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
Up to the minute notes on the current state of free thinking and free living: Kentucky moonshine - original analysis and reporting from MoreThings, and all round pop culture museum of sight and sound - photo galleries, mp3 and video downloads.
Al Barger and MoreThings - getting people's goats since 1998.
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All original content on MoreThings.com copyright 2008 Albert Barger or the respective authors
February 23, 2010
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, 10-27-2009: Del McCoury, Dolly Parton, Sting, Michael Jackson The big find this week is Los Lobos Goes Disney. Obviously, this outstanding and flavorful band coupled with some of the best pop songs of the last six or seven decades offers many choice goodies. "The Bare Necessities" rocks righteously. They pick also several lesser known songs from the canon, including "Grim Grinning Ghosts" and "The Ugly Bug Ball." I'm particularly pleased to note that they picked two songs from the Robin Hood movie, which is to say Roger Miller songs. I'm a little disappointed though that they didn't take a crack at "The Phony King of England," which would seem like the most obvious song for them there. But it's all good, however you want to look at it.
Sting has a Christmas album, If on a Winter's Night.... It's got two new Sting compositions, but mostly really old stuff, obscure enough stuff that I don't know any of it. Some of this stuff goes back to at least the 14th century, and he's after at least some modern incarnation of very old traditional English sounds. He's obviously consciously avoided anything holly and jolly, looking for somber invocations of the season and the Christ child. I tend to think of Sting as becoming progressively way too precious over his career, but this is perhaps where such traits pay off.
Also, there's the soundtrack to the new film of Michael Jackson's big concert rehearsal film Michael Jackson's This Is It. There seems to be one actual new song, and I'm to understand that the recordings are mostly not new live recordings, but basically backing tracks of the hit recordings to which the live dance rehearsals were set.
Here's the complete list of this week's new CD album releases:
Devendra Banhart What Will We Be Warner Bros. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Acid Folk, Neo-Psychedelia, Lo-Fi
Broadcast & the Focus Group Broadcast & the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age Warp Ambient Pop, Dream Pop, Post-Rock/Experimental, Indie Electronic
Creed Full Circle Wind-Up Post-Grunge
Gov't Mule By a Thread Evil Teen Jam Bands, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock
Heavy Trash Midnight Soul Serenade Big Legal Mess Rockabilly Revival, Garage Punk
Michael Jackson Michael Jackson's This Is It Epic Club/Dance, Pop/Rock, Motown, Dance-Pop
Dolly Parton Dolly [RCA/Legacy] Legacy Country-Folk, Country-Pop, Progressive Country, Traditional Country, Contemporary Country
R.E.M. Live at the Olympia [2CD/1DVD] Warner Bros. Alternative Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Swell Season Strict Joy Anti Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
U2 The Unforgettable Fire [Super Deluxe Edition] Island/Universal Album Rock, Post-Punk, Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, College Rock
Wolfmother Cosmic Egg DGC/Interscope/Modular Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal, Hard Rock
3 Revisions Metal Blade Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal
Matias Aguayo Ay Ay Ay Kompakt Left-Field House, Club/Dance, Experimental Techno
Tony Allen/Jimi Tenor Inspiration Information, Vol. 4 Strut Clubjazz, Afro-Beat, Contemporary Reggae, World Fusion
Atreyu Congregation of the Damned Hollywood Alternative Metal, Death Metal/Black Metal, Screamo
Between the Buried and Me The Great Misdirect Victory Alternative Metal, Post-Hardcore
Boat Setting the Paces Magic Marker Indie Rock, Indie Pop
James Brown Live at the Garden [Expanded Edition] Hip-O Select Funk, Soul
Sara Davis Buechner Jazz Nocturne: The Collected Piano Music of Dana Suesse E1 Modern Piano Music
A Day to Remember Homesick Victory Post-Hardcore, Heavy Metal
Dave Douglas A Single Sky Green Leaf Post-Bop
Melissa Etheridge A New Thought for Christmas [Deluxe Edition] [CD/DVD] Island Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Christmas
The Blind Boys of Alabama Duets Saguaro Road Traditional Gospel, Southern Gospel, Black Gospel, Reggae Gospel, Country Gospel, Blues Gospel
The Blind Boys of Alabama Enlightenment Great American Traditional Gospel, Southern Gospel, Black Gospel
Rosie Flores Girl of the Century Bloodshot Americana, Alternative Country, Neo-Traditionalist Country, Honky Tonk
Garage a Trois Power Patriot Telarc Post-Bop
Egberto Gismonti Saudacoes ECM Brazilian Folk, Brazilian Jazz, Modern Composition
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family Go Waggaloo Smithsonian/Folkways Children's Folk, Sing-Along
Everette Harp First Love Shanachie Straight-Ahead Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Hem Twelfth Night RCA/Nettwerk Musicals, Contemporary Celtic
New CD Album Releases, 9-15-2009: Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Mark Knopfler God bless and keep Ricky Skaggs. He's out this week with Solo: Songs My Dad Loved. This is a beautiful bluegrass album. For being old songs his daddy loved, I only recognize one of them. So it's pretty much an album of new songs for most people. His mandolin picking is beautiful and his singing is better than I remember. He's distinctly got a bit of a Ralph Stanley thing going on vocally, which is a wonderful thing. You probably ought to hear this.
