Albums Coming Out March 2018

With March starting this Thursday, spring release season is just around the corner. That means there are a lot of new albums to keep an eye out for in the coming month.

March is set to see some big releases from around the rock, R&B and hip-hop spectrum. The Breeders, David Byrne, Andrew W.K. and En Vogue are all set to put out their first albums in more than a decade. A new album of unreleased Jimi Hendrix recordings will be hitting the shelves. Stone Temple Pilots will be releasing their first album without Scott Weiland. Snoop Dogg will be making his foray into gospel. March will also see new music from Moby, The Fratellis, Judas Priest, Jack White and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of albums coming out in March. Here are 12 we can’t wait to get our hands on.

1.       Andrew W.K., “You’re Not Alone”: It’s been almost ten years since Andrew W.K. has released a new album. That changes this month with ‘You’re Not Alone.’ According to a press release quoted by Pitchfork, he says of the album, “I’m going for the sound of pure, unadulterated power; every emotion, every thought, every experience, every sensation, every fear, every joy, every clarity, every confusion, every up, every down... all extruded and concentrated into one thick syrup of super life-force feeling, and then psychically amplified by the celebratory spirit of glorious partying.” (3/2)

2.       Moby, ‘Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt’: Moby has been in the music game for nearly 25 years, reinventing himself with every album he puts out. His upcoming 15^th album, ‘Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt,’ continues that progression, taking a deeper look at the “self.” Single “Like a Motherless Child” has the feel of an abandoned child asking why this is happening to him. According to an interview with Billboard, Moby says of the album, “It goes back to the humanity of it, because that’s the common denominator: who are we as a species and why have we made so many egregious, terrible choices? The punk rocker in me wants to yell at us as a species and say, 'Stop making these terrible choices,' but the other part of me who’s maybe aspiring to some enlightenment just wants to try and be understanding and compassionate.” (3/2)

3.       The Breeders, ‘All Nerve’: A few years ago, The Breeders reunited their original, ‘Last Splash’-era line-up for the first time in 25 years. Now, the band is releasing their first new album in a decade, ‘All Nerve.’ According to an interview with Noisey, the album came together organically, as if the band never parted ways. (3/2)

4.       Judas Priest, ‘Firepower’: Metal heavyweights Judas Priest will be releasing their 18^th studio album, ‘Firepower,’ this month. Having heard the preceding singles, the album features the room-shaking bass lines and heavy guitars fans expect from the band. (3/9)

5.       The Fratellis, ‘In Your Own Sweet Time’: Over their decade-long career, The Fratellis have had minor success outside of their native Scotland. But that could change with their upcoming album, ‘In Your Own Sweet Time.’ Lead single “Starcrossed Losers” is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard thus far this year. Such gives me high hopes for the rest of the album. (3/9)

6.       David Byrne, ‘American Utopia’: Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne will be releasing his first solo album in 14 years this March. Part of a project called ‘Reasons To Be Chearful,’ the album sets out to explore how we see the world right now. (3/9)

7.       Jimi Hendrix, ‘Both Sides of the Sky’: Though Jimi Hendrix has been gone for nearly five decades, unreleased recordings are still being dug up from his archives. ‘Both Sides of the Sky’ focuses on Hendrix’s “working life” between 1968 and 1970, the time between the break-up of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the singer’s death. (3/9)

8.       Snoop Dogg, ‘Bible of Love’: After rapping for nearly three decades and a brief reggae career, Snoop Dogg turns his attention to gospel on his upcoming release, ‘Bible of Love.’ The double album features collaborations with Tye Tribbet, the Clark Sisters, Faith Evans and more. (3/16)

9.       Stone Temple Pilots, ‘Stone Temple Pilots’: Following the untimely death of frontman Scott Weiland in 2015, Stone Temple Pilots are back with a new frontman, as well as a brand new album. According to bassist Robert DeLeo in an interview with Rolling Stone, “The new album feels like a completed journey for the band. The record breathes resilience. A lot of life has been funneled into this body of music.” So far, the singles released from the album sound like solid rock tunes, so it will be interesting to hear how the rest of the album sounds. (3/16)

10.   Jack White, ‘Boarding House Reach’: Former White Stripes frontman Jack White will be releasing his third solo album, ‘Boarding House Reach,’ in March. According to a press release, the album was conceived of very simply, recorded using only a four-track tape recorder, a simple mixer and basic instruments. White maintains his bluesy sound with the record, especially with single “Connected By Love,” which he sings with a lot of heart and soul. (3/23)

11.   The Messthetics, ‘The Messthetics’: Former Fuguzi members Brendan Canty (drums) and Joe Lally (bass), formed a new band last year called The Messthetics. Fellow D.C.-area guitarist Anthony Pirog rounds out the instrumental trio, who release their debut self-titled album in March. The album is supposed be both experimental and leans towards what NPR calls “punk reinvention. (3/23)

12.   En Vogue, ‘Electric Café’: ‘Electric Café’ is En Vogue’s first album of new music in 14 years. The debut release for their label En Vogue Records, the album (according to Billboard) is said to find inspiration in a variety of genres, including contemporary R&B and hip-hop, soul, funk, pop, rock and electronic dance music. (3/30)

March is gearing up to be a big month for new releases. Keep an eye out for the albums above and let us know what albums you’re excited for this month.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to satisfy any music lover. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Celebrating 10 and 20-Year Anniversaries in 2018

There is nothing more popular than nostalgia. In our current collective culture, we delight in celebrating the music that we love. And when it comes to big anniversaries, we love to look back and celebrate it even more.

