93   jul.17.2008
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Tue. Jul 29th
Live @ The Baked Potato
Brian Auger

Urgency >>
ism
coming: Aug 5
Hybrid >>
Elsiane
coming: Aug 12
Moonride >>
Leon Ware
coming: Aug 12
TBD >>
Jim Jones
coming: Aug 19
Shwayze >>
Shwayze
coming: Aug 19
Forth >>
The Verve
coming: Aug 19

The Enemy U.K.
'We'll Live and Die In These Towns'
Brit trio raised on the jagged, stark jolt of The Jam and the melodic anthemic sprawl of Oasis, The Enemy U.K. have delivered an acclaimed, buzzed debut that NME describes as "the gloriously untrendy sound of old fashioned British rock n' roll." Other critics and a multitude of fans obviously agree as the young band has taken in a goodly amount of top-tier awards including Best New Act from Q magazine, Best British Debut Album (UKXM) and Best New Band (NME Awards).

Alternating brash, stomping rockers - or 'bangers' as the band calles them - with occasional grand, musical hall pomp pop or arm-waving anthems, "We'll Live and Die In These Towns" is a euphoric and commanding slice of sweaty pub rock taken to the big stage. As one writer summed it up: "with confidence, belief and crucially the songs to match, only a curmudgeon could resist being drawn in..."

"We'll Live..." burst onto the U.K. album charts at #1 atop massive word-of-mouth and radio play from a pair of Top 10 singles: "Away From Here" and "Had Enough." Led by charismatic frontman/guitarist Tom Clarke, The Enemy charged from city to town with an explosive live show that drew raves and solidified the band's reputation as a new force to be reckoned with.

Raised in the working class neighborhoods of Birmingham and Coventry, Clarke and his mates found that starting a band was a way to fight boredom and express the frustrations of closed factories and soulless city life. "You're either down the pub or you're not," he declares, "so starting a band represented doing something a bit different to everyone else we know." Eight months later the band was releasing their first single.

U.S. version of "We'll Live" arrives with two bonus tracks including the David Bowie cover "Five Years." The band will play a series of festivals this summer including Lollapalooza.

Watch 'You're Not Alone':here. >>
A Vintage-Flavored 'Favor' for B.B. King

Working with noted producer T-Bone Burnett (Plant/Krauss, "O Brother"), legendary bluesman B.B.King goes for a retro studio sound on his upcoming album "One Kind Favor", arriving August 26 via Geffen. The fourteen-time Grammy winner looked to recreate the vintage production of his earliest 1950's recordings and with Burnett's guidance assembled a stellar backing band including Dr. John on piano, Nathan East on acoustic bass and Jim Keltner on drums.

Even the tracks are dusted off from the past with songs such as "Blues Before Sunrise" (John Lee Hooker), "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (Lemon Jefferson) and "Backwater Blues" (Big Bill Broonzy) among the collection's 12 tracks.

"I wanted to go back and sort of re-create that very live sound," Burnett tells BILLBOARD. "We all cut it just sitting around in a circle. I tried to be very true to who [King] was when I first heard him and that energy"in other words, not try to update him in any way."

Anthony Hamilton Fans Will Finally Get the 'Point'

Acclaimed neo-soulman Anthony Hamilton will finally see the release of his fourth studio album "The Point of It All" on November 4th from Zomba. Originally scheduled for a June release, the project has been slightly reworked for a more contemporary R+B feel. Second single "I'm Cool" hits radio in early September.

"Looking at what's worked and trying to branch out, I want a younger demographic as well," Hamilton observes. "It's good that I have a solid fan base, but I want to give them something they can jam to as well, I want to bring in some other people because I have some stuff to say. I want everybody to have a chance of hearing and loving the music."

Hamilton's 2004 release "Comin' From Where I'm From" has sold in excess of one million copies. He recently contributed duet vocals to two tracks on the Al Green's "Lay It Down" album.

