The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
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All original content on MoreThings.com copyright 2008 Albert Barger or the respective authors
March 17, 2010
Coffee Party BS
"Mr President, I smell a big fat commie rat." -General Buck Turgidson
I don't necessarily so much mind an avowed socialist or communist. If they pretty much say what they're really for, then you've got some basis of discussion of your differences or of an honest public debate.
Then there is lying, dishonest crap like this Coffee Party coming up out of the Facebook swamps. See, they're not left or right or center:
Coffee Party USA's blogRead more FAQ: Is the Coffee Party USA liberal, centrist, progressive or conservative? Tue, 2010-03-16 10:15 — Coffee Party USA Coffee Party USA is not liberal, centrist, progressive, or conservative. In fact, we question the validity of these labels because they create the illusion of division among the American people, and obscure the real problem in our politics today: the disproportionate and corrupting influence of corporate and other special interest in our government.
That's just meaningless boilerplate. The meat will be the list of who is an evil special interest and who is "we the people."
The group nominally has basically no ideological tenants, but in fact is pretty obviously a cheesy little leftist progressive move to try to backhandedly discredit the broad and more or less by default right wing backlash to the Obama Democrats huge socialist power grabs. This has been most manifest in the "tea party" groups, which have a diverse range of attendees, but are united in opposition to the recent expanses in government power and spending.
The whole point of the coffee parties is that they are civil and friendly, unlike those crazy unhinged angry white males at the tea parties. But this is ultimately obviously just a trick to intimidate any real opposition or to charm them into thinking that it is inappropriate to raise hell. "Shh now - co-operate" as Yen Lo said to Raymond Shaw's victim as he strangled him.
It's just rude and un-American to raise hell. Just sit still and be quiet as the progressives rape the constitutional processes to get their way in taking over a huge portion of the American economy against the wishes of the American people and clearly without sufficient votes to legitimately pass it. Better to let the fascist eggheads ruin the country than to have some idiots decide that you're mean and uncivil.
But let me stop momentarily in the midst of my uncivil (but very satisfying) ranting to give fairness to Obama and the Democrats. I have called the Obama plans "commie" and "pinko." That's really not quite right. Basically communists want the people ie the government ie them to own the means of production. Mostly, the Obama plan is for heavily regulated and subsidized private firms to act as the middlemen in imsplementing their schemes. Properly, that should be called "fascism" rather than "communism." It's just hyperbole when I call Obama a communist. "Fascist" would be rather more precise.
Then there are the usual collaborators. All the big time pinko journalistic outlets like the New York times and such like to go along with the pretense that these coffee parties really are non-partisan groups devoted really just to good government.
Then there are seemingly endless useful idiots who talk themselves into thinking that these Coffee Party groups really are just devoted to civility. Worse perhaps than the obviously consciously dishonest people who came up with this dumb "movement" are these ignorant dupes.
I'm particularly amused to see the official front page of the Coffee Party website touting the participation of a former Ron Paul volunteer. Speaking of idiots. But also the Paul-bots were some of the most hostile, accusatory and outright uncivil participants in the 2008 campaigns. The only ones worse were maybe some of the Obama brownshirts, especially in Chicago. The Paul-bots were not just absolutely physically beating people up. Or send a naked Rahm Emanuel after you.
Anyhow, here's the basic point: If you can't stand the sight of elbows being thrown and a few jaws being punched, stay the hell out of politics. Basically, we go for a lot of fussin' and cussin' instead of a bunch of shooting and killing to sort out our big issues. That's pretty genteel when you think about it.
And also if you're going to be a pinko/fascist front group, be honest about it. It will increase your credibility.
New CD Album Releases, 3-16-2010: The White Stripes, Graham Parker We interrupt your usual weekly album update column with this urgent communique from Generalissimo Alberto Barger of the White Stripes Nation Revolutionary Council:
Patriots and comrades, we have another communique from our Dear Leader and El Presidente for Life Jack White. He and Queen Meg spent a good part of 2007 campaigning for victory up North in Canada, playing largely in far flung small towns who had never been exposed to the teachings of Jesus or the White Stripes Nation.
These have now been released as an album communique Under Great White Northern Lights so that all the troops of Jack White and the Seven Nation Army can be heard by all who have ears to listen. The Celtic sounds of Icky Thump have been spread through to other songs in these arrangements, notably the "Little Ghosts."
While these performances make for a very good CD, you would most likely be wanting to order the DVD of these groovy concerts so that you can look and see and properly feel the groundswell of support for the upcoming revolution in which the failed fascism of the Obama regime is swept aside in favor a true leader of the people.
Viva la revolucion!!!
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Drive-By Truckers The Big To-Do ATO Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Country-Rock, Southern Rock
New CD Album Releases, 3-9-2010: Jimi Hendrix, Broken Bells, Gorillaz Definitely Jimi Hendrix is the big enchilada this week. Valleys of Neptune is a whole hour worth of previously unreleased studio recordings. Most of them were cut with the Jimi Hendrix Experience as parts of a possible follow up to Electric Ladyland.
