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Baroness streaming new album 'Purple' in full (listen)

by Andrew Sacher

Baroness

It’s really been quite the December for last-minute releases. We’ve already gotten Jeremih, Rick Ross, Archy Marshall, jennylee, Wiki, and that’s not even all of it. This week we’re getting Pusha T and Baroness, the latter of which is finally here to stream.

It’s the band’s first since their tragic bus crash in 2012 and first with the rhythm section they’ve had since 2013 — Nick Jost (bass) and Sebastian Thomson (drums). It follows 2012’s double album Yellow & Green, which saw them expanding their sound into various (and often softer) territories. While they’re probably never going to scream like they did on Red Album again, Purple has them returning to a consistently heavy sound. It’s musically most similar to the prog/sludge of 2009’s Blue Record, with John Baizley singing like he did on Yellow & Green bangers “Take My Bones Away” and “March to the Sea.” If you’ve been liking Baroness’ stuff up until this point, you’re basically guaranteed to like this too.

I personally was most anxious to hear them with a different drummer, as Allen Blickle’s playing was always a major draw for me, but the new rhythm section gives Baizley and Peter Adams the crushing backbone they deserve (as you know if you’ve seen them live in the past two years). The album is stuffed with memorable choruses, there’s no filler at all (it’s their shortest full length yet), but the absolute best part of this record has got to be those riffs. Whether Baizley and Adams are soloing or just fleshing out the verses, this thing is built to bring out the air guitar nerd in you. Don’t listen to me though — nerd out for yourself below (via Stereogum / Sean Corrales).

The band is on tour now, and landing in NYC this Sunday (12/20) for two shows: an afternoon in-store at Rough Trade (pick up the album from the store to get in) and a night show at Saint Vitus with Earthling (sold out). All remaining dates are listed below.

Baroness — 2015 Tour Dates
December 16 Richmond, VA Strange Matter SOLD OUT*
December 18 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery SOLD OUT*
December 19 Manayunk, PA Main Street Music (2 PM in-store)
December 19 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s SOLD OUT*
December 20 Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade (2 PM in-store)
December 20 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus Bar SOLD OUT*

* – w/ Earthling

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