Lindsay Buckingham's Mixed Bag of 'Screws'

Fleetwood Mac's Lindsay Buckingham combines some older songs with some new tracks for his fifth solo album "The Gift of Screws" arriving September 16 from Warner Brothers. Many of the songs were written in the late 90's for a solo album that got shelved in lieu of a new Fleetwood Mac project. For the new album, both Mick Fleetwood and John McVie make guest appearances.

Says Buckingham: "I`d say this album distills several periods of time. It has false starts to make albums, songs that go back a number of years that took a while to find a home, and brand-new songs. I wanted to bring it all together in one place."

Lucinda Williams Test Drives New 'Little Honey'

Alt-country queen Lucinda Williams has been trying out some new songs this summer on her tour with John Mellencamp - songs that will appear on her upcoming new studio album "Little Honey."

Scheduled for a September 16 street, the new project will include tracks such as the twangy "Circles and X's", the bluesy "Tears of Joy" and "Honey Bee", a song that one critic described as "Muddy Waters meets Kiss." Williams, whose last album was the early 2007 release "West", was described by Q as "an outstanding talent at the top of her game."

Rachael Yamagata: Second Album Has 'Two Parts'

Rachael Yamagata will finally see the release of her long-awaited sophomore album on October 7 via a new label deal with Warner Brothers. The oddly titled "A Record In Two Parts...Elephants and Teeth Sinking Into Heart" will indeed offer two differing styles and is produced by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley).

The New York-based singer/songwriter gave her patient fans a taste of some new songs with a recent three-track digital EP "Loose Ends." One of the tracks, "The Other Side", was recently premiered on the cable series "The L Word."

The Police: Live CD/DVD Set for Fall Release

Despite earlier rumblings, there won't be a new studio album from The Police ...and there won't be an "unplugged" release either. But for the 2.5 million fans around the world who went to see the trio on their "farewell" 30th anniversary tour over the past year the band is leaving you something to remember them by.

Coming in time for the holidays will be a live CD/DVD package that chronicles the band's tour with a full live concert recorded last December in Buenes Aires, Argentina. Included on the DVD will be a "behind the scenes" documentary "Better Than Therapy" directed by drummer Stewart Copeland's son Jordan.

The Police will complete their extensive tour on August 7 with a special PBS-sponsored concert at New York's Madison Square Garden.


McLachlan: 'Fumbling' Gets Expanded, 'Hits' for the Fall

Sarah McLachlan may be taking a family-centric hiatus from the business, but this fall will see two new projects from the Canadian singer.

First up on August 5: an expanded "Legacy Edition" of her 1993 2X Platinum, Grammy Nominated album "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy", a 3-disc set that will include a mostly live DVD originally released in 1994 as well as "The Freedom Sessions" 9-track collection that spotlighted early and alternate versions of songs from "Ecstacy."

And on October 7, fans will get a career spanning "Greatest Hits" collection - no word on whether there will be any new or unreleased songs included.

Brad Paisley and His Guitar Just 'Play'

Country star Brad Paisley steps away from microphone for the release of his pet project "Play", a primarily instrumental guitar album arriving September 2. "It will surprise people," he says of the new project. "It's not all country. We do everything from jazz guitar to one that's very heavy metal." Guests on "Play" include the late Buck Owens, B.B. King and Vince Gill.

Noting the relative dearth of guitar on so many recent albums, he adds with typical Paisley humor, "I'm doing my part, trying to play as many solos as possible."

Jenny Lewis: Revealing Her 'Acid Tongue' This Fall

Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis' forthcoming September solo project "Acid Tongue" will feature a duet with Elvis Costello ("Carpetbagger") as well as some vocal help from The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson and actress and She and Him singer Zooey Deschanel.

The project, recorded in a three-week period in L.A. earlier this year, is Lewis' first since her critically acclaimed 2006 solo debut with The Watson Twins "Rabbit Fur Coat." She will tour this fall with Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes).

