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San Francisco Proto-Industrial Legends Chrome Resurface With ‘The Visitation’ 50th Anniversary Reissue

Eric Alper
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San Francisco Proto-Industrial Legends Chrome Resurface With ‘The Visitation’ 50th Anniversary Reissue

Cleopatra Records have unveiled “Return To Zanzibar” ahead of their 50th anniversary reissue of Chrome’s 1976 debut album ‘The Visitation,’ arriving April 17. Long out of reach for most collectors, original pressings have commanded steep resale prices, making this edition a welcome return for one of underground rock’s most uncompromising statements.

Formed in mid-1970s San Francisco around founder Damon Edge, alongside John Cyborg, Mike Low and Gary Spain, Chrome built a sound that rejected convention. Electric violin, Moog, guitars, bass, tape machines and a refusal to play by the rules fueled a record that tore into psychedelic punk and rebuilt it in harsher, stranger form. The influence of Can, Jimi Hendrix, Captain Beefheart and The Residents runs deep, but the result feels singular.

Industrial music’s roots echo throughout ‘The Visitation,’ and its strain of space rock carries a jagged edge that still feels volatile. A startling new video for “Return To Zanzibar” underscores that volatility, pairing the track’s restless energy with vivid visuals. The reissue also features liner notes by Chrome historian Neil Martinson, offering deeper context into the album’s creation and legacy.

The CD edition expands the story with a bonus disc collecting two Damon Edge solo albums, 1986’s ‘Grand Visions’ and 1987’s ‘Surreal Rock.’ Together, they showcase the restless imagination that powered Chrome from the beginning.

Tracklisting:

DISC 1

  1. How Many Years Too Soon?
  2. Raider
  3. Return to Zanzibar
  4. Caroline
  5. Riding You
  6. Kinky Lover
  7. Sun Control
  8. My Time to Live
  9. Memory Cords Over The Bay
  10. Damon Edge 1981 interview [CD ONLY]

DISC 2 [CD ONLY]

  1. That’s Ok for Me
  2. In the Light Fields
  3. Anna
  4. No Reason to Leave from the Sun
  5. The Android Stroll
  6. There’s No Difference for You or Me
  7. A Grand Vision
  8. Coming Through for You
  9. I’m Not a Loner
  10. You Know My Heart Is True
  11. I Found Us a Home
  12. Surreal Real Soon
  13. We Are Not Dying
  14. The Sight to Sea

Classic ’70s Pop Landmark Carly Simon’s ‘No Secrets’ Gets 45RPM Audiophile Treatment

Eric Alper
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Classic ’70s Pop Landmark Carly Simon’s ‘No Secrets’ Gets 45RPM Audiophile Treatment

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab announces the first-ever 45RPM audiophile release of Carly Simon’s breakthrough album ‘No Secrets.’ The landmark 1970s singer-songwriter set arrives February 20 as a numbered 180g 45RPM 2LP edition, limited to 3,000 copies. Sourced from the original master tapes and pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing in California, the reissue is housed in a premium Stoughton gatefold jacket.

Recorded at Trident Studios in London and produced by Richard Perry, the album features contributions from James Taylor, Mick Jagger, Paul and Linda McCartney, Lowell George and Klaus Voormann. The expanded 45RPM format allows the arrangements to breathe, revealing depth in the strings, backing vocals and Simon’s unmistakable delivery. The presentation feels immersive and alive.

The platinum-certified record is anchored by the No. 1 hit “You’re So Vain,” ranked by Rolling Stone among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Across the album, Simon moves through introspective confessionals, folk-rock bite and blues-tinged textures with steady command. This edition honors that range with warmth, balance and remarkable detail.

Track List:

Side One:
The Right Thing to Do
The Carter Family

Side Two:
You’re So Vain
His Friends Are More Than Fond of Robin
We Have No Secrets

Side Three:
Embrace Me, You Child
Waited So Long

Side Four:
It Was So Easy
Night Owl
When You Close Your Eyes

Andrew McMahon Revives “Three Pianos” For August Run

Eric Alper
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Andrew McMahon Revives “Three Pianos” For August Run

Veteran California indie-pop singer-songwriter-pianist Andrew McMahon has announced the return of “Three Pianos: An Evening with Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness,” bringing the career-spanning event to three cities this August. The special production unites McMahon with all three of his projects and the personal pianos that soundtrack each chapter of his life.

The August dates include Philadelphia on August 8, Chicago on August 14 and Long Beach, California on August 22. In addition, two intimate “An Evening With Andrew McMahon” performances will take place in Philadelphia on August 6 and Chicago on August 12. Camp Wilderness fan club presale begins February 17 at 12pm ET and 9am PT, with additional presales running February 18 and February 19 at 10am local time. The public on-sale starts February 20 at 10am local time. One dollar from every ticket benefits the Dear Jack Foundation.

“Last summer’s Three Pianos show was life changing,” shares McMahon. “Nothing could have prepared me for the magic I felt that night. Sharing the stage with the members of all three of my bands and getting to weave a lifetime’s worth of songs and memories into a single show is something I’d wanted to do for years but was too scared to try. Having done it once, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a moment deserving of a few more stages and a few more nights with my friends and collaborators and the fans that gave our music a home.”

