__________________New Releases 8.16.2011

Ana Popovic _ Unconditional

Serbian beauty plays rootsy blues. See “Summer Rain,” “Count Me In.”

Blue October _ Any Man in America

Alt/rockers go mainstream pop on their adventurous new disc.

Chimaira _ Age of Hell

Cleveland groove metal.

Eli Young Band _ Life At Best

Classically produced American country rock. See “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” “Skeletons.”

Flesh N’ Bone _ Blaze of Glory

Fresh out of jail Bone Thug picks up right where he left off.

Fool’s Gold _ Leave No Trace

LA collective blends African rhythms with American pop on their latest. RIYL Vampire Weekend, Dirty Projectors. See “Leave No Trace,” The Dive,” “Wild Window.”

Keb Mo _ Keb Mo

Texas guitar legend sings ever so sweetly on his latest. See “Tell Everyone I Know,” “Angelina.”

Gary Clark Jr _ The Bright Lights EP

Two tracks of rockin’ guitar based blues from Austin singer/songwriter are really just a tease. RIYL Black Keys.

Guy Clark _ Songs & Stories

TX music legend takes on some classics on this stripped down 23-song live set.

Jeff Bridges _ Jeff Bridges

Fresh off a ‘Crazy Heart’ Academy award the dude releases a record of downtempo country. See “Nothing Yet.”

Jewel _ The Merry Goes ‘Round

New mom Jewel heads to where the cash is: children’s music.

Maria Taylor _ Overlook

Azure Ray/Bright Eyes cohort mixes indie folk with elements of shoegaze for a dreamy set. See “Matador,” “Bad Idea?”

Mister Heavenly _ Out of Love

Playful indie rock from hip supergroup featuring members of Man Man, Modest Mouse, and Islands. Not bad considering all the hype.

Natalia Kills _ Perfectionist

Big, hooky, dark pop tunes.

Ollabelle _ Neon Blue Bird

NYC folk featuring traditional songwriting and five-part harmonies.

Psychostick _ Space Vampires Vs Zombie Dinosaurs

Humor-core.

Royal Thunder _ Royal Thunder

Tame classic rock.

Slaine _ World With No Skies

South Boston rapper is poised to hit the next level following the hit La Coka Nostra album “A Brand You Can Trust” with his first solo effort. Fans are also anticipating the upcoming "State of Grace with Statik Selektah.

The Cool Kids _ When Fish Ride Bicycles

Hipster rap act get help from some big names including Ghostface and Meyer Hawthorne on their latest. See “Penny Hardaway,” “Swimsuits.”

**The Duke & The King _ The Duke & The King

Gorgeous classic folk from Felice Brother and friends.

The War On Drugs _ Slave Ambient

Disappointingly drab record from promising Philly act is missing the hooks and fun of their earlier efforts.

Ursula 1000 _ Mondo Beyondo

Funky world/dance project from Brooklyn DJ/producer Alex Gimeno.

**Yellow Ostrich _ The Mistress

Newcomers play solid, dreamy lo-fi pop on their debut. See "Hold On," "Campaign," "Slow Paddle."

Z-Ro _ Straight Profit

Skilled Houston rapper stays under the radar.

**recommended

______________New Releases 8.9.2011

Ace Hood _ Blood, Sweat, & Tears

Relative newcomer already has a hit behind the omnipresent lead single “Hustle Hard.”

Against Me _ White Crosses

American punk rockers aim big on their latest. RIYL Gaslight Anthem. See “Because of the Shame,”

Army Navy _ The Last Place

LA indie rock trio don’t stray too far from tradition on their second full-length effort. See “Feathered,” “The Hunter.”

Barenaked Ladies _ Snacktime

90’s heroes latest kid’s album is the same lighthearted pop/rock that made them huge. See “Pollywog In A Bog,” “I Can Sing.”

Dom _ Family of Love

Worcester, MA garage/electro sensations keep the hooks coming on this brief 5-track set.

Eyes Set To Kill _ White Lotus

Female metalcore act via Pheonix, AZ prove chicks can be brutal too.

Greeley Estates _ The Death of Greeley Estates

Phoenix metal/screamo.

Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame _ Ferrari Boyz

This is just as bad as you think it's going to be, maybe worse.

Horrors _ Skying

80’s influences dominate on this set of UK indie/shoegaze.

**JAY Z & Kanye West _ Watch The Throne

Shockingly this records may actually be as good as it should be.

Karmakanic _ In A Perfect World

Prog-rock via Malmo Sweden.

Kevin Fowler _ Chippin’ Away

Awesomely simple Texas country/rock. Hits include “Hell Yeah I Like Beer,” “Beer Money,” and “Girl In A Truck.”

Luke Bryan _ Tailgates & Tanlines

Feel-good pop country from GA singer/songwriter.

Mark Maron _ This Has to Be Funny

Longtime NYC comic’s self-deprecating brand of deadpan humor hits harder then ever as he talks NYC hipsters, texting and driving, and septic tanks.

Michael Schenker _ By Invitation Only

Legendary German metal guitarist takes on some classics on his second release of 2011.

**Pepper Rabbit _ Red Velvet Snowball

Interesting psych pop, RIYL Animal Collective. See “Allison,” “Family Planning,” “Murder Room.”

