I've got a silly new Huffington Post piece here.
And, I've got a brief round-up of some worthy CDs out today, below.
Check it out.
JACKSON BROWNE- TIME THE CONQUEROR
On his first studio album in 6 years, Jackson Browne doesn't take many chances. And that's a good thing. There's nothing here that will tear your heart apart like the old days, but it's a solid record with Jackson's voice showing just the slightest bit of age. Politics and more politics as usual, "Where Were You," an almost 10 minute march against the government's failure to react to Katrina and "Far From The Arms Of Hunger" with it's church-organ and hypnotic pace are both very powerful tracks on a better than average album.
DAVID GILMOUR- LIVE IN GDANSK
Pink Floyd guitarist releases his first live LP. Recorded in Gdansk with 40 Gpiece Gdorchestra, its features many hits including plenty from Gdark Side Of The Moon. Comes in a standard 2 CD version, a 2 CD and 1 DVD version, a 2 CD and 2 DVD version, and the no CD and no DVD version for people who don't care about this release. Gdank you.
GOLDEN SMOG- STAY GOLDEN:THE BEST OF
A supergroup of sorts, Smog which has featured members of The Jayhawks, Wilco, Soul Asylum, and The Replacements, releases an 18 track best of with 2 previously unissued tracks. A little less heavy-handed than Wilco, a bit more daring than The Jayhawks, and a lot better than Soul Asylum, this is a great place to start if you're unfamiliar with Golden Smog's work.
KINGS OF LEON--ONLY BY THE NIGHT
People love this band. I don't get it. This is the new one.
PICK OF THE WEEK
JENNY LEWIS- ACID TONGUE
With Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis released a handful of critically acclaimed albums. But it wasn't until her brilliant solo release with The Watson Twins that she really caught my ears. Now, with some all-stars by her side, Lewis releases her strongest work yet. There is something about "Acid Tongue" that reminds me of the "Plastic Ono Band," John Lennon's first solo LP. It's powerfully honest, with plenty of room in the production, and yet everything in your face.
With guest spots from Chris Robinson, M.Ward, Zooey Deschanel, and Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis' brand of folk, rock and gospel is absolutely invigorating. On "The Carpetbaggers," Lewis and Costello share the vocals on an upbeat country-rocker reminiscent of early Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and the title track would not have been out of place on Neil Young's "Harvest." A great record that will keep on giving.
KENNY LOGGINS- HOW ABOUT NOW
How about never?
GRAHAM NASH- SONGS FOR BEGINNERS
One of my favorite records of all-time gets the much-deserved and long-awaited upgrade. Nash's first solo release is a bonafide classic that includes "Military Madness," "Chicago," "Better Days," and "I Used To Be A King." This features a new stereo mix, as well as a 5.1 DVD-A surround mix.
'MATS ENTERTAINMENT
I swore I'd never listen to The Replacements again after the relentless outpouring of crap from leader Paul Westerberg after his promising solo debut "14 Songs." But the four expanded remasters from Rhino Records--"Tim," "Pleased To Meet Me," "Don't Tell A Soul," and "All Shook Down," sound so good and feature a ton of bonus material, that I could no longer make a stand. These records are cult classics for a reason, especially "Tim," where Westerberg's writing became very personal and confessional. This is the record that took him to another level.
WRECKLESS ERIC & AMY RIGBY--WRECKLESS ERIC & AMY RIGBY
New wave original and pop songstress get married and make a record. Always liked both Eric and Amy's output, so I have high hopes for this collaboration.
THE IMUS RANCH RECORD
Radio icon and legendary charmer Don Imus asked all his rowdy friends to contribute a cover of HIS choice to this compilation whose proceeds will go to The Imus Ranch, an organization formed to help kids with cancer. Great, actually. Delbert McClinton does "Lay Down Sally." Lucinda Williams does "Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." Big & Rich does the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right To Party." Good stuff for a good cause.
Click here for full track list
For a more extensive list of what was released today, check out www.pauseandplay.com
1 comment:
Although I wish them well, I really hope marital happiness doesn't ruin Amy Rigby's wonderfully cynical songwriting.
FYI, Eric & Amy are appearing at Southpaw (in Park Slope) on Saturday night (9/27). This might be a rare opportunity as I think they're living in Europe.
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