Broken Bells is a collaboration of James Mercer from the Shins and Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. I haven't heard this, but Mr. Burton was co-creator of the greatest pop song of the decade, so that alone rates a close hearing.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Broken Bells Broken Bells Columbia Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Frightened Rabbit The Winter of Mixed Drinks Fat Cat Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Gorillaz Plastic Beach Virgin Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Rap, Underground Rap
Jimi Hendrix Valleys of Neptune Legacy Recordings
Liars Sisterworld Mute Indie Rock, Experimental Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Pavement Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement Matador Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Noise Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Josh Rouse El Turista Yep Roc Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Brazilian Traditions, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Western European Traditions, Spanish Folk
Serj Tankian Elect the Dead Symphony Warner Bros. Classical Crossover, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal
Alberta Cross The Broken Side of Time Pias/Arc Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
Aloha Home Acres Polyvinyl Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Lawrence Arabia Chant Darling Honorary Bedouin Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Chamber Pop, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Neo-Psychedelia
The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night Jagjaguwar Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Beat the Devil's Tattoo Vagrant (Us) Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Garage Rock Revival, Alternative Pop/Rock
Ruben Blades Greatest Hits [2010] Fania New York Salsa, Salsa, Tropical, Latin Pop
The Bundles The Bundles K Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Callahan, Chasen That Was Then This Is Now Columbia Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, CCM
The Chieftains/Ry Cooder San Patricio Hear Music (Starbucks) Traditional Irish Folk, Mexican Traditions, Irish Folk, Son, Ranchera, Norteño, Mariachi, Latin Folk, Sonero, Celtic
Jason Collett Rat A Tat Tat Arts & Crafts Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Country-Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Bing Crosby The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings 1954-56 Mosaic Vocal Jazz, Tin Pan Alley Pop, Traditional Pop, Vocal Pop, American Popular Song
Joshard Daus Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem Glor Classics Romantic Choral Music
Demon Hunter The World Is a Thorn Tooth & Nail Alternative Metal, Contemporary Christian, Alternative CCM, Heavy Metal
The Fleshtones It's Super Rock Time!: The I.R.S. Years 1980-1985 Raven American Underground, Garage Rock Revival, Jangle Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Flexible Music FM New Focus Recordings Contemporary Chamber Music
Four Year Strong Enemy of the World Motown Alternative/Indie Rock, Emo, Punk-Pop, Heavy Metal
Free Energy [Rock] Stuck on Nothing DFA Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Gonjasufi A Sufi and a Killer Warp Left-Field Hip-Hop, Electronica
Ben Harper/Relentless 7 Live from the Montreal International [CD/DVD] Virgin Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced [CD/DVD] Experience Hendrix Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Guitar Virtuoso, Acid Rock, Rock & Roll
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Axis: Bold as Love [CD/DVD] MCA Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Acid Rock
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland [CD/DVD] Experience Hendrix Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Acid Rock
Jimi Hendrix First Rays of the New Rising Sun [CD/DVD] MCA Records Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Boogie Rock
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Smash Hits Experience Hendrix Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Psychedelic Soul, Acid Rock, Soul
JJ JJ Nº 3 Secretly Canadian Indie Electronic, Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Greatest Hits [Blackheart] Blackheart Album Rock, Hard Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Arena Rock
Miles Kurosky The Desert of Shallow Effects Shout! Factory Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists The Brutalist Bricks Matador Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Ludacris Battle of the Sexes DTP Dirty South, Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
The Method Actors This Is Still It Acute Post-Punk, New Wave
Anais Mitchell Hadestown Righteous Babe Alternative Folk, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Folk
The Morning Benders Big Echo Rough Trade Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Anne Sofie von Otter Ombre de mon amant Archiv Produktion Baroque Vocal Music
Aki Takahashi Morton Feldman: Trio Mode Records Contemporary Chamber Music
Simon Trpceski Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 2 & 3 Avie Post-Romantic Piano Concertos
Peter, Paul and Mary Peter Paul and Mary with Symphony Orchestra: The Prague Sessions Warner Bros.
Selena La Leyenda Capitol/EMI Latin Mexican Traditions, Tejano, Adult Contemporary, Latin Pop, Dance-Pop
Titus Andronicus The Monitor XL New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Violent Soho Violent Soho Ecstatic Peace! Punk-Pop, Garage Punk, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Grunge, Alternative Pop/Rock
David S. Ware Saturnian: Solo Saxophones, Vol. 1 AUM Fidelity Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Jazz
White Hinterland Kairos Dead Oceans Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Year Long Disaster Black Magic; All Mysteries Revealed Volcom Entertainment Hard Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock
New CD Album Releases, 3-2-2010: Peter Gabriel, Blake Shelton, Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack Not much that looks real promising in new releases this week. Just on general marketing tie ins, the big enchilada is probably Danny Elfman's inevitable soundtrack album for the Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland movie.
For reasons that are not entirely obvious to me, some people regard Peter Gabriel as a major artist. One of the top ways you can tell he's an Important Artist is that he generally seems to put out about one record every 10 years or so. Ex-Lax might help get his stuff moving. Still, he made a couple of sharp pop singles 20ish years ago.
Anyway, he's back this week with Scratch My Back. At that, it's an album of covers, so he doesn't even have the excuse that he's been slaving over the compositions. These are apparently all orchestral arrangements, with no guitar or drums. Bowie's "Heroes" seems pretty common, but I am glad to see someone covering "The Boy in the Bubble."
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Athlete Black Swan Universal International Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Jamie Cullum The Pursuit Verve Forecast Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Adult Contemporary, Singer/Songwriter
Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back Real World
Little Boots Hands Elektra Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Dance, Dance-Pop
Rogue Wave Permalight Universal Republic Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Pop
Blake Shelton Hillbilly Bone Warner Bros. Nashville Contemporary Country, New Traditionalist
4Hero/DJ Marky The Kings of Drum + Bass BBE Jungle/Drum'n'bass, Club/Dance
Black 47 Bankers and Gangsters United Opportunity Celtic Rock, Bar Band, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Rock & Roll
Michael Bolton One World One Love Universal
Dee Dee Bridgewater Eleanora Fagan to Billie with Love from Dee Dee Bridgewater Emarcy Vocal Jazz, Standards, Contemporary Jazz
