Most promising new CD release this week is Patience, the first all new George Michael album in eight years. We'll see if he's still got it, or whether he's let it rot on the vine.
Morrissey has a new album You Are the Quarry, and it's been even longer since he had an album. This is a big deal for some people. Why anybody EVER cared about this guy escapes me. Not a single song of his has made any lasting impression. What's the deal with him, anyway?
Alanis Morissette has a new album So-Called Chaos, already #2 on the Amazon sales chart.
Tori Amos has a live DVD Welcome to Sunny Florida, which includes a bonus CD, apparently with new songs, but I haven't seen a track listing.
Lenny Kravitz used to be pretty big. I don't know how much anyone cares at this point, but he's got a new album called Baptism.
Note that there are several classic Muddy Waters albums being re-issued this week with bonus tracks.
This week's major releases, from All Music Guide:
Alanis Morissette So-Called Chaos Maverick
Styles: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
George Michael Patience Aegean
Styles: Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Morrissey You Are the Quarry Attack
Styles: Alternative Pop/Rock
The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free Atlantic
Styles: 2-Step/British Garage, Garage/House
Marin Alsop Samuel Barber: Knoxville "Summer of 1915"; Essays for Orchestra Nos. 2 & 3 Naxos
Styles: 20th-Century Vocal and Chamber Music
Tori Amos Welcome To Sunny Florida [Bonus CD] Epic
Styles: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Athlete Vehicles & Animals [US Bonus Tracks] Astralwerks
Styles: Indie Rock
Ida Bieler Penderecki: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2 Naxos
Styles: Modern Chamber Music
Leroy Carr Whiskey Is My Habit, Women Is All I Crave: The Best of Leroy Carr Sony
Styles: Memphis Blues, Minstrel, Early American Blues, Folk-Blues
Catheters Howling...It Grows and Grows!!! Sub Pop
Styles: Punk Revival, Indie Rock
Article comments
1 - brown_boognish
I'm very excited to hear the new Morrissey album, the lead single is quite good.
2 - Al Barger
I figured at least one Morrissey enthusiast would show up in his defense.
Hey Boognish, what couple of specific Morrissey/Smiths songs should I be listening to in order to understand his genius?
3 - Tom Johnson
In case anyone cares:
The new To Rococo Rot album, Hotel Morgen, is very nice, for those that like lush, ambient, post-rock. Think Tortoise but more mellow. It's nothing particularly new for them, but it still makes a nice soundtrack to a long drive, or just to zone out to.
4 - The Theory
it's next week to look forward to... Slipknot anyone?
5 - BRICKLAYER
You better believe it, brother.
6 - Al Barger
Tom, what would be the best couple of intro tracks from To Rococo Rot to check out, from any album?
7 - Mark Saleski
geezuz! just what i need, yet another band to plop into the Toroise "post-rock" (hate that label) bin.
...just can't keep up, dangit.
8 - brown_boognish
I'd say pick up hatful of hollow by The Smiths, or the queen is dead by the smiths. Anything by the smiths will reveal his genius. I'm not as into his solo material, but check out the new single off the new album.
9 - Tom Johnson
They're not the same - Tortoise is much busier sounding, and TRT is more along the electronica lines than Tortoise is. Maybe think of Tortoise if they followed a more German-line of descent, from Can, Neu!, etc. - and then applied more electronic notions to their live instruments (because they do feature live bass and drums, generally, and this is one of the more interesting textural features of their sound.) There's just a line of similarity between the two that I think might appeal to either bands' fans.
A couple tracks to check out? Hmm . . . that's a tough one. I think all of The Amateur View is really beautiful - you can probably try anything from that and get a good sense of what they're about. Check out "Cars" for the Tortoise comparison, especially. "Pantone," from Music Is A Hungry Ghost is one of my favorites. Find "tal" from Hotel Morgen if you can - that song particulary stood out for me, and has all of their hallmark sounds in it.
The problem with TRT is that they're more "immersive music" than anything - you really need to hear the whole album in one sitting to get the most out of it.
10 - JoeW
I just want to say thanks for providing this weekly summary. I've been looking for a dedicated RSS feed with this kind of info, and this is the closest there is. So, thanks!
11 - Shark
Just wanted to throw in a good word for Kim Richey, and if you're not familiar with her work, The Collection is a great start.
She's a brilliant performer (did one of the best concerts I've ever seen, btw), but is best known for her songwriting abilities. She's had a number of big hits by other female artists, and a special relationship with Trisha Yearwood.
Kim's writing/playing is tight, intelligent, mature, and she can rock with the best of 'em. She would easily make my list of Contemporary American Treasures. A true Artist with heart in a world of poseurs with empty chest cavities.
Shark sez "Three Thumbs Up!"