Barnes & Noble Presents Albums of the Month Selections for July 2024

New York, NY – July 3, 2024 – Barnes & Noble announces its July selections for Albums of the Month, featuring the following four categories: Rock Monthly Pick, Country Monthly Pick, Pop Monthly Pick, and Soundtrack Monthly Pick. The Albums of the Month program continues to celebrate the complete spectrum of the music industry, with rotating categories each month.

This month’s Rock Monthly Pick is the album Jar of Flies from Alice in Chains. Rooted in heavy metal and rising to fame during the grunge movement, Alice in Chains is known for their unique vocal style. Jar of Flies came on the heels of their 1993 world tour, releasing on January 25, 1994, and immediately reaching number one the Billboard 200.

“Comprised of seven tracks written in seven days, Jar of Flies is the follow-up EP to Alice in Chains’ commercially successful album, Dirt,” said Crissi Bariatti, Senior Merchandise Manager, Barnes & Noble. “With acoustic guitars and soft vocals throughout, this EP is a stunningly gorgeous departure from the band’s usual rock-heavy grunge sound. The poignant harmonization by Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell on the track “No Excuses” is even more heartbreakingly sad considering Staley’s untimely death. Marking the album’s 30th Anniversary this year, Jar of Flies is a timeless masterpiece that will be appreciated for generations to come.”

Barnes & Noble booksellers chose Chris Stepleton’s debut solo album Traveller for the Country Monthly Pick. Netting him three major awards as well as two Grammy’s, Traveller launched Stapleton’s solo career.

“Having written songs for the likes of Adele and Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton stepped into the spotlight with his debut album, Traveller,” said Bill Castle, Director of Merchandise, Barnes & Noble. “With roots in Folk and Bluegrass, yet decidedly Country, Traveller came together after the passing of Stapleton’s father and the reflective cross-country journey that followed.  Using his unique raspy baritone to belt out songs of regret, love and loss, Stapleton imbues everything he records with nuance and powerful emotion.”

The Pop Monthly Pick goes to No Doubt’s 1995 album, Tragic Kingdom. Reaching number one on the Billboard 200, Tragic Kingdom was their most commercially successful album, and helped start the ska revival of the 1990s. It ranked at number 441 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 best albums of all time.

“The breakout third album from No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom is a fun-filled, ska-infused slice of California Sunshine,” said Tina Mong, Commercial Strategy Manager, Barnes & Noble. “Opening the album with the unmistakable horns of “Spiderwebs,” track after track is filled with clever lyrics and catchy choruses. The incomparable Gwen Stefani sings, pouts and shouts through the hit track “I’m Just a Girl,” then pivots to quieter sadness in the breakup anthem “Don’t Speak.” The band’s recent headlining shows at Coachella reminded us all that No Doubt has never gone out of style.”

Lastly, the Soundtrack Monthly Pick goes to The Greatest Showman, produced by Greg Wells, Justin Paul and Benj Pasek. Upon its release, the album topped numerous charts in the United States and around the world, reaching number one on iTunes in 77 different countries.

“From masterminds Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (who also brought us Dear Evan Hansen) is the euphoric and star-studded soundtrack from the film The Greatest Showman,” said Bariatti.  “Featuring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya and more, the songs range from upbeat and empowering, to slow and introspective. Introducing the world to the Keala Settle with the powerhouse track “This Is Me,” the song won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and garnered an Academy Award nomination.”

Every month, Barnes & Noble spotlights music new and old, celebrating new voices in the music industry as well as classic albums from music legends. Previous Barnes & Noble Albums of the Month selections have included: The Chainsaw Man Soundtrack, by Kensuke Ushio, Vampire Weekend, by Vampire Weekend, JPEG RAW by Gary Clark Jr., In Rainbows, by Radiohead, Little Girl Blue by Nina Simone, Master of Puppets by Metallica, and What Now by Brittany Howard.