New Album Releases, 5-8-2007: Bjork, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Elliott Smith

Looks a little thin in new albums this week. The main interesting looking album is Volta, the latest from Bjork. She was just fascinating to watch doing a couple of these songs recently on SNL with her all-female Icelandic brass band et al. The arrangements and her unique spiritual presence were impressive, but with most Bjork songs, I couldn't remember much of the actual song after it was done. But then, she might reward repeated listening, because there's something going on in there. For being so esoteric and freaky, this album is #4 currently at Amazon.

There's a new Elliott Smith album New Moon. There are 24 songs on two CDs, only three of which have had any kind of release. Most of them are from 1994 to 1997. I've never understood why this guy was a big deal, other than some kind of weird emotional thing because he killed himself. But from the songs I've heard, I would guess he was depressed and despairing over his lack of talent. In any case, death was a good career move, as this album is currently #10 at Amazon.

Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases, courtesy AMG:

Bjork Volta Atlantic
Electronica, Alternative Dance, Trip-Hop, Club/Dance, Alternative Pop/Rock

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Strength & Loyalty Interscope
Hardcore Rap, Gangsta Rap, Midwest Rap, Hip-Hop

The Clientele God Save the Clientele Merge
Indie Pop

Electrelane No Shouts, No Calls Too Pure
Ambient Pop, Indie Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental

Elliott Smith New Moon Kill Rock Stars
Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Sadcore, Indie Rock

Paula Abdul Greatest Hits: Straight Up! Virgin/EMI
Club/Dance, Urban, Dance-Pop, Adult Contemporary

Alsace Lorraine Dark One Darla
Indie Electronic

The Bad Plus PROG Heads Up
Post-Bop, Post-Rock/Experimental

The Basement Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs Deltasonic
British Trad Rock, Alternative Country-Rock

Paris Bennett Princess P 306 Entertainment
Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Gospel, Dance-Pop, Urban, Club/Dance, Contemporary R&B

Article Author: Al Barger

Unreformed hawkish Hoosier hillbilly Al Barger runs the still squeezin' down the psychodelic Kentucky moonshine at More Things. What with the paranoid religious visions, the Pentecostal music, visions of God and anarchy running amok and such, somebody …

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