Chillum Chillum Sunbeam Prog-Rock
Citizen Cope The RainWater LP Rainwater Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Clogs The Creatures In the Garden of Lady Walton Brassland Post-Rock, Experimental, Ambient, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Easton Corbin Easton Corbin Mercury Nashville
DJ Khaled Victory Koch Hardcore Rap, Southern Rap
Raheem DeVaughn The Love & War MasterPeace 1228/Jive/Zomba Adult Contemporary R&B, Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul
Jason Derulo Jason Derulo Warner Bros. Urban
Danny Gokey My Best Days RCA Contemporary Country
Golden Triangle Double Jointer Hardly Art Post-Punk, Psychedelic, Alternative/Indie Rock, Garage Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Groove Armada Black Light OM Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Dance, Club/Dance
Guitar Shorty Bare Knuckle Alligator Electric Blues, Modern Electric Blues, Soul-Blues
John Hiatt The Open Road New West College Rock, Heartland Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Americana, Country-Rock, Roots Rock, Punk/New Wave, New Wave
The Holmes Brothers Feed My Soul Alligator Contemporary Gospel, Gospel, Modern Electric Blues, Soul-Blues, Contemporary Blues, Southern Gospel, Black Gospel, Modern Blues, Retro-Soul, Blues Gospel, Soul
Jaguar Love Hologram Jams Fat Possum Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Jose James Blackmagic PIAS Clubjazz, Neo-Soul, Contemporary Jazz, Soul
Paavo Jarvi Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 RCA Romantic Symphony
Shooter Jennings & Hierophant Black Ribbons Rocket Science Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal
Dorian Keilhack Per Norgard: Der gottliche Tivoli Dacapo Contemporary Opera
The Library Is on Fire Magic Windows, Magic Nights (Fill in the Blank) Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi
Lifehouse Smoke & Mirrors Geffen Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Post-Grunge
Russian National Orchestra Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Suites PentaTone Classics Post-Romantic Orchestral Music
Robert Sadin Art Of Love: Music of Machaut Deutsche Grammophon Medieval Chamber & Vocal Music
Yuri Temirkanov Verdi: Requiem Signum UK Romantic Choral Music
Original Soundtrack Alice in Wonderland Walt Disney Original Score, Film Music, Soundtracks
Emma Pollock Law of Large Numbers Chemikal Underground Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Ruby Suns Fight Softly Sub Pop Indie Pop, Experimental Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock
Sonoi Sonoi Low Transit Industries Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Indie Electronic, Ambient Pop
Texas Tornados !Esta Bueno! Bismeaux Roots Rock, Tex-Mex
These New Puritans Hidden Domino New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Original Soundtrack Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey Savoy Jam Bands, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Soundtracks, Roots Rock
Various Artists Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound in 1970s Nigeria Soundway Nigerian, African Traditions, West African
Various Artists Rounder Records' 40th Anniversary Concert Rounder
Various Artists Shifting Sands: 20 Treasures From the Heyday of Underground Folk Sunbeam Records British Psychedelia, British Folk-Rock, British Folk, Folk-Rock, Psychedelic
A Weather Everyday Balloons Team Love Contemporary Folk, Alternative/Indie Rock
Josiah Wolf Jet Lag Anticon Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Yellow Swans Going Places Type Experimental Rock, Noise-Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
New CD Album Releases, 2-23-2010: Johnny Cash, George Jones, Plimsouls This week we get American VI: Ain't No Grave. This sixth release is billed as the final installment of Johnny Cash's American Recordings with Rick Rubin. I haven't heard this yet, but I can pretty well guarantee that this is hot stuff. There was some kind of chemistry between Cash and Rubin that brought out Johnny's highest artistic ambitions at the end of his life. All five of the previous albums have been excellent. Indeed the first American Recordings album was probably the best record Johnny Cash ever made.
George Jones: The Great Lost Hits are two CDs of recordings from 1965 to 1972 for Musicor Records. They have been tied up in litigation and unavailable in any form for some years.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Carolina Chocolate Drops Genuine Negro Jig Nonesuch Records Regional Blues, Neo-Traditionalist Country, Piedmont Blues, Contemporary Country, Neo-Traditional Folk, String Bands, Modern Acoustic Blues
Johnny Cash American VI: Ain't No Grave Lost Highway Records
George Jones George Jones: The Great Lost Hits WEA Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan, Country-Pop, Traditional Country, Progressive Country
Joanna Newsom Have One on Me Drag City Indie Rock, Indie Folk, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Plimsouls Live! Beg, Borrow & Steal: October 31, 1981 Whisky a Go Go Alive Naturalsound Records College Rock, Punk/New Wave, Alternative/Indie Rock, Power Pop, New Wave
Quasi American Gong Kill Rock Stars Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Various Artists Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox Merge Records Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, New Zealand Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Xiu Xiu Dear God, I Hate Myself Kill Rock Stars Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Alkaline Trio This Addiction Epitaph Records Punk Revival, Punk-Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Andrew W.K. Close Calls with Brick Walls/Mother of Mankind Dope Entertainment Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Martha Argerich Argerich plays Chopin Deutsche Grammophon Romantic Piano Music
Balmorhea Constellations Western Vinyl Records Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Cindy Blackman Another Lifetime Four Quarters Entertainment Straight-Ahead Jazz, Post-Bop
The Blues Brothers Made in America Atlantic/WEA Soul, Retro-Soul
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Who Killed Sgt Pepper? A.
David Broza Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry of Townes Van Zandt S-Curve
Sarah Buxton Sarah Buxton Lyric Street Country-Pop
Charlie Byrd The World of Charlie Byrd Columbia Brazilian Traditions, Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova, Bop, World Fusion, Latin Jazz, Guitar Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Standards, Swing
A Certain Ratio Force Creation Dance-Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Clem Snide The Meat of Life 429 Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Country-Rock, Indie Rock
Deadstring Brothers Sao Paulo Bloodshot Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Americana, Alternative Country-Rock
Georgia A. Muldrow/Declaime SomeOthaShip Mello Music Group Underground Rap, Political Rap
EPMD Strictly Business Priority Golden Age, Big Beat, Electronica, Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
Eazy-E Eazy-Duz-It Ruthless West Coast Rap, Gangsta Rap, Hardcore Rap
Efterklang Magic Chairs 4AD Post-Rock, Experimental Ambient, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Electric President The Violent Blue Fake Four Indie Electronic, Alternative/Indie Rock
Eluvium Similes Temporary Residence Experimental Ambient, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Flatt & Scruggs/The Stanley Brothers Flatt & Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers JSP Records Bluegrass, Traditional Bluegrass, Country-Pop
Dan Fogelberg Dan Fogelberg Live: Greetings from the West Full Moon Soft Rock
The Fugs Be Free: The Fugs Final CD, Pt. II Kindred Rhythm Comedy Rock, Rock & Roll, Protest Songs
Robin Guthrie Sunflower Stories Darla Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Merle Haggard Kern River/Chill Factor American Beat Records Honky Tonk, Traditional Country
