_________________New Releases 9.27.2011

**9th Wonder _ The Wonder Years

Known for his seamless sampling, 9th doesn't disappoint on his first official album featuring a who's who of backpack rap. See "Enjoy," "Hearing the Melody," "No Pretending."

Allstar Weekend _ All the Way

Silly electropop courtesy of Disney.

Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa _ Don't Explain

Scorching blues set, highly recommended for fans of the genre.

Bill Frisell _ All We Are Saying

Legendary guitarist offers up his gorgeous instrumental takes on Beatles classics.

Blink 182 _ Neighborhoods

Former pop-punk kings return with (somewhat) adult material, too bad Tom Delonge still sings like he's mid-puberty.

Carolina Liar _ Wild Blessed Freedom

TV darlings play slippery smooth pop rock.

Chickenfoot _ Chickenfoot III

Sammy Hagar and Co rock sans inspiration.

Daryl Hall _ Laughing Down Crying

Great pop tunes, mildly stuck in the '80's.

Dum Dum Girls _ Only In Dreams

Critically acclaimed LA noise rockers play standard rock'n'roll on their sophomore LP.

Everclear _ Return to Santa Monica

Troubled pop heroes play their biggest hits and toss in a few hit/miss covers for good measure.

Evidence _ Cats & Dogs

Dilated Peoples star steps out on his own with solid results.

Harold Budd _ In the Mist

Veteran avant-garde American composer plays a minimalist, experimental set.

J Cole _ Cole World: Sideline Story

Up and coming NC rapper proves he's better than 96% of his peers in the mainstream. See "Lights Please," "Nobody's Perfect."

Johnny Winter _ Roots

American blues legend features some impressive guests on his latest set of classic blues.

John Scofield _ A Moment's Peace

Aptly named effort from American Jazz guitar virtuoso.

Josh Rouse & The Long Vacations _ Josh Rouse & The Long Vacations

American singer adds Spanish instrumentation and new life to his laid back folk.

Kasabian _ Velociraptor

English rockers are weirder than ever on their latest.

Mastodon _ The Hunter

Badass Atlanta prog-metal.

Maylene & The Sons of Disaster

Impressive, country-tinged hard-rock, by far the genre's best in recent memory.

**Phonte _ Charity Starts at Home

Gritty, intelligent rap from one of the most underrated rappers ever.

Steven Wilson _ Grace For Drowning

Porcupine Tree leader plays lazy folk on his second solo release.

The Bangles _ Sweetheart of the Sun

80's heroes haven't changed a beat.

Van Hunt _ What Were You Hoping For?

Bizarre experimental soul/rock/R&B from LA.

Warbringer _ Worlds Torn Asunder

LA thrash metal.

Wilco _ The Whole Love

Indie gods play fun, upbeat folk/rock on their latest. See "Dawned On Me," "Born Alone," "Capitol City."

**recommended

___________New Releases 9.20.2011

Ben Rector _ Something Like This

Sappy pop from Nashville singer/songwriter.

Boots Electric _ Honkey Kong

Eagles of Death Metal co-founder and QOTSA member plays hard-rocking electro. Not to be mistaken for The Apathy album of the same name.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah _ Hysterical

BK/Philly indie rockers have seen a steady decrease in the quality of their records since their self-released 2005 debut.

Ed Sheeran _ +

British youngster already has a massive hit off this record across the pond with his playful folk/pop.

Emily O'Halloran _ Morphine & Cupcakes

Raspy voiced singer plays stylish, smokey alt/country.

Gavin Degraw _ Sweeter

We suspect the person who beat him up recently on the Lower East Side may have heard this album. Not that beating people up is okay, but this music is absolutely horrible.

Ivy _ All Hours

Fun, funky pop set from NYC trio on their first record in six years. See "Fascinated," "Suspicious," "World Without You."

Jayhawks _ Mockingbird Time

Minnesota indie stalwarts show off great songwriting on their 8th studio album. See "She Walks In So Many Ways."

