Last night, during one of those online "chat" conversations people have over their computers these days, I commented to one of our regular NAR contributors that I had a feeling it was going to be such a slow new release week, that I'd be writing a "pulling a rabbit out of my ass" sort of column.
Well, call me Nostradamus if today's list didn't prove me right.
So long story short, it's pretty slim pickings this week. The AMG list is in fact so short, that neither of our picks (from Mark Saleski and El Bicho) even show up there. No matter. With a week like this one, we'll take whatever we can get. Anyway, with that said, let's get to pulling some rabbits, shall we?
Fragile Future is the first new album from Hawthorne Heights since the death of guitarist Casey Calvert. It also follows the band's legal problems with label Victory Records, which have apparently been resolved since that is exactly who ended up releasing the new album from the punky-popsters.
Harps and Angels is singer-songwriter Randy Newman's first new record in ten years, and is reportedly a stripped-down sounding set recalling some of his earlier work in the seventies. These days, Newman is best known for his work on film soundtracks, but I wouldn't be surprised if his ever sarcastic wit doesn't turn up another "Short People" here.
Conor Oberst reportedly went to Mexico to record his first solo album minus his usual Bright Eyes moniker (aren't those records basically solo efforts as well?). Here he is joined by a loose-knit group of musicians dubbed the Mystic Valley Band, and the album is said to mine much the same alterna-folk-pop territory of his Bright Eyes releases.
Finally, for anyone who misses those all-female Lilith Fair shows from the nineties, Miss Lilith herself, Sarah McLachlan, gets the deluxe treatment on the Legacy Edition of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Expect rare tracks along with all the usual bells and whistles here. With that, I'll now turn the wheel over to Sir Saleski and El Bicho...
I don't what what it is (or was) about the New York punk scene. I mean, I never went there. Never set foot in CBGB. None of it. What I did do was read a ton of yammering about these bands (thank you Lester), which of course led up to the purchase of a pile of some of the most annoying records ever made (Just ask my parents!)
Anyhow, the hallowed epicenter of this noise explosion was indeed CBGB. It was a filthy place, run by the late mastermind Hilly Krystal, who made no rules and just let the punks have their way. For this, we had the flowering (or was it 'rotting') of The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, The Dictators, Patti Smith, Television, Dead Boys, and on it goes.
Article comments
1 - Pico
Glen, I listened to the new Randy Newman just this morning and while the arrangements and production are impeccable, it was still very disappointing to me. In the past Newman was able to walk the fine line between sardonic parody and weighty, well constructed compositions. On this record he goes too far over to the parody side. He's doing rambling monologues on nearly every song that robs the listener from enjoying the pretty melodies playing underneath. The last song "Feels Like Home" is his best on the album, mainly because he's playing that one straight.
This is no Sail Away. Newman should have dialed back some on the shtick.
2 - Glen Boyd
Sorry to hear that Pico, but thanks for the heads up. Maybe doing movie work for all these years has led Newman to think that every song requires something extra in the way of a narrative...who knows?
-Glen
3 - Tom Johnson
It's such a slow week that there's not even anything rare on the Legacy Edition of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. It's just a pairing (tripling?) of the album, its counterpart, The Freedom Sessions, and Fumbling Towards Ecstacy Live on DVD with a few videos. It has been graced with a very, very slight remastering that isn't even mentioned on the outside of the packaging, and you have to search for it on the inside (Adam Ayan is listed as mastering the package when Greg Calbi mastered the original albums.) There's not even a write-up in the booklet - it's just lyrics and photos. A great album, to be sure - one of my favorites - but this is really only worthwhile if you're missing something of the three releases and want them all in one place. Or maybe you just want the pictures of the lovely Sarah. Pervs.
4 - Josh Hathaway
Yeah, the barely "rare" Fumbling Towards Ecstacy. I wonder who'd be dumb enough to order that-
Oh, wait a minute.
Never mind. Return to what you were doing. Thank you, drive through.
5 - Mark Saleski
josh, josh, josh...first the Fine Frenzy pics and now Sarah?
tsk, tsk.
6 - Josh Hathaway
The pics in FTE aren't that spectacular, to be honest. She hit her stride with Surfacing.
7 - Tom Johnson
I gotta disagree - that Lilith Fair short haircut was extremely unflattering. Loved seeing the longer hair come back after that. Seeing that shrew on that horrible Jon & Kate + 8 made me think of those sad times with the butch hair.
And, yeah, who would be foolish enough to waste money on that set? (Ahem)
8 - Josh Hathaway
Well, I didn't buy the picture for the haircuts or the pictures either way. I skimmed the book last night as I was listening and put it back in the sleeve.
9 - Mark Saleski
...I didn't buy the picture for the haircuts or the pictures either way
you mean "CD"?
i dunno man, you're sounding more flustered and guilty by the minute.
;-)
10 - Josh Hathaway
Yeah, well I have a perfect defense: I type at 7 damns per minute. You buy Playboy for the articles; I buy CDs for the music.