From superstars like Tim McGraw, to critical favorites like Lyle Lovett, to comparative newcomers like Joss Stone, to respected old-timers like Leonard Cohen and Roxy Music--this week has it all!
"It," of course, in this sense means new product in the marketplace that several interested parties would absolutely love to see you buy!
Rammstein, on the other hand, have a brand new album called Liebe Ist Für Alle Da!
That means "there is love for everyone"!
I'll be back next week with even more hot scoops!
Tim McGraw: Southern Voice (Curb) I don't want to imply that all things are predestined, but take one of country music's biggest stars and give him a single with the catchy title of "It's A Business Doing Pleasure With You"--co-written by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, no less--and business will likely be as brisk as it gets! Throw in a track with the unforgettable title of "I'm Only Jesus" as an attention-grabber, and there's every indication that this may be one of the year's very biggest albums! Figuratively speaking!
It's A Business Doing Pleasure With You - Tim McGraw
Joss Stone: Colour Me Free (Virgin) The fourth album by colorful Brit singer Joss Stone has the distinct privilege of being available only at Target in its physical configuration, and only via iTunes for those favoring the digital configuration! But no matter how you get you kicks, if you've ever enjoyed the stylish R&B-enraptured songstress, you're sure to enjoy this new effort, which features hooks aplenty and guest stars like Jeff Beck, Sheila E., Raphael Saadiq, Nas and saxophonist David Sanborn! Recorded at the live music venue owned by her actual mom in the UK, Colour Me Free is exotically spelled, exquisitely musical, and extensively written about by writers too clever by half! Buy it today!
Leonard Cohen: Leonard Cohen Live At The Isle Of Wight (DVD/CD) (Columbia/Legacy) In the course of becoming one of the more beloved figure in popular music, Leonard Cohen has oddly made more fans on the basis of his newer, unquestionably fine, material than that of his earliest stuff, which ranks among the best in popular music. Here's hoping that this new, younger audience picks up this wonderful set, a DVD/CD combo documenting his appearance at England's Isle Of Wight festival in 1970, when the lad was a mere 35 and even more compelling, singing the finest songs in his repertoire. If I were inclined to gush, I would call this a staggering mess of wonderfulness! You too?
Bird On A Wire (Live At Isle Of Wight Festival, Uk) - Leonard Cohen
Kings Of Convenience: Declaration Of Dependence (Astralwerks) The brand new album by Norway's fabulous Kings Of Convenience--otherwise known as Erik Boe and Erlend Oye--was long in coming and no less fabulous for the wait! Officially their "third" album--but longtime fans with a disdain for the rewriting of history surely know it is their fourth--Declaration Of Dependence is thoroughly solid and filled with such tracks of affirmation as "Rule My World," "Power Of Not Knowing" and "Second To Numb"! Yes, they are wonderful role models! Perhaps most touching, considering the album's title, is the cover photo depicting the duo on the newly created arctic beach of Northern Norway, where they ponder their country's dependence of the rest of the world to halt global warming before it's too late! Chill, dudes!
Power Of Not Knowing - Kings of Convenience
Lyle Lovett: Natural Forces (Lost Highway) A welcome album from Lovett, who never disappoints, this collection features a new batch of originals, songs by Townes Van Zandt, David Ball and Vince Bell among others, and two charming versions of his concert favorite "Pantry." Musicianship is as always impeccable, and the "natural forces" of which Lovett sings clearly involve his hat, his hair, and the force of gravity! Sort of like Madonna, but a guy!
Rammstein: Liebe Ist Für Alle Da (Vagrant) Always delightful, Germany's Rammstein return with a sixth album highlighted by a cover I choose not to depict here and a first single entitled "P***y" that, oddly, has no asterisks in real life and is not about cats or birthdays! Frankly, since it has been a few years since I took German, I have absolutely no idea what these fun-lovers are singing about, but suspect the titles "Wiener Blut" and "Rammlied" may get the point across! Not to mention "B********," which reportedly is "a word made up by the band to mean 'whatever you want'"! Ok, cool! I want it to mean "recent threat of salmonella in cantaloupes"!
Roxy Music: The Story Of Roxy Music: More Than This (DVD) (Eagle) Those who've forgotten the excitement that was early Roxy Music in their heyday--perhaps because many of today's biggest pop stars also sing!--would be thrilled by this 94-minute BBC documentary on the band, were they only to watch it! With its early cover picture of the band (no Davy O'List but with a hirsute Brian Eno!) and its emphasis on the band's evolution--contemporary interviews with several musisicans, including Eno are featured--and some fascinating early clips, this is all you need to see to decide that pop music really did officially end sometime in the early '70s, to be replaced by movies, television, heavy metal, and contemporary Western religion!
Cartel: Cycles (Wind-up) Known in some circles as "Atlanta-based Emo Alt-rockers"--hopefully not by their moms and dads--the Cartel have a fiery, catchy sound and think that complex jokes about their first single "Let's Go," their band name, and a Ric Ocasek autobiography really aren't, in the scheme of things, altogether humorous! Great if you like Paramore, Saosin, Boys Like Girls, and spaceships with steering wheels!
Flight Of The Conchords: I Told You I Was Freaky (Sub Pop) With a built-in TV audience that's extremely appreciative, this set--which contains mostly songs from the critically lauded HBO show's second season--should appeal to nearly everyone! Word is that the zany duo wrote one new song for the album called "Rambling Through The Avenues Of Time," so true fans of the show have to buy it or they're missing out! Darn those marketing experts!
Rambling Through The Avenues Of Time - Flight Of The Conchords
Timothy B. Schmit: Expando (Lost Highway) Solo albums by current Eagle, former Poco bassist Schmit are few and far between, but so are artists who completely buy into John Kordosh's wacky Framed mythology! At home, Gummo brooded silently!