Tuesday's New Releases 1-25

Cold War Kids Mine Is Yours

This rock band just keep churning out good music, I had a chance to see them at Lollapalooza in 2009 and they but on a great set. This is their third full lenght album, following 2008's Loyalty to Loyalty (great album name) which debut on the Billboard charts at #21. While I don't feel there is as much buzz around this band as there was in 2008, they should have a similar showing this new record; hopefully even higher. Hey if Cake can do it why not these kids?

Another solid single from Cold War Kids, here's hoping the war never ends and these kids never grow up.

Amos Lee Mission Bell

I'm excited for this new Amos Lee album. I've never really listened to much of the Philadelphia singer-songwriter until recently, but his name's floated by me for a few years. The initial interest came in the great list of collaborators Lee brings to his fourth studio album including Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Pieta Brown, and a few others. Good names to have attached to a project. Lee's last album, 2008's Last Days at the Lodge, came in at #29 on the Billboard charts, so it will be interesting to see how he follows it.

Great track here, make we wish for spring. Get out the car, roll down the windows, and go for a breezy ride with Amos Lee kicking it on the stereo.

Iron and Wine Kiss Each Other Clean

Samuel Beam, better know as Iron and Wine, is a fantastic singer-songwriter, and I thoroughly enjoyed his 2007 album The Sheperd's Dog. I am a little concerned for this new album, only because Beam has stated in recent interviews that he wanted to more of a 'pop' album. So we'll have to see what exactly he meant by that, it's not broke Beam so please don't try and fix it. His last album debuted at #24, but I think he's got Top Ten on this one.

Alot of the back voices and production is distracting on an otherwise great song. Feel like this one could have been a lot deeper and emotional if we stripped it down.

Wanda Jackson The Party Ain't Over

Wanda Jackson is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence, though she came after Elvis and toured with him....stupid. Anyway she's an old rockabilly legend getting a senior sunset moment of appreciation from guitar genius Jack White. It's not Jack's first time reviving the stalled career of an elder songstress, he did the same thing for Loretta Lynn a few years back. Her single "You Know I'm No Good" was her first single since 1975, dam woman, that's 36 years. So there's Jack, and a legend, and talk of a party, you might wanna wander into this one and if you don't like it quickly wander back out. I already have.

Interesting cover I'm having a hard time judging, as I do love Bob Dylan's original. Jack is here to make it fun, and his guitar is a nice addition though overall I would say the backing band doesn't match Bob's. As for Wanda, she toes the line her pretty good with a voice that always seems ready to surprise me. Unfortunately though, it sounds a bit cutsey on most of the lyrics and Wanda gives no real depth or power to Dylan's wonderful lyrics. Valiant attempt none the less.

Destroyer Kaputt

Kaputt is the new full lenght album from Canadian indie rock band Destroyer. It's their first full album since 2008's Trouble in Dreams, but they did release new EPs in both '09 and '10. A lot of people on the interwebs seem pretty excited for this album, so perhaps you and/or I should give it a listen. Dan Bejar is the lead singer of Destroyer, well actually he is everything in Destroyer, currently being their sole member. He's also a member of the The New Pornographers, who I do enjoy, so maybe this album will be good after all. The album cover depicts four friends in a South American town who have decided to jump off a climb and kill themselves. The fifth friend, the girl sitting a little distance from them, was to chicken to jump and therefore has been ostracized.

It's an alright song with an interesting video. I struggled to make the full six minute lenght on this song, just not doing a whole lot for me. Would be fantastic elevator music.

Nicole Atkins Mondo Amore

Singer-songwriter, Nicole Atkins, is releasing her second full length solo album this week. I really don't know much about her and am simply scanning here Wiki page for information. Apparently she's decently famous, at least in some circles, has been compared vocally to Roy Orbison, is often inspired by the work of David Lynch, used to perform with a backup band call The Sea, and had a song in an American Express commercail. I like the cover of this new album though, not sure who that fellow is chilling with Nicole her father, escaped convict, her boyfriend, an old friend, her body guard, but the overall album cover message is clear: "Don't fuck with Nicole Atkins". Message received.

The singer interest me, but when her band enters to kick things up a notch or for the 'na-na-na-na' chorus lines I kinda cringe. The drumming I also found kind of shitty.

Deerhoof Deerhoof Vs. Evil

Glad to see someone's finally challenging evil, the rest of us have pretty much given up and are just taking it. These San Francisco indie rockers have really put out a lot of music since their debut in 1997, this newest album being their eleventh release.Wonder what their relationship is with the band Deerhunter?

Weird song, band seems all over the fucking place, but you know, I can dig that. Fun interesting song to listen to. But would I enjoy it on multiple listens?


Gang of Four Content

English Post-Punk legends, this is Gang of Four's first studio album since 1995. I personally have little so say of the group (never listened to them myself), they've been around sine the late 70s and seem to be highly regarded. That's enough for me to give them a listen. Don't like that album cover though, or rather, I'm not 'content' with it.

Good riffing, toe tapping beat, and vocals that kind of remind me of David Bowie, and that's certainly a compliment.