Royce da 5’9” _ Success Is Certain

Fresh off the success of the latest Bad Meets Evil effort with Eminem Royce aims to stay in the limelight. Solid but won’t be blowing any minds.

**Sainthood Reps _ Monoculture

Long Island quartet plays hard-rocking post-emo. See “Animal Glue,” “Hunter,” “Hotfoot.”

**Ski Beatz _ 24 Hour Karate School Part 2

Legendary Reasonable Doubt producer proves he can still make beats with the best

Steve Cropper _ Dedicated

Legendary American guitarist features some big names; Steve Winwood, BB King, Betty Lavette and Lucinda Williams.

The Birthday Massacre _ Imaginary Monsters

Toronto synth-rockers come off as a more electronic version of Evanescence.

The Motels _ Apocalypso

Longtime LA new-wave band led by Martha Davis plays strange rock.

The New Mastersounds _ Breaks from the Border

Prolific UK Jazz/funk quartet play quality funk.

Trivium _ In Waves

Brutal FLA metal act’s latest effort doesn’t disappoint; they are as fast, heavy, and inventive as ever. See “Capsizing The Sea,” “Dusk Dismantled.”

**recommended

What We're Spinning..

The new Mates of State record Mountaintops - packed with bouncy rhythms, slick instrumentation, and huge hooks. A cure for electropop fans looking for something beyond the trend of nauseating 80's rip-off acts. Available from Barsuk Records September 13.

Volcano Choir collaborators Collections of Colonies of Bees latest effort Giving is four songs and 28-minutes of instrumental beauty. Highly recommended for fans of Sigur Ros, Volcano Choir, out now.

And finally we find it only fitting that on the same day as the release of Watch the Throne that Ski Beatz (producer of Jay Z's Dead Presidents and Feelin' It) would drop an album that might just be better. Take that Kanye!

______________New Releases 8.2.2011

Anthony B _ Rasta Love

Weed-tinged reggae from one of the biggest names in the genre.

Antigone Rising _ 23 Red

Pop-driven alt/country rules on this female quartet’s latest set.

Archers of Loaf _ Icky Mettle

2-disc Merge reissue of the seminal indie act’s debut album.

Bassnectar _ Divergent Spectrum

Aptly named set of experimental dubstep/trip-hop/IDM or whatever it's called this week. See "Plugged In," "Boomerang."

Boston Spaceships _ Let It Beard

Progressive classic rock on this epic 72-minute set from GBV’s Robert Pollard and co.

Bury Your Dead _ Mosh N Roll

Standard metalcore via Worcester, MA.

**Collections of Colonies of Bees _ Giving

Compelling instrumental post-rock from Volcano Choir members.

Drive By Truckers _ Greatest Hits

GA alt/country kings revel in 15 years of great tunes. Die-hards won’t want to miss the remix of “Gravity’s Gone,” and alternate version of “Uncle Frank.”

Every Avenue _ Bad Habits

Standard pop/punk via Michigan and Fearless Records.

Fountains of Wayne _ Sky Full of Holes

Fruit Bats _ Tripper

Upbeat psych-folk from Chicago native Eric D Johnson is sure to please for fans of the genre. See “So Long,” “You’re Too Weird.”

Greyson Chance _ Hold On 'Til the Night

Impressive but undeniably sappy pop from the 14-year-old youtube sensation.

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter _ Marble Son

Whiskeytown co-founder moves in a darker, stranger direction. See “Marble Son,” “Birds of Passerine.”

John Hiatt _ Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns

Legendary American songwriter offers up pop/rock and ballads with a classic voice. See “Damn This Town,” “All the Way Under,” “Train to Birmingham.

Keb’ Mo’ _ The Reflection

American blues legend gets help from some big names on his latest. See” The Whole Enchilada,” “My Shadow.”

Kenny Wayne Shepherd _ How I Go

Huge guitars and over-the-top pop hooks abound on the latest from Mel Gibson’s son-in-law.

Last Winter _ Heart & The Broken Compass

Solid alt/emo, RIYL Funeral For A Friend.

Machinedrum _ Room (s)

IDM from one of the leaders of the trip-hop movement. See “U Don’t Survive,” “Youniverse,” “Gbye,” “The Statue.”

Richard Buckner _ Our Blood

Highly anticipated record from alt/country hero and Brooklyn resident is an interesting, soothing blend of classic songwriting with adventurous production. See “Escape,” “Hindsight.”

The Ettes _ Wicked Will

Bluesey American Garage-rock. See “The Pendulum,” “You Never Say.”

The Wood Brothers

Established Colorado siblings finally unite after separate success (Medeski, Martin, and Wood; King Johnson). See” Shoofly Pie,” “Stumbled In.”

Trace Adkins _ Proud to Be Here

Pleasant, cheesy pop/country. See “Million Dollar View,” “That’s What You Get.”

Viva Brother _ Famous First Words

Decent pop/rock vie (via) Slough, England has it’s moments but may fail to capture the fan base the band is hoping for.

Wild Swans _ The Coldest Winter For A Hundred Years

Bookish, soothing folk/rock is not bad but suffers from 80’s syndrome. See “Liquid Mercury,” “Underwater.”

Ximena Sarinana _ Ximena Sariana

Interesting, upbeat pop from golden-voiced Mexican youngster on her English language debut. See “Different,” “Bringing Us Down,” “Lies We Live In.”

**recommended

________________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

________________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

________________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

21^st 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