John Mellencamp "No Better Than This"
The "cougar" is back from a long studio album hiatus with his sepia-tone Americana sound. Working alongside producer T Bone Burnett (who previously helmed the stellar "Life Death Love and Freedom"), Mellencamp recorded at a trio of historic locations: First African Baptist Church in Savannah, GA; Memphis' legendary Sun Studios; and a San Antonio, TX hotel room where bluesman Robert Johnson recorded in 1936. These thirteen stripped-down songs were captured on vintage equipment, using a single microphone—the kick drum at points sounds like someone thumping a shoebox—yet that unique element embodies Mellencamp's performances with added gravity.
Ray LaMontagne "God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise"
Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs has come about with a down home vibe for their new album. They recorded it at LaMontagne's domicile in western Massachusetts. The follow-up to "Gossip in the Grain," which entered the charts at #3, is the raspy-voiced troubadour's first self-produced full-length. The overall sound here is brighter, but the both albums still share similar musical sensibilities, blending elements of country, blues, gospel, and more. The chugging "Devil's in the Jukebox" gets an extra jolt from some inspired harmonica playing, while "Beg Steal or Borrow," with its underpinning of pedal steel, is eerily reminiscent of Joni Mitchell.
Trace Adkins "Cowboy's Back in Town"
This "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" hit-maker has been an everywhere in the media for the last few years, as a finalist on "The Celebrity Apprentice," the inspiration for a comic book, even the voice of a KFC television commercial. He also racked up trophies from the ACM and CMT for "Hillbilly Bone," his recent album duet with Blake Shelton. His latest features the cuts "Hold My Beer" and "Kick A Man's Ass," as well as the single "This Ain't No Love Song." He racks up a few twangs and great new tunes to keep him in the limelight and hopefully not have to leave town. This new Adkins album marks his debut for Toby Keith's Show Dog record label.
Iron Maiden "The Final Frontier"
It's been four years since Kings of Metal's "A Matter of Life and Death" and boy, have fans been waiting for a new studio album. Good thing they filled the gap up with some tour dates to keep fan appetites from diminishing. This marks the longest gap between studio albums from the British metal icons in their 35 year span. Their popularity, however, remains undiminished, as evidenced by last year's "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" tour documentary. And they make up for lost time on this new album. Working with producer Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Journey), the band gives fans something substantial to chew on: Running more than 75 minutes, this is Maiden's longest record yet. The majority of the tunes are over seven minutes long, with the epic closer "When the Wind Blows" clocking in at 10:59.
Kem "Intimacy: Album III"
Detroit native Kem spent five years making his latest cut, but claims the personal trials he faced while writing and recording the disc pushed him to reveal more of himself in the music. The purveyor of sophisticated, adult-oriented R&B, who scored big in 2002 with his hit "Love Calls," is joined here by a couple notable guest stars. Grammy Award-winner Jill Scott contributes a spoken word bit to "Golden Days," while Motown alumnus David Van De Pitte—the conductor and arranger on Marvin Gaye's 1971 masterpiece "What's Going On"—puts the string section of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra through its paces on the lead single, "Why Would You Stay."
Matthew Dear "Black City"
The self proclaimed electronic music polymath just recently relocated from Detroit to New York, but he really got down in a musical metropolis of his own making. His newest is an aural adventure full of curious, nocturnal grooves, such as the minimalist funk of "I Can't Feel" and the mix of ultra-glide keyboard sounds and sinewy bass running through "Little People (Black City)." While not quite as overtly poppy as its predecessor, 2007's top-notch "Asa Breed," Dear's fourth album under his own name (apparently he has aliases) exerts an irresistible allure nevertheless.
Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)
Ray LaMontagne "God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise"
Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs has come about with a down home vibe for their new album. They recorded it at LaMontagne's domicile in western Massachusetts. The follow-up to "Gossip in the Grain," which entered the charts at #3, is the raspy-voiced troubadour's first self-produced full-length. The overall sound here is brighter, but the both albums still share similar musical sensibilities, blending elements of country, blues, gospel, and more. The chugging "Devil's in the Jukebox" gets an extra jolt from some inspired harmonica playing, while "Beg Steal or Borrow," with its underpinning of pedal steel, is eerily reminiscent of Joni Mitchell.
Trace Adkins "Cowboy's Back in Town"
This "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" hit-maker has been an everywhere in the media for the last few years, as a finalist on "The Celebrity Apprentice," the inspiration for a comic book, even the voice of a KFC television commercial. He also racked up trophies from the ACM and CMT for "Hillbilly Bone," his recent album duet with Blake Shelton. His latest features the cuts "Hold My Beer" and "Kick A Man's Ass," as well as the single "This Ain't No Love Song." He racks up a few twangs and great new tunes to keep him in the limelight and hopefully not have to leave town. This new Adkins album marks his debut for Toby Keith's Show Dog record label.
Iron Maiden "The Final Frontier"
It's been four years since Kings of Metal's "A Matter of Life and Death" and boy, have fans been waiting for a new studio album. Good thing they filled the gap up with some tour dates to keep fan appetites from diminishing. This marks the longest gap between studio albums from the British metal icons in their 35 year span. Their popularity, however, remains undiminished, as evidenced by last year's "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" tour documentary. And they make up for lost time on this new album. Working with producer Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Journey), the band gives fans something substantial to chew on: Running more than 75 minutes, this is Maiden's longest record yet. The majority of the tunes are over seven minutes long, with the epic closer "When the Wind Blows" clocking in at 10:59.
Kem "Intimacy: Album III"
Detroit native Kem spent five years making his latest cut, but claims the personal trials he faced while writing and recording the disc pushed him to reveal more of himself in the music. The purveyor of sophisticated, adult-oriented R&B, who scored big in 2002 with his hit "Love Calls," is joined here by a couple notable guest stars. Grammy Award-winner Jill Scott contributes a spoken word bit to "Golden Days," while Motown alumnus David Van De Pitte—the conductor and arranger on Marvin Gaye's 1971 masterpiece "What's Going On"—puts the string section of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra through its paces on the lead single, "Why Would You Stay."
Matthew Dear "Black City"
The self proclaimed electronic music polymath just recently relocated from Detroit to New York, but he really got down in a musical metropolis of his own making. His newest is an aural adventure full of curious, nocturnal grooves, such as the minimalist funk of "I Can't Feel" and the mix of ultra-glide keyboard sounds and sinewy bass running through "Little People (Black City)." While not quite as overtly poppy as its predecessor, 2007's top-notch "Asa Breed," Dear's fourth album under his own name (apparently he has aliases) exerts an irresistible allure nevertheless.
Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)
- Leslie Stevens and the Badgers "Roomful of Smoke"
- Original Soundtrack: "The Switch"
- Brian Wilson "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin"
- Megan McCormick: "Honest Words"
- Chief: "Modern Rituals"
- Esperanza Spalding: "Chamber Music Society"
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