Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. I'm skimming this list and there are a lot of big names with new albums and I have a feeling I'm going to sit this week out. While that's disappointing for me, it doesn't absolve me of my responsibility to point you lot in the direction of some new music so let's take a look.
Country/roots fans have a couple interesting releases to consider. Terri Clark has gone indie, leaving behind the inanities of corporate Nashville. Lost Highway is bringing out records for Lyle Lovett and The Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit. I'm not a big Lovett fan myself, but he has a certain appeal with a segment of listeners out there. Schmit is an interesting one. I am a casual Eagles fan, but Schmit's limited opportunities in that band have tended to be lighter weight. He's surrounded himself with some talent for this disc, though, and might have come with something good. It will be tuneful, but I'm not sure how much weight it will have. Eagles' fans and fans of the lighter sound will probably find something to enjoy on this set. There's also a new set from superstar Tim McGraw. I'm not a country music fan but if you are, I have to imagine one of those sets is going to have appeal for you.
Sufjan Stevens
The BQE
I am going to have to break down and get one of this guy's records. Soon. I've heard a few songs by him and they've piqued my interest but I've yet to sit and listen to an entire record. I'm not sure he's going to hook me, but I'm not sure he won't. I'm going to have to invest in one of these.
Fuck Buttons
Tarot Sport
If you think I'm going to pass up a chance to talk about a band called Fuck Buttons, you've lost your mind. I heard about these guys last year when one of our readers tried to step to me about my Top 10 of 2008 and namechecked this outfit. The band name alone is almost enough to make me want to investigate them further. Almost.
Coco Montoya
The Essential Coco Montoya
Blues fans know Coco Montoya, and you should, too. Blind Pig releases a compilation this week covering some of the standout tracks from the three solo records he recorded for them. Montoya's best work comes from those records so if you're looking for a great introduction to what he's all about, this is the disc for you.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I am curious about these new Omnibus Editions from Beggars Banquet
2 - Mark Saleski
i want the Farrar/Gibbard thing, since it has a Kerouac connection. also, the Lyle Lovette, because he appears to not be able to make a bad record.
3 - Tom Johnson
The Cult's Love Omnibus Edition is fantastic, El B. Got it weeks ago from the UK Amazon. Remastered album, disc of b-sides/outtakes, disc of demos, and a live disc (not to mention a big thick book) for about $20. Incredible deal.
4 - Tom Johnson
Oh, and Josh, you won't need too much Sufjan Stevens to "get" his schtick. You'll know quickly if you like it or you don't. Personally, I really like Seven Swans the most. His "states" albums wear on me pretty quickly now, but have some really great moments on them ("John Wayne Gacy Jr" from Illinois(e) is absolutely hauntingly, harrowingly beautiful.) I don't know that BQE is where you should start - it's more along the lines of more recent stuff from Philip Glass from what little I've heard.
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I figured this was a good enough thread as any to post some new CDs (possibly,new to me) that I've been digging:
No Made Sense - The Epillanic Choragi
Pictorial Wand - Face of our Fathers
Quidam - Alone Together
Also Eden - It's Kind of You to Ask
Morglbl - Jazz for the Deaf
6 - Amy
Timothy B. Schmit's new album is great--by far his best solo album to date. Casual Eagles fans who only know him from that band will likely be quite surprised by it. Those who are familiar with Schmit from his long pre-Eagles stint with Poco will be less suprised. But this album definitely shows Schmit's growth as an artist, which seems rather impressive for someone in his position. He doesn't need to do the solo work at all, but if so inclined, could certainly put out an album of sweet love songs and his fans would buy it. But he wants to keep pushing his boundaries (hence the title) and has done so quite successfully. He is also performing solo for the first time in his career, in support of the album. Schmit has definitely shed the slick production and gone back to his folk-rock roots. This is an album worth checking out.