Also, Mark Knopfler has his sixth solo album, Get Lucky. Just on the basis of a few samples, this sounds pretty good. He's not Mr Charisma - just a talented songwriter and guitar player. He's rootsy with minimal self-consciousness, quiet and contemplative. This album is as high as #5 currently at Amazon.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Big Star Keep an Eye on the Sky Rhino Proto-Punk, Pop/Rock, Power Pop
Drake So Far Gone Cash Money/Universal Motown Pop-Rap, Contemporary R&B, Hardcore Rap, Southern Rap
Nelly Furtado Mi Plan Universal Latino Pop/Rock
Kid Cudi Man on the Moon: The End of Day Universal Motown Left-Field Hip-Hop, Underground Rap, Alternative Rap
Muse The Resistance Warner Bros. Alternative Pop/Rock, Neo-Prog
Q-Tip Kamaal the Abstract Battery Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, Alternative Rap
Pete Yorn/Scarlett Johansson Break Up Atco/Rhino Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Pop/Rock
Anvil This Is Thirteen VH1 Classics Speed Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash
Armed for Apocalypse Defeat Metal Blade/Ironclad Death Metal/Black Metal
Big Punisher The Legacy: The Best of Big Pun Loud/Legacy Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap, Gangsta Rap, Hip-Hop, Latin Rap
The Black Dahlia Murder Deflorate Metal Blade Death Metal/Black Metal
Luiza Borac Chopin: Etudes; Six Polish Songs (transcribed Liszt) Avie Romantic Piano Music
Butterfly Boucher Scaryfragile Nettwerk Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Tyondai Braxton Central Market Warp Experimental, Post-Rock/Experimental, Creative Orchestra
Brownout Aguilas and Cobras Six Degrees Deep Funk Revival, Latin Rock, Afro-Beat
Cafe Tacuba Yo Soy Warner Music Latina Foreign Language Rock, Rock en Español
Cougar Patriot Counter Post-Rock/Experimental, Instrumental Rock, Indie Electronic
Cowboy Troy Demolition Mission: Studio Blue Sessions Winding Road Pop-Rap, Contemporary Country
Charlie Daniels Midnight Wind [Midnight Wind...Plus] Raven Urban Cowboy, Country Gospel, Southern Rock, Country-Rock, Traditional Country
New CD Album Releases, 8-25-2009: Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah The #3 seller currently at Amazon is American Classic, Willie Nelson's latest dip into the deep end of American standards. His jazzy side serves him well with material like this. "Fly Me to the Moon" would seem like it was written just for Willie to jam on while he's smoking up.
I can't remember anything new from Smokey Robinson really getting my attention in the last couple of decades, but the guy who wrote "Tracks of My Tears" and "Being With You" has a new album this week, Time Flies When You're Having Fun. It features input from Carlos Santana and India.Arie among others.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new releases:
New CD Album Releases, 8-18-2009: Sean Paul, Reba McEntire, Delbert McClinton Imperial Blaze isn't particularly burning up the charts right out of the box, but Sean Paul is probably numbers wise the top charting Jamaican artist in the US chart history. "Gimme the Light" was a pretty good hit, among a half dozen or so hit US chart singles.
Reba McEntire is back this week with Keep on Loving You. This is her first album in six years, and her debut with The Valory Music Co. It's #5 at Amazon currently.
