a cinema of sunshine

_________________New Releases 10.4.2011 Carolyn Wonderland _ Peace Meal Authentic blues via Austin. David Crowder Band _ Oh For Joy Bizarre Christmas/electronic album. Dessa _ Castor, The Twin MN spoken-word artist follows up the critically lauded A Badly Broken Code with more electro/spoken word. DJ Shadow _ Less You Know The Better Shadow suffers from ADD on his latest, skipping frequently between hip-hop, hard-rock, and trip-hop elements. Feist _ Metals Indie-queen Leslie Feist’s latest effort is less focused and cheery than her previous two albums. George Benson _ Guitar Man American guitar legend plays smooth Jazz. Hank Williams Sr _ The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams Godfather of country music’s never realized tracks done by Dylan, Jack White, Merle Haggard, Lucinda Williams, Nora Jones, etc.. Indigo Girls _ Beauty Queen Sister Stripped down adult rock. Jack’s Mannequin _ People & Things Emo-darling’s latest is the final of a three-part series. Piano-based power-pop. La Dispute _ Wildlife Concept album from MI post-hardcore act. LIGHTS _ Siberia Canadian electropop star’s standard tracks benefit from creative production. RIYL Owl City. Mayday Parade _ Mayday Parade Smooth emopunk from Tallahassee rock with sincerity but may lack dignity. Mayer Hawthorne _ How Do You Do Bookish LA producer's white-boy R&B/soul sounds more like the real thing than ever before. Merle Haggard _ Working In Tennessee American legend charms with his upbeat blend of outlaw country and honky tonk. MGMT _ LateNightTales Motely crew of artists offer up takes of MGMT tracks. MISFITS _ Devils Rain Highly anticipated record from goth-punk royalty is their first in over a decade. MUTEMATH _ Odd Soul NOLA prog-rockers have found their sweet spot. See “Tell Your Heart Heads Up,” “All Or Nothing,” “Allies.” New Found Glory _ Radiosurgery The most nasal emo-punk rockers of all are still making new music for 13-year-olds. Nicola Roberts _ Cinerella’s Eyes Cutting edge electropop from Girls Aloud singer. Patrick O’Hearn _ Transitions Haunting new-age on the 12th effort from West Coast fixture. Radical Face _ The Family Tree: The Roots Poorly named effort of forgettable indie folk from 24-year-old FLA native Ben Cooper Style P _ Master of Ceremonies The LOX rapper does what's expected on his latest; big beats, a-list guest spots, and gritty wordplay. **Sarah Jaffe _ The Way Sound Leaves A Room Pleasant, inventive art-folk from Denton TX beauty. RIYL early Feist. The Sheepdogs _ Learn & Burn Rollingstone Cover contest winners make up for the lame picture with great rock tunes. Tony Bennett _ Duets II Showtune legend features the biggest names in music on his latest set of wry Jazz. Transit _ Listen & Forgive Boston emo-act play hooky, nasal rock’n’roll. Wayne Static _ Pighammer Static X leader branches out on his own with more industrial/metal. **We Were Promised Jetpacks _ In the Pit of the Stomach Scottish indie-rockers play with a harder edge and increased focus on their sophomore effort. Zola Jesus _ Conatus Eclectic, cool electropop from Russian-American singer/songwriter. Zucchero _ Chocabeck Italian rock legend plays pretty acoustic and ballads on his latest. **recommended