a cinema of sunshine

_________________New Releases 9.13.2011

Alice Cooper _ Welcome 2 My Nightmare

Somehow the father of goth is still going strong. I'm no doctor but maybe it's a steady diet Big Units (two-feet hotdogs named for the gargantuan MLB star) from his AZ eatery.

Anthrax _ Worship Music

Scott Ian and Co honor hard rock on their latest thrashfest.

**Blind Pilot _ We Are the Tide

Portland indie-folksters play earnest but sappy acoustic pop.

Blitzen Trapper _ American Goldwing

Critically adored Portlanders play classic-rock themed indie rock on their third record for Sub Pop.

Bush _ Sea of Memories

Gavin Rossdale and Co haven't changed much since the release of their '94 smash Sixteen Stone.

**Das Racist _ Relax

Silly but smart hipster rap group don't take themselves too seriously. See "Brand New Dance," "Shut Up, Man," "Rainbow in the Dark," "The Trade."

Dream Theatre _ A Dramatic Turn Of Events

Prog legends balance the epic with the intimate.

Girls _ Father, Son, Holy Ghost

San Fran '60's garage act show off great Elliot Smith-style vocals but also a major lack of originality. See "Vomit," "Magic."

Lady Antebellum _ Own The Night

Country's music's biggest, sappiest new band

Ladytron _ Gravity The Seducer

80's influences take over on English electro-poppers latest effort.

Laura Marling _ A Creature I Don't Know

Highly touted English folk singer/songwriter plays subdued, moody folk.

Levin Torn White _ Levin Torn White

Three prog legends join forces on this energetic, experimental set.

**Mates of State _ Mountaintops

Kansas indie pop duo release their most fully imagined effort yet.

Neon Indian _ Era Extrana

Highly anticipated sophomore effort from Denton, TX chillwave act. Good but annoying at times. See "Polish Girl," "Hex Girlfriend," "Era Extrana."

Nick Lowe _ The Old Magic

Legendary English singer-songwriter still has it at age 61.

Pajama Club _ Pajama Club

NZ legend Neil Finn and Co play catchy rock with dashes of electro.

Primus _ Green Naugahyde

Les Claypool and Co return with more of their super-weird, hard-rocking prog funk.

Reckless Kelly _ Good Luck & True Love

Stylish country pop, recommended for fans of the genre.

Saves The Day _ Daybreak

NJ emo legends hope for improved success after their extremely disappointing recent records In Reverie, Sound the Alarm, and Under The Boards.

Spyro Gyra _ A Foreign Affair

One of the best-selling Jazz fusion acts of all time, this band offers a uniquely dazzling blend of Jazz, reggae, and world music.

Staind _ Staind

Former Limp Bizkit protégés release their 7th album of standard mod rock.

St Vincent _ Strange Mercy

Polyphonic Spree/Sufjan Stevens cohort plays awesome, stylish future pop. See "Cruel," "Northern Lights."

The Drums _ Portamento

Overrated BK indie rockers somehow manage to be lighthearted and whiny at the same time.

The Gourds _ Old Mad Joy

American alt/country act hope to translate their live success to a recording with this strong, eccentric set.

The Kooks _ Junk of the Heart

'60's-styled pop from controversial but hyped Engligh quartet.

Todd Rundgren _ [Re]Production

Legendary American producer/singer/songwriter writes awesome songs with ease. See "Leave Me Alone With My Baby."

Trombone Shorty _ For True

This 25-year-old Treme native has been a bandleader since age 6, and it shows on this set of fresh, funky Jazz. See "The Craziest Thing."

Umphrey's Mcgee _ Death By Stereo

Chicago prog-rock/Jam band follow up their 2009 hit Mantis.

Wild Flag _ Wild Flag

Carrie Brownstein hopes to follow up her IFC hit Portlandia with a hit record.

Wooden Shjips _ West

Interesting set from this San Fran experimental/drone rock group.

Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton _ Play The Blues

Living legends unite for authentic blues, also available live from Jazz at Lincoln Center.

**recommended