RYAN ADAMS- CARDINOLOGY
It feels like ages since the last Ryan Adams record, "Easy Tiger" was released in 2007. I had gotten used to 3-4 new records a year from this guy. Haven't heard much of this new one yet
, but what I've heard so far sounds like a mostly uptempo and satisfying affair. Looking forward to a real "sit down and listen" session.BLOC PARTY- INTIMACY
With their retro-punk sounds and knack for hooks and melody, Bloc Party took the USA by storm with their impressive 2005 debut, "Slent Alarm." Only three years later and it's hard to tell if anyone still cares. We shall see soon enough.
RY COODER- ANTHOLOGY: THE UFO HAS LANDED
First ever US compilation o
f Cooder's large body of work, this 2 CD set covers all the WB albums, as well as key soundtrack moments. This can't be anything but swell!EAGLES OF DEATH METAL- HEART ON
The side project of Queens Of The Stone Age front man Josh
Homme, the Eagles Of Death Metal are not eagles and they don't play death metal. They are actually a fast-driving, riff heavy band that evokes the sound of classic 60's garage rock. "Heart On," their third release is their best so far, with a dozen quick spurts of energy, each with enough hooks to...that's right...snag a flounder.TAYLOR HICKS- EARLY WORKS
Hysterical. This must be the rumoured stuff with Duane Allman and John Phillips.
KAISER CHIEFS- OFF WITH THEIR HEADS
After their dissapointing follow-up to their brilliant debut "Employment," the Chiefs are back strong! The songs all have a familiarity that will bring you back to the great early days of MTV. The Clash, Duran Duran, Robert Palmer, The Buzzcocks, XTC and Gang Of Four all get a musical nod and a wink on this blast of a return from the Chiefs.
DANIEL LANOIS- HERE IS WHAT IS
Aside from hi
s production work on Dylan's "Oh Mercy," I can't say I have ever been a fan of Daniel Lanois. I respect his work, but I don't care for any of his self-indulgent, moody solo records...and I say that with all due respect. His 6th release, "Here Is What Is" features drummer extraordinaire and frequent Lanois beater, Brian Blade, as well as Garth Hudson on keys. Aside from the music, the album also includes philosophical interludes and "inspiring conversations" with Brian Eno which were taken from the DVD documenting this recording. This, some dip and Pictionary and you're all set.JESSE MALIN- ON YOUR SLEEVE
NYC boy makes good! Still not sure how he became everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Lucinda Williams' favorite songwriter, and I still won't find out with this
new release of cover versions. Out earlier in the UK, "On Your Sleeve" has been slightly tweaked for US audiences. (Did they remove the Flanders & Swann track?) Interesting versions of songs by the Bad Brains, Lords Of The New Church and Elton John sit next to absolutely pointless versions of Fred Neil's "Eveybody's Talkin'" and Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side"PINK- FUNHOUSE
Pink has some potential. A better than average voice and a slight edge in the songwriting department over the other papstar bimbos, yet there is something that just hasn't been working on her last two records that worked just fine on "Misundaztood." Let's see what happens with "Funhouse."
QUEEN & PAUL RODGERS- THE COSMOS ROCKS
I do not approve this message. Miss you, Freddie.
THIS CANNOT BE TRUE!!
Yet another version of the Small Faces "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake." STOP THE MADNESS!! How many have you bought? I know I was suckered into at least 6 versions.
REISSUE OF THE WEEK
JIMMY HUGHES- THE BEST OF JIMMY HUGHES
From Rolling Stone:
An overlooked gospel-turned-R&B singer with a keening, feminine voice, Jimmy Hughes put Muscle Shoals, Alabama, home of the Fame label and studios, on the map with his Top 20 hit "Steal Away" in 1964 — several years before Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding recorded there. His verge-of-tears intensity enlivens this collection, out of print for years, which spans from soft, elegant ballads like "Why Not Tonight" to greasy funk workouts such as "I'm a Man of Action." Some of the material, like the swinging, Sam Cooke-aping "Neighbor, Neighbor," is fairly generic, but Hughes tears into each tune as if it was destined to be a smash.
MY TWO CENTS:
MY TWO CENTS:
This new collection, the first in a series of anthologies from Fame Studios, is just perfect from end to end. Crisp remastering, and a tight song selection. Highly recommended.
Also this week, new records from SNOW PATROL, JOHN LEGEND, SUSAN TEDESCHI and UNBUNNY. (I don't know either)
FINALLY--
A friend of mine from San Francisco sent me a CD. She said I would love it. (whatever) Well, snob that I try not to be, but was at that moment, I did...love it. And I urge all of you to check out "The Cookbook," by Bhi Bhiman. Bhi Bhiman's My Space Page
The first and most obvious comparison, for me, is Taj Mahal. The record has a swingin', soulful, country blues feel that just suckers you in. Lyrically, the man is topical, hysterical and heartbreaking. And on tracks like "Loving You" and "Telouise," Bhi Bhiman's vocals and harmonies will make you melt. Honestly, I'm surprised at just how much I love this record. Please check this man out and listen to some tracks from "The Cookbook" on his page.
Stay tuned tomorrow for an early edition of THE WEEKEND MIX. I will be blogging from New Orleans this weekend, so I thought I'd get the music to you early.
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