Ben Harper has a full-fledged gospel album with the Blind Boys of Alabama, There Will Be a Light. This could be worth hearing.
They only ever really made one good album (A Date with Elvis), but I'll admit to having a soft spot for The Cramps. Their new album is How to Make a Monster on Vengeance Records.
If anybody still gives a fat rat's buttock about Green Day, they have a new album out, American Idiot. Some kind of concept thing about how Americans are really stupid to take terrorist threats seriously. I'm sure it's very insightful. Now, if they only had some real songs to go with their Deep Political Insights.
Looks like there's a new Keith Urban album, if you inexplicably like modern commercial processed country cheese food products, and a new Mark Chesnutt album- if you can tell the difference.
This week's major releases, from All Music Guide:
Elvis Costello/The Imposters Delivery Man Lost Highway
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Michael Tilson Thomas Elvis Costello: Il Sogno Deutsche Grammophon
Contemporary Ballet
John Fogerty Deja Vu All Over Again Geffen
Roots Rock, Rock & Roll, Heartland Rock
The Clash London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition Sony
British Punk, Punk, Rock & Roll, Hard Rock, New Wave
Green Day American Idiot Warner Brothers
Punk-Pop, Punk Revival, Alternative Pop/Rock
Eric Andersen The Street Was Always There Appleseed
Folk-Rock, Political Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Meredith Brooks Shine Savoy Jazz
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Norman Brown West Coast Coolin' Warner Brothers
Smooth Jazz, Contemporary R&B, Quiet Storm, Crossover Jazz
Mark Chesnutt Savin' the Honky Tonk Vivaton!
New Traditionalist, Honky Tonk, Contemporary Country
Chevelle This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) Sony
Alternative Metal
The Cramps How to Make a Monster Vengeance
American Underground, Psychobilly, Rockabilly Revival, Post-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
Steve Morse from the globe loved Delivery Man.
another reviewer really liked the classical thing too (sorry, couldn't find that one online.)
2 - Brady
Elvis is King and I'm sure "Delivery Man" won't change that.
3 - The Theory
The Buddy Miller disc looks most promising from that list.
4 - Eric Olsen
very fine, if undiplomatic round-up, thanks Al - the Dictators reissue is worth noting as well.
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
"Some kind of concept thing about how Americans are really stupid to take terrorist threats seriously"
That ain't what the albums about, Al. give it a spin, man. thats the wrong impression you done picked up right there.
6 - Al Barger
I could overlook the politics entirely, if the actual songs were any good. However, I've been thoroughly underwhelmed by everything I've ever heard from this band, so I'm just not motivated to bother. I've yet to hear a single song from this outfit that impressed me.
Is this album way better than anything else they've ever done? If so, I might bother with it.
Plus, there are REAL musicians with records out. Did I mention that there are TWO new Elvis albums this week?
7 - Eric Olsen
you are underestimating Green Day, Al: they've grown tremendously musically and otherwise since the terrific-if-adolescent Dookie - "Warning" was a great mature rock 'n' roll album - although I haven't heard this new one yet.