing are Goatwhore and Allegaeon. (Saturday, Irving Plaza)

5.       Ms. Lauryn Hill: One of the most influential female hip-hop artists in the game, Ms. Lauryn Hill has been a fixture of the genre since her days with The Fugees. Her only solo album, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ was archived by Harvard University’s Loeb Music Library last year, one of the first four to be part of the library’s collaboration with the Hiphop Archive and Research Institute. Her show Saturday is the first of four she has scheduled for 2017. (Saturday, Radio City Music Hall)

6.       Huey Lewis and the News: Huey Lewis and company are doing a short tour of the United States this spring before playing Wrigley Field with Jimmy Buffett this July. The band’s most recent album, ‘Soulsville,’ an album of covers from early Stax Records artists, was released in 2010. In 2013, the band rereleased their breakthrough album, ‘Sports.’ (Sunday, St. George Theatre)

7.       Run The Jewels: Run The Jewels have become one of the hottest new hip-hop duos of the last five years. Releasing their third self-titled album earlier this year, the duo of El-P and Killer Mike will be bringing their Run The World tour to New York’s Terminal 5 for four shows starting Saturday, that is if you can get tickets. Support on this tour comes from The Gaslamp Killer, Gangsta Boo, Nick Hook and Cuz. (Saturday through Wednesday , Terminal 5)

There is no better way to spend your weekend (other than patronizing your local record shop) than seeing a live show. Use these shows as a starting point in your effort to finalize your weekend plans.

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Before the show, visit Vinyl Bay 777 or vinylbay777.com to pick up music from many of these bands and more.  Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles in stock. Choose from our wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more. Stop by the store or visit us online to see what’s new today!

Seven Artists with Their Own Non-Music App

On Wednesday, hardcore party rocker and motivational speaker Andrew W.K. released a new app that lets you create your own version of his infamous ‘I Get Wet’ album cover. The “Party Hard Bloody Nose” app is exactly what it sounds like: an app that gives you the opportunity to superimpose a bloody nose onto a picture of yourself. In addition to the mock display of bodily fluids, one can also add things like his signature white t-shirt or long, sweaty locks to their photo.

W.K. is the latest artist to get in on the app train. Many artists have released apps as a way to keep fans in the know about new music and tours. Heck, some artists have created entire apps devoted to promoting one particular album or song. But like W.K., there are also apps created by artists that are just meant to be fun.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, was curious to find some of these interesting and irreverent apps from our favorite artists. From apps that let you create and share interesting and entertaining photos to games that give you a reason to spend hours on your phone, here are seven that caught our attention.

1.       Goldfrapp: In 2013, pop duo Goldfrapp released a photography app that combines two photos into one using a “double exposure’ technique. Cleverly titled “GoldfrApp: Tales Of Us,” photos can then be shared on whatever other photo apps you may be using. If you would rather play games while listening to the band’s music, they also have a pinball game featuring songs from ‘Head First.’

2.       T-Pain: Released way back in 2009, “I Am T-Pain” put the ability to auto-tune your voice in the palm of your hand. While voice modification apps have been around far longer than that, this one came out at the height of T-Pain’s career, when his popularity got everyone curious as to what they would sound like if they were a computer.

3.       Glass Animals: In conjunction with the video for “Season 2 Episode 3,” from their 2016 album ‘How To Be A Human Being,’ Glass Animals released a video game of the same name. The game is an 8-bit platformer in the style of 1980s arcade games where you guide your character through obstacles laid out in the song.

4.       OK GO: Never one to be out of the loop when it comes to technology, OK GO released a mobile party game in 2013. “Say The Same Thing” is a word association game where you and a friend say words with the ultimate goal of trying to come up with the same word.

5.       Shakira: Columbian superstar Shakira released a Bejeweled/Candy Crush-type game around 2015. “Love Rocks Shakira” has the player solving puzzles by moving around brightly-colored gems. With the popularity of these kinds of games among the public, it’s a safe choice for success. Shakira didn’t stop at gaming apps though. She also helped develop a multi-lingual parenting app called “Grow,” which gives tips on how to track your child’s “developmental milestones.”

6.       Snoop Dogg: Like the new Andrew W.K. app, Snoop Dogg’s “Snoopify” app lets you add custom stickers associated with the rapper to your photos and share them with your friends on social media. If you ever dreamed of hanging with the D-O-Double G, this is the next best thing to actually meeting him.