Acquired Taste is the lucky 13th album for Texas blues guitarist and all round groovy dude Delbert McClinton.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Brendan Benson My Old, Familiar Friend ATO Pop Underground, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Cave Singers Welcome Joy Matador Neo-Traditional Folk, Folk-Rock
Joe Henry Blood from Stars Anti Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Jazz Blues, Folk-Pop
Delbert McClinton Acquired Taste New West Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Roots Rock, Country-Rock, Electric Texas Blues, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll
Sean Paul Imperial Blaze VP/Atlantic Dancehall, Pop, Pop-Rap
Jay Reatard Watch Me Fall Matador Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Garage Punk
The Antlers Hospice French Kiss Indie Rock, Chamber Pop, Lo-Fi
As Tall as Lions You Can't Take It with You Triple Crown Indie Rock, Ambient Pop
Black Sheep Kiss My Sweet Apocalypse Invada Experimental Rock, Indie Rock
Terence Blanchard Choices Concord Jazz Crossover Jazz, Post-Bop
Paul Burch And The WPA Ballclub Still Your Man Ramseur Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Alternative Country, Alternative Country-Rock, Country-Folk, Roots Rock
Lisa della Casa Richard Strauss: Arabella Decca Post-Romantic Opera
Clan of Xymox In Love We Trust Metropolis Darkwave, Goth Rock
The Cult Love [Expanded Edition] Beggars Banquet Alternative Pop/Rock, College Rock, Goth Rock, Hard Rock
Joey DeGraw Say Something Strong National Underground Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Eliot Fisk Mario Castelnuevo-Tedesco: Guitar Works Nimbus Modern Music for Guitar
GWAR Lust in Space Metal Blade Heavy Metal, Thrash, Comedy Rock
Colin Hay American Sunshine Compass Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
K'NAAN The Dusty Foot on the Road [Bonus Track] Wrasse Alternative Rap, Political Rap, Underground Rap, Hip-Hop
Jim Lauderdale Could We Get Any Closer? Sky Crunch Americana, Alternative Country, Progressive Bluegrass, Progressive Country
Litmus Aurora Metal Blade Stoner Metal, Space Rock
MUTEMATH Armistice Warner Bros./Teleprompt Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Post-Rock/Experimental
Reba McEntire Keep on Loving You Valory Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Willie Mitchell Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On Fat Possum/Hi Records Memphis Soul, Soul-Blues, Soul
Francesco Molinari-Pradelli Gaetano Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore Decca Romantic Opera
Mount Eerie Wind's Poem P.W. Elverum & Sun Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Alternative Pop/Rock
David Nail I'm About to Come Alive MCA Nashville Contemporary Country
Szymanowski Quartet Paris SWR Modern Music for String Quartet
Original Soundtrack Californication: Season 2 Lion's Gate Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Television Music, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, TV Soundtracks, Hard Rock
Original Soundtrack Mad Men, Vol. 2 Lion's Gate TV Soundtracks, Early British Pop/Rock, Vocal Jazz, Indie Rock, Vocal Pop, Rock & Roll
Otep Smash the Control Machine Victory Alternative Metal, Rap-Metal, Goth Metal
Jack Penate Everything Is New XL Indie Pop, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Pissed Jeans King of Jeans Sub Pop Post-Hardcore, Indie Rock
Sister Hazel Release Rock Ridge American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Third Eye Blind Ursa Major Mega Collider Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Post-Grunge, Alternative Pop/Rock, Pop/Rock
Richard Thompson Walking on a Wire Shout! Factory Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Folk, British Folk, Folk-Rock
Various Artists Girls Are At It Again: UK Beat Girls 1964-1969 Universal/Mercury Girl Group, Pop/Rock, British Invasion
New CD Album Releases, 3-11-2009: George Strait, Jessie James Twang is, by my best estimate, the 756th album by George Strait. He's still going strong after something like 30 years. This is currently the #2 album at Billboard.