A lot has happened in music in the last 10 to 20 years. Pop and rock continued to shift and evolve into include new and different aspects. Over the last two decades, we’ve seen the rise of both bubble-gum and electronic pop. Nu metal broke out, followed by pop punk, indie rock and other genres. We’ve also seen albums become classics of R&B, pop and rock.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at just a few of the albums celebrating tenth and twentieth anniversaries in 2018. Here are ten that will get you feeling all nostalgic for the “good old days.”

(Note: For this article, we’ve chosen to look at albums released in 2008 and 1998. Another article with albums turning 30, 40 and 50 will be released soon.)

10 Years

1.       Vampire Weekend, ‘Vampire Weekend’: Vampire Weekend broke out in 2008 with their self-titled, self-produced debut album. Their sound borrowed from African music, combining that with punk and airy indie-rock, which gave the band a unique niche that no one has been able to replicate yet. The album was ranked as one of the best albums of the year, as well as of the last decade.

2.       Coldplay, ‘Viva La Vida’: While Coldplay had their initial success in the early 2000s, the band had a real pop breakthrough with their fourth album, ‘Viva La Vida,’ in 2008. The album debuted a new, more pop-rock influenced sound for the band, which both fans and critics loved. Its title track earned the band its first number one hit in the US and UK, as well as a Grammy for Best Rock Album.

3.       The Gaslight Anthem, ‘The ‘59 Sound’: The Gaslight Anthem became punk’s breakout band in 2018, releasing their sophomore album, ‘The ’59 Sound,’ to critical acclaim. The album led to tours with Social Distortion, as well as Bruce Springsteen, an artist the band would find themselves compared to until their break-up in 2015.

4.       Adele, ‘19’: In 2008, Adele was a fresh-faced pop singer-songwriter just hitting the pop charts. Releasing her debut album, ‘19,’ that January, it quickly rose to the top of the charts, hitting number one in her native UK and four in the US. “Chasing Pavements” was a modest hit, but it got Adele recognized by VH1, who featured the singer as one of their “You Outta Know” artists.

5.       Lady Gaga, ‘The Fame’: When Lady Gaga released her debut album, ‘The Fame,’ in 2008, it blew up. The album topped the charts all over the world for nearly two years and became one of the best-selling albums of the last decade. The singer’s electronic pop helping to usher in a more dance-centric new era of pop music.

20 Years

1.       Korn, ‘Follow the Leader’: In 1998, nu metal was coming into its own and Korn were at the forefront of the new genre. Their third album, ‘Follow the Leader’ became one of the genre’s cornerstones, producing hits “Got the Life” and “Freak on a Leash” that dominated airplay on MTV.

2.       Destiny’s Child, ‘Destiny’s Child’: Before Beyonce became one of the biggest names in pop music, she was a member of the ultra-successful girl group Destiny’s Child. In 1998, the group released their eponymous debut album introduced the world to their sweet harmonies and laid the groundwork for their later success.

3.       Lauryn Hill, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’: Following her time with The Fugees, Lauryn Hill released her only solo album, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.’ The album received a lot of praise, even being called one of the greatest albums of all time. In fact, the album was so highly regarded that it was included in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Following the album’s success, Hill virtually disappeared from the public eye, though people are still raving about it two decades later.

4.       Hole, ‘Celebrity Skin’: Hole hit their stride in 1998, releasing their third and most commercially popular album, ‘Celebrity Skin.’ Led by the success of the album’s title track, ‘Celebrity Skin’ went platinum multiple times and became the band’s first album to chart in the top ten of the Billboard 200.

5.       The Offspring, ‘Americana’: Before ‘Americana’ was released, The Offspring had already gained a big commercial following. However, post-‘Americana,’ that following grew. “Pretty Fly for a White Guy,” “The Kids Aren’t Alright” and “Why Don’t You Get A Job” played in heavy rotation on MTV. The album remains the band’s second-best-selling album, going more than 10 million copies over the last two decades.

There are a lot of great albums that are celebrating 10 and 20 year anniversaries in 2018.  For a trip down memory lane, check out the albums above and let us know what albums you’re nostalgic for.

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Feed your nostalgia by picking up music from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (February 18-24, 2018)

Another week has come and gone and with it came a lot of new music. With so much content coming at you, it can be hard to keep up with all of it as it comes. That makes the weekend the perfect time to catch up on all the new songs and music videos that were released in the past week.

