It’s the first week of July and we already have some kick ass releases to start the month off with. July may have some of the years most anticipated albums all inside of one month. We took a look at some of July’s most exciting releases to look forward to. Remember to save that money because the year isn’t over yet.
For the month of July we take a look at 9 different albums capable of being your 2011 Summer time soundtrack. I can’t remember a time where there was a summer with this many anticipated releases, yet alone for the month of July. It might take the rest of the year just to be able to absorb all of this new music.
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. In the meantime, save your paycheck and take a peak at what July holds for us with new album releases…
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS!?
Which albums do you recommend for the month of July!?
Let us know by sparking up a discussion inside our Pier Forum
July 2011 Album Releases
Fortunate Youth – Irie State of Mind
Release Date: July 1st, 2011
Fortunate Youth releases their debut full length album titled “Irie State of Mind” on July 1st, 2011. The 12 track album was recorded & produced at 17th Street Studios in Costa Mesa, CA with Lew Richards. Music was also recorded by Ben Cohen at Sky Blue studios in Los Alamitos, CA. This is the first release since their 6 track “Up-Lifted” EP and features guest appearances by Matt Liufau & Juan Rios of Seedless along with Susie Liufau, sister of Matt, all on vocals. “Matthew has such a unique soulful and charismatic voice. He is one of the only guys whose singing can give you goose bumps.” states Dan Kelly, (Lead Vocals). “The Matt collab. really just happened” continues Jered, “We were playing shows with Seedless and just invited him up to free style on “Jah Music” and he cruuushed it. It was recorded on video so he just wrote his verse and we’ve been jammin’ it ever since.”
You can pick this album up today on itunes by clicking HERE
Read Matt Emodi’s Album Review for Irie State of Mind by clicking HERE
Ashes of Babylon – Day to Day Living
Release Date: July 2nd, 2011
Ashes of Babylon is a unique roots reggae group originally hailing from Lake Charles, Louisiana and now based out of Austin, Texas. On July 2nd, 2011 they released their sophomore album titled “Day to Day Living”. The album boasts 14 tracks & with four songwriters inside a 8 piece group, complete with a full horn section accompanied by 3-part harmonies with bubbly keys, their sound includes unique perspectives on life and music. THe album was produced by the group and mixed by Dave Percefull at Yellow Dog Studios & Mastered by Derek Taylor at Milo Studios. The feeling of the album was envisioned to give an authentic picture of the group’s live show. “Day to Day Living is all about waking up every morning and being ready for whatever life has to throw at you. A lot of the songs on the record share a similar theme and explore those types of situations..Which is why we thought it would work great as a title track.”
Read Matt Emodi’s Album Review for Day to Day Living by clicking HERE
Sublime with Rome – Yours Truly
Release Date: July 12th, 2011
Back in January The Pier was able to catch up with Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh to discuss this anticipated new release and at the time, Bud described the album to be “reminiscent of the (Sublime) Self Titled album. Punk, Ska, Reggae, Rock, Hip Hop, very Sublime!”. 6 Months later and Sublime with Rome, has a 12 track album with 3 bonus tracks set for it’s July 12th release under Fueled By Ramen. The album features Wiz Khalifa on the song “Can You Feel It”. Wiz is a rapper out of Pittsburg, PA and is best known for his recent song “Black and Yellow” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100! The album also includes female vocalists Aimee Allen & Dj Rocky Rock, who was once featured as The Dirty Heads DJ. The suspense of what this album will contribute to the legacy that is Sublime is slowly unfolding and the argument continues between the older generation of Sublime fans and the new. For Rome, it’s a coming out party as he’s debuting a lot of his songs with the 2 remaining members of Sublime anchoring him with the drum & bass. As a result, you have Sublime…With Rome and Yours Truly is out July 12th, 2011.
Follow all things Sublime inside our Exclusive Sublime Blog by clicking HERE
Through The Roots – Here To Say EP
Release Date: July 12th
After wrapping up their Spring Harvest tour with Tribal Seeds, San Diego’s own Through The Roots will be releasing their new 4 track EP titled Here To Stay on July 12th, 2011. The Pier caught up with Evan Hawkins of Through The Roots and here’s what he had to say about the new EP: “This EP is a display of our growth as a band, and we are very proud to show off this growth to all of our listeners. The Album title track “Here to Stay” is exactly how we feel, Through the Roots will be “Here to Stay”.
Fiction 20 Down – Do Not Feed The Radio EP
Release Date: July 12th, 2011
Fiction 20 Down announces their new EP, Do Not Feed the Radio. With this release, F20D brings their deft blend of reggae-bluesy rock together for five clean and perfectly blended tunes. Do Not Feed the Radio builds upon the signature sound developed in F20D’s earlier works, as the band stepped up their game by spending more time than ever in the studio, getting everything just right. With producer Drew Mazurek (Linkin Park, Jack’s Mannequin) at the helm, this EP is the epitome of what a good Summer EP should be, letting the listener wander across a colorful landscape of blues, reggae, Hawaiian styles and rock.
Stranger – World Underground
Release Date: July 15th, 2011
“World Underground” is the newest release from San Diego’s Stranger. It was recorded at Studio West(San Diego), 17th Street(Costa Mesa) and STRANGER’s own project studio in Chula Vista, CA. It encompasses four years of growth for the band and expresses a message of consciousness and community through music. Each of the thirteen songs are unique in their own right while maintaining a fundamental roots reggae vibe. Stranger is set to release their next album World Undergound at their House of Blues CD Release party on July 15th, 2011 in San Diego, CA.
311 – Universal Pulse
Release Date: July 19th, 2011
311 will be releasing their twelfth studio album on ATO Records on July 19th, 2011. The new album, titled Universal Pulse was produced by Bob Rock, (Metallica, Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe,The Offspring) and it was recorded at 311’s own personal studio, The Hive, in North Hollywood, CA. It is said that this will be the shortest album yet, only having 8 songs and no b-sides. Nick Hexum said that the new album will have a more “focused” approach with a heavier sound featuring distorted guitars on every song. On Universal Pulse, Nick Hexum says, The title is a nod to the ideology of unity through music and its collective energy.” P-Nut adds, “We are interconnected, music is our bridge.” This is 311’s first release since 2009’s Uplifter and Sonny Kay is responsible for the unique album cover as well as the CD package that contains a 12 page booklet!
Tribal Seeds – Soundwaves EP
Release Date: July 19th 2011
Holding it down for San Diego, CA, Tribal Seeds will be releasing their new EP titled Soundwaves on July 19th. The EP was produced by Tony-Ray/Tribal Seeds & E.N. Young out of Studio West Recording in San Diego, CA. The EP will include 5 brand new songs including a guest appearance by Eric Rachmany of Rebelution on the EP titled track Soundwaves. Tony-Ray of Tribal Seeds told The Pier the EP is “Mixing traditional styles; roots, reggae & a modern sound. I feel our SoundWaves EP has a fresh style and vibe ready for summertime!”.
Doug Means Project – 2.0
Release Date: July 19th 2011
Straight out of Long Beach, CA, the funky blend of rock, reggae & hip hop that is the Doug Means Project, is set to release their next album titled 2.0. It features a slew of guest appearances by Rome Ramirez (of Sublime with Rome), Demus, Toko Tasi, Jeremy from Meet Me at the Pub, Kat Nestal, and I Timothy on Trombone from the Untouchables.
This new release also has a couple bonus tracks from the final Nobody Cares EP (Doug Means old group), and a unreleased song with Toko Tasi and Mic Dangerously from Zen Robbi. The first 11 tracks were recorded over at 17th Street Studios with Lewis Richards.