File under "Keeping It Real": David Allan Coe wrote his first album in prison. The long out of print 1968 debut album Penitentiary Blues is now on CD for the first time, remastered and including a booklet containing excerpts from his self-published guide to surviving prison, EX-Convict.
I hadn't realized that they're so popular, but the New Pornographer's Twin Cinema album is currently a top 10 album at Amazon. Likewise, Delbert McClinton's new Cost of Living is #17 today at Amazon, which is more action than I would have guessed.
Bjork appears to be determinedly heading further into left field than ever with the Drawing Restraint 9 soundtrack. I know nothing of the movie, but she's apparently looking for Eastern sounds. Also, she has outside vocalists for all but three songs. That definitely sounds bad to me, as her vocal performances have generally been the most interesting part of her package.
The Amazon review sure makes John Vanderslice's Pixel Revolt sound interesting.
If you're into mediocrity- and a lot of consumers certainly are- you may wish to run not walk to the record store for the Smash Mouth hits album. Hurry!!!
Here's the complete list of this week's major new releases, courtesy AMG:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Howl Red Ink
Indie Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Americana
David Allan Coe Penitentiary Blues [Deluxe Edition] Shout Factory
Outlaw Country, Country-Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Rock
Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits Universal
Novelty, Club/Dance
The New Pornographers Twin Cinema Matador
Indie Rock, Pop Underground, Power Pop
Laura Veirs Years of Meteors Nonesuch
Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Indie Pop
August Born August Born Drag City
Experimental Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental
BMX Bandits Serious Drugs: The Creation Anthology Castle
Indie Pop, Twee Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Bjork Drawing Restraint 9 [Original Soundtrack] One Little Indian Us
Experimental Rock, Experimental
Liona Boyd Camino Latino (Latin Journey) Moston
Guitar Music
Chicago At Carnegie Hall, Vol. 1-4 (Chicago IV) [Bonus Tracks] Rhino
Pop/Rock, Jazz-Rock
Larry Coryell/Victor Bailey/Lenny White Electric Chesky
Fusion
Criteria When We Break Saddle Creek
Indie Rock
Friends of Dean Martinez Live at Club 2 Aero Recordings
Instrumental Rock, Indie Rock
Jerry Garcia The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion of Mary Rhino
Country-Rock, Jam Bands
Dexter Gordon Daddy Plays the Horn [Shout Factory] Shout Factory
Bop
Hush Bulletproof Geffen
Hardcore Rap, Gangsta Rap
Jack's Mannequin Everything in Transit Maverick
Pop Underground, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Josh Kelley Almost Honest Hollywood
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Kronos Quartet You've Stolen My Heart Nonesuch
Indian Film Music
The Lost Patrol Band The Lost Patrol Band Burning Heart
Indie Rock
Joanna Lumley The Rainbow Bear ASV
Narration with Orchestra
Delbert McClinton Cost of Living New West
Americana, Roots Rock, Southern Soul, Modern Electric Blues, Soul-Blues, Rock & Roll, R&B
Original Soundtrack Four Brothers [Original Soundtrack] Motown
Motown, Blaxploitation
Ozomatli Live at the Fillmore Concord
Rock en Español, Salsa, Hip-Hop, Middle Eastern Pop, Worldbeat, Latin Pop
Les Paul & His Trio Crazy Rhythm Varese
Traditional Pop, Swing, Pop, Vocal Pop, Nostalgia
Peter, Paul & Mary The Very Best of Peter, Paul & Mary Rhino
Folk Revival, Contemporary Folk, Folk-Rock, Political Folk, Folk-Pop, Traditional Folk
Portastatic Bright Ideas Merge
Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi
RNCM Wind Ensemble Metropolis Klavier
Contemporary Orchestral Music
T. Raumschmiere Blitzkrieg Pop Novamute
Experimental Techno
Leon Redbone Live - December 26, 1992: The Olympia Theater, Paris France Rounder
Nostalgia, Ragtime
Johnny Reinhard Charles Ives: Universe Symphony (Realized by Johnny Reinhard) Stereo Society
Modern Orchestral Music
Amy Rigby Little Fugitive Signature Sound Recordings
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Smash Mouth All Star Smash Hits Interscope
Ska-Punk, Post-Grunge, Alternative Pop/Rock
Otis Taylor Below the Fold Telarc
Contemporary Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Blues
Tenement Halls Knitting Needles & Bicycle Bells Merge
Indie Rock
Tierney Sutton I'm with the Band Telarc
Vocal Jazz, Torch Songs
Trick Pony R.I.D.E. Curb
Neo-Traditionalist Country, Contemporary Country
John Vanderslice Pixel Revolt Barsuk
Indie Rock
Chad Vangaalen Infiniheart Sub Pop
Indie Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Various Artists The 40 Year-Old Virgin Shout Factory
Television Music, Soundtracks, Pop/Rock, Motown, Soul
Various Artists Total 6 Kompakt
Club/Dance, Techno, Experimental Techno, Left-Field House, Trance
Yes The Word Is Live Rhino
Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Prog-Rock/Art Rock
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
That definitely sounds bad to me, as her vocal performances have generally been the most interesting part of her package.
Bjork had other voices on Medulla...and it was astounding.
2 - godoggo
I've been waiting for a livie oZo album, because their one of the most explosive live bands around, but seem to wimp out a bit it the studio. Should be awesome.
3 - godoggo
By the way, the first time I heard them (on David Byrne's TV show), my immediate reaction was that they reminded me of Manu Chau's old band Mano Negra, so I'd say fans of either should check out the other.
4 - Sister Ray
The "I been in prison, baby!" badass routine doesn't work as well now that Martha Stewart can use it too.
5 - godoggo
And one more thought: God bless whoever managed to get this gang of ragamuffins on a classy jazz label like Concord