The eponymous debut album Jessie James makes her the instant presumed new diva. It would appear that she's after a slutty pseudo-country prefab guar-an-teed hit with songs written or co-written with some American Idol judge and people who write Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks songs. Whatever.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Cobra Starship Hot Mess Fueled by Ramen Alternative Pop/Rock, Dance-Pop, Punk-Pop
Jessie James Jessie James Island/Mercury Pop, Club/Dance, Adult Contemporary, Dance-Pop, Country-Pop
The Rumble Strips Welcome to the Walk Alone Island UK New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Alternative Pop/Rock
Mindy Smith Stupid Love Vanguard Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana
George Strait Twang MCA Nashville New Traditionalist, Contemporary Country
Various Artists Woodstock: 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm [Box Set] Rhino Guitar Virtuoso, Boogie Rock, Acid Rock, Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, Roots Rock, Political Folk, Hard Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Folk-Pop, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll
After Midnight Project Let's Build Something to Break Universal Motown Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Gato Barbieri Tropico Verve Latin Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Jazz-Pop
The Bottle Rockets Lean Forward Bloodshot Alternative Country-Rock, Roots Rock
Box Elders Alice & Friends Box Elders Garage Rock Revival, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi
Randy Brown Welcome to My Room/Midnight Desire Shout! Memphis Soul, Deep Soul, Southern Soul, Quiet Storm
Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond 1975: The Duets A&M Standards, Mainstream Jazz, Torch Songs, Cool, West Coast Jazz
Rodney Carrington Make It Christmas Capitol Holiday, Christmas, Contemporary Country
Cavo Bright Nights Dark Days Reprise Post-Grunge, Hard Rock
Dead Swans Sleep Walkers Bridge Nine Screamo, Heavy Metal
Destroy All Monsters 74-76 Ecstatic Peace Obscuro, Detroit Rock, Proto-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock
Devil's Anvil Hard Rock from the Middle East [Bonus Track] Rev-Ola/Pressure Drop Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock
The Dry Spells Too Soon for Flowers Antenna Farm Indie Rock, Americana
Fanny Rock & Roll Survivors Cherry Red Album Rock, Arena Rock, Glam Rock, Hard Rock
Sue Foley Queen Bee: The Antones Collection Retroworld Contemporary Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Robben Ford Soul on Ten Concord Modern Electric Blues, Crossover Jazz
Marcia Griffiths Play Me Sweet and Nice Trojan Contemporary Reggae, Lovers Rock
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Live 1968 Paris/Ottawa [CD] Experience Hendrix Guitar Virtuoso, Acid Rock, Psychedelic, Blues-Rock
The Herbaliser Band Session 2 !K7 Clubjazz, Ambient Breakbeat
Stephen Hough My Favorite Things Nimbus Piano Encores & Showpieces
The Housemartins London 0 Hull 4 [Deluxe Edition] Mercury UK College Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Jangle Pop
Tom Jones The Body and Soul of Tom Jones/Tom Jones Sings She's a Lady Dutton Vocalion Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Country-Pop
Tom Jones Close Up/Tom Vocalion AM Pop, Pop/Rock
Tom Jones Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like/Memories Don't Leave Like People Do Dutton Vocalion Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Country-Pop
Dave Liebman & the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra Sketches of Spain Live Jazzheads Post-Bop
Liverpool Scene Amazing Adventures Of... RCA British Psychedelia, Psychedelic
John Martyn Solid Air [Deluxe Edition] [Bonus Tracks] Spectrum Audio British Folk-Rock, British Folk, Folk-Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Progressive Folk
Imelda May Love Tattoo Verve Forecast Rockabilly Revival, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Malcolm Middleton Waxing Gibbous Full Time Hobby Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Mojo's Everything's Alright: The Complete Recordings Rpm British Invasion
Nash Ensemble Tavener: Canciones Españolas; Requiem for Father Malachy Lyrita Contemporary Vocal & Choral Music
Willie Nelson Lost Highway Lost Highway Western Swing Revival, Outlaw Country, Progressive Country, Traditional Country
New Christs Gloria Impedance Aussie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Nisennenmondai Destination Tokyo Smalltown Supersound Post-Rock/Experimental, Instrumental Rock
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Gershwin: An American in Paris; Rhapsody in Blue; Ravel: Bólero; Pavane pour une infante defunte; Debussy: Prelude a Royal Philharmonics Masterwork Modern Orchestral Music
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg Together NSS Modern & Contemporary Music for Chamber Orchestra
Original Soundtrack Bandslam [Original Soundtrack] Hollywood Teen Pop, Soundtracks, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Proclaimers Notes & Rhymes Universal Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Reigning Sound Love and Curses In The Red Indie Rock, Garage Punk
Sailor Third Step/Checkpoint Glam/7T's AM Pop, Euro-Pop
Buffy Sainte-Marie Running for the Drum Gypsy Boy Contemporary Folk, Folk-Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Traditional Native American, Contemporary Native American, Progressive Folk, Political Folk, Traditional Folk, Country-Folk
Anna Ternheim Leaving On a Mayday [Verve Bonus Track] Verve Forecast Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Hank Thompson The Quintessential Hank Thompson 1948-1979 Raven Country Boogie, Bakersfield Sound, Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Traditional Country
Merle Travis Merle Travis Guitar/Walkin the Strings... Plus Raven Country Boogie, Traditional Country, Americana, Instrumental Country
Jim Turner Jelly Roll Blues: A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton Arbors Stride, Ragtime
Various Artists Koyaanisqatsi [Original Motion Picture Score] Orange Mountain Music Contemporary Film Music
New CD Album Releases, 6-30-2009: Levon Helm, Brad Paisley, Wilco After 25 years between releases, Electric Dirt is the second Levon Helm album in three years. Dirt Farmer was an excellent album, and this is intended as a continuation of the idea. But whereas the last album was pretty distinctly acoustic and country, this album looks to fold back in a little more electricity and blues. He does an excellent version of Huey Long's famous "King Fish" campaign song that'll make you forget all about Randy Newman. One of the two songs on the album which he composed is "Growing Trade," which gives some reflection on the mixed feelings of an old farmer who has taken to raising marijuana. A body definitely needs to hear this record.
