Page 311 – That Eric Alper

Talk Talk’s ‘Spirit of Eden’ To Be Reissued On Half-Speed Mastered Vinyl

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

Talk Talk’s ‘Spirit of Eden’ To Be Reissued On Half-Speed Mastered Vinyl

Since its original release in 1988, Talk Talk’s critically acclaimed fourth album ‘Spirit Of Eden’ has grown to become one of the most influential albums of the 80’s. A step away from its hugely commercially successful predecessor ‘The Colour Of Spring’, ‘Spirit Of Eden’ is steeped in legend for its long and improvisational recording sessions that created a body of work that would go on to be vital in the creation of post-rock as a genre and has subsequently been credited by NME in 2013 as one of the top 100 of their ‘500 Greatest Album Of All Time”, Q Magazine’s ‘40 Best Albums of the ’80s’ and was 419 in Colin Larkins acclaimed book ‘All Time Top 1000 Albums’.

This new reissue is a single-vinyl cut at half-speed by Matt Colton at Metropolis and overseen by drummer Lee Harris and Mark Hollis’ son Charlie. It will be released on 23 January 2026 and is available to pre-order here.

Upon its original release it was met with huge critical acclaim despite it being a hugely challenging album to market – the nature of the music meant that it did not offer up any obvious singles for radio promotion or the ability for the band to play it live due to its improvisational nature.

Reviews however were incredible Mojo 5/5, Uncut 10/10, Pitchfork 10/10, Record Collector 5/5, Sounds 5/5, Q 4/5, NME 7/10, Record Mirror 4/5. Record Mirror called them “a law unto themselves, unconstrained by narrow ideas of ‘what will sell'”, while Q Magazine likened the album to “the pastoral epics of the early 70s” and noted “a range, ambition and self-sufficiency that enables Hollis and co to step out of time and into their own”. Sounds said they had “evolved into contemplative muso-techs”, and “uncommonly beautiful”.

As time rolls on, the album’s importance has become more realised and it holds greater significance in the annals of time and is credited as a vital album for inspiring artists such as Sigur Rós, Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Low, Elbow, Doves, Graham Coxon and latter-period Radiohead.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. The Rainbow

2. Eden

3. Desire

Side B

1. Inheritance

2. I Believe in You

3. Wealth

How Schoolhouse Rock Made Learning Fun For Generations

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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How Schoolhouse Rock Made Learning Fun For Generations

Remember When explored the sheer genius of Schoolhouse Rock, detailing how the series employed clever lyrics and catchy tunes in three minute animations to make learning fun for a generation of children on every level. The series aired from 1973 through 1985 on Saturday mornings between cartoons, taking otherwise scholastic subjects and making them highly hummable. The retrospective features how Grammar Rock and other segments of the ABC Saturday morning educational cartoons transformed education into entertainment, creating a cultural phenomenon that taught kids everything from conjunctions to constitutional amendments through infectious melodies that stuck with viewers long after the episodes ended.

The Chambers Project Presents 60 Years Of The Grateful Dead Exhibition

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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The Chambers Project Presents 60 Years Of The Grateful Dead Exhibition

The Psychedelic Arts and Culture Trust has launched ’60 Years of the Grateful Dead’, a landmark retrospective celebrating the original art and imagery that shaped the band’s identity across six decades. Opening December 6th and running through June 1st, 2026 at The Chambers Project Gallery in Grass Valley, California, the exhibition gathers many of the original works created for the Dead’s most iconic posters and album covers. Curated by Brian Chambers, the show features artists including Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso, Wes Wilson, Bill Walker, and Owsley “Bear” Stanley. “This is the most ambitious exhibition I have ever planned,” Chambers says. “To see all of this history gathered under one roof will be something truly special.”