Dar Williams' 'Promised Land' Set for September

Dar Williams has wrapped her latest album "Promised Land" for release September 9. Produced by Brad Wood (Pete Yorn, Smashing Pumpkins) the new collection, her first in three years, will feature guest appearances from Suzanne Vega, Marshall Crenshaw, and Gary Louris (of the Jayhawks).

"Promised Land"'s twelve tracks will also include two interesting covers: "Midnight Radio" from the acclaimed rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the Fountains of Wayne song "Troubled Times."

Blues Traveler: Armed for August 'Shootout'

Perennial jam band faves Blues Traveler return with their first album of new material in three years with "North Hollywood Shootout" arriving August 26 via new label home Verve. Produced by Grammy winner David Bianco (Tom Petty), the new album features tracks the band has been recently previewing in concert including "Forever" and "How You Remember It."

According to frontman and lead Traveler John Popper (pic), the album was a more tightly controlled creative process this time around with the band allowing him more artistic say. "You need an ego at the center of it," he says. "So the guys trusted me and let me go with it. Everyone in the band is a virtuoso, so I wanted to be like Phil Jackson. We've done the overkill before."

ON THE RADAR This Week: Paul Freeman

Signed by Clive Davis after an intense label bidding war, Welsh singer/songwriter Paul Freeman (or simply Freeman, as he is now known) has created enormous buzz with a charismatic live performance and some classic pop/rock songwriting chops. One melodic gem after another tumbles out during the course of a Freeman show - emotional balladry, sweat soaked rockers, hook-laden sing-a-long anthems - to the point that he's gotten the obligatory comparisons to (hold it now) Springsteen and McCartney.

Read more about Paul Freeman at ON THE RADAR.

Shorts: Norah Jones, TVOTR, New Kids, JoJo, Foo Fighters Hits, JoJo, Big Boi, Ciara, McKennitt, Pickler, Morello

"Norah Jones Live In Austin", a fourteen-song DVD originally recorded for the Austin City Limits PBS series will be released September 2 from New West. M. Ward collaborates on three songs including "Hands On the Wheel", a Willie Nelson cover.

Platinum-selling Australian alt-country singer Kasey Chambers and her husband Shane Nicholson will see their latest album, the rootsy "Rattlin' Bones," getting stateside release September 16 on Sugar Hill Records. The album has already gone "gold" in Down Under since its release this spring.

Crosby Loggins, son of singer Kenny and winner of VH-1's "Rock the Cradle" music series, is recording tracks for his debut album arriving in 2009 on Jive/Zomba.

Genre-blurring, free-form Brooklyn rockers TV On The Radio follow up their acclaimed 2006 release "Return From Cookie Mountain" with new project "Dear Science," arriving September 23 via Interscope. ROLLING STONE named the band "Cookie Mountain" as the #4 Best Album of 2006 while SPIN heralded them as "Artist of the Year."

In addition to producing the next ZZ Top album, busy label head Rick Rubin will tackle yet another rock trio legend: Crosby Stills and Nash. For the group's first new recordings in nearly 15 years Rubin will have CSN do an album of rock covers. "Rick Rubin's a brilliant man," says Graham Nash, "and what he wants is an album with no CSN songs. He wants to do an album of all the songs we love, all the songs we wish we've written. It's brilliant from this point of view because we usually wait five years to record an album. This way there's no pressure."

SoCal indie darlings Cold War Kids are back with their sophomore album "Loyalty to Loyalty" on September 29.

Iconic folk pioneer Joan Baez celebrates her 50th year as a recording artist with a new Steve Earle-produced album "Day After Tomorrow" arriving September 9 via Razor and Tie. Covering songs from the likes of Patty Griffin, Elvis Costello, Eliza Gilkyson as well as three Earle originals, "Day" will be supported with a PBS special set for early 2009. Describing the recording process, Earle says "The band dug deep and found the pulse of the song and then Joan breathed life into it and we all knew we were part of something special."