7.       Taylor Swift: If Taylor Swift seemed sweet and wholesome before, she just got even more so. The country singer-turned pop star released a greeting card app in 2013. If you are looking to send a friendly greeting to a friend, relative or coworker, you can send one of the digital cards on the app to them while listening to Swift belt out songs about breaking up.

It is not unusual in this age of technological advancement that bands or musicians would create apps to remain relevant and update fans. But these artists have created smartphone applications that entertain and connect people through photography and gaming that extend their names and brands beyond music. At this early point, it looks as if Andrew W.K.’s new app will do the same.

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Find music from all these artists and more at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. With thousands of titles to choose from, we have something for every music lover. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia at our Plainview location, or on our website at vinylbay777.com. Check back often, as we are adding new titles to our collection all the time.

Andy Warhol’s Impact on Music

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, takes a look at the musical legacy of Andy Warhol

It has been 30 years since the death of iconic artist Andy Warhol. Known best for being one of the defining forces in pop art, he was so much more than just an artist, dabbling in photography, film, television and theater, among other ventures. But Warhol’s relationship to music was arguably one of the most important facets of his career.

Most people know about Warhol’s involvement with The Velvet Underground. Between 1965 and 1967, he managed the band, adding young songstress Nico to their line-up and producing their debut album, ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico.’ The band was also a big part of Warhol’s art. Many of The Velvet Underground’s early shows were as the backing band to his “Exploding Plastic Inevitable” multi-media shows, usually consisting of film clips of his Factory regulars. Though the band’s relationship with Warhol became strained towards the end, their work together laid the groundwork for much of the punk movement of the late 60’s-early 70’s.

Warhol even did some work creating album covers for some of the most influential albums to come out of the 1960s. He most famously painted the iconic banana design on the cover of ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico.’ Warhol also designed the legendary ‘Sticky Fingers’ album cover for The Rolling Stones, as well as covers for ex-Velvet Underground guitarist John Cale and soul singer Aretha Franklin.

Music was also a big part of Warhol’s Factory scene. Musicians made up a good portion of the artistic atmosphere present within The Factory. Aside from Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed and Nico hanging out there, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, David Bowie, Brian Jones, Madonna and others were regulars and oftentimes became the subject of Warhol’s art (his portraits of Debbie Harry are perhaps some of his most famous). Being across Union Square Park from the famed Max’s Kansas City, the scene spilled into the venue’s back room, leading to overlap between Warhol’s scene and the burgeoning punk scene with the likes of Iggy Pop and the New York Dolls. Together, the scene imitated a modern-day bohemia, a creative environment outside of normal cultural conventions.

Cementing his place in music, Warhol also briefly had two music shows on MTV. One of them, a play off his famous quote “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes,” was titled ‘Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes,’ which found the artist interviewing new musicians.

Andy Warhol’s impact on music was so strong that he has even been immortalized in song. The song “Andy Warhol,” which appeared on David Bowie’s 1971 album ‘Hunky Dory,’ was written by the singer to celebrate the inspiration the artist had provided for him. After his death in 1987, John Cale and Lou Reed reunited to release the tribute album ‘Songs For Drella.’ In 2012, Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna) and Britta Phillips (Luna) put music to some of Warhol’s screen tests, recording ’13 Most Beautiful: Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests.’

It is undeniable that Andy Warhol and his Factory scene played a big part in the music scene of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Between his work with The Velvet Underground, producing some of the most well-known album covers to date and fostering the kind of bohemian creative scene that spawned punk rock, Warhol left an indelible mark on music history. It is a mark that even 30 years after his passing is still felt in art and music communities today.

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Celebrate the legacy of Andy Warhol and the punk scene he helped foster at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles in a range of genres spanning punk, classical, R&B, rock and more. Choose from a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and cultural memorabilia. More music is being added all the time, so check out what’s new at Vinyl Bay 777 today!

Kurt Cobain Turns 50: Seven Facts about the Late Nirvana Frontman

Kurt Cobain. Pixaby: Inspiredimages

On February 20, the world celebrated what would have been Kurt Cobain’s 50^th birthday. Born in Aberdeen, Washington in 1967, the singer would later become the face and voice of grunge in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his band Nirvana. Still beloved after all these years, Cobain left behind a legacy of brilliant music, the likes of which the world will probably never see again.

In honor of Cobain’s 50^th birthday, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s top music outlet, is taking a look at the man behind the music and lyrics.We have gathered seven facts about the singer that provide interesting details about his life, his music and his legacy.

