Avenged Sevenfold "Nightmare"
There's nothing like a death in the family to bring out the best and the worst in people. Work on Avenged Sevenfold's fifth studio album, which was produced by Mike Elizondo was already underway when drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan died suddenly in December 2009. But the surviving members rallied, drawing on their anger and grief to inspire powerful new songs (like "Victim," written the day they learned of Sullivan's passing) as well as galvanizing the work completed before their loss. With Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater (who also helped finish "Nightmare") behind the kit, Avenged Sevenfold will hit the road later this summer to co-headline the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar tour along with Disturbed; the tour kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 17, in Minneapolis.
Tom Jones "Praise & Blame"
A half-century being a pop culture icon, the swivel-hipped, hirsute lothario with the bulging trousers, has been dodging panties tossed at him from overexcited blue-haired ladies for a long time now. As the years under him have attested, when he is paired with the right material and arrangements, he can reign in the razzmatazz. Jones, who turned 70 this June, assays a selection of devotional tunes popularized by artists including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker and more. Working with producer Ethan Johns and a small combo, plus a few very special duets, Jones sounds as if the artists he was covering were none to be pleasing...on the contrary, they were definitely given their due respects with this album, no matter how smoothly and easy it sounded. With numbers ("What Good Am I?") and uptempo fare ("Don't Knock"), Jones gives no whoops, dramatic swoops, nor brass or strings. He just gives is sage interpretations featuring a crackerjack band.
Fat Joe "The Darkside Vol. 1"
The heavyweight Latino rapper follows up last year's "Jealous Ones Still Envy." The South Bronx native aimed for a more hardcore, back-to-roots sound on his 10th studio album. A sound that too many people put into his ear as it was his vintage day trademark sound that he has always wanted to get back to. This album is straight from the streets and has none of the party flavor of his previous cuts. Featuring productions from Just Blaze, Cool & Dre and DJ Premier, the 13 tracks also include the roll call of all-star cameos one expects from an artist with Fat Joe's credential - Trey Songz, R. Kelly, Busta Rhymes, Young Jeezy, Too $hort, Cam'ron, Clipse and Lil Wayne.
Arcade Fire "The Suburbs"
This critically acclaimed Canadian band returns with their sophomore album, "The Suburbs." Written and recorded in New York and Montreal, and inspired in part by the neighborhoods where various band members came of age, the band's third full-length isn't as grandiose as its 2007 predecessor, "Neon Bible," yet also finds them stretching out stylistically. No, they haven't gone disco or hip-hop or metal, but "Half Light II (No Celebration)" echoes early sounds of New Order, while "Month of May" bounces along with the frenzied precision one associates with the Ramones.
Lady Gaga "The Remix"
As if Lady Gaga needed to put out another album that exploits her earlier works. On "The Remix," producers, including Passion Pit, Stuart Price and Richard Vission, overhaul all the superstar's big hits. Marilyn Manson also gets involved on an alternate version of "Love Game." There is a big notable difference in releases, however. This album was issued in foreign territories earlier this year (it was No. 1 in Greece!), featuring 16 or 17 tracks, yet the U.S. version of the CD includes only 10 and deletes prime choices, like the voice-and-piano rendition of "Bad Romance" and the Pet Shop Boys reworking of "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)."
Katie Mehlua "The House"
She isn't a household name in the States, but she's done quite well for herself in Europe since her 2003 debut "Call Off the Search." Initially lumped in with the jazz- and blues-influenced work of fellow newcomers like Amy Whinehouse and Jamie Cullum, Melua has diversified her sound on her fourth studio full-length. Produced by William Orbit, the new album includes songwriting collaborations with Mute recording artist Polly Scattergood and Guy Chmabers.
Los Lobos "Tin Can Trust"
This band has enjoyed a long career by drawing on disparate strains of regional styles. Since their inception back in the '70s, the East L.A. combo has fused Mexican folk music with rock & roll, blues, R&B and much more. This is their first album of new material in nearly four years. Along with seven tunes penned by members, the 11-song program features a pair of Spanish-language tunes by Cesar Rosas - the cumbia "Yo Canto" and a norteño titled "Mujer Ingrata." Also, not only do the guys put their own spin on "West L.A. Fadeaway," but longtime Dead lyricist Robert Hunter co-wrote the new original "All My Bridges Burning," too. On top of that, blues vocalist Susan Tedeschi lends her pipes to opener "Burn It Down."
Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)
- Mark Olson "Many Colored Kite"
- Jesca Hoop "Hunting My Dress"
- Lone Wolf "The Devil and I"
- These United States "What Lasts"
- Original Soundtrack "Step Up 3"
- Black Crowes "Croweology"
- Autolux "Transit Transit"
- Original Soundtrack "Middle Men"
- J Roddy Walstom & The Business " Self Titled"
- Dr. John "Tribal"
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