French Synth-Pop Visionary Mango In Euphoria Ignites With “ARM CANDY”

Eric Alper
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French Synth-Pop Visionary Mango In Euphoria Ignites With “ARM CANDY”

French synth-pop riser Mango In Euphoria steps forward with “ARM CANDY,” her most striking and talked-about release to date. Cinematic and edged with danger, the single glows with late-night neon energy while locking into a sleek retro pulse. It places her firmly at the front of a new European wave driven by analog textures and bold storytelling.

Though she has not publicly unpacked the song’s meaning, “ARM CANDY” sketches a world of industry pressure, illusion and emotional performance. It arrives as another preview of her upcoming EP “Lethal Lust,” a project she has described as confronting men in the industry who dismissed and underestimated her for years. The message lands direct and unfiltered.

The recurring line “sell your soul, grab your arm candy” slices into fame culture and transactional intimacy. French lyric passages add intimacy, revealing a tension between self-protection and the need for truth. The record feels emotionally exposed yet commanding, a seductive but defiant statement that lingers long after the final chorus.

Early live performances have fueled conversation, especially the charged onstage dynamic between Mango and her new permanent bassist Falko, a connection echoed in the music video. The chemistry reads almost narrative, intensifying the song’s themes of power and perception. “ARM CANDY” stands tall as a bold synth-pop anthem with ambition running straight through it.

Los Angeles Indie Pop Duo Queen Anne Strut Into “Watch Me Win It”

Eric Alper
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Los Angeles Indie Pop Duo Queen Anne Strut Into “Watch Me Win It”

Los Angeles indie pop duo Queen Anne return with “Watch Me Win It,” a sharp, radio-ready single that pulls from multiple eras of pop. The track folds a wink of rockabilly into a sleek modern indie frame, giving it bounce and bite at the same time. It is bright, playful and built to stick. “Watch Me Win It” lands with undeniable charm and a hook that refuses to loosen its grip.

The song carries a mischievous streak. There is wit in the writing and levity in the delivery, a balance that keeps the energy buoyant without losing focus. It follows last year’s debut “Real Enough,” which introduced their character-driven storytelling and quick-turn phrasing. This new release pushes that personality further, sharpening both the humor and the musical muscle.

Commenting on the track, frontwoman Katie Silverman says, “The inspiration for ‘Watch Me Win It’ came when I had like three victory points in my hand during a game of Catan, and nobody had the slightest clue. They all pretty much counted me out because I only had a couple settlements, but then I built a city and turned over my development cards, and that was that.”

Queen Anne is led by Silverman alongside veteran writer and producer Sandy Chila. Silverman, who recently turned 21, has worked in film, television and theatre since the age of five, with appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, General Hospital and New Girl. The duo also drew attention for their bold take on David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” reimagining a classic with confidence. With each release, Queen Anne tighten their sound and make their case in real time.

South Wales Psych-Rock Outfit Waterpistol Unleash Shoegaze Glow On “Felin”

Eric Alper
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South Wales Psych-Rock Outfit Waterpistol Unleash Shoegaze Glow On “Felin”

South Wales psych-rock six-piece Waterpistol return with “Felin,” their first release of 2026, following their BBC Horizons 2026 Launchpad Fund award in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and Arts Council Wales. The new single sharpens their identity, threading 90s shoegaze guitar textures through the pulse of golden age rock and roll.

Formed in late 2022, the band played their first show in April 2023 supporting CVC at a sold-out hometown date. Momentum built quickly. Festival appearances at FOCUS Wales, Green Man, Sŵn Festival and In It Together Festival put them in front of fast-growing crowds, tightening their chemistry and expanding their reach.

Previous singles laid the groundwork. “Shotgun” picked up airplay across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales and Amazing Radio, while October 2024 release “Où est ton âme?” earned playlist support from DIY Magazine. Across each track, their devotion to touchstones like The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The La’s and Shack runs deep without feeling nostalgic.

With “Felin,” Waterpistol turn inward, exploring the emotional peaks and dips of the creative process. It serves as the first glimpse of a broader body of work already taking shape. The band sound locked in and self-assured, pushing their swirling guitars and melodic instincts into sharper focus.

London Alt-Pop Star flowerovlove Serves Sass On “Casual Lady”

Eric Alper
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London Alt-Pop Star flowerovlove Serves Sass On “Casual Lady”

London alt-pop artist flowerovlove steps back into the spotlight with “Casual Lady,” released today on Capitol Records. At 20, she continues carving out a lane built on sharp instincts and unfiltered storytelling. This time, she zeroes in on the moment a self-declared emotionally unavailable woman finds herself spiraling over someone she did not plan for.