1.       He was once the top-earning dead celebrity: In 2006, Courtney Love sold a 25 percent stake in Nirvana’s recordings, which would allow their music to be licensed for promotional purposes. By putting Cobain’s name, legacy and music out into the world again, she made him a lot of money. So much so that it boosted him to the top spot of Forbes’ list of top-earning deceased celebrities of 2006, beating out names like Elvis Presley and John Lennon. The boost only lasted a year, as he was no longer on that list in 2007.

2.       He Once Wrote and Starred in a Horror Movie: Before Cobain became the face and voice of grunge, he decided to create a horror film with future Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic and a few of his other friends. Originally titled ‘The Horror Movies,’ the short, self-recorded film was referred to by those involved as ‘Kurt’s Bloody Suicide,’ as he fakes slitting his throat in one scene.

3.       He suffered from chronic stomach pain: We all know that Cobain had a lot of mental anguish and suffered from depression, which ultimately took his life. But the singer was in a lot of physical pain as well. He had very well-documented stomach issues which made him violently ill. In the documentary ‘Montage of Heck,’ it is said that this pain was the reason Cobain started taking heroin.

4.       He was a feminist: When Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, four female singers took the stage with Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl to take turns crooning the band’s hits. This was because of comments Cobain was a staunch feminist who spoke out about the terrible ways women were, and still are, treated in both interviews and his lyrics.

5.       Sometimes he spelled his name “Kurdt”: There is not a lot of information about this, but on Nirvana’s first album, ‘Bleach,’ Cobain was credited in the liner notes as “Kurdt.” This isn’t the only time he has been referred this way. He apparently wrote it that way at various points in his journals as well.

6.       He wrote “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to sound like a Pixies song: Cobain was a big fan of The Pixies, so much so that he had admitted to trying to rip off the band’s style when writing “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1993, Cobain said of the song, “I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies, I have to admit it. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.” This was one of the reasons that Cobain disliked playing the song so much, telling Rolling Stone in the same interview “I think there are so many other songs that I’ve written that are as good, if not better, than that song, like ‘Drain You.’ On a bad night I can barely get through ‘Teen Spirit.’ I literally want to throw my guitar down and walk away. I can’t pretend to have a good time playing it.”

7.       He has a lot of unreleased material: Cobain reportedly had a lot of songs, fragments of songs and sound collages that are recorded at the time of his death, most of which will likely never see an official release. Some of his demos have though, including a duet he did with Courtney Love called “Stinking of You,” released as part of the film ‘Hit So Hard’ in 2011, and 13 never-before-heard demos used as the soundtrack to 2015’s ‘Montage of Heck.’

On the day after what would have been his birthday, we remember him for the legacy of amazing music and progressive thought he has left behind. Though Kurt Cobain’s life was cut tragically short, his music still brings comfort to many generations of fans that don’t feel quite so alone after hearing it.

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Celebrate the life of Kurt Cobain by picking up music by Nirvana and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. We have thousands of titles to choose from with more being added all the time. We have a wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more in store and online. Whether you are a fan of grunge, metal or classical, there is something for everyone at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: Eight New Music Videos / Songs You Need To Check Out (2/12-2/18/2017)

Another week has flown by and with it came some great new music and music videos.

This week saw a lot of established rock artists previewing what we can expect from their upcoming releases, with bands like Linkin Park and All Time Low debuting musical shifts that will have you seeing them differently. There has also been a lot of great content from up-and-coming artists like James TW and Taylor John Williams, who both put out videos with songs that show off their brilliant vocals. We also got some music videos (not mentioned in the list) for songs that were previewed a few weeks ago, including videos for “Fun” by Blondie, “Paris” by The Chainsmokers and “Let’s Hurt Tonight” by OneRepublic. There was even a sweet new song from Ed Sheeran!

At Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, we know how important and difficult finding new music can be. That is why we have been searching for the best new songs and music videos that dropped this week. Here are eight that we think you should definitely take a listen to this weekend.

