Musically, this summer has been one of the best in recent memory. Amazing tours, & excellent new tunes! This August, the Summer wraps up with several excellent new releases. With school starting & people buckling down to slowly start preparing for the holidays, these can be stressful times.
The Pier would like to let fans know about 6 new albums that may help you mellow out as the end of the year ramps up! Between Reggae, Ska, Punk & Hip Hop, there’s always something for everyone under the Reggae-Rock umbrella. This August is no exception with these 6 new releases. Lets check it out…
August 2012 Album Releases
SexRat – Masters of Obscurity
Release Date: August 2nd
Forming in 2005, the Sacramento-based, psychedelic reggae rock trio has released a full length follow up to their 2007 self-titled album. Produced by famed studio engineer, Sylvia Massy, through the bands own home-grown, DIY label, Half Of Nothing Records, Masters Of Obscurity, as the album is affectionately known, celebrates Sexrats’ no-holds-barred, freewheeling ethos with twelve tracks that run the gamut from boisterous pandemonium to reflective ballads. The release of the CD will be limited to local live shows and through Sexrat’s website. Half Of Nothing Records, is slated to begin worldwide distribution through the INgrooves Fontana network this fall.
Read The Pier’s official Album Review & Star Rating by clicking HERE.
Slightly Stoopid – Top of the World
Release Date: August 14th
Debuting at number one on the iTunes Top Alternative Album Chart, Slightly Stoopid’s long awaited and highly anticipated new album, Top Of The World has landed with impact! For their latest studio effort, The Ocean Beach, California-based seven piece, led by multi-instrumentalists co-founders, Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, joined forces with an amazing array of artist to produce that signature Stoopid sound. Top Of The World represents the most recent chapter in the band’s prolific recording history, showcasing a sound more mature, and more diversified, while still retaining an honest respect for its roots, developed by imitate live performances. Slightly Stoopid’s seventh studio album Top Of The World will be available on all platforms through the band’s own Stoopid Records.
Read The Pier’s official Album Review & Star Rating by clicking HERE.
Tommy Dubs – The Ebb Tide Motel
Release Date: August 18th
Tommy Dubs has now released his 5th full length album, and his second with Seismic Leveler. The nine track, Ebb Tide Motel hit the stores August 18th, featuring guest appearances from Piracy Mel C, C-Money, Jeff Hodson, and Melisa Barrison. Ebb Tide Motel looks to stray away from the sounds and ideas of previous Tommy Dubs albums, and instead bring the fans something completely new. The ideas behind the record are inspired by life in Ocean Beach, CA, often known for its “sunny beaches and shady people.” The Ebb Tide Motel is a well known pit stop in the California town, which Dubs saw as a metaphor for a state of mind; a place we all must leave but may not want to.
Read more about the album HERE.
Micah Brown –The Isle of Her
Release Date: August 28th
For his debut studio album, Micah will take fans on a trip to The Isle of Her, a solo project consisting of 14 original tracks, the product of over two years of work with producer Lewis Richards (Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads) at Costa Mesa’s 17th Street Recording Studios. “… The sound of the music itself is like a mixtape of all my musical influences, interpreted by myself, taken to the next level with production and guidance from Lewis Richards… I had the honor of having many amazing musicians play on the record, which brought the overall quality up another level as well…”
The Isle of Her showcases his California soul-folk sound, polished from ample work on the road. Check out Micah’s unique mellow acoustic fusion of styles on August 28th.
Read more about the forthcoming album HERE
Morgan Heritage – The Return EP
Release Date: August 28th
After a five years hiatus, VP Records presents Morgan Heritage – The Return, a four song EP, produced by Shane Brown. The Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage has returned to the studio! The five original group members (Peter, Gramps, Una, Mojo and Lukes Morgan) cut a four song digital EP, aptly titled “The Return.” The EP showcases the Morgan Heritage sound that fans around the world, have come to know and love. The new, follow up, full length Morgan Heritage album is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2013 through Jamaica, New York based VP Records and Morgan Heritage owned label Gedion Music!
Easy Star All Stars –Thrillah
Release Date: August 28th
Easy Star All-Stars is set to release their latest tribute album with Michael Jackson’s THRILLAH! Thanks to their best-selling tribute album releases, Dub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006), and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009), the remix album Dubber Side of the Moon (2010), as well as original releases Until That Day EP (2008) and First Light (2011), the Easy Star All-Stars have built a growing, dedicated fan base throughout the world, bringing together fans of reggae, classic rock, dub and indie rock into one big family.
The Easy Star All-Stars have again reverted back to their monumental tribute fashion with a new release set for August 28th 2012 via Easy Star Records. The ever-revolving cast of musicians will release their fourth tribute album honoring one of many famed musical icons. The Easy Star All-Stars fourth tribute album will honor: Michael Jackson with their August release of Thrillah following their Billy Jean EP that was digitally released on July 12th. The Thrillah album will feature guest appearances by The Green, Mojo Morgan, Steel Pulse, Cas Haley, Luciano and many more!
You can purchase the new album on iTunes by clicking HERE
Whenever there is new music, there is generally tours to support them, so be sure to check our Show Locator to see where each band will be playing next. If there’s a group you don’t see inside our Show Locator, let us know and we’ll update it!
Article By: Aaron Solomon