This week saw an abundance of great new songs and music videos. Janelle Monae released two highly talked about new videos. Bad Wolves finally released their cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.” We got a lot of great new rock from the likes of Blue October, Jukebox The Ghost, Eels, Frank Turner, Screaming Females, Underoath, X Ambassadors and Stone Temple Pilots.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been scouring the internet for the best new songs of the week. Here are seven of our favorites that we think will be worth checking out.

1.       Blue October, “I Hope You’re Happy”: I’ve never heard frontman Justin Furstenfeld sound so upbeat in a song before. Known for the borderline suicidal rock tracks “Hate Me” and “Into The Ocean,” “I Hope You’re Happy” veers a bit more towards indie-rock. The song’s 80s synth melody lightens the mood a lot. (video)

2.       Plaid Brixx, “Beat Goes On”: “Beat Goes On” is a bouncy, upbeat electro-rock jam that will get stuck in your head with just one listen. The song is almost all beat, with the drums taking on a prominent role alongside the melody. (video)

3.       Jukebox The Ghost, “Everybody’s Lonely”: A song inside its own head, Jukebox The Ghost’s “Everybody’s Lonely” proposes a reason for every song on the radio being about love and drinking. It does this in the most fun and upbeat way possible. The song starts out with a rockabilly feel, then quickly moves on to a groove-heavy pop vibe. You can’t help but move along to the easy-yet-structured melody and beat as the song plays.  Also, the video gets bonus points because it looks like a messed up Gap ad. (video)

4.       Eels, “Today Is The Day”: Bright and peppy, Eels’ “Today Is The Day” is the perfect song for getting out of bed and starting your day with a smile on your face. Led by light-on-their-feet guitars and breezy vocals, the song’s garage-rock melody makes you feel good. (video)

5.       Bad Wolves, “Zombie”: Back in January, The Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan was supposed to join Bad Wolves in the remake of “Zombie,” but passed away the day she was scheduled to be in the studio. The band released the song anyway, donating all of its proceeds to O’Riordan’s children (a statement they make at the beginning of the video). Bad Wolves’ version, while not as potent as the original, is still quite powerful. Updated to reflect the fact that our problems have not been solved in the 25 years since the original came out, frontman Dan Waite captures the song’s immediacy while enunciating every word to get his point across. The band also pays homage to The Cranberries in the song’s video, using the image of the gold paint-covered woman from the original. (video)

6.       X Ambassadors, “Don’t Stay”: The vocals on “Don’t Stay” are very raw. It’s a little off-putting at first, like frontman Sam Harris decided to do all the vocals for the video live, but once you get used to it, it’s quite amazing. His wide vocal range shines, giving the song power and purpose. (video)

7.       Stone Temple Pilots, “The Art of Letting Go”: “The Art of Letting Go” doesn’t sound like your typical Stone Temple Pilots song. Propelled by Dean DeLeo’s rich guitar playing, the song’s melody is slow and bluesy. Jeff Gutt really shows off his vocal chops here, letting everyone know why he was chosen to succeed Scott Weiland. (video)

A lot of great new songs and music videos were released over the course of the last week. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve loved this week.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres to satisfy all music lovers. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to find something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Shows in New York & New Jersey to Check Out This Weekend (February 23-25, 2018)

With the weekend only hours away, it’s hard not to think about how you’re going to spend your time off. If you’re pondering that very question, why not consider taking in a live show this weekend.

The New York / New Jersey music scene is always bursting with an eclectic assortment of live music and this weekend is no different. From alt-rock to rap to country, there are big shows happening out there to fit everyone’s taste.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve once again searched for the top shows happening in the New York / New Jersey area this weekend. Here are eight shows we think will be worth checking out.

1.       The Dandy Warhols: Alt-rockers The Dandy Warhols have been making thought-provoking rock  music for more than two decades. The band released their 10^th album, ‘Distorland,’ in 2016 and are said to be in the studio working on its follow-up. (Friday, Highline Ballroom; Sunday, Warsaw)

2.       Tyler The Creator & Vince Staples: Tyler The Creator’s outspoken nature has kept his name on the collective lips of popular culture since he came out on the scene in the late 2000s. His latest album, ‘Flower Boy,’ came out last year to rave reviews. This weekend, he lets his socially conscious raps speak for themselves. Rising rap star Vince Staples, who released his well-received sophomore album ‘Big Fish Theory,’ last year, joins him on his current tour, which hits New York this weekend. Tonight’s show is sold out, but there are still tickets for Saturday if you act fast. (Friday & Saturday, Theater at Madison Square Garden)

3.       Phoebe Bridgers: Newcomer Phoebe Bridgers broke out on the music scene this year with her jazzy vocals and low-key sound. She released her debut full-length, ‘Stranger in the Alps,’ late last year to high praise from fans and critics alike. Tonight she plays her second of two sold-out shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg. (Friday, Music Hall of Williamsburg)

4.       Blues Traveler: John Popper and company have been playing their blues-influenced harmonica rock for three decades now. Their big hit “Run Around” saw massive fame in the mid-1990s and the band hasn’t stopped touring since. This year, Blues Traveler are celebrating their 30^th anniversary with even more touring, this time an extensive North American tour that will run through August. The band hits the New York area this weekend starting with tonight’s show in NYC. (Friday, Irving Plaza)