1.       New Found Glory, “Happy Being Miserable”: New Found Glory hasn’t lost any of their humor in their last ten years as a band. This is evidenced by the video for their latest single, “Happy Being Miserable,” from their upcoming album, ‘Makes Me Sick.’ Starting out with singer Jordan Pundik telling the other band members a campfire story, the video focuses in on his story of the band partaking in a pie eating contest that quickly changes course, finally resulting in a punk rock rave. The video is definitely a distraction from the song, which plays out like a kiss-off track about saving one’s love for someone who actually cares about them. (video)

2.       All Time Low, “Dirty Laundry”: All Time Low recently signed with Fueled By Ramen, releasing their first single and video with the label this week. “Dirty Laundry” tilts a little bit more electronic than the band’s previous singles, and a little less tongue-in-cheek as well. It sounds good though, like the band is trying to expand their sound while growing with their original listener-base. (video)

3.       James TW, “Ex”: This is a little bit of a backwards love song, but it’s cute. It’s about not wanting to dance with someone else because they are afraid they will forget what it is like to dance with their current love and destroying what they have. It’s pop-y and catchy, perfect for radio airplay. (video)

4.       Linkin Park featuring Kiiara, “Heavy”: This song is a big departure for Linkin Park, whose brand of rap-rock made them very popular in the early 2000s. “Heavy” is a bit more atmospheric, focusing more on the way Chester Bennington’s vocals play with Kiiara’s and less on the DJ or hip-hop cut-ins that usually pepper their songs. (video)

5.       PWR BTTM, “Big Beautiful Day”: I’ll say it outright, this band and song will not be for everyone. Due to their highly flamboyant, highly sexual nature and subject matter, their act can be a bit much. But this glittery display of love rising above hate is incredibly catchy, powerful and timely. (video)

6.       Taylor John Williams, “White Summer Dress”: This waltz-tempo piece from newcomer Taylor John Williams is beautiful. He sings with so much passion that you can really feel his pain as he reminisces about his past love, envisioning her dancing with him and looking into her eyes. (video)

7.       Papa Roach, “Help”: Papa Roach have returned with another new song (they released a video last week for their song “Crooked Teeth,” which is okay, but at times a bit incoherent). “Help” continues with the sound that we have come to know and love from Papa Roach, heavy on the guitars and hard-cut vocal delivery. This is one of the band’s more introspective songs, taking cues for its self-analyzing lyrics from previous hits like “Scars” and “Lifeline.” (video)

8.       Shinedown, “I’ll Follow You Down”: This is actually a pretty nice rock and roll love song. Low-key compared to a lot of their work, “I’ll Follow You Down’s” piano-driven melody toes the line between hard rock anthem and southern rock slow jam.  It sounds like a great song to serenade your loved one to. (video)

This week saw a lot of new music from established rock acts and some really talented up-and coming singer/songwriters. These are just some of the new songs and videos that came out that we think you should definitely check out.  Now sit back, relax, put on some tunes and enjoy the weekend!

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Find new music for your collection at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes and DVDs in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com. We have thousands of titles to choose from with more being added all the time. Whether you are looking to start your collection or enhance it, Vinyl Bay 777 is the perfect place to find your next favorite album! 

Six Modern Broadway Cast Recordings that Broke Sales Records

Chart history was made this week when the Original Broadway Cast Recording of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ debuted at number 8 on this week’s Billboard 200 album chart. With ‘Hamilton’ still holding strong at number 13, this is the first time two Broadway Original Cast Recordings placed in the top 20 of this chart at the same time in more than five decades. The last time this happened was when ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’ both ruled the chart in 1965.

It might seem like nowadays musicals have fallen out of favor in terms of pop music popularity, but given the right show and the right timing, they can be extremely relevant. Just take a look at the recent phenomenon of ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Book of Mormon’ or ‘Rent.’ And when you get culturally ground-breaking shows like these, the soundtrack is guaranteed to do well too.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, is delving into some of the best-selling Original Broadway Cast Recordings of the last 30 years. Here are six that broke records upon their release and continue to stay relevant long after their debut.

1.       ‘Hamilton’: The speed and intensity at which the ‘Hamilton’ soundtrack (and ‘Hamilton’ in general) caught on is astounding. The cast recording was released in 2015 and nearly a year later was certified double platinum. That doesn’t happen to most single artist albums, let alone a cast recording of a Broadway musical. ‘Hamilton’ peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and has stayed on the chart for more than a year. Not only that, but it went to number one on the Rap Album chart, surpassing some of the most revered rappers in the game.

2.       ‘Rent’: ‘Rent’ was a ground-breaking musical when it came out in 1996. It dealt with subjects like homosexuality and AIDS, which were very much taboo at the time. The cast recording was just as groundbreaking, bringing original rock compositions to the Broadway stage for the first time. That new-found eagerness for a new kind of Broadway showed in the recording’s sales, debuting on the Billboard 200 chart at number 19 and going on to become certified double platinum.

