DC November 15 New Release Recap

The long-overdue new album from indie pop songwriter David Mead, the lavish re-issue box of Quadrophenia from The Who, the latest from Snow Patrol and some spooky new songs from Seth Woods, aka The Whiskey Priest lead this week's DC new release highlights. Also for your perusal: the new live album from arty Icelanders Sigur Ros, the career spanning anthology (with three new songs) from R.E.M., a second holiday-themed collection from Jack Johnson and his Brushfire labelmates, a live DVD from Tegan and Sara and some old-school funk from Betty Wright and The Roots. Check 'em out (and the full DC hand-picked listing) below...

David Mead - Dudes - Named as "one of my favorite songwriters" by John Mayer, Nashville's David Mead has been creating a diverse collection of albums for more than a decade, drawing on influences from sharp power pop, lustrous folk/rock, sophisticated cabaret melodies and witty observational songcraft...new fan-funded album, co-produced by Mead and Ethan Eubanks and recorded this past January in New York, was overseen by Fountains of Wayne chief Adam Schlesinger (who also produced Mead's 2001 sophomore album)...more DC

The Whiskey Priest - Lost Wages (Rainboot) - Brooding, atmospheric alt-folk wanderings are at the ever-shifting center of the songs from Austin's Seth Woods, aka The Whiskey Priest...new seven-track project touches ambient noise, the occasional electro-beat, layers of reverbed folk and chiming electric guitar lines and Woods' own slightly raspy, rough-hewn vocals...follows up last year's well-received epic Wave and Cloud...more DC

Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (UK; 01/10 US Universal) - Led by frontman/songwriter Gary Lightbody, Ireland's Snow Patrol has turned the concept of the "anthem ballad" (or is that ballad anthem) into a platinum sales strategy over five albums since the late 90's...it wasn't until the massive Grammy-nominated single "Chasing Cars" that the band achieved success in the U.S....New album is once again produced by Jacknife Lee and features guest vocals from DC fave Lissie on a handful of tracks along with string arrangements from Owen "Final Fantasy" Pallett...more DC

The Who - Quadrophenia - Five years after the magnificent "rock opera" Tommy, Pete Townshend and The Who released the epic follow up: a teenage angst-driven tale of the 60's "mod" era in England and a boy who reflects -- through four distinct personalities -- each member of band...Critics generally praised the 1973 album and Townshend called it "the best album that I will ever write"...New expanded editions include a massive five-disc set featuring the original album with a new master, 25 original Townshend demos and a DVD capturing the album in 5.1 surround sound (the "quadraphonic" recording concept helped inspire the story) and a 100 page book featuring a lengthy Townshend essay...more DC

Andrea Bocelli - Live In Central Park
Angels and Airwaves - Love Part 2
Beth Jeans Houghton - EP
Betty Wright/The Roots - Betty Wright: The Movie
Blackout Beach - Fuck Death
Carter Tanton - Freeclouds
Cross Canadian Ragweed - Box of Weed (5 CD/DVD)
Jason Reeves - Caged Birds Set Free EP
Liz Green - O Devotion! (UK)
Los Campesinos - Hello Sadness
Matt Wertz - Snow Globe (Holiday Music)
R.E.M. - Part Lies, Part Heart... 1982-2011 Anthology
Sara Swenson - Never Left My Mind
Smashing Pumpkins - Gish/Siamese Dream Reissues
Tegan & Sara - Get Along (Live CD/DVD)
The Dø - Both Ways Open Jaws 
The Twilight Singers - Live in N.Y. (11/15)
Various - This Warm December/A Brushfire Holiday II