5.       Randy Bachman: Randy Bachman has seen a lot of success over the years, both as a founding member of Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Guess Who. This March, the singer will be taking on the music of late Beatle George Harrison with his new solo album ‘By George – By Bachman.’ Catch Bachman performing all of his hits at two special shows in New York this weekend. (Friday, Suffolk Theater; Saturday, B.B. King Blues Club)

6.       Bananarama: Known for hits like “Venus” and “Cruel Summer,” Bananarama has been making fun pop music for more than three decades. Late last year, the original line-up of Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and Siobhan Fahey reunited for a UK and North American tour, their first full-scale tour together. The tour comes to a close this weekend with one final show in New York.  (Saturday, Playstation Theater)

7.       Little Big Town: Last year, country group Little Big Town released their eighth studio album, ‘The Breaker,’ to rave reviews, earning them a Grammy win for Best Country Group and a nod for Best Country Album. The band is currently finishing up its “The Breakers” tour, which hits New York this weekend, and is getting set to hit the road on a co-headlining tour with Miranda Lambert this summer. (Saturday, Radio City Music Hall)

8.       Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: Postmodern Jukebox has been delighting fans online with their retro covers of popular songs for years. Now the group, with its rotating cast of musicians, is bringing the show on the road, making stops in New Jersey and Long Island this weekend. (Sunday, Bergen PAC; Monday, NYCB Theater at Westbury)

There are a lot of amazing shows big and small happening in the New York / New Jersey area this weekend. If you’re still looking for something to do, check out these or any of the other amazing shows happening in the area. Rock on!

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Before heading out to the venue this weekend, drop by Vinyl Bay 777 to pick up music from these and many more artists. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location and online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Gibson Could be going into Bankruptcy: A Brief History of the Iconic Guitar Manufacturer

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a brief look at Gibson’s financial predicament and musical history

 News broke yesterday that guitar manufacturer Gibson is potentially headed for bankruptcy. According to a report in The Nashville Post, the company has $375 million in senior secured notes that are set to mature with another $145 million that will become due if the previous notes aren’t refinanced by July 23. This means that if the deadline to refinance is not met, CEO Henry Juszkiewicz could face losing his company.

One of the largest names in guitars, Gibson was started by Orville Gibson in the late 1890s as a manufacturer of single-piece mandolin-family instruments. Their first guitars, circa the 1910s and 1920s featured a more durable violin-like shape. In the mid-1930s, the company made their first electric guitars, a Spanish-style lap guitar with a hexagonal pick-up referred to as the ES-150. Since those first designs more than a century ago, Gibson has produced several highly popular guitar models, including the Les Paul (solid-body), the SG, the ES, the Flying V, the Firebird and the Explorer, and continue to be innovators within the industry.

Gibson guitars have been a standard with rock, jazz, country and blues musicians for decades. Going back to the beginning, the ES-150 was endorsed by jazz musician Charlie Christian. Les Paul designed his groundbreaking solid-body electric guitar in the 1950s, which continue to be their most popular models. B.B. King’s “Lucille” was a custom ES-355. Other famous Gibson players include Beatles John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Guns ‘N’ Roses’ Slash (the company’s current ambassador), Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, both Arlo and Woodie Guthrie, Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, Bob Marley, Jimmy Page, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, just to name a few.

This isn’t the first time Gibson has been in hot water financially. In 1986, current CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and company president David Berryman bought the company from the Norlin Corporation, who had been slowly driving it into financial turmoil since 1969. At the time, sales were dropping, as was the quality of the product and the company’s reputation. Juszkiewicz and Berryman were able to salvage and repair the reputation of Gibson, as well as expand the company’s hold on the music industry, which includes the acquisition of many other instrument and technology companies. Some of their current holdings include Epiphone (guitars), Baldwin (pianos), Philips (audio equipment), KRK Systems (audio equipment), TEAC Corporation (audio equipment) and Cakewalk (audio software).

Unfortunately, things haven’t been going well for Gibson’s electronics acquisitions in recent years. Sales have been slumping, which has led to stakeholders fearing for their investments. It also doesn’t help that their CFO, Bill Lawrence, left in the midst of the financial issues less than a year after taking on the position.

Gibson doesn’t seem to be too worried about the bankruptcy issue though. In a statement made by the company today (reported by Billboard), they "fully expect the bonds to be refinanced in the ordinary course of business" and are "concluding a thorough strategic and budget planning process to identify those areas where it can maximize its investments, and pare back areas where investments have not been performing to expectation." The company has already sold a couple of their underperforming warehouses and is looking to streamline underperforming acquisitions, like Philips, to “focus on brands with optimal growth potential.” Gibson has already hired a new CFO, Benson Woo, to lead the company’s recovery efforts.