High on Fire Snakes for the Divine Koch Records Stoner Metal, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal
Hot Tuna Double Dose Edsel Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll
Fela Anikulapo Kuti Black Man's Cry Shanachie Afro-Beat, Afro-Pop, Nigerian, African Traditions, West African, Highlife
Hector Lavoe Greatest Hits [2010] Fania New York Salsa, Salsa, Tropical
Hector Lavoe La Voz: A Man and His Music Fania New York Salsa, Salsa, Tropical
Alan Licht/Loren Connors Into the Night Sky Family Vineyard Experimental Rock, Experimental, Free Improvisation, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
David Lloyd-Jones Sir Arthur Sullivan: Ivanhoe Chandos Post-Romantic Opera
Lonelady Nerve Up Warp New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Madlib Madlib Medicine Show No. 2: Flight to Brazil
Madlib Miles Away: The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble Stones Throw Fusion, Electric Jazz, Clubjazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Master P Ghetto D No Limit Records Dirty South, Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap, Gangsta Rap
Daniel Merriweather Love & War Sony Music Distribution Urban, Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul, Soul
Milow Milow Universal Distribution
Holly Miranda The Magician's Private Library XL Recordings Ltd. Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Essra Mohawk Essra Mohawk Asylum Art Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Essra Mohawk Primordial Lovers Reprise Art Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Sandy Hurvitz Sandy's Album Is Here at Last! Bizarre Planet Entertainment Art Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Moreland & Arbuckle Flood Telarc International Modern Electric Blues, Blues-Rock
Mutiny Within Mutiny Within Roadrunner Records Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Death Metal, Heavy Metal
My Dying Bride Angel and the Dark River/Darkest Eyes [CD/DVD] Snapper Doom Metal, Goth Metal, Death Metal, Heavy Metal
Nazareth Loud 'N' Proud Eagle Rock Album Rock, Hard Rock
Carrie Newcomer Before & After Rounder Records Contemporary Folk, Progressive Folk
Terry Riley Terry Riley: Autodreamographical Tales Tzadik Contemporary Chamber Music
Gerard Schwarz William Schuman: Symphony No. 8; Night Journey; Variations on 'America' Naxos Modern Orchestral Music
Morgan Page Believe RCA Records Progressive House, Club/Dance, House
Jackie Paris The Jackie Paris Sound EastWest Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, Vocal Pop, Bop
Past Lives Tapestry of Webs Suicide Squeeze Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Lucky Peterson Heart of Pain JSP Records Modern Electric Blues, Contemporary Blues, Electric Blues, Soul-Blues
John Pizzarelli Rockin' in Rhythm: A Tribute To Duke Ellington Telarc Distribution Vocal Jazz, Standards, Swing, American Popular Song, Guitar Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Neo-Bop
Helen Reddy Ear Candy/We'll Sing in the Sunshine Raven Records Soft Rock
Terry Riley Terry Riley: Autodreamographical Tales Tzadik Records
The Rocket Summer Of Men and Angels Island Emo, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Jack Rose Luck in the Valley Thrill Jockey
Diana Ross Touch Me in the Morning Motown Motown, AM Pop, Pop-Soul, Soul
Sambassadeur European Labrador Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
New CD Album Releases, 2-16-2010: Duke Ellington, Wu-Tang Clan Pretty slow week in new releases. Best candidate would be a two disc Duke Ellington live set from 1945, The Treasury Shows, Vol. 14. These DETS (Duke Ellington Treasury Shows) are expected to eventually make 24 two CD sets.
Also, if for some incomprehensible reason you are of the cult of the Wu-Tang Clan, there's a CD this week of scraps and remixes, Return of the Wu & Friends.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Nick Curran & the Lowlifes Reform School Girl Eclecto Groove Records Regional Blues, Retro Swing, Alternative/Indie Rock, Texas Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Field Music Field Music (Measure) Memphis Industries Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Chamber Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Lightspeed Champion Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You Domino Recording Company USA Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Tindersticks Falling Down a Mountain Constellation Chamber Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Ellen Allien Watergate 05 Watergate Records Experimental Techno, Techno, Club/Dance
Kasey Anderson Nowhere Nights Red River
The Art Museums Rough Frame Woodsist Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Dan Black ((Un)) Polydor Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Dance
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra The Treasury Shows, Vol. 14 Storyville Records
Alton Ellis Soul Train Is Coming Rock a Shacka Rocksteady, Roots Reggae, Ska
Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now! Fixin' the Charts, Vol. 1 Essential Music & Marketing Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Gentle Friendly Ride Slow Upset The Rhythm Noise Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Adam Green Minor Love Fat Possum Records Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Herbaliser Band Session 1 Department H
Henry "Junjo" Lawes Volcano Eruption: Reggae Anthology VP Records
Byron Lee & the Dragonaires The Man and His Music VP Records
Mako Sica Dual Horizon La Societe Expeditionnaire Alternative/Indie Rock, Experimental Rock, Post-Rock
Jon Manasse Mozart, Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Harmonia Mundi Classical Clarinet Concertos
Denis Matsuev Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Mariinsky Post-Romantic Music for Piano & Orchestra
Joey McIntyre Here We Go Again Universal Distribution
Moon Duo Escape Woodsist Alternative/Indie Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Alternative Pop/Rock
Mumford & Sons Sigh No More Gentlemen of the Road Indie Folk, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, British Folk, Americana
Schoenberg Quartett Garden of Eros: String Quartets by Louis Andriessen Attacca Contemporary Chamber Music
Kai Schumacher Frederic Rzewski: The People United Will Never Be Defeated Wergo Contemporary Piano Music
Vocal Concert Dresden Abschied vom Walde Berlin Classics Romantic Choral Music
Overnight Lows City of Rotten Eyes Goner Records
Ewan Pearson We Are Proud of Our Choices Kompakt Techno, Club/Dance, Indie Electronic
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & the Preservation Hall Music Outre Preservation Hall Recordings New Orleans Jazz Revival, New Orleans Jazz
Santana Supernatural Arista Latin Rock, Album Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock
Seven Fields of Aphelion Periphery Graveface Records Indie Folk, Indie Electronic, Alternative/Indie Rock
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra Kollaps Tradixionales Constellation Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Ben Sollee/Daniel Martin Moore Dear Companion Sub Pop Records Contemporary Folk, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
The Souljazz Orchestra Rising Sun Strut
Story of the Year The Constant Epitaph Records Emo, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Grunge
Various Artists Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound in 1970s Nigeria Soundway
Wu-Tang Return of the Wu & Friends Gold Dust Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
New CD Album Releases, 2-9-2010: Sade, KD Lang, Georgia Anne Muldrow Sade is back this week with Soldier of Love. What I'm hearing here seems like it's of a piece with nearly everything that I've ever heard from her. There's at least some middling decent songwriting, but the attraction is definitely mostly in the sound of her voice and the gently melancholic mood of the arrangements. If you're into Sade, you'll likely find this a worthy new entry. I note also that this is the current #1 seller at Amazon.