Kids? New? Middle-aged former teen band New Kids On the Block have found an imaginative title for their upcoming September 2 release: "The Block." The quintet is also said have recorded a new track "Full Service" with former R+B boy band (and Boston neighbors) New Edition. The "Kids" will tour beginning mid-September with special guest Natasha Bedingfield.

Look for a couple of new tracks for the upcoming "Greatest Hits" album from Foo Fighters arriving November 14.

JoJo follows up her 2006 release "The High Road" with "All I Want Is Everything" scheduled for a late fall released. New, more adult sound and image for the young singer is planned with a solid list of writers and producers, including Timbaland, on board for the album.

Outkast's Big Boi is putting the final touches on his solo project "Sir Luscious Left Foot", tentatively scheduled for a November 4 street. Leaked track "Royal Flush", featuring Raekwon and Andre 3000, has gotten some online and radio attention but first real single "Sumthin's Gotta Give" will undoubtedly have more impact when it debuts at radio in early August.

Ciara's upcoming "Fantasy Ride" has been pushed back from September to November release with the first single still to be determined. In a break from a traditional CD release, Ciara plans on releasing "Fantasy" as a packaged bundle of three different "themed" discs, each with five or six tracks.

Popular Celtic/styled harpist/singer Loreena McKennitt has packaged her first three albums in a specially-priced box set - "The Journey Begin" - for an September 9 release. The collection also includes a bonus six song disc of live recordings and rarities.

Hard rocking Pennsylvania band Breaking Benjamin are back in the studio with producer David Bendeth working on their fourth album scheduled for an October 28th release. Their last two album, including 2006's "Phobia", have both surpassed one million units in sales.

Nelly's oft-pushed new album "Brass Knuckles" gets moved back once again, shifting from August 19 to a new September 16 street.

American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler is back with her second album of country tunes with a new, as-yet-untitled album arriving September 30. First single "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" is at radio now. Her 2006 debut album "Small Town Girl" has quietly sold 800,000 copies.

Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman (pic) will release his second album September 30: "The Fabled City." The Rage guitarist's highly political first solo effort "On Man Revolution" was released last year. Brendan O'Brien has again taken production duties.

Noted Nashville singer/songwriter Gretchen Peters has finished a new holiday music album "Northern Lights" for releases this fall.

Former American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee is working on her second solo album with famed producer David Foster (Josh Grobin, Celine Dion). Moving away from the beat-driven pop of her debut, McPhee and Foster are said to be focusing on heavily orchestrated ballads. Having split with her label RCA, the new project has yet to find a home but is slated for a Christmas release.

Meanwhile David Foster is also helming the debut of 16-year-old Filipino singing sensation Charice Pempengco. Check out the jaw-dropping performance of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" from the Oprah Winfrey show here. No release or label info yet - stay tuned.

Reunited Brit rockers The Verve (of "Bittersweet Symphony" fame) will release their as-yet-untitled new album August 19. New single "Love Is Noise" is just out now. Listen here.

For more news, check the HOT LIST page.


Annie Lennox: New Tracks for Fall 'Collection'

Annie Lennox wraps up her tenure at Arista with at least two newly recorded songs for a brand new "Best of" album arriving September 23.

The artist recently announced that she will be entering the studio soon to complete new tracks for the solo career-spanning anthology titled "The Annie Lennox Collection". Her most recent album, 2007's "Songs of Mass Destruction," received positive reviews but sold modestly.

The 4x Grammy winner has achieved sales of nearly 80 million units internationally during a career that has spanned more than 25 years. After major success with Dave Stewart and Eurythmics, Lennox began a solo career in 1992 with the release of her best-selling, award winning album "Diva."

Simpson Hits the Country Roads on New Album

Jessica Simpson has joined Michelle Branch, Jewel, Bob Seger and Bon Jovi in the ranks of pop and rock artists that have tacked to the country side for their latest projects. Leading with the Top 3 iTunes Country single "Come On Over" (complete with twangin' steel guitar), Simpson's forthcoming Nashville-centered album, tentatively titled "Do You Know," arrives in stores September 9.

