Here come this week’s releases… and there goes my musical dignity.

After agreeing to contribute to our beloved "Drop It Like It’s Hot" blog for this week, I swiftly kicked myself at the subsequent realization of what exactly I had on my plate in the upcoming days. Nonetheless, I delved into recent releases and poked around at what was on the menu.

And there it was.

A certain album is being released this week to which any average, sane human being would probably pay no mind. But considering I am no such human being, this particular album (and its delivering artist) are of a bit more importance to me than, say, anyone else in the world. Instead of continually living in fear of someone someday discovering this embarrassing obsession I have so unfortunately and defenselessly been born with, I am ready to rip the Band-Aid and come right out:

I AM HOPELESSLY AND UNBEARABLY IN LOVE WITH MARC ANTHONY. Can’t help it. Sorry. Always have been, always will be.



And there goes any shot I ever may have had at a job in the music industry.

So, needless to say, I’m thrilled about the release of Iconos, a cover album comprised entirely of Spanish-language songs my Latin lover so beautifully iterates from the original artists he admires. From what I’ve heard thus far, the songs sound about as good as a cover could, with not many surprises, but not many letdowns, either. What could be better? Actually, I could think of a few things, starting with Marc Anthony's coming to Athens and serenading me affectionately with said songs. But I digress...

Another highly anticipated album to drop this week is First Aid Kit’s The Big Black and the Blue. I stumbled upon the band about two winters ago amidst my momentary fixation on Fleet Foxes, when a video featuring the girls from First Aid Kit covering (quite alluringly, might I add) one of my favorite Foxes songs showed up on YouTube. However, from what I’ve heard of The Big Black and the Blue thus far, I’m a bit underwhelmed. Sure, it’s a debut album, but it really sounds amateur. I suppose I expected the band to come out a little more on top than most other groups, simply because of the praise and attention they’ve already received in their YouTube prime.

Having always been appreciative of Black Moth Super Rainbow, I’m also looking forward to frontman Tom Fec’s release of a side project album this week under better-known pseudonym Tobacco. Maniac Meat has thus far received mostly positive reviews, and the sound backs it up. A trippy, heavy album boasts guest appearances from Beck, which can only be a good thing. I’m excited to see what rising stars like Bassnectar will do with this album.

Yet another cover album is due out this week, this one may be musically more enticing, but not visually. Sorry Bettye, you’re simply not as yummy as Marc. Bettye LaVette’s Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook does not disappoint. Her soulful, earnest companion of a voice takes listeners through a series of uber-cherished Brit Rock songs that simply could not be covered successfully by anybody else. And success she most certainly achieves. From Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” to Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to The Animals’ “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” she’s got it covered, literally and figuratively.

So yeah, I think it’s safe to say this week’s releases pretty much run the wide gamut, with the addition of a few other unmentioned releases. But let’s be completely honest with ourselves, we’ve all got ants in our pants over Marc Anthony and him alone.

--Courtney Baldasare, Editorial Director