Recollection is a 2CD compilation from KD Lang. This has only one or two songs from her early country career, but she's better known for the later stuff and it does go together better. Get this and Absolute Torch and Twang, and you'll be in pretty good shape for KD.
Georgia Anne Muldrow has a new album Kings Ballad. I haven't heard any of this, but I'll just say it would rate a listen on the basis that she made one of the best songs of 2006.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Hot Chip One Life Stand EMI Music Distribution Indie Electronic, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Dance
Massive Attack Heligoland Virgin Records Electronica, Downbeat, Trip-Hop, Ambient Breakbeat, Alternative Dance, Club/Dance, Alternative/Indie Rock, Acid Jazz
Sade Soldier of Love Epic Adult Contemporary R&B, Adult Contemporary
Watson Twins Talking to You, Talking to Me Vanguard Records Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alt-Country, Indie Rock
ALO Man of the World Brushfire Records Jam Bands, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
AM Future Sons & Daughters Filter US Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
William Albright Scott Joplin: Complete Rags, Marches & Waltzes Nimbus Post-Romantic Keyboard Music
Bad Company Hard Rock Live Image
Big Brother & the Holding Company The Lost Tapes Airline Records Blues-Rock, Psychedelic, Acid Rock
Black Cat Bones Barbed Wire Sandwich See For Miles Records Boogie Rock, Acid Rock, Psychedelic, Blues-Rock, Regional Blues, British Blues
Kath Bloom Thin Thin Line Caldo Verde Records Alternative Folk, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Folk
A Broken Consort Crow Autumn Tompkins Square Post-Minimalism, Conceptual Art, Alternative/Indie Rock, Experimental Rock, Electro-Acoustic, Ambient
Buzzcocks Another Music in a Different Kitchen [Bonus Disc] United Artists Records British Punk, Punk/New Wave, Punk
Buzzcocks Different Kind of Tension [Bonus Disc] Nettwerk British Punk, Punk/New Wave, Punk
Buzzcocks Love Bites [Bonus Disc] EMI Music Distribution British Punk, Punk/New Wave, Punk
Chris Cagle The Best of Chris Cagle LCT Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Joe "Fingers" Carr/Lou Busch Let's Do It Again: From Honky Tonk to the Classics Jasmine Records (UK)
Celtic Thunder It's Entertainment Decca Records Vocal Pop
Nat King Cole and Friends Riffin': The Decca, JATP, Keynote and Mercury Recordings Hip-o Select Modern Jazz Vocals, Piano Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, Jive, Swing, Jazz Instrument
Various Artists More Than Just A DJ: DJ Kayslay E1/Koch Hardcore Rap
Deadmau5 At Play, Vol. 2 Play Records Club/Dance
Neil Diamond Hot August Night/NYC: Live from Madison Square Garden Legacy
Fear Factory Mechanize Candlelight Records Heavy Metal
Vilde Frang Sibelius: Violin Concerto; Humoresques; Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1 EMI Classics Modern Music for Violin & Orchestra
Galactic Ya-Ka-May Anti Soul Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Funk, R&B Instrumental, Deep Funk Revival, Underground Rap, Southern Rap, New Orleans R&B
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble Restored, Returned ECM Records Contemporary Jazz, Chamber Jazz, Piano Jazz, Jazz Instrument
H.I.M. Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, Chapter 1-13 Sire Alternative/Indie Rock, Goth Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Neo-Glam, Goth Metal, Heavy Metal
Bernard Haitink Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie LSO Live Post-Romantic Symphony
Michael Martin Murphey Buckaroo Blue Grass II: Riding Song Rural Rhythm Neo-Traditionalist Country, Contemporary Country, Country-Rock, Progressive Country, Bluegrass
Original Soundtrack Valentine's Day Watertower/Big Machine Soundtracks, Neo-Soul, Contemporary Country, Country-Pop, Pop, Soul
Pantha du Prince Black Noise Rough Trade Techno, Club/Dance, Experimental Techno
Billy Paul Am I Black Enough for You Abstract Sounds
Phantogram Eyelid Movies BBE Indie Electronic, Alternative/Indie Rock, Trip-Hop
Pretenders Live in London Koch Records Contemporary Pop/Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Hard Rock, Soundtracks
Reckless Kelly Somewhere in Time Yep Roc Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Country-Rock, Alt-Country
Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds Live in Las Vegas RCA Records Jam Bands, Alternative/Indie Rock, American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Marc Ribot/Lucien Dubuis Ultime Cosmos Enja
Sanchez Now and Forever VP Smooth Reggae, Contemporary Reggae
Gil Scott-Heron I'm New Here XL Poetry, Spoken Word, Experimental Ambient, Dark Ambient, Trip-Hop, Dubstep
Secret & Whisper Teenage Fantasy Tooth & Nail Contemporary Christian, CCM
Ravi Shankar Rare and Glorious Times Square Records Indian Subcontinent Traditions, Indian Classical, Raga, World Fusion
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes 1978: Live in Boston Fuel 2000 Records
Esbjorn Svensson Trio Retrospective: The Very Best of E.S.T Act Contemporary Jazz, Post-Bop
T.I. Live from Forest City Correctional Facility D Bag International
tobyMac Tonight Forefront Records Gospel, Contemporary Christian, CCM
Josh Turner Haywire MCA Nashville Americana, Neo-Traditionalist Country, Contemporary Country
Abdullah Ibrahim Bombella Intuition
Daphne Willis What To Say [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] Vanguard Records Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Yeasayer Odd Blood Secretly Canadian Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Rock
You Say Party! We Say Die! XXXX Paper Bag Records Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
New CD Album Releases, 2-2-2010: Nick Jonas, Rob Zombie, Lil Wayne Rob Zombie seems like much more of a personality than any kind of particularly accomplished artist or songwriter. I can't quite remember any of his particular songs, but his new album Hellbilly Deluxe 2 at least has some fun sounding titles. Don't know how much actual TUNE there is to any of them, but I could dig on songs with titles like "Virgin Witch" and "Sick Bubblegum."
Nick Jonas has a solo album, Who I Am. Twelve year old girls among my humble readership are encouraged to send me reviews. Hey, it could be good, or at least minimally competent pop craftsmanship.