3.       ‘Wicked’: It took a while for the cast album of ‘Wicked’ to catch on, but it did. The album peaked at number three on the Top Pop Catalog albums in 2009, six years after its release. Its sales since have skyrocketed, leaving it with a double platinum certification.

4.       ‘Book of Mormon’: Though the success of a musical written by the same people as the popular ‘South Park’ series sounds like it might only be meant for a specific group of theater goers, the popularity of ‘Book of Mormon’ broke all expectations. The Original Cast Recording also broke records, debuting at number two on the iTunes sales chart upon release. The album saw another surge after the show won a number of Tony Awards in 2011, shooting to number three on the Billboard 200 with more than 60,000 copies sold that week.

5.        ‘If/Then’: Fresh off the popularity of ‘Frozen,’ Idina Menzel (who is no stranger to groundbreaking Broadway theater, she originated roles in both ‘Rent’ and ‘Wicked’) returned to Broadway with ‘If/Then.’ Perhaps it was the name recognition, but the musical became a success and so did the cast recording. It debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200 in 2014, which at the time was the highest debut for a cast recording since ‘Rent.’

6.       ‘American Idiot’: It comes as no surprise that a musical made out of one of the top albums of 2004 would be a success, especially since that album was Green Day’s critically acclaimed ‘American Idiot.’ When the band released the Original Cast Recording for the 2010 Broadway show, which featured Green Day playing backup for the cast, the album jumped to number five on the iTunes charts. The album also topped Billboard’s Catalog Albums chart as late as last year, six years after its release.

While Broadway Cast Recordings will probably never see the same kind of popularity they once did, modern musicals can still have a big impact on the charts. These six albums prove that, as does the fact that two popular Broadway recordings are sitting in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 as we speak.

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Find Original Cast Recordings and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in genres ranging from Broadway show tunes to rock and metal to dance and R&B, with more titles being added all the time. We have an enormous selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes and DVDs, as well as cultural memorabilia. Stop by the store or shop online to see what we have in stock!

College Radio Journal and the Questioned Importance of College Radio

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, takes a look at CMJ’s failing publication and the significance of college radio in 2017

College Music Journal (CMJ) has been having a rough few years. The music publication has been embroiled in financial issues and lawsuits for nearly 10 years. For the first time in 35 years, the publication’s CMJ Music Marathon festival was not produced. Now, after not updating their website since December, Pitchfork is reporting that CMJ has not published or sent out their music charts in two weeks.

According to Pitchfork, CMJ has cited the departure of sole full-time employee Lisa Hresko and the scramble to restructure as the reason for the missing charts. But after two emails that were sent out to college radio promoters (which Pitchfork obtained), there are still no charts.

Over the course of its 40+ year history, CMJ became a highly useful resource to the burgeoning college radio scene. After all, in the 1980s and 1990s, there weren’t many other ways underground artists could get heard by a wider audience. Originally a physical magazine, CMJ went completely online in 2009, but still collected statistics from stations to compile their weekly charts of the top songs being played on college radio. In 1980, CMJ launched the Music Marathon, which brought new artists to New York while providing insightful lectures and panels on changing trends in the music industry.

This discussion of CMJ’s downfall has also been bringing up discussions of the role of college radio in our current age of technological advancement. While CMJ was getting feedback from more than 500 stations just a few years ago, it was down to less than half that in 2016. Even more troubling, some colleges are selling their stations to bigger entities, like NPR, because a) they aren’t getting enough listeners and b) they cost too much money to run. Just this week, Northern Kentucky University’s WNKU became the latest casualty, reporting that they were in talks to sell the station to a religious broadcasting company.

It’s easy to see why college radio could be suffering on the music discovery front. Why turn on a crackly radio with people telling you what to listen to when you could just go on your phone and connect to the internet where you can find and listen to pretty much anything you want, whenever you want it? Streaming services, as well as sites like Soundcloud and Bandcamp, which allow unsigned artists to stream and sell their music themselves, are more popular and readily available than ever (just look at Chance the Rapper). It doesn’t seem like college radio as a discovery engine would be as relevant.

But many beg to differ. In a long-form piece written and published on Pitchfork earlier this month, Kevin Lozano mentions how radio is still a major player in what people hear and can still break new bands. More than half of people who drive listen to terrestrial radio in their cars. That’s why small labels still focus on college radio as one of their main avenues of promotion; it is a way to get new music out and “rise to the top organically.” New lower power FM frequencies are also giving stations that once had to give up their air space a chance to go back on the airwaves.