"It has been a long journey building back my confidence to stand there in front of the world," she writes of a recent TV appearance. "But I feel like I have found that place again."

ZZ Top: New Rubin Deal, Deluxe 'Eliminator'

Veteran best-selling blues-rock power trio ZZ Top are looking to get back into the limelight with a new label deal and a 25th anniversary celebration of their ten million-selling "Eliminator" album.

Newly signed by the equally hirsute Rick Rubin to his Columbia/American imprint, the bearded band are looking to move back to a more authentic, stripped down blues style from their earlier albums. Manager Carl Stubner tells BILLBOARD: "We thought this was a great brand that was kind of dusty. My goal was to polish it and do certain things they hadn't done before." Rubin as producer has been successful in refocusing key artists such as Neil Diamond and the late Johnny Cash towards a sparser, introspective style that has connected with critics.

The special 2-disc "Eliminator" package from Rhino arrives August 26 with seven bonus CD tracks (including five live versions) as well as a second DVD disc with four videos and four live performances.

Amy Ray: 'Kinder' Doesn't Mean Gentler

Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls returns with her third solo project on August 5th with "Didn't It Feel Kinder" via Daemon/KOCH.

"I wanted to explore new territory, and I wanted to use a different part of my voice," she says of her harder rocking new songs. Working with an outside producer for the first time on her solo efforts, Ray leaves her acoustic in the wings and delivers politically charged songs energized by some refreshingly ragged rock riffs. Guests include Brandi Carlile, Kaia Wilson and Melissa York.


Daughtry Gets the 'Deluxe' Treatment on Debut

An expanded two-disc set of Daughtry's self-titled debut album will arrive September 9 with bonus tracks and a DVD. Included DVD are eight music videos and behind the scenes footage while the additional four audio tracks will feature a cover of Foreigner's hit "Feels Like the First Time," acoustic versions of "Home" and "What About Now" and a live version of "It's Not Over."

The American Idol finalist's album has delivered five Top 10 hits and sold more than four million copies in the U.S. since its release in November 2006. It continues to move nearly 10k units weekly. A new album is scheduled for spring 2009.

Ben Folds Finds His 'Way to Normal'

Singer, songwriter, beloved wacky jokester Ben Folds will see the release of his newest project "Way To Normal" on September 30 via Epic. Produced by Dennis Herring (Modest Mouse, Elvis Costello), the new set is his first new studio recording since 2005's "Songs for Silverman." As noted here earlier, songs include the cryptic "Bitch Went Nuts" and "Free Coffee" as well as a duet with Regina Spektor: "You Don't Know Me."

"It's a fairly un-orchestral record," Folds tells Paste Magazine. "It's a fairly lyric-driven rock record. We"ve looked at taking a few of the songs on the new record and scoring them for orchestra and, uh, it was kind of slim pickins."


Robin Thicke: 'Magical' Set Up for 'Something Else'

Blue-eyed soul crooner Robin Thicke's forthcoming third album "Something Else" has been pushed back to a September release with first single, the slick, heavily orchestrated retro-70's "Magic", making waves at pop and urban adult radio now. Thicke has also made recent appearances on recent releases from Ashanti ("Things You Make Me Do") and Lil Wayne ("Tie My Hands").

New project follows the 2006 platinum breakout album "The Evolution of Robin Thicke", a platinum selling release that spawned the massive R+B crossover hits "Lost Without You" and "I Wanna Love U Girl". VIBE Magazine raved that "Evolution" was "a finely-groomed collection of Latin-tinged rhythms, bare-bones balladry and psychedelic grooves."

Listen to "Magic" here.


Clarkson Taps Tedder for November 'Comeback'

Kelly Clarkson is busy in the studio with OneRepublic's hitmaker Ryan Tedder working on her fourth and what many are calling her "comeback" album. The disc is currently penciled in for a November 18 release.