I can't quite remember any of his songs, but Brad Paisley has sold a buttload of records, so maybe I'm missing something. He's back this week with a new album, American Saturday Night. Maybe it's not just mediocre generic modern commercial country music.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Levon Helm Electric Dirt Vanguard Roots Rock, Country-Rock
Moby Wait for Me Mute Alternative Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Ambient Techno
Brad Paisley American Saturday Night Arista Contemporary Country, Neo-Traditionalist Country
Rob Thomas cradlesong Atlantic Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Wilco Wilco (The Album) Nonesuch Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
Ace Hood Ruthless Def Jam Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
Jon Balke/Amina Alaoui/Jonhassell/Kheir Eddine M'Kachiche/Bjarte Eike Siwan ECM Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Composition, Modern Creative
Beastie Boys Hello Nasty Grand Royal/Capitol Alternative Rap, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hip-Hop, Underground Rap
Dave Brubeck Essential Standards OJC Cool, West Coast Jazz
Ossie Davis A Voice Ringing O'er the Gale! The Orato Smithsonian/Folkways Spoken Word
Delain April Rain Roadrunner Progressive Metal, Goth Metal, Power Metal
Ensemble devotio moderna Loff unde ere (Praise and Glory): Music from Medingen Convent Cantate Medieval Vocal Music
Bill Evans Essential Standards OJC Post-Bop, Ballads
Fine Arts Quartet Faure: Piano Quintets Naxos Post-Romantic Chamber Music
Elliot Goldenthal Public Enemies [Score] Decca Original Score, Soundtracks, Vocal Jazz, Contemporary Blues
Vince Guaraldi Essential Standards OJC Mainstream Jazz, Cool, Latin Jazz, West Coast Jazz
Robin Guthrie Angel Falls Darla Experimental Ambient
David Jaurequi Fox Bat Strategy: A Tribute to Dave Jaurequi David Lynch Post-Rock/Experimental, Alternative Pop/Rock
Jefferson Airplane The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Album Rock, Pop/Rock
Janis Joplin The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Album Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll
Eleni Karaindrou Dust of Time (Music for the Film by Theo Angelopolous) ECM Original Score, Film Music
Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage [2009] Roadrunner Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal, Grindcore
Joseph Levine American Ballets EMI Classics Modern Ballet Music
Maino If Tomorrow Comes... Atlantic Underground Rap, East Coast Rap
Ted Nugent Motor City Mayhem: 6,000th Concert Eagle Album Rock, Hard Rock
Michael Schųnwandt Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 Naxos Modern Symphonies
Evan Parker/Electro-Acoustic Ensemble The Moment's Energy ECM Improvisation, Structured Improvisation, Modern Composition
Art Pepper Essential Standards OJC Cool, West Coast Jazz, Bop
Santana Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Latin Rock, Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop/Rock
Andy Sheppard Movements in Colour ECM Modern Creative
Sly & Family Stone The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Psychedelic Soul, Pop/Rock, Funk, Soul
Stephen Sondheim Road Show Nonesuch Musicals, Show Tunes
Rod Stewart A Night on the Town [Collector's Edition] Stiefel Entertainment/WB Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, AM Pop
Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing [Collector's Edition] Stiefel Entertainment/WB Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, AM Pop
Tanya Tucker My Turn Time Life Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Twisted Sister Stay Hungry: 25th Anniversary Edition Rhino Pop-Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Various Artists Now That's What I Call the 80s, Vol. 2 Sony Pop/Rock, Dance-Pop, Dance-Rock, Club/Dance, Contemporary R&B
Various Artists Now, Vol. 31 [US] Sony Legacy Pop, Dance-Pop, Pop-Rap, Contemporary R&B
Whitesnake Slide It In [25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] [Bonus Tracks] [CD/DVD] Geffen Pop-Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Arena Rock, Hair Metal
Whitesnake Slip of the Tongue [20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] [Bonus Tracks] [CD/DVD]] Geffen Pop-Metal, Hair Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Arena Rock
Johnny Winter The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Slide Guitar Blues, Modern Electric Texas Blues, Blues-Rock, Modern Electric Blues, Album Rock, Hard Rock
Wu-Tang Clan Playlist: The Very Best of Wu-Tang Clan Legacy East Coast Rap, Hip-Hop
New CD Album Releases, 4-14-2009: John Doe, Jill Sobule Looks kinda thin in the new releases this week. Perhaps there's an obscure group in this mess that I've not heard which is utterly brilliant.