Lil Wayne is back this week with Rebirth. This apparently features a heavy rock quotient mixed in to his basic rap.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Nick Jonas & the Administration Who I Am Hollywood Records Contemporary Pop/Rock, Teen Pop
Lil Wayne Rebirth Universal Motown Pop, Rap-Rock, Southern Rap
Midlake The Courage of Others Bella Union Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Album Leaf A Chorus of Storytellers Sub Pop Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Electronic, Post-Rock
Attitude Adjustment The Collection Taang! Records Hardcore Punk, Punk Revival, Punk/New Wave, Speed Metal, Heavy Metal
Emanuel Ax Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Sony Music Romantic Chamber Music
BT These Hopeful Machines Nettwerk Progressive Trance, Club/Dance, Trance
Zuill Bailey Bach: Cello Suites Telarc Baroque Cello Music
Franklin Cox The New Cello, Vol. 1 Centaur Contemporary Cello Music
Carl Craig The Album Formerly Known As... K7 IDM, Detroit Techno, Club/Dance, Techno
Al Kent Disco Love: Rare Disco & Soul Uncovered BBE Club/Dance, Disco, Funk
Glossary Feral Fire Rebel Group Alternative/Indie Rock, American Trad Rock
Ma'alot Quintet Rossini: Harmoniemusik for Wind Quintet MDG Romantic Chamber Music
Bob Marley & the Wailers Rarities Edition: Legend Tuff Gong
Mighty Baby Tasting the Life: Live 1971 Sunbeam Records
Thomas Quasthoff The Best Of Thomas Quasthoff RCA Red Seal Baroque, Classical & Romantic Vocal Music
Madlib Madlib Medicine Show No. 1: Before the Verdict Left-Field Hip-Hop
Ziggy Marley Let's Go Back...Way Back, Vol. 1: Dancehall Originators Tuff Gong Worldwide Dancehall
Original Soundtrack Shutter Island [Music from the Motion Picture] Rhino Records Modern Composition, Minimalism, Experimental Electronic, Soundtracks
Pierced Arrows Descending Shadows Vice Records
Priestess Prior to the Fire Teepee Records Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal, Hard Rock
Joe Satriani Live in Paris: I Just Wanna Rock Red Ink Guitar Virtuoso, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Instrumental Rock
Scuba Sub:stance Dubstep, Club/Dance
The Soft Pack The Soft Pack Kemado Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Sourpatch Crushin Happy Happy Birthday To Me Re Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Toro y Moi Causers of This Carpark Records Indie Electronic, Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock
The Units History of the Units: The Early Years: 1977-1983 Community Library Punk/New Wave, New Wave, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Various Artists High All the Time, Vol. 2 Past & Present Records
Various Artists Maximum Prog: 16 Rare Gems from the Golden Age of British Progressive Rock Past & Present Records
Various Artists Next Stop... Soweto Strut
Various Artists Nigeria Afrobeat Special Soundway
Various Artists Pop Ambient 2010 Kompakt Ambient Techno, Ambient
Various Artists The Psychedelic Salvage Company, Vols. 1-2 Past & Present Records
Wakey! Wakey! Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You... Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Whitefield Brothers Earthology Now-Again
George Winston Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2 RCA Victor Piano/New Age, Contemporary Instrumental, Adult Alternative, Solo Instrumental, Neo-Classical, Adult Contemporary
New CD Album Releases, 1-26-2009: Patty Griffin, The Magnetic Fields, Pat Metheny Downtown Church is the new album by Patty Griffin. I won't claim much expertise in her repertoire, but she's generally considered one of the premier Americana or folk artists going. What I'm hearing here sounds pretty listenable. She's about something. I particularly appreciate the gospel and gospel flavors. For someone not known as a commercial powerhouse presenting an album of gospel and spirituals, I'm pleased to note that she's rated as high as #9 at Amazon currently.
Stephin Merritt's Magnetic Fields are back with Realism. Just on the basis of preview snips, this sounds like something that would be worth hearing at least once or twice. But then, I'm always inclined to give this guy the benefit of the doubt for having created "All My Little Words."
Pat Metheny has Orchestrion. The big point here is that he's managed to create a full orhcestra effect himself, all based on treatments of his guitar signal. I don't know from what I've heard if it's especially compositionally memorable, but it's a fairly impressive orhcestra effect at least.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD Album releases:
Beach House Teen Dream Sub Pop Records Indie Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Charlotte Gainsbourg IRM Elektra French Pop, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, French, Western European Traditions, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Patty Griffin Downtown Church Credential Recordings
Lady Antebellum Need You Now Liberty Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
The Magnetic Fields Realism Nonesuch Records Indie Pop, Indie Electronic, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Pat Metheny Orchestrion Nonesuch Records Contemporary Jazz, Modern Creative, Guitar Jazz, Jazz Instrument
Blue Rodeo The Things We Left Behind Warner Music France Heartland Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Americana, Alternative Country-Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
David Bowie A Reality Tour Sony Music Entertainment Contemporary Pop/Rock, Art Rock, Album Rock
Basia Bulat Heart of My Own Rough Trade US Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Buraka Som Sistema Fabriclive.49 Fabric Records Club/Dance
Los Campesinos! Romance Is Boring Arts & Crafts Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Citay Dream Get Together Dead Oceans Records Neo-Psychedelia, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Clipd Beaks To Realize Lovepump United Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Andrew Cyr Avner Dorman: Concertos Naxos Modern Concertos
DMX Best of DMX Hip-O Records Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
The Durutti Column Paean To Wilson Kooky Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Enigma Platinum Collection Virgin
Joe Firstman El Porto Rock Ridge Music American Trad Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Fozzy Chasing the Grail Riot Entertainment Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Power Metal
Gigi Maintenant Tomlab Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Vince Gill Love Songs MCA Nashville New Traditionalist, Country-Folk, Adult Contemporary, Country-Rock, Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Good Shoes No Hope, No Future Brille New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Pop
Great Buildings Extra Epic Everything Wounded Bird Records
The Guess Who Wheatfield Soul/Share the Land/Canned Wheat Ais