After the disappointing sales for her 2006 album "My December", Clarkson was forced to cancel an arena tour, parted ways with her management company, openly fought with her label chief Clive Davis and hinted that she might be opting for a change to country music. "December" ended up selling two million copies worldwide, about ten million less than her previous hit "Breakaway."

New project is said to be a more pop-leaning affair with Tedder, the creative force behind Leona Lewis' massive hit "Bleeding Love," helping to shape a more radio-friendly sound. Tedder says the new songs feature "big choruses" and "heavy drum programming" (surprise).

Oasis Ready New 'Soul' for October 7

Brit rockers Oasis will release their seventh album "Dig Out Your Soul" on October 7, the first of a new three-project deal with current label home Sony BMG. New album reunites the band with producer Dave Sardy who handled the 2005 release "Don't Believe the Truth." First single "Shock of the Lightning" arrives in September.

"I wanted to write music that had a groove; not songs that followed that traditional pattern of verse, chorus and middle eight," says the band's Noel Gallagher. "I wanted a sound that was more hypnotic; more driving. Songs that would draw you in, in a different way. Songs that you would maybe have to connect to - to feel."



Delta Goodrem
Al Green
Jesse McCartney
Albert Hammond Jr.
Tue. Jul 22nd
Mutlu
Pop/Rock/R+B - Philly singer songwriter was raised on Gamble and Huff and influenced by the neo-soul of fellow Brotherly Love inhabitants G. Love, Jill Scott and The Roots. Add in the sweet, classic rhythmic songs of the likes of Hall and Oates and you get an interesting pop/r+b mix of dynamic vocals and some rich, street-wise soul and guitar-strummed pop, or as some have dubbed "rhythm and folk." Produced by T-Bone Wolk, "Livin' It" also brings what Mutlu refers to as 'hip-hop's element of 'collabo', or a wealth of Philly-centric collaborators such as Daryl Hall (with whom Mutlu is touring), Amos Lee (who produced an earlier EP), Sharon Little, Ben Arnold, Raheem DeVaughn and G. Love.
The Avett Brothers
Rock/Americana - Newly signed to Rick Rubin's Columbia/American imprint, Avett Brothers Seth and Scott have gone from relative obscurity to overnight sensation. The brothers won the Americana Music Association Duo/Group of the Year and New/Emerging Artist of the Year awards in 2007 and have built a solid and dedicated fan base for their "folk punk" and "grungegrass" modern roots music. The duo's second EP, says Scott, "sticks somewhat to the theme and to the order of quietness and calmness and just Seth and I basically partnering in the recording and the writing."
Nine Inch Nails
Rock/Alternative - "Vintage Nine Inch Nails", declares ROLLING STONE in a four-star review to the latest from prolific and unpredistable industrial rock maven Trent Reznor. "After the recent thematic and instrumental excursions, Reznor is back to railing at high volume against his usual targets: life, fate and that perennial bugaboo, his own rot-caked soul." Stirring in a few left field tracks - the disco-beat-laden "Discipline", the dirge-like piano lament "Lights In the Sky" - "The Slip" still delivers the dense, howling, shreaking aggro-rock that his core fans expect.
Sunfold
Rock/Pop - Offshoot/side-project of budding North Carolina band The Annuals, Sunfold is led by the young singer, guitarist and lead creative force Kenny Florence (his counterpart Adam Baker fronts The Annuals). Possessing what one smitten critic described as "an amazing voice that can't be ignored", Florence and his Annual cohorts have fashioned a head-turning collection of powerful, masterfully melodic rock and pop songs that zig and zag with exceptional polished precision and a a deft melding of progressive touches.
Pop/Rock - Intriguing, smartly conceived debut from 21-year-old L.A. singer/songwriter is a deceptively mature statement that jumbles retro pop styles with modern twists. Possessing a smoky, timeless voice that is equal parts Fiona Apple and Judy Garland, Land touches jazzy doo-wop ("Easy"), grand pop melodies with massive hooks ("All We've Ever Done") and busking folk simplicity ("Countless Songs") with aplomb. "An album of pure beauty," raves WOMENFOLK, "a fantastic mix of honey-sweet folk and dense, beat-driven folk-rock."
