Tuesday, July 26, 2011

________________New Releases 7.26.2011

Black Rob _ Game Tested Street Approved

Former Bad Boy still has the flashy beats, simple gritty rhymes. See “Showin Up.”

BoDeans _ Indigo Dreams

90’s sitcom heroes are still at it playing roots-influenced pop/rock.

Dead Letter Circus _ This Is The Warning

Debut from Australian prog-rockers is already a number one hit abroad and is earning the band comparisons to The Mars Volta.

Eric Church _ Chief

Authentic, feel-good country pop via Granite Falls, NC.

Falling In Reverse _ The Drug In Me Is You

New school screamo.

Iwresteledabearonce _ Ruining It for Everybody

Avant-garde metal act blends brutal metal with elements of electro and operatic female vocals.

Jasta _ Jasta

Hatebreed frontman features a variety of high-profile guests on his solo debut.

**Jay Rock _ Follow Me Home

A decent rapper making it big in current mainstream rap? Finally.

Jimmie Vaughan _ Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites

Stevie Ray’s older brother doesn’t shred like his brother, but he displays impeccable style on this set of vintage American blues.

Joss Stone _ LP1

Mature blues singer takes a new direction on her latest record, cut over six days in Nashville. See “Karma,” “Landlord,” “Picnic For Two.”

Kelly Rowland _ Here I Am

This record of alt/R&B will finally see Ms Rowland established as a star behind the hit “Motivation.” Also see “Work It Man,” “Down For Whatever.”

Little Dragon _ Ritual Union

Adventurous electropop from Swedish quartet. See “Please Turn,” “Crystal Film,” “Seconds.”

**Locksley _ Locksley

American power-pop in the vein of the Fratellis. See “Oh, Wisconsin!” “Days of Youth,” “Don’t Make Me Wait.”

Pimps of Joytime _ Janxta Funk

New-school electro funk.

Ray Wylie Hubbard _ Ray Wylie Hubbard & the Cowboy Twinkies

Texas music icon.

Release The Sunbird _ Come Back To Us

Debut of Fleet Foxes styled acoustic folk/pop/rock.

Ronnie Milsap _ Country Again

American music legend keeps his brand of soothing country flowing.

Tiesto _ Kiss From the Past: Allure

Sexy house tunes from legendary Dutch DJ/producer.

Vanessa Carlton _ Rabbits on the Run

Pop-sensation takes a more artsy direction on her latest produced by Steve Osborne with assistance from MMJ drummer Patrick Hallahan.

**recommended

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

________________New Releases 7.19.2011

311 _ Universal Pulse

The 90’s alt/reggae hip-hop heroes are back, but the music world may not be ready.

3 Doors Down _ Time Of My Life

Predictable mod/rock.

Angela Easterling _ Beguiler

Upbeat American folk/pop.

Attack Attack _ Attack Attack

Lite screamo.

Basement Jaxx Vs. Metropole Orkest _ Basement Jaxx Vs. Metropole Orkest

London house masters meet the largest Jazz band in the world, via Netherlands.

Big Talk _ Big Talk

Much hyped debut from the Killers drummer side project.

Burlap to Cashmere _ Burlap to Cashmere

Classic, folk/rock (lil weird with the folk folk) with a world music twist.

Cedar Walton _ The Bouncer

Sophisticated Jazz from highly regarded Dallas native.

Cold _ Superfiction

Jacksonville mod/rockers from return after a brief split with a respectable album (After a brief split Jacksonville mod rockers return with a respectable album).

DJ Khaled _ We The Best Forever

Radio single after radio single from one of pop rap’s biggest fixtures.

Fink _ Perfect Darkness

Moody, atmospheric folk from British songwriter. See “Honesty.”

George Lynch _ George Lynch

Legendary Dokken guitarist’s tunes are as fast, heavy, and catchy as ever. See “Fly on the Wall,” “RYS.”

Imelda May _ Mayhem

Smokey Smoky rockabilly. Fans of the genre will fall in love. See “Pulling the Rug,” “Mayhem,” “Inside Out.”

Jenny O _ Home

Debut from wispy singer/wongwriter.

Kottenmouth Kings _ Sunrise Sessions

Stoned Cali hip-hop.

Pokey Lafarge _ Middle Of Everywhere

Third Man Record’s latest is so hip that it’s pre-rock’n’roll music, with a truly unique sound. See “Mississippi Girl,” “Feels So Good,” “Drinkin’ Whiskey Tonight.”

Portugal the Man _ In The Mountain In The Cloud

Portland psych/rockers aim for the mainstream with their pop-iest effort yet.

Project Pat _ Loud Pack

Modern gangsta rap.

Rahsaan Patterson _ Bleuphoria

Intelligent R&B from unique-voiced soul singer. See “Easier Said Than Done.”