The big name this week is John Doe. He started out as some idea of punk rock, and has been highly touted in some quarters for a quarter century. He's now finally worked his way around to making a full-fledged country album, Country Club. But for all the aclaim, and several attempts at listening to him over the years, I for one cannot remember a single song of this guy ever making any impression whatsoever on me personally - though in theory I should be a good audience for him.
This album consists of new arrangements of classic country songs. Naturally, he's going for real country sounds rather than some modern Garth Brooks crap, so that's to the positive. Also, he's somewhat significantly re-arranging these songs. The Bakersfield sound is invoked to explain some of this, which is to the good. But I'm more taken with the bit of Tex-Mex flavor of, for one, "Stop the World and Let Me Off." That gives the classic track a bit of fresh flavor.
Plus, some of these are less than 100% obvious choices. I am particularly pleased to see some props for my beloved Porter Wagoner through his rendition of "The Cold Hard Facts of Life." This is already getting more interest from me than anything else I've heard from John Doe. I will probably have try to get at least one good listen to this bad boy.
Jill Sobule made at least one really good basic pop song a few years back, "I Kissed a Girl." So that gets her at least some consideration. I've listened to all the samples for this new California Years album. They mostly sound okay. I'd go so far as to say that listening to the whole album probably wouldn't fill me with a strong desire to smash the CD into litle pieces. I was at least amused by the final track, "The Donor Song." According to the opening lyric, apparently she was raising money to record the album, and has her repaying donors by singing their names. Don't know that there's really a tune there, but it's at least cute.
Not particularly exciting, but these two albums would probably be at least half-listenable. That's about as good as we're going to get this week in new stuff.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
John Doe & the Sadies Country Club Yep Roc Alternative Country, Neo-Traditionalist Country
Grand Duchy Petits Fours Cooking Vinyl Indie Rock
Metric Fantasies Metric/Last Gang Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival
The Rakes Klang V2 New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Indie Rock, Punk Revival
Silversun Pickups Swoon Dangerbird Alternative Pop/Rock
Roy Ayers Ubiquity He's Coming Verve Soul-Jazz, Instrumental Pop
Gato Barbieri Chapter Two: Hasta Siempre Impulse! Latin Jazz, World Fusion, Free Jazz
Beck One Foot in the Grave [Expanded Edition] Geffen/K/Iliad Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Alternative Pop/Rock
Tony Bennett/Bill Evans The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings Fantasy Standards, Ballads, Vocal Jazz, Modal Music, Show Tunes
Art Blakey Soul Finger Verve Hard Bop
The Boy Least Likely To The Law of the Playground +1 Indie Pop
Bill Callahan Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle Drag City Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Lars Danielsson Tarantella Act Music + Vision Post-Bop, Modern Creative
Dennis DeYoung One Hundred Years from Now DEP Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Album Rock
Death Cab for Cutie The Open Door EP Atlantic Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Arne Deforce Morton Feldman: Patterns in a Chromatic Field Aeon Contemporary Chamber Music
Diamond Head Am I Evil?: Anthology Castle New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Dntel Early Works for Me If It Works for You II Plug Research Indie Electronic, Indie Rock
Fastball Little White Lies Mega Force Pop Underground, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Pop/Rock
Ella Fitzgerald Ella in Hollywood Verve Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, Standards, Ballads, American Popular Song
Josh Freese Since 1972 Outerscope Alternative Pop/Rock
