________________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