Ricky Skaggs _ Country Hits: Bluegrass Style

Gorgeously arranged pop/country.

Rodrigo y Gabriela _ Live in France

Mexican guitar virtuoso’s showoff dazzling speed and stunning harmonies.

Summer Set _ Everything’s Fine

Nasal emo/electro co-written by Paul Doucette (Matchbox 20) and Paul Daly (Whiskeytown).

That’s Outrageous _ Teenage Scream

Silly but well done screamo. See “#Winning.”

The Dangerous Summer _ War Paint

The next generation of emo/rock. Band to watch, recommended if you're missing pop/punk.

Theophilus London _ Timez Are Weird These Days

Aptly titled genre-bending dance/rap/indie. See “Why Even Try,” “Wine and Chocolates,” “Girls Girls $.”

They Might Be Giants _ Join Us

Stripped-down, experimental pop/rock. See “Celebration,” “Can’t Keep Johnny Down,” “When Will You Die.”

Stacey Kent _ Hushabye Mountain

Classic Jazz from American Grammy-nominated singer.

Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman _ Union Town

Rage guitarist/activist’s heart is in the right place, but his vocals not so much.

Wilco _ I Might (7” vinyl)

Lead single from the highly anticipated upcoming record.

**recommended

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

________________New Releases 7.12.2011

Alex Pangman _ 33

50’s-styled Jazz is a trip back in time featuring bright guitars and muted trumpet. See “I Found A New Baby,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Shine.”

Alkaline Trio _ Damnesia

Emo/punk heroes somehow remember all of their songs and put together impressive acoustic arrangements. Includes hits “Private Eye,” “Radio,” “We’ve Had Enough.”

Ashton Shepherd _ Where Country Grows

24-year-old to watch makes lighthearted but authentic country/pop.

Blake Shelton _ Red River Blue

CMA sweetheart’s sixth album is already a hit behind lead single “Honey Bee.”

Breathe Carolina _ Hell Is What You Make It

Interesting mix of electro/dance/pop with elements of metal. See “Blackout,” “Edge of Heaven,” “Gone So Long.”

Brian McKnight _ Just Me

Mixed set of pop/R&B from the 90’s fixture features some adventurous production. See “One Mo Time,” “Husband 2.1.”

Carole King _ Up On the Roof

Legendary American singer/songwriter offers up her first studio album since 2001’s Love Makes the World.

Chris Young _ Neon

Nashville Star winner’s sound is mature far beyond his 25 years.

Colbie Colliat _ All Of You

Pop sweetheart returns with more can’t miss, sparkly pop/rock.

David Bromberg _ Use Me

Philly music legend is as eclectic as ever on this star-studded set featuring Levon Helm, Dr John, Widespread Panic, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, and more. See “You Don’t Wanna Make Me Mad,” “Bring It With You When You Come.”

Decapitated _ Carnival Is Forever

Fast, heavy, black Polish metal.

Dr John _ New Orleans Man [2CD]

NO legend makes music for a post-Katrina Big Easy, somehow sounding heartbroken yet cheerful with every phrase.

**Eleanor Friedberger _ Last Summer

Solo debut from half of The Fiery Furnaces is packed with bouncy indie-pop. See “My Mistakes,” “Heaven.”

Emphatic _ Damage

Nickelback-esqe hard rock.

Fair To Midland _ Arrows & Anchors

Quality post-grunge. See “Whiskey & Ritalin,” “Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow.”

Get Scared _ Best Kind of Mess

Standard emo/punk. See “Mess,” “Voodoo.”

Iced Earth _ Festivals of the Wicked

Iced Earth live.

Incubus _ If Not Now, When?

Brandon Boyd and co fight obscurity, angry ex-bandmates on their first disc since 2006’s Light Grenades.

Kasey Chambers _ Little Bird

Hugely successful Australian country/rocker’s quirky vocals and guitar-based pop tunes sound great on her sixth studio effort.

**Mellowhype _ Blackenedwhite

Cali-collective Odd Future puts out more dark, bizarre, compelling hip-hop. See “Loco,” “64.”

Nikki Jean _ Pennies In A Jar

Upbeat stylish pop on the debut from this MN native, propelled into the spotlight by a spot on Lupe Fiasco’s “Hip Hop Save My Life.” See “La Di Da Di Da,” “What’s A Girl Supposed To Do,” “Million Star Motel.”

Pimp C _ Still Pimping

While the title may not be true (Pimp C died in 2007) his music is definitely still pimping. See “Grippin On the Wood,” “Like Us.”

Samael _ Lux Mundi

Industrial thrash metal via Sion, Switzerland.

Samantha Fish _ Runaway

American blues.

Sepultura _ Kairos

Brazilian thrash-metal legends

Sons & Daughters _ Mirror Mirror

Wild indie rock via Glasgow, Sweden.