The song thrives on tension. Cool-girl composure collides with sudden vulnerability, and the hook leans all the way into that inner conflict. An opening voice note from Madeline Argy sets the scene like a group chat confession. It is punchy, stylish and brutally honest. “Casual Lady” feels tailor-made for late-night drives and screenshots you almost regret sending.

flowerovlove co-wrote the track with Justin Tranter, Russell Chell, Skyler Stonestreet and Ryland Blackinton, with Tranter, Chell and Blackinton handling production. The release arrives ahead of a stacked 2026 festival schedule: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California on April 12 and April 19, The Governors Ball in New York City on June 6, and Benicàssim Festival in Spain on July 17.

Her live résumé keeps expanding. In 2025, she shared stages with Olivia Rodrigo at Hyde Park in London, joined Khalid at the Washington State Fair, and toured North America alongside Haim and Halsey. The new single lands right as those bigger stages come into focus, and it carries the kind of spark that translates far beyond headphones.

Billy Idol Hits The Big Screen With ‘Billy Idol Should Be Dead’ With Trailer From The Documentary

Eric Alper
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Billy Idol Hits The Big Screen With ‘Billy Idol Should Be Dead’ With Trailer From The Documentary

The story of British punk rock trailblazer Billy Idol is heading to theaters. The rights to the new documentary ‘Billy Idol Should Be Dead’ have been acquired by Evan Saxon Productions, with a United States theatrical release set for Feb. 27. Directed by three-time Grammy winner Jonas Åkerlund and produced by Live Nation Studios, the film debuted at several festivals in 2025 ahead of a wider 2026 rollout.

Through never-before-seen archival footage and candid interviews with Idol, his family, peers and collaborators, the documentary traces his evolution from Generation X frontman to MTV-era global superstar. It captures the velocity of his rise and the personal battles that shaped him across five decades in music. The result lands as a powerful and heartfelt portrait that demands to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.

“Billy Idol is a larger-than-life artist who changed the face of pop culture and music history during his 50-year career,” said Evan Saxon. “From Generation X to now, he’s still selling out arenas around the globe. We are honored to work with Another Planet’s Laurence Freedman and Live Nation to bring the powerful and heartfelt documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead to his fans on the biggest cinema screens worldwide.”

The documentary also features the song “Dying To Live,” written by Idol and J. Ralph alongside longtime collaborators Steve Stevens, Tommy English and Joe Janiak. The track was named to the shortlist for Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards, adding another chapter to a career that continues to resonate across generations.

Tom Noonan Dies At 74, Leaving A Legacy Of Unforgettable Outsiders

Eric Alper
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Tom Noonan Dies At 74, Leaving A Legacy Of Unforgettable Outsiders

Beloved character actor Tom Noonan has died at 74. The news was shared by longtime collaborator Karen Sillas, who said he passed peacefully on Valentine’s Day 2026. No cause of death has been announced. Tributes quickly followed from colleagues who worked with him across film, theater, and television.

Noonan was widely recognized for his chilling performance as Francis Dollarhyde in Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann. His portrayal of the serial killer known as The Tooth Fairy remains one of the most haunting in modern crime cinema. He also memorably played Frankenstein’s monster in The Monster Squad and the villain Cain in RoboCop 2, bringing depth and humanity to characters that could have been one-note.

Beyond acting, Noonan built a respected career as a writer and director. His film What Happened Was…, adapted from his own Off-Broadway play, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1994. The intimate two-character drama, co-starring Sillas, became a defining work of 1990s American independent cinema.

Across decades, Noonan appeared in projects ranging from Last Action Hero to Synecdoche, New York, as well as series including The X-Files and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Whether portraying quiet menace or wounded vulnerability, he brought unmistakable gravity to every role. Colleagues described him as a gentleman, a scholar, and a singular talent whose work will endure.

Halle Bailey And Diane Warren Join Forces For ‘The Crystal Planet’ Original Song

Eric Alper
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0
Halle Bailey And Diane Warren Join Forces For ‘The Crystal Planet’ Original Song

Halle Bailey has teamed up with multi-Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren for a new original song in the upcoming 3D animated family sci-fi adventure “The Crystal Planet.” The track, titled “Somewhere We All Belong,” was announced by Sola Media during the European Film Market in Berlin, where the company is handling international sales.

Warren, who recently earned her 17th Academy Award nomination and received an Honorary Oscar in 2022, wrote the song for the film. Bailey performs the track, which underscores the story’s themes of identity, empathy, and belonging. Director Arsen Anton Ostojic said the collaboration “captures the emotional heart” of the film and adds a universal quality to its message about compassion and coexistence.

“The Crystal Planet” follows 11-year-old Rea, who moves with her father to a distant outer-space colony. There, she befriends a mysterious cub and must protect it from a ruthless industrialist seeking to turn the creature into a robotic prototype. The voice cast includes Jeremy Irons, Vanessa Redgrave, and Michael York. The film is based on an original screenplay by the late Dušan Vukotić, the first non-American to win an Academy Award for animation.

Production is led by Filmosaurus Rex, BFilm, and Alkay Animation Prague, with animation supervised by Jakub Pištecký. The project is backed by several European film bodies, including the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Czech Audiovisual Fund, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Creative Europe/MEDIA, Eurimages, Czech Television, and Croatian Television.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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