Today is the greatest day I've ever known. This is somewhere beyond the metric buttload of new music that we need to buy in triplicate. It's staggering and I'm not going to be able to spend proper detail on all of them and some I'm not going to be able to discuss at all, so please feel free to join me in the comments and let's talk about all this bountiful music being set before us.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
MOJO
This is the first Heartbreakers album since The Last DJ in 2002. Since then, Petty has done a magnificent solo record Highway Companion, reunited with his pre-Heartbreakers band Mudcrutch for a magnificent record, and released an uber-magnificent Live Anthology box set.
Now Tom, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair, Steve Ferrone, and Scott Thurston are back with a 15-track album that finds the Heartbreakers reinventing themselves as the blues band they never were and searching for their inner Allman Brothers Band. If you've loved Mike Campbell's lead guitar playing over the years, you're in for a treat. I've pre-ordered mine.
Another note: this album is being released as CD, vinyl, and a Blu-ray audio for you audiophiles out there. I've started with the CD but I'll be purchasing the other two in good time.
Pernice Brothers
Goodbye, Killer
Some kids discover drugs in college. I discovered the Pernice Brothers. Both are addictive and deplete your bank account. Only one gets you hauled off in a jump...suit.
My copy of Killer arrived early because I'm at least 17 percent more special than the rest of you- along with everyone else who pre-ordered their copy from Pernice's Ashmont Records label. Okay, so I don't qualify as special. I do have the record though and some of you don't so you might be wondering if you should get it. First off, yes, on account of it's a Pernice Brothers record and you don't need to hear anything from it to know you need it. Second off, yes, on account of I wouldn't have pre-ordered the thing if I didn't think it would be worth having. Lastly, yes, on account of I've listened to it several times since its early arrival and it's really, really good.
Big High
Big High
Former Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin is back in the rock-n-roll saddle again and the self-titled debut from Big High is the result. R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck — a frequent Martin collaborator — guests on the record. I published my review of it this week. For those of you with short attention spans, it's really good. Rock fans who remember the Seattle fraternity of bands fondly will probably really like this one a lot.
Article comments
1 - Joanie
If I ask you nicely, will you buy me the Jackie Greene albums and some Tom Petty? I'll even agree to you throwing in a Pernice Brothers and Sarah McLachlan. :)
2 - Mark Saleski
also looking forward to getting the new Devo.
3 - Josh Hathaway
I think the Jackie Greene albums are re-issues and his new one comes out later this month, if I understand correctly. I'm going to have to investigate him after what you and El Bicho had to say about him. I'm very interested in learning more about him.
I've just spent more money in the past three days than I ever should have so I'm going to have to slow this way down. The good news is I'm so covered in wonderful and amazing music I can't think of anything I'll need any time soon.
4 - El Bicho
looking through the list and I discovered new Cowboy Junkies. It's very very good as I listen at their site
5 - El Bicho
oh, you'll definitely need the new Robert Randolph coming out next week
6 - Josh Hathaway
Yeah, El Bicho, I'm going to have to find a way to scrounge for that one. I'm extremely excited about it, too.
7 - Tom Johnson
Actually almost shocked the Punch Brothers' Antifogmatic isn't getting some love here. Sounds right up the alley of you guys.
8 - El Bicho
I heard a few songs from their Bonnaroo set on the NPR site and really enjoyed them