Lozano goes even further. Quoting former president Barak Obama’s 2013 South by Southwest speech, he mentions how college radio gives students an outlet to voice their opinions and foster a sense of creativity and community. Because of this, college radio will continue to stay relevant.

While college radio may no longer be the top place to discover new music, it still holds an important spot in breaking artists and getting them to a larger audience, as well as fostering creativity and intellectual communities. It has been hard to quantify the impact of radio lately with one of its biggest proponents, CMJ, struggling to stay afloat. But know that even without the charts and music festival that have become a yardstick for testing the impact of up-and-coming artists and discovering others still too underground to discuss yet, the world of college radio will be just fine.

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Discover new music at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. Whether you are just getting into the wide world of music or a collector looking for something different, we have what you are looking for. Stop by our Plainview shop or shop online at vinylbay777.com to browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia. We have thousands of titles to choose from with more being added all the time. There is always something new to discover at Vinyl Bay 777!

Seven Bands Who Went Through Name Disputes

There is no doubt that some rock bands don’t get along. Crucial members end up leaving while the others keep plotting along using the name that they all came up with when they did like each other. Then the former members sue the others because they don’t think they should be using the name. The same thing happens when an important member of the band dies.

Ratt is the latest band still struggling with this predicament. In a suit which started in 2015, guitarist Warren DeMartini sued drummer Bobby Blotzer over the “misleading” use of the Ratt name, even though Blotzer claimed to have legal right to the name because he was the only remaining original member who didn’t quit the band. The suit seemed over, with DeMartini, Stephen Pearcy and company claiming that they had won, but after “Ratt” performed their first show of 2017 under the name, Blotzer fought back, taking to Facebook to slam his former bandmates and make it known that the case was far from over.

As stated, situations where band members sue each other over the right to carry on a band’s name are not uncommon. There have been many situations where band members have had to give up the rights to a name and/or change the name they use when touring.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, has done some research and found seven bands who have endured legal battles concerning their legacy. While some of these cases worked out well, others continue to cause confusion for the band and its fans alike.

1.       Survivor: In early 2016, a lawsuit was filed by guitarist Frank Sullivan against his Survivor co-founder James Peterik, claiming that Peterik was using the band’s name without permission. The suit claims that Peterik broke an agreement the duo had made in 1995, which stated that the name could only be used by “Survivor Music.” However, after leaving the band in 1996, Peterik continued to use the name “Survivor” to promote himself and his solo work. The terms of the lawsuit would order Peterik to stop using the name and that anything that he produced with that name needed to be destroyed. The suit is still on-going.

2.       Black Sabbath: Guitarist Tony Iommi has been claiming rights to the Black Sabbath name since the 1980s, seeing as he was the only member to consistently be with the band for their entire tenure. But in 2009, Ozzy Osbourne sued Iommi, saying that he had illegally assumed possession of the name and asking for a 50 percent stake in its trademark.

3.       The Beach Boys: The Beach Boys have been in a name debacle for a long time. Currently, Mike Love holds the touring and recording rights to it, but when the band officially broke up in the late 1990s, it was less clear. Love went to court and legally got rights to the name while Al Jardine started touring with a similar name, “Beach Boys: Friends & Family,” sans legal right to do so. Love sued Jardine, and then Jardine sued Love. Though the living members of the group toured together in 2012, there is still some bad blood between band members.

4.       Queensryche: Speaking of bad blood, after firing their lead singer Geoff Tate, Queensryche decided to continue playing with a new singer. However, Tate wasn’t going to have that, so he sued the band for the right to use the name. In a crazy twist, both the band and Tate were granted use of the name to promote themselves while further discussion within the group led to Tate referring to himself as “The Voice of Queensryche.”

5.       Lynyrd Skynyrd: After the plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines and Steve Gaines, Lynyrd Skynyrd was in shambles. It took them ten years to reunite the pre-crash members, but that still didn’t sit well with Van Zant and Steve Gaines’ widows, who promptly sued the band over the use of the name. While the widows technically won, everyone got something out of it, sort of. Now to use the “Lynyrd Skynyrd” name, two pre-crash members must currently be a part of the band.

6.       Pink Floyd: This is what happens when you make assumptions. Frontman Roger Waters assumed that when he left Pink Floyd, the entire band would end. This was not the case, as David Gilmour continued to tour with the name. When Waters sued (and settled), the end result resembled a divorcing couple’s custody battle. David Gilmour and the rest of Pink Floyd got to keep the name and Waters got to keep ‘The Wall.’

