Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
With the big holiday week now upon us, the list of new releases hitting stores is not surprisingly a short one — even by 2008 standards. So this week's rundown is likewise going to be short and sweet. Our cast of pickmaking contributors have also been given the week off, so you won't find a lot of fireworks here this time around.
But speaking of Independence Day, I can't think of a better way to celebrate America than with Willie Nelson's Stardust: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition. On this newly upgraded edition, you've got a true American original, digging into the American songbook, for an album that has long since gone down as an American classic. The only things missing are the barbeque and the fireworks. The Legacy Edition also features a second disc with even more of Willie's unique take on some of the best loved American standards.
Looking elsewhere, 50 Cent's original crew G-Unit is back with T.O.S.: Terminate on Sight. Although they are down a few members — most notably Young Buck — G-Unit still manages to bring it here for the most part.
On Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles, the hearthrob mellow rock guitarist performs in settings which include acoustic trio, electric trio, and large ensemble. As always, Mayer blends everything from his trademark mellow rock tunes, to elements of jazz, blues, and occasionally a somewhat harder brand of rock.
Rounding out the highlights, tex-mex rockers Los Lonely Boys are back with Forgiven. My Chemical Romance bid farewell to the Black Parade era on the live disc The Black Parade Is Dead!.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Here are all of this week's new album releases courtesy of All Music Guide:
Alkaline Trio
Agony & Irony
Epic
Punk-Pop, Punk Revival
Earlimart
Hymn and Her
Shout! Factory
Indie Pop, Indie Rock
G-Unit
T.O.S.: Terminate on Sight
G-Unit
Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
Vanessa Hudgens
Identified
Hollywood
Teen Pop, Dance-Pop
John Mayer
Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles
Columbia
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Pop/Rock, Blues-Rock
C-Murder
Screamin' 4 Vengeance
Tru/Asylum
Dirty South, Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
Johnny Cash
Original Greatest Hits
Time Life
Rockabilly, Traditional Country, Rock & Roll, Country-Pop
Culture
Culture and Deejays at Joe Gibbs: 1977-1979
VP
Political Reggae, Roots Reggae
James Harman
Two Sides to Every Story
Black Top
Modern Electric Blues
Jim Jones & Byrd Gang
M.O.B.: The Album
Asylum
Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap, Gangsta Rap
Rex Lawson
The Aeolian Company
NMC
Compositions and Arrangements for Pianola
Los Lonely Boys
Forgiven
Epic
Roots Rock, Tex-Mex, Rock & Roll
Lydia Mordkovitch
Lydia Mordkovitch Plays Bacewicz & Enescu
Chandos
Modern Chamber Music
Van Morrison
Veedon Fleece [Bonus Tracks]
Polydor
Album Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul, Pop/Rock, Folk-Rock, Soft Rock, Singer/Songwriter
My Chemical Romance
The Black Parade Is Dead!
Reprise
Emo, Punk-Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Willie Nelson
Stardust: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition
Sony Legacy
Outlaw Country, Progressive Country, Traditional Country
Robert Spano
Puccini: La Bohème
Telarc
Post-Romantic Opera
John Storgårds
Kalevi Aho: Symphony No. 12 "Luosto" [Hybrid SACD]
BIS
Contemporary Orchestral Music
Tickle Me Pink
Madeline [CD/DVD]
Wind-up
Alternative Pop/Rock, Emo
Various Artists
Star-Spangled Songs: America's Greatest Hits
Sheridan Square
Patriotic Orchestral and Band Music