Buddy Guy The Definitive Buddy Shout! Factory Electric Blues, Modern Electric Chicago Blues, Electric Chicago Blues, Chicago Blues
The Handsome Family Honey Moon Carrot Top Neo-Traditional Folk, Alternative Country, Alternative Country-Rock, Indie Rock
Alex Harvey/Sensational Alex Harvey Band Live at the BBC Spectrum Audio Glam Rock, Hard Rock, Album Rock
Angela Hewitt Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier Hyperion Baroque Keyboard Music
The House of Love Live at the BBC Universal Indie Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock, Noise Pop
Freddie Hubbard The Artistry of Freddie Hubbard Impulse! Hard Bop
Ida Maria Fortress Round My Heart Mercury Indie Pop, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Joe Jackson At the BBC Spectrum Pop/Rock, New Wave, Punk
Keith Jarrett Treasure Island Impulse! Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop, Standards
The Juan MacLean The Future Will Come Dfa Left-Field House, Alternative Dance, Club/Dance, Neo-Electro
Life on Earth! A Space Water Loop Subliminal Sounds Neo-Psychedelia
Medeski Martin & Wood Radiolatians 2 Red Ink Jam Bands, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Modern Creative, Soul-Jazz
The Mission UK Live and Last Eyes Wide Shut Alternative Pop/Rock, College Rock, Goth Rock, Dance-Rock
The Monks Black Monk Time Infinite Zero/American Garage Rock, Rock & Roll
The Monks The Early: 1964-1965 Light in the Attic Garage Rock, Rock & Roll
Lee Morgan Lee-Way Blue Note Hard Bop
Mud Rock On/As You Like It [Bonus Tracks] Glam/7T's Glitter, Glam Rock, Hard Rock
Willie Nile Places I Have Never Been [Bonus Tracks] River House Roots Rock, Rock & Roll, Americana
Noisettes Wild Young Hearts Mercury UK Garage Rock Revival, Indie Rock
Anne Sofie von Otter Bach Archiv Production Baroque Vocal Music
Andre Previn Andre Previn: An 80th Birthday Celebration RCA Red Seal Modern & Contemporary Orchestral & Chamber Music
Maurice Steger Venezia 1625 Harmonia Mundi Renaissance & Baroque Music for Recorder
Papercuts You Can Have What You Want Gnomonsong Indie Pop
Pomegranates Everybody, Come Outside! Lujo Indie Rock
Simon & Garfunkel Live 1969 Columbia/Legacy Folk-Rock, AM Pop, Folk-Pop
Siouxsie & Banshees Kiss in the Dreamhouse [Bonus Tracks] Polydor UK/Ume College Rock, Post-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock, Goth Rock
Siouxsie and the Banshees Nocturne Geffen Post-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock, College Rock, Punk
Jill Sobule California Years Pinko Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Sun City Girls Napoleon and Josephine: Singles, Vol. 2 Abduction Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Cowpunk, College Rock
Telepathe Dance Mother Iamsound Indie Rock
Trick Pony The Best of Trick Pony Warner Bros. Contemporary Country, Neo-Traditionalist Country
Various Artists Honey and Wine: Another Gerry Goffin and Carole King Song Collection Ace Brill Building Pop, Teen Idol, Surf, Early Pop/Rock, AM Pop, Rock & Roll, Folk-Rock, Doo Wop
Various Artists New Rubble, Vol. 4: Utopia Daydream Past & Present Indie Rock, Alternative Folk, Alternative Pop/Rock
Johnny Varro featuring Ken Peplowski Two Legends of Jazz Arbors Mainstream Jazz
Phil Woods The Children's Suite Jazzed Media Post-Bop
Yonlu A Society in Which No Tear Is Shed Is Inconceivably Mediocre Luaka Bop Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Alternative Pop/Rock, Bossa Nova
New CD Album Releases, 4-7-2009: Rascal Flatts, Neil Young, Billy Ray Cyrus Rascal Flatts are Unstoppable this week, with their fifth album. They've been running since 1999, so a decade now. They've sold something near to 20 million albums, won every kind of industry award repeatedly, and are generally THE face of modern commercial country music. I can't quite remember any of their songs, but I'm sure they're really good. As THE face of modern country music, I can at least say in defense of Rascal Flatts that they are not the traitorous dimwit Dixie Chicks. And Natalie still won't call me.
Neil Young digs cars, and the romance of the open road, as a metaphor for freedom and all that. This week he has an auto themed album, Fork in the Road. It features such songs as "Off the Road" "Fuel Line" and the title song. Preview clips I'm hearing for this sound minimally listenable, but I haven't particularly caught a strong hook out of them.
I am struck more than ever now, however, that Neil Young just cannot sing. He was never a very good vocalist, but with age and chemical abuse, you have to guess at what tune he might be trying to sing. At this point, he honestly cannot carry a tune. But then again that might partly be lack of having composed a distinctive tune to be carried. Listen to him "sing" on this album, and tell me if I'm wrong.
Billy Ray Cyrus is back this week with Back to Tennessee. You have to give a man credit for making and progressing as big a name for himself as he has with such limited talent. Plus, of course, he's raised a lovely young lady who's bigger than he is. So Billy Ray Cyrus is either doing something right, or it's a Bill Hicks thing.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Bat for Lashes Two Suns Astralwerks Indie Rock
Doves Kingdom of Rust Astralwerks/Heavenly Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Britpop
Jadakiss The Last Kiss Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Ruff Ryde East Coast Rap, Hardcore Rap
Bob Mould Life and Times Anti Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Rascal Flatts Unstoppable Lyric Street Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Neil Young Fork in the Road Reprise Album Rock, Hard Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Rock
Marta Argerich Martha Argerich and Friends Live from the Lugano Festival 2008 EMI Classics Live Chamber Music with Piano
Hank Ballard & the Midnighters Nothing But Good (1952 - 1962) Bear Family Doo Wop, Early R&B
Beastie Boys Check Your Head Grand Royal Alternative Rap, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hip-Hop
Black Dice Repo Paw Tracks Experimental Rock, Noise-Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Electronic
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone Vs. Children Tomlab Indie Rock, Indie Electronic
Chain and the Gang Down with Liberty... Up with Chains! K Garage Punk, Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi
Ray Charles Genius: The Ultimate Collection Concord Early R&B, Soul
Eddie Cochran Somethin' Else:The Ultimate Collection Bear Family Rockabilly, Rock & Roll
Comet Gain Broken Record Prayers Milou Studios Indie Pop, Indie Rock
Crystal Antlers Tentacles Touch & Go Experimental Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Indie Rock
Billy Ray Cyrus Back to Tennessee Walt Disney/Lyric Street Contemporary Country
Erasure Total Pop! Deluxe Box [3CD/1DVD] Rhino Club/Dance, Alternative Pop/Rock, House, Dance-Pop, Alternative Dance, College Rock, Pop/Rock
The Felice Brothers Yonder Is the Clock Team Love Americana
Grateful Dead To Terrapin: Hartford '77 Rhino Jam Bands, Album Rock, Roots Rock, Rock & Roll
Grateful Dead Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings Rhino Jam Bands, Country-Rock, Album Rock
Merle Haggard Best of Merle Haggard [Capitol 2009] Capitol Bakersfield Sound, Traditional Country
Roy Hamilton Dark End of the Street 1963-1969: The Operatic Soul of Roy Hamilton Raven Pop-Soul, Uptown Soul, Early R&B, Early Pop/Rock, Soul
I Was a King I Was a King Control Group Indie Rock, Pop Underground, Shoegaze
It Hugs Back Inside Your Guitar 4AD Indie Pop, Indie Rock
Philippe Jaroussky Opium: Melodies françaises Virgin Classics French Art Songs
Joker's Daughter The Last Laugh Team Love Indie Pop, Folk-Pop
Junior Boys Begone Dull Care Domino Indie Electronic, Alternative Dance
Bettye LaVette Do Your Duty Sundazed Northern Soul, Soul
Lady Sovereign Jigsaw Midget Garage Rap/Grime
Micachu & The Shapes Jewellery Rough Trade Indie Electronic, Indie Rock
MIMS Guilt Capitol/EMI Pop-Rap, East Coast Rap
Marc Minkowski Bach: Mass in B minor Naive Baroque Choral Music
Moby Grape The Place and the Time Sundazed Rock & Roll, Country-Rock, Folk-Rock, Psychedelic
Esa-Pekka Salonen Salonen Deutsche Grammophon Contemporary Orchestral Music
Yuja Wang Sonatas & Etudes by Chopin, Scriabin, Liszt & Ligeti Deutsche Grammophon Romantic and Modern Piano Sonatas
Betty Padgett Betty Padgett Luv N Haight Soul
Pontiak Maker Thrill Jockey Experimental Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Indie Rock