Thomas Hampson Michael Daugherty: Letters From Lincoln Koch Records Modern & Contemporary Orchestral Music
Harvey Milk Harvey Milk Hydra Head Records Heavy Metal
Four Tet There Is Love in You Domino Recording Experimental Techno, Ambient Techno, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Techno
Home Seventeen Jagjaguwar Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Yuka Honda Heart Chamber Phantoms Tzadik Records
I See Hawks in L.A. The Shoulda Been Gold 2001-2009 American Beat Records
Ihsahn After [Bonus DVD] [Deluxe Edition] Candlelight USA Heavy Metal
Joan of Arc Presents: Don't Mind Control Polyvinyl Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Lonnie Johnson A Life in Music Selected Sides 1925-1953 JSP Regional Blues, St. Louis Blues, Pre-War Country Blues, Acoustic Blues, Jazz Blues, Piedmont Blues, Country Blues, Blues Revival, Early Jazz, Early R&B
Mayuko Kamio Paganini: 24 Caprices RCA Victor Romantic Chamber Music
Kidz Bop Kids Kidz Bop 17 Razor & Tie Music
Steve Kilbey/Martin Kennedy Unseen Music Unheard Words Inevitable Entertainment Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Leather Strip Yes I'm Limited V Alfa Matrix Electro-Industrial, Alternative/Indie Rock, Industrial Dance, Club/Dance
Bei Bei/Shawn Lee Into the Wind Ubiquity Experimental Rock, Funky Breaks, Chinese Traditions, Electronica, Exotica, Club/Dance, Electro-Acoustic, Jazz-Funk, Traditional Chinese
Little Esther The Early Hits 1949-54 JSP Jazz Blues, Regional Blues, West Coast Blues, Soul, Pop-Soul, Early R&B
Joe Locke For the Love of You Koch Records
Locksley Be in Love Indie Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Power Pop
Major Stars Return to Form Drag City Alternative/Indie Rock, Acid Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic
Barry Manilow The Greatest Love Songs of All Time RCA Records Adult Contemporary, Soft Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Vocal Pop
Dean Martin Essential Love Songs Capitol Records Traditional Pop, American Popular Song, Vocal Pop
Chicago Underground Duo Boca Negra Thrill Jockey
Merzbow 13 Japanese Birds, Vol. 12 Important Records
Merzbow 13 Japanese Birds, Vol. 13 Important Records
Moon Mullican I'll Sail My Ship Alone/Mr Honky Tonk Man Ais
My Brightest Diamond Shark Remixes Volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4 Asthmatic Kitty Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult Death Threat Rustblade Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Youssou N'Dour I Bring What I Love Nonesuch Records Mbalax, Senegalese Music, Middle Eastern Traditions, African Traditions, West African, Middle Eastern Pop, African Folk, Soundtracks, Worldbeat
Never Shout Never What Is Love? Sire
Scout Niblett The Calcination of Scout Niblett Drag City
Number One Gun To the Secrets & Knowledge Tooth & Nail Contemporary Christian, CCM
William Orbit Odyssey Ministry of Sound Club/Dance
Alice Sara Ott Chopin: Complete Waltzes Deutsche Grammophon Romantic Piano Music
Steffen Schleiermacher Morton Feldman: The Late Piano Works, Vol. 3 MDG Contemporary Piano Music
Jeremy Pelt Men of Honor Highnote Records
Pit Er Pat The Flexible Entertainer Thrill Jockey Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Corinne Bailey Rae The Sea Capitol Records
The Red Krayola/Art & Language Five American Portraits Drag City Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Experimental, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Retribution Gospel Choir 2 Sub Pop Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Gospel
David Sanborn Only Everything Decca Us Smooth Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Saxophone Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Contemporary Jazz
Neil Sedaka The Music of My Life Universal Distribution Brill Building Pop, Early Pop/Rock, AM Pop, Teen Idols, Soft Rock
Matthew Shipp 4D Thirsty Ear Recordings Avant-Garde Jazz, Piano Jazz, Jazz Instrument
Frank Sinatra Strangers in the Night Reprise Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, AM Pop, Vocal Pop
Soul Children Finders Keepers/Where Is Your Woman Tonight Shout
New CD Album Releases, 1-19-2010: Gretchen Wilson, Michael Martin Murphey I'm seeing not a damned thing in this week's releases that looks like it'd be worth bothering with. The biggest name thing is a hits album from Gretchen Wilson, who had her first hit in 2004 - and the only thing I remember - with the cheesy "Redneck Woman." It does I suppose have the distinction of being the official anthem of white trailer trash nationwide. Good for her.
Here's the complete list of this week's listed major new CD album releases:
Editors In This Light and on This Evening Columbia New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Eels End Times Vagrant Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Spoon Transference Merge Records Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Various Artists Crazy Heart New West Records, Inc. Soundtracks, Truck Driving Country, Close Harmony, Americana, Outlaw Country, Bakersfield Sound, Honky Tonk
The Terry Adams Rock & Roll Quartet Crazy 8's Clang!
Aziz Ansari Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening Comedy Central Records Standup Comedy, Comedy, Observational Humor
Danny Barnes Pizza Box ATO Records
Blue Highway Some Day: The Fifteenth Anniversary Collection Rounder Records Progressive Bluegrass, Contemporary Bluegrass, Bluegrass
Alfred Brendel The Farewell Concerts Decca Baroque, Classical & Romantic Piano Music
Coal Porters Durango: April 17-April 30 Prima (UK)
Cold War Kids Behave Yourself Downtown Records Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Dinowalrus % Kanine Records
Josephine Foster Graphic as a Star Fire Alternative Folk, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Neo-Psychedelia
Barbara Hannigan Bart Visman: Sables, Oxygène; New Heaven!; Septet Etcetera Contemporary Vocal, Choral & Chamber Music
Maura Kennedy Parade of Echoes Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Americana, Contemporary Folk
Lindstrom & Christabelle Real Life Is No Cool Smalltown Supersound Left-Field House, Club/Dance, House
Alexander Lingas Peter Michaelides: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Capella Romana Contemporary Choral Music
Daniel Lippel Abandoned Time New Focus Contemporary Chamber Music
Motion City Soundtrack My Dinosaur Life Sony Music Entertainment
Michael Martin Murphey Lone Cowboy: Live & Solo Western Jubilee Company Neo-Traditionalist Country, Contemporary Country, Country-Rock, Progressive Country, Bluegrass
New CD Album Releases, 1-12-2010: OK Go, Vampire Weekend, Ringo Starr Still slow on the new releases front a couple of weeks into the new year. There are new releases from a couple of young groups what have made at least one worthwhile song previously. Haven't heard either of them, but OK Go has Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. Vampire Weekend has Contra.