7.       Fleetwood Mac: Not all name lawsuits are between bandmates. In the case of Fleetwood Mac, the band’s manager claimed that he had the rights to the band’s name and decided to take advantage by forming an entirely new band to tour while the real band was on vacation. Needless to say, this did not stick. The original band’s road manager filed a lawsuit and got the band their name back.

Who gets to use a band’s name when they break up or lose members is not an easy task. Many times, it leads to infighting and lawsuits between current and former members who want to be able to promote themselves or preserve the legacy of the band. Such is the case with these bands, who all fought with each other and/or their manager to keep their name and legacy intact.

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Find music from all these classic bands in all their forms at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. Choose from our wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia spanning genres of all kinds. We have thousands of titles in store and on our website, vinylbay777.com, with new titles being added to our collection all the time.  

Seven Pop-Punk and “Emo” Love Songs That Will Make Your Love Swoon this Valentine’s Day

It’s Valentine’s Day, which means that a lot of people have love on the mind today, including pop-punk bands. Over the weekend, pop-punk band Relient K released a Valentine’s Day EP. Released in the same spirit as last year’s Halloween EP, ‘The Creepier EP…er,’ the iTunes-exclusive ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ EP includes three Valentine’s-related songs. Topics on the EP range from candy hearts, to remembering the good times with your sweetheart.

It’s not unheard of for pop-punk and “emo” bands to write about love. After all, love is a pretty universal theme for songwriters. And everyone writes about it in their own artistic way.

With Relient K’s EP in mind, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, is taking a look at some of pop-punk and “emo’s” greatest love songs.  Here are seven guaranteed to make you or your significant others weak in the knees this Valentine’s Day.

1.       Dashboard Confessional, “Hands Down”: “Hands Down” is one of the happiest songs Dashboard Confessional frontman Chris Carrabba has ever written. The verses are sung softly, like Carrabba is talking sweetly to you. Then, the chorus bursts out as if he can’t contain his love anymore. He gives his love his heart completely “to fill or burst, to break or bury, or wear as jewellery.” (video)

2.       Death Cab for Cutie, “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”: Perhaps Death Cab is a little more indie-rock than pop-punk or “emo,” but this is a beautiful song where Ben Gibbard just pours his heart out. “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” is a simple love song stating that he will follow his love anywhere, including death. What girl wouldn’t want that kind of devotion? (video)

3.       Green Day, “When It’s Time”: Billie Joe Armstrong has written a lot of love songs for his wife Adrienne. But “When It’s Time,” released only on the soundtrack to the Broadway’s ‘American Idiot,’ is one of the most beautiful songs he has ever written. Supposedly written for and sung to his wife on their wedding day, Armstrong professes his love and thanks her for helping him become a better man. (video)

4.       Yellowcard, “Only One”: It’s not necessarily easy to tell if “Only One” is a love song or a break-up song, but it’s kind of both. The song’s narrator seems to have done something wrong, he and his girl broke up and he is trying to let her go, though he’s not over her. At the chorus, singer Ryan Key can’t contain the emotion anymore, “screaming his lungs out” to tell her that she is his “only one” and can’t live without her. (video)

5.       Paramore, “The Only Exception”: Pop-punk is obviously not just a men’s game. Female-fronted bands can get in on the feels too. Very different sonically from anything the band had put out before that, “The Only Exception” tells the story of a girl who thought she has sworn off of love until now. Her beau is the “only exception” to the wall she has put around herself, the only reason to sing a love song. (video)

6.       Rise Against, “Swing Life Away”: First and foremost, “Swing Life Away” is a song about being content with what you have. The love song part is kind of secondary. With that said, the song can clearly be interpreted to mean that the singer and their love can be content with what they have together. Rise Against’s only acoustic song, “Swing Life Away” has this Americana, longingly nostalgic feel that screams “we don’t to have a lot to be in love.” (video)

7.       We The Kings, “Check Yes Juliet”: “Check Yes Juliet” is a story of young, forbidden love. Like ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ the song’s couple runs away in the night to be together. It’s a nice, if not a little misguided a sentiment, but one that anyone who has been in love has probably felt. (video)

If you’re looking for some great songs for your Valentine’s Day playlist, try adding these pop-punk and “emo” songs. Make your significant other swoon with the amount of love and passion each of these songs exude.

What are some of your favorite love songs? Let us know!

