New Album Releases 09/02/08: Brian Wilson, NKOTB, Terrence Howard, Young Jeezy, Chemical Brothers, Jefferson Starship, Rodney Crowell, Southside Johnny & More - Page 2

Saleski's Choice: Southside Johnny with LaBamba's Big Band - Grapefruit Moon: The Songs of Tom Waits
This release has been a rumor for years now. There would be occasional mentions on the Internet from the man himself, first about how LaBamba was working on the charts, then about the sessions that had to be fit in between the busy schedules, then about distribution deals. Geez, fans don't care about that stuff, they just want the music!

Seriously, it feels a little like a dream. When I first heard Tom Waits many years ago, wailing away on the radio about pasties, g-strings, and other stuff, I had no idea how much the man's music would affect me. Southside Johnny seemed a little more concrete, being attached to the whole Jersey coast/soul thing. The fact that one of my favorite artists (Southside) is so into another on that same list, well... it somehow validates my love for both of these guys.

Oh, but wait 'til you hear the transformations of these Waits tunes. His songs have always been big in terms of character. While the big band versions make no attempt at replacing the originals, it's fun to hear the 'big' stepped up to 'huge.'

Donald Gibson's Prime Pick: Rodney Crowell – Sex and Gasoline
An assiduous songwriter, Rodney Crowell is one of that diminishing breed of artists who pay allegiance more to their craft than to any particular genre or style. Artists ranging from Keith Urban (“Making Memories of Us”), Emmylou Harris (“Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”), and Bob Seger (“Shame On the Moon”) have covered his works, underscoring his versatile skill. On his latest album, Sex and Gasoline, Crowell adeptly threads themes of intimacy, mortality, politics, religion, and women into a cohesive, mature narrative. Blustery acoustics and sparse arrangements suit his pensive vocals, rendering this seasoned troubadour as if delivering a soliloquy while ominous music swirls in the shadows.

Here are all of this week's new album releases courtesy of All Music Guide:

Terrence Howard
Shine Through It
Columbia
Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock

New Kids on the Block
The Block
Interscope
Urban, Dance-Pop

Brian Wilson
That Lucky Old Sun
Capitol
Pop/Rock

Young Jeezy
The Recession
Def Jam
Southern Rap, Gangsta Rap

Apollo Sunshine
Shall Noise Upon
Headless Heroes
Pop Underground, Neo-Psychedelia

John Baker
John Baker Tapes, Vol. 2: Soundtracks, Library, Home Recording, Electro Ads
Trunk
Television Music, Original Score, Electronic

Birdmonster
From the Mountain to the Sea
Fader Label
Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock

Bone Thugs N Harmony/Layzie Bone/A.K./Do or Die
Finally
Siccness
Hardcore Rap, Urban

Broadfield Marchers
The Inevitable Continuing
Rainbow Quartz
Pop Underground

Article Author: Glen Boyd

You'll find Blogcritics assistant music editor Glen Boyd sharing his Thoughtmares on his personal blogs The World Wide Glen, and The Rockologist. In a previous life, Glen was a music professional and journalist whose work has appeared in The Rocket, SPIN, Pulse!, and The Source. …

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