Whether or not the company finds a way to restructure their finances and holdings before the July 23 deadline, Gibson’s reputation for high-quality instruments to will likely remain untouched. The iconic company has been deeply rooted in music culture for more than a century with countless artists using their guitars to make history.

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Delve into music history by finding music from iconic Gibson players and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres ranging from rock, pop, rap and R&B to dance, classical, reggae and everything in between. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location and online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Ten Movie Soundtracks that Spent Months at Number One

Last week was a big one for movie soundtracks. With its blockbuster film taking the world by storm this weekend, the ‘Black Panther’ soundtrack has been breaking records of its own. Set to hit the number one spot on the Billboard 200 this week, it will become the second soundtrack to take that spot so far this year. According to Billboard, the album’s 154,000 equivalent album sales also give it the best opening week for a soundtrack since 2016. The soundtrack’s number one placement also means that there will be three soundtracks in the top five this week (‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ come in at 3 and 5, respectively), only the second time this has happened in the last 10 years and tenth time in the last 50.

Movie soundtracks have always been an important part of musical culture, with many topping the charts in the same way one expects a band or solo album to do.  Sometimes these albums exceed expectations, leading to some pretty long stays on the chart.

Inspired by this week’s chart news, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at movie soundtracks that have had long stays atop the Billboard 200. Here are 10 that became just as iconic on the charts as their film counterparts.

1.       ‘Saturday Night Fever’: One of the best-selling movie soundtracks of all time, ‘Saturday Night Fever’ spent a total of 24 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 45 million copies. Featuring some of the Bee Gees’ most beloved disco-period hits, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever” and “How Deep is Your Love,” the album was not only a soundtrack for the film, but also for the disco genre that was becoming popular at the time.

2.       ‘The Bodyguard’: With Whitney Houston at the top of her popularity in 1992, it’s no surprise that ‘The Bodyguard’ did well both in theaters and on the charts. The film’s soundtrack stayed at number one for 20 weeks and housed some of Houston’s biggest hits, including “I Have Nothing,” “I’m Every Woman” and her cover of “I Will Always Love You.” It also remains one of the best-selling albums of all time as well, moving more than 42 million units.

3.       ‘Frozen’: Disney had a huge hit on their hands when the studio released the computer animated film ‘Frozen’ in 2013. But it wasn’t only the film that was popular. “Let It Go” became one of the biggest songs of the year as well, picking up both Grammys and Oscars and making film star Idina Menzel becoming the first person with a Tony to have a top 10 pop hit. The popularity of the song led it’s soundtrack to top the Billboard 200 for 13 weeks.

4.       ‘Titanic’: The biggest film of 1998, ‘Titanic’ did everything but sink at theaters, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time. Its soundtrack didn’t slouch either. Anchored by the mega-hit “My Heart Will Go On,” the only vocal track on the album, the ‘Titanic’ soundtrack spent 16 weeks on the Billboard 200 and launched the career of Celine Dion.

5.       ‘The Lion King’: Disney has had a long history of best-selling soundtracks accompanying their films. Back in the 1990s, the studio released several soundtracks featuring popular artists that did very well. That especially went for ‘The Lion King.’ The songwriting team of Elton John and Tim Rice worked on the album, which produced two hits for John, including “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” With that kind of star-power, the soundtrack spent 10 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard 200.

6.       ‘Dirty Dancing’: ‘Dirty Dancing’ produced several hits upon its release in 1987, including Eric Carmen’s “Hungry Eyes,” Patrick Swayze’s “She’s Like the Wind” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, which soundtracked the penultimate scene where Swayze lifts Jennifer Grey above his head. “The Time of My Life” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts, leading the soundtrack itself to spend time atop the Billboard 200. It stayed there for 18 weeks.

7.        ‘Purple Rain’: In 1984, Prince released his first movie, ‘Purple Rain,’ to praise from both fans and critics alike. The only thing more popular than the film was its soundtrack. More of a Prince album than a soundtrack, the album featured nine new Prince originals that included the hits “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy.” The album hit number one on the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks (tying ‘Saturday Night Fever’) and becoming Prince’s only album to achieve Diamond certification (more than 10 Million units sold).

8.       ‘Blue Hawaii’: Elvis Presley released several film and soundtrack pairs. And while many of these produced hits for him, none was more successful on the charts than ‘Blue Hawaii.’ The film’s soundtrack spent 20 weeks at number one and led to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Rock-A-Hula Baby” becoming big hits.

9.       ‘Mary Poppins’: An early live-action hit for Disney, 1965’s ‘Mary Poppins’ was a wildly popular vehicle for stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, earning the former a Best Actress Oscar. The film’s soundtrack did well too. Featuring several songs that have become standards in the musical lexicon, including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” the album earned Oscars for Best Original Music Score and Best Song. That’s not to mention its popularity with fans young and old, which got the album to number one on the Billboard 200 and kept it there for 14 weeks.

10.   ‘West Side Story’: Not only did the ‘West Side Story’ soundtrack reach number one, but it broke all the records when it did. Upon release in 1961, the album spent 54 weeks in the top spot, a record that has not been broken by any album, soundtrack or not.