Sublime with Rome _ Yours Truly

The Sublime rhythm section teams up with Rome Ramirez for an album full of shockingly good ska/pop/rock. See “Panic.”

Suicide Silence _ The Black Crown

Extreme metal via Riverside, CA blends death metal with elements of thrash and mathcore. Recommended for fans of the genre.

TESLA _ Twisted Wires

Sacramento alt/metal make standard G’n’R style rock tunes.

The Middle East _ I Want That You Are Always Happy

Aussie collective plays richly orchestrated indie folk. See “Jesus Came To My Birthday Party,” “Months.”

Theory Of A Deadman _ The Truth Is..

Canadian mod/alt/rockers gain one up on their peers by incorporating elements of country, and appearing on WWE.

Washed Out _ Within & Without

This follow-up to the hugely successful Life of Leisure EP may be letdown for those looking for the same cool grooves and subtly retro-style. See “Echoes,” “Far Away,” “You and I.”

We The Kings _ Sunshine State of Mind

FLA pop/punkers emphasize bright pop on their latest. See “Every Single Dollar,” “Over You.”

William Elliott Whitmore _ Field Songs

Solid blues/folk from Lee County, Iowa native. See "Bury Your Burdens In the Ground," "Not Feeling Any Pain."

Yes _ Fly From Here

21st album from the legendary English prog-rockers.

Zomby _ Dedication

4AD debut from much-hyped dubstep producer is creative but not compelling. See “Alothea,” “Riding With Death,” “Lucifer.”

**recommended

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

_______________New Releases July 5, 2011
Biffy Clyro _ Live From Wembly
Scottish pop rockers have made it. Great songs, although the sing-a-long of the crowd can be irritating.
Big D And The Kids Table _ The Damned, The Dumb & The Delirious
MA ska-punkers are a true DIY success story. See "Modern American Gypsy."
Biosphere _ N-Plants
Ambient electro from well-known Norwegian. See "Ikata-1," "Monju-1."
Brian Eno _Drums Between the Bells
Electro-legend continues down a strange path. See "Pour It Out," "Seedpods."
**Clams Casino _ Rainforest EP
Awesome, eccentric, emotional electronic instrumentals.
Devin the Dude & Coughee Brothers _ Fresh Brew
Funky underground oddball hip-hop. Houston's Finest. See "Blunts and Pens," "Who Got That Funk."
Digitalism _ I Love You, Dude
German dance-punk act take on the mainstream. See "2 Hearts," "Antibiotics."
Draconian _ A Rose For The Apocalypse
Aptly named doom-metal via Saffle, Sweden.
Exhumed _ All Guts No Glory
Cali death metal.
**Gardens & Villa _ Gardens & Villa
Stylish Canadian indie rock. See "Cruise Ship," "Orange Blossom," "Black Hills."
Headcat _ Walk the Walk Talk the Talk
American rockabilly supergroup play fun, classic American tunes. See "I Ain't Never," "Shakin' All Over."
**Julia Stone _ The Memory Machine
New South Wales singer/songwriter plays pretty, fun folk. See "This Love," "Catastrophe!"
Lloyd _ King Of Hearts
NO R&B singer's latest is not great but has its moments. See "Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)."
Memory Tapes _ Player Piano
Highly anticipated follow up to 2009's stunning Seek Magic is a definite disappointment.
My Epic _ Broken Voice
Christian folk-pop.
Nick Colionne _ Feel the Heat
Smooth, fun, sexy, urban Jazz.
Old '97's _ Grand Theatre Vol 2
Rhett Miller and Co continue to put out high-quality, straightforward American rock.
Pop Evil _ War of Angels
Hard-rock/nu-metal via MI.
Pure X _ Pleasure
Lo-fi indie quitar rock.
Reik _ Peligro
Latin Grammy Award winning pop/rock. Mexican Maroon 5.
Robert Ellis _ Photographs
Stripped-down American folk.
**Samiyam _ Sam Baker's Album [CD]
Highly anticipated album features inventive instrumentals. RIYL Flying Lotus.
Sebastian _ Total
Talking Heads inspired electro.
Stream of Passion _ Darker Days
Haunting female-fronted prog-metal via Netherlands.
Teddybears _ Devil's Music
Swedish pop act take elements of pop, rock, reggae, electronica, hip-hop and world music for an eclectic whole. Guests include The Flaming Lips, BOB, Eve, Robyn, and the B-52's. See "Crystal Meth Christian," "Glow In The Dark."
Unearth _ Darkness in the Light
Metalcore act via Winthrop, MA demonstrate enough speed and heaviness to set them apart.
YACHT _ Shangri-La La La La
Upbeat electro-pop via Portland, OR from legendary electro label DFA. See "Love in the Dark," "Shangri-La."
**recommended