Highlights include Rick Griffin’s original pen and ink Hawaiian Aoxomoxoa drawing, considered one of the finest works of psychedelic typography, alongside his acrylic circus paintings for ‘Without a Net’, the original Europe 90 tour poster, and his first major work, the 1967 “Pow-Wow” Human Be-In poster. Bill Walker’s ‘Anthem of the Sun’ mandala, created for the band’s second album and refined for decades after its use on the cover, captures the spirit of the late sixties and the creative impact of LSD on art. Walker will attend the opening to share stories alongside Tom Constanten, who performs in a special Grateful Dead supergroup on December 5th. Historic Acid Test posters designed by Paul Foster and hand colored by Owsley “Bear” Stanley include the first public use of the name “Grateful Dead” after the band’s early Warlocks era.

The exhibition marks the first time the original Skeleton Amidst Roses illustration by Victorian artist Edmund J. Sullivan has been displayed in a Grateful Dead show. Created in 1900 and published in the 1913 edition of ‘The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam’, the drawing was adapted by Mouse and Kelley for the Avalon Ballroom in 1966 and for the 1971 ‘Skull and Roses’ album. The retrospective also features limited edition posters and original works by legendary artists Rick Griffin and Dennis Larkins alongside contemporary poster artists AJ Masthay and Zoltron, who carry forward the counterculture tradition. A rock concert style merchandise booth offers brand new, officially licensed and extremely limited edition Grateful Dead gear designed and curated by Zoltron, available exclusively during the exhibition.

The December 5th concert event features White Lightning with Grahame Lesh, Peter Harris, Pete Sears, Barry Sless, John Molo, Elliot Peck, and George Michalski. The exhibition opens December 6th, two days after the anniversary of the band’s founding.

Frida And The Mann Release Raw New Single “Let’s Get Carried Away”

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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Frida And The Mann Release Raw New Single “Let’s Get Carried Away”

Cleveland alt-rock and indie pop group Frida and The Mann have released their latest single “Let’s Get Carried Away,” a raw and emotional track about being judged and not fitting in. The band, made up of Frida Mann, Adam Cramer, Zachary Horstman, and Stefan Johnson, won Best New Artist at the 2024 Cleveland Music Awards. The song mixes dark energy with a sense of freedom, exploring the journey to self-acceptance even when the world is watching. “There’s nothing I can do to change the way they see me” and “I know you think that I’m insane / and I am” show both pain and power within that journey. Frida Mann’s personal story adds weight to the track: she grew up in an orthodox religious community where she was forbidden from singing, especially in front of men, but just three years ago took a huge leap, risking everything to follow her dream and now fronts one of Cleveland’s hottest new bands.

Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Expands To Mississauga For September 2026

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Expands To Mississauga For September 2026

The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival has announced its first appearance in Mississauga, transforming Erindale Park into a hub of laughter from September 11th to 13th. The newly announced GTA expansion marks another step in the festival’s cross-country and cross-border evolution, with limited three-day passes on sale now. Mississauga joins a growing lineup of cities including Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Calgary, Vancouver, and Spokane, WA, each bringing its own personality to the festival circuit.

“Mississauga’s dynamic cultural landscape and community spirit make it the perfect addition to the GOCF family,” says Mike Anderson, President of Trixstar Live. “Known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse community, Mississauga’s energy aligns perfectly with what the festival is all about: good times, good people, and great laughs.” Victoria Clarke, CEO of Visit Mississauga, adds: “We’re proud to bring the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival to Mississauga — and even prouder that it has been chosen as the only Ontario stop for next year. The festival’s commitment to community and creativity mirrors Mississauga’s own values. Together, we’re creating a weekend that celebrates laughter, culture, and local connections. We can’t wait to see audiences come together in Erindale Park for an unforgettable weekend of comedy and fun.”