There are many cases where a film’s soundtrack will do just as well on the charts as its corresponding film does in the theaters. The above soundtracks have been able to stay on the charts longer than most solo or band albums. While the continued chart success of ‘Black Panther: The Album’ remains to be seen, its current place on the Billboard 200 proves that soundtracks remain an important part of music culture.

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Find many of these high-charting soundtracks and more amazing titles at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (February 11-17, 2018)

Another long week is finally over. Now that the weekend is here, it’s a great time to catch up on the latest music that came out over the last seven days.

This week saw the release of a lot of new music, especially in rock, pop and country. Willie Nelson announced his 73^rd album with a brand new song. Courtney Barnett and Brandi Carlile both released inspiring new songs from their upcoming albums.  We also got new rock tunes from the likes of Death From Above, Ryan Adams, Muse, The Plot In You, Moon Taxi, The Chainsmokers and Waterparks.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been searching for the best new songs and music videos of the week. Here are nine that we think are worth a listen.

1.       Brandi Carlile, “The Joke”: A beautiful and powerful anthem for anyone who has been put down by others, “The Joke” shares a message of strength in the face of adversity. It’s soft and subtle when it needs to be, showing compassion for such serious subject matter. At the end, Carlile ramps it up, powering through the final chorus with passion and strength. (video)

2.       Death From Above, “Caught Up”: “Caught Up” has a really nice 1990s alt-rock vibe to it. The drums and bass take turns conducting the song’s cadence in such a way that the song’s rhythm is never dull. It starts off slow and a bit fuzzed out with the drums playing lead before the bass takes over half way in to whip the song up into a frenzy, then brings it back down, far away from where it started. (video)

3.       Moon Taxi, “Not Too Late”: With a sound that mixes Imagine Dragons with 30 Seconds to Mars, Moon Taxi’s “Not Too Late” is a strong pop-rock track that wouldn’t feel out of place on alternative radio. The song is built up to sound anthemic, which is accented by synth beats, snare hits and group vocals. (video)

4.       Courtney Barnett, “Nameless, Faceless”: Earlier this week, Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett released the first single from her upcoming solo album, ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel.’ On “Nameless, Faceless,” her sing-speak vocals have this grungy, fuzzed out sound, as if they were recorded through a megaphone. Such makes the song feel even more like a soapbox speech where she takes a stab at the male ego, asking why men are the way they are. Barnett even uses a famous Margaret Atwood quote on the subject as the song’s chorus. (video)

5.       Donovan Woods, “Burn That Bridge”: “Burn That Bridge” is a catchy, acoustic tune about taking the next step from friends to “more than friends.” The song’s melody and lyrics drip with the excitement of new love. (video)

6.       Ryan Adams, “Baby I Love You”: Released on Valentine’s Day, Ryan Adams’ “Baby I Love You” is a sunny love song. It starts off in an early 60s rock n’ roll-style before delving into guitar-heavy 90s garage rock. (video)

7.       Willie Nelson, “Last Man Standing”: The title track from Willie Nelson’s upcoming 73^rd album, “Last Man Standing” deals with mortality, more specifically him outliving his contemporaries. Accompanied at a jaunty pace by his band, Nelson contemplates why he would be the one that is still here, saying that he “doesn’t want to be the last man standing,” then rethinking that thought, finding that there is a reason why he is still here. (video)

8.       Muse, “Thought Contagion”: On first listen, “Thought Contagion” is a very different song than most Muse fans are used to. The band goes for a harder edge here, flattening out its sound and making it heavier, like a funeral dirge. With that being said, not all of their lofty, arena rock elements are gone. You can still hear singer Matt Bellamy trying to break free of the darkness here and there. (video)

9.       The Chainsmokers, “You Owe Me”: The second one-off single from The Chainsmokers, “You Owe Me” finds the duo heading in a more pop-rock direction. The song lacks their signature looped beat (let’s just face it, is the same loop for every song), opting instead for real guitar, drums and synths. What hasn’t changed is the catchiness of the melody, which holds up against the songs fans and radio listeners are used to. (video)

From rock and pop to country, this week saw the release of a lot of great new songs and music videos. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what songs you’ve been listening to this week.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to find something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Live Shows to Check Out In New York / New Jersey this Weekend (February 16-18, 2018)

New York has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the country. Between the large-scale tours coming through the big venues and local artists playing the small, underground clubs, there is something going on just about every night.

This weekend is no different as there are plenty of shows taking place in the New York / New Jersey area that are worth checking out. From pop, rock and metal to funk and EDM, there is sure to be something to satisfy every music fan’s tastes.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of this weekend’s hottest shows. Here are nine guaranteed to get you out of the house and rocking out.