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This Valentine’s Day, come down to Vinyl Bay 777 or shop online at vinylbay777.com and give your loved one the gift of music! Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a wide selection of formats, including new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes and DVDs, as well as cultural memorabilia. New titles are being added every week, so now is the perfect time to shop for that someone special.

Week in Review: Seven New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (Feb. 5 – Feb. 11, 2017)

It has been one very snowy week here in New York. But now that the snow is over (for now) and most of us are shoveled out, it’s time to enjoy the weekend. What better way to do that than to cozy up at home out of the cold and watch some of this week’s new music videos.

This has been a great week for rock and pop music. On the rock side, we go new videos from the likes of The Pretty Reckless, Goldfrapp, Jamiroquai and Taking Back Sunday. Pop musicians Lady Gaga and Katy Perry both released new music and videos this week as well. Even M.I.A. released her first new song in three years this week.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, has your weekend playlist covered. We have been scouring the internet for the top new songs and music videos that came out this week and have chosen seven that we think you should definitely check out.

1.       Jamiroquai, “Cloud 9”: The latest single from Jamiroquai’s upcoming new album, “Cloud 9” has this kind of upbeat, feel-good groove. It’s different from the first single from the album, “Automaton,” which was more electronic and robotic. If you only know Jamiroquai from their single “Virtual Insanity,” than you will like this song too. (video)

2.       Katy Perry, “Chained To The Rhythm”: I don’t always give current pop music a shot and wasn’t planning on doing so with this song (or the next one). But I actually liked it. First of all, kudos to her for such an adorable, web-pandering video. With that said, this song seems pretty culturally critical for a catchy pop song. It uses the “rhythm” as a metaphor for what is going on in the world and not doing anything means you are just a “zombie” letting things happen without question. All this in a song that’s rhythm and bounce will make you want to listen to the song on repeat. Well done. (video)

3.       Lady Gaga, “John Wayne”: The latest single from ‘Joanne,’ “John Wayne” is, like the rest of the album, less showy and more showing off Gaga’s talent. It’s still a dance track with a thumping, driving beat and echo effects, but it somehow feels different. There’s this hint of the wild west, which is appropriate given the namesake of the song is a “cowboy” actor from the spaghetti westerns of the 1920s. The video is just as wild as the song, with lots of dancing and neon lights going on as she sings about wanting a real, tough-guy kind of man. (video)

4.       The Pretty Reckless, “Oh My God”: While probably not the best song from The Pretty Reckless, “Oh My God” still shows why the band is one of the hottest female-fronted bands in metal today. The song is a frenzied, scream-sung jolt of energy with lyrics that sound like they came right off the notebook page they were written on. It’s heavily political and culturally aware, commenting on everything from the high-standard of beauty women are held to, to the way different races are treated and more. (video)

5.       Goldfrapp, “Anymore”: “Anymore” feels so familiar, which is probably why it is so easy to listen to. The snare-base percussion loop is surprisingly light, which goes nicely with Alison Goldfrapp’s high range and the synth-enhanced effects. The video is also pretty well synched to the song, with hairless ladies dancing on a beach in flowy dresses. (video)

6.       M.I.A., “P.O.W.A”: Never one to sit on the sidelines, M.I.A. is back with a new, politically charged reggae-tinged track, “P.O.W.A.” It talks about stirring up drama, not backing down and asking others to join. The song has a pretty steady cadence, not veering too much off course between the verses and chorus. As a result, I can hear this becoming a melody that will worm its way inside your head, even if it is hard to understand most of the words she is saying. (video)

7.       Taking Back Sunday, “Call Come Running”: The latest single from Taking Back Sunday’s latest album ‘Tidal Wave,’ “Call Come Running” is less energy-intensive as some of the band’s previous work, but it still gets the point across quite well. Through heavy guitars and driving percussion, Adam Lazzara’s lyrics about ruminating on the past and second chances. The video continues where the band’s “You Can’t Look Back” left off, with a bloodied Lazzara stumbling around looking for someone to show compassion and help him. (video)

With all the new music that comes out each week, it can be hard to keep track of it all. Check out our picks for this week’s top new songs and music videos and let Vinyl Bay 777 help you stay up-to-date on the latest music. Stay warm!

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Beat the cold by coming down to Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop, and picking up music from your favorite artists. Choose from our wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia. We have thousands of titles in stock. Still snowed in? You can check out our stock online at vinylbay777.com from the warmth and comfort of your own home. More titles are being added all the time, so stop by to see what’s new at Vinyl Bay 777.