This Week’s CD Releases and Reissues

July 28th, 2009    Posted in New Music Releases

Critic’s Pick:
10 Foot Ganja Plant: Bush Rock

10 Foot Ganja Plant is a roots, Reggae spinoff of John Brown’s Body. While they mix a wide range of styles, they maintain a traditional ’70s Jamaican sound with a jamband feel. Bush Rock is their most inspired and accomplished to date. It’s their fifth studio album, the first since 2005’s Bass Chalice. The album features the core crew associated with John Brown’ Body like Kevin Kinsella, as well as guest vocals from Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid.

Critic’s Pick:
Amadou & Mariam: The Magic Couple

The husband and wife duo have found a name for an album that is both appropriate and true. They are music’s magic couple, because they are Malian blind blues legends. The 50-something’s first met at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind many years ago. Some of their famous fans include Damon Albarn (Blur) and Chris Martin (Coldplay). They’re not just a traditional African and Malian band, rather, they combine other world influences like Indian and Arab, as well as R&B.

Anthem In: The Cloudbusting EP

Band of Skulls: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey

Beardfish: Destined Solitaire

Critic’s Pick:
Blur: Midlife: A Beginner’s Guide To Blur

This two-disc compilation spans the career of the popular British band of the 90’s. Rather than focus merely on hit singles, the compilation features a large portion of 1993’s Modern Life is Rubbish and 2003’s Think Tank.

Carla Bruni: Quelqu’un M’a Dit

Deee-Lite: The Very Best Of Deee-Lite

Divine Heresy: Bringer Of Plagues

Dogs Die in Hot Cars: Please Describe Yourself

Duke Special: Songs From The Deep Forest

Critic’s Pick:
Elbow: Asleep In The Back

This was the debut album from the famous British pop band, released in 2001. Four of the twelve songs on this album were released as singles in the UK, including the title track, “Asleep in the Back.” NME gave it 9 out of 10 stars, however, the album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2001. Elbow is also re-releasing two other albums, Cast Of Thousands and Leaders Of The Free World.

Elvis Presley: From Elvis In Memphis

Critic’s Pick:
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden

When I first heard that Clapton and Winwood would be getting back together to do a series of concerts, I almost jumped out of my skin. At night I dreamt of Cream getting back together to do a reunion tour, even though that around this same time the biggest reunion rumors happened to be Led Zeppelin (which didn’t happen and never will – neither will Cream.)

I’ve never seen Clapton, have never made it to Madison Square Gardens, or New York City for that matter. While concerts don’t last forever (and the memories fade quickly depending on what substances you’re putting into your body), the good thing is that recorded music will last longer than the human race. Looking over this two-disc compilation (also available on DVD), some of my favorite numbers include “Georgia On My Mind”, “Little Wing”, “Voodoo Chile”, “Can’t Find My Way Home”, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Cocaine.”

Eureka: Shackleton’s Voyage

Critic’s Pick:
The Features: Some Kind Of Salvation

Nashville’s best kept secret has been around since the mid-90’s, but their debut wasn’t released until 2004. They’ve had plenty of time to come into their own, finding their persona and sound. All that time may have been a good thing for the band, because this album has been called “a masterpiece.” I first heard about this band through Bonnaroo. They were one of three local bands to win a spot to play at the festival in 2009.

Fred Hersch: Fred Hersch Plays Jobim

Gang of Four: Return The Gift

George Thorogood & the Destroyers: The Dirty Dozen

Georgia Anne Muldrow: Umsindo

Critic’s Pick:
Howling Bells: Radio Wars (Digital Version)

This is the second release of the indie pop band from Australia. Their sound has been described as “blues-noir desolation” and “bruising, narcotised rock ‘n roll.” They have toured with the Killers, Placebo, Mercury Rev, Snow Patrol and more recently, Coldplay.

Critic’s Pick:
Iggy Pop: Iggy & Ziggy – Cleveland ‘77

This live album manages to capture the energy from this historic in-concert collaboration between David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Ziggy Stardust is on keys, while the Iguana handles the vocals, in a set that includes “I Wanna Be Your Dog”, “TV Eye”, “Raw Power”, “Gimmie Danger”, “Sister Midnight” and “Search & Destroy.”

Indukti: Idmen

John Adams: Dr. Atomic Symphony/Guide To Strange Places

Critic’s Pick:
John Entwistle: Rigor Mortis Sets In

This was the third release of the late John Entwistle, formerly of The Who. Originally released in 1973, the album consists of classic rock ‘n roll covers like “Mr. Bass Man”, “Hound Dog” and “Lucille” and new versions of Entwistle songs. The album cost roughly $14,000 to make, with nearly a third of that going to alcohol.

John Zorn: O’o

Kevin Hearn: Havana Winter

Kid British: It Was This or Football: First Half

Kieran Kane: Somewhere Beyond the Roses

Lou Reid & Carolina: My Own Set Of Rules

Merzbow: 13 Japanese Birds, Vol. 7

Critic’s Pick:
Michael Jackson: The Stripped Mixes

When news hit of the tragic death of the King of Pop just over a month ago, the world of entertainment was pretty shaken up. But there is obviously some money to be made on his legacy, and that’s why there are plans of at least ten albums being re-released this year. This particular album features his classic, Motown-era songs. Unreleased and stripped down versions of songs like “I’ll Be There”, “Who’s Lovin’ You”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “ABC” and “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

Neon Horse: Haunted Horse: Songs Of Love, Defiance & Delusion

The Octopus Project: Golden Beds EP

Owl City: Ocean Eyes

Porcupine Tree: Metanoia

The Radio Dept.: David

Starflyer 59: Ghosts Of The Past

Stina Nordenstam: The World Is Saved

Summer Cats: Songs for Tuesdays

Critic’s Pick:
Talking Heads: Rome Concert 1980

My first David Byrne concert experience came at Bonnaroo this past summer, so I can’t even imagine how amazing it must have been for those who saw his first famous band in the beautiful Eternal City. It also happened to land smack dab in the middle of a time when New Wave was at its best. What makes it even better is that the setlist features some of my favorite Head tunes: “Psycho Killer”, “I Zimbra”, “Take Me to the River”, “Life During Wartime” and “Houses in Motion.”

The Trashcan Sinatras: In the Music

Trevor Hall: Trevor Hall

The Twang: Barney Rubble

Ty Segall: Lemons

Critic’s Pick:
Various Artists: Funny People

Later this week, this highly anticipated comedy/drama will be released, which features a stellar cast of actors and actresses. I’ve recently rediscovered my love for watching movies, which I plan on incorporating into my blog somehow in the future. As for the soundtrack, it features three of the Beatles going at it solo (McCartney’s “Great Day”, Ringo’s “Photograph” and Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels”). It also features songs from Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, James Taylor (who makes a cameo in the movie), Warren Zevon, Adam Sandler, Neil Diamond, Larry Goldings and Andrew Bird’s cover of Wilco’s “Jesus, Etc.”