1.       X Ambassadors: X Ambassadors first hit it big with their 2015 hit “Renegades.” Now the Ithaca, NY band is back with their upcoming third album, ‘Joyful,’ ready to take over rock once again with their alt-rock sound. Now, Now, who will be playing their own show the next day at Music Hall of Williamsburg, will be opening. (Friday, Brooklyn Steel)[Sold Out]

2.       Joe Satriani: Joe Satriani released his 16^th studio album, ‘What Happens Next,’ last month, his most personal album to date. Following its release, the guitar virtuoso hit the road on his G3 2018 tour, taking fellow guitarists John Petrucci of Dream Theater and Phil Collen of Def Leppard along for the ride. After a club date Q & A last week, Satriani brings it back to the New York area for a couple of larger shows. (Friday, Beacon Theatre; Sunday, NJPAC)

3.       Pvris: Female-fronted post-hardcore band Pvris had a big year in 2017, releasing their second album, ‘All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell,’ to rave reviews. Their music is dramatic and urgent, mixing synth-pop with hard rock for a one-of-a-kind sound. (Saturday, Starland Ballroom)

4.       Of Mice & Men: Following the departure of frontman Austin Carlile, metalcore band Of Mice & Men has soldiered on, releasing their fifth studio album, ‘Defy,’ with bassist Aaron Pauley taking over vocal duties. Despite the change, the album still did well, debuting on the Billboard 200 at 48, Top Hard Rock Albums at three and Top Rock Albums at seven. The band is currently touring behind the album with blessthefall, Fire from the Gods, Cane Hill and MSCW as support. (Saturday, Gramercy Theatre; Sunday, The Stone Pony)

5.       August Burns Red: Speaking of metalcore, August Burns Red will also be in town this weekend. Last year, the band released their eighth studio album, ‘Phantom Anthem,’ which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 and earned them Grammy nod for Best Metal Performance.  The band is now on tour behind the album, with Born of Osiris, Erra and Ocean Grove opening. (Saturday, Irving Plaza)

6.       3LAU: Get out and dance this weekend when up-and-coming EDM DJ 3LAU hits New York’s Terminal 5. Since 2011, the DJ has been touring the world, performing at some of the hottest EDM festivals and working with some of the biggest names in the genre. ( Saturday, Terminal 5)

7.       Less Than Jake & Four Year Strong: Less Than Jake has been bringing ska-punk to the masses for more than 26 years and are still going strong. The band’s most recent EP, ‘Sound the Alarm,’ was released last February, debuting low on the Billboard 200. Their tour with hardcore band Four Year Strong, who released their latest album, ‘Some of You Will Like This, Some of You Won’t,’ in September, comes through New Jersey this weekend. (Sunday, Starland Ballroom)

8.       George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic are feeling good and celebrating Mardi Gras all the way through Easter and beyond on their Mardi Gras Madness tour. The band has a lot to celebrate in 2018, having released their first new song in more than 35 years last month with a new album to follow. The party will be coming to Long Island this weekend before heading west to Nashville. (Sunday, The Paramount Huntington)

9.       Phillip Phillips: Banking on his raspy vocals and acoustic style, Phillip Phillips has been able to carve out a niche for himself in pop music following his ‘American Idol’ win in 2012. The singer returned last month with his third studio album, ‘Collateral,’ which he told Radio.com “tell(s) the stories about the past three years – all the good, all the bad, all the sad, all the happy.” Phillips kicked off his ‘Magnetic Tour’ earlier this month, which makes a stop in New York this weekend. (Sunday, Irving Plaza)

Take advantage of the New York area’s bustling music scene this weekend by heading out and seeing a live show. Check out one of these or any of the other amazing shows that make the New York area music scene one of the best in the country.

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Live music and records go hand in hand. That’s why before the show, check out Vinyl Bay 777 to find music from these artists and more. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Seven Love Songs for Valentine's Day

Love songs are all around us. Not only has it been one of the most popular themes in music for the last six decades, but “love” has also been one of the most popular words in songs for the same period of time. This means that there is no shortage of songs to tell your significant other how you feel about them on Valentine’s Day.

We all know that the right song can set the mood for a day or moment. The same goes for love songs. Just as cathartic as they might be for their singers, the right love song can help it’s listener express how they feel about their significant other.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has created a list of some of our favorite love songs from the last six decades. Here are seven songs to help you express your feelings to the one you love.

1.       Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”: Ed Sheeran always has that one song on an album that screams “I Love You” from the top of its lungs. On 2017’s ‘÷,’ that song was “Perfect.” The vivid image Sheeran paints with his words, describing the love he has for his girl, combined with its waltz timing and heart-fluttering voice, can’t help but make you smile. This song is bound to be the wedding song of so many couples to come. (video)

2.       Sixpence None the Richer, “Kiss Me”: Sixpence None the Richer had two hits in their career: their cover of The La’s “There She Goes” and original “Kiss Me.” The latter’s ultra-sweet lyrics about the perfect way to end the perfect date continue to invoke warm thoughts nearly two decades later. (video)

3.       Savage Garden, “Truly, Madly, Deeply”: There’s a reason why “Truly, Madly, Deeply” is one of those songs that people constantly come back to on Valentine’s Day year after year. The devotion expressed in the song’s lyrics is sweet without being too over the top (a la Bruno Mars’ “Grenade”).  Anyone who loves love has to admire the kind that will withstand the end of the world. (video)