In the sentimental favorites league, Ringo Starr has Y Not. You really shouldn't be expecting too much from the Beatles' drummer 40 odd years on, but the previews sound at least minimally listenable.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Final Fantasy Heartland Domino Recordings Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
OK Go Of the Blue Colour of the Sky EMI Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Omarion Ollusion Starworld Entertainment
Vampire Weekend Contra XL Indie Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Alexander String Quartet Quintessence Foghorn Classical & Romantic Chamber Music
All Time Low MTV Unplugged Hopeless Alternative/Indie Rock, Punk-Pop
American Chamber Winds Igor Stravinsky: An American Soldier's Tale Summit Records Modern Chamber Music
Blockhead The Music Scene Ninja Tune Left-Field Hip-Hop
Jason Boesel Hustler's Son Team Love American Trad Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock
Manu Chao Baionarena Warner Music France Rock en Espanol, International Fusion, Worldbeat, French Pop
Elvis Costello Live at Hollywood High Hip-O Records College Rock, Punk/New Wave, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, New Wave, Singer/Songwriter, Post-Punk
Nick Cave/Warren Ellis The Road Mute Records Soundtracks
Ensemble Musica Nova Guillaume de Machaut: Ballades Aeon Medieval Vocal Music
T-Model Ford The Ladies Man Alive Records Regional Blues, Modern Delta Blues, Electric Delta Blues, Delta Blues
The Gilded Palace of Sin You Break Our Hearts, We'll Tear Yours Out Central Control International
Hilary Hahn Bach: Violin and Voice Deutsche Grammophon Baroque Vocal & Chamber Music
Ray Wylie Hubbard A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is No C) Bordello Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Electric Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues
J-Stalin Prenuptial Agreement SMC Records West Coast Rap, Gangsta Rap, Hardcore Rap
Philippe Jaroussky J.C. Bach: La dolce fiamma Virgin Classics Classical Opera Arias
Chris Joss Monomaniacs, Vol. 1 ESL Club/Dance
Nana Grizol "Ruth" Orange Twin Record Company Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
O.A.R. Rain or Shine Everfine Records Jam Bands, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Ellis Paul The Day After Everything Changed Black Wolfe Records Contemporary Folk
Polysics Absolute Polysics Myspace Records Japanese Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Alternative/Indie Rock, Experimental Rock, J-Pop, Noise-Rock
Sharon Shannon Saints & Scoundrels Irl North American Traditions, Country & Irish, Traditional Irish Folk, Appalachian, Contemporary Celtic, Celtic, Zydeco, Cajun
Ringo Starr Y Not Hip-O Records Contemporary Pop/Rock
Various Artists Dengue Fever Presents: Electric Cambodia Minky Records
Laura Veirs July Flame Raven Marching Band Records Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative/Indie Rock, Americana
New CD Album Releases, 1-5-2010: Ke$ha The big touted album this week is the debut from Ke$ha, who made some bit of a name for a guest appearance on a Flo Rida hit. This is being pushed about a dozen different ways, including placement of the "Tik Tok" single in Project Runway spots. The little bits I'm hearing seem like maybe slightly above average pre-fab studio pop radio fodder.
The Lynyrd Skynyrd Street Survivors [Rarities Edition] is an interesting sounding artifact that does NOT include the originally released album, but an earlier alternate recording of the album, plus unused songs from the sessions and some live performances.
Also, dig the groovy Jackson 5 re-issues. Lot of groovy stuff in there.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Ke$ha Animal RCA Records Dance-Pop
Katharine McPhee Unbroken Verve Forecast
Findlay Brown Love Will Find You
Steve Earle Copperhead Road [Rarities Edition] MCA Records Heartland Rock, Roots Rock, Country-Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Americana, Alt-Country
Melissa Etheridge Melissa Etheridge: Rarities Edition Island Heartland Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Contemporary Pop/Rock
Gin Blossoms New Miserable Experience [Rarities Edition] A&M Records Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Howlin' Wolf The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions [Rarities Edition] Universal Distribution Regional Blues, British Blues, Electric Blues, Electric Chicago Blues, Chicago Blues, Blues-Rock, Album Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Adult Contemporary, Bop, Hard Rock, Electric Memphis Blues
Jackson 5ive Dancing Machine Motown Motown, Soul, Funk
The Jackson 5ive Get It Together Motown Motown, Soul, AM Pop, Funk
Jackson 5 Goin' Back to Indiana Motown Pop-Soul, Motown, Soul, AM Pop
Jackson 5 Lookin' Through the Windows Motown Motown, Soul, AM Pop, Smooth Soul
The Jackson 5 Maybe Tomorrow Motown Pop-Soul, Motown, Soul, AM Pop
Jackson 5 Moving Violation Motown Motown, Soul, Smooth Soul
Jackson 5ive Skywriter Motown Motown, Soul, AM Pop, Funk
The Jackson 5 Third Album/Maybe Tomorrow Motown Pop-Soul, Motown, Soul, AM Pop
Rick James Street Songs [Rarities Edition] Motown Urban, Funk, Quiet Storm
Lynyrd Skynyrd Street Survivors [Rarities Edition] MCA Records Album Rock, Boogie Rock, Arena Rock, Southern Rock, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll
Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full [Rarities Edition] 4th & Broadway Golden Age, Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap Elvis Presley Elvis 75 Legacy Recordings
Various Artists Italo House Story: 1984-1994 the History of Italian House Music [DVD]
Various Artists The Real Sound Of Chicago: Underground Disco From The Windy City BBE
Original Soundtrack Youth In Revolt Lakeshore Records Soundtracks
Weezer Weezer (Blue Album) [Rarities Edition] Geffen Alternative/Indie Rock, Punk-Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock, Emo
Kanye West VH1 Storytellers Roc-A-Fella Records Midwest Rap, Urban, Pop-Rap, Pop
Sade is back this week with Soldier of Love. What I'm hearing here seems like it's of a piece with nearly everything that I've ever heard from her. There's at least some middling decent songwriting, but the attraction is definitely mostly in the sound of her voice and the gently melancholic mood of the arrangements. If you're into Sade, you'll likely find this a worthy new entry. I note also that this is the current #1 seller at Amazon.
