Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
This might be the longest list I've since since I took over this column. Sadly, I don't see a lot of essential buys among them. There are a few interesting tidbits worth discussing, though. Former lead Cranberry Delores O'Riordan has a solo album. Willie Nelson has an American Classic for Blue Note. We begin with a band I like to call Sliced Bread, your Arctic Monkeys.
Arctic Monkeys
Humbug
My sidekick 11 is a big NASCAR fan and he's taken to calling driver Joey Logano "Sliced Bread" (as in "the greatest thing since") because of all the hype he received on his way into the sport. The Arctic Monkeys were a nu-music sensation before they'd released a record. Their debut set British sales chart records. They were huge until they weren't, just another victim of NME. At least Arctic Monkeys' hype led to substantial sales. The Gossip gets anointed by NME every two weeks and no one – at least in the US – is buying those records.
That said, I liked AM's debut and I liked their follow up. They're not nearly as good as their hype, but they've put down some nice tunes. I'm not sure I'll race out to grab this one, but I'm curious to hear something from it and to see how it does.
Radiohead
Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail To The Thief (Deluxe Editions)
Earlier this year, EMI released deluxe editions of Radiohead's first three albums with the label. With this trio, EMI has now maxed out all six albums from Radiohead's time with them. There are two packages being sold. Both packages include 2 CDs, the first being the actual album and the second disc being comprised of B-sides and rarities. The second package includes a bonus DVD.
Some hardcore Radiohead fans will have most – if not all – of this material. Still others are boycotting it as this package has been released by the label with no input from the band. 11 and I call this contingent the Fruit Baskets. These are delusional fans who think by "taking a stand" for their heroes, their heroes will one day knock on their door bringing them a fruit basket and other kingly gifts. Springsteen has "virtuous" fans like that. They bring signs to concerts that say "'Mary's Place' Is My Favorite Song" or "Waiting' On A Sunny Day' Was Our First Dance." These people deserve our scorn, not our pity.
For Radiohead fans who never managed to get their hands on the import singles, this is a cheaper way to catch up on some nice non-album tracks. For college freshman, you're going to have a Radiohead period at some point. You will be scoffed at if you don't know the B-sides, so best you start here.
Here's the rest of the list:
Arctic Monkeys
Humbug
Colbie Caillat
Breakthrough[Deluxe Edition]
Imogen Heap
Ellipse
Matisyahu
Light
Mew
No More Stories Are Told Today Sorry…
Marin Alsop
Leonard Bernstein: Mass
Martha Argerich
Martha Argerich: The Collection, Vol. 2 – The Concerto Recordings
The Beach Boys
Christmas Harmonies
George Benson
Songs and Stories
Sandra Bernhard
Whatever It Takes
Blitzen Trapper
Black River Killer
Randy Brecker
Nostalgic Journey: Tykocin Jazz Suite
Brian Bromberg
It Is What It Is
Tim Buckley
Live at the Folklore Center, NYC: March 6th, 1967
James Carter/John Medeski
Heaven on Earth
Collective Soul
Collective Soul [2009]
Jackie DeShannon
New Arrangement [Collectors Choice]
Rocío Dúrcal
Duetos
Eldar
Virtue
The Esso Trinidad Steel Band
Van Dyke Parks Presents the Esso Trinidad Steel Band [Bonus DVD]
Felix da Housecat
He Was King
Béla Fleck/Zakir Hussain/Edgar Meyer
Melody of Rhythm: Triple Concerto & Music for Trio
Clarence Fountain/Sam Butler & the Boys
Stepping Up & Stepping Out
Rory Gallagher
Crest of a Wave: The Best of Rory Gallagher
Robert Glasper
Double Booked
Jeff Golub
Blues for You
David Guetta
One Love
Woody Guthrie
My Dusty Road
Roy Hargrove Big Band
Emergence
Stefon Harris/Blackout
Urbanus
Jeff Healey
Songs from the Road
Dan Hicks
It Happened One Bite
Peter Himmelman
My Trampoline
Matt Hires
Take Us to the Start
Jack Ingram
Big Dreams & High Hopes
Inner Circle
State of da World
Freddie Jackson
Diamond Collection
Michael Jackson
The Definitive Collection
Neeme Jarvi
Michael Daugherty: Fire and Blood; MotorCity Triptych; Raise the Roof
Jet
Shaka Rock
LeToya
Lady Love
Leeland
Love in on the Move
Lil' Ru
21 and Up
Lil Wyte
The Bad Influence
Love and Theft
World Wide Open
Jason Marsalis
Music Update
Ingrid Michaelson
Everybody
The Monterey Quartet
Live at the 2007 Jazz Festival
Mum
Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know
Najee
Mind Over Matter
Willie Nelson
American Classic
Dolores O'Riordan
No Baggage
Oh, Sleeper
Son of the Morning
Johannes Somary
Franz Joseph Haydn: The Seasons
Alberto Veronesi
Giacomo Puccini: La rondine
Original Soundtrack
Fame [Lakeshore Soundtrack]
Original Soundtrack
Halloween 2 [2009 Soundtrack]
Original Soundtrack
Taking Woodstock [Soundtrack]
Patton Oswalt
My Weakness Is Strong
The Postmarks
Memoirs at the End of the World
Queen Latifah
Persona
Radiohead
Amnesiac [Bonus Disc]
Radiohead
Hail to the Thief [Bonus Disc]
Radiohead
Kid A [Bonus Disc]
Paul Revere & the Raiders
Hungry for Kicks: Singles & Choice Cuts 1965-69
Calvin Richardson
Facts of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack
Smokey Robinson
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Sally Shapiro
My Guilty Pleasure
Phil Stacey
Into the Light
Sweetwater
Sweetwater
Irma Thomas
50th Anniversary Celebration
Samba Toure
Songhai Blues: Homage to Ali Farka Toure
McCoy Tyner
Solo: Live from San Francisco
Various Artists
Island 50 Reggae
Various Artists
Now That's What I Call Country, Vol. 2
Delroy Wilson
Dub Plate Style