4.       Stevie Wonder, “I Just Called to Say I Love You”: Another song that gets renewed interest every Valentine’s Day, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” is Wonder’s ode to the power of the words “I Love You.” Letting the one you love know how you feel and that you care is important, especially when it’s not expected. (video)

5.       Elvis Presley, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”: A classic inside and out, Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has been covered by just about everyone. Its smooth melody, with its slight country tinge, and sweet, innocent lyrics convey the feeling of loving someone so completely. (video)

6.       Celine Dion, “Because You Loved Me”: Actions speak louder than words and the lyrics for “Because You Loved Me” attest to that. The song describes the gratefulness the protagonist feels from their partner whose love has helped them be the best they could be, even at their lowest point. Now that’s love. (video)

7.       All-4-One, “I Swear”: Originally written by John Michael Montgomery and most famously covered by All-4-One, “I Swear” is a passionate confession of one’s devotion to their partner. The protagonist here is overwhelmingly in love with their significant other, to the point that they want to spend the rest of their lives with them. (video)

Love is a very popular theme in music and has been for decades. That is why it is imperative to find the right one that expresses precisely how you feel about your significant other. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what your favorite love songs are. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Find the perfect music for your Valentine’s Day celebration at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to set the mood. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Bands Who Are Reuniting in 2018

Last week, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, took a look at artists who have decided to retire in 2018. But for every artist that is bowing out, there are others that are looking to get back into the game.

In the last couple of months alone, there have been a large handful of bands who have decided to get back together. For some of these artists, their reunion will come in the form of a tour. For others, the members came together in the studio to record new music. Whether it’s the former, the latter or both, these reunions are enough to get rock and pop fans excited.

 We here at Vinyl Bay 777 love a good reunion. That’s why we’re taking a look at some of the reunions we have to look forward to in 2018. Here are seven that we can’t wait to check out.

1.       Smashing Pumpkins: Probably the most anticipated of these reunions, the original line-up of the Smashing Pumpkins has not released music together since 2000. But that’s about to change this year. In January, photos started to surface of Billy Corgan in the studio with James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, which created rumors that the band was putting aside their differences and getting back together. The only person missing from the reunion is bassist D’arcy Wretzky, who says her invitation to reunite was rescinded by Corgan. There is currently a countdown clock on the Pumpkins’ website indicating that (as of writing this article) something is going to be announced or released in less than two days, presumably 11 AM on February 15.

2.       L7: In September, female punk band L7 stunned everyone when they released “Dispatch from Mar-a-Lago,” their first new song in nearly 18 years. The reunion continued this week with the release of a new song, “I Came Back to Bitch” and the announcement of a short tour (There is no New York date). No full-length album has been announced yet, though singer Donita Sparks told Rolling Stone that she has written more songs.

3.       Gaslight Anthem: 2018 marks the 10^th anniversary of the Gaslight Anthem’s debut album, ‘The 59 Sound.’ In honor of the milestone, the band has announced a handful of tour dates for this summer, which includes a set at New York’s Governors Ball Music Festival. This will be the first time the band has played together since announcing their indefinite hiatus in 2015. However, this tour will probably be all we see from the band for a while. Frontman Brian Fallon told Rolling Stone in an interview that fans should not expect new music.

4.       Spice Girls (Maybe): Rumors of a Spice Girls reunion started circulating earlier this month when “Baby Spice” Emma Bunton posted a photo on Instagram of the five members posing together. News started to snowball from there with TMZ reporting that the girl group was going to tour the US and UK this year. That rumor has since been shut down by “Posh Spice” Victoria Beckem, who said in an interview with Vogue that they were only bouncing ideas off each other. Even so, fans are hoping that more will be coming from the Spice Girls camp this year. The last time all five reunited was in 2012.

5.       The Distillers: Back in January, frontwoman Brody Dalle posted a video to her Instagram of her rocking out in slo-mo with the caption “The Distillers 2018” set to new music. Following a week later, it was announced that the band would be playing their first show in 12 years at Atlanta, GA’s Shaky Knees Festival, with an entire tour announced a week after that (There is no New York date yet). There is no word yet on if there will be a new album.

6.       Sugarland: After going their own ways in 2012, country duo Sugarland announced late last year that they would be reuniting for a new album and tour. The duo released the single, “Still The Same” in December, though no date for a full album has been announced yet. The tour, however, will take place this spring / summer, with North American dates starting on May 4 and wrapping up on September 8 with a date at New Jersey’s Prudential Center.

7.       Belly: Though 1990s alt-rockers Belly began their reunion in 2016, the band has finally announced that they will be releasing their first album of new music in more than two decades this year. ‘Dove’ is set to hit shelves on April 6.

With the extreme amount of artists that have announced that they were calling it quits in 2018, there have also been a lot of bands so far who have announced their reunion. Whether it’s for a short tour or a full album, we can’t wait to see what these bands have in store for fans in the future.

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Find music from these reunited artists and more at Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.