It's not a terribly loaded week for new releases but there are a couple records I'm excited to highlight. I've been looking forward to new Mark Knopfler music since Get Lucky was announced in June. I've anticipated the debut record from “supergroup” Works Progress Administration even longer, going back to when I interviewed WPA co-conspirator Glen Phillips in May of last year. More on those in a minute.
Last week, we did a special feature on The Beatles' reissues and as a result I didn't get to talk about one of the new releases from last week that normally would have gotten some attention. Alison Sudol released the second A Fine Frenzy record, Bomb In A Birdcage. It's a departure from her debut but proves to be a fine, fine listen. We also learned of plans for a massive Tom Petty box set, but no release date has yet been announced.
Jumping back to this week, we have new music from Muse and a collaboration between Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson.
Mark Knopfler – Get Lucky
Knopfler is on a roll, following up his outstanding Kill To Get Crimson with the brilliant Get Lucky. He doesn't change the approach he's taken on previous solo records but Get Lucky stands out because of the quality of the material he has given himself as well as his collaborators this time out.
Among the highlights are the Celtic-folk of “Before Gas And TV,” the subdued blues of “You Can't Beat The House,” and the tender “Hard Shoulder.” Knopfler has started announcing tour dates for Get Lucky, hitting US venues in spring 2010.
Works Progress Administration – Works Progress Administration
WPA may not be a supergroup in the most famous sense, but there is some serious musical pedigree among these performers. Former Toad The Wet Sproket frontman Glen Phillips is joined by Heartbreaker Benmont Tench, Nickel Creek's Sean Watkins, and Luke Bulla. Also participating in the recording process was Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Greg Leisz (Bill Frisell, Joni Mitchell), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Imposters), and Davey Faragher (Cracker, the Imposters).
That's a lot of talent for one record. I've heard one song from the album, “Always Have My Love,” which was briefly offered as a free download. Phillips takes lead, but the Americana/bluegrass feel of the Nickel Creekers prominently accentuate the song, separating it from much of the music of Phillips' previous band and solo outings. Professionalism permeates the performance of “Always” and I'm eager to hear more. I've pre-ordered my copy of the record and hope to have it in hand this week.
Here's the rest of your new releases for Sept. 15, 2009:
Big Star
Keep an Eye on the Sky
Drake
So Far Gone
Nelly Furtado
Mi Plan
Kid Cudi
Man on the Moon: The End of Day
Muse
The Resistance
Q-Tip
Kamaal the Abstract
Pete Yorn/Scarlett Johansson
Break Up
Anvil
This Is Thirteen
Armed for Apocalypse
Defeat
Big Punisher
The Legacy: The Best of Big Pun
The Black Dahlia Murder
Deflorate
Luiza Borac
Chopin: Études; Six Polish Songs (transcribed Liszt)
Butterfly Boucher
Scaryfragile
Tyondai Braxton
Central Market
Brownout
Aguilas and Cobras
Café Tacuba
Yo Soy
Cougar
Patriot
Cowboy Troy
Demolition Mission: Studio Blue Sessions
Charlie Daniels
Midnight Wind [Midnight Wind…Plus]
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
Brother's Keeper
Marie Digby
Breathing Underwater
The Dodos
Time to Die
Every Time I Die
New Junk Aesthetic
Fink
Sort of Revolution
Gordon Gano
Under the Sun
Judy Garland
Judy Goes Hollywood! Music from the Movies
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band
Pilgrimage
Grand Archives
Keep in Mind Frankenstein
The Grates
Teeth Lost, Hearts Won
Gus Gus
24/7
Wolfgang Holzmair
Wolf: Songs
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Levitate
Mason Jennings
Blood of Man
Simon Joyner
Out into the Snow
Jupiter One
Sunshower
Kittie
In the Black
Mark Knopfler
Get Lucky
Lil' Boosie
Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz
Living Colour
The Chair in the Doorway
Lo Fidelity Allstars
Northern Stomp
Roy Loney & the Phantom Movers
A Hundred Miles an Hour 1978-1989
Markku Luolajan-Mikkola
Gamba Nova: Contemporary Music for Baroque Instruments and Voices
Claire Lynch
Whatcha Gonna Do
Megadeth
Endgame
Ministry
The Last Dubber
The World I Want to Leave Behind
New Boyz
Skinny Jeanz & A Mic
Nicolay
Shibuya: City Lights, Vol. 2
Danielle de Niese
The Mozart Album
The Sixteen
Sounds Sublime
Porcupine Tree
The Incident
Benny Reid
Escaping Shadows
Tom Russell
Blood and Candle Smoke
Serena Ryder
Is It O.K.
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
…And the Horse You Rode in On
Shadows Fall
Retribution
Shudder to Think
Live from Home
Simian Mobile Disco
Temporary Pleasure
Ricky Skaggs
Solo: Songs My Dad Loved
Sonos
SonoSings
Stars of Track and Field
A Time for Lions
Sunny Day Real Estate
Diary [Bonus Tracks]
Sunny Day Real Estate
LP2 [Bonus Tracks]
David Sylvian
Manafon
Thrice
Beggars
Uncle Kracker
Happy Hour
Various Artists
Best Is Yet to Come: The Songs of Cy Coleman