Pop/Rock - Inspired new album from the co-founder of the legendary 80's Brit band Squeeze is a catch-all for pub rock, English music hall melodies, jazzy excursions and Difford's patented, slyly wicked, keenly observant lyrics. Produced and co-written with chum and veteran U.K. stalwart Boo Hewerdine, "Temptation" is, says MOJO, "the best recordings in years out of a national treasure" adding that Difford "is in peak form here." Difford's first solo recordings since 2002's praised "I Didn't Get Where I Am" (with Francis Dunnery) reflects a skilled lyricist who has found in Hewerdine yet another master craftsman to work with.
Samantha Crain
Pop/Folk - Stripped to the core with minimal production, the rural dustbowl folk anthems of Crain and her band the Midnight Shivers still pack a visceral punch on this too short five-track EP. Citing influences as disparate as fellow Okies Woody Guthrie and The Flaming Lips, the 21-year-old sings deep, dark tales and bleak ruminations with a confident, smoky voice that may remind some listeners of an earthy Cat Power. Says THE DAILY TIMES: "Her voice is plaintive and distinct, possessed with an urgency that's at once girlish and ancient." Says Crain about "Confiscations" themes: "It was a consistent thing -- good vs. evil, redemption vs. betrayal, that sort of thing -- and I think that's the main reason I felt like (the songs) flowed together and should be recorded together. I sort of just get bursts of obsession when it comes to writers or certain types of literature, and at that point, I can probably assure you I was reading a lot of Southern gothic literature."
Crosby Stills Nash and Young
Rock/Pop - As the soundtrack to the Neil Young-directed tour documentary, this is a heady, live-in-concert mix of their classic Vietnam-era songs ("Wooden Ships", "Find the Cost of Freedom", "Teach Your Children") as well as Young's own, more incendiary anit-Iraq political songs from his "Living With War" album ("Let's Impeach the President"). "Unwitting fans expecting the band's sweeter side were greeted instead with its serrated edge," writes one critic of the often controversial shows. Says Young of the new songs vs. old: "...if you look at the original music -- 'For What It's Worth,' 'Military Madness,' 'Deja Vu' -- all that stuff is rooted in the same message as this. It's just a different time."
CSS
Pop/Dance/Electronica - Brazilian indie-pop outfit follows up their quirky, musically quixotic '06 debut ("a gleeful throwback to early-1980s art-school pop" - NY TIMES) with a new collection of stylish, angular dance-floor beats and an array of cluttered, chunky pop/rock riffs. Less deliberately electro-flavored than their earlier party tracks, "Donkey" still delivers the twitchy sing-song melodies and head-bob beats with a beefed up production. Those looking for a cerebral exercise won't find it in these just-for-fun, "pop-culture junkie" ditties. But for hedonistic simplicity, it doesn't get more basic - or delightfully trashy - than this.
Timmy Curran
Pop/Rock - Earnest, homespun debut from a professional surfer who decided to bring his own songs to the surface with a Jack Johnson-styled sincerity and simplicity of style. Soft-spoken and thoughtful, songs like "Comatose" and "Horses on the Range" emit both a spirited, lo-fi charm and pensive spiritual directness reminiscent of Iron and Wine. Guest artists include Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Josh Moreau (Hoobastank), and Chauntelle DuPree (Eisley).
Buddy Guy
Blues/Rock - Guitar slinging blues giant and 5x Grammy winner is still grinding out extraordinary music at the ripe age of 72 with this masterful primer on playing, singing and simply living the blues. Entering his 46th year of influencing guitarists from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Jimi Hendrix, the Chicago music legend has brought fellow fret luminaries Eric Clapton, Susan Tedeschi, Robert Randolph and Derek Trucks for an album of all new songs. Title track is first up at radio now. Look for a long-running summer tour with George Thorogood and the Destroyers.
Jon Peter Lewis
