Most likely gamble for music fans amongst this week's new releases would be an album from Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, Transatlantic Ping Pong.
Also promising: a new album from Etta James, Blues to the Bone.
The extremely much hyped GnR loaded supergroup Velvet Revolver have their first album release, Contraband. Don't know if it's any good, but unlike Axl they have at least actually put out a damned record.
Other artists of note with new studio album releases this week include Gene Simmons, PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth, and Chumbawamba.
This week's major releases, from All Music Guide:
Velvet Revolver Contraband RCA
Styles: Hard Rock
!!! Louden Up Now Touch and Go
Styles: Indie Rock
Gerald Albright Kickin' It Up GRP
Styles: Jazz-Pop, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
The Allman Brothers Band Stand Back: The Anthology Hip-O
Styles: Album Rock, Blues-Rock, Boogie Rock, Slide Guitar Blues, Southern Rock
Antibalas Who Is This America? Artemis
Styles: Afro-Beat, Funk
Bad Religion The Empire Strikes First Epitaph
Styles: Hardcore Punk
Anita Baker A Night of Rapture: Live Rhino
Styles: Urban, Adult Contemporary, Quiet Storm
Uri Caine Trio Live at the Village Vanguard Winter & Winter
Styles: Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Creative, Post-Bop
J.J. Cale To Tulsa and Back Sanctuary
Styles: Blues-Rock, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Southern Rock
The Calling Two RCA
Styles: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Carter Family RCA Country Legends RCA
Styles: Traditional Country, Appalachian Folk
Chanticleer William Byrd: Music for a Hidden Chapel Classical Express
Styles: Renaissance Sacred Choral Music
Chumbawamba Un Koch
Styles: Alternative Pop/Rock, Anarchist Punk
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
Sonic Youth and PJ Harvey will be getting my cash this week. I heard them and Velvet Revolver on VH1.com (via their cool album-preview feature) and while VR seems to be pretty good, it seems like it might wear out its welcome pretty quick. Sonic Youth and PJ Harvey have real long-term potential with me. Glenn Tilbrook is also tempting, but I'll have to hear more of it to decide for certain . . . I'll probably end up buying it anyway.
Boy, after watching the show, WB's Superstar sure is tempting . . . not. Did they not get the appeal of William Hung? We don't want tons of really bad singers - one "making it" is fun just as a joke. A whole album of Hungs? No thank you.
2 - Bob A. Booey
Go to Lollapalooza this summer. Sonic Youth and PJ Harvey are on the bill on many dates, along with Morrissey, the Flaming Lips, and the Pixies (at a few shows).
If any of you are in New York, you must go since all of those bands are playing.
The Ventura County Fairground dates in LA aren't bad, either, since they have most of those artists.
There are some other decent groups on some dates like Basement Jaxx and others I'm forgetting. Check the website since the acts shift from tour stop to stop and is very uneven for some dates.
That is all.
3 - visualsimplicity
I'm a little disappointed with the PJ Harvey album. Not sure why since I wasn't really expecting anything.
For anyone who cares, the new Corrs album sounds decent. It's pretty much their typical stuff, doesn't deviate much. So if you enjoy their old stuff, you'll probably like the new one. I suppose if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
4 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Al - this is an excellent ongoing feature.
5 - Susan
Glenn Tilbrook's latest post-Squeeze offering, Transatlantic Ping Pong, is an impressive collection of catchy tunes, many of which will become instant "earworms" the second you hear them.
Glenn's made it quite clear that, Squeeze or no Squeeze, music is what he does, what he loves, and what he's very, very good at. (He & Chris Difford did co-write one of the songs on this album, and their continuing compatability is more than evident here.)
I continue to recommend this latest from Glenn to anyone who will sit still long enough to hear me. It's a guaranteed winner!