Jens Lekman _ An Argument With Myself

Fun Swedish guitar/electropop. May be too adventurous for the American ear.

Katie Herzig _ The Waking Sleep

Adventurous pop on this sophomore effort from critically acclaimed Nashville singer/songwriter.

Leslie West _ Unusual Suspects

Longtime American guitarist shows off fat tone, quick fingers for a big guy.

**Lisa Hannigan _ Passenger

Irish songbird charms with her unique brand of infectious, intimate pop. RIYL Feist.

**Megafaun _ Megafaun

Avant-garde NC rockers spew huge waves of atmospheric indie.

Miguel Migs _ Outside the Skyline

Forward thinking, soul-influenced dance music from CA dj.

Never Shout Never _ Time Travel

Confused post-emo act from Joplin, MI are at their best playing pop.

Opeth _ Heritage

Swedish progressive heavy metal act appeal to a very specific audience.

Pat MethenyRichmond Fontaine _ The High Country

Moody Portland alt/country

Superheavy _ Superheavy

Surprisingly decent superstar group featuring Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Damian Marley and A.R. Rahman.

Thrice _ Major/Minor

Naturally we love The Illusion of Safety and had high hopes for this that were crushed in the first song and repeatedly defecated on track after lame track.

Tony Bennett _ Duets II

Legendary American crooner shares the stage with some big names.

Tori Amos _ Night of Hunters

The queen of angst is all grown up.

Veronica Falls _ Veronica Falls

Overrated dreary indie via the UK.

Will Dailey & The Rivals _ Will Dailey

Nauseatingly sappy pop from Boston golden boy. If you're tempted to get this, get Ed Sheeran's record instead.

Z-Ro _ Meth

Underrated Houston rapper rhymes about drugs but his melodic flow gives tired material a fresh sound.

**recommended

_________________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

_______________New Releases 9.6.2011

**Bombay Bicycle Club _ A Different Kind Of Fix

English indie folk/rockers latest is their best yet. See “Shuffle,” “Leave It,” “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep.”

**Gary Clark Jr _ The Bright Lights EP

Awesome blues rock in the vein of the Black Keys; the problem is it’s only 4 tracks.

George Strait _ Here For A Good Time

Country royalty plays tasteful country.

Grace Jones _ Hurricane

Jamaican-American singer/actress/eccentric plays crazy, interesting reggae influenced dance tunes. See “I’m Crying (Mother’s Tears)."

Hank 3 _ Cattle Callin’

Bizarre cow auction meets metal.

Hank 3 _ Ghost To a Ghost/Gutter Town

Rebel country legend plays badass country.

Hank 3 _ Hank 3’s Attention Deficit Disorder

Hank plays fully realized sludge metal.

Jessy J _ Hot Sauce

Mexican-American singer/songwriter saxophonist plays feisty Jazz on this instrumental set.

Lindsey Buckingham _ Seeds We Sow

Fleetwood Mac legend continues to push himself on his 6^th solo effort.

Luke Temple _ Don’t Act Like You Don’t Care

Impressive acoustic pop/folk from MA/NYC artist.

Paul McCartney _ Chaos & Creation In The Backyard

Not a bad effort, for a Beatle.

Samiam _ Trips

Berkeley indie rockers return with their first studio record in over five years.

Saviours _ Death’s Procession

Oakland stoner-metal.

**The Horrible Crowes _ Elsie

Brian Fallon side project benefits from adventurous instrumentation and the Gaslight Anthem frontman’s traditional songwriting. See “Ladykiller.”

The Rapture _ In The Grace Of Your Love

NYC post-punk pioneers are hit and miss on their latest, recording in Paris and Greenpoint, BK.

The Tierney Sutton Band _ American Road

Renowned American Jazz singer shows off versatile vocals and meticulous arrangements on her latest.

Tom Russell _ Mesabi

Prolifc Texas folk fixture keeps the laid back Americana coming.