What sets the festival apart is its commitment to building community beyond the stage. Through the Great Outdoors Community Fund, the festival invests in local charities and organizations that reflect its three core pillars: Arts & Culture, Mental Health, and Sustainability. Each city stop sees meaningful support directed toward initiatives that strengthen local creative industries, foster inclusion, and create lasting impact long after the curtains close. The model ensures GOCF gives back to the same communities that make the festival experience possible.

geless Releases Introspective EP ‘Different Scenery’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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geless Releases Introspective EP ‘Different Scenery’

Electronic producer Ageless (Wesley Paioff) has released his deeply introspective EP ‘Different Scenery’ via Grand Alliance Music, a cinematic exploration of perception, reflection, and evolution. The release began November 11th with lead single “No Heart At All,” a nostalgic, elegant track capturing the moment between loss and renewal, followed three days later by the full EP. “Every song is a moment seen twice — once when it happens, and again when you remember it. That space between them is where Different Scenery lives,” Ageless explains. The EP blends soulful electronica, downtempo bass, and cinematic ambiance, with shimmering synths, vintage textures, and delicate percussion layered throughout. “No Heart At All” introduces themes of emotional detachment and rediscovery through pulse-like basslines and reverberant horn echoes, while “Blind Spot” and title track “Different Scenery” complete the narrative, each piece revealing another angle of transformation.

Pete Townshend Discusses The Who’s Farewell Tour On The Late Show

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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Pete Townshend Discusses The Who’s Farewell Tour On The Late Show

Pete Townshend sat down with Stephen Colbert for an extended conversation on The Late Show, discussing The Who’s farewell tour, his difficult childhood, the incredible amount of unheard music in his vault, and the origins of works like “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia.” The GRAMMY and Tony winner opened up about his creative process and decades-long career with the legendary rock band. Townshend’s latest musical adventure, “Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet,” runs at New York City Center through Sunday.

Rayon Share Whacked Out “Shopping” Single And Super 8 Video

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

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Rayon Share Whacked Out “Shopping” Single And Super 8 Video

No-wave, angular post-punk outfit Rayon have released their new single “Shopping,” a tongue-in-cheek ode to consumerism and travel born from near-burnout and a revitalizing trip to Mexico. The track arrives with a Super 8 video showcasing grocery store antics before the band got kicked out, proving that new life can always be found on aisle five. Available as a 7″ vinyl and two-track digital release via Little Cloud Records alongside B-side “Running,” the single marks the first in a new series of similar records for the band. Rayon is the project of long-time North Portland resident and Detroit-area native Eric Sabatino, now featuring Anna Sabatino, Riley McLaughlin, Eric Rubalcava, and Derek Longoria-Gomez from Sun Atoms, Yuvees, Pastilla, and Martha Stax.

Recording on rainy weekends in a garage studio packed with old reel-to-reel tape machines, partially-functional tube amps, and leaky British motorcycles, the songs were captured onto 16 tracks of 1/2″ tape while running through a slightly-wonky tape echo. Sabatino broke tradition by mixing with famed engineer Larry Crane at Jackpot Recording, who has worked with Cat Power, Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, The Go-Betweens, Elliott Smith, and Death Cab for Cutie, with mastering by Timothy Stollenwerk at Stereophonic Mastering. “Doing everything on film and tape is a bit of a safety check-valve, to make sure we make everything like humans with no autotune, copy/paste or AI. I’m becoming an imperfectionist,” Sabatino says. “This was the first time we’ve engaged a ‘professional’ to work on our recordings. The education we received was immense, and Larry was kind with his explanations of everything we had previously done ‘wrong’ with our recordings, was willing to work with what we provided and willing to get weird with us.”

The EP almost didn’t happen. “I nearly walked away from Rayon. The last record wasn’t selling, a lack of decent show offers, festival rejections and a general feeling of burnout was happening. Our second guitarist left, and then our drummer,” Sabatino explains. “The addition of guitarist Riley McLaughlin and Eric Rubalcava (drums) and Derek Longoria-Gomez (percussion and bass) from our ‘band-in-law’ Sun Atoms brought new life and energy to the band. We played some of the first enjoyable shows in a few years, and a new energy emerged. We started functioning as a band, we traveled to Mexico, and came back to record these songs. And another record is in the works. As for the new video, we got kicked out of two grocery stores making it. The Mexican Tienda was cool as hell; they loved it.”