Pop - Second album from the former American Idol finalist moves away from the mainstream rock of his debut to a more subdued but ultimately more revealing style. There are some mainstream pop/rock gems mixed in, most notably the title track and first single "Break the Silence", but the acoustic pop that dominates has charm all its own. Check out his version of Dylan's new standard "To Make You Feel My Love", covered by everyone from Billy Joel to Adele.
Candlebox
Rock - Ten years since the post-grunge Seattle rockers' last album and fifteen since their 4x platinum debut, "Into the Sun" has the hard rock basics cold, particularly on the Top 15 radio track "Stand." An extensive summer tour is underway.
Miley Cyrus
Pop - Phenomenon behind the mega hit Hannah Montana 'tween franchise delivers her first solo album apart from the Hannah brand. Led by the spunk Avril Lavigne influenced single "7 Things," "Breakout" hits the expected mainstream pop buttons with assertive efficiency and skill. Next up: "See You Again." TV: God Morning America July 18, Today Show July 25, MTV F'N Friday Night August 1.
Pop/Rock - Ambitious debut eschews easy categorization with lush, orchestrated pop songs ("Stop Me Now I'm Not Ready") nudging 80's styled Duran-like R+B rhythms ("Roll Right Over New") without missing a beat. There's an unabashedly glossy 80's retro feel to the exercise, a style that reveals some clever, finely crafted songs at the heart of the elaborate production.
Gentleman Auction House
Pop/Rock - Delectably original indie pop harnesses dual male/female vocals, killer backbeats and bright, careening melodies for a promising and precocious full length debut. "Insanely, inexplicably catchy" says one smitten critic.
Noel Gourdin
R+B - Young Boston soul crooner mixes up the masterful, classic R+B with a contemporary John Legend-like flair on a solid debut than simply and decisively blurs the boundaries. "Listening to so much music from so many different eras really helped me put my style together," explains Gourdin. Led by the #1 Urban Adult hit "The River", "My Time" has been getting some raves and play from popular radio host - and fan - Steve Harvey, who declares "If you don't like 'The River' then you don't have soul."
R+B - Young Boston soul crooner mixes up the masterful, classic R+B with a contemporary John Legend-like flair on a solid debut than simply and decisively blurs the boundaries. "Listening to so much music from so many different eras really helped me put my style together," explains Gourdin. Led by the #1 Urban Adult hit "The River", "My Time" has been getting some raves and play from popular radio host - and fan - Steve Harvey, who declares "If you don't like 'The River' then you don't have soul."
Rock - Double disc "deluxe" version of the classic 1983 album that broke the Irish band wide open with "New Years Day", "Two Hearts Beat As One" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday." The previously unreleased "Angels Too Tied To The Ground" and rare b-sides "Treasure (Whatever Happened to Pete the Chop)" and "Endless Deep" as well as remixes of "Two Hearts" and "New Years Day" are among the second disc rarities.
Rock - Iconic Irish band's 1980 debut album is celebrated with an elaborate and expansive 2-CD set. "Speed of Life," "Saturday Night" and "Cartoon World" are among the fourteen rare and previously unreleased tracks featured on the package's second disc.
Black Kids
Pop/Rock - Jacksonville quintet makes sharp indie rock that you can dance to or, as PITCHFORK says, "make catchy, tightly executed songs that put a memorable stamp on classic pop themes." Produced by noted U.K. producer Bernard Butler (Duffy), "Partie" has enough bright sheen and singalong hooks for the popsters along with some warbly indie vocals and guitar riffs to keep the hipsters happy. Lead track "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" exemplifies the band's penchant for fuzzy, rhythmic hooks, tongue-in-cheek attitude and chanting chorus.
Paul Weller
Rock/Pop - Former Jam frontman returns with his ninth solo album. Guests on the project's 21 songs include Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer of Oasis as well as Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock and ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. First single up: "Echoes Round the Sun."
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