WU LYF _ Go Tell Fire To The Mountain

Raspy voiced indie rock. RIYL Modest Mouse. See “Cave Song,” “Heavy Pop.”

**recommended

___________________New Releases 8.30.2011

Blood Orange _ Coastal Grooves

Dev Hynes (Lightspeed Champion) mixes twangy guitars with 80’s electronics on this interesting but bizarre project. See “Sutphin Boulevard,” “S’Cooled,” “The Complete Knock.”

**Butch Walker _ Spade

It’s been along time since the Marvelous 3 singer scored a hit with “Freak of the Week” but he’s still going strong. Spade is packed with lighthearted, anthemic pop/rock tunes. See “Summer of ’89,” “Day Drunk,” “Synthesizers.”

Cobra Starship _ Night Shades

Gabe Saporta alienated just about all of his fans from his days as frontman of the legendary NJ punk band Midtown, and with this effort of sleazy dance rock there will definitely be none remaining.

Counting Crows _ August & Everything After: Live From Town Hall

As hard as it is to look at Adam Duritz these days, this was a great record and the performance comes close to doing it justice. See “Omaha,” “Rain King.”

David Guetta _ Nothing But The Beat

French DJ/producer has officially taken over pop music by blending super-poppy production with elements of hip-hop and thumping bassdrum.

Doug Benson _ Potty Mouth

The Super High Me legend’s latest comes with a bonus DVD of his six-episode cult-hit The Doug Benson Interuption.

Edwin McCain _ Mercy Bound

Cringe-inducing soul pop from 90’s hero, singer/songwriter Maia Sharp.

Glasses Malone _ Beach Cruiser

Solid LA gangsta rap.

Great Lake Swimmers _ Bodies and Minds

Soothing indie folk/pop.

Jake Owen _ Barefoot Blue Jean Night

Feel good country pop.

Jill Scott _ Hidden beach Presents: the Original Jill Scott

12 soulful, funky previously unreleased tracks from her days at Hidden Beach. See “The Light,” “Wake Up Baby,” “I’m Prettier.”

Killinger _ Killinger

Horrible 80’s rock.

Lenny Kravitz _ Black & White America

Kravitz tackles race with his typical, classic-rock influenced guitar pop.

Light Asylum _ In Tension

80's centered indie electro.

Lil Wayne _ The Carter IV

The king of rap seems lackluster on his latest effort, gets upstaged by his army of guest stars.

Male Bonding _ Endless Now

Lo-fi English punk/noise rockers second Sub Pop release isn’t bad but is definitely not great. See “What’s That Scene.”

**Mike Doughty _ Yes & Also Yes

Ex-Soul Coughing frontman has kicked the smack, still writes shockingly good pop rock.

Red Hot Chili Peppers _ I’m With You

Cali legends follow up their epic double LP Stadium Arcadium minus Frusciante.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus _ Am I The Enemy

FLA rockers’ latest effort is a confusing amalgamation of emo, rock, mod-rock, and pop.

Robert Earl Keen _ Ready For Confetti

Longtime TX singer/songwriter sounds great on his 11th-studio album. See “I Gotta Go,” “The Road Goes On And On.”

Ry Cooder _ Pull Up Some Dust & Sit Down

Eclectic American singer/songwriter draws from traditional blues/Americana for a pleasant, sparse, original sound. See “No Banker Left Behind,” “Quick Sand,” “Lord Tell Me Why.”

Sharon Isbin & Friends: Guitar Passions

Modern guitar legend shows off some serious classical chops and explores the music of Latin America.

Tame Impala _ Inner Speaker

Standard psychedelic groove rock via Australia.

Tinariwen _ Tassili

Highly anticipated record from the kings of African rock’n’roll.

Tom Morello the Nightwatchman _ World Wide Rebel Songs

Guitar legend/activist offers his heaviest solo material to date. See “The Dogs of Tijuana, “It Begins Tonight,”

**recommended