Portland Return With New Album ‘Champain’ After Jente Pironet’s Cancer Battle

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

0

Portland Return With New Album ‘Champain’ After Jente Pironet’s Cancer Battle

Belgian indie band Portland have released their new album ‘Champain’, an unflinchingly honest record born from frontman Jente Pironet’s battle with brain cancer. The diagnosis came just days after the band delivered a triumphant performance at Rock Werchter in 2023, turning what should have been their breakthrough year into a fight for survival. The album chronicles Pironet’s journey from stage to hospital bed to writing desk, revealing a band that has never sounded more energetic, mature, or richly layered.

“I heard you calling me / and you still know my name,” Pironet sings on opener “Time Is Now,” exuding regained self-confidence. “Something’s in the air / I’d like to face it all alone.” The message cuts clear: there’s no time to waste. “Lay Me Down” shows the other side, asking loved ones to catch him when he falls and lay him to rest when he pushes too far. Together, these tracks reveal Portland’s current sound: energetic indie rock built for festivals and big stages, while still honoring the melancholic, introverted pop of predecessor ‘Departures’. Acoustic title track “Champain” nods to Bright Eyes, while hushed piano piece “Aurora” reflects how the promise of safety still unsettles Pironet after years of turmoil. “Her home ain’t where I’ll be,” he sings.

Bob Dylan inspired “Forever,” where Pironet spills everything in one long stream of words, “a story to tell and a weight on my chest.” The album settles into darkness with “Until I Find Some Bigger Fears,” one of the hardest songs Pironet has written, composed during chemotherapy when hope felt unreachable. “And all the time, I wish I could rewind,” he murmurs in the footsteps of Nick Cave and Billy Joel, bearing his soul over piano keys. The album serves as home for old sorrow and starting point for new stories, stinging and festering at times but far more often sparkling and effervescing.

One Last Day Release Debut EP ‘Eyes Like Glass // Thoughts Like Fuel’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 1, 2026

0

One Last Day Release Debut EP ‘Eyes Like Glass // Thoughts Like Fuel’

UK alt metal outfit One Last Day have released their debut EP ‘Eyes Like Glass // Thoughts Like Fuel’ alongside a music video for focus single “Echoes,” directed by Shaun Hodson of Loki Films. The band describes “Echoes” as “a song about how we perceive what’s going on around us and how we choose to act in response. The way you act echoes through others’ experiences of you, you create ripples with actions which ultimately define you from the observer’s point of view – it’s worth being mindful of.” The EP serves as bedrock for the band’s creative journey ahead, exploring themes of resilience, self-reflection, and dystopian realization.

“It covers the breadth of keeping the fire alive, self-reflection on your internalisations, sonderous realisations that people’s experiences of you echo on regardless of your own journey, appreciation and recognition of the people who keep you safe and a good bit of dystopian realisation to cap it off,” the band explains. The release follows their 2025 return with “Still Breathing,” which earned airplay on Kerrang Radio’s Fresh Blood show with Alex Baker and drew praise from GBHBL, who called the track “Oozing passion, showcasing explosivity, and delivering powerful melodies that are undeniably infectious.”

The EP closes with “Watch The World Decay,” featuring guest vocals from William Alex Young of Defences. The track confronts rampant division and racism in the current political landscape. “The world is a scary place,” the band states. “There are populist politicians taking the world by storm, riling up the masses with divisive and emotive issues. There is nothing easier than to manipulate you by implying your problems are due to a group of people you struggle to relate to. After the haze, division and anger we might look back and realise what we have let happen. This isn’t a new story, it’s been told before. This is our creative re